Brooklyn band CHAPPO (best known for their iPod commercial-featured single “Come Home”), has announced their sophomore LP, Future Former Self. Out March 4th, the record follows lead character Rene Cogito on his journey to a black hole, addressing the abstract concept of time and its infinite & fleeting nature. A kaleidoscope of unique and otherworldly sounds accompanies narrative lyrics, taking listeners along for an emotional and action-packed ride.
Listen: CHAPPO – “I Don’t Need The Sun”
Filed under Highly Anticipated, listen, new albums
Check out some tracks from Mode Moderne’s upcoming new album Occult Delight, due January 21 via Light Organ Records.
Listen: Mode Moderne – “Baby Bunny”
Listen: Mode Moderne – “Strangle The Shadows”
Occult Delight is the follow up to Light Organ’s 2012 release Strange Bruises and the band’s independent 2009 release Ghosts Emerging.
Filed under Check 'em Out!, listen, new albums, Newest Love, video
Black Lips just dropped the first single from their forthcoming album Underneath the Rainbow via Vice. The new album was recorded partially in Nashville with the Black Keys‘ Patrick Carney and is out March 18, 2014.
Listen: Black Lips – “Boys In The Wood”
Filed under Awesome, listen, new albums
Phantogram have set February 18, 2014 as the release date for their forthcoming new album, Voices.
This is the critically acclaimed New York duo’s first major-label full-length, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated albums of the new year. The pre-order for Voices went live yesterday
Moreover, fans who pre-order from iTunes will receive an instant download of the band’s brand new single “Fall In Love”, which is also available at other digital retailers today, and as the A-side of a limited-edition 7″ vinyl single at physical retailers in early 2014.
Before the official radio add date, “Fall In Love” is already captivating radio gatekeepers and fans alike. Its effect proved so powerful that multiple stations in major markets added the song into early rotation. Over the past week “Fall In Love” has become the most-added track at Alternative Radio, and it continues to rise. Feedback has been just as astounding.
The song itself sees duo Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter craft a cerebral and charismatic gateway into the record’s lush landscapes and entrancing lyricism. It’s elegant electronic alternative pop fortified by hip-hop futurism and electro soul. You’ll instantly fall for it.
Phantogram will be performing on the West Coast during the week of the record’s release, making the following stops:
02.20.14 Oakland, CA Fox Theatre
02.22.14 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theatre
02.23.14 Ventura, CA Ventura Theatre
Voices follows up the group’s celebrated self-titled EP, which spawned the track “Black Out Days”. Phantogram performed the song on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in the midst of a triumphant fall tour that saw the pair and their live band headline numerous sold-out houses as well as an unforgettable performance at the historic Hollywood Bowl supporting M83.
Recorded in Los Angeles with co-producer John Hill (Santigold, MIA), Voices resounds immortally. Phantogram‘s full-length debut Eyelid Movies [2010, Barsuk] and Nightlife EP [2011, Barsuk] established them as one of music’s most intriguing indie outfits. Soon, the likes of The Flaming Lips and Big Boi [Outkast] began seeking them out for studio collaborations. Republic Records also recognized their spirit and joined forces with them in 2013.
Filed under Awesome, Highly Anticipated, listen, new albums
“…it’s been a long freaking time since Télépopmusik dropped their last full-length, and we can finally rejoice in their comeback.” – Death and Taxes
“…a calming, warm wash of water that seduces with its surprising showcase of New York-based singer, Betty Black.”– Baeble Music
Télépopmusik posted a video for their new track “Fever”, featuring New York vocalist Betty Black from their upcoming full-length, due in early 2014.
The first “official” video, directed by Lou Chaussalet, captures a near death experience on a beach in the Southwest of France.
On the remix front, Télépopmusik is also releasing a new remix of “Fever” by Tulip. Formerly known as Play Paul and Ryskee, releasing tracks on labels such as Roulé, Kitsune and Gigolo Records, Tulip’s “cold wave” vibe works nicely with the original moody, deep and hypnotic flavor of the original track, adding a bit more tension and dance floor beats.
It’s been over a decade since Télépopmusik’s first release, Genetic World, and more specifically the slinky, Grammy-nominated track “Breathe” featuring Scottish vocalist Angela McCluskey, which nearly defined an era of sophisticated, down-tempo French music (along with compatriots Air, Les Rythmes Digitales and Dimitri from Paris) in the mid 2000s.
Comprised of 2Square and Antipop, French electronic act Télépopmusik revealed the first 2 tracks from their third studio album (due in 2014) this past summer: a 2-song EP remix bundle, Fever/Try Me Anyway, featuring NY-based vocalist Betty Black and remixes from Dirty Channels, Zombie Disco Squad, Populette, Pit Spector & Pino Rastovitch. Télépopmusik’s new album will continue a long-standing collaborative tradition, featuring the vocal talents of New York’s own Betty Black (aka Sylvia Gordon of KUDU) & Swedish singer Johanna Wedin, as well as the return of the now US-based (and ever iconic) Angela McCluskey and some other surprise guests.
Filed under listen, new albums, remixes, video
The Fratellis just released their highly anticipated new album, We Need Medicine, through BMG. In celebration, the band embarked on a full US tour, selling out most stops along the way, and peaked at the top ten in alternative radio.
Now, the band reveal their striking, retro-flavored video (by Brendan Kennedy) for deliciously catchy We Need Medicine album cut, “She’s Not Gone Yet But She’s Leaving,” which you can watch below.
The Fratellis made a triumphant return to the road in the US this fall, making stops in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles & more. The band’s live show was praised as “a good old rock and roll show that was a damn good time” (WAWSTSF) & as sending “everyone’s hands up in the air and feet off the ground” (JUMP Philly). As summarized by Rukkus, “their ability to command the stage and awe their crowds is incomparable.”
The full length We Need Medicine album was preceded by a special digital EP, featuring the studio version of “Seven Nights Seven Days” & two live album tracks- “She’s Not Gone But She’s Leaving” and “Whisky Saga,” recorded at Glasgow Barrowlands.
Filed under new albums, video
Having formed six years ago, Sleepy Sun already has three LPs and a handful of singles & EPs under their belt. Maui Tears finds the band pushing boundaries with their experimental songwriting, exploring new territory and showcasing the diversity of their sound. A combination of catchy, psych-tinged melodies, softer, dreamier tracks, and some of the band’s heaviest material to date, the album is a dynamic collection of songs from a new, bolder version of a band that’s torn down walls and built up confidence.
Known for their incessant touring, Sleepy Sun has toured with the likes of Arctic Monkeys, the Black Angels, and most recently, City and Colour. They have a handful of live dates left on their current tour and will be announcing 2014 dates soon. Maui Tears cover art and track listing, and stay tuned for more new music coming soon!
Maui Tears Track Listing:
Filed under new albums, video
Akon is officially back with the worldwide release of his new single “So Blue”. The multi-platinum superstar, producer, and entrepreneur debuts the music video for “So Blue” exclusively on VEVO. The track serves as a prelude to his forthcoming fourth full-length album set for release early 2014 via Republic Records.
With over 12 million albums sold worldwide, five Grammy Award nominations, and 45 Billboard Hot 100 songs under his belt, Akon is simply unstoppable. His soulful voice and addictive lyrics have propelled countless hits across genres—from pop and R&B to hip hop and dance. In addition to his own chart-dominating singles, Akon has made a staggering 300 guest appearances for icons including Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Gwen Stefani, Lil Wayne, R. Kelly, and Eminem.
Never content to rest on his laurels, Akon has recently turned his longtime dream of working in Hollywood into a reality. This summer, he landed his first major movie role and will appear alongside costars Adrien Brody, Hayden Christensen and Jordana Brewster in the upcoming indie action thriller “American Heist”, a remake of the 1959 Steve McQueen movie “The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery.” Akon made his acting debut in Jeta Amata’s stirring motion picture “Rise Up”; a fictionalized account of true events that tells the story of an educated Nigerian girl’s return to her rural community to become the leader of a local movement fighting against the polluting oil company. Akon joined a stellar cast including Mickey Rouke, Kim Bassinger, Anne Heche, and Vivica A. Fox. After a successful introduction on the international film festival circuit in 2012, Akon is currently in the studio scoring the soundtrack for the film’s U.S. theatrical release slated for spring 2014.
Filed under listen, new albums, video, Whoa!
Russian pop/funk outfit Pompeya are set to release the Tropical Remix Compilation on December 10 via Brooklyn label No Shame.
The compilation follows the Oct 29 release of their debut album, Tropical, via No Shame.
Fred Falke has remixed “90”, marking the first single release from the Tropical Remix Compilation.
Listen: Pompeya – 90 (Fred Falke Remix)
A native of France and French house pioneer, Falke has defined a signature sound bridging electronic and pop styles garnering acclaim through notable reworks of and remixes of mainstream acts including Katy Perry and Lana Del Rey. His remix of Pompeya’s “90” hits hard across nu-disco and funk while showcasing his skill in channeling the essence of the original into a polished remix that stands confidently on its own.
With roots firmly established in their Russian homeland including extensive touring and TV appearances, Pompeya are broadening their reach to the U.S. and beyond with their distinct blend of 70s disco, 80s New Wave, and 90s indie rock. Recently, the band’s debut album Tropical received praise across influential outlets including Under The Radar Mag, MTV Hive, Interview Mag, Earmilk, and DUMMY Mag.
Listen/stream album: Pompeya – Tropical
Pompeya will tour Mexico and the U.S. in late 2013 and plan to play SXSW 2014.
Pompeya 2013 Tour Dates
Filed under downloads, listen, new albums, remixes
The Brooklyn band Lucius unveiled their thought-provoking new video for the song “Tempest” via The Wall Street Journal. “Tempest” is from the band’s recently released debut album Wildewoman, out now on Mom+Pop Records.
The new video, made by Leblanc + Cudmore, “is from the perspective of the dreamer’s desk,” co-founders and front-women Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig explain to The Wall Street Journal. “We were drawn to the theme of duality, since it plays so prominently within our own band,” they said. “But as carefully crafted as that duality seems, it was really a happy accident. It just happened ‘by chance’ and it worked . . . our band can feel dreamlike at times, and bold with intensity at others. The video lends itself to a similar path.”
The band is currently in Europe on a tour that culminates with a sold out show in London and ends 2014 with a string of shows in the Northeast, including two sold out shows at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom. Lucius begins the new year with a Winter 2014 tour making stops in Nashville, New Orleans, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Portland, Denver and more.
Lucius Tour Dates
FALL 2013 TOUR DATES
11/12: Toulouse, FR @ Festival Les InRocks
11/14: Enschede, NL @ Crossing Border
11/15: Den Haag, NL @ Crossing Border
11/16: Utrecht, NL @ Tivoli Spiegelbar
11/17: Antwerpen, BE @ Crossing Border
11/20: London, UK @ The Shacklewell Arms – SOLD OUT
12/3: Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street Ballroom – venue change due to demand*
12/4: Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall – venue changed due to demand*
12/5: Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair – SOLD OUT^
12/6: Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live*
12/7: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom – SOLD OUT*
12/8: New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom – SOLD OUT%
WINTER 2014 TOUR DATES (on sale Friday 11/15)
1/21: Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern Music Hall^
1/23: Nashville, TN @ The High Watt^
1/24: Birmingham, AL @ WorkPlay Theatre^
1/25: New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa^
1/26: Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Downstairs^
1/28: Dallas, TX @ Club Dada^
1/29: Austin, TX @ The Parish^
1/31: Phoenix, AZ @ Pub Rock^
2/1: Costa Mesa, CA @ The Detroit Bar^
2/4: Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour^
2/5: San Diego, CA @ The Casbah^
2/7: San Francisco, CA @ The Independent^
2/10: Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club^
2/12: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge^
2/13: Boise, ID @ Neurolux^
2/14: Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room^
2/15: Paonia, CO @ Paradise Theatre^
2/16: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge^
2/19: Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room^
2/20: Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center^
2/22: Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon^
^ with You Won’t * with Kingsley Flood % with Yellowbirds
Filed under new albums, Shows, video
Musically Amusing 