Summer is upon us, and for some reason, that’s make Steal This Track think of free Colorado-made music downloads. This week, we’ve got alt-country from , abstract hip-hop from and chamber Americana from . Steal, with extreme prejudice.
Barely legal rapper Future Boy B is a Denver native whose passions turned from basketball (he went to Bethany College in Kansas on a b-ball scholarship) to beats. His third release, “Memorable Forgettings,” is an unexpectedly creative and unique trip into an alternate universe of underground hip-hop. Though his lyrical flow and austere rhythms are tightly and expertly crafted, there’s a stumbling and staggering quality to B’s music that gives “Memorable Forgettings” a Basquiat-esque naiveté. Steal “No Turning Back” to whet your whistle, then cop the whole album for nothing .
Mosey West is a Fort Collins-based trio who claims to have started playing music just to garner free drinks. However, the band’s 2011 debut, “Vaca Money,” and its follow-up, “Merica” — released last month — prove that guitarist Adam Brown, bassist Mike McGraw and drummer Matt Weitz can do more than throw back shots. Deftly balancing heartache and hubris, the Northern Colorado threesome has a rollicking good time exploring its own anger and angst with a richly layered sound that contrasts strikingly with its gritty lyrics. Grab “Gone” right now, then snag all of “Merica” for a mere $6.93. That way, you’ll be all set to enjoy the outfit live at the UMS on July 20.
The barnstorming, beer-busting boys of 4H Royalty put out their latest tasty slab of ramshackle urban cowboy music, “Where UFOs Go to Die,” last month, and we’re sorry it’s taken us so long to share it with you. Filled with the quartet’s signature barroom burlesque and slightly twisted twang, the latest album smells vaguely of whiskey, sawdust and regret. Steal “Over and Out” as an appetizer, then pop over to Bandcamp to snag the whole album for a tenner. Your next chance to catch the band live in Denver will be July 20 at the .
Please note that downloads offered via Steal This Track are intended to whet your appetite, and are NOT CD-quality recordings. If you want those, please support the artists by buying their music and/or seeing them live.
If you’re a band or musician ready to expose your fresh sounds to the readers of Reverb, email your tracks — along with any interesting facts about them, as well as a photo or album art — to Eryc Eyl for consideration.
Eryc Eyl is a veteran music journalist, critic and Colorado native who has been neck-deep in local music for many years. Check out for local music you can HEAR, and the for stories about Denver musicians doing extraordinary things. Against his mother’s advice, Eryc has also been known to . You can also follow Sorry, Mom.
