Hard to believe, but the excellent Lisbon came out two years ago. And The Walkmen have already created what will likely be a worthy follow up. Heaven, the band’s new album, drops on June 5th, and features a guest appearance from Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes. Leader Hamilton Leithauser has stated the new album is a “bigger, more generous statement” than previous albums.
Enjoy some classic Walkmen tracks from previous albums below.
Great news, all! The News Team will assemble again! Hollywood has finally agreed to make an Anchorman sequel, and who better to report the great news than the legendary Ron Burgundy.
“Smashing Pumpkins” (I put quotes around this because the real band is long gone) have announced the latest release in destroying their 90’s alt-rock legacy and stroking the gargantuan ego of frontman Billy Corgan. Oceania drops June 18th, and we can expect it to be overzealous, unfocused, uninspired, and devoid of any hooks or even a hint of songwriting strength heard on Gish, Siamese Dream, or Mellon Collie. While we patiently wait for the inevitable, enjoy this sampling of what once was.
Celebration Rock, the new Japandroids album, drops June 7th via Polyvinyl. This is the first anthemic, fist-pumping single, which will have its own single release on May 15; the Canadian duo covers Nick Cave’s “Jack the Ripper” for the B-side. So yeah, Japandroids are still awesome. And if you got the chance to catch them play this one at SXSW, then you already knew that.
While MIA and Kid Sister take FOREVER to drop new material, Rye Rye has yet to even release her debut LP, something promised long ago. No matter. The protege wows on her new single “Boom Boom.” Whether we’ll ever see this as part of a full compilation of Rye Rye material remains to be seen, but until then, it’s recommended you should blare this in the meantime.
Today I wrote over at the DDT about the upcoming Ol’ Dirty Bastard movie and the new announcement: Michael K. Williams to play none other than Big Baby Jesus himself. You probably remember Williams from his work as Omar in The Wire and Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire. Now add Dirt McGirt to that list. Read the article here, and jam on some ODB while you do so. Baby come on, baby come on….
Currently prepping for an epic world tour, which includes a May 18th sold-out stop at Stubb’s, M83 are set to release the Reunion EP on May 8, featuring remixes of the Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming highlight. The Naked and Famous, Mylo, Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr and more contribute to the project. I am so pumped to hear this, and see them perform a full set of new and old material, I can’t even think straight.
Reunion EP Tracklist:
01 Reunion (Album version)
02 Reunion (The Naked and Famous remix)
03 Reunion (Sei A remix)
04 Reunion (Polly Scattergood remix)
05 Reunion (Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr remix)
06 Reunion (Mylo remix)
07 Reunion (White Sea remix)
Interscope’s rap roster just got a lot more awesome: Top Dawg Entertainment has confirmed a joint venture today with Interscope/Aftermath, which features the emerging Black Hippy collective. That crew includes none other than my two new favorite rappers, Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. This is great news for the up-and-comers, especially Lamar, whose latest upcoming album this summer will be released on the major label. Expect to hear big things from these guys in the months ahead.
This year’s Free Press Summer Fest has been announced, and, wow, I must say I am impressed. Snoop Dogg, The Avett Brothers, Primus, Big Freedia, Danny Brown, Jeff the Brotherhood, Willie Nelson, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Flaming Lips (performing Dark Side of the Moon), Wavves, Diplo, Best Coast, Major Lazer, Turquoise Jeep! I’m gonna have a hard time avoiding the miserable Houston heat this summer!
That rock-tastic album cover above is the upcoming third album Rize of the Fenix from Tenacious D, dropping May 15. Kyle Gass and Jack Black are set to reunite with the incomparable Dave Grohl, and, in case you guys haven’t noticed, I’m super mega pumped big time. To gear you up for the onslaught of metal, peep these classic tracks from the D.
