
It's 2013, and human beings are still trying to figure out how to automate music discovery. Trends come and go, new services pop up and disappear, and a music discovery app is created, marketed, and killed off every few days. The thing is, no algorithm, social networking service, or customizable radio station has been able to really nail it. There's still nothing quite as effective as a friend saying, "You like so-and-so? Check this out."
It's Monday, and it's a Monday where I'm still feeling like I'm recovering from the weekend. Considering yesterday was Cinco de Mayo, I have a feeling many of you are feeling the same way. I didn't even make it out yesterday, because my ass was too hungover to get off the couch. But I feel for those of you who did, because trust me, I felt close to death yesterday. So if that's you today, or hell, even if you're a good kid just trying to get some work done, I've got your soundtrack. Here is the latest [...]

Hey Salacious readers! Welcome to the May edition of the BoB, this edition is going to be badass. In the past I tried to focus on the best tracks overall, some of those were paid tracks. From this point on the BoB will focus on the best FREE tracks of the month. So get ready to download some kick ass tunes! Standout track: One Republic - If I lose myself (Kastra Remix) [...]
I’ve noticed in our remodeling that there is a void in my inbox where some tracks don’t quite fit the Shorthanded Goals mold, yet they don’t quite require or elicit a full feature. Basically, they are great tracks – I just can’t find the words or time to praise and describe. I’ve thought about this and I figured why not post up a little segment where I can quickly run through the tracks that caught my ear but didn’t quite catch my tongue…Red Lights to make you slow and stop what you’re doing to [...]

Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby' looks set to become one of the biggest films of the summer, due in no small part to its soundtrack which has been curated by Jay Z, and features Beyoncé, Jack White, Andre 3000, Florence, and to a lesser extent will.i.am. Much like M832s recent explosion onto the big screen, the combination of Lana Del Rey and cinema has always felt somewhat inevitable, which is what makes her appearance on the score one of the most anticipated aspects of this blockbuster (sorry Leonardo). Last week we were treated to the first [...]
1. Ferro Montanino from Winnipeg, Canada proves that is possible for one man to entirely remake Skrillex's Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites on a piano. Though there are few moments when I enjoy Skrillex, this song of his is one of them, and Ferro makes it arguable even more enjoyable on the ivory keys. 2. The Internet has been abuzz over Disclosure's song "Latch" recently. And rightfully so. But we need to take a minute and direct our attention to this piano cover of the same song by a [...]

Montreal's Doldrums takes us through some of the songs that inspire him and his music with this mix he curated for our PMACAST. In our review , we noted that his recently released debut album, Lesser Evil was "hyperactive, unstable, and disorienting," but above all, it was surreally catchy, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to see classicists like Leonard Cohen and The Beach Boys show up along size eardrum rupturing vanguards like Moon King and My Bloody Valentine show up in [...]

Michael Roffman and I first met on the Lollapalooza message board back in 2007 and came up with the idea to launch a website that catered to music festival news and rumors. At the time, the music festival boom was just beginning, inspired by a jam festival's decision to book Radiohead. 80,000 people went to Bonnaroo that year - a defining moment for an industry ravaged by Napster and Limewire. People were still willing to pay good money for music, just as long as there were a few potent headliners, a reunion or two, and some of those "indie bands." [...]

What would it look like if Lil Wayne, Kanye, Adele, and Fiona Apple were on AIM? We reveal some of their (very fake) vintage away messages to get a personal look inside the Internet lives of some of our favorite musicians. Grimes Thom Yorke Fiona Apple Lil Wayne Rick Ross Drake Andrew WK James Murphy Alice Glass Waka Flocka Gucci [...]
Count down the best cover songs of 2012, and listen to each!

Over the course of this past year, we've upped the impetus placed upon live happenings and more significantly on those situated in and around London: nights on end spent out and about have become increasingly exhausting, as we strive to conjure an increasingly exhaustive coverage. Consequently we can only hope these are wearying steps in the right direction as, at least from a subjective perspective, witnessing your revered artists recite their most estimable pieces – in full as did some of the below, or otherwise – is a substantial chunk of what it's all about. Here we've more or less [...]
So we reach the business end of this year's album poll, as voted for by the State writers and photographers. This next selection features a total of six debuts, proving that new talent is still the lifeblood of the music world. In addition there's the return of an elder statesman and a sparkling release from a pair of Irish siblings. 20. Passion Pit - Gossamer Michael Angelakos digs deep. 19. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Trouble Summery dance vibes meets pop nous. [...]

You've doubtless already made up your mind on what were, subjectively (though this may perhaps be mistaken for a narcissistic objectively as is below), the records to have ultimately defined the year that was 2012. Personally, I wouldn't deem it to have been the best of years and though not the worst of years either, the dispersion of opinion on the top ones, twos, and various other fews across the board appears to reflect this. My maths is a little haphazard at the best of times – read on and you'll discover more on that – but the [...]
Before we weigh in on the perennial wintertime conversation of the best albums of the year, we want to first focus on the (usually free) mixtapes and relatively more digestible EPs we've had the pleasure of listening to this year. Check out our lists below, and leave a comment with your favorite mixtapes / EPs of the year and we can compare. PREVIOUSLY: THE BEST SONGS OF 2012 BEST MIXTAPES of 2012 Click on [...]

Every week we will be featuring The Sweet Five! What's The Sweet Five you may ask? Well I'll drop you five sweet songs that you should listen to once a week, that will help you get over your mid-week slump and set sail towards the ever-nearing weekend! Ready? Okay! The Lumineers - Dead Sea I have my girlfriend to thank who heard this one while at work. This is a Indie-Folk track with plenty of soul. Despite the deep undertones, this song [...]

Another month, another round of MP32s culled from my inbox and various other means of submission. Once again...some you may know, some you may have never heard of, some may be great and some may be awful. Some I just don't have time to write about, and others I just plain wouldn't. Shorthanded Goals is the ultimate in music blogging democracy; you get to choose what you want without any clever (or goofy) comments from me. If anything these tickle your fancy, or your have more goodies to send, feel free to let me know . [...]

Ah, the holidays. A time for family, friends, food, celebrations, and, of course, stress. This time of year comes as a double-edged sword in that it's both joyous but incredibly taxing. So in an effort to help cross one thing off your to-do list, we've lent a hand with the guest list and rounded up 12 musicians you should invite for Thanksgiving dinner. Granted, none of them are your average Martha Stewarts, but it's safe to say that what they lack in domestic skills, they definitely make up for in entertainment. Regardless of how the turkey tastes, it's sure to [...]

There are more Lana Del Rey remixes out there than we can keep track of at this point. What matters is keeping track of that artist you know can produce quality out of just about anything. Wize has done it again with his remix of Rey's "Born To Die", a track that seems to transcend death itself. If only Lana could string together some decent lyrics, this track would be a bit higher on our remix list, but then again, anything Wize does is true to its form.
by PETER TABAKIS Lana Del Rey doesn’t fit the profile of a firebrand. Her torchy ballads seem innocuous enough, though her persona –– the gorgeous and jaded sexpot chanteuse with a filthy mouth –– is knowingly provocative. But this sort of provocation is hardly new in pop music, nor is it particularly incendiary. Del Rey, though, ignites a peculiar, intense ire. Her reboot from radio-ready (Lizzy Grant) to indie-friendly (Lana Del Rey) irritates her detractors to no end. Some go so far as to dispute her validity as an artist as such. Understandably, [...]

"Paradise is further proof and assurance of Del Rey’s pervasive artistic talent..." Lana Del Rey | Born To Die: Paradise Edition Rather than a transitory trending topic, compelling in her revamped image (those lips!), Lana Del Rey has emerged as an artist within her own right. As The Paradise Edition – a re-release of her debut aired alongside of smattering of newer songs – sees the light of day 11 months on from her debut, it is not her transformation from Lizzie to Lana that is garnering attention, but her work. A [...]