Monthly Archives: March 2012

Jai Paul – “Jasmine”

Posted on March 31, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Jai Paul - JasmineUntil a few days ago, Jai Paul literally only had one song. It’s not unusual for new artists to catch on quickly, but Paul’s “BTSTU” came out about a year ago — and its demo had been online since 2010. That’s a long time to go without releasing anything.

But the fact that people are still excited about Paul is a testament to just how good “BTSTU” is. Now, after a year (or two), he’s finally got something new to share. The pulsing, chopped-up bass and warbling synth are almost disorienting, but Paul reels you back in with his sultry (albeit distorted) R&B crooning.

Listen to “Jasmine,” and if you haven’t yet, check out “BTSTU” after the jump.

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Dirty Projectors – “Gun Has No Trigger”

Posted on March 30, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Dirty Projectors - "Gun Has No Trigger" artworkIt’s been a long three years since Dirty Projectors‘ last album. I played the shit outta Bitte Orca in 2009. It was hands down my favorite album of the year, and I practically wore it out. So I’ve been on a bit of a break from Dirty Projectors.

It feels so good to be back, though. “Gun Has No Trigger” instantly reminds me why I loved Bitte Orca so much, but it’s got so much more of a groove. The fluid bass really leads the track, and Dave Longstreth puts a bit of soul into his performance. And don’t forget what has become their signature three-part female harmonies. The Dirty Projectors girls — Angel Deradoorian, Amber Coffman and Haley Dekle — bring it as well.

Check out “Gun Has No Trigger” off their upcoming album, Swing Lo Magellan, out July 10.

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Music Band – Satan’s Grave

Posted on March 29, 2012 by | 1 Comment

What’s not to love about Music Band’s new album?

Music Band - Satan's Grave1. It’s called Satan’s Grave, which might be the coolest album title I’ve ever heard.
2. It’s on Denim Records. In case you haven’t realized, I love this label. Right now, they’ve got three artists: Tropical Punk, Music Band and Pharaohs, and everything they put out is gold.
3. It’s only available on cassette. While I’d love Denim Records to put out some vinyl, cassettes are still awesome.
4. The cover art. Will Laren’s dirtbag gravedigger is just perfect. He captures the essence of some of Raymond Pettibon’s best work.

And this is all before you hear a thing. Once you start listening, it just oozes dirty, bluesy garage rock. “At the Indian Camp” opens the album with a sneer, and most of the album shreds with a blown-out intensity.

The title track bops along with a ’60s-pop groove, but Satan’s Grave thrives on scuzz-punk. “Beneath a Tree” has a monster rock ‘n’ roll riff, and the wailing solo on “U Ought 2 Be” might be the album’s high point.

Stream Satan’s Grave below and buy the cassette for only $5 on Music Band’s Bandcamp.

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Screaming Females – “Expired”

Posted on March 29, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Screaming Females - UglyScreaming Females are getting ready to release their fifth album, Ugly. They released the fiery “It All Means Nothing,” in February, and now they’ve released another track from the album, “Expired.” The trio rips through the song, with singer Marissa Paternoster wailing at the helm.

Ugly, produced  by Steve Albini, drops April 3 on Don Giovanni. Listen to “Expired” below and check out the blistering “It All Means Nothing” after the jump.

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The Men – “A Minor”

Posted on March 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Sacred Bones Todo Muere Vol. 2Brooklyn band The Men just released their ferocious sophomore album, Open Your Heart, but they’ve got another new track coming out on Record Store Day. Their label, Sacred Bones, is putting out Todo Muere Vol. 2, which also features unreleased songs by Crystal Stilts, Slug Guts and the Fresh & Onlys’ Wymond Miles.

The Men’s contribution is slow at first, building until around the two-minute mark, where the droning guitars take over. It slows again before really taking off. The guitar solos (at six and seven minutes in) are absolutely killer.

Hear the eight-minute “A Minor” below and check out the tracklist for Todo Muere Vol. 2 after the jump.

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OFF! – “King Kong Brigade”

Posted on March 28, 2012 by | 1 Comment

Punk supergroup OFF! released “King Kong Brigade,” the first single from their upcoming self-titled full-length album. Now when I say full-length, I mean 16 songs in 16 minutes.

OFF! sounds awesome already, but anyone who heard First Four EPs knew it would be. Check out “King Kong Brigade” below.

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Dntel – “Bright Night”

Posted on March 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Dntel - AimlessnessJimmy Tamborello, one half of the Postal Service, has been quietly releasing a steady output of music since the band’s indefinite hiatus. He’s tried a few different things — Headset, James Figurine — but it goes largely unnoticed, especially compared to the other half of the duo, Ben Gibbard.

Tamborello’s main project is glitchy electronic music under the name Dntel, though. (The Postal Service actually started after the pair collaborated on “(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan,” on Dntel’s Life is Full of Possibilities.) Now, he’s got a new Dntel album, called Aimlessness, featuring collaborations with Baths and Nite Jewel. The first single, “Bright Night,” sounds awesome.

Take a listen below. Aimlessness is out June 5.

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Ty Segall and White Fence – “I Am Not a Game”

Posted on March 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Ty Segall and White Fence - HairI can’t really think of a better collaboration than Ty Segall and White Fence. The California garage rockers are putting out an album titled Hair on Drag City. Segall played drums and rhythm guitar on the LP, and Tim Presley (aka White Fence) played bass and lead guitar.

The psychedelic “I Am Not a Game” is our first taste of the collaboration. The eight-track Hair is out April 24. Presley’s also been busy prepping a new White Fence double album, Family Perfume, due out April 3 on Woodsist.

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The Flaming Lips & Bon Iver – “Ashes in the Air”

Posted on March 27, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Flaming Lips and Heavy FwendsAs details on this year’s Record Store Day releases are rolling in, The Flaming Lips’ has to be the most impressive. The Flaming Lips and Heavy Fwends boasts the Lips’ collaborations with Nick Cave, Ke$ha, Neon Indian, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Yoko Ono, Jim James and more.

Check out “Ashes in the Air,” their collaboration with Bon Iver.

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Damon Albarn – “The Marvelous Dream”

Posted on March 27, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Damon Albarn - Dr. DeeDamon Albarn is one busy dude. He recently released his DRC Music album (a project spotlighting Congolese musicians), recorded a new Gorillaz song with Andre 3000 and James Murphy and put out an album with Rocket Juice & the Moon — his funk band with Flea and drummer Tony Allen. And that’s just what’s already been released.

Albarn’s got at least two more albums on the way. First, the soundtrack to his opera, Dr. Dee, then he’s going to start working on his first proper solo album. He also helped write and produce Bobby Womack’s upcoming album and he’s performing with a reunited Blur at the London Olympics.

There’s lots more to come from Albarn, but for now, take a listen to “The Marvelous Dream,” from his Dr. Dee soundtrack.

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