Altered Zones

Galapagos is 18-year-old Phoenix native Jacob McNaughton. His free EP, Sounds Vol. 1, is a nice slice of sample-based hip-hop (or something resembling hip-hop), setting chopped vocals and little piano flourishes over heavy-set drum beats. Nothing terribly new here, but the production is so crisp and the songs go by so fast that I find myself listening to the collection over and over again. For a completely in-house comparison, imagine a healthy balance between Mane Mane and Persona La Ave, but decidedly less junked-out than either of them, and straighter to the point. My favorite, EP-closer "Gleaming," defines Galapagos' sound. (via Friendship Bracelet)

MP3: Galapagos: "Gleaming"

Galapagos's Sounds Vol. 1 EP is available for free download via Bandcamp