Our six favorite local songs from November

T-Razor x Filthy Rich — “All I Know Is Smoke” (ft. Bonez & Dave) The lead single from the upcoming T-Razor and Filthy Rich album illustrates the depth of talent on this project. I challenge any casual listener out there to put this track on and not immediately nod your head along to the beat, such is the skill of producer Filthy Rich. Make no mistake though, T-Razor lives up to his end of the bargain, with the kind of gritty verses that he’s come to be known for. Guest emcees Bonez and Dave also bring it, adding a nice counterpoint to T-Razor’s deep baritone. The chorus is infectious, a chopped and screwed kind of thing, blending that Mike Jones-inspired sensibility from the late part of the last decade with a modern vibe.”All I Know Is Smoke” is a fantastic example of an excellent collaboration.

Rmmlw2llz — “No Grins” You can’t help but smile — in spite of the song’s name — with lines like, “Fuck boi season is at an all-time high.” Digging deep into politics of the personal and social variety, Rmmlw2llz spits mean knowledge, with a flow that is familiar, but singular all the same. He isn’t so much reinventing the wheel as he is riding it out hard the whole way. The hook on “No Grins” will get stuck in your head — this is an earworm and a half, one made even richer by the smooth orchestration of the production.

Twin Limb — “Fade Into You” (ft. Jim James, Bo Koster) A melancholic feat of pure genius, Mazzy Star’s song “Fade Into You” is the perfect vehicle for the combined forces of Twin Limb and Jim James to put their stamp on. The velvety-smooth rendition of the 1994 hit pays strict homage to the original, while playing to the strengths of all involved. It should come as no surprise that everyone is firing on all cylinders, from Twin Limb, entirely in their element, droning and plodding along in the dreamiest of ways, to the jangly guitar and soft, crooning voice of Jim James. This is a straight jam that came as a treat to anyone seeking solace this month, regardless of the why or how, and the perfect retreat away from madness.

The For Carnation — “The Bike” Fuck. Yes. I cannot even begin to express my joy at the unexpected find of an unreleased The For Carnation song, especially one that came out as part of an anti-white power compilation donating all proceeds to the Anti-Defamation League. This is a salve for your soul, the exact kind of slow jam that we need to cleanse ourselves from the hatred and ugliness. For those not in the know, The For Carnation is the post-Slint project of Brian McMahon, which, to my ears, may be somehow even better. And “The Bike” absolutely delivers. This is a perfect example of the slow grace that defined the band, tightly restrained and delicate, with a quiet tension just under the surface. This particular track is just beautiful, with an almost Pavement-like vibe performed here by a cast of characters that includes members of Tortoise.

Team Totoro — “Broken Monocles” I wasn’t exactly expecting ‘80s-style electro hip-hop this month, especially of the variety that skews heavily political, but here we are. We have Team Totoro to thank for an instant bopper in “Broken Monocles,” that starts with the chant, “Put a rich man in his grave.” It’s easy to identify with that degree of disenfranchisement, even if you aren’t especially motivated to follow the central thesis here. I mean, I’m not about to kill anyone, even if it is basically the dude from Monopoly. The music here has a funk quality that recalls a simpler time for electronic music, a heavy 808-style beat, and simple, gang-style vocals, kind of like what you might find on early Beastie Boys records. This is a fun track to give the finger to the bourgeoisie, so make sure to blast this while driving past a golf course or a fancy restaurant.

Frederick the Younger — “Horoscope” This is the kind of thing that makes college radio stations lose their mind — easy and hook heavy. The band makes truly captivating indie pop that never sounds anesthetic or unearned. Identifying sincerity in music is a slippery slope and one that I tend to avoid, but there is an earnestness to their music, a special vibrancy that elevates it beyond the pale that really shines through on “Horoscope.” It’s easy to put this on, roll the windows down, especially on these oddly warm winter days (thanks climate change), and let the melody carry you home.

This article appears in November 30, 2016.