Ed Note: I wrote this Sunday evening before the news about Quebec City was circulated. I've struggled to get the necessary drive to even get this up, but I figure even if shit is so dark right now, at least we still have music. Love one another. 

There is a lot of good music kicking around right now. This is some.

First up is Taahrr Baby Bank$. 

It’s this moody, dreamy track. It’s near spoken spoken but still R&B, but it’s got a bit of grit to it. The video, much like the track, is a dreamy tour through Bushwick. 

Taahrr told Pigeons and Planes: 

"This song was the beginning of me meaning everything I say and the end of saying shit just because it sounds cool."

It still sounds pretty cool.

Jessie Reyez is from Toronto. I wasn’t sure about Reyez at first: she’s got the plaintiveness of Amy Winehouse, but lives in that plaintiveness.

However, I’m converted and devoted now with Shutter Island.

Mostly for:

Also:

Here’s more about Reyez, whose first name is pronounced "Yesse"  

She was a part of The Remix Project, a Toronto-based non-profit organization that provides access and resources for young people who are often marginalized from opportunities to enter creative industries such as music, photography and graphic design.

Next up is Missy Elliot because it’s Missy freakin’ Elliot and she always has the best videos. 

Major Lazer hooked up with Nicki Minaj and PARTYNEXTDOOR and brought summer to January with Run Up

Here’s another couple of British MCs to add to our collection:

Dave x J Hus: Samantha

More Dave, from South London:

More J Hus, from East London:

So grimey. Also, I enjoy the reference to No Scrubs.

These rappers are starting to look more and more like children to me and I find that problematic.

Totally different path- sjowgren plays West Coast style pop-rock. It’s starts slow but builds. :

The New Pornographers released a new track this week off their forthcoming album Whiteout Conditions. It was fine , but I like this better:

Remember when I said R&B is having a moment?

I stalked Jon Waltz on Twitter:

You can’t go wrong with either. Waltz had something newer released this week, but it was on Beats 1 and not everywhere yet. Have something old:

They. is a duo out of Los Angeles.

This has got quite a bit of hip hop in it. And I’m obsessed with the alarm hook.

Still Are and Be, but a completely different mood:

Sonder is a trio, including singer Brent Faiyaz, and they released their seven track EP Into this past week.

It’s a solid collection of slow groove. It’s romantic, but not saccharine.

So romantic and kind of snuggly, it’s sort of ironic that Faiyaz has a tattoo on his face. That’s hardcore. He, however, has feelings.

Over email, Faiyaz told  FADER magazine: "Into is a reflection of shit that my ego won't allow me to speak on in everyday conversation. It's everything from relationships with women and family to living too fast."

Too fast, you say:

Killer Bee is a producer out of NYC/NJ and just released his latest project of instrumentals: it’s hip hop but with no rap. Something to vibe to.