Young Chicago cellist and experimental-pop artist Anni Rossi is getting ready to unveil her sophomore full-length, via 4AD. Its debut single, “Crushing Limbs,” is now available to download or stream. About the track’s creation, Rossi notes, “I started using analog synthesizers alongside the viola when I demoed this song. It sparked my interest in making pop songs that initially feel upbeat and bright, but when you listen closely there is a darkness in the lyrics and the sounds that reveal themselves as you get to know the song better.”
Really lovely stuff going on here. Only a few musicians serve vegetables with a sugar rush quite as well as Rossi. More details on the LP and tour plans will come shortly, but she’s already confirmed a performance at the Matt Groening-curated All Tomorrow Parties in Minehead, Somerset (May 6-8). It will be her first U.K. gig in over two years.
Mew: “Beach” Video
Mew‘s creepy new music video for “Beach” cements the fact that the Danish trio make the best music videos in indie rockdom.For evidence of Jonas Bjerre’s former job as a film animator and special effects artist, check out the very professional clips for “Repeaterbeater” and “Introducing Palace Players.”“Beach” starts with some Children of the Corn-esque kids chanting in a born with a storm brewing outside.
As they wordlessly whisper, we’re pulled into into a strange world shown on some sort of paper lantern or zoetrope. From there on out, it’s the (“please don’t call us prog”) pop band’s sinister wonderland on full display. The vid was directed by Martin DeThurah, Adam Hashemi, and Lasse Martinussen. The crazy cool costumes were handled by Henrik Vibskov. Enjoy!
Mew’s excellent No More Stories… is out now, via Columbia. In other news, “Beach” was remixed by Danish electronic artist Trentemøller. That’s available, in most countries, through iTunes. Also, enter the “Beach” Contest here. Mew will tour in Europe starting at the end of May.
jj
“CEO Birthday” MP3
Apr 22, 2010
“Here’s to those moments when the illusions of separation collapse and we are one, we are life. here’s to bonds stronger than blood. Cin Cin.”—YOURS0134
The somewhat-less-mysterious Swedish duo jj posted a Jeremih-referencing piano track today. It’s entitled “CEO Birthday” and the CEO part is supposedly a nod towards Sincerely Yours’ latest cloaked signee. Check out their Tough Alliance-like clip here.
Ólafur Arnalds
“Þú Ert Sólin” MP3
Apr 21, 2010
Icelandic chamber artist Ólafur Arnalds posted the first single off his forthcoming sophomore LP, ...and they have escaped the weight of darkness today. North American audiences can grab the album on June 8, via Erased Tapes.
The track in question is called “Þú Ert Sólin,” which translates to “you are the sun.” It’s a haunting piano piece that lives up to its luminous namesake. Arnalds will tour Europe in May. Check out those dates at his MySpace.
The xx: “Islands” Video
London trio the xx have a glossy new music video to share today. The highly choreographed clip is for the very slinky single, “Islands.” Basically what we have here is dancers choreographing kisses and blows in a deteriorating relationship over and over. They change it up each time the camera zooms in and The xx sit in the middle of the emotional destruction, looking exceptionally wearisome.
The vid was lensed by Saam Farahmand and you can watch it above or over at mtvU.
Band of Horses
“Factory” MP3
Apr 20, 2010
On May 18, Band of Horses’ third LP, Infinite Arms, will land on store shelves and iPods, via Brown/Fat Possum/Columbia. Today, you download “Factory” here or via the band’s website. The album’s string-laden opening cut sets the stage for the country-rock quintet’s new adventures.
If you pop your e-mail address into the handy mailing list widget below, you’re automatically entered to win some custom-made BOH skate shoes and a deck. Pretty neat.
There’s a Deluxe Edition of the LP avilable for the robust price tag of $99.99. Your patronage will grant you access to the CD and 180-gram vinyl, as well as a DVD that features videos for every track, synced to a 5.1 surround-sound mix. All the aural goodies come packaged in a hardcover, 100+ page coffee-table book with photographs by Christopher Wilson. You’ll also receive immediate downloads of “Laredo,” the “Compliments” video, and Apple Lossless and MP3 digital copies of the full-length e-mailed to you on May 18.
The band also just announced a September 25 gig at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, Calif. Peruse their current itenary here.
Beck
Tobacco
“Fresh Hex” (ft. Beck) MP3
Apr 20, 2010
Beck is the sole guest on Tobacco‘s latest LP, Maniac Meat, out May 25th via anticon. The cosmopolitan popster’s quasi-rapped lyrics blaze through the too-short fuzz of “Fresh Hex.” It easily tops debut single, “Sweatmother.”
Dusty synths and vocal modulators stretch the furious melody at the edges, as Tobacco lays down some intricate, crunchy keyboard lines. Download or listen to the under-two-minute cut above. Tobacco has a few upcoming tour dates.
LCD Soundsystem‘s lead single “Drunk Girls” now has a madcap music video. The vid finds LCD bandmates being harassed by a panda gang. Also, frontman James Murphy is hazed and put into drag. Check the marginally NSFW video below. According to EMI/Parlophone, the video was co-directed by Murphy and Spike Jonze.
LCD’s third LP, This Is Happening, drops May 18 in the U.S. (DFA) and a day earlier in Europe (Parlophone). Stream all of it at LCD’s site.
Young Chicago cellist and experimental-pop artist 
“Here’s to those moments when the illusions of separation collapse and we are one, we are life. here’s to bonds stronger than blood. Cin Cin.”—
Icelandic chamber artist 
On May 18, 
Beck
