Prince: HITNRUN

[soundcloud url="https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/212755590" params="color=ff5500" width="100%" height="166" iframe="true" /]

The prolific Prince is continuing his artistic adventures with HITNRUN. His band 3RDEYEGIRL will also be joining him for what is said to be an experimental album. “HARDROCKLOVER” is a testament to that experimentation—and Prince’s ability to stay relevant at all times. The track's classic groove and hip-hop-influenced production gives Prince a foot in both yesteryear and today’s modern world. HITNRUN will be released Monday exclusively via Tidal, though Prince has indicated that a physical release will follow at some point in the future.

Matt Latterell: Phase and Field

[bandcamp width=350 height=470 album=831844652 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false]

It’s Matt Latterell’s second go at a full-length LP, and he really jumped full-heartedly into Phase and Field, initially conceiving a dual concept album. Although no double album happened, the release is still split into two halves—each with its own unique production style. Latterell explained what exactly is happening on each half when he spoke with David Campbell on the Local Show last Sunday. You can hear some Elliot Smith, and a tinge of Bowie hiding in there. Start dissecting the album before you head to the show: you can catch Latterell at the Cedar on September 12.

Adam Booker: Unraveled Rival

Adam Booker has shared the stage with the likes of Elvis Costello, Al Grey, Frank Foster, John Fedchock, and Russell Malone, just to name a few. It's surprising to note that the man who has been all over the jazz and pop musical genres has yet to release one solo album. This Saturday, he will do just that with his Unraveled Rival release. Few tracks have been released as of yet, but his live performance on The Playlist should give you a taste. Booker stepping to the foreground as a bassist, which should make for a good release show at Vieux Carré on Saturday. Unraveled Rival is being released via Shifting Paradigm Records.

Ego Death: Ego Death

[bandcamp width=350 height=470 album=3173275088 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false]

This is a debut you need to pay mind to, because there isn’t much right now on the local level that matches this sound. The jangly melancholic trio could fall into post-punk genres, but wherever you put Ego Death really seems fine with them. They describe their genre as “nostalgic gloom punk post pop whatever”; it seems that doing their own thing is priority number one. The album was released earlier this month, but shouldn’t go unmissed. “The Kiss” is an exemplar of Ego Death’s dreary pop, but “Meaning of Truth” and “Leave It Behind” reveal crunchy surf vibes. Treehouse Records and Dead Media are now carrying Ego Death.

Aaron Bolton is a senior at the University of Minnesota. Currently he is a co-host on Radio K’s Off The Record and is the music reporter at Radio K. He hopes to continue a career in music journalism.