Best of 2013: Albums

I've put together another list to add to your list of annoying year-end lists. Behold the best South African albums of 2013, in no particular order. This is a high five to the year's most beautifully crafted, well-executed records that showcase the best in local talent and make me very proud to be able to write about South African music. 

New video: PHFAT | House of Clashes

Electronic rap trio PHFAT will be dropping their new album Happiness Machines in five days. Today they released the first single off the album, "House of Clashes" and in true PHFAT style, they've made the track available to download for free.

Download "House of Clashes" below: 
 
Watch the "House of Clashes" music video below:



PHFAT are also embarking on their Happiness Machines album launch tour at the end of this month too.

26 July Cape Town | The Assembly | With Felix Leband, Seafood, Mr Sakitumi, Hyphen & Button  Bashers

27 July Pretoria | Arcade Empire | With Felix Leband, Fuzigish, Hawkword, Michael Lesar, King   Rat, David and Goliath, Tympa, Destrukto, DJ Mammi Watta

Hard copies of the album will be on sale for R170 on the night if you are feeling generous. It comes with a 16-page booklet designed by Jason De Villiers. Otherwise, you can download the album for free. Easy as that. 

21 Part 1: PHFat says share music

I turned 21 on Thursday. It was a bit daunting for me, not because I'm one of those crazies who think 21 is old. It scares me just a tad to think how quickly time goes by. I didn't want to have a huge formal party because I plan on traveling later this year and I would much rather spend the money on that. What I thought would be a chilled birthday turned into four days of non-stop celebrating with all the special people in my life. We started off with the PHFat album launch at Arcade Empire (my second home, can you tell?). PHFat's psychedelic bass-rap tore the place apart. It was epic. I never thought I would like rap but I so do (the great Tumi Molekane got me hooked). Thank you PHFat, you made 21 awesome.

You can never have enough Lark

A video of Lark at Arcade Empire by Blimp Films. I'm hoping that it will convey to you just how awesome they are!



In other news, I turned 21 on Thursday. I didn't plan on doing too much but this whole weekend has ended up being devoted to celebrating. On Thursday night, I went to the PHFat album launch and last night was Two Door Cinema Club in Joburg. Tonight I'm going to Tashas and tomorrow it's lunch with the family. I'll do a proper post once I've regained the hours of lost sleep. Hope you are all having a splendid weekend!

Tomorrow we Jump

Ndo'yika iThambo

Almost half way through the week. Yes! That means it's one day closer to the PHFat album launch on Thursday night and the much-anticipated Two Door Cinema Club on Friday. Life is good.
In the meantime, you should take a listen to this song, Ndo'yika iThambo by Sindy Dondolo. It's great. I came across it on the splendidly put together Zoo City soundtrack.
Also, if anyone comes across any cool artists that you think I should know about, leave me a comment or drop me an email. I'm keen to get my hands on some new stuff!