Blitzen Trapper - Heaven and Earth
I acquired this track several weeks back, but it was cut, last-second, from that week's New Music Monday to make way for bigger-name artists (The Hold Steady, The National, The Black Keys, etc.). I tuned into KEXP on Friday and they reminded me that this was an oversight. Upon freshly experiencing it, the advance track from Blitzen Trapper's forthcoming Destroyers of the Void LP is easily as good as any of the above tracks (and is what I wished the new Band of Horses sounded more like). Pretty and atmospheric, it will echo back and forth in your head long after you've closed your iTunes.
Crystal Castles - Celestica
Crystal Castles are tough to read. Their first proper LP (self-titled) was generally interesting electronica, with moments ("Untrust Us") that allowed just enough accessibility to be really enjoyable. Their upcoming second album (also self-titled; assholes) was previewed by a fairly noisy, unpleasant track, but then comes first single "Celestica" to show off their pleasant side. I still don't know what to think of them, but this track is damn pretty.
B.O.B. - The Kids (f/Janelle Monae)
Piping-hot ATL rapper B.O.B. drops a new collab with Janelle Monae ('the female Andre 3000') in which they both improvise over the approximate tune and structure of Vampire Weekend's "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance." They muse on the unfortunate situation today's urban kids find themselves in, but the tune keeps it almost light-hearted. Still, I'm beginning to think a couple of people reading this should probably go do Teach for America.
M.I.A. - Born Free
New M.I.A. means yippee-ki-yay! Actually, this is a fairly low-quality rip (in my opinion) but the song is a classic old-school Maya Arulpragasm joint, packed with attitude. None of this "Paper Planes" pop shit (which I loved) or "There's Space For Ol Dat I See" slow-paced stuff (meh). If you need another reason to get excited, Google "M.I.A.+Blimp". Oh yeah.
The Black Keys - Unknown Brother
The Black Keys' new album has leaked and it is full of retro blues-rock goodness. To hold you over until you can buy it for yourself, here is one of my early favorites, the quasi-title track "Unknown Brother."
The New Pornographers - Moves
The New Pornographers' new album has also leaked. Listen to it streaming in full here at NPR, and catch album opener "Moves" to get another piece of the puzzle.
The xx - Do You Mind?
Not exactly new, but with an artist as hot as The xx, we'll take what we can get. "Do You Mind?" was one of the outtakes from their debut self-titled album from last fall, and fits with their hushed mood beautifully.
Robyn - Dancing On My Own
Robyn's first of three releases this year (supposedly), Body Talk Pt. 1, has another track revealed. "Dancing On My Own" continues her streak of electro-produced pop nuggets, this one with more than a tinge of sadness and bitterness.
Macklemore - The Town (Sabzi Remix)
New Seattle hip-hop anthem "The Town" gets a fun, synth-heavy remix treatment by Blue Scholars' DJ Sabzi. The added backdrop really makes it feel like more of a song than a manifesto - both are good. Read his take and almost-apology here at the Blue Scholars' blog.
I acquired this track several weeks back, but it was cut, last-second, from that week's New Music Monday to make way for bigger-name artists (The Hold Steady, The National, The Black Keys, etc.). I tuned into KEXP on Friday and they reminded me that this was an oversight. Upon freshly experiencing it, the advance track from Blitzen Trapper's forthcoming Destroyers of the Void LP is easily as good as any of the above tracks (and is what I wished the new Band of Horses sounded more like). Pretty and atmospheric, it will echo back and forth in your head long after you've closed your iTunes.
Crystal Castles - Celestica
Crystal Castles are tough to read. Their first proper LP (self-titled) was generally interesting electronica, with moments ("Untrust Us") that allowed just enough accessibility to be really enjoyable. Their upcoming second album (also self-titled; assholes) was previewed by a fairly noisy, unpleasant track, but then comes first single "Celestica" to show off their pleasant side. I still don't know what to think of them, but this track is damn pretty.
B.O.B. - The Kids (f/Janelle Monae)
Piping-hot ATL rapper B.O.B. drops a new collab with Janelle Monae ('the female Andre 3000') in which they both improvise over the approximate tune and structure of Vampire Weekend's "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance." They muse on the unfortunate situation today's urban kids find themselves in, but the tune keeps it almost light-hearted. Still, I'm beginning to think a couple of people reading this should probably go do Teach for America.
M.I.A. - Born Free
New M.I.A. means yippee-ki-yay! Actually, this is a fairly low-quality rip (in my opinion) but the song is a classic old-school Maya Arulpragasm joint, packed with attitude. None of this "Paper Planes" pop shit (which I loved) or "There's Space For Ol Dat I See" slow-paced stuff (meh). If you need another reason to get excited, Google "M.I.A.+Blimp". Oh yeah.
The Black Keys - Unknown Brother
The Black Keys' new album has leaked and it is full of retro blues-rock goodness. To hold you over until you can buy it for yourself, here is one of my early favorites, the quasi-title track "Unknown Brother."
The New Pornographers - Moves
The New Pornographers' new album has also leaked. Listen to it streaming in full here at NPR, and catch album opener "Moves" to get another piece of the puzzle.
The xx - Do You Mind?
Not exactly new, but with an artist as hot as The xx, we'll take what we can get. "Do You Mind?" was one of the outtakes from their debut self-titled album from last fall, and fits with their hushed mood beautifully.
Robyn - Dancing On My Own
Robyn's first of three releases this year (supposedly), Body Talk Pt. 1, has another track revealed. "Dancing On My Own" continues her streak of electro-produced pop nuggets, this one with more than a tinge of sadness and bitterness.
Macklemore - The Town (Sabzi Remix)
New Seattle hip-hop anthem "The Town" gets a fun, synth-heavy remix treatment by Blue Scholars' DJ Sabzi. The added backdrop really makes it feel like more of a song than a manifesto - both are good. Read his take and almost-apology here at the Blue Scholars' blog.
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