Fleet Foxes Detail New Album + Free Download & Tour Dates

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

It seems like ages since the Fleet Foxes released their self-titled debut record...well I guess it was 2008. A band can afford to take an approximate three year recording and touring hiatus after dropping such a perfect album. The wait is over as the Foxes just announced the release of their sophomore record, Helplessness Blues which comes to us on May 3rd (I know...a long wait.)
In order to sufficiently whet our musical appetites, enjoy the new title track, "Helplessness Blues" above. This sounds like a promising start.

In addition, the band have announced a slew of North American and European tour dates beginning in April. Full dates after the jump.

Video Premiere: Sweet Lights' "One Day"

[mp3] Sweet Lights: "One Day (Sharon Van Etten Cover)"

"After being mysteriously compelled to cover "One Day" by Sharon Van Etten a day after finally hearing her music, I soon found myself compelled to make a video. I thought I had some footage sitting around that might fit the mood.

And so it goes...here's my sister's Feb. 13th, 1985 band recital from Churchill Middle School. The opening line, "sister don't mind..." was a complete coincidence....not planned at all. Yet another reason to QUICKLY whip up videos that may not seem to make any sense at first but eventually take on meaning (if perhaps only to me). The video, like the cover, is a slow burn...it's MELLOW. And, full disclosure, both the song and video sample The Ronettes "Be My Baby".

You know where to find me, Spector...

Anyway, hope you enjoy the visual accompaniment.
Enjoy all Sweet Lights videos HERE"

It seems Shai Halperin aka Sweet Lights is making music and videos strictly for our benefit. While not true of course, his tastes certainly seem in line with ours, as evidenced by his cover of Sharon Van Etten's "One Day" a highlight from her year-end topping album Epic. We're super thrilled today to debut the new video Shai has made. The response to his last video, the Bill Cosby dance-off for "One Hundrerd Needle Pins" was stellar. So, if you haven't bought the record yet, what are you waiting for? Thanks to SVB for the mp3 host and the below video!

Jessie J Premieres New Video

[mp3] Jessie J: "Do It Like A Dude (BBC Radio 1)"

Jessie J = Niki Minaj + Ke$ha + Katy Perry + Lily Allen + Kate Nash? Whatever the actual mixture is, with a hefty marketing budget and Dr. Luke at the helm you'll be hearing a lot more from her very soon, like it or not. Jessie J's debut album, Who You Are comes out this Spring via Universal/Republic Records. The above single "Price Tag" is available tomorrow.

James Pants

[mp3] James Pants: "Alone"
[mp3] James Pants: "Darlin"

James Pants has been bubbling for a bit now, and we're getting close to the release of his self-titled effort on April 19 via Stones Throw. He blends elctro, lo fi-synth, and soul in a way that is strikingly origional and catchy as hell. Pants has already remixed Beck, Pharell & Santogold, Dam Funk, and Mayor Hawthorne, so he's clearly hooked up w/ the right folks. We're feeling a fuzzy mix of Games and James Blake that holds the groove while cultivating a sound that you don't have to be blazzed out of your mind to enjoy. VIA

New Video: Lykke Li - "I Follow Rivers"

Enjoy! Lykke Li's newest album, Wounded Rhymes is due out on March 1 via LL Recordings.

(VIA)

New Video: Sleigh Bells - "Rill Rill"

Sleigh Bells - New Music - More Music Videos

[mp3] Sleigh Bells - "Infinity Guitars"

Here is your moment of Zen if, unlike some of us, you are stuck at a desk today. We've known "Rill Rill" to be the standout track from Sleigh Bells' Treats since we got the record. The video above looks like it was made with a major label budget, meaning it is well shot and interesting even in its simplicity. Enjoy. Snow day!

Bring Me Home Through Those Alabama Pines

[mp3] Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit: "When My Baby's Beside Me (Big Star Cover)

Maybe it's that new record smell -- those excited first listens when you're just happy to be hearing new music from one of your favorites, but damn we've been enjoying the hell out of Jason Isbell's new album 'Here We Rest' on what's been a bleak and snow-bound day in New York. Perhaps it's the weather, but there's seems to be a melancholy inherent through this new set of tracks, a tension, a resolution, and a sadness that hasn't been in every Isbell album we've heard. Of course, the production here is impeccable. That full-bodied Muscle Shoals sound rounds out every track with swelling organs, warm bass, and ringing guitars. Again, maybe it's too early to say, but these tracks seem to be some of the best Jason Isbell has composed in years. If they're enough to be counted with "Dress Blues", "Godamn Lonely Love", "Seven Mile Island", "Decoration Day" and "The Day John Henry Died" remains to be seen.

'Here We Rest' comes out April 12th on Lightning Rod Records. Jason Isbell and his band The 400 Unit have also just announced a slew of tour dates, including a run with the excellent Hayes Carll.

Lykke Li - "I Follow Rivers (Dave Sitek Remix)"

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (Dave Sitek Remix) by LykkeLi

"I Follow Rivers" is the first single of Lykke Li's sophomore release droping March 1 on LL Recordings/Atlantic. TV On the Radio's Dave Stiek got a hold of the stems for this song and added his own personal touch -- the result, a great remix of an already amazing new track. It premiered here on RCRD LBL.

Enjoy.

RIP Charlie Louvin

I'm so glad I got to see Charlie in person, and even meet him, at Levon Helm's house of all places. A true legend. Ira and Charlie together again, and I'm sure laughing in Satan's face.

New Cloud Nothings Video

Cloud Nothings "Should Have" by carparkrecords

Much love to our new Twitter friends Cloud Nothings who this week released one of the more highly anticipated records of early 2011 with their self-titled offering on Carpark records. The above video for "Should Have" is sundrenched, nostalgic, and yeah – a little out. Hair and vomit? Gross. The song is great through, and while we haven’t yet consumed the record in its entirety, what we heard has been of equal quality to the single. They're touring the UK now, with a full string of dates coming up with Toro y Moi in the spring.

2011 Artist to Watch: Bag Raiders

Bag Raiders - Sunlight (feat. Dan Black) by modularpeople

Most of you know about our heathly obession with Australia's Bag Raiders. The band's self-titled debut is out today in the US on Modular People. The video for "Sunlight" above, the second single of the record, was hands-down our favorite released in 2010. The track is available for free download on RCRD LBL here. Bag Raiders have already been buzzing in the US for some time, but look for them to be a truly break-out band in 2011. Their infectious electro-pop is built for summer days or charging up before braving the winter elements and the raucous work day. You need this now.

Stream the album in its entirety HERE.

2011 Artist To Watch: J. Irvin Dally

[mp3] J. Irvin Dally: "The Punchbowls"

[mp3] J. Irvin Dally: "Cocaine (Big Ugly Yellow Couch Session)"

J. Irvin Dally wowed a handful of onlookers Friday at the Living Room. There were ghosts of Jeff Buckley in the room as Dally and his capable trio worked through a set of stellar compositions - all focused around Dally's powerful, yet fragile vocals. The intimate moments were well balanced with the louder ones, though Dally was quick to note that there would be even more rocked-out moments the next night during their set at the larger venue Pianos. Dally draws equally from lonesome, country-tinged acoustic songs and intricate finger picked electric guitar driven compositions. While currently living in LA, Dally admits to a nomadic lifestyle not really calling one place "home." This comes out in his, at times, longing lyrics, melancholy melodies and spare arrangements. The real talent and selling point of Dally though, has to be his voice. It's crystal clear, pristine, moving and delicate in one breath. With a little more woodshedding to hone his songwriting, Dally has a truly great album in him, and we can't wait to watch him continue to develop. Grab his most recent EPs at his bandcamp. Check out "Cocaine" from J's Big Ugly Yellow Couch Session above.

In another note, we were pretty shocked as to the awful atmosphere at Googies Lounge upstairs at the Living Room. The pumping bro-jams from downstairs more than bled into "acoustic atmosphere" the Living Room has long done well to cultivate. Pretty disappointing, and we won't be recommending Googies to managers and bookers any time soon.

It's A Boy

[mp3] Only Son: "Magic"

Only Son, who last week played a decidedly good-feeling and upbeat album release show, have just released a new video for their song "It's A Boy." The single is a Gattica-inspired quest for perfection (genetic or otherwise) that rests on a solid groove and a sweetly melancholic melody that falls somewhere between early Death Cab and more modern indie-rock fare. Only Son's album is varied and diverse, which is a positive in that it demonstrates a mastery of different styles including Teenage Fanclub power pop and Crazy Horse style psych rock but a detriment as it seems somewhat unfocused. The pretty (female) face in the video probably looks familiar as it's Aleksa Palladino from the excellent Boardwalk Empire.

MNDR Drops New Single - "Cut Me Out"

Amanda Warner, a.k.a MNDR has been exploding on the scene as of late; most recently, she was featured on Mark Ronson's first single from Record Collection, "Bang Bang Bang." After riding that wave, MNDR has done will to confirm some solid tour dates including a date with Chromeo at Terminal 5 on Feb. 4. Green Label Sound brings us her newest single, "Cut Me Out" above for your enjoyment!

New Telekinesis

[mp3] Telekinesis: "Car Crash"

After a rocky start which found him with no band and at the end of a long-distance romantic relationship Telekinesis' Michael Benjamin Lerner rebounded strongly, banging out the 12 new tunes found within the aptly titled 12 Desperate Straight Lines, which drops Feb 15 on Merge. We're pretty sure there's something wrong with you if you didn't love the songs contained on Telekinesis' self-titled debut, and while we can't speak for the entire new album, the first track, Car Crash seems to pick up right where the S/T left off. It's charming compelling power-pop that's at once compelling, deep, and lasting.

Jangle-Pop With A Purpose

[mp3] Tyler Jon Tyler: "Seperate Issue"

Everybody jangles these days. It’s just the coolest thing. You can’t go anywhere without some reverby guitar gently massaging your eardrums, in that safe, pleasant, afraid-to-take chances type of way. But hey, after Real Estate “broke out” who can blame them? So I initially scoffed when I came across Tyler Jon Tyler the other day on AZ. But, after spending some time with their tunes, I find them charming, well-written, and without all of the usual pretentious trimmings, such as hollow and distorted vocals meant to hide out-of-key singing (Twin Sister) and poorly played guitars (The Beets).

While this post seems to be out to condemn the lo-fi genre, which we’ve certainly been vocal about our disdain for in the past, it’s less about that, and more about how surprised we are to be enjoying Tyler Jon Tyler’s self-titled debut so much. We don’t mean that to sound cheap either. There is a youthful passion here and a clear joy for playing that cuts through all the noise and hype of the lo fi world and strips the music down to its core elements of solid songwriting and quality execution. There is a larger purpose behind these songs that seems to be more about the actual music, than where that music fits into the blog spectrum at large. It's refreshing.

2011 Artist to Watch: Alex Winston

[MP3] Alex Wintson - "Sister Wife"

Alex Winston is another product of the Neon Gold world -- a world we love. When we found out that our good buddies at Tell All Your Friends were working her debut mini-LP,dropping on March 8th via HeavyRoc titled, Sister Wife we were all the more intrigued. After hearing the title track, you will be hooked, as in, will need to listen to it 10 more times. Then 10 more times after that. It is truly infectious. Check it out above. When you have The Knocks and Londoner Charlie Hugall producing your LP, you are in good shape. All-in-all, Winston has the looks, voice and songwriting to become a breakout star of 2011. Keep your eyes peeled.

Rock! Friday!

New Rainbow Arabia: "Without You"

"Without You" is a melodic, world-synth banger that sounds more heavily influenced by UK pop and dance music than Rainbow Arabia's previous output, which was thinner and sounded like it was conceived in some party-filled middle-eastern desert. Honestly though, when it comes to this group, we're really fine with whatever influences they feel like channeling on any given day, because it's always worth it. "Without You" comes from Rainbow Arabia's debut LP 'Boys and Diamonds' (after several 7" and an EP) which drops March 1 on Kompakt. Highly anticipated.

RAINBOW ARABIA -WITHOUT YOU by Kompakt. Uploaded with BandPage by RootMusic

New Release: The Dodos - No Color

[mp3] Dodos: "Winter"

The Dodos are a subtle band -- this is by no means meant to be negative. They are unassuming, somewhat mysterious, but their music is explosive and ingenious at times. With songs that lean toward gang-vocal choruses, swooping melodies, intricate and highly technical drumming and complex song-contruction, The Dodos are a music-lovers band...It is easy to get lost in their musicianship. No Color, releasing on March 15th via good old Frenchkiss, marks the fourth release by these San Francisco natives. Neko Case joins on this release collaborating on a majority of the songs. We have been fans since the 2008 release of Visiter, an eccentric and near perfect record. 2011 should be an exciting year for The Dodos as they gear up to reemerge on the scene.

Pre-order the new record HERE on Feb.1.

Grouplove: "Colours"

[mp3] Grouplove: "Colours (Captain Cuts Remix)"

Perhaps it's the youthful, Peter Pan-esque nature of their video for lead single "Colours" but Grouplove exude the passion and buoyancy of a fresh-faced high school band, albeit a fresh-faced High School band that can write some damn fine hooks. We've been enjoying their self-titled EP for far too long without writing about its release coming up January 25th on Canvasback. In addition to the 6 more-than-satisfying EP tracks, we stumbled upon this fantastic remix of "Colours" on Neon Gold from Captain Cuts. Absolutely a band to keep your eye on in early 2011.

New Video From Sweet Lights

[mp3] Sweet Lights: "A Hundred Needle Pins"

Look, we would probably have posted the new Sweet Lights video for "A Hundred Needle Pins," just because we love the band, and love their self-titled album. But then, they went ahead and mashed-up their infectious and propulsive pop melodies, with the freaking Cosby Show(!) Just watch this and try not to enjoy it. Also, watch their other two stellar homemade videos HERE and HERE. We can't wait for the next one. VIA.

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New Single from Yelle -- "Safari Disco Club"

Safari Disco Club by YELLE
Check out the new single from France's Yelle, "Safari Disco Club" off her highly anticipated sophomore release, Safari Disco Club above; the album drops on March 29th via Cooperative USA/Downtown Music.

Yours Truly Does Perfume Genius

Yourstru.ly Presents: Perfume Genius "Dreeem" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

[mp3] Perfume Genius: "Learning"

There's no arguing that Perfume Genius is one of the shining new songwriting talents making music today. “Dreem” is a bonus track from the recently-released special edition of 2010's excellent Learning brought to us by the great folks at Yours Truly.

New MillionYoung: Replicants

[mp3] MillionYoung: "Replicants"

We've been enjoying new music from MillionYoung for a few weeks now, and while it may sound trite, they are always the band that comes on shuffle and you go, "damn, who is this?" While oft lumped into the already-dead and meaningless chillwave genre - MillionYoung's new album Replicants transcends whatever tired monikers lazy writers bestowed upon them when they first hit the blogosphere several years ago. While largely the product of one man, Mike Diaz, this is no lo-fi bedroom affair. Replicants is sweeping and progressive, moving from moments of full-band rock to stolen minutes of subtle layered synth and hushed vocals. Diaz has dialed up his talent on Replicants, demonstrating he is beholden to no one genre or label. Replicants drops digtally 1/15 and physically 2/15 on Old Flame/Rix records. VIA

Artist To Watch: Penguin Prison Debuts New Video + Tour Dates with Girl Talk!

"Golden Train" - with live footage from Gold Dust @ The Hoxton Bar and Kitchen from penguin prison on Vimeo.
Golden Train (Radio Edit) by Penguin Prison

Chris Glover is Penguin Prison, a band we have been following from some time now, found through our good friends at Neon Gold Records and @thedavecarlson. Besides having a great logo, this band has gumption, good beats, hooky choruses and are fantastic live. We have been waiting in anticipation for their debut record and the video above for "Golden Train" puts us one step closer. Penguin Prison has been a Band to Watch in 2011 in Stark's eyes for sometime now. Go get it.

Tour dates with Girl Talk after the jump!

New Kurt Vile

[mp3] Kurt Vile: "Jesus Fever"

While there have been others who have been following Kurt Vile for longer than we have, we've invested a good amount of time in this prolific artist, and it's been a pleasure watching his songwriting talents grow and progress. Needless to say, that puts a good amount of pressure on his newest record Some Ring For My Halo dropping March 8th on Matador, but based on last year's EP and this new track, it doesn't look like he will be disappointing anyone. VIA

Justin Townes Earle and Jason Isbell Do Letterman

[mp3] Justin Townes Earle: "Harlem River Blues"

Justin Townes Earle hit Letterman with Jason Isbell last night for a rousing rendition of album highlight/title track "Harlem River Blues" - which also happened to make our top albums of the year. Nice to see Justin recovering from a rough few months, glad to have him back in the hood - and clearly, well dressed. Also great to see Mr. Isbell taking the lead lines here - waiting on some new tunes from him!

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Lia Ices: Grown Unknown

[mp3] Lia Ices (Ft. Justin Vernon): "Daphne"

[mp3] Lia Ices: "Grown Unknown"

Lia Ices, a front-runner for artist to watch status in early 2011, after signing to Jagjaguwar and having a breakout CMJ, has crafted an amazing collection of dark and haunting compositions, that are as winding and intriguing as they are beautiful and enigmatic. Like a soundtrack to those desperately cold January nights, what we've heard of Grown Unknown holds you close with its crisp songwriting and production, yet in a subtle uplifting way, hints that there are brighter things coming -- just not very soon. Grown Unknown comes out January 25th on Jagjaguwar, highly anticipated.

Karp's "Top Something of Whatever Year It Was"

Get excited loyal Stark enthusiasts, I am more than just a pretty camera (these are the lies I'm fed to keep me compliant). This list was near impossible and it's not really what I expected, but according to my iTunes "plays" this is it. So without further adieu and in no particular order, a wistful whimsical list of what I’ve listened to over and over and over…

"Awake My Soul" - Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More

Negative 2 points America for the beyond overdue '10 release. The raw grit of Marcus Mumford's voice? The lonely heart-wrenching guitar plucks? The power of a quiet build into a massive 3000 person sing along at T5? I can't even explain the feeling, but in the immortal words of my FB status update "Shit just got EPIC". Also "White Blank Page" pretty much changed my life.

"The Mermaid Parade" - Phosphorescent - Here's to Taking it Easy
This song is sad and sort of right on the mark, which is why it’s been my go to for my weekly (daily) bottle of wine alone time.

"Madder Red" - Yeasayer - Odd Blood
Listened to 7 more times than "O.N.E."... so it won.

"Liv Tyler" - Roadside Graves - You Won't Be Happy With Me

"Save Yourself, I'll Hold Them Back" - My Chemical Romance - Danger Days... this tile is too long
You SO know this list would never be allowed to exist without the boys who soundtracked my dark deeds of '02 (and '03,'04,'05... how about just '02-present?). All their albums are stand-alone works of art and while this one stays true to the boys I love, it's certainly more colorful. What can I say?... I only mostly shoot in b&w...

THIS. WHOLE. ALBUM. - Lissie - Catching a Tiger
That is all.

"Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)" - Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
My mom calls them "Arctic Fire" and they are her new favorite band of EVER ... welcome to the mainstream folks!

"Love the Way You Lie" - Eminem (ft. Rihanna) - Recovery
I am a huge sucker for a pop ballad, especially when it's about an angsty, doomed, mildly violent relationship with a video featuring fire and the sweaty, tattooed hotness that is Dominic Monaghan (seriously, watch it).

MORE AFTER THE JUMP!


"Hello Love" / "Talking Too Loud" - The Young Things - ...Is the Killer
Having these boys on my list is probably on par with some Martha insider trading shit, BUT I do seriously enjoy their music. I dare you to come to a show and not love them... if you're extra nice they may even let you drink the communal Evan Williams.

"Mexican Mavis" - Boy & Bear - With Emperor Antarctica

"Feed The Birds" - Kids of 88 - Sugarpills
Dance. Dance you soulless bastards.

“Conversation 16” - The National - High Violet
I like Zombies. This song is not actually about zombies but it may be an accurate profile of my thoughts... also, I like the part where he says "cause I'm evil"... cause I'm evil.

"Bed Intruder Song" - Antoine Dodson (& The Gregory Brothers)
Shhh, don't even pretend you don't know at least some of the words to this song. T-Pain couldn't make this shit up if he tried... wweellll, obviously.

“Comfortable” - Greg Thomas – Atlantic/Pacific
My Thomas made an album! And it’s AWESOME! Awesome in a lonely, late night, melancholy train ride, whilst ruminating on your lost childhood/love/bunny… kind of way.

"Blah, Blah, Blah" - Ke$ha - Animal
Ke$ha is a trashy, boozy, dirty white girl who enjoys glitter... after a fourloko I can sort of totally relate and will happily perform this song for your parents, just ask my mother.

"Like a G6" - Far East Movement - I don't actually care
Forgot to remember the album name when I googled the artist... cause I know the words but I actually had no idea who was responsible for this... um... "song".

"River of Brakelights" - Julian Casablancas - Phrazes for the Young
Preface: I always read the last page of a book first so mea culpa...

Much like my love of the Traveling Wilburys began my appreciation for Dylan*, this brills solo Julian album/tour/video extravaganza helped cultivate my love of the Strokes. If you ever want me to belt out a song whilst falling to my knees in pained ecstasy... this song works every time... yes, there are photos...**

*Epilogue: YES MATT, I KNOW... I know... but I was in high school and too busy learning the dance to "Hit Me Baby One More Time"... as a consolation prize I knew every Roy Orbison song by age 7...

**Brandon, where did you go? you were my ride home...

I could keep on going but I had some nyquil and words are getting harder to remember, so... bait and switch... I’ve made you two "Rest of the Best of '10" collages!

xoxo Karp via the #WitchHouse