Youth Lagoon ’s new single “Mute” dropped today and it’s an absolutely fantastic, beautiful tune. After a few listens, it’s is already up there with “Cannons” and “July” as one of my favorite YL songs, as well as one of the best tracks of the year. If he keeps this up, Wondrous Bughouse is going to be positively mind-blowing. Wondrous Bughouse is out 3/5 on Fat Possum Records .
Now Playing: M83 - Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming (nominated for best alternative album) #vinylsunday #grammys
Iceland’s Sin Fang will release his third album of experimental indie pop later this month . “What’s Wrong With Your Eyes” is the second track on the album (named Flowers ) and it’s a beautiful introduction to the artist’s lush orchestral arrangements and ethereal harmonies. Flowers is out 2/19 on Morr Music .
When they’re not making stunning videos with Kristoffer Borgli , Norwegian indie-pop band Young Dreams can write a pretty great tune. Such is “First Days of Something”, a jangly, tropical-infused single from their upcoming LP, Between Places that’ll make you yearn for warmer weather. Between Places is out 3/5 on Modular People .
Here's the top 5 videos (plus honorable mentions) that we featured on Seen Your Video during this particularly great month for videos. 5. Alpines “Lights” (dir. Ryan Hope) 4. Dizzee Rascal “Bassline Junkie” (dir. MEGAFORCE) 3. Bonobo “Cirrus” (dir. Cyriak) 2. Zedd ft. Foxes “Clarity” (dir. Jodeb) [...]
Two years removed from their impressive debut , Brooklyn’s Caveman are prepping their self-titled sophomore album. If first single, “In The City” is any indication, this should be another soaring collection of well-crafted, atmospheric synth-pop. Caveman is out 4/2 on Fat Possum .
After seven hilarious seasons, the best comedy show on the television, 30 Rock will shut it down tonight. In honor of the show that taught us about EGOTs, Cheesy Blasters, Werewolf Bar Mitzvahs, Jacking/Lizzing, Ludachristmases and how to live every week like it's Shark Week, I'm listing my 10 favorite 30 Rock episodes, along with some of my favorite quotes from those episodes. The Rural Juror Jack: It's called the [...]
Guards has been on my radar for a while now, mainly because the N.Y. indie-pop trio is led by former Cults member (and Madeline’s younger brother) Richie Folin, but after listening to their debut album I can now call myself an all-out fan. In Guards We Trust is full of jubilant and refreshing pop anthems, none better than epic, ridiculously catchy single “Ready To Go”. In Guards We Trust is out 2/5 on Black Bell Records and streaming now on Pitchfork Advance .
After their more polished, less passionate third album , the new Frightened Rabbit album, Pedestrian Verse, is a return to some of the excellent songwriting and raw emotion of their breakthrough, The Midnight Organ Fight . “The Woodpile” is the latest single and one of the highlights of the album (although the acoustic version is even better). Stream Pedestrian Verse (which is out 2/5) at Guardian .
Whether serving as nostalgic mediations of days long past, reflections on the present or visions of the future, years have served as inspiration for many artists. Here's a mix of tracks (in chronological order, of course) that were named after / inspired by various years from Phoenix's "1901" to Yeasayer's "2080". Click here to download the mix / listen on Spotify . 01. Phoenix - 1901 02 The Tallest Man On Earth - 1904 03. Harry Nilsson - 1941 [...]
LA-based Francisco The Man are back with more sunny, hook-filled guitar rock with the exuberant new single, “In The Corners” which will be out February 19th on 7” via Small Plates Records . I’ve loved everything I’ve heard from these guys thus far, so let’s hope for a full-length real soon!
Now Playing: The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go #vinylsunday
San Francisco duo Painted Palms won me over a couple years back with their brilliant Canopy EP , and they’ve announced a new 7” single coming out on Polyvinyl Records (who are really killing it in 2013). “Carousel” is quite a departure from the electronic afro-beat sound, with a more sleepy/dreamy lo-fi pop feel and it definitely has me anticipating their upcoming debut LP. Carousel 7” is out 3/5 on Polyvinyl .
Young Galaxy ’s last album Shapeshifting was one of my favorites of 2011 and I’ve been eagerly awaiting their follow-up UltraMarine . The Montreal synth-poppers just released the album’s effervescent first single today, “Pretty Boy” and it’s an absolute pop gem with cascading flurries of keyboards, electronica and melodies galore. UltraMarine is out 4/23 on Paper Bag Records
Coming in neck-and-neck with Foxygen for weirdest band name I’ve seen in 2013 is Portland’s Wampire . Fortunately, the music they’re making is pretty great, as evidenced by the otherworldly synth-and-organs psych pop of “The Hearse”, the first single from their new album, Curiosity. The album joins this year’s increasingly great Polyvinyl slate with STRFKR and Generationals .
Now Playing: Destroyer - Kaputt #vinylsunday
Welsh trio The Joy Formidable ’s new album Wolf’s Law is streaming in full on Soundcloud right now. If you want a good tase of the band’s immense guitar riffs, thundering drums and dreamy vocals, I’d recommend starting with massive jam “The Leopard and the Lung”, the closest they come to reaching the epic heights of “ Whirring ” (which is still their best track). Wolf’s Law is out 1/22 on Atlantic Records.
Trailer: “Trance” (dir. Danny Boyle) Here’s a great new trailer for Danny Boyle ’s new psychological thriller / heist film Trance starring James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel and Rosario Dawson. Boyle’s frantic, rapid camera-work style looks like a perfect match for this film.
Youth Lagoon ’s follow-up to the inspiring The Year of Hibernation is one of my most anticipated albums of the year and our first taste is the wistful “Dropla”. The track immediately grabs you with a lovely hook and builds to a breathtaking climax. Wondrous Bughouse is out 3/5 on Fat Possum .
Free Energy “Girls Want Rock” (dir. Brook Linder) Free Energy have just released their second album of unstoppable power-pop that sounds beamed in from 1978. Love Sign is not quite as euphoric as their debut, but there’s still lots of fun to be had on this album, best embodied by the clap-happy “Girls Want Rock” and its blissfully retro video.
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Boards of Canada - Reach for the Dead (from Tomorrow's Harvest)
Julia Holter - World (Official Video)
Washed Out - Paracosm (Official Album Trailer)
She & Him- I Could've Been Your Girl
Action Bronson - "Strictly 4 My Jeeps" (Official Video)
Boards of Canada – Reach For The Dead
Macklemore + Ryan Lewis – Can’t Hold Us (Major Lazer Remix)
