Listen To Phil Jones (The Pheels) Summer Friendly Mix
"The mix is collection of songs that have given me some inspiration recently. A soundtrack to watch the summer sun melt the pavement."
This is how Phil Jones, one half of the Atlanta pop and R&B duo The Pheels, explains his mix that we're premiering today. The eight song release clocks in around 23 minutes, beginning with Hiatus Kaiyote's "Lupita" and ending with ELJAY's "U."
The tape can definitely be described as a summer tape: RetcH's "Marmalade Sky" rides on a sunny boom bap groove, while Jamie XX's "Girl" is perfect for an evening rooftop dance party.
The Pheels have had a good year so far. The duo, made up of Jones and Curtis Fields, recently released their EP likeWise, a seven song project that shows the two experimenting with electronic, funk and R&B similar to contemporaries such as Miguel and The Internet. The former is apparent on likeWise standout "Cannonball," a mesmerizingly trippy track that finds Fields crooning over Jones' atmospheric production.
There's also "French Toast," a funk fuzz jam reminiscent of Sa-Ra Creative Partners. "I'll make french toast / and when you wake up babe you can tell me just how does it feel inside" croons Fields, the track taking a refreshing spin on the aftermath of leaving with somebody from the club or party last night. The EP ends with "Don't Play Yourself," which the two have released a music video for. The visuals feature Fields singing to the camera and playing PlayStation, his melancholy delivery undistracted by everything happening around him.
Overall, likeWise is a charming lo-fi project that shows the two working with some interesting ideas that are indicative of the duo's musical chemistry.
Prior to The Pheels Jones played keyboards and percussion for Ernest Greene, commonly known as Washed Out, as well as toured with fellow chillwave artist Toro Y Moi as part of his own band Dogbite. He also still produces on his own as HAUNTED, offering instrumental tracks similar to what's heard in The Pheels.
Check out Jones' mix below.
