The Expatriates
Self-Titled
(Self-Released)
The Expatriates are three dudes from ASU who sound like they really like their classic rock -- and not in a "look at my ironic Led Zeppelin T-shirt" kind of way. They play a style of rock 'n' roll that pays homage to its roots in the blues, with a good amount of grit and funk. The songs on their five-song EP are far from formulaic, however, and don't just pay homage to their influences. The most notable of the tracks is "Risks," which features a string section throughout, a bit of noise at the end, and sounds downright eerie next to the sunny, foot-stomping sound of the other tracks. -- benjamin.horowitz@asu.edu
Okai
Dekonstruktion Of The Mind
(Soundchron Records)
Known for producing great underground hip-hop artists, Soundchron Records has just dropped Dekonstruktion Of The Mind, the debut album from Brooklyn-raised Okai. Produced entirely by label big-wig Ayatollah, the lyrics come from the perspective of Okai's Haitian background and East Coast socialization, hitting a variety of topics from life on the streets to political injustice. The most notable element of this album is the uniqueness of each track, offering creative beat mixing and a variety of influences, from funk and R&B to soul and beyond. Every song makes you want to dance, although two particularly catchy tracks are "Bout That" and "Starvation." Fans of Wu Tang and Outkast ought to enjoy Okai's first contribution to hip hop. -- adriane.goetz@asu.edu