Lo-fi hip hop is the perfect soundtrack for our times. This music genre has you covered, whether you have the feels because we’re doomed as a species, or you’re one of those optimists who choose to have hope and faith. Hey, to each their own! I’m not judging... Here are a few tracks that got into my ear canals and drilled their way to my brain in the past couple of weeks, which is an accurate, and yet very gross way to describe the process of listening to music.

HM Surf - Sugar Haze

HM Surf’s music is warm and fuzzy, probably the kind of music a solitary hermit would make. If you picture the talented producer living in a cabin somewhere in Norway, tinkering with lo-fi textures and capturing field recordings in the forest, you are correct, sir (or madam). That’s exactly what’s up. His new album Cocobolo expands on his palette of peaceful harmonies and psychedelic tones. The album opener Sugar Haze is a prime example.

Wun Two - Glacier Water

Every week, there seems to be a new Wun Two track in my Release Radar playlist. I’m not complaining here, just stating a fact. Wun Two is the quintessential instrumental hip hop producer, juggling expertly Dilla-esque grooves, warbled samples, and a hiccuping bass in what he describes as sound collages. His creativity knows no bounds, which is probably why his music is so inspiring. Glacier Water is one of my favorites as of late, although by the time you read this, he’ll probably have released a new full length or something.

ntvrme - For You

ntvrme’s music is the kind of music a ghost would listen to while haunting a deserted metropolis. A ghost with really good musical tastes, mind you. The producer’s new album Lovely is a suite of instrumentals through which he explores sinuous neo-romantic avenues and boldly stays off the beaten path. The album closer For You plays like a lo-fi beat on the comedown, which is just what the doctor ordered (I have a weird doctor who prescribes songs, long story, don’t ask...)

santpoort - nothing within sight

Where a lot of lo-fi hip hop producers zig, santpoort zags, incorporating experimental touches to his emotional beats. nothing within sight is no different, with a saturated lead that repeats it’s instantly nostalgic melody over a complex tapestry of found sounds and chilled out percussive instruments. Another slam dunk. Check out our interview with santpoort to learn more about his creative process.

Lunchmoney - Ashes

Lunchmoney’s beats combine R&B and lo-fi sensibilities in tracks that are both dark and uplifting. His new single Ashes is on the abstract side, and I like how the tape hiss is an instrument in and of itself, just as much as the deconstructed rhodes sample and the laid back drums. So inventive. I want to hear this guy produce a bunch of left-field rappers ASAP.

To hear these tracks and many more lo-fi bangers, check out our Spotify playlist.

Cover credit : Alexandre Debiève