Flying black squares (rocks?) shoot purple laser beams into the woods and snails dance a slimy jig in the Martin de Thurah (Fever Ray, Glasvegas and Röyksopp) video for Mew‘s second single, “Introducing Palace Players.” The Danish director also helmed And the Glass-Handed Kites’ “Special.” There’s some frogs, horses and one very bewitched sedan that show up before all is said and done. The time signature-obliterating track is from the Danish trio’s forthcoming LP, No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories the World Is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away. The LP hits stores on August 25th, via Columbia. We interviewed Mew’s lead singer/guitarist Jonas Bjerre for our Summer issue’s Self Portrait section and be on the lookout for another chat with the group on our website.
YACHT‘s catchy DFA/Cooperative Music debut, See Mystery Lights, was out last week. The Portland electro-pop duo celebrated the release by putting out a clip for earworm single “Psychic City (Voodoo City).” During the summery video, the twosome represent the occult and Christian churches, and their thought-provoking resemblances (both conflate wine with blood, adore triangles, and prefer stark color contrasts for their cllothing.) In the end, Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans make out to seal the song’s argument closed. Don’t worry if you’re slightly worried that YACHT are turning into occultists—they preface the video with a warning that they’re just fooling.
Beastie Boys
Jay-Z
“No Sleep till Brooklyn” (Beastie Boys cover - All Points West Festival) Video
We already knewThe Beastie Boys wouldn’t be performing at this weekend’s All Points West in New York but fill-in headliner Jay-Z brought his A game. Here in this Youtube clip, he starts off giving a rousing tribute to The Beasties and MCA with a remake of a classic from Licensed to Ill. “No Sleep till Brooklyn” is followed by HOVA’s “Brooklyn (We Go Hard).” Jay also handles “Run This Town” and a newly tweaked version of the Blueprint 3 intro. (All via Nah Right)
Or, the Whale
“Datura” MP3
Jul 31, 2009
“Caught again in the devil’s snare, my mind is starting to slip” sings lead vocalist/guitarist Alex Robins of San Francisco’s country-rock septet Or, the Whale. The lyric comes from the second track off the band’s self-titled LP, which is is the follow-up to 2007’s Light Poles and Pines. “Datura” is here for downloading. It’s a lissome folk rock tune about the hallucinogenic properties of jimson weed. Or, the Whale comes out September 22nd on Seany. You can stream more tracks from the new LP at the band’s Myspace.
MySpace Music’s latest Transmissions session featured the Cambridge-based electro disco unit Passion Pit this week. Pit’s stripped-down live sesh is now live at Myspace Transmissions and all MySpace users can download free tracks of the four-track setlist. We’ve got “Sleepyhead” to download above but you can grab the whole zipped folder of the performance right here. Setlist below. Manners is out now on Frenchkiss and you can read our interview with the Michael Angelakos at this spot.
01 Sleepy Head 02 Moth’s Wings 03 Little Secrets 04 I’ve Got Your Number
Music Go Music
“Light of Love” MP3
Jul 31, 2009
Music Go Music‘s highly-anticipated (based on a few well-received 12-inch singles) debut LP, Expressions, is due out October 6th on Secretly Canadian. Here’s “Light of Love,” a disco throwback track that’s made for the roller derby. ABBA 2.0? Also, vocalist/frontwoman Gala Bell also throws down a Karen Carpenter-esque vocal. Check out our Antcipated Albums of 2009 interview with the rising group right here.
Gold Panda
“Quitters Raga” MP3
Jul 31, 2009
He’s best known for remixing indie giants like Telepathe, Zero 7 and Bloc Party but London-based producer Gold Panda recently released a 7-inch single of his own called “Quitters Raga,” on Make Mine. Panda’s proclivity for cut-up and found samples are on full display on this multi-layered, bass-heavy mashup. Guitars and ragas form a colorful whorl.
Atlas Sound
Micromix 21 MP3
Jul 31, 2009
Bradford Cox (aka Atlas Sound) continues to keep himself busy by reguarly posting to his blog unreleased demos and interesting covers, as well as a popular series of digital mixtapes he dubs Micromixes. We’re up to Vol. 21 now, a psychedelic journey featuring Neil Young, Townes Van Zandt, and Juana Molina, among others. Also, be sure to peep Cox’s recent collabo with Animal Collective/Panda Bear‘s Noah Lennox on the highly recommended “Walkabout.”
01 Rev. Johnny L. Jones - Walk With Me / Anonymous - We Shall Overcome 02 Es - Säteet Sun Sielusta 03 Pescado Rabioso - Superchería 04 Juana Molina - Martin Fierro 05 The Particles - Apricot’s Dream 06 Neil Young - Bad Fog of Loneliness 07 Anonymous - We Shall Overcome 08 Atlas Sound - Coffin Trick (Second Version) 09 Townes Van Zandt - Pancho & Lefty 10 Pescado Rabioso - Las Habladurías Del Mundo
Music Go Music
Bradford Cox (aka 
