Hatchet reporter Daniel Stelly shares his latest musical obsessions.

“Shiraz”
Action Bronson

Since rising to prominence in 2008, New York rapper Action Bronson has brought a new flavor to the rap game in every sense. A former gourmet chef, Action often references food in his rhymes, adding a refreshing twist to raps about urban life and personal struggles. No song sums up Action’s style and tastes more than “Shiraz,” off of his first album, “Dr. Lecter.” The track meshes a cool jazz flute sample from “Brother” Jack McDuff with a laid-back beat from Clarence Reid, resulting in a smooth instrumental. Action’s flow, on the other hand, is extremely raw, but his unpolished delivery actually complements the jazzy beat. As he rifles though topics like relationships, drug use and his neighborhood of Queens, he repeatedly ties culinary items into his flow. Although it may be a little strange hearing “roasted peppers” and “sweet tomatoes” from a rapper, Action makes it work and gives listeners a new style to enjoy.

“I Need You”
Mayer Hawthorne

Known for his heavy Motown influences, Mayer Hawthorne has helped bring back the soul of legends like Marvin Gaye and the Four Tops to a younger audience. Hawthorne’s soul is evident on his cover of Otis Leavill’s 1969 track “I Need You,” as he teams with producer Nottz to take listeners back to the golden days of R&B. Everything about this song is smooth, from the fluttering strings to the backing chorus and especially Hawthorne’s soaring vocals. While a heavy hip-hop beat gives the song a modern edge, the track is unmistakably Mayer — a love song with simple chords and structure. Hawthorne again unexpectedly nods to the past when he opts to whistle the melody rather than sing it. Yet he returns to crooning for the finale, rising above the chorus, orchestra and percussion to end this R&B tune. Once again, Hawthorne successfully puts his own spin on a classic track from a bygone era.

“How Long Must I Wait?”
Dr. Dog

Philadelphia rock band Dr. Dog has slowly polished its sound since its first release in 2001, becoming a mainstay of today’s indie rock scene. The band’s most recent album, “Be the Void,” features some of their best work, including the catchy track “How Long Must I Wait?” Opening with a riff that becomes the centerpiece of the song, lead guitarist Scott McMicken takes us on a romantic pursuit that never really pans out – thus, how long must I wait? The lyrics are simple, the chords are full and the guitar work is great – all signs of Dr. Dog at its best. While the band may be pushing for a more complex sound, this song reminds me of their earlier self-recorded work and stripped-down beats. For Dr. Dog, less is more, and McMicken’s vocals stand out above the simple riffs and laid-back attitude of “How Long Must I Wait?”