Killer Mike, Atlanta-based hip-hop artist will be releasing a new album entitled R.A.P. Music in May. Mike, a long time collaborator with one of my favorite artists, OutKast. Killer Mike released "Untitled (Feat. Scar)" the other week, and I must say it's one of the best hip-hop songs I've heard this year. He tackles politics and religion on this track, and very adeptly too I might add.
If you're familiar with Daniel Rossen's other projects (Grizzly Bear, Department of Eagles), then you probably know what to expect with his solo EP. With just five songs, Rossen cuts through a vivid landscape of crisp fierce beauty. Silent Hour/Golden Mile has to be one of the strongest EPs I have heard in a long while. This record couldn't be more perfectly timed either, it's release will tide fans over while Grizzly Bear looks to release a new record in 2012 as well.
This past week lead to some brand spankin' new music from the hippie collective that is Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. If you enjoyed their previous material, you will absolutely eat up "Man On Fire." It's filled with the same good vibes and sing-a-long lyrics that Ed Sharpe fans eat up. I'm still on the fence as to whether or not I really like this band. While I enjoy some of their work, I can't help but think they have sort of become one-trick ponies as this happy hippie group that sees the world as rainbows and sunshine. Oh well, I wonder what indie romantic comedy is going to use this new song on their soundtrack?
Hot Chip returns in June with their highly anticipated new record In Our Heads. This album will be their first release since One Life Stand. The first single, "Flutes" leaked the other day, and I have to say I think it might be one of the best tracks the band has ever put out. In fact, I'll go as far to say "Flutes" is my current favorite song of 2012. With One Life Stand the band found a way to be melodic and highly danceable at the same time. With "Flutes" the band has perfected that formula adding many more levels of atmosphere while still being an infectious dance song.
Last year I blogged about Mojo Stone, a band that is near and dear to me for many reasons. For one they're personal friends of mine, singer Natalie Meadors even took over the lease for my old college home (Creighton shout-out!). But mainly they are dear to me because Mojo Stone have evolved into a Los Angeles group that shows a ton of promise and could actually "make it," whatever that means these days. Their first EP Hatchet was an eclectic debut for the young rock band, and last summer they took the big leap by taking Hatchet on the road with a southern tour. Now with their sophomore EP Strange Honey it is easy to hear how much that tour must have influenced the making of this record. Strange Honey is a southern-fried classic rock epic. While both Hatchet and Strange Honey compliment each other well, Strange Honey has a more live presence than it's predecessor. "Push The Plow" erupts like a racehorse out of the gate with Zeppelin-esque riffs and three part harmonies clashing together in a frenzy. However the band isn't afraid to slow things down at times. "Mama & the Acid Kids" will certainly get peoples' lighters swaying in the air before Henry McGill and David Donaldson turn things up and openly mock the weak god that they have bested with epic guitar soloing. Mojo Stone are planning on touring again this summer and by combining material from both EPs they will have one hell of a setlist. The band is kicking off things in style by throwing a record release party for Strange Honey at The Bootleg Theater this Thursday night. If you like independent rock and roll I highly recommend going. It just may be one of those shows that you'll be able to brag to your future kids about 'having been there.'
I must confess I rarely ever listen to The Magnetic Fields. They are one of those bands who have such a big collection of music that it's frightening. However there is no doubt that Stephin Merritt is a cult figure in the songwriting world and it's easy to see why. Songs like "Andrew In Drag" are so witty that it's impossible to ignore. When I first heard "Andrew" on the radio I was immediately drawn into this ambiguous sexual tale. I've attached a few other examples of his better work including the aforementioned song.
Download via Mediafire: Andrew In Drag You Must Be Out Of Your Mind Too Drunk To Dream
I've been digging through the maze of material that is the discography of the late Arthur Russell. If you're looking for a place to start I recommend the posthumous collection Love Is Overtaking Me which is a mainly acoustic compilation featuring Russell on his main forte, the cello. However this eclectic artist had dabbled in the 80s with dance music and contributed a lot with his project Dinosaur L to the post-disco movement in New York. Russell died a slow and tragic death from AIDS in 1992, but he left behind a plethora of music that touched so many different genres. To me, Russell is one of the more interesting and underrated musicians of our time.
Nicolas Jaar is lo-fi electro-pop producer that has been making some waves in the indie world. He's currently on tour and will be doing a number of shows at SXSW in Austin. I'm normally not one for this genre of music but I heard "With Just One Glance" the other day and was taken by it's simplicity and smokey swagger.
