Urban Art Festival and Seattle-based arts collective Artifakt have cooked up something you’d be a fool to miss. The Urban Art Festival Fundraiser, Thursday, May 8 at The Swiss, will feature Tacoma-born, Seattle-based hip-hop crew Life Cycle, sonic wizards The New Law, Can-U, DJs Hannibal and Grym.



Life Cycle sounds like Styles of Beyond at half-tempo, which is kind of fresh. Tacoma-born Joshua Jay and Burn One bring flows that are so smooth it doesn’t really matter what they’re saying. I could listen to 10 tracks of babble from these guys, as long as they keep that sick riddum.



Meanwhile, I am ashamed to say I have slept on The New Law. The Seattle duo comprises Adam Straney, aka Senator Adam, and Justin Neff, aka Justice, who defy description as they stir up the nastiest hybrid soundscapes I’ve heard in a distant minute. Call it trip-hop if you need to, but I heard one song that sounds like the unholy sonic offspring of Gibby Haines, Andrew Eldritch, Herby Hancock and Ventian Snares’ Aaron Funk. Seriously. Tracks like “Deconstructed Funk” and “Bad Weather Beach” are downright spooky. Six thumbs up for a beautiful balance of dirt and space.



Also on deck are Tacoma champ Can-U and DJs Hannibal and Grym.



Bring extra cash to support Urban Art Festival.



[Swiss Pub, Thursday, May 8. 8 p.m., $7, 1904 Jefferson Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.2821]