by jill ettinger

Toro Y Moi ‘s “Underneath the Pine” Releasing February 2011

2009 was a good year for Toro Y Moi (aka Chaz Bundick). His debut, Causers of This, was met with critical acclaim. The South Carolina native delivered a homemade gem blending 80’s R&B, hip hop, pop all perfectly layered for the dance floor.

Still reeling from the success of Causers of This, Toro Y Moi is back with Underneath the Pine on Carpark Records. Following his creative urges, this latest record draws on influences including Ennio, Morricone and Francois de Roubaix resulting in a lush soundscape reminiscent of R. Steve Moore, David Axelrod and Steve Reich.

Clearly marking a new phase of exploration and expression, Tory Y Moi’s Underneath the Pine delivers unexpected levels of artistry and ability. Look for the release in February 2011.

12.07.10

by wesleyambrecht

The New Odd Couple: Jaime xx and Gil Scott Heron

2010 saw a rise to fame for frontman Jamie xx of The xx and a return to prominence for fusion artist Gil Scott Heron. After a 13 year hiatus from music, Heron released I’m New Here to mostly rave reviews, while Jamie saw equally positive reviews pour in for his band’s debut album, xx.

Now, the pair are teaming up for what is sure to be one of 2011’s most intriguing releases. Less of a collaboration than a reinterpretation, Jamie plans on taking 13 of the songs Heron recorded during the I New Here sessions and twisting them into a new body of work. Entitled We’re New Here, the album is set to be released on February 22nd.

The first single from We’re New Here, “NY is Killing Me,” was released earlier this week and is currently available for download HERE. You can also peep the video down below.

12.07.10

by mcirigliano2

The Joy Formidable Announces New Album

Welsh rock trio The Joy Formidable are set to release their debut album, The Big Roar, March 15th on Canvasback/Atlantic Records. The band spent much of 2009 touring, in support of Editors, Temper Trap, and Passion Pit. After self-releasing their A Balloon Called Moaning EP at home last February, The Joy Formidable quickly became critical darlings, receiving rave reviews from The Guardian, NME, The London Times, Spin and Pitchfork, as well as praise from Garbage’s Shirley Manson.

In late April, The Joy Formidable teamed with a new label started by Passion Pit’s Ayad Al Adhamy, Black Bell Records, to release A Balloon Called Moaning in the U.S. The New York Times‘ Jon Pareles praised the EP’s “cryptic lyrics that glint with urgency,” and said that “the music regenerates the turbulent haze of 1990s rock, but it’s less tormented and more anthemic, confident of the pop structures at its core.”

When touring came to an end, the band quickly got to work on crafting new material for The Big Roar. Lead Singer Ritzy Bryan, bassist Rhydian Dafydd, and drummer Matthew Thomas holed up in their London flat, recording ideas as they came along, ultimately creating a remarkable collection of modern rock songs that explore what Bryan describes as “the possibility of victory in a hopeless situation.”

Lead single “I Don’t Want To See You Like This” is available now. Full tracklisting below:

1. The Everchanging Spectrum Of A Lie

2. The Magnifying Glass

3. I Don’t Want To See You Like This

4. Austere

5. A Heavy Abacus

6. Whirring

7. Buoy

8. Maruyama

9. Cradle

10. Llaw = Wall

11. Chapter 2

12. The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade

12.07.10

by Sedera Ranaivoarinosy

The Duke Spirit Offer Up New Song, “Villain”

The Duke Spirit are giving us a taste of their upcoming album Bruiser, due out on Shangri-La Music out in Spring 2011, with a free download of their new track, “Villain,” premiered on SPIN.com.

On this fiery track, we find the band’s leading lady, Liela Moss, on the piano, and singing as seductively as ever over hauntingly carnal guitar riffs. The British rockers are sure to leave you yearning for more new sounds with this one.

Listen to the “Villain” below, and download it for free HERE:

12.07.10

by summer826

Deerhoof Says “Hey I Can”

As part of a unique way to gain exposure for their upcoming album Deerhoof vs. Evil, Deerhoof has been releasing tracks as part of a “Global Album Leak” giving audiences a chance to hear one track at a time each week until the album is officially released on January 25^th.

Their track-dropping world tour embarked in October with the track “The Merry Barracks” in Chicago and they have since released them in places like Spain, England and as far as Australia. This week, Deerhoof leaked their next single “Hey I Can” in Japan which was a perfect setting for a song with hints of Asian flair mixed into the positive lyrics of vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki.

Satomi mentions that she wanted to write a positive song and say “I Can” as many times as she could and that is exactly what she did. Accompanying her light and energetic voice, the song ranges from an Asian tribal feel with clanging chimes to a modern rock song with deep lying bass lines and thrashing drumbeats and ever changing tempos. And with Matsuzaki’s mixture of English and Japanese lyrics everything on this song blends together to form a fun and funky treat for your ears.

Listen to Deerhoof’s latest track here.

You can take your own journey and treat your ears to more delightful sounds of Deerhoof’s latest album here.

12.07.10

by summer826

Surf City Gives ‘Kudos’

It has been a long time since a band could combine elements of early ‘80s alternative with the velvety guitar melodies of ‘90s college rock to the poetic lyrics of many indie bands of today, but New Zealand’s Surf City has managed to do all of that and still sound original and on the edge of something truly spectacular.

Surf City was formed by guitar mavens Davin Stoddard and Josh Kennedy. They quickly added Josh’s brother Jamie on bass and Logan Collins on drums and from there the group was complete. Driven with a passion to create some of the best psychedelic pop music around, they sought out Steve Keene who had previously worked with bands Pavement and Silver Jews to produce their self titled EP. Upon the release of their first EP, Surf City immediately gained momentum which did not go unnoticed as they impressed music Web sites Stereogum and All Music.

Surf City released their long awaited debut album Kudos on Fire Records on November 30^th to a lot of buzz with the band being hailed as New Zealand’s most hyped and possibly best indie band to emerge in a very long time. The first two singles, “Crazy Rulers of The World” and “Kudos” have already whet the palettes of music lovers everywhere leaving them all wanting more.