One of this year’s most anticipated short films (I say one because I’m hoping that Kanye‘s 7-screen short film for Cruel Summer will somehow leave Cannes and see a public release) was just released onto the internet. Directed by Anthony Mandler, the video for Lana Del Rey‘s “National Anthem” clocks in at just under 8 minutes and features the singer masquerading as both Marilyn Manson and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Playing the part of JFK? None other than Harlem upstart A$AP Rocky, who does his best impression of the charismatic President, complete with suits, snapbacks, blunts, and more. It’s all rather surreal and, well, it has to be seen to be believed. It’s also probably going to spark quite a bit of controversy… but that’s another topic entirely.
Frank Ocean of Odd Future has released the final details of his forthcoming new album Channel Orange, his Def Jam and official studio debut. Out on July 17th, Ocean’s new album features a verse from Outkast‘s André 3000 and additional collaborations with John Mayer and fellow Odd Future cohort Earl Sweatshirt. He also posted the album’s cover (seen above) and its full tracklisting on his Tumblr account.
Channel Orange Tracklisting:
01 Start
02 Thinkin Bout You
03 Fertilizer
04 Sierra Leone
05 Sweet Life
06 Not Just Money
07 Super Rich Kids [ft. Earl Sweatshirt]
08 Pilot Jones
09 Crack Rock
10 Pyramids
11 Lost
12 White [ft. John Mayer]
13 Monks
14 Bad Religion
15 Pink Matter [ft. André 3000]
16 Forrest Gump
17 End
Today, Lost In The Sound is extremely excited and honored to premiere a brand new song from two-thirds of upcoming hip-hop trio THEBLKHANDS. “Live Lucid (Pt. 1)” features two-thirds of the group and is the final single from Dominic Serendip‘s debut album Live Lucid, set for release in early July. The track is produced by ILLA, who also produced THEBLKHANDS’ first single with Big K.R.I.T. The group’s 2nd single, which features Smoke DZA & Fenix, will be out very soon.
Both Dominic and ILLA are on point on “Live Lucid (Pt. 1)”, which serves as an introduction to Dominic’s lifestyle and philosophy. Living lucid, as he describes it, is being able to live out your dreams and to create your own destiny. As he tears up ILLA’s masterfully constructed strings with verse after verse, it’s clear that he lives what he preaches: Dominic’s passion for his music and his desire to make his dreams come true shine in his rhymes and because of that, I’m glad to have a chance to premiere the track today and be a part of his lucid dreaming. Give it a listen for yourself below.
For Gossamer second single “I’ll Be Alright”, Passion Pit goes absolutely all out with maximalistic production and high-tempo, high-pitch vocals from Michael Angelakos. Like some of the main standouts from Manners, Angelakos’s falsetto is on full blast with his melodies anchoring the track and then his lyrics playing second fiddle. But the beauty of “I’ll Be Alright” is that while the song sounds extremely happy and summery, Angelakos discusses his personal and emotional troubles; his first line says it all: “Can you remember ever having any fun?/ Cause when it’s all said and done I always believed we were/ But now I’m not so sure.” What sounds bubbly on the surface has a whole lot more bubbling underneath. Give it a listen below and Gossamer will be available on July 24th through Columbia Records.
On Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night, the Legendary Roots Crew, Fallon himself, and pop sensation Carly Rae Jepsen teamed up for a cover of Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” using nothing but classroom instruments. Questlove rocks out with his kazoo while simultaneously playing a güiro with what appears to be an Afro pick. That’s talent.
It’s hard not to smile when watching such talented musicians have so much fun on their respective instruments. Bonus: Questlove gives a hearty laugh through his kazoo and Black Thought seriously rocks out.
Carly Rae Jepsen – vocals, triangle
Jimmy Fallon – wood block, tambourine, bass drum
Questlove – washboard stick, kazoo, recorder
Tuba Gooding Jr. – kazoo, recorder
Frank Knuckles – bongos
Captain Kirk – ukulele
James Poyser – melodica
Mark Kelley – toy xylophone
Black Thought – tambourine
Frank Ocean has the whole mysterious vibe down pat. Earlier this morning, the Odd Future-affiliated crooner posted a short snippet of a brand new song onto his Tumblr. He left no comment and from the video, we’re left to guess that the new song is called “TV” and will appear on a new release entitled Channel Orange, out on July 17th. The song features layered vocals and a dark, glitchy synth in the background. The two minute snippet features, unsurprisingly for Ocean, a BMW station wagon. Listen and watch for yourself below.
There’s a good chance that Channel Orange may be Frank Ocean’s first official release with Def Jam, which was previously rumored for release in the summer of 2012. Since releasing his shelved album Nostalgia, Ultra as a mixtape last year, the singer went on to gain internet stardom and two well-received features on Jay-Z and Kanye West‘s Watch The Throne. His first official single “Thinking Bout You” was released April 17, 2012 and may also be included on Channel Orange, although details are currently unknown at this time.
Siebe de Boer’s video for Space Siren‘s melancholic and introspective “Who Makes Me Try?” is a beautifully crafted piece of work that explores space and color, or perhaps, the lack of it. I don’t know much about the Dutch foursome and their label, Subroutine Records, but you can listen to their second studio album (from which this song is taken) here.
And as the label put it on our Facebook page, “Get lost in this video.”
Hit-Boy takes a page from his G.O.O.D. Music co-conspirator and mentor Kanye West with his debut rap song, the oddly-titled “Jay-Z Interview”. After conquering the production world with bangers like “N–gas in Paris” and A$AP Rocky‘s “Goldie”, the famed producer is now starting his recording career as a rhymer. Below, you can listen to Hit-Boy’s rap debut alongside the visuals for the track, which includes cameos from Jay-Z, Kanye, Kid Cudi, and Rocky.
For Danny Brown‘s Party Supplies-aided track “Grown Up”, the Detroit rapper decided to take a creative approach and create a music video that showcased him as a child. In it, we get to imagine a young Danny Brown taking to the streets and causing mayhem in the city and at school, all while reciting his very own rhymes. Below, you can watch the Greg Brunkalla-directed visual and learn the secret behind Brown’s missing front teeth. You can also download the song for free from Scion Audio Visual in exchange for your email address at the very bottom of the page.
Newcomers THEBLKHANDS, a hip-hop trio consisting of rappers Cazzie Jetson and Dominic Serendip and producer ILLA, make their debut today with their first single “I’m Gone”. Featuring none other than Big K.R.I.T., who takes over the track with a killer second verse, “I’m Gone” is an introspective peek into the pasts of THEBLKHANDS and though we haven’t learned all that much about them yet, I’m incredibly excited for new music from the group. They plan to release their first album later this year with additional features from talented rhymers Smoke DZA and Skyzoo.
You can listen to the Cazzie, K.R.I.T., and Dominic spin their tales over some melancholic ILLA production below, courtesy of the group’s Soundcloud page. Hit the download button for the free MP3.
Connect