With A Hammer - Yaeji (2023)

Ideated from: going through some releases from the last few weeks I’ve been spinning a lot.

I don’t think there’s a distinctive “Brooklyn” sound, but it’s more of an aesthetic that seems to come from multiple genres you can find around the area. It’s the kind of label-defying daring that’s distilled through several layers of evolution from whatever roots it might have. It’s something you only get in dense, busy urban music scenes where everything progresses at breakneck speed and everyone rubs shoulders with everyone else.

There are some high concepts here, and lyrics that slip seamlesssly between Korean and English in a great flow.

It’s a very mature effort that shines brightly.

Tracks I Liked

Submerge FM - some hip hop flavor to the kick drum, and a nice intro

Passed Me By - a trip-hoppy house number

Away x5 - bubbly synth pop at its best.