Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know – new video

Do I Wanna Know? is out now, and rumour has it there’s a new Arctic Monkeys album coming out later this year.

Die Antwoord – Cookie Thumper – new video

They really do enjoy being very wrong – lacks their usual bite though…

A new Die Antwoord album is expected February next year.

These New Puritans – Fragment Two – new video

Here’s the first video from These New Puritans latest album, Field Of Reeds. Fragment Two is a slow building, shuffling and hypnotic slab of dreaminess. Check out the video below:

David Lynch ft. Lykke Li – I’m Waiting Here – new video

Legendary auteur, David Lynch‘s second solo LP, The Big Dream? is out on 15th July.

I’m Waiting Here, is the LP’s bonus track and it features Swedish songstress, Lykke Li (who’s vocals recall the beautiful lullaby-esque feel of old Lynch favourite Julee Cruise). It’s got a video – Lynch didn’t direct it – God knows why not? But the floating, desert highway theme is very Lynchian nonetheless – check it out here:

New Beck song “Defriended” released – along with plans to release two new albums

It’s been a whopping five years since Beck released his excellent, Modern Guilt LP. Since then he’s produced stuff for, amongst others, Thurston Moore, Stephen Malkmus and Charlotte Gainsbourg, and last December released his Song Reader album-book.

All good stuff, but I’ve been gagging for a new Beck album for ages – so the news that a new song (‘Defriended‘) appeared online today, made me a happy man. My fine mood escalated when I also read on the Rolling Stone site that he has two new albums planned (and one that will be released this Autumn). Buzzing stuff.

The first LP will be an acoustic album which is rumoured to have a similar feel to his 1994 album, One Foot In The Grave. Beck also plans to release the album independently – which you’d guess gives him even more scope to do whatever he pleases.

Another single will be released in advance of the ‘autumn’ album and rumour has it that the other album, which is described as the ‘proper’ follow-up to Modern Guilt will follow in Spring/Summer 2014.

New single, Defriended is a standalone won’t appear on either album – check it out below:

Along with 6 or 7 U.S. dates this summer, Beck will also perform last December’s Song Reader project at the Barbican Hall in London on 4th July.

Vampire Weekend – Diane Young – new video

Vampire Weekend‘s new album, Modern Vampires Of The City is out now – and very good it is too.

New cover ‘art’ for Kanye West’s forthcoming ‘Yeezus’ album revealed

Love him or hate him, Kanye West certainly knows how to gain the odd column inch or two. Whether he’s projecting himself onto buildings, parading around with Kim Kardashian, ranting at music award ceremonies or talking bollocks to the music press, there’s rarely a dull moment.

So he’s the latest little attention grabbing move – and this time it’s with the unveiling of the new artwork for his forthcoming ‘Yeezus’ album. To call it minimalist would be an understatement – check it out below:

Basically it’s just a jewel case with a sticker on it and a tracklist (which is currently unconfirmed) on the back. I’m sure this’ll all be explained in the coming weeks, but for now it’s certainly got the music press talking.

The rumoured release date for Yeezus is the 18th June.

New ‘Volcano Choir’ album and tour news

Back in 2009, a year after releasing the debut Bon Iver album, To Emma, Forever Ago, Justin Vernon threw a fascinating curveball into his musical mix by forming another band called Volcano Choir and releasing an album called, Unmap.

Experimental and boundless, Unmap steered clear of things like verses and choruses and instead embraced textures and musical wanderings that toy with elements of post-rock and (dare I say it) even avant-garde jazz.

Four years on from Unmap, and two years after the last Bon Iver album, Volcano Choir have unveiled plans for a second album, Repave.

The new album features eight tracks and is described by record label, Jagjaguwar as, “the product of growing conviction and trust, of a fully-operational band, gifted in shading and nuance, and rumbling with power.”

Repave‘s release on the 3rd September coincides with a North American tour – check out the dates below:

06/09 – Chicago, Illinois (Metro)
07/09 – Indianapolis, Indiana (Vogue)
08/09 – Toronto, Ontario (Phoenix)
09/09 – Burlington, Vermont (Higher Ground)
11/09 – Boston, Massachusetts (Paradise)
12/09 – Washington, DC (9:30 Club)
14/09 – New York, NY (Webster Hall)
27/09 – Madison, Wisconsin (Orpheum Theater)
28/09 – Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Past Theater)
18/10 – Minneapolis, Minnesota (First Ave)

Now, here’s the trailer for Repave:

…and the tracklist:

01 Tiderays
02 Acetate
03 Comrade
04 Byegone
05 Alaskans
06 Dancepack
07 Keel
08 Almanac

Ralfe Band – Come On Go Wild – new video

Come On Go Wild is taken from Ralfe Band‘s forthcoming album Son Be Wise, which is out on 3rd June.

Boards Of Canada – Reach For The Dead – new video

A few weeks after all the numerological mystery, strange 12″‘s and well built hype, Boards Of Canada‘s forthcoming album, Tomorrow’s Harvest is imminent.

There’s even a new video for one of the album’s tracks, Reach For The Dead – and the tune doesn’t disappoint. All classic floating synth washes, humming and headiness, until 2 minutes and 51 seconds in when the beats hit and it becomes brain bendingly brilliant.

The video is all rolling landscapes, fractured sunlight and abandoned buildings – it fits with the tune perfectly – check it out below:

Tomorrow’s Harvest is out on Monday 10th June.