Pussy Wizard is a relatively new band with their latest content being released in February 2012. They currently have two EP’s: F.J.V. 1 and ABRACOOLDADBRO. I downloaded their second album a long time ago and couldn’t stop listening to the song “West Coast Ghosts”. After recently hearing two of their songs on some playlists (Fork and Spoon’s Free Love Free Download playlist, for instance), I have fallen into an obsession with the band and downloaded their first EP. Both EP’s are incredible, with such an original sound that keeps the smooth vibes flowing from song to song. They are currently available for free on Pussy Wizard’s Bandcamp. You can listen to F.J.V. 1 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$AP Rocky‘s “Goldie”, the famed producer is now starting his recording career as a rhymer. Below, you can listen to Hit-Boy’s rap debut alongside the visuals for the track, which includes cameos from Jay-Z, Kanye, Kid Cudi, and Rocky.
For Danny Brown‘s Party Supplies-aided track “Grown Up”, the Detroit rapper decided to take a creative approach and create a music video that showcased him as a child. In it, we get to imagine a young Danny Brown taking to the streets and causing mayhem in the city and at school, all while reciting his very own rhymes. Below, you can watch the Greg Brunkalla-directed visual and learn the secret behind Brown’s missing front teeth. You can also download the song for free from Scion Audio Visual in exchange for your email address at the very bottom of the page.
Following up last year’s fantastic Instrumental Mixtape, hip hop producer Clams Casino has tweeted a link to download a brand new mixtape containing fourteen beats he’s made the past year. On the mixtape is some of his awe-inspiring production for the likes of The Weeknd, Lil B, and A$AP Rocky and his remixes of Washed Out and Lana Del Rey. Download the tape here, or listen to some of the tracks below.
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.
On September 11th, the xx will release their highly anticipated second studio album, Coexist, through Young Turks. This will be the follow-up to 2009’s self-titled debut, which launched the band and its members into global stardom. From their announcement: “After a long time on the road, we took a break, created our own studio and wrote these new songs that we’re so looking forward to playing to you.”
The xx 2012 Tour Dates:
06-08 Turin, Italy – Traffic Festival
06-09 Porto, Portugal – Optimus Primavera Sound
06-15 Aarhus, Denmark – Northside Festival
06-16 Hultsfred, Sweden – Hultsfred Festival
06-22 Scheessel, Germany – Hurricane Festival
06-23 Neuhausen, Germany – Southside Festival
06-27 Haervic, Norway – Hove Festival
06-29 Arras, France – Main Square Festival
06-30 Werchter, Belgium – Rock Werchter
07-04 Tokyo, Japan – Liquid Room
07-07 Gdynia, Poland – Heineken Open’er Festival
07-14 Joensuu, Finland – Ilosaarirock Festival
07-23 Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda
07-25 Seattle, WA – Showbox at the Market
07-28 Toronto, Ontario – Phoenix Concert Theater
07-29 Montreal, Quebec – Metropolis
07-31 Boston, MA – Wilbur Theatre
08-02 New York, NY – Terminal 5
08-09 Sibinek, Croatia – Terraneo Festival
08-10 Budapest, Hungary – Sziget Festival
08-11 St Pere, France – La Route du Rock
08-18 St Polten, Austria – FM4 Frequency Festival
08-19 Biddinghuizen, Netherlands – Lowlands Festival
08-31 Laois, Ireland – Electric Picnic
09-07 Isle of Wight, England – Bestival
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