pitchfork thursday, july 14

The hyper-prolific rapper with an endless number of YouTube freestyles finds a new focus and crafts his most accessible album.

Artist: Lil B

Album: I'm Gay (I'm Happy)

Label: Amalgam Digital

Pitchfork  8.1

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The 12th volume in the series dedicated to AIDS awareness features Madlib, David Byrne, Tom Zé, Of Montreal, and more collaborating on Tropicália updates.

Artist:Various Artists

Album: Red Hot + Rio 2

Label: E1

Pitchfork 7.2

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The Baltimore-based noise-punk quartet uses pedals, loops, and off-kilter rhythms to pummel its teenage heroes into blurry abstraction on its debut album.

Artist: Dope Body

Album:Nupping

Label: Hoss

Pitchfork 7.8

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Basement Jaxx half Simon Ratcliffe's new solo EP is another reminder why the house duo's unconventional spirit once made dance classicists turn up their noses.

Artist: Ratcliffe

Album: Dorus Rijkers EP

Label: Atlantic Jaxx

Pitchfork 7.0

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The band name suggests throwback pop, but the era in question is actually the 1980s, and Chain Gang of 1974's emulation of it is both impressive and its undoing.

Artist: The Chain Gang of 1974

Album: Wayward Fire

Label: Modern Art

Pitchfork  5.7

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