Lonerism, the new album from one of my favorite spaced-out psych rockers, the ever-casual Tame Impala, is set to drop October 9th here in the States. This is the first official single, set for an August release. It’s been a long time since I saw these guys at the old Emo’s outdoor stage (so long ago, in fact, that particular venue doesn’t exist anymore), but hopefully these guys will have a slew of tour dates to announce soon, including a stop here in Austin. Maybe a late lineup addition to Fun Fun Fun?
This new clip of “What You Want” comes from Boys Noize, an electronic name I had almost completely forgotten about. But apparently that’s stupid, because he’s been pretty active since I was spinning him at KTXT back in 2007. He’s a world-renowned producer (Spank Rock, Das Racist, Santigold), touring DJ, and he’s about to drop his third album, Out of the Black, on October 2nd. This is the opening track from the album, a song he says is inspired by old-school Beastie Boys.
I just spent the weekend with Dwight Yoakam. Ok, well not really. I actually just saw him perform two nights in a row at ACL Live downtown. And it was incredible, as per usual. I was kind of bummed he didn’t play any new songs, but I’m completely over it, because today Dwight has announced the release date for his first new album in seven years!
3 Pears comes out September 18th on Warner Bros. Records. That’s right, Dwight’s back with his old label. It will be his first album of new material (not including Dwight Sings Buck, a Buck Owens tribute album) since 2005’s Blame the Vain. According to the release:
3 Pears exemplifies Yoakam’s ability to incorporate multiple, competing influences into a piece of cohesive art. It balances his country core with a fiercely independent embrace of rock, Americana, pop and soul and builds on his trademark edginess with a notable, growing positivity. 3 Pears contains heartfelt love songs, which showcase Yoakam’s authentic country vocals while maintaining his unmistakable classic sound.
Sign me up! He recently relaunched DwightYoakam.Com with a funny intro video and a Soundcloud-uploaded snippet of a new song! Go check it out. 2012 is getting better and better, you guys.
Yours Truly and Adidas Originals recently got together for a Songs From Scratch music series, releasing new original tracks from buzzed-about groups. Danny Brown and araabMUZIK got together for the first time ever for such a track, a quick one called “Molly Ringwald,” which you can stream below. It will be released through Yours Truly and Fool’s Gold records via the Love Letters Ink imprint as a 7-inch and part of a Loosies comp, respectively. Here’s hoping we see these two tear this track up together in November at Fun Fun Fun Fest, as both artists are part of the stellar lineup.
Once every three months I list the best of what I heard in albums/songs/remixes for the quarter. I do this to personally keep up with all the awesome music I hear, as it ultimately helps me at the end of the year when I do my overall listing for the previous twelve months. I also do it to introduce you cool cats to tunes you may have missed independently.
Similar to the way Nicki Minaj received (possibly over-validated) comparisons to Lil Kim, Angel Haze is an up-and-comer that reminds me of Da Brat and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes. This is never more apparent than on the newly leaked track from her forthcoming Reservations EP, a song called “Hot Like Fire.” Take one listen and tell me you aren’t taken back to the 90’s, the days when we had unbeatably talented female MCs getting love.
Where Nicki has ultimately failed, Haze is shining. Similar to Dominique Young Unique and Azealia Banks, she has swagger on the mic, even if her skills aren’t completely comparable. The advantage over those two, especially Dominique, is the ear for sharp hooks. It remains to be seen whether she will rise to the level of success Minaj has, then ultimately squander it overall for a more Euro-pop, radio-ready flavor, but as it stands currently, with tracks like “Werkin’ Girls” and the Gil Scott-Heron sendup “New York,” Haze has potential to break through and still remain sharp. So far, this upcoming EP sounds very promising; hopefully when she’s on the BET Awards years from now, her sound will remain this throwback, this substance-over-style, something Minaj buries deep within her albums amongst overplayed club fodder.
Year 7 of Fun Fun Fun Fest is ridiculously baller once again. This will be my sixth year to attend, and the first with a PIP pass (what what!). If you’d like some mental preparation/headbanging and booty shaking practice, peep the celebratory playlist I made today for Do512 below. Also: the fest made their own as well. Tickets are available at this very moment here. But they’ll be gone soon. Just a heads up.
A lot has happened in the land of Green Day since we last spoke. I know, I know. I’ve been slacking. You may have even found another source for all things Green Day! Or maybe you just read my blog because you know me personally and check it from time to time and don’t really care about Green Day. Your kindness knows no bounds. Rest assured, I am here to deliver the most pressing news on the greatest band ever. I will take care of you like a lion takes care of her cub. So here we go!
The cover above is Tre!, the final album in the trilogy, to be released in January. Here’s the trailer!
But wait, there’s more!
Green Day are releasing two documentaries alongside the trilogy! To be directed/produced by the same dudes who brought you Bullet In a Bible, several recent awesome Green Day videos, and that one badass White Stripes concert film. Read more from a more reliable source here!
And finally, “Oh Love,” the first single from Uno!, will be released on Monday. You can listen to it at GreenDay.Com Monday morning and preorder the whole trilogy as well. Here’s the cover:
And here’s the trailer!
So, yeah. That’s a ton of stuff, y’all. Green Day’s back baby! Get psyched!
Woah! Ok, so today Fun Fun Fun announced their biggest leak yet: the reunion of the one and only Run DMC.
It will be their first performance since the untimely death of Jam Master Jay. It’s a pretty big deal, you guys. And in honor of said FUN DMC announcement, the Transmission crew is hosting a bomb-ass happy hour for your chance to win some tickets!
So yeah, that’s gonna be tight. In addition, they’re announcing the whole lineup and releasing the rest of the tickets on Thursday morning. But if you live here in the glorious ATX, you don’t have to wait. Wednesday night is Fun Fun Fun Lineup Bingo, where you’ll get the scoop on who’s playing ten-twelve hours before the rest of the world.
On top of what’s already been announced, it’s likely this is going to be another crazy awesome Fun Fun Fun this year. Follow the fest on Twitter, Facebook, and their web page, and I’ll see you at the bingo parlor!
So we’ve heard “Take a Walk,” which is a stomper, and “I’ll Be Alright,” which is an electro-pop freakout. But “Constant Conversations,” the latest leak from Gossamer, is an R&B jam, loaded with sexy grooves and the trademark Passion Pit falsettos. Listen below; Gossamer drops July 24th.
