Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Chromatics - Kill for Love

Chromatics, one of the first bands covered on He Said Head South have just released their new album, Kill For Love. It's over an hour and a half great synthpop, and every song sounds like it could be the theme song to an awesomely cheesy 80's cop show. It's up for streaming at Soundcloud, so you should really listen to it now if you liked previous Johnny Jewel efforts (like every song you liked from the movie Drive.)

Death Grips - "The Fever (Aye Aye)"

I tried to resist talking about Death Grips until The Money Store comes out, but every single new song from that album seems to top the last. As exciting as Exmilitary was, this project seems primed to top it and then some with their new material. "The Fever (Aye Aye)" is pretty close to "Get Got" another gem that will be included on the forthcoming album, as both feature some woozy synths and really powerful percussion. As always, the song is accompanied by an awesomely weird video that you can watch at Youtube. If you haven't, check out other videos from The Money Store like "Get Got."

Monday, March 26, 2012

Sigur Ros - "Ekki múkk"

Sigur Ros always has a knack for visually representing their music perfectly. Whether it's the fun old people of "Hoppipolla" or the way their movie Hemia used "Untitled #3" as the film came to close, Sigur Ros is the perfect band for music videos. Specifically, music videos capable of bringing tears to the eyes of grown men. Now, the band has finally blessed us with a new song and promises of a new album. "Ekki múkk" has a super minimalist video, but the fantastic new song compliments it rather well. Watch it at Vimeo and try to keep your emotions in check.

Japandroids - "The House That Heaven Built"

Post-Nothing was a terrific full-length debut from Japandroids, but it had one fatal flaw. It was short enough to make fans salivate for a new album immediately, and that album that will finally drop just in time for summer. "The House That Heaven Built" is the first song to come out from Celebration Rock, and it makes a lot of promises about the band Japandroids is evolving into. The fuzzy guitars and driving drums are still here, and the dueling vocals make a welcome reappearance. Still, this song does seem to mark the beginning of the new era for the duo. "The House That Heaven Built" is bigger and louder than anything the band has ever released, it's really the sound of a band about to burst at the seams with emotion. In a good way. Hear it at Soundcloud.

Mount Eerie - "House Shape"

Phil Elverum doesn't have much else to prove. The Glow Pt. 2, and Mount Eerie by The Microphones, as well as Wind's Poem by Mount Eerie were some of the most imaginative and exhilarating releases of the last decade. In particular, The Glow Pt. 2 is among my all-time favorites. With his Mount Eerie project, Elverum has been toying with a lot of black metal inspired sounds while retaining his uniquely awesome production and heartfelt lyricism. "House Shape" is the first song to drop from Clear Moon, one of two impending Mount Eerie albums to be released in 2012. It's beautiful in the simple way that classics like I Felt My Size were, and makes the wait for Clear Moon's release bearable. Hear it at Soundcloud and remember to check out Clear Moon in May.

Friday, March 23, 2012

A$AP Rocky x OG Ron C - Live Love Purple

Was last years awesome LiveLoveA$AP mixtape not slow, trill, or conductive to your purple drank consumption for your tastes? Well, worry no more. OG Ron C has released his chopped and screwed version, with a ton of extras to get your download. There are a load of unreleased freestyles, including most of the A$AP Mob, Paul Wall, and Bun B. It's 23 tracks long, so it should be the perfect length for your high. Sober or faded, be sure to check out standouts like "Palace" and "Base" from the original album and the Purple Swag "H-Town Allstars Remix" with the aforementioned Bun B and Paul Wall as well as Killa Kyleon. Listen and download at DatPiff before your night kicks off.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Florence + The Machine - "Never Let Me Go" (Clams Casino Remix)

Florence + The Machine's 2011 album Ceremonials  received a ton of criticism that didn't totally hit the mark. Yes, it was more than a bit overproduced and ran way too long, but some of the songs on it were pop masterpieces. One of those songs was "Never Let Me Go," a Florence ballad that features one of the most powerful melodies of her career. Clams Casino, odds on favorite to be the best producer of all-time considering his career trajectory, has put his spin on it. The result is an early candidate for my favorite song of the year. Listen to the original if you haven't heard it and hear the remix at Gorilla vs. Bear.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Coo Woo - Love Exposure

Coo Woo is a band from Wisconsin that have released one of the most fun musical experiences so far this year. They describe themselves as "punk" but their music intersects with a few different genres. I'm inclined to label them as indie pop with a lot of new wave elements, but with tunes this blissful, you don't really need a genre attachment. The instrumentation is bright and paced really well, something that opening track "Amanda Knox" shows off quite a bit. The vocals are a real star as well, with lots of harmonizing and awesome lyrics. Though this thing came out in February, it has summer written all over it. Considering the weather lately, I'd say it's perfect to download right now. Hear the whole thing and download it for free at Coo Woo's Bandcamp.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Spiritualized - "Hey Jane"

"Hey Jane" may be the best track Jason Pierce has released in his post-Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space phase. It's a nine-minute opus that isn't too far off something like "Cop Shoot Cop." Hopefully, it's a sign of other great things included on Spiritualized's next LP,  Sweet Heart Sweet Light, due to be released in April. This video is pretty insane, and is definitely a must-watch, even if you've heard "Hey Jane" a million times already, like I have. See it at Youtube.

Titus Andronicus - LLC Mixtape Vol. 1

The most beloved punk band of the past couple years just blessed us with a wealth of material from all over their career. Titus Andronicus frontman Patrick Stickles posted this mixtape recently, and it's a must-have for fans of the band. There are some outtakes and demos from 2010's landmark The Monitor, as well as a ton of unreleased covers and earlier stuff. The covers are great and diverse, with Weezer, Spider Bags, The Velvet Underground, and even the Hot Pockets theme song being touched upon. The highlight is easily the band's new song, "Upon Viewing Oregon's Landscape With the Flood of Detritus." It's awesome and should be on an upcoming split 7' between Titus Andronicus and recent tourmates (and awfully named) Diarrhea Planet. Listen to the tape at Tumblr.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Death Grips - The Money Store

One of 2011's most polarizing (but ultimately, most rewarding) breakout artists is back for more this year. Death Grips, if you don't know, is an abrasive hip-hop project of the often lovable Zach Hill of Hella. They've made a name for themselves with Exmilitary and some of the great videos to come out of that album, especially "Guillotine." Thankfully, they are slated to release two full-lengths in 2012, starting with The Money Store on April 24. They already have three songs from that album out, and they are all worthy additions to their growing discography. Hear "Lost Boys" and "Blackjack" if you're already a fan, and watch the video for the wonderful "Get Got" even if you hate them.

Danny Brown - "Radio Song"

Danny Brown released  the impressive XXX last year and The Hybrid the year before that. With that kind of work ethic, he deserves a break. Brown doesn't seem to agree though, as the deluxe edition of XXX with three new tracks releases today, right in the midst of his huge US tour with Childish Gambino. To commemorate its release, Danny Brown has dropped the video for one of the tamer songs from the album, "Radio Song." Watch the video here and check out 2011's XXX if you haven't already.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Usher - "Climax" (Prod. by Diplo)

After listening to it several times a day for the past couple weeks, I have to mention one of 2012's best songs thus far. Usher has returned with his first great single since 2008's "Love in this Club." Diplo's production suits him well enough that everyone should forget about past transgressions like the abysmal "OMG."  Don't let this one slip under your radar because of the names attached to it, it really is something else. Watch the Sam Pilling-directed video here and watch out for a new Usher LP dropping sometime this year.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Thelonious Martin - 10.Minute.Tape

Whether you caught wind of him first when he worked with the likes of Hodgy Beats and Action Bronson or when he released his [Super] album in 2011, you're probably loving this guys talent if you've heard him. Thelonious Martin is a 19 year old beat-maker whose music sounds like a fresh outlook on what Dilla was always trying to accomplish. Above all else, Martin's music is just damn entrancing. His new beat tape is a great night listen and is hopefully foreshadowing some new music coming from this guy later in the year. Check out this guy's music at his Bandcamp, and then show it to all your friends.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Beach House - "Myth"

One of my personal favorite groups making music right now is Beach House, who manage to be a little more brilliant with each release. Devotion and Teen Dream really established the Baltimore indie veterans as beacons of hope in the indie pop world that don't have to be weird to be original. Finally, they've released the first single from their upcoming Bloom album, and it's called "Myth." Beach House probably have another great one on their hands, so make sure to listen to it at their website.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Perfume Genius - Put Your Back N 2 It

Put Your Back N 2 It is definitely one the albums in 2012 so far that really took me by surprise. After not following this project for a while, the simple instrumentation and really heartfelt songwriting took me by surprise. In the world of hyper-glossed indie pop, Perfume Genius really stands out as music that means something. The insane video for "Hood" first had me interested, but the album's most somber moments grab me more than anything else. Listen to a personal favorite, "Dark Parts" and try explaining to anyone around you that SOMEONE must be chopping onions in the immediate area.

Chromatics - "Candy"

Chromatics has released a video for the fourth song leaked from their upcoming album Kill for Love. Based on what we've seen so far, it could be one of the more interesting releases of the entire year. Watch the new video for "Candy" and remember to check out their cover of Neil Young's "Into the Black" if you haven't already. It really is something to marvel at.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Studying & Cape Farewell: NoVA Emo Spotlight.

More Virginia music to sink your teeth into. Both of these bands fit into the twinkly emo scene, so think stuff like Snowing and Hightide Hotel. Firstly, Studying is an Annandale band that has a nice group of solid releases to their name. Most notable is their Songs About Leaving Home release that I've been loving lately. Cape Farewell hails from Manassas and just released four new tracks last month titled Now That We've Redrawn Our Maps, The Trees Don't Seem So Close Together. Their music is a little more abrasive than something like Studying, which is really nice to see in the Virginia scene. Check out Studying and Cape Farewell immediately, supporting the local scene and great music alike.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Chairlift - Something

I've never been a huge Chairlift fan, but this year's Something was a pretty solid album all around. One of the best songs from that album, "Met Before," just got a really interesting video with a better than it sounds premise. At certain points in the video, you can choose the direction the video goes in, not unlike a classic Choose-Your-Own Adventure book. It's executed really well and all of the different moods the video can take still match up well with the track. Watch the crazy video for "Met Before" multiple times over at the band's website.