In celebration of Rated R.’s new Spotify channel, we’ve asked each of our music editors and our chief editor to make a mixtape. From TLC to T-Rex, here’s what they came up with. Last week was our first music editor Joe Brookes, and now here’s our second music editor Oscar King Davies with a selection of cutting edge electronica with a kick of classic RnB.
Cocorosie – Child Bride
I feel like a have entered into a cult as I’m obsessed with these transcendental witches. Bianca’s voice is childlike and introvert, Sierra’s is smooth and operatic, they delve into dark subjects that I can’t resist.
Grimes – Be A Body
Grimes takes the use of the ’80s pop-synth to new levels. Here, the ethereal soprano vocals merge together making me feel otherwordly
James Blake – Life Around Here
His most recent album, Overgrown, is so innovative in not only blurring the boundaries between popular and experimental music, but also in using silence as a medium for sound.
Sigur Rós – Varùö
Despite my agnosticism, or perhaps because of it, Sigur Rós’s music seems profoundly spiritual to me (even though I have no idea what he is saying)
The Knife – A Cherry On Top
These guys have really mastered how to make ambient music have energy whilst not being too much, perfect for those silent nights of essay writing when it is just you and the moon.
Braids – Lemonade
Highly underrated, I discovered Braids at Latitude a few years back. They are like Animal Collective but with a female vocalist and (dare I say it) better.
Seekae – Go
Moving onto more electronic sounds, I was recently introduced to Seekae and xo far I like them a lot from what I’ve heard
AZ&TOR – Sit Back
These guys have a kind of electronic groove going on, very slick and funky
Mosca – Tilt Shift
It’s hard to walk on the tube listening to this and not feel like you’re a don, ESPECIALLY 2m20. Such a tune!
Eliphino – More Than Me
This unstoppable riff has haunted many a summer, and though simple, Eliphino’s beats sharp
Jessie Ware – Running (Disclosure Remix)
Although I discovered this last June, at any rave this never fails to disappoint the crowd. See also Janet Jackson ‘Call On Me’ (Disclosure remix)
Blawan – Bohla
Serious house vibes from Blawan, patience is the key here.
Phaeleh – Afterglow
Smooth and sensual, this song reminds me of burning incense in my room whilst putting a sock over the fire alarm
Banks – Warm Water
This girl is mysterious and doesn’t reveal much. I feel like she’s going to be appreciated in 2013/14
Two Inch Punch – Paint it Red
A bit similar to James Blake, here Mikky Ekko’s vocals makes this a good chill out song
CHVRCHES – Gun
Up the tempo, CHVRCHES could take this year by storm, the use of synths is reminiscent with the good old days on Naked and Famous
Major Lazor – Get Free
Reggae feel chill out and screamy vocals is an unexpected genius combination
TLC – No Scrubs
Thought I would have to finish in RnB’s Golden Age (90s) as it influenced so many of my favourite artists. No Scrubs is a classic
Ashanti – Only U
This grungy RnB is effortless and sexual
Dr Dre – Still D.R.E. (feat. Snoop Dogg)
Hip Hop tunes like this will never grow old, ever ever. Get the boombox out and find a ghetto!
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