Now that the celebration of the San Francisco Giants’ World Series victory and parade have passed, it’s time to catch up with a bundle of sweet new songs, including free and legal MP3s from Crystal Castles, The Radio Dept., Club 8, Woodsman, Smith Westerns, Twin Shadow, Woodsman, Junip & Run Roc.
During the past two years, the Ontario, Canada experimental electronica duo Crystal Castles, comprising of Ethan Kath and Alice Glass, have exploded in popularity on the indie scene and beyond. Their 2008 self-titled debut LP was voted one of the top 50 albums of the 2000’s by NME magazine. In this awesome new track, “Not In Love,” the duo collaborated with The Cure‘s frontman Robert Smith.
“Not In Love” (with Robert Smith) – Crystal Castles
Labrador Records’ Recording Artists Drop New Singles
The Swedish indie pop band, and Labrador recording artist, The Radio Dept., have dropped a new single single, the title track to Never Follow Suit, a new “dub” EP from the band that will drop next week. Only 1,000 12-inch vinyl EPs have been pressed. The EP contains five tracks. We’ve also included “The New Improved Hypocrisy”, a single not on the EP that the band quietly released this past September.
Plus, their label mates, Club 8, have a new MP3 single for the Nov. 23rd release of a limited edition seven-inch, Closer Now. The track, “Closer Now,” is a melodic fusion of psychedelia, Stone Roses‘ guitars, West African chants and rhythms mixed with Club 8’s special blend of Swedish pop hooks.
“Follow Suit” – The Radio Dept. from Never Follow Suit EP
“The New, Improved Hypocrisy” – The Radio Dept., unreleased single
“Closer Now” – Club 8 from Closer Now 7″ – Nov. 23rd
Denver’s Smith Westerns Announce Debut LP for January Drop
This past summer was a grand one for Denver’s rising band, Smith Westerns, whose name recognition and fan following grew by leaps and bounds, due in part to a wildly successful cross-country tour and blogger love. Just the other day, the band announced the official release for their sophomore album, Dye It Blonde, and provided the track listing and album art (pictured above). Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Beach House), produced the new LP. Although we do not yet have an official single from Dye It Blonde, the short film, Friends Forever, features a performance of the band playing “All Die Younger”.
The film was shot by popular indie artist and photographer, Ryan McGinley, who captured Smith Westerns’ performance at this year’s Pitchfork Festival. In addition, the film also features footage from San Francisco rising indie band, Girls‘, gig at Pitchfork. Interestingly enough, both bands will be featured in IRC’s Best Bands of 2010. Don’t miss the Soundcloud stream for the fabulous track, “Weekend.”
Smith Westerns – Weekend by forcefieldpr
Twin Shadow Does The Drums and Hooray for the Earth
Nowadays in the indie music mixers world the name George Lewis Jr. is immediately connected to one-man outfit, Twin Shadow, another break-through ‘band’ of 2010. In the past week or so, Twin Shadow have remixed Hooray for the Earth’s “A Place We Like” and The Drums “Me And The Moon.” Twin Shadow’s terrific debut, Forget, is out now in the U.S., and for the rest of the world (ROW), on November 15, 2010.
“A Place We Like”- Twin Shadow vs. Hooray for the Earth
“Me And The Moon” (Twin Shadow Remix) – The Drums
Woodsman Release Single Ahead of Debut Album
Earlier this year Lefse Records released Woodsman’s Mystery Tape EP, and will follow it up in January with their Rare Forms full length from which the track below, “Insects”, is taken. Woodsman is an experimental ambient post-psychedelic band based in Denver. Influenced by hazy mountain passes, the cinema of Stan Brakhage, and early 1970’s improvisational recordings by Miles Davis, Woodsman has crafted aural offerings that are uniquely one of a kind.
“Insects” – Woodsman from Mystery Tape EP
Junip’s New Material Remixed By Run Roc
After some years on hiatus,the band Junip returned in September with the awesome LP, Fields. Junip was formed in the late 1990s by drummer Elias Araya, singer and guitarist José González, and organ and moog player Tobias Winterkorn. The band is now on tour stateside through Thanksgiving, and are sharing a Run Roc remix of one of the best songs on the EP, “Always.”
“Always” (Run Roc Remix) – Junip
Anya Marina Preps New EP To Drop Nov. 15th
California-bred and now Portland, Oregon-based singer Anya Marina will release her Spirit School EP on November 15, providing the first glimpse of new material from Marina since her 2009 single “Satellite Heart,” which was featured on The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack. The new EP features guest appearances and mixes from Courtney Taylor-Taylor (Dandy Warhols) (featured below), Sam Fogarino (Interpol), and Michael Lerner (Telekinesis), among others. Marina says Spirit School is “a collection of similarly misfit songs that are very dear to me.”
“Whatsit”– Anya Marina from Spirit School
…and Big Phony, La Sera, John Hill and Electrolightz
“Short Intermission” – Big Phony
“Never Come Around” – La Sera from Never Come Around 7″ – Nov. 16th
“Does It Still Hurt” – John Hill
“The Future” – Electrolightz from It Happened Over Night