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Music
Download: Three New Songs From Fleet Foxes’ Robin Pecknold
Mar 7th
The Fleet Foxes front man posted the following treat to the bands facebook page Monday afternoon:
Hi, Robin here. I recorded three songs in LA a couple weeks ago with my friend Noah. One is a new song that’s a duet with my buddy Ed Droste from the amazing band Grizzly Bear, one is a solo new song, and one is a cover. Hope you enjoy!
Huzzah for free music! Of the three, the first track is the clear winner, featuring an arpeggiated Fleet Foxes style rhythm and the harmonies of Pecknold and Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste.
Check out the tracks after the jump. More >
Listen: Timbaland Featuring Brandy “Whatever You Like”
Mar 7th
Brandy is rappin, y’all! I remember a couple years ago on one of those VH1 reality shows, Brandy was yammering on about recording a rap album. I never thought she would actually get it all together. And yet here she is with a single produced by one of the best in the game, Timbaland. Like it or not she’s making us listen.
Production-wise this is pretty standard fare for Timbaland, embellishing the track with his trademark synths. Timbo’s intro verse over brandy’s breathy vocals looped ad infinitum isn’t really interesting and if it wasn’t for the fact I so desperately wanted to hear Brandy’s verse, I would have skipped the track.
Brandy doesn’t come in until 1:27 in and I think you will be pleasantly surprised. She actually accomplishes the task of speaking in metered verse. That fact alone far exceeded my expectations. The singer sounds like an amorphous mix of Lil Kim, Foxy Brown and Nikki Minaj all rolled together in a vaguely interesting fashion. As for her potential as a rapper: Only the future can truly tell what will become of “Brand’Nu”, Brandy’s rap alter-ego. I’ll just say good for her for trying.
You can download the track after the jump. More >
New Music: Pharoahe Monch “Black Hand Side” feat. Styles P & Phonte’
Mar 4th
“Black Hand Side” is produced by Mike Loe & is from Pharoahe Monch’s upcoming album W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) in stores March 22nd on W.A.R. Media/Duck Down Music. I’m hoping W.A.R. actually comes out. The last time I saw Pharoahe Monch, it was in Queensbridge Park here in NYC, as part of the city’s Summerstage series of free concerts. (You can check out photos of that event here.) At that time, Monch was saying his album was supposed to be released in September. Is there a second springtime September that I’ve simply been unaware of?
All kidding aside, it’s great to get new music from a real emcee.
Check out the track after the jump. More >
Watch: Beach House Live at Webster Hall
Feb 24th
Baltimore dream-pop titans Beach House made their way to NYC’s Webster Hall yesterday, to wrap up the last leg of their tour in support of Teen Dream (my choice for 2010 album of the year).
Check out their performances of “Norway”, “Used to Be” and “Walk in the Park” after the jump. More pics and video are to come, as fast as these two hands can process and edit them, for now, enjoy this. More >
Kanye Drops New Track With Beyonce – “See Me Now”
Aug 11th
Kanye’s got a new track! (From this point on, I will be painfully brief, as I know that first sentence is enough for most of you.) The track is called “See Me Now” and it’s got Beyonce and Charlie Wilson in it. His new album is no longer called Good Ass Job. Whatever it will be called, it will come out November 16th. The track is after the jump. Enjoy 
Andre 3000 Drops New Single – “I Do”
Aug 11th
Flamboyantly eccentric Outkast emcee Andre 3000 (“…Benjamin Andre to be exact…”) just did us all a big fucking favor when he dropped his latest single “I Do” on the Internets. Hopefully this means a solo album will be here soon. The track is a midtempo soulful jam smooth as honey with its Lenny Williams sample and serves as a great contrast to Big Boi’s more upbeat fair from his recent release.
This is one of those tracks you should just pause whatever else you’re listening to that’s not THIS and DIVE IN! You can find the track right after the jump.
Big Boi Freestyles Over Crystal Castles Beat
May 28th
Fresh-to-death ATLien Big Boi recently stopped by that other Chicago music blog to sample two beats: Crystal Castles’ “Empathy” and Craze’s Dookie Remix of Donnis’ “Gone”. The emcee made the correct choice, choosing Crystal Castles electronic opus over Donnis’ lesser fare.
Check out the clip of Big Boi rapping over Crystal Castles’ “Empathy” after the jump. More >
Watch: Christina Aguilera – “Not Myself Tonight”
Apr 30th
Christina Aguilera has definitely borrowed many of her video marketing tips from Lady Gaga, that other blond pop-star with the mega-huge video. Tonight, Aguilera debuted her Hype Williams directed “Not Myself Tonight” on Vevo. She definitely brings the sexy in this clip, suggesting a multitude of acts and positions which are NSFW unless you work in a nightclub that’s cool with faux acts of lesbian bondage.
I feel like Xtina’s set herself up for infinite comparison to Gaga’s Telephone clip (which, swallows this video in terms of greater artistic significance), in production values, and more importantly internet hits. I wonder, how long will it take for this video to reach 1 billion views? Gaga got there in a little over a month, if my memory’s correct.
Check out the video after the jump and be sure to tell me which video you think is better. More >
N.E.R.D. Drops New Single, Announces New Album
Apr 28th
Virginia funk-rock trio N.E.R.D. have just released “Hot N Fun”, the first single off the the trio’s fourth album Nothing, due June 15th on Star Trak. The song shares more in common with the group’s earlier work, easing into a mid-tempo bass groove early in the song and staying there. This is the N.E.R.D. of sitting back and lighting up, not that of stage diving and mosh pits. Either way, I’m happy to take N.E.R.D. however they come and strongly encourage you to do the same.
For those looking for a live experience, check out N.E.R.D. on tour with Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae and ?uestlove this summer. The tour hits Washington, D.C. May 28, Detroit May 30, and Chicago June 2-3. They will also play HARD Festival Los Angeles on July 17.
For now, check out the song after the jump. More >
Eminem’s Got a New Freestyle and it’s DISGUSTING!
Apr 28th
The Shady One is releasing his first single off his upcoming 7th studio album, Recovery, due June 22. Paul Rosenberg, Em’s manager, said in a Billboard interview the album’s first single “Not Afraid” is more uplifting than dark.
Never one to disappoint his fans, it would seem Slim Shady released this nugget to let us know that he can still bring the venom. And did he bring it?! OMG, there’s a reason why I always include em in my top 5 list of emcees. His wordplay is at his finest here as he hits you with line after line of fire. THIS IS A MUST LISTEN, HEARD?!
I’ve posted the lyrics and song for you after the jump. Enjoy More >