Jan
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Six Shooter is a recurring feature where we highlight six new releases by North Texas-based musicians, with some extra ammo to spare.
It should come as no surprise that as 2015 came to an end, North Texas artists continued recent trends and closed out the last month of the year strong with another big batch of great new music. In fact, Dallas’ hip-hop scene put in some real overtime and released an insane haul of music over Christmas that we highlighted last week. A couple of those artists found their way to list as well because they’re certainly deserving, but they’re joined by an eclectic crew, including some emo revivalists, a country artist, an old soul throwback and more. This was the best new Dallas music of December.
Devy Stonez – Stepping Stonez EP
Devy Stonez is one of the most exciting talents in Dallas’ hip-hop scene right now. Big paws on a puppy, if you will. The youngster’s come on to the scene over the last two years as an associate of the IRAS movement and has looked and sounded right at home with the cream of the crop like the Outfit, TX on last year’s “All Bills Paid.” The sound and production on his Stepping Stonez EP felt a little out of left field, like “Fall in Love,” compared to his previous releases. But the four-track EP was a pleasant surprise and only added a versatility to the rapper’s repertoire that has us excited to hear Stonez’ debut LP.
Sad Cops – “Dirty Sheets”
Sad Cops ended the year with accolades that are going to put the band on a high pedestal for 2016, but don’t worry: It’s well deserved. Last week we listed the teenage band from Coppell as a one of our 5 DFW Bands Under 21 to Watch in 2016 and in the same week Central Track voted “Best Friends” their No. 1 local song of the year. “Dirty Sheets” is their latest track and falls right in line with not only their promising careers but their promising emo revival aesthetic.
Rio Pourcel – “Days Of Our Lives”
Rio Pourcel is a recent Dallas transplant whom we’re more than happy to claim as one of our own. It’s easy to compare his music to the current trend of artists like PartyNextDoor, P Reign or a Bryson Tiller, but Pourcel’s voice and style stand on their own, especially when accompanied with the chopped-and-screwed twist on the tail end of “Days of Our Lives.”
Larry G(ee) – “Don’t Talk feat. Sam Lao”
This is a powerful trio right here and we wouldn’t expect anything less than a beautiful track like “Don’t Talk” to be the result when a singer with Larry g(EE)’s chops, Sam Lao’s sultry voice and DJ A1’s slick production skills. “Don’t Talk” is the kind of track that fits right in to a Top 40 radio station’s rotation, a night club and the soundtrack of a cross-country road trip. It’s a mesmerizing and remarkable track.
Maren Morris
Earlier this month, we featured Maren Morris and her up-and-coming country career in Nashville that’s slightly reminiscent of Kacey Musgraves’ ascension. In that piece, writer Amy McCarthy wrote that at 25 Morris is no newcomer to the music stage and is poised to be one of Nashville’s hottest young stars after the release of her self-titled EP earlier this year landed her at the top of Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. This month Morris was featured on Vevo as an artist to discover.
Rikki Blu – Pleasant Grove EP
It’s been two years since Rikki Blu’s last project, XXXIII, which was his debut release. On a new five-song EP produced by Free P, Blu raps over minimalist beats and gives us bleak tales of his city with piercing lines like “Pleasant Grove/But it nothing pleasant ‘bout the Grove” and “It’s like night time all day ‘round here/Ain’t no fear ‘round here.” The Pleasant Grove EP feels like a tease because this is a tremendous project that plays through too fast, which will ensure that you’ll have it on repeat at least a few times.
Whimper – I Heard You The First Time
Mga Czar – Right Hand of God
Rei Clone – Rei Clone
Kirk Thurmond and the Millenials – “Break Free”
50 Cent – “Tryna Fuck Me Over Feat. Post Malone”
Zhora – Lights EP
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