White Flight Finally Release New Old Song(s)

Back-story: White Flight (aka Justin Roelofs) released a home-recorded LP way back in 2005. It was a pastiche of indie genres and bedroom sensibilities. It was also... meh; all the lo-fi genre-blending came off as a centrifuge, rather than a wholly realized album.

A few years later, White Flight teamed up with Ratatat for a sophomore effort titled White Ark. The record was slated for an '09 release, but then Roelofs disappeared into the South American jungle, White Ark was shelved (like anything else, you can find an unpolished version via Google or torrent search), and the project was left in limbo.

For whatever reason*, Range Life Records has decided to release the White Ark songs on iTunes, albeit in single form, over the next few months. The first track dropped is ”Panther.” Not only does it fulfill the potential of "Now"/"Pastora Divine"**, but it blows anything off of White Flight's first album out of the water.

* The songs are awesome and deserve a proper, mastered release.

** "Now" and "Pastora Divine" are the opening (and most successful) tracks of White Flight's self-titled debut.

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Panther - White Flight

Now - White Flight

Pastora Divine - White Flight

New Sleigh Bells To Blow Yr Speakers To

If you don't remember me blogging about Brooklyn's Sleigh Bells and/or don't have the teeth-rattling pop of "Crown on the Ground" on your hard drive, please take a moment to click here and check out my previous entry. For those who did, here's a small, quoted, refresher:

"Every one of [their tracks] soar into the red. It's not hip-hop, but to call it indie rock is a stretch. At the heart of every song is a dirty beat -- Lead singer Alexis' vocals and fuzzed-out guitars take a back seat to one powerful drum machine. Despite being incredibly minimalist, Sleigh Bell's manage to keep things damn catchy."

Well, yesterday the speaker-blowing duo released the (literal) first track off their 2010 album, Treats. The new song, "Tell 'Em," is in line with everything the twosome's done before; it's as loud as it is catchy. And for some unexplainable, but awesome, reason, the louder you play it, the better it comes off. Download it below, max out those tinny MacBook speakers, and hear for yourself.

Treats is due out May 11th on Mom + Pop and M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. record label. And in true in-case-you-missed-it fashion, I'm posting all of the band's original demos down below, plus that wild mash-up with Weezy F. Baby.

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Tell 'Em - Sleigh Bells

Demos:

Crown on the Ground - Sleigh Bells

A/B Machines - Sleigh Bells

Infinity Guitars - Sleigh Bells

Ring Ring - Sleigh Bells

Beach Girls - Sleigh Bells

Fireman on the Ground (Sleigh Bells vs. Lil Wayne) - Sleigh Bells

Best Coast Should Be Your Sound of Summer

So out of all the lo-fi, SoCal-sounding, all-girl (or close to it) pop groups out there (Vivian Girls, Dum Dum Girls, et al.) my favourite has always been Best Coast. Something about solo songstress Bethany Cosentino (the lady behind the moniker) and her retro beach-ball tunes stick with me and seem to tint everything a soft yellow.

In 2009 alone, Best Coast released two sunny 7"s (for download below) and two groovy EPs (that you can download by clicking here).

But now it's 2010, the weather's getting warmer, and like clock-work, Bethany is dropping more sun-dripped pop onto the interwebs. "Our Deal" is her doo-wopping latest and it's off her forthcoming, yet-to-be-named, debut LP.

(And, um, sorry about all the hyphens and parentheses.)

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Our Deal - Best Coast

When I'm With You 7":

When I'm With You - Best Coast

This Is Real - Best Coast

Best Coast 7":

Sun Was High (So Was I) - Best Coast

So Gone - Best Coast

M.I.A. Was Born Free, Video to Prove It*

So it's 4:00 PM on Friday and you're (hopefully) just getting out of work or class, what could be better than coming home to download brand new M.I.A.?

In case you haven't touched the internet today, the "Paper Planes" songstress dropped the new track this afternoon. No word yet on whether or not it's off her recently-announced-via-blimp upcoming album, but "Born Free" is a straight-up punk jam. Twenty seconds into it and anyone can tell the track isn't pre-game music, isn't party music, and isn't Sunday morning music -- It's anthemic and abrasive and loud and awesome.

In related M.I.A. news, if you didn't read about her recent take down of Lady Gaga in NME, Stereogum has a solid recap. Click here to read about it. In case you're feeling lazy, I quoted the best burn below...

"People say we’re similar, that we both mix all these things in the pot and spit them out differently, but she spits it out exactly the same! None of her music’s reflective of how weird she wants to be or thinks she is. She models herself on Grace Jones and Madonna, but the music sounds like 20-year-old Ibiza music, you know? She’s not progressive, but she’s a good mimic."

*UPDATE: M.I.A. debuted a not-really-all-that-extreme NSFW video for "Born Free" this morning. Check it out on her website or down below as it's already been pulled from YouTube.

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Born Free - M.I.A. Removed by Request

A Milli Paper Planes (Lil Wayne vs. M.I.A.) - DJ Ralphey Ralph

Beach House Ride Zebras, Crystal Castles Ride Deer

If you're not a usual patron of your local record store, you may have missed this year's radical Record Store Day. There were a massive amount of exclusive goods to be had (Pitchfork had a good summary -- take a look and kick yourself), but thankfully all is not lost if you overslept, were too hungover to shop, or caught an afternoon showing of Kick-Ass.

Two of the more blogged about items were a new Beach House EP and a single from Crystal Castles featuring "Doe Deer," a new track off their upcoming sophomore record.

The Beach House 12" is made up of two new songs ("The Arrangement" + "Baby") and two re-imaginings ("Zebra (UK Radio Edit)" + "10 Mile Stereo (Cough Syrup Remix)"). Unsurprisingly, all four tracks sound eloquently relaxed and perfectly Beach House -- more solid output from a band in their playground of hazy sound. Download the whole EP below.

The new Crystal Castles is the exact opposite and quite the banger. Sounding nothing like the recent trend of lo-fi electro-pop, "Doe Deer" explodes with overblown keyboards and hyperactive shrieks from Alice Glass. Good stuff, but not really for anyone who only knows the band from "Crimewave."

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Zebra EP:
Zebra (UK Radio Edit) - Beach House
The Arrangement - Beach House
Baby - Beach House
10 Mile Stereo (Cough Syrup Remix) - Beach House

Doe Deer - Crystal Castles
Crimewave - Crystal Castles

What Happens When Hipsters Jam With Prince...

One thing I can't stop listening to is the new 7" from L.A.'s Teen Inc. -- Fountains / Friend of the Night. Like the headline suggests, the SoCal duo's songs sound like they were crafted in Prince's basement using all his leftover equipment from 1984.

"Fountains" spills over with lo-fi retro-funk inspired by "The Kid," while b-side "Friend of the Night" sounds like the live band playing at a house party where Molly Ringwald is getting drunk somewhere in the background. Count me in.

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Friend of the Night - Teen Inc.

Fountains - Teen Inc.

Spring Needs a Sun Bronzed Greek God

It's Friday and if there's one thing I know, it's that we could all use a little more shoegaze-tinged pop. Thankfully, Dom has our keyboarded fix.

The Massachusetts trio has an EP floating around, Sun Bronzed Greek Gods, and it definitely brings the business. Yeah, it's chock full of what the kids are calling "chillwave," but there are some tracks that reach beyond the bedroom navel-gazing to leave an impression that lasts longer than the time your iPod shuffle allows.

Plus, the timing of this EP's release really couldn't be more perfect; April needs a few more anthems. Go out and get it, or just download some of the tracks below.

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Burn Bridges - Dom

Jesus - Dom

Rude As Jude - Dom

I'm New Here

No, no, no, no
I did not become someone different
I did not want to be
But I'm new here
Will you show me around?

No matter how far wrong you've gone
You can always turn around

Met a woman in a bar
Told her I was hard to get to know
And near impossible to forget
She said I had an ego on me
The size of Texas

Well I'm new here and I forget
Does that mean big or small?

No matter how far wrong you've gone
You can always turn around

And I'm shedding plates like a snake
And it may be crazy
But I'm the closest thing I have
To a voice of reason

Turn around, turn around, turn around
And you may come full circle
And be new here again

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I'm New Here - Smog

Gold Panda Wants "You"

I first became aware of Gold Panda last year when he released his Quitter's Raga EP and P4K did some commentary on the title track. Since then I've inhaled everything the London-based producer has dropped onto the internet, including his newly minted You EP.

Having heard what he's capable of so far, "You" has got to be one of the strongest songs in his catalog. It's not dubstep (note: he's from the UK), not quite IDM, almost dance-floor-ready, and features some incredibly catchy vocal/sitar samples that, when combined with the EP's artwork, sound like they're straight out of Sri Lanka.

When is this guy going to release an album already? Check out the new track, plus two older goodies, below.

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You - Gold Panda (Link removed by request, but you can still hear the track by pressing play above.)

I Suppose I Should Say Thanks or Some Shit - Gold Panda

Back Home - Gold Panda

New National; Creative Headline Unnecessary

While "Bloodbuzz Ohio" was leaked a few weeks ago, The National just issued another promising cut from the soon-to-be-released High Violet, "Afraid of Everyone." Thus, it is now time for me to blog about it.

I'll be honest, there's really not much for me to say here in this space; let your ears be your guide and download both songs below. Now.

Still here? Well then, I can't say I'm surprised that the tracks are great. While neither truly departs from The National's shtick, it's nice to hear new songs from a band whose catalog is so solid. "Bloodbuzz Ohio" retreads the footsteps of previous up-tempo tracks like "Brainy" while "Afraid of Everyone" comes off as the improved ghost of "Secret Meeting." That being sad, both freshly released songs are two signs that High Violet (due May 10th) will be every bit as good as its predecessors*.

EDIT:// According to Stereogum, "Afraid of Everyone" also features background vocals from Sufjan Stevens**.

*In case you didn't know, The National's previous two LPs, Alligator and Boxer, are Best of the Aughts-caliber good. If you don't have them already, get your hands on them ASAP.

**Bonus!

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Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National

Afraid of Everyone - The National

Brainy - The National

Secret Meeting - The National

I Don't Hate Parties but Charles Hamilton Does

So it's a few hours late to announce a song of the day, but I can't help how much I'm digging "I Hate Parties," the new track just dropped by Charles Hamilton.

Most would know the recording-obsessed Hamilton from his ever-present "Brooklyn Girls," but it's possible you've heard of his crush on Rhianna, his obsession with Sonic the Hedgehog, or that time he got punched in the face by a lady. Seriously.

The sarcastic "I Hate Parties" finds Hamilton with tongue firmly in cheek, but what sells the joke is just how party-ready the track is. Looks like I'm only a few days away from requesting this on Friday night...

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I Hate Parties - Charles Hamilton

Brooklyn Girls - Charles Hamilton

Let's Talk About Chicks, Man

Well, Spring has finally arrived. The sun is shining, the Oberon is flowing*, porches everywhere are playing "You Honk, We Drink," and the hipster girls are out in their short shorts.

In honor of all the ladies who've shedded clothing to work on those suntans, I've put together a girl-centric Citizen Mix, expertly mixing together sunny tracks as an ode to Springtime.


- Download Citizen Mix Vol. II: Girls here -

The tracklist is right down below and I decided to host the MP3s individually because I would never want to disappoint you guys.

*For those lucky enough to live in it's thirteen state distribution radius.

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1. Lust for Life - Girls
2. 52 Girls - The B-52's
3. Girls FM - Happy Birthday
4. I'm One of Those Girls - Born Ruffians
5. Blank Girl - Dum Dum Girls
6. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others - The Smiths
7. Drunk Girls - LCD Soundsystem
8. China Girl (Diplo Mix) - M.I.A.
9. Distopian Dream Girl - Built to Spill
10. Dreams-Come-True-Girl - Cass McCombs
11. The Girls Want to Be With the Girls - The Talking Heads
12. Disney Girls (1957) - The Beach Boys

This Post Intends to Make You Jealous

I've blogged about Thom Yorke here before and I'm a self-proclaimed Radiohead aficionado, so it's really no surprise that I scored tickets to see Yorke, and his new band, Atoms for Peace.

In case you've been living under a rock, Atoms for Peace consists of Yorke, longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea, Beck/R.E.M. drummer Joey Waronker, and multi-instrumentalist Mauro Refosco.

The interwebs are abuzz with YouTube clips of new songs and the band supposedly sounds great live, so my ears should be in for a treat.

Bonus: Flying Lotus is opening, mostly likely playing tracks from his excellent, soon-to-be-released, IDM-heavy, Cosmogramma LP. It's no Los Angeles, but Flying Lotus has been listening to his Autechre -- This is a good thing.

It's too bad ya'll just get stuck with some MP3s. Sorry.

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The Eraser - Thom Yorke

All for the Best - Thom Yorke

Hearing Damage - Thom Yorke

...And the World Laughs With You (feat. Thom Yorke) - Flying Lotus

Do the Astral Plane - Flying Lotus

Massage Situation - Flying Lotus

Why Aren't You Listening to Pill Already?

Remember when I posted "Lil Freak" awhile back? That Usher track is appropriately risqué, but it's raunchiness pales in comparison to Pill's downright filthy version. Since this scandalous "Lil Freak" is a supposed leak off Pill's upcoming mixtape, 1140: The Overdose, I figured now is as good a time as any to put together a long overdue primer for the prolific Atlanta rapper.

For those with fingers far removed from the pulse, Pill released two (!) of 2009's best mixtapes (Catch up and download them both here), refreshingly lacks your now-standard crossover-pop charms, and wore a Basket Case t-shirt for one of his album covers*. He also puts on a killer live show. Witnessed.

Down below you'll find a sampling of my favourite Pill tracks, alongside a few from occasional collaborator and fellow rising talent Freddie Gibbs. If 1140: The Overdose is as good as anything on his previous two efforts, you'll hear about it here.

*Awesome.

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Lil Freak - Pill
Super Cool - Pill
Trap Goin' Ham - Pill
Lookin' In - Pill
You're Nasty - Pill
Dimes of Hard - Pill
The Work's Hard - Pill
Run Up to Me (feat. Freddie Gibbs) - Pill
Bussdown - Freddie Gibbs
C.H.L. - Freddie Gibbs

Big Boi's Latest Is the Ivan Drago of Summer's Jams

Dear Summer,

Thanks for delivering your 2010 jam.

Sincerely,

TJ
If you haven't heard "Shutterbugg," the new Big Boi single, skip all this critical riff-raff and download it below immediately. This one's primed to be played so loud your entire dorm can hear it, so often that the person sitting next you on the subway can recognize it, and when moods are so high that it's rotation inspires a round of shots.

The fresh single is a sign of good things to come; it looks like Big Boi's forthcoming Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty is finally coming out this summer courtesy of Def Jam. If this and the previously blogged "Shine Blockas" are any indication, Sir Lucious is going to put a lot of summer records to shame.

In related jam news, The Hood Internet has unsurprisingly done it again. Their latest, a mash-up of Gucci Mane's "Wasted" and Lindstrøm & Christabelle's "Lovesick," is the perfect synthesis of everything that made each track great on its own. Put it on your weekend playlist ASAP.

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Shutterbugg - Big Boi

Wasted Love (Gucci Mane vs Lindstrøm & Christabelle) - The Hood Internet

Lovesick - Lindstrøm & Christabelle

Wasted (feat. Piles) - Gucci Mane