New Video: YACHT - "I Walked Alone"

Yacht releases their newest video for "I Walked Alone" off their recent LP Shangri-La. While we are still fans, it is clear Yacht are struggling to regain the buzz they established with their debut album See Mystery Lights. Keep it moving!

New Video: Charli XCX - "Nuclear Seasons"

This released over the Thanksgiving break. Blast it to get back in to the swing of things. Check out more about Charli XCX HERE.

New Sharon Van Etten: "Serpents"

[mp3] Sharon Van Etten: "Serpents"

We've already written about Sharon Van Etten's new album Tramp, dropping Feb 7 on Secretly Canadian. Today, we get the first taste from that record in the form of "Serpents" - a concise, tight, piece of songwriting that wouldn't have been out of place on her fabulous last record 'Epic.'

Yours Truly Does Grimes: "Oblivion"

Grimes
Get More: Grimes, MTV Hive

[mp3] Grimes: "Oblivion"

Here's, like, a great, like new video from like Grimes, who is, like, pretty awesome. Poor interview chops aside - Grimes' wildly eclectic, original and excellent new album Visions, is set to make a huge splash in early 2012 (Jan release). It's been a staple on our fall playlists, and we're psyched to share the fantastic above video for "Oblivion" shot by the great folks at Yours Truly who have teamed up w/ MTV Hive for this new video series. Looking forward to more here.

New Tuesday Vids

[mp3] Fleet Foxes: "The Shrine / An Argument" 

Fleet Foxes' fantastic new video for "The Shrine / An Argument" directed by Sean Pecknold. Helplessness Blues is out now.



Porcelain Raft debuts their new video today for "Put Me To Sleep" off of their new album Strange Weekend dropping Jan 24 on Secretly Canadian.
Put Me To Sleep by Porcelain Raft

Friday Dose of Awesome: "Chevy Beretta"

[mp3] Jonny Corndawg: "Chevy Beretta"

Here's a little Jonny Corndawg / Caitlin Rose action coming at you on a Friday night. "What you’re seeing here is the culmination of literally tens of minutes of painstaking work. Enjoy."

Says director Sean Dunne:

“When Jonny and I first talked about making a video for Chevy Beretta we envisioned making the Citizen Kane of music videos. The kind of video that would inspire discussion and one day come to define our generation. Then I realized that Jonny had no money, so I went on the Internet and stole people’s old photos and videos. What you’re seeing here is the culmination of literally tens of minutes of painstaking work. Enjoy.”

VIA

Playing Catch Up: Body Language

[mp3] Body Language: "Seeds of Sight"

Body Language found themselves on our short list of CMJ bands to watch. After a late late show, where we couldn't tell if it was our ears or the band that was a little off,  so we're still left on the fence about this band's live show. YET! Luckily for us, Body Language are playing with the excellent (on record at least) Keep Shelly in Athens this Friday at Bowery Ballroom. Needless to say, we're excited to see how both bands deliver on the great equalizer of all buzz bands - the large stage at Bowery. Body Language just debuted their super creative video for their excellent tune "Holiday" from their album Social Studies, out now.

Playing Catch Up: Porcelain Raft

We wrote off Porcelain Raft as one of the seemingly countless synth/disco DJs with a left of center band name that is jamming the bloggosphere every day. Yet, with European dates supporting M83, and a deal with a trustworthy A&R gate keeper in Secretly Canadian, our skepticism began to wane. One listen to the below track "Put Me To Sleep" off of debut album Strange Weekend (1/24), assuaged our fears and brought us into the midst of some hazy, cloudy, European city somewhere, and we were hooked.

Put Me To Sleep by Porcelain Raft

New Video: Feist - "How Come You Never Go There"

[mp3] Feist: "How Come You never Go There"

Check out Feist's new video for "How Come You Never Go There" off her most recent record, Metals.

Playing Catch Up: Canyons

You know - having real jobs can (shockingly) get in the way of blogging. Therefore - we're going to hit you with a few cool items, that may be short on copy, but long on quality. The first up is Canyons' new release Keep Your Dreams out this week on Modular. We've been following this Aussie duo's string of varied singles and videos, all different, yet singularly cohesive in their bold use of angular guitars, dark synth, house rhythms and solid melodies.


Canyons - See Blind Through by modularpeople

How Topical. New Penguin Prison Video - "Don't Fuck With My Money"

Get More: Penguin Prison, Don't F*ck With My Money, Music, More Music Videos

Say what you will about Penguin Prison as a band, but they just released a new video for "Don't Fuck With My Money." To little surprise, the video is focused around the 1%, because, you know, don't fuck with our money. We were early champions of this band and think there is still commercial potential for them somewhere...maybe after this record.

Ok that's enough.

Buy their debut record after the jump.

New Lissy Trullie: "Madeleine"

[mp3] Lissy Trullie: "Madeleine" 

It's been too long since we've heard from the excellent songwriter Lissy (not Lissie) Trullie. After a series of great singles, a hit Hot Chip cover and a stellar EP, Trullie today released the new single "Madeleine" from her forthcoming self-titled debut for Downtown out March 6th and produced by John Hill (Santigold, M.I.A., Shakira) and David Sitek (TV On the Radios, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Liars). While "Madeleine" is not as sharp and edgy as we expected from Trullie, it's melodic and rich in texture with just the right elements of NY grime. Very much looking fwd to this new release.

New Nite Jewel: "Sister"

It's been a long time, and many singles / eps since we last spoke with Ramona Gonzalez at our kitchen table, during the fledgling years of Stark. Yet, it's a testament to an artist like Gonzalez, that not only has she managed to survive the land-mine filled indie-buzz world, she has thrived - recently signing to Secretly Canadian with a proper full length due in 2012. Below is the gauzy and downtempo mellowness of "Sister" the B-side from her upcoming 7" She’s Always Watching You out December 6 on yourstru.ly’s Love Letters Ink:

Via GVB "Each physical 7″ includes a handwritten letter from Ramona and a secret link to watch a “making of” video from the recording sessions by yourstru.ly, and perhaps most importantly, a $1 donation to the Lauren Abramson Memorial Fund to benefit Citzen Schools of California. Pre-order here."

Sharon Van Etten Announces Jagjaguwar Debut

[mp3] Sharon Van Etten: "Don't Do It" 

We've been biting our tongue waiting to announce the new record from long-time Stark favorite Sharon Van Etten. After penning my #3 album of last year 'Epic' Van Etten inked a deal with the venerable indie Jagjaguwar. Today, the official news dropped that Tramp, her new album recorded with The National's Aaron Dessner will come out Feb 7. We haven't heard any music yet, so we'll let the press release sum up the facts below. Very exciting news.

Van Etten’s Tramp contains as much striking rock as pious, minimal beauty; it can be as emotionally combative as it can sultry. Contributions from Matt Barrick (Walkmen), Thomas Bartlett (aka Doveman), Zach Condon (Beirut), Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak), Julianna Barwick, and Dessner himself add a glowing sheen to the already substantial offering.

Van Etten will play shows with Shearwater and The War On Drugs all over North America in support of this release. A list of tour dates is after the jump. 

TRAMP TRACKLISTING:

01. Warsaw

02. Give Out

03. Serpents

04. Kevin’s

05. Leonard

06. In Line

07. All I Can

08. We Are Fine

09. Magic Chords

10. Ask

11. I’m Wrong

12. Joke or a Lie

Robert Glasper Experiment: 'Black Radio'

After working with Robert Glasper several years ago behind his album 'Canvas', this talented composer and pianist has continued to push himself and develop his talents, taking steps outside of the traditional Jazz spectrum, and into a bold genre bending musical world. The Robert Glasper Experiment, at least in the past, seemed like more of a side project to his more "classic" (not that his trio compositions ever failed to push the envelope) Jazz albums. Even the group's name alluded to a fleeting trial. With the announcement of 'Black Radio' The Experiment (on paper at least) seems honed, focused, star-studded, and a number one priority. The game certainly changed for the quickly rising Glasper after Kanye West, Mos Def, and Lupe Fiasco joined him on stage for a freestyle jam at the Blue Note Jazz club earlier this year.

The experiment consists of: saxist Casey Benjamin, bassist Derrick Hodge, and drummer Chris Dave. Yet, Black Radio also features a jaw-dropping roll call of special guests including Erykah Badu, Bilal, Lupe Fiasco, Lalah Hathaway, Shafiq Husayn (Sa-Ra), KING, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Stokley Williams (Mint Condition). INSANE.

'Black Radio' drops February 28 on Blue Note Records. The tracklist featuring covers and originals are below.

01 Lift Off/Mic Check (featuring Shafiq Husayn)
02 Afro Blue (featuring Erykah Badu)
03 Cherish The Day (featuring Lalah Hathaway)
04 Always Shine (featuring Lupe Fiasco & Bilal)
05 Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.) (featuring Ledisi)
06 Move Love (featuring KING)
07 Ah Yeah (featuring Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michele)
08 Consequence Of Jealousy (featuring Meshell Ndegeocello)
09 Why Do We Try (featuring Stokley Williams)
10 Black Radio (featuring Mos Def)
11 Letter to Hermoine (featuring Bilal)
12 Smells Like Teen Spirit

New Video: Tom Waits - "Satisfied"

Check out Tom Waits' new video for "Satisfied" directed by Bob Dylan's son Jesse Dylan; this track is off his most recent album, Bad as Me (Anti)

Friday Dose of Amazing

This video combines everything I love. Thank you Numero. Thank you.

TONIGHT! No post needs to introduce the amazing bill of Hayes Carll, with Caitlin Rose. Caitlin hits at 9, and Hayes after that. You can pre-order Caitlin's 'Own Side Now' on vinyl (finally) HERE. Ships on Nov 8. Hayes' KMAG YOYO is own sale NOW as well. Both can't be recommended enough. See you out there kids.

Charli XCX: "Nuclear Seasons"

 [mp3] Charli XCX: "Nuclear Seasons"

[mp3] Charli XCX: "Stay Away"

We were admittedly in the dark about this UK teen until this recent single made the rounds last week. Since we're the savvy bloggers that we are, we vetted these tracks over the past few days, and shit if they aren't good. While they're not breaking the synth-pop / goth modus operandi prevalent these days - these are heavy hitting tracks, well produced, executed and written. Something big is brewing - let's see if she can follow through. Her 12" "Stay Away" single is out now.

New, Albini-Produced Cloud Nothings Track

 [mp3] Cloud Nothings: "No Future / No Past"

Last year's Cloud Nothing's release was packed full of strong hooks and crisp, efficient songwriting. Yesterday, we got a taste of their forthcoming Steve Albini produced album Attack on Memory, dropping Jan 24 on Carpark. The new tune is thick and sludgey, with that distinct Albini bass and drum sound. While cool and definitely rocking, there's not a ton going on in terms of melody here... perhaps this is the mysterious vibey first "single" that leaves you hoping the rest of the tracks are a bit better.

Kisses Cover Palmer's "Johnny and Mary"

 [mp3] Kisses: "Johnny and Mary (Robert Palmer)"

Our longtime Stark faves Kisses returned yesterday with a cover of the Robert Palmer gem "Johnny and Mary." While we were hoping for a new (original) tune from this LA duo - this cover fits them perfectly, and it's good to know they still have their creative juices flowing leading up to a new album coming in 2012.

Lissie Covered Up with Flowers

It's been a good while since our initial media blitz during Lissie's rapid rise to prominence behind her debut EP and good, but uneven debut full length Catching a Tiger. We're glad to bring her back to the Stark pages today to support her new covers EP - Covered Up with Flowers. While we haven't taken it for a full spin yet, we've heard at least 3 of these tunes during her numerous live shows and they were a pleasure to watch and listen to. Fat Possum released this as an iTunes exclusive yesterday. Welcome back Lissie, it's been too long.

Tracklist:
Pursuit Of Happiness (Kid Cudi cover)
Bad Romance (Lady Gaga cover)
Games People Play (Joe South cover)
Nothing Else Matters (Metallica cover)
The Ship Song (Nick Cave cover)

Lissie - Games People Play (Joe South cover) by rfp86

J. Viewz: Album Release Party / New Video "Building A Home"

J.Viewz: Brooklyn-native, Stark Artist to Watch, real name Jonathan Dagan, and more. We are happy to bring you his newest video for "Building A Home" off his debut LP rivers and homes. We are also excited to announce that this Friday, 11/4, Dagan will be hosting his album release party at Webster Studio in NYC. You won't want to miss this one. Get on board folks.

New Video: First Aid Kit - "The Lion's Roar"

First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar by Wichita Recordings

First Aid Kit debuted their video for "The Lion's Roar," the title track off their upcoming Jack White-produced full length, which drops Jan. 24, 2012. The video (directed by Mats Udd) does well to match the dark, majestic vibe of the track and is beautifully shot. Enjoy.