While Radiohead and LCD Soundsystem are universally loved in this year's Outside Lands lineup, I wanted to shed some light on my favorite underrated artists who deserve to be seen if you'll be heading out to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco this weekend.
Friday, August 5
Wet
Genre: Modern alt-R&B
Brooklyn-based music group Wet is one of my new favorite and most-played artists of this year. Their music is downbeat, slightly synth-y, minimalistic and emotional at its core. Lead singer Kelly Zutrau's vocals are delicate and vulnerable, but surprisingly not weak. While their songs revolve mostly around love and breakups, I don't usually come away with a feeling a sadness, but rather one of comfort.
Must-Listens: "All the Ways", "Don't Wanna Be Your Girl", "Weak"
Beach House
Genre: Indie, dream pop
While Beach House is pretty well known in the alternative scene, I still think they're quite underrated when it comes to household-name bands. Victoria Legend's androgynous look and voice is refreshing, and even feminine in her own way. I listened to Beach House a ton in high school, and since then I've largely forgotten about them, so seeing them on the lineup helped me refresh my Beach House love. Even though it's been 10 years since their first, self-entitled album, I'm pleased to say that they've still stayed true to their wistfully romantic, vintage-y pop sound.
Must-Listens: "Other People", "Better Times", "Master of None" (which, by the way, is sampled in The Weeknd's "The Party & The After Party")
Saturday, August 6
Vince Staples
Genre: Rap
With a feature on Flume's latest album Skin (listen to "Smoke & Retribution" below), Vince Staples seems to be gain more traction lately, especially in the electronic scene. And that's where I first discovered him – I'm pretty sure it was on producer's Christian Rich's track "High" (also listen below) while I was scrolling through SoundCloud.
His 2015 album "Summertime '06" was lauded by Pitchfork for its conversational flow and his ability to express complex lyrics in a more comprehensible manner. There's a certain raw quality to his voice that makes him more real, but his realness also comes from his ability to talk about things other than getting girls and making money. I think Kendrick Lamar fans will find Vince Staples a promising artist.
Must-Listens: "Smoke & Retribution", "High", "Norf Norf"
Jauz
Genre: EDM, house, bass, dubstep
22-year-old Sam Vogel aka "Jauz" is a prime example of how one can go from a music production student to a highly sought-after producer collaborating with the likes of Skrillex, Dillon Francis and Tiësto. I've always admired Jauz's genre-bending capabilities and humble, down-to-earth personality (which seems, trivial, but is sometimes unseen in this era where popularity on social media can really blow up egos). Outside Lands isn't really known to be an "EDM" festival, but I'm excited to see the crowd go wild just as they did with RL Grime last year (see RL Grime play Jauz's "Feel the Volume" here).
Must-Listens: "Rock the Party (Jauz x B-Sides VIP Remix)", "Propaganda (JAUZ Remix)", "Lean On (Dillon Francis X Jauz Remix)"
Sunday, August 7
Snakehips
Genre: Electronic, chill, groove, hip-hop
"All My Friends (feat. Tinashe)" by Snakehips turned out to be a commercial hit this year. But besides from this London-based duo's more radio-friendly pursuits, Snakehips has long proved to make some groovy, soul-soothing tracks. Listen below for my favorite remixes.
Must-Listens: "Heart Attack (Snakehips Remix)", "Treat Me Like Fire (Snakehips Remix)", "Gold (Snakehips Remix)"
RÜFÜS DU SOL
Genre: Electronic, alternative, dance
Man, does this group instantly soothe my soul. With their love-focused lyrics and luring nu-disco feel, Sydney-based group RÜFÜS DU SOL's music is like therapy for your ears. Since their tracks have found the perfect middle ground between downbeat and upbeat, making it super accessible, their music is suitable to listen to on the dance floor or for a feel-good commute home.
Must-Listens: "Say a Prayer for Me", "Brighter", "Innerbloom (What So Not Remix)"