Check out these ten indie mixtapes that were released in January, hand-picked by our writer Lena.
To help you discover new music and artists you enjoy, here are my personal top ten mixtapes of the month of January.
Simply start by watching the video above which includes a preview of each tape. Find something you like? Scroll down for more info and the link to the full mixtape!
Notes: Click on the album titles to be directed to the playlists. All listed in order of release.
BOLA – BOLA TAPE
Rapper BOLA of the popular trio Most Badass Asian (MBA) has been dropping tracks for this mixtape since mid-December. It might not even be fully uploaded yet, but there are enough tracks to get an idea of BOLA’s rap skills.
The Red House – COLD WORLD
Singer The Red House was our discovery of the month in September 2017. This is his first mixtape which he has put a great amount of effort into, not only music-wise. Check out SLCHLD‘s thoughtfully designed track list (here and here), as well as the preview videos for ‘TOKYO‘ and ‘RIDE OUT‘.
YUNG WAVE and MYOJUN – LAPIS MINITAPE
YUNG WAVE and MYOJUN of visual team LAPIS and KINGdumbs collaborated on a two-track minitape. Small but oh my! Their crew mate J;key helped out as well.
Knott!homie – COMETOVANSPACE
R&B singer Knott!homie dropped his stellar first mixtape right into the anti-universe, with a flashy line-up of featured artists (Khundi Panda, OCEAN, J.yung, CHINCHILLA) and mixing and mastering engineers (JUNNY and COMMA).
PHILOPHILA – PHILOPHI
PHILOPHILA was a new discovery for me. His refreshingly unadorned voice and genuine flow can be enjoyed in his first mixtape. The beautiful cover artwork comes from designer 63.
James Bayne – ALL ABOUT HER Vol. 2
In September last year, rapper James Bayne released ‘ALL ABOUT HER Vol. 1: Dawn‘. (It featured amongst others singer BIBI who Yoonmirae personally scouted to Feel Ghood Music.) Last month, the second part of the ‘ALL ABOUT HER’ series, ‘Gloom in the City’, has come out. Soon, both parts will be available as free download, until then you can enjoy the songs online.
PUP – ALL ABOUT LOVE
Indie artist PUP sings and raps captivatingly about love in her latest tape. The equally captivating artwork comes from Marilyn Monderland‘s WOOGS. If the seven tracks have not convinced you of PUP’s talent, check out her live performance of the mixtape’s track ‘감아‘ (lit.: close).
PACMAN – Arcade Game Vol. 1 ‘COIN’
1999-born rapper PACMAN got support from Grandline’s YELLA D, Mainders Movement’s KWANGHO, and his EaSter Egg Crew mate Lilyoung for this mixtape that is dominated by trendy sounds.
LYPLA – feeling share
LYPLA‘s first mixtape is a must listen, and I say so merely by looking at the featured artists who are all on my favorites list, starting with rapper Khundi Panda and ending with singer DA￦N. LYPLA’s voice is easy on the ears, and topped with great featurings and some catchy sounds, you get some very decent songs.
ROLLYBOI – ITSBEENALONG
ROLLYBOI, another hard worker, created a free mini album of which he even distributed physical copies. He rightfully emphasizes the work and care for detail he has put in, asking everyone to listen to the whole album from the beginning to the end, without skipping a track. Gladly, I say!
