Mark McGuire - Cool Cloudscapes of The Four Directions Vol. 1 (Bandcamp Self Release)

The new age of new age music is upon us. Now I was never a fan of the whole new age vibe, perhaps it's just me getting old or possibly this has more balls or substance than your run of the mill, well meaning but far too glassy eyed, wishy washy new age fare? Possibly I'm increasingly feeling the need to decompress from modern living - the constant bombardment of information, the dissatisfaction with global elites be them media, political, business or military, the pace of change and the unsustainability of it all? Possibly it's because this album is sold on Bandcamp rather than a web site that looks like it was designed in 2002? Perhaps I just need to buy a house in the country? Whatever - this album is helping.

Noname - Telefone (Bandcamp Self Release)

When you are this natural sounding you don't need to cake on the studio make up. This album is organic wholemeal musical bread from an artisanal hip hop bakery not an urban music donut from Walmart. Eat this album and feel a whole lot healthier.

If Nonames effortlessly flow was not enough she has also enlisted a wonderful cast of collaborators to compliment her conscious, fluid like water, lyrical dexterity. I've never heard of any of them before but there could be the makings of an epic Chicago collective if the talents of theMIND, Raury, Cam O'bi, Xavier Omar, Eryn Allen Kane, Akenya, Ravyn Lanae,  Saba, Smino & Phoelix chose to combine.

If that wasn't enough the girl is doing it for herself by self releasing the album so show her some love and buy it from her Bandcamp page above.