Music

Run The Jewels’ Aggressive ‘The Ground Below’ Gets A Rambunctious Remix From Royal Blood

Somehow the song becomes even more aggressive, despite receiving a smoother sung chorus from Mike Kerr. …

English rock duo Royal Blood have teamed up with American rap duo Run The Jewels for a “Royal Jewels” remix of the latter group’s song “The Ground Below.” Originally appearing on RTJ4 and featuring a sample of Gang of Four’s “Ether,” the track somehow gets even more aggressive than ever, bringing chunkier guitars, harder-hitting drums, and vocal work from Royal Blood’s Mike Kerr between El-P and Killer Mike’s bruising bars, replacing the spoken chorus originally performed by the Jewels.

Run The Jewels teased the defiant single’s remix on Twitter a day before its release, ensuring that the hype would be at a high. Since dropping RTJ4, the duo has kept busy with “live” appearances, original tracks, and cross-branded merch, giving the fan-favorite project even longer legs. In October, they performed the album in its entirety for Adult Swim’s “Holy Calamavote” event, while in November, they released their contribution to the long-awaited video game Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack, “No Save Point.” They continued their collaboration with the game by launching a line of IPAs celebrating its (eventual) release.

RTJ4 and its song “A Few Words For The Firing Squad,” appear on Uproxx’s Best Albums Of 2020, Best Hip-Hop Albums Of 2020, and Best Songs of 2020 lists.

Listen to the Royal Jewels mix of “The Ground Below” … above.

Royal Blood is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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Album Review

Dian Sheng explores identity, life and love with “Sid” album

Dian Sheng releases his long-awaited first English-language album, “Sid,” a genre-defying collection of songs that includes pop, rock, electronic, and jazz. “Sid” is a deep, meditative exploration of identity, relationships, and self-growth, spanning 29 minutes and 12 seconds across eight tracks. This album is a personal exploration of the complex emotions of mankind and the vitality and jubilation of life.

From the opening track, “Right Now,” Dian Sheng establishes a sense of urgency and reflection. The upbeat song “I Come From Far” examines the connection between the self and one’s environment. It has joyful beats and layers that make you think and feel like part of the narrative.

The jazz ballad “Undecided Love” delves into the complexities of modern romance, featuring tender vocals and instrumentation that showcase Sheng’s delicate touch as a songwriter. “It Will Be Alright” is an empowering anthem about overcoming life’s biggest obstacles, combining electronic beats with a rock influence.

“Seventeen” is bursting with youthful energy, and its production captures the restlessness and emotionality of adolescent life. Two introspective songs with similar atmospheres, “The Way Before” and “This Life,” match chilling melodies with moving lyrics that touch on bygone relationships, self-awareness, and the quest for meaning we all experience.

The album concludes with “Shining As Your Name,” and the final few minutes of this piece alone evoke a strong sense of hope. Dian Sheng demonstrates his ability to join emotional depth with new styles. “Sid” is an invitation into the rich musical universe of Dian Sheng, where you can both consider yourself and feel influenced.

Written by:

Faith Koch

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Artist Spotlight

Feel the vibe with Sporty-O’s new EP “The P.L.U.R. Project,” a blend of emotions and sound

“The P.L.U.R. Project” begins like a rush of light across a crowded dance floor as jubilant, purposeful, and very human. This seven-song, 29-minute journey from the EDM pioneer Sporty-O is a cultural reset built around peace, love, unity, and respect.

Sporty-O establishes the emotional timbre for the entire project from the first track of its lead single, “Spirit Higher.” The song is anthemic, its purposes well outlined despite a high-gloss production. It’s a centerpiece that establishes the mood of an intensive exploration of sound and self-awareness.

“The P.L.U.R. Project” is just as much about managing your feelings as it is about moving. Sporty-O creates each record with intention, writing things that make people think on the dance floor. Another high-energy song is “Happy Together,” with Lorme and Chris Willis, pulsing warmth and togetherness. “SOLD!” has a clean, feel-good sound that embodies the community spirit of EDM culture.

Sporty-O embraces a multi-genre EDM palette on the EP, fusing forward-thinking sounds with uptempo beats. Tracks like “Revolution” with Specimen A and “Geek’d Up” with Baby Sweet provide lots of energy and edge. “Piece Of My Mind” is more introspective, while “Cheveyo” features a diverse array of collaborators and culminates in a rich, layered sound, all while maintaining a global welcoming spirit.

What makes this project unique is that it serves both and reminds people of the origins of dance culture. Sporty-O aims to help people rediscover the heartbeat of the community. “The P.L.U.R. Project” is an EDM experience that reaches beyond the speakers, colorful and thoughtful about meaning in music-based culture.