DOWNLOADS OF THE WEEK: Crosses, Dirty Sesh & Chris Brown

Crosses (†††) - Crosses (†††) EP

Crosses is full of the usual vocal talent, energy and melodramatic-ness you would expect as the new side project from Deftones’ front man Chino Moreno. Also in the group is Shaun Lopez from post-hardcore band Far. The EP is downtempo and mellow and yet decidedly energetic. Consistent attention to rhythm pulls you through each track with pumping electronic beats and bitsy percussion to keep you interested. There is a scattering of ear-grabbing sounds and synth textures with a wall of heavy distorted guitars that lay so comfortably behind Chino’s vocals. It sort of forms a middle ground between Team Sleep (Chino’s other side project) and Deftones.

Tracklist:

1. †his Is A †rick
2. Op†ion

3. Bermuda Locke†
4. †hholyghs†

5. †

If you’re a fan of Deftones or Team Sleep or Post-Hardcore then give it a go, and if you’re not then download it anyway, it’s free after all.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Derty Sesh – Fuck Derty Sesh EP

In this collection of self-produced tracks Derty Sesh shrugs disses, pines for a world outside of New Zealand and gives tips on how to get girls. He consistently alludes to his strong work ethic and seems to now be looking for recognition. There are hard-hitting beats and a mix of grating synths and softer tones, but all with a rhythmic, well-delivered flow.

I caught up with him to see how he feels about giving his music away for free, why he is so set on escaping New Zealand and just how hard he really does work…

What is your philosophy behind your music being free to download?
I was never a big fan of free download with my music in the beginning except for maybe mixtapes where all you did was rap over other people’s music. But when it was a tape you created yourself, my whole thought on it was that an artist who puts so much time and effort into a project should get money in return for all their hard work. But, then I started to look at it like, no one is going to buy something they have never heard before except for a couple singles here and there, so why not put all that work into a smaller project where people can download it for free and try build a bigger fan base off that, hence the reason behind this EP.

How does your label (Move The Crowd) feel about you giving away the EP as a free download?

They were cool with it. There was no real big decision that needed to be made; it was just something I did on the side in about 2 weeks. I wasn't planning on releasing anything before the second album but I had so much music I needed to do something with it.

Several times you refer to leaving NZ for USA and Europe. What is it about Derty Sesh that you think would be successful overseas?
That's a good question, and I don't know how else to explain it other than, I can do everything. That's probably another one of the biggest things on my side in making it successful. I write all my songs, I'm self-taught in mixing and producing all my beats and have an input in all music I work on. I am now also teaching myself how to direct & edit my own music videos. There's no real big plan to achieve international success. There are a few concepts I have in the back of my mind, but one thing I do know is I have what it takes to make it. I will succeed.

The EP has a focus on a good work ethic. How important is it in the modern music industry to be consistently dedicated? Do you think living in NZ requires an even higher work ethic?
That's really important in my eyes. Living in NZ requires a higher work ethic definitely, we are such a small place and you’re never going to be heard if you aren't consistently working. You have to have it in you if you really want to succeed and make it internationally. If no one is willing to help you, there's no point in sitting around crying about it. Learn, study, and do it yourself!


After the response to the ‘Forever’ video do you think you were misrepresented? Is this part of the reason you are so motivated to leave NZ?
I knew when we made 'Forever' we were making something special and something that was going to shock people, and I loved that. I think people didn't understand what we created and only saw what they wanted to see (girl, knife, blood). All we did was put a classic "horror movie theme" into a hip-hop music video. My opinion is that NZ is too small and worried what everyone else thinks. My motivation to leave NZ comes from seeing what artists in NZ have become. You can only go so far in this country if I'm being honest. I always tell people my passion towards getting out and the first thing they say is, "Australia must be the next step" but that's just not for me. Australia is a great step for some artists, but I just can't see what I do succeeding any different over there than it does over here.


What is your song writing and song making process?

My routine is usually starting off by making the beat first, and once I'm happy with it I usually just start writing the music and lyrics. If there's an idea to the song, I'll usually just start creating music based around that idea. It's that simple.

Is there a plan to tour on the back of the "Fuck Derty Sesh EP"?
Well since I don't know when the next album is out (which is finished), I have been thinking about it. I might have something out in September/October, hopefully. But a tour will be more promo for the 2nd album rather than this EP.

Hit the link below to download the EP for free.

Tracklist


1. Equal Rights [Intro]

2. Message for You

3. All Eyez On Me"
4. Press Fast Foward feat. Ethical

5. Pick Up The Phone feat. Five A

6. Young'N - Produced By. Lyrix

7. Revenge Is A Sweet Thing feat. Young Sid

8. Copy Cat feat. Five A

9. I'm My Own King [Outro]

10. Unforgivable

DOWNLOAD HERE

Chris Brown – Boy in Detention
Chris Brown seems to be more and more about the rapping and less about the singing. This mixtape brings it all together. A collection of songs with usual Brown smooth vocals and splatterings of his new found rap swag. This album is pretty much a who’s who of talent. Tracks featuring Wiz Khalifa, Big K.R.I.T and even Justin Beiber! And even Beibs has thrown aside his vanilla-scented, sugar vocals for a gritty lyrical spit.

Now before you jump to conclusions about all of this take just a couple of seconds. I am a little scared to go on public record with this, but, you know, I don’t think Chris Brown is a terrible rapper. He has some witty lines and some carefully crafted rhythm in his delivery. I am even more scared to admit that I think JB’s rap verse is alright too!

The feel of each track does not exactly bring a unique view to hip-hop or anything. It’s really just a mash of what’s already successful in the hip-hop/pop/top 40 world. He has stolen a slice from Kanye, Lil Wayne, Lupe Fiaso and just about every other commercial rapper.

Whatever you think of Chris Brown’s new style, you have to at least respect that his new flow is being backed by some serious hip-hop producers. With beats from Justice League and No I.D. (the guy that taught Kanye everything he knows, as well as producing a billion massive tracks) he is pretty well set up.

It is all free too and right there for you to grab, so do it and see what you reckon.

Track Listing:
1. First 48 (Prod by Jukebox)

2. Crazy (Prod by David Banner)

3. Freaky I’m Iz feat. Kevin McCall, Diesel & Swizz Beats (Prod by Kevin McCall)

4. Body on Mine feat. Se7en (Prod by Infinity)

5. Spend It All feat. Se7en & Kevin McCall (Prod by Info)

6. Private Dancer feat. Se7en & Kevin McCall (Prod by Cornelio Austin)

7. 100 Bottles feat. Se7en (Prod by DJ Chuckie)

8. Leave the Club feat. Joelle James (Prod by Justice League)

9. Real Hip Hop #4 feat. Kevin MaCall (Prod by 9th Wonder)

10. Your Body (Prod by Hudson Mohawke)

11. Ladies Love Me feat. Justin Bieber (Prod by David Banner)

12. Real Hip Hop #3 (Prod by 9th Wonder)

13. Real Hip Hop feat. Kevin McCall (Prod by 9th Wonder)

14. Snapbacks Back feat. Tyga (Prod by Mike Will)

15. The Best Yo (Prod by Beat Syndicate)

16. Marvins Room Remix feat. J Valentine, Dawn Richard, Se7en & Kevin McCall (Prod. by Ryan M. Tedder)

17. 100% feat. Kevin McCall (Prod by Kevin McCall)

18. Last (Prod by No I.D.)

19. Sweetheart (Prod by Kevin McCall)

20. Strip feat. Kevin McCall (Prod by Tha Bizness)

21. Yoko feat. Berner, Wiz Khalifa & Big K.R.I.T. (Prod by Big K.R.I.T.)

DOWNLOAD HERE
 

By Oli Holmes