Posted in Genres

Album: Pussy Wizard- F.J.V. 1

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.

Listen: Passion Pit – “I’ll Be Alright”

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.

Video: The Roots & Carly Rae Jepsen – “Call Me Maybe”

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

Video: Frank Ocean – “TV”

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.

Video: Space Siren – “Who Makes Me Try?”

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.”