This week the NPP team tackles the new trend of popular R&B taking root in indie music. With new artists like The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, and How To Dress Well, it's clear that 90's R&B is making a comeback. This episode explores how it got to this point.The first clue started a few years ago when contemporary bands began covering R&B hits from the 90's - in 2009 The xx covered Aaliyah’s “Hot Like Fire.” Shortly after, the influence of this sound grew apparent in new indie bands like Gayngs and James Blake. Dirty Projector’s smash “Stillness in the Move” was a watershed moment, in which a pure R&B vocal was paired with the bands traditionally challenging sound. Now the stage is set for not just artists dabbling in an R&B sound but actual pure R&B artist to be embraced by the independent community, a fascinating and rewarding new trend in music. 

The group also announce the winning name of their recommendation segment, “Ear About Town.” This episode’s segment Jesse, Jaime and Dawson stay with the theme and share their respective favorite R&B song from the 1990’s.

1. “House of Balloons/Glass Table Girls” – The Weeknd, House of Balloons

2. “Transparency” – d’Eon, Darkbloom

3. “Are You That Somebody?” (clip) – Aaliyah, Dr. Doolittle Soundtrack

4. “Hot Like Fire” Aaliyah Cover (clip) - The xx, B-Side to Crystalized Single

5. “Don’t Take it Personal” Monica Cover - White Hinterland, single

6. “Gaudy Side of Town” – Gayngs, Relayted

7. “Stillness is the Move” (clip) – Dirty Projectors, Bitte Orca

8. “Stillness is the Move” (clip) – Solange, single

9. “Songs for Women” - Frank Ocean, Nostalgia/Ultra

10. “Wicked Games” - The Weeknd, House of Balloons

11. “Ready for the World” - How to Dress Well, Love Remains

Ear About Town

Jesse: “Cupid” (clip) – 112, 112

Jaime: “All My Life” (clip) – K-Ci and JoJo, Love Always

Dawson – “Pony” (clip) – Ginuwine, Ginuwine the Bachelor

The Noise Pop team is back, marveling at the many giant releases this month. TV on the Radio, Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Fleat Foxes and Panda Bear all have albums coming out and the gang discusses their favorites. They also look at the anticipated sophomore offerings from The Antlers and Tune Yards. The show ends with the debut of a new segment, in which, Jaime, Jesse, and Dawson recommend what they have been listening to recently. The segment is yet to be named, and we are asking the listeners of the podcast to offer suggestions. Please tell us your ideas in the comments of the Noise Pop page on KQED.org

1. “Black Hills” - Gardens and Villas, Single

2. “Shadows on Behalf “ - The Stepkids, Single

3. “Anvil Everything“ - White Denim, D

4. “Bizness” – Tune-Yards, Who Kill

5. “Heart in Your Heartbreak” - Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Belong

6. “Caffeinated Consciousnesss” - TV on The Radio, Nine Types of Light

7. “Parenthesis” – The Antlers, Burst Apart

8. “Eh Congo “ - Janka Nabay, Bubu King

9. “Piledriver Waltz” -Alex Turner, Submarine Soundtrack

Jaime Recommends: “Vitamin C” – Can, Monster Movie 

Jesse Recommends: “Freaks & Geeks” - Childish Gambino, EP 

Dawson Recommends:  “The Postman” - The American Analog Set, Know by Heart 

10. “Feels Like Heaven”  - Adventure, Lesser Known