part one, winners in bold
Akua Naru ft Eric Benet v Watchmen
Made it is a nice and chill soulful hip-hop track, pre dope. As soon as I heard the opening chords to All Uncovered I knew I was gonna be happy with with, real cool folky 90s sound. Some would say painfully 90s but I gotta say I really dig this.
Thought Gang v Homecoming
Ok so this is some mad free jazz shit. I'm a big fan of the twin peaks soundtrack, of which Angelo Badalamenti created. This isn't a huge favourite of mine tho I have to say. Songbirds is a real cool song, nothing exceptional or memorable though I have to say, some nice harmonies. If I had to chose one to listen to again, it would be this one.
Yung Lean v Ted Hawkins
Muddy Sea has got a killer instrumental that really works well against the vocals, really good beat. Quite like the pace as well. Biloxi is started out ok, but started the become more interesting the more i listened, there were some strange little noises coming through underneath that peaked my curiosity. Vocals were great, but overall not enough to beat Yung Lean
Archers of Loaf v Riptides
Vocal Shrapnel is a real solid song, liking the punky/sneery vocals and the high pitched guitar tones - I like. I was going into the tomorrow tears prepared to chose Archers but then this gave me a dilemma. I love my early 80s power pop and this is reaking of cool, much in the same way of the DBs. Love the energy in this, love that repeating riff.
pt2
Phonte v Forêt de Vin
Mad Bars from Phonte, pre smooth. Lifeline's an enjoyable listen, but stuff like this seems to get churned out in huge quantity these days, it actually did sound like a kenny loggins song at one point. Not a huge fan of nu-new wave, gonna side with Phonte.
Fun 100 v Alyssa Milano
Its a fun song, I'm not really taken with it though. I think its the nasal sounding vocals. New Sensation is a sweet sweet pop track, dare I say i actually love this? Very early 90s NJS sound, it wins for sure!
Alan Hawkshaw v Pine *AM
lol i've been listening to roving for like 10 seconds and without reading other posts/or the discord group listen i would imagine this is getting wrecked. I quite enjoy it, theres a sorta campy 60s detective tv theme tune in here, which i feel weird is saying i quite like. Its pre good actually. Ok maybe it isn't getting wrecked, Pine AM is quite a strange affair, the transition into the vocals was quite good, theres a fresh feel to Mackerel Sky. I can't decide....i'm gonna go with roving!
Space Lady v Unrest
fuck yeah space lady is good - love the weird accordion sounding thing - love the minimalist vocals, loving the lyrics. Unrest really hooks me with that distorted opening, then those barked vocals come in and fuck yeah this is a banger too. Unrest would be my winner in 9/10 other matchups cuz its cool af, very minutemen esque.