Women of Trip Hop – pssyclwz, Arkanna, &Tilly

We found ourselves entangled in the experimental web that is monkey mind, the new release from pssyclwz.  The artist cleverly bridges the gap between FKA Twigs, Lana Del Rey and Radiohead.  It’s a testament to her various vocal styles.  The initial melody cites Radiohead while her poetic rants cite an influence of alt pop. 

The narrative adds to the affect, as the lyrics reflect an attitude that your school teachers might have described as ‘being fresh.’  Between the music’s vibrant design and her dark sultry vocal, monkey mind is seductively mischevious.  Let’s all do something bad tonight. 

Hear monkey mind now on our Women of Trip Hop Playlist.  

Arkanna got under our skin with her new release Wonder Cloud.  This entrancing trip hop aura marries itself to a dark dreamy vibe.  There’s an exotic reverence to the melody, one that cites an influence of ancient tribal music familiar to her native British Isles. 

That contrast lands cinematic, an affect that’s enhanced courtesy of a sampled mid song philosophical prose.  That offering in conjunction with the beat architecture emits major Trip Hop vibes that cite an influence of Thievery Corporation and DJ Shadow.  They combine that with the experimental pop inspiration of Kate Bush and Portishead. Both can be heard in the haunting vocal performance.  We simply love it. 

Hear Wonder Cloud now on our Women of Trip Hop Playlist.  

After Johnny Cash reimagined The Nine Inch Nails song Hurt, we didn’t think there was much room left for interpretation… until now.  

The Czech based project &Tilly inject a fresh aura into this iconic classic. It starts with the haunting vocal, one that pays homage to the versions before it while tastefully adapting it new.   The imaginative production tickles the atmosphere playfully.  It adds some nice contrast to lighten the dark nature. 

All around the production quality is excellent, but what’s most striking about the new version is the trembling whisper from the lead vocal.  Her performance has major cinematic affect.  It’s ripe with emotion in a way that conjures a sense of insanity, as if to tease the lyrical notion of pain from pleasure.  It’s that detail that mirrors NIN’s genius.  It also honors the groups influences; artists like Massive Attack and Lamb. We love it. 

Hear the &Tilly version of Hurt now on our Women Of Trip Hop Playlist.