It's not every day that one of the biggest pop stars in the world features on a track by a brand-new name, but that's exactly what happened to the mysterious artist, BOOTS. He's been producing behind the scenes for a while now (including working on Beyoncé's latest self-titled album), but we can't think of a better way to turn some heads than to come out swinging with an original track of his own featuring the singer herself; and since a name of that caliber isn't about to endorse something of sub-par quality, his breakout single, "Dreams", and his debut mixtape, WinterSpringSummerFall, are both indeed impressive. We've pulled a couple of the more noteworthy offerings from the mixtape line up for you to pick from, but there's really no excuse not to sift though the rest of the work when you have the time. It can be dark, but it's definitely different, and the quality of the craftsmanship will leave a lasting impression on even the most demanding music connoisseur. Many of his tracks are overtly restrained, and some even are more spoken word than song, but we've pulled the three that best represent his range as an artist, and boy is that range huge. "Sheep / Lookin' Muthafucka (Lude II)" is a complicated song, and it makes some pretty drastic transitions over the course of the playtime, but there's no mistaking his powerful voice; and when the light synths drop off into a buzz laden bassline, you're instantly hooked. "Troubled World" is a little more measured in it's delivery, but it's no less imposing, and the menacing textures that get wrapped around the ghostly background choir lends a sinister vibe very befitting of its rather bleak title. "Ride Ride Ride" is the last must-listen we've picked out of the bunch, and it's the masterful use of echo and minimalist production techniques on this one that's got us excited. About a third of the way through, Boots really opens up the taps, and any doubts about the legitimacy of his new found fame are instantly dispelled. This dude is for real. Stream all of WinterSpringSummerFall via SoundCloud.

Written by Hillydilly Staff