John Mayer is deep into blues-rock now and prepared for his fans an album made in full accordance with this genre. Battle Studies is a well-considered and conceptual record with peculiar lyrics and quality music. 8tracks radio. Online, everywhere. stream 15,000+ blues playlists including rock, jazz, and indie music from your desktop or mobile device.
Sound Sunday is a weekly feature promoting free album downloads. Following last week’s excursion into Punk Rock, we return to a more quiet theme this week. This edition explores the different shades of blues and jazz.
Note that name your price albums can be downloaded for free by entering 0 in the price field. That said, we strongly recommend you to donate a few dollars for music you enjoy!
We welcome you to submit your music, send suggestions with free albums you have discovered, or request genres we haven’t covered in a while. For all Sound Sunday related inquiries, please contact Tina [tina at makeuseof dot com].
Monroe – Take It Slow
Genre: jazz, lounge
From their Facebook page: “Monroe is a sophisticated approach towards the experiences of a relationship. Based out of southern California, this modern jazz trio was brought together by Ken Raymundo (singer/songwriter) in 2011, accompanied by his close high school friends, Andy Chabolla (drums/percussion) and Chris Wellington (bassist). Inspired by cultural roots, the band ties the relaxing sounds of tradition with a modern twist. In July 2012, Monroe released their debut album Take It Slow, as their first step of progression.”
Take It Slow is a name your price download from Bandcamp.
The Electric Creatures – Selftitled
Genre: indie, rock, rock & roll, folk, blues
Album review by Michael Rickert of the Examiner: “Upon first listen the listener may be a bit turned off to the entire sound of the band. The Electric Creatures don’t lull you into their songs, they don’t attempt to bait the listener with a nice catchy hook at the outset. Rather they throw you without warning into a world of fast electric guitars, spastic horns, and wierd (sometimes breathy) vocals sung in the English language with a strong Costa Riccan accent.
If the listener sticks with the album, they are rewarded. The album may start off rather high energy and in your face, even abrasive at times, but as the record unfolds they show a good amount of musical charisma, and restraint where necessary. The vocals and the wet electric guitar that graces the right speaker in the opening of the song “Tornadoes” is a good example of their strong production values, as the song progresses guitars are introduced that sound similar to those used in The Beatles Abbey Road album.”
The Electric Creatures is a free download from Bandcamp.
Sian Sanderson & The Charm Offensive – Write Your Wrongs
Genre: blues, pop, r&b, soul
From Sian’s Facebook page: “Singer, songwriter and musician – illuminating stages and scores since age twelve, with no current plans to deviate from the habit of a lifetime.”
Write Your Wrongs is a name your price download from Bandcamp.
Screaming Eagle – Hurricane
Genre: blues, pop, country
Screaming Eagle is the stage name of Christopher Alan Nanney. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Christopher is presently studying at the Florida School of Massage in Gainsville, Florida. Pay a small price for the album to help Christopher pay his tuition.
Hurricane is a name your price download from Bandcamp.
Crispy Watkins – And It Will Move
Genre: blues, roots, folk
From his Bandcamp profile: “Crispy Watkins is a Knoxville native who first became inspired to play Blues, Roots, and Americana music listening to WDVX radio. Today his music is greatly influenced by Delta Blues, jug bands of the early 1900s, and the Appalachian Old-Time tradition. Crispy’s debut album, And It Will Move was recorded in the mountains of North Carolina during the fall of 2011.”
And It Will Move is a name your price download from Bandcamp.
Maxey Nicholson – Argument for the Blues
Genre: jazz, blues
From the album page: “It’s easy to make an argument for the blues. And, actually, I don’t think it needs an argument. For me it is an expressive and joyous cry that can describe the human condition with it’s peaks and valleys. I find the blues at the root of jazz and hope that whatever I play it can be called blues. Or jazz.”
Argument for the Blues is a name your price download from Bandcamp.
Shakey Graves – Roll the Bones
Genre: alternative, country, blues, folk, lo-fi
From his Last.FM profile: “Shakey Graves is the moniker of Austin’s Alejandro Rose-Garcia.
A multifaceted artist, Rose-Garcia wrote, recorded, and produced every element of his debut release “Roll The Bones” which has received rave reviews worldwide.
With its jaunty high soaring choral arrangements and twangy finger picked guitar, his recordings have a unique, psychotic, forlorn appeal that has quickly made Shakey Graves a household name from coast to coast.
Rose-Garcia follows in a long line of Texas troubadours, a tradition of finger picking and road songs, of tall tales and small woes. He is a bright new asset to Texas music and the independent folk scene that will leave you tapping your feet and longing for a slow drive through the back roads of America.”
Roll the Bones is a bane your price download from Bandcamp.
Ryan Helsing – Dreams of Color
Genre: electronic, instrumental, jazz, lounge, chillout, downtempo, trip hop, hip hop
From his Bandcamp profile: “Ryan Helsing was born March 9, 1991, in Denver, Colorado, USA, and started playing guitar at 11. He experimented with music production throughout high school. In 2009 he began college at the University of Georgia in Athens as a computer science major. Inspired by the live shows of Bonobo, Emancipator, Four Tet, and Tycho, he created and posted his own tracks online.”
Dreams of Color is a free download from MediaFire (direct download URL).
Beats Antique – Tribal Derivations
Genre: electronic, experimental, gypsy, blues
From their Bandcamp profile: “Growing like wildfire under the canopy of live electonica and world roots music comes a masterful merge of modern technology, live instrumentation and seductive performance, built of brass bands and glitch, string quartets and dubstep: the musical trio Beats Antique.”
Tribal Derivations is a free download from Bandcamp.
Jamie Breiwick – Impressions of Miles
Genre: jazz
From Jamie’s Bandcamp profile: “Jamie is regarded as one of South-Eastern Wisconsin’s most in-demand and versatile trumpet players. Jamie has performed with many nationally recognized musicians including: Arturo O’Farrill, Dan Nimmer, Joe Sanders, Willie Pickens, Jim Pugh, Steve Houghton, Brian Lynch, Pete Zimmer, Rob Wilkerson, Rick Germanson, Jon Faddis, and Carl Allen. Jamie’s main project currently is the band Choir Fight.”
Impressions of Miles is a free download from Bandcamp.
And More…
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What Music Can I Download for Free?
| Play | Album | Loved | Track name | Artist name | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get Got | Death Grips | ||||
| I've Seen Footage | Death Grips | ||||
| The Fever (Aye Aye) | Death Grips | ||||
| Takyon (Death Yon) | Death Grips | ||||
| Guillotine | Death Grips | ||||
| No Love | Death Grips | ||||
| Lost Boys | Death Grips | ||||
| It's Dark, It's Cold, It's Winter | Sleepmakeswaves | ||||
| From Embrace To Embrace | Joy Wants Eternity | ||||
| Beware | Death Grips | ||||
| Spread Eagle Cross the Block | Death Grips | ||||
| Stay Useless | Cloud Nothings | ||||
| The Only Place | Best Coast | ||||
| Blackjack | Death Grips | ||||
| Come Up and Get Me | Death Grips | ||||
| Periphescence | Glowworm | ||||
| I Want It I Need It (Death Heated) | Death Grips | ||||
| Your First Light My Eventide | The Echelon Effect | ||||
| Cyanide Sisters | Com Truise | ||||
| You | Nils Frahm |