New Music Roundup: Beck, Caleborate & Waka Flocka Flame
Trap hi-hats and typical turn-up tunes.
Beck, “Wow”
Beck is LA all day but with “Wow,” he’s ATL trap, too. (Wow, is right.) Over his storied and shape-shifting career, Beck has been a pioneer of musical style—think: the Dust Brothers cut-and-paste quirk of Odelay—and of absorbing both his past and contemporaries (think: the garage-psych swoon of Modern Guilt with Danger Mouse, the Serge Gainsbourg ditties of Sea Change, and all of his hip-hop shadings). Now with “Wow,” it sounds like he’s getting back to the rap-sung flow of his glory days, but this time it’s driven through Atlanta’s trap hi-hats and a dizzy swirl of a beat. Turns out there’s a new album coming October 21 with LA producer-of-the-moment Greg Kurstin behind the boards, and what a way to let us know.— Amrit Singh
Caleborate,” 08 [Carter Flow]”
“This is my Lil’ Wayne ’08 Carter flow / I’ve been going hard, but I could go a little harder though.” And that flow sounds nice coming from Bay Area rapper Caleborate. In addition to the delivery and instrumentals, what I also love is the fact that P-Lo (one of the many members of the HBK Gang) assisted with production. When I say that Bay Area artists stick together like super glue between two papers, they are literally that tight. “08” is Caleborate’s first single off his upcoming 1993 project, due this summer. — Erin Ashley Simon
Waka Flocka Flame, “Hype (Flockmix)”
Waka Flocka Flame is back and this time with a crazy “flock mix” for Drake’s single “Hype.” You already know this is a typical turn-up “bow, bow, brrriccckkk sssqqquuaaadddd” banger. Of all artists, I’m surprised that Waka decided to take a spin on Drake’s song. However, wouldn’t be surprised to hear this play at parties considering he is the King of “Let’s Get Rowdy.”— E.A.S.