For most rap fans, there is generally one thing that we always check out at any given time and that is free tunes. Especially when they come courtesy of Humble Beast/Fair Trade and the likes of Jackie Hill Perry. While we have not had a full-length release from JHP in close to four years, Crescendo will prove to be worth the wait as this 14-piece collection showcases an extremely personal side of the rapper. The focus of Crescendo is to remind us that as we journey on, as we walk in our spiritual lives, as we grow, our life is to become louder. As you delve into Jackie's open book, you will get a sense of her difficulties, her brokenness, and her vulnerabilities as she chooses to give herself over to God's care.

The album kicks off with "Lamentations," a spoken word song that is powerful, direct, and purpose-driven. It originates from the lowest parts of Perry's life as she rhymes "But I don't feel like it, I don't feel righteous. I know I'm whiter than snow, but I don't feel pious, I feel Pilate, trading saviors for Barabbas." The rapper touches on how we all feel at times while concluding with an encouragement to fully rely on God with the words "carry me God...I need help." "Hush" comes next and carries some seriously haunting beats while JHP spits rhymes in a beautiful and...

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May 17, 2018 The Choir continue to explore and reveal, whether crafting adventurous new sonic textures or shining a light into shadowy corners of the heart. With Bloodshot, the Nashville and Los Angeles based alternative rockers push at the borders of their spacefaring sound while uncovering intimate truths, compelling generations of fans to return and relate. Bloodshot releases June 1st, 2018...

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Getting the band back together after a lengthy hiatus (in Smalltown Poets' case, 14 years between full-length, non-seasonal albums) is a dicey proposition many times. Most bands' finest works were born out of the momentum of the road and youthful energy, and the time in between can often blunt that songwriting edge.

Thankfully, in the case of Smalltown Poets' new album, Say Hello, the band (which includes all five original members) mostly succeeds in capturing the old fire of their 90's output. In fact, listening to Say Hello is a bit like taking a trip in the way-back machine, to a time when flannel was still the choice outfit of rockers and gritty pop rock was the order of the day.

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