Once again, veteran rap producer the Alchemist is having a big year. He made Haram with Armand Hammer. He made Bo Jackson with Boldy James. In April, Alchemist released his EP This Thing Of Ours, which featured rappers like Earl Sweatshirt and Navy Blue rapping over his beats. Today, Alchemist has released the sequel, which […]
Stream Kowloon Walled City’s Heavy, Intense New Album Piecework
The Oakland band Kowloon Walled City has been putting out sludgy, anxious, difficult-to-categorize music since 2008, but they’ve been quiet lately. Kowloon Walled City’s whole style pulls in elements of doom metal, post-hardcore, and ‘90s noise-rock, and it captures a certain sense of freaked-out despondence. That feeling never really goes away, but it’s really in […]
Hatchie – “Crush” (Jennifer Paige Cover)
In 1998, the singer Jennifer Paige released a sparkling and evocative teen-pop song called “Crush.” The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Paige’s only real hit. In an era of deep indie rock snobbery, “Crush” still made its way to the indie rock world; the Dismemberment Plan released a great “Crush” […]
The Chisel – “Retaliation”
Last year, the great UK punk band the Chisel got together in London. Since then, they’ve cranked out three EPs of simplistic shit-stomping leftist anthems that draw on street-punk, oi, and old-school hardcore: Deconstructive Surgery last year, Come See Me / Not The Only One and Enough Said this year. If you’ve heard those records, […]
Atmosphere – “Barcade” (Feat. Aesop Rock & MF DOOM)
More than 21 years ago, I saw the Minneapolis rap group Atmosphere open a show at New York’s Knitting Factory. At that show, the late Eyedea was Atmosphere’s hypeman, and they were great. The bill also included a couple of standout New York underground acts, J-Live and MF DOOM, all opening for Chuck D’s terribly […]
The National’s Bryce & Aaron Dessner Share Cyrano Song “Someone To Say”
Earlier this week, we got our first look at Cyrano, the Joe Wright-directed movie musical starring Peter Dinklage as Cyrano de Bergerac. It comes with a score and original songs by members of the National, who wrote the music and lyrics for a stage adaptation of the 1897 play a couple years back. Those songs […]
Kelis – “Midnight Snacks”
It’s been a minute since we heard anything new from Kelis, whose last full-length album was 2014’s Food. Now, the singer (and chef!) has shared a slinky new song and video directed by Adrienne Raquel called “Midnight Snacks,” which she teased on social media this week. Produced by The FaNaTix (aka Giggs, Nicki Minaj, Popcaan, […]
Dave Gahan & Soulsavers – “Metal Heart” (Cat Power Cover)
Earlier this week, Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan announced a new covers album, Imposter, which he recorded with his musical partners Soulsavers. It’ll include Gahan covers of tracks by PJ Harvey, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Mark Lanegan, and more. First up that we’re hearing from it is his cover of “Metal Heart,” a track from Cat […]
Oberhofer – “SUNSHiiNE” (Feat. Shamir & Nick Valensi)
Brad Oberhofer recently announced his first full-length in 6 years, Smothered, which will be out next month. It includes this summer’s single “What Does It Mean To Me?” as well as contributions from the likes of Jónsi, King Princess, Girlpool, and Teddy Geiger. Today, Oberhofer is releasing a new single called “SUNSHiiNE,” which features a […]
Trace Mountains – “Eyes On The Road / Heart of Gold”
Dave Benton, who once played in the now-disbanded LVL UP, will soon release his third album as Trace Mountains, HOUSE OF CONFUSION. So far, we’ve heard lead single “AMERICA” and its follow-up, “7 ANGELS.” Now, we’re getting a lush new track, “EYES ON THE ROAD & HEART OF GOLD.” Here’s what Benton had to say […]