I Think We're Alone Now: Mayer Hawthorne Funks-up "Royals" (Unexpected Covers: Lorde)

Mayer Hawthorne has really progressed leaps and bounds since unveiling his premier limited press heart-shaped "Just Ain't Gonna Work Out" 45 for Stones Throw (2008). Hawthorne has toured across America with everyone from John Mayer to Erykah Badu; I was lucky enough to catch Mayer Hawthorne & The County post-A Strange Arrangement at First Unitarian Church (a legit Philly church rec-room). He's already gotten a chance to collaborate with Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Daryl Hall, SebastiAn, Jessie Ware, James Pants, Pharrell, Jake-One, etc. Andrew "Mayer Hawthorne" Cohen has effectively pioneered a sort of Hip-Hop-infused "New-Wop" sound, over the course of 3 albums and some change. But critics and fans alike are saying that Hawthorne's most recent album, Where Does This Door Go?, is swaying in a little more of a mainstream radio Neo-Soul sonic lane.

16-year-old Kiwi [New Zealand] songstress Lorde rocketed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts over the weekend, a feat not achieved by someone her age since Tiffany way back in 1987; to help commemorate the occasion, Hawthorne orchestrated a heavily Funked-up "Royals" cover for VEVO's Unexpected Covers online mini-series. While it's a pretty faithful rendition of Lorde's sprawling Electro-Pop hit, it's a little odd hearing a mid-30's Neo-Soul crooner re-appropriating the young adult's mega-single about materialistic things like "gold teeth, Grey Goose, Cristal, Maybach," and of course, "driving Cadillacs in our dreams." The Roots-affiliated okayplayer described Lorde as "She's on some catchy-as-Hell-harmonies-from-heaven tip. She writes all of her lyrics... Her voice is something else, and is especially impressive for a girl of her age" far ahead of their peers. For readers that like what they've heard here, both Lorde & Mayer Hawthorne's most recent albums, Pure Heroine and Where Does This Door Go? are now available for purchase.

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[W]reckless, Topless American Youth: Lana del Rey - "Born 2 Die" (Britney Spears Birthday 30)

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Sean Martin is a multi-versed musician, producer, and tattooer hailing from Connecticut. As a guitarist, song-writer, and/or producer he has worked with a variety of well-known artists including Hatebreed, Cold Cave, Wear Your Wounds, Umbra Vitae, Twitching Tongues, Cage, Kid Cudi, House of Blow, Head Automatica, XO Skeletons, Jet Fueled Horses, Handsome Boy Modeling School, and more. His versatility and flexibility within music allows him to blur the lines in-between the confines of Hardcore, Electronic, Metal, and Hip-Hop. Martin is, also, a skilled tattooer at Brass City Tattoo located in Oakville, Connecticut promoting the traditional approach to the craft. Founded by Martin himself between 2020-22, No More Magic combines ominous melodies with downtempo beats to create a dizzying dream-like atmosphere. Paying homage to the golden era of Hip-Hop while forging ahead down its own dark road. For fans of Portishead, Massive Attack, and DJ Shadow. No More Magic's Introducing The

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