Summer is in full effect, and what better way to soak up the sun then to vibe out to some dope summer jams. Venturing into the indie music scene, I’ve gathered a list of “5 Indie Projects You Should Be Streaming This Summer.” Whether you’re poolside at the SLS Hotel or road-tripping from SoCal to Mexico, check out what’s bumping through my aux chord right now!
5. Tory Lanez – Cruel Intentions
R&B crooner, Tory Lanez has been on the scene for a minute now. Often compared to the likes of PARTYNEXTDOOR and The Weeknd, the Toronto native proves he’s in his own lane with the release of his latest EP, Cruel Intentions. Experimenting with eclectic combinations of live instrumentation and syrupy synth lines, Tory Lanez creates a unique sound that varies from others in the electronic R&B realm. The soft and sensual inflections of his falsetto tones make Cruel Intentions an enjoyable and effortless listen. My favorite tracks from the project include “N.I.N.A.” and “Honda Civic,” two female odes that ladies won’t mind reverberating through their speaker pill.
Feroz is a mysterious find out of New Jersey. Little is known about the up-and-comer, but after stumbling upon his 3-track EP Rose Water, I was sold. The production is heterogeneous and hip with the frequent use of synthesizers and digitized sounds. The project, when streamed straight through, sounds like the soundtrack for the coolest video game ever. A standout from the project is “East of Eden,” a lyrically intense cut that experiments with a beat-tempo switch midway through.
3. Janine And The Mixtape – XX EP
Thanks to an Uber ride and a driver who could double as a music aficionado, I was put on game to New Zealand artist Janine And The Mixtape. The R&B songstress crafts an immaculate 6-track EP titled XX, full of memorable melodies and likeable love jams. Her approach differs from her R&B counterparts, as she dabbles with shifty synth lines, and pop genre sorts of runs and ad-libs that many R&B songsters may tend to shy away from (as seen on her tracks like “When I’m Broken” and “This Moment”).
BNCKDR (Bren Creek Drive) is the Indianapolis native who started gathering Internet buzz a month ago after dropping his track “Canon,” prompted an immediate co-sign from rapper Royce Rizzy. BNCKDR is a 21-year-old singer, songwriter, producer with an innate music ability as displayed in his newest work THENINETOFIVE. The 11-track mixtape is inspired by intoxicated thoughts about women, fame, and money. And while the project may be a fictional painting, the sounds of “Boat House” and “Pull Up” sit well as summer in-your-feelings anthems.
Miami based emcee, Prez P links with producer The Pyrvmids to deliver an 8-track EP titled The Preztige which features fellow Miami rhyme slayers Rell Burgundy, Ransooo Rockchild, Lil Champ Fway, and Philo B. The rapper has been stirring up buzz in the Miami scene and his performance on this body of work shows the up-and-comer’s clear and apparent stamp in the hip-hop game. The project is a catalyst of self-reflection as he spits about weeding through haters, staying afloat, and his transition into eminence. Some standouts include “Last Night” and “Holding It Down.”
– Savannah Britt (@Sav_Britt)
