Flight Facilities - I Didn't Believe feat. Elizabeth Rose

Oh my! Hugo & Jimmy, the duo that makes up Flight Facilities, are back with a disco jam just in time for summer! (Though it's actually about to be winter in their home of Sydney, but you get the idea). The body shaking nu-disco track features singer, producer, and fellow Australian Elizabeth Rose. Rose received some well deserved hype last year for her electro-pop track 'Ready'. She's definitely one to watch. And of course everything Flight Facilities makes is pure gold.

Get off your ass and listen to the extended version on Soundcloud

Classixx - Holding On

Hump Day Jam!  Classixx are one to keep your eye on.  they've been doing solid remixes for years, and are about to release their debut LP Hanging Gardens on May 14.  this is the lead single and it will make your booty move.

Bibio - "You"

Take a listen to the new song from Stephen Wilkinson (aka Bibio) from his forthcoming album 'Silver Wilkinson' out May 14th on Warp. Bibio says the track's about 5-6 years old but "felt unfinished at the time". After playing the hip-hop influenced track live and receiving positive feedback he decided to recently revisit it and release it on his upcoming album. Definitely hearing some J. Dilla influence here, which is never a bad thing.

Listen here:

THE CONNECTION -- Solange and Whitney

after some indie r&b releases that were kind of insufferable and oddly pretentious (see: the weeknd), i am totally falling for Solange and her 2012 release True.  yes, she's Beyonce's sister, but that seems like the least interesting thing about her.  she's got a strong and smooth delivery, her songs are cool and catchy, slickly produced but not overdone, and it really feels like she's giving it to you straight.  this girl seems like she would be a fun hang.

now i know this is gonna seem like a slam, but it's NOT, honest.  in some way i can't quite put my finger on,  Solange's songs totally remind me of early Whitney Houston.  not crazy Whitney after she became a big weird thing (cut to Debra Wilson doing her Whitney impression on MadTV).  i mean like young fresh uber talented Whitney.

The Knocks

THURSDAY DANCE PARTY, Y'ALL.

The Knocks are a duo of NY-based producer/DJ's who really have their finger on the pulse of fun right now.  They've done at least one EP, several singles, and a ton of remixes for other artists.  This is their brand new single, and they are set to release their debut full length album this summer.  Can't wait.

Cold Cave - God Made The World

this is what i imagine Depeche Mode's new album would sound like if they were still writing good songs.

THE CONNECTION - Reincarnation?

Today's Connection poses a simple question. Is it possible that Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) is the reincarnated spirit of Otis Redding?

This is not a question being posed lightly. Lord knows Otis is pure legend, a towering figure in soul music.

But seriously...Brittany is a force of nature:

Mikal Cronin - Shout it Out

Mikal Cronin's songs are like sunlight streaming through a very dirty window.  super charming power pop deliciousness with a generous dollop of scuzz. it will be awesome to see how he brings it live when he comes to Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park this summer. new LP is called MCII, May 7 is the release date. enjoy!

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - "If You Didn’t See Me (Then You Weren’t on the Dancefloor)"

Detroit's Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. are currently working on their second album. In the meantime the indie-pop duo is set to release their new EP Patterns on April 16th - with a special vinyl edition available on Record Store Day. The EP features the single "If You Didn't See Me (Then You Weren't on the Dancefloor)". The airy track showcases the duo's soulful vocals over a groovy yet laid-back beat and should definitely get you moving on your living room dancefloor.

Check it out here:

THE CONNECTION -- Lovers Beware

Today's edition of The Connection features two artists that will break your heart and then write an amazing song about it.

Willie Nelson is one of those artists who I did a complete 180 on (see also: Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones).  My initial impression formed when I was a kid growing up in the 80's, and amounted to essentially "hey that guy who plays Uncle Jessie on The Dukes of Hazzard and was on The Muppet Show also has a couple of famous songs!"  Then in the 90's he became more of a punchline -- that old kook stoner who had all his money seized by the IRS.  I never viewed him with any real credibility, more of a novelty act, even well into my 20's.  But then a good friend gave me a Willie-Crash-Course, some Willie 101 (that sounds gay, but it wasn't), and I came to find out that I was an idiot and the man is, in fact, a national fucking treasure.  He's a brilliant songwriter (dozens of original albums over 6 decades AND he wrote Patsy Cline's "Crazy"), and he's the father of Outlaw Country who blazed a thoroughly original career and brought the hillbillies and the hippies together.  You've seen Keep Austin Weird bumperstickers?  Well, Willie is the man who made it weird in the first place.  In the 70's he was at his creative peak, and released a string of genius albums.  An all time fave is Phases and Stages, a concept album about a divorce, where side A is written from the point of view of the woman and side B is written from the point of view of the man. Despite the melancholy subject it's not at all morose, and the sound he created in the studio is timeless -- the songs have aged amazingly well.  Here is a standout track called "Pretend I Never Happened":

Which leads us to Phosphorescent aka Matthew Houck.  He's been putting out albums since the mid 2000's, currently on Dead Oceans and in the middle of an amazing string of records of his own.  Just like Willie Nelson, his sound mines that place where rock n' roll meets country, and just like Willie, he writes sad songs about dissolving relationships that eschew wallowing in favor of rising above and telling it like it is.  You get the sense with both of these guys that it would be hell to date them, but you still understand why any girl would fall for them.  Houck obviously feels the kinship as well, because in 2009 he released an entire album of Willie Nelson covers, titled simply To Willie.  His most recent release is Muchacho, an album that all of the critics seem to be going nuts for, and with good reason.  Here's an early favorite track called "Song For Zula":

Friday Feature: THE CONNECTION

even though they are kinda dead now, i fondly remember mix tapes (40-somethings)and mix cd's (30-somethings).  i loved making mixes.  and because i'm so utterly in love with my own cleverness, i used to make theme mix tapes where i tried to pull together a bunch of tracks that all had a common element.  songs with lady names.  songs with one word titles.  songs that reference other songs.  songs about dead people.  it was so much fun.  so i'm kicking off a regular Friday feature that harkens back to those days, where i pick two songs i really love that aren't really related, but have a common element that will or will not blow your muthafuggin MIND.  check it.

so, John Lennon rules.  no need to get that into an explanation -- it's as close to an accepted truth as the music world gets.  that being said, i think his solo albums remain somewhat underrated.  everyone hated Yoko Ono and blamed her for the Beatles breakup, and John responded by naming his first proper solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and on the follow-up, Imagine, the closing track is this awesome ditty about how much he basically just loves saying her name.  not only is that an incredibly sweet thing to write a song about, but it's also like him saying "suck it, entire world."  that combination of sweetness and ferocity kinda seems like Lennon in a nutshell.  this song was also used to great effect in Rushmore (love that flick).

the second song is from a Philly band called Sun Airway. this was one of their first ever releases, first as part of a free EP and then they included it on their excellent first LP, Nocturne of Exploded Crystal Chandelier (2010).  the connection isn't exactly mindblowing (see song titles), but after listening to it many times, it only just occurred to me yesterday that it references John Lennon's song.  either that or it's pure coincidence, but I doubt that.  regardless, it's a wonderful song from a gem of an album that deserves more attention than it's gotten, and i really dig the one-two punch of songs that are only about the simple pleasure of calling out the name of the person you love.

Four Tet - "For These Times" + JT remix

It's been a busy year so far for Four Tet. Back in January he released a free rarities album 0181, containing 20 or so early tracks recorded between 1997-2001. Last week he released a fantastic remix to Justin Timberlake's "Suit & Tie" and just a few days ago he released a hypnotic house track called "For These Times". The new track is featured on the Nonplus Records compilation Think and Change. 

Listen to the new song and remix here:

Little Boots - Nocturnes

dude! on May 6, Little Boots will release Nocturnes the long-awaited follow up to her sweet and sexy debut, Little Hands. according to the press release, production work was done by DFA Records co-founder Tim Goldsworthy, with other contributions from Simian Mobile Disco‘s James Ford and Hercules and Love Affair‘s Andy Butler. SIGN US THE HELL UP. here is the twinkly (and very promising) advance single:

Dawes - From A Window Seat

Dawes is about to release a new LP called Stories Don't End at the beginning of April.  considering how great their first two albums (North Woods and then Nothing Is Wrong) are, we're pretty stoked.  they just released a new teaser track, From A Window Seat:


also, here is an all-time Dawes fave, a sweet and melancholy track from their debut called Love Is All I Am:

Truls - "Out Of Yourself"

Norwegian singer Truls Heggero just released his wonderful debut single "Out of Yourself" a few weeks back. It's a sophisticated R&B song with Nordic electro pop beats and it's simply captivating. Unfortunately this is the only song he's released so far but hopefully we won't have to wait long to hear more from Truls.

Check out the official video here:

new Youth Lagoon album is streaming

Youth Lagoon - Wondrous Bughouse (NPR First Listen Stream)

Incredibly excited for the new Youth Lagoon LP, Wondrous Bughouse, which you can hear in it's entirety over at NPR right now!  Year of Hibernation was such an unexpected pleasure as an album, and then Trevor Powers absolutely killed it at Pitchfork Music Festival (see below).  It was surprising in the best way to hear how powerful those quiet little songs could be.  You just get the impression that a sophomore slump won't be an issue for this dude.

Jacco Gardner - "Clear the Air"

photo credit to Nick Helderman. 

This song and video came out about a year ago, but 24-year old Jacco Gardner just released his debut album Cabinet of Curiosities this month. The young Dutch musician plays every instrument on the album (except for the drums) and produced it himself. The album is filled with sunny psychedelic pop inspired by the likes of The Left Banke & The Zombies but also a darker side that's reminiscent of Syd Barrett. Some might criticize his overtly retro sound, but considering how well crafted and arranged his work is, you really can't blame the kid for being born 40 years too late.

Check out the video for "Clear the Air" here:

Laura Mvula - "Green Garden"

 Laura Mvula is set to release her debut album Sing to the Moon on March 4th. After hearing the sparse track "She" we now get to hear the official second single from the album. The warm/dense track showcases Mvula's layered vocals atop a beat of shimmering chimes and hand-claps. "Green Garden" is more upbeat than "She", while still sounding unhurried and seductive.


Check out the video here!

Kurt Vile's Wakin On A Pretty Day + Long Songs

Kurt Vile has released the first track from his upcoming LP and it's amazing. it picks up right where the excellent Smoke Ring For My Halo left off. also, it's really long. has anyone else noticed that long songs are trending right now? fuck the 3 minute radio-ready release...this is over 9 minutes, Justin Timberlake's latest track (Mirrors) is 8+ and The Knife's new one is almost 10! awesome.

Justin Timberlake - Suit & Tie (Julio Bashmore Remix)

London Grammar - "Metal & Dust"

We still don't know a lot of the trio London Grammar, but we love what we've heard so far. A few months ago we heard the B-side "Hey Now" and now we have the new single. "Metal & Dust" has the same ethereal smooth vocals and murky beats as before, but builds up to a nice driving beat. Very beautiful stuff and we can't wait to hear more!

Check it out here:

MØ - "Glass". New Video

Danish art pop singer Karen Marie Ørsted, who goes by the name  MØ, just released a new video for her song "Glass". She told The Fader that the video "tries to visualize the restlessness of a young person's mind." and "[it] reflects on a young girl's burning desire to do something, but she has no idea what, how or where to begin". Yeah girl, I know them feels.

Check out the video here:

Wolf Alice - "White Leather"

 Still riding the wave from all the hype they received from the excellent single "Fluffy", the London four-piece Wolf Alice released their most beautiful song yet. The singles B-side, "White Fluffy" exposes the bands quieter side and showcases Ellie Roswell's soothing voice. No date for a debut album yet, but as long as they continue to release songs as good as these we will follow their every move.

MNEK - White Noise (Disclosure x AlunaGeorge cover/refix)

MNEK is a British musician that we first heard singing on Rudimental's deep house song  "Spoon" with Syron. When not producing for mega pop acts like  The Saturdays or The Wanted he's often reworking lesser know pop songs with his own smoothed out r&b. This time he goes after the already fantastic AlunaGeorge featured Disclosure track "White Noise". His rework polishes and smooths things out and makes the song sound more like you'd expect considering it's name.


Give it a listen, and download the song over at Soundcloud

New Youth Lagoon - "Mute"

Trevor Powers aka Youth Lagoon is releasing his much-anticipated sophomore album Wondrous Bughouse on March 5th and we have yet another sneak peak. The almost 6-minute long "Mute" is a blanket of warm dream-pop with hints of shoegaze noise. If the rest of the album sounds this good, we're in for a treat.

Gorgeous Bully

Gorgeous Bully is an incredibly underrated band from Manchester. They create catchy lo-fi pop songs with layers of texture and warmth. They've released multiple EP's over the past couple of years and hopefully have more to come. These guys are destined to blow-up, so check them out now! Head over to their Bandcamp page where all their EP's are "name your price", but don't be cheap! They deserve your support.

You can listen to their latest release, Bullring here:

Bell Biv DeVoe - Poison (Mogadishu Remix)

This deep house remix of Poison should bring you back.

Flatbush Zombies - MRAZ

Say hello to Brooklyn's buzzing Flatbush Zombies. This crew consists of three clever potheads that rap about waffles. They've quickly gained a following with some videos last year and released their first mixtape D.R.U.G.S. Their productions have a definite 90's vibe courtesy of Erick Arc Elliot, and their lyrics are a nice combo of smart and strange. So far, these boys aren't revolutionary but they sure are fun and extremely promising for a group just starting out. Flatbush Zombies are in fact the hope.

Check out the brand new video for MRAZ:

Introducing Jamaican Queens!

Detroit's Jamaican Queens are right on the verge of blowing up. Self described as trap-pop and averse to being pigeon-holed in a genre, Jamaican Queens music is in fact hard to categorize. Psychedelic Electropop might be a good pick if you had to.

Check out the new video for "Water"


and also the fantastic "Kids Get Away"


They promise more videos to come, and their debut album is out March 5th. Head over to their Facebook or Bandcamp page and cop that shit the day it comes out.

Autre Ne Veut - Counting ft. Mykki Blanko

Brooklyn's Arthur Ashin aka Aure Ne Veut comes out of the same mold as How To Dress Well & Rhye. Lying somewhere between chillwave and 90's smooth soul. Here he's joined with rising  queen punk rapper Mykki Blanco who has never sounded more focused. 

Ben's Favorite EP's of 2012

better late than never.

15. Burial, Kindred
14. Paper Kites, Youth North
13. Peace, Delicious
12. Blink-182, Dogs Eating Dogs
11. Azealia Bank, 1991
10. Luke Abbott, Modern Driveway
9. Mister Lies, Hidden Neighbors
8. MS MR, Candy Bar Creep Show
7. Adventures, Adventures
6. Sara Bareilles, Once Upon Another Time
5. AlunaGeorge, You Know You Like It
4. Todd Terje, It's the Alps
3. Blawan, Blawan
2. Disclosure, The Face
1. Gorgeous Bully, The Young Obese

Ben's Favorite Albums of 2012

Yes, we know it's mid-February but we just wanted to do a little recap on last year.

Best Albums of 2012

25. The Sidekicks, Awkward Breeds
24. St. Etienne,  Words and Music by St. Etienne
23. White Lung, Sorry
22. Goat, World Music
21. Sarah Blasko, I Awake
20. Dr. John, Locked Down
19. Killer Mike, R.A.P. Music
18. Merchandise, Children of Desire
17. Pepe Deluxe, Queen of the Wave
16. Wild Nothing, Nocturne
15. Big K.R.I.T., 4eva N a Day
14. Spook Houses, Trying
13. Moonface, With Siinai: Heartbreaking Bravery
12. Sharon Van Etten, Tramp
11. Kendrick Lamar, good kid, m.A.A.d city
10. Cloud Nothings, Attack on Memory
9. Richard Hawley, Standing at the Sky's Edge
8. Chairlift, Something
7. John Talabot, fIN
6. Metric, Synthetica
5. Japandroids, Celebration Rock
4. Pile, Dripping
3. Fantasy Rainbow, Bos Taurus
2. Father John Misty, Fear Fun
1. Frank Ocean, Channel Orange

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