While Renton swag-rap trio Dyme Def is still a going concern, summertime oh-ten is yielding introspective solo songs from members Fearce Vill and now Brainstorm.

The beginning of "Thank You" finds Brain dodging sharks & narcs, snakes & fakes, swimming upstream and cinching his circle of friends. No more yes-men, no more parasites, and no more lazy verses:

"Can't lie, I got comfy / Now it's time to make my own identity / When the world falls in love, you'll have no idea what that meant to me"

By the end of the track, Brain comes to spiritual rest, content to be a dope rapper who keeps it real on his own terms, nothing more, nothing less. Humbled by the love of his fans, he finishes the song exalting that love and promising not to exploit it.

The backing track parallels the lyrics, opening with Cathedral choir heaviness and segueing into a meditative emo-rock electric guitar groove. Composed by area man Kuddie Fresh, the music is lean and restrained, with a bass line that doesn't hit until half-way in.

Guess what? Seattle's most popular rap group has a sense of humor!

Though fairly charged in the past with overseriousness, these days Blue Scholars couldn't sound more unforced loosening up. Last week at the Capitol Hill Block Party, the duo premiered songs from its upcoming "Cinematropolis" album that revealed a swinging rambunctiousness in producer Sabzi's synthesizer beats, and more flow than ever in rapper Geologic's lyrics. The tracks were a welcome continuation of the spirit of last year's "OOF!" EP, which tempered the Scholars' famously outspoken social consciousness with more lighthearted artistic decisions.

A few days before the Block Party, "Summertime in the SEA" showed up on the Scholars' blog for free download, a goofy lightly-altered karaoke/cover version of Dove Shack's "Summertime in the LBC," the 1995 G-Funk croon-rap classic. When listened to, it actually seizes control of one's phone and text-blasts "BBQ @ SEWARD PARK."

Download UW student duo Beat Connection's "Surf Noir" EP. Just do it.

Twenty-year-olds Jordan Koplowitz and Reed Juenger disregard genre distinctions on their debut release and instead nail aughts/'80s moods and atmospheres. Where other chillwavers might settle for amorphous jams that build to nowhere, Beat Connection's computer/sample/synthesizer compositions are actually quite songwritery; recently-graduated peers USF also avoid the formlessness that naturally infects music prioritizing vibe and flow, but Beat Connection has a traditional pop bone in its body that sets it apart.

"Same Damn Time" hits on a distinctly "Top Gun" wistfulness, sounding like a truly appropriate soundtrack for peeling out on one's motorcycle, speeding past palm trees swaying in the sunset. My favorite part is in the middle of the song, when a soothing vocoder melody gives way to a jet-puff synth hook. It's one hook of three in the song, just one isolated reason it's so catchy, and Beat Connection cuts the ambiance around the 2:40 mark and leaves the essential elements, puff and clap, so heavy and yet so chill.

Photos by me