ALBUMS OF THE WEEK: VMA EDITION

August 31st, 2011

Influence

We listen to A LOT of music at the NYC showroom. And we’re the giving kind, so we thought why not share with you what we’re currently listening to? In honor of the Video Music Awards last weekend, all of our picks this week are VMA themed.

First up is Watch the Throne by Kanye West and Jay-Z who had a knockout surprise performance at last Sunday’s awards. We thought this collab was too good to be true, but it actually happened! We don’t even really know what we expected, but after a few spins we LOVE it. Our favorite tracks definitely book-end the album with opener “No Church in the Wild” featuring Frank Ocean, and the closer “Why I love You” featuring an epic Cassius sample. Lead single “Otis” still gets us moving too. And don’t get us started on how major it is that they enlisted Riccardo Tisci for the album artwork. Well played, boys.

Fresh on the heels of his Best New Artist moon-man win, Tyler the Creator’s Goblin is as dark, gritty and fresh as ever. He may say some questionable and offensive things in public and on his twitter that we simply do not condone, but the leader of Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All is becoming an oddly lovable pop-culture character. His heavy tone and distinct voice which still works standout single “Yonkers” proves that there is substance behind his eccentric persona.

We know, we know. We have had Born This Way on repeat since it came out in May, but whatever, we still can’t get enough of it. Gaga appearing as Jo Calderone at this weekend’s VMAs, just made us want to listen to it more. And we gotta hand it to her for her heartfelt acceptance speech about being yourself. Love her or hate her she’s pure entertainment! Our favorite tracks on BTW change on a daily basis, but we’re really feeling “Bad Kids” right now… And of course we’re still in love with “Judas” baby.