Death Cab for Cutie, 'Codes and Keys'

Death Cab for Cutie has released their new album, Codes and Keys. The album is available on MP3, CD, and Vinyl. Their previous album was 2008's Narrow Stairs. My favorite track of theirs is 'Title & Registration' off 2003's Transatlanticism.

The Amazon digital version of Codes and Keys comes with 2 bonus demos, You Are A Tourist video, and digital booklet. Watch the video for their lead single 'You Are A Tourist' and review the tracklist after the jump.

Watch: Architecture in Helsinki, 'Escapee'

Check out the video for 'Escapee,' the 2nd single off Architecture in Helsinki's 2011 album Moment Bends.

Lamb Releases New Album, '5'

Lamb released their new album, 5, earlier this month. Listen to the first track off the album, 'Another Language,' below. Tracklisting after the jump.

Röyksopp Remixes Lady GaGa's Judas

Röyksopp has taken their turn at remixing GaGa's Judas. Listen below:



Source: HardCandyMusic

Watch: Erykah Badu, 'Out My Mind, Just In Time'

Erykah Badu has released a video for 'Out My Mind, Just In Time' a year after the release of her last album, New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh. The video features Badu dancing solo in a dark room. Watch below:

Watch: Jill Scott, 'So In Love' Video

The latest video for 'So In Love,' featuring Anthony Hamilton, from Jill Scott's forthcoming album, The Light of the Sun.

Watch: Cee Lo Green, 'I Want You' Video

Cee Lo Green has released a new video for 'I Want You.' The video contains a different mix than what is included on his latest album, The Lady Killer. Both versions are below. Which do you like better?

Michelle Branch's 'Loud Music'

Michelle Branch announced recently she has a new album coming out this fall. The lead single for the album, 'Loud Music,' will be released June 14. The song is about her love for music such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Jimmy Hendrix. Watch her discuss the album, single, and tour via a webcast at her official site. Skip to 13:06 for a clip of clip of 'Loud Music.'

Khia is 'So Addicted'

Khia has released her new single, 'So Addicted,' which she wrote and produced herself. If you're in the mood for a chuckle, watch her discuss her line of sunglasses on ABC after the jump. Listen to the song below:

Watch: Wynter Gordon, 'Til Death' Video

Check out 'Til Death,' the new video from Wynter Gordon. MP3 available from Amazon.

Beyoncé Reveals '4' Tracklist

Beyonce Knowles has revealed the tracklist for her new album, 4, due June 28, 2011.

01. 1+1
02. I Care
03. I Miss You
04. Best Thing I Never Had
05. Party (feat. Andre 3000)
06. Rather Die Young
07. Start Over
08. Love On Top
09. Countdown
10. End of Time
11. I Was Here
12. Run the World (Girls)

Ratcliffe, of Basement Jaxx, New EP

Ratcliffe, of Basement Jaxx, has released an EP entitled Dorus Rijkers. Listen to Flying By the Sun below



Dorus Rijkers Tracklist
1. Tightrope
2. Mindset
3. Flying by the Sun
4. Cobra

Listen: Alanis Morissette, 'Into A King'

In celebration of the one year anniversary of her marriage to her husband, Mario "MC Souleye" Treadway, Alanis Morissette has released a new song, 'Into A King', on SoundCloud. The lyrics, as usual, are solely penned by Alanis. The music is credited to Alanis and her Flavors of Entanglement collaborator, Guy Sigsworth, of Frou Frou.

'Born This Way' Album 99 Cents at Amazon

Amazon is currently offering Born This Way [+digital booklet] for only 99 cents! This offer is only good for Monday May 23, 2011, so grab it while you can.

Purchasing this album also automatically upgrades your Amazon Cloud Drive from 5GB to 20GB.

Updates:
5/24, Offer has expired.
5/26, Amazon is offering the album at the 99 cent price once again.
5/27, Offer has expired.

Lady GaGa Releases 'Born This Way'

Lady GaGa has released her her new album, 'Born This Way. It is available in both Standard and Special Editions. The standard edition has 14 tracks, while the special edition has 17 tracks plus 5 remixes. You can order her album, Born This Way, in Special Edition or Standard Edition.

Born This Way (Standard Edition) 1. Marry the Night 2. Born This Way 3. Government Hooker 4. Judas 5. Americano 6. Hair 7. Scheiße 8. Bloody Mary 9. Bad Kids 10. Highway Unicorn (Road to Love) 11. Heavy Metal Lover 12. Electric Chapel 13. Yoü and I 14. The Edge of Glory

Born This Way (Special Edition) 1. Marry the Night 2. Born This Way 3. Government Hooker 4. Judas 5. Americano 6. Hair 7. Scheiße 8. Bloody Mary 9. Black Jesus † Amen Fashion 10. Bad Kids 11. Fashion of His Love 12. Highway Unicorn (Road to Love) 13. Heavy Metal Lover 14. Electric Chapel 15. The Queen 16. Yoü and I 17. The Edge of Glory Disc 2 1. Born This Way (Country Road Version) 2. Judas (DJ White Shadow Remix) 3. Marry the Night (Zedd Remix) 4. Scheiße (DJ White Shadow Mugler) 5. Fashion of His Love (Garibay Remix)

Free Lollapalooza 20-Track Sampler

Lollapalooza is celebrating its 20th Anniversary with a Free 20-Track iTunes Sampler including songs of past performers from the 90's to today. Ends 7/31/11

!!! (Chk Chk Chk) :: AM/FM Company of Thieves :: Death of Communication Fishbone :: Everyday Sunshine Freelance Whales :: Hannah G. Love :: Home Grinderman :: Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan :: Come Undone J Mascis :: Is It Done Jane's Addiction :: Been Caught Stealing John Butler Trio :: Ocean Minus the Bear :: My Time

Moby :: Be The One My Morning Jacket :: It Beats 4 U Primus :: ohn the Fisherman Shabazz Palaces :: An echo from the hosts the profess infinitum Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings :: I Learned the Hard Way Silversun Pickups :: Substitution Swoon Sleater-Kinney :: Dig Me Out Sonic Youth :: Chez Yves (Alice et Clara) Tokyo Police Club :: Wait Up (Boots of Danger)

Ladytron: New Single & Album

Ladytron's new album Gravity The Seducer won't be out until September 13, 2011 but they have released a new single, 'White Elephant'. Listen below:



Gravity The Seducer Track List

SuperHeavy: Mick Jagger, Dave Stewart, Joss Stone, Damian Marley

An album from new musical supergroup, Super Heavy, will emerge sometime around this September consisting of: Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones), Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Joss Stone, Damian Marley and A.R. Rahman (Indian film composer). The group got its start two years ago when Dave Stewart called Jagger, expressing interest in making a fusion of various genres of music. Then, a little over a year ago, the band began recording in L.A. having not prepared anything.

"We didn't know what the hell we were doing," says Stewart. "We were just jamming and making a noise. It was like when a band first starts up in your garage. Sometimes Damien would kick it off and then Joss would sing something on top of it. We might have a 22 minute jam, and it would become a six minute song."

PJ Harvey Wants to Release Paintings, Poetry, and Prose

PJ Harvey released her eighth studio album, Let England Shake, earlier this year, but is keen on releasing her collection prose, poetry, and paintings that she she created privately over the last two decades. She explains in an interview with Spinner:

"My initial beginnings were as a visual artist, not a musician," she tells Spinner. "I was going to do a degree in sculpture at a place to go onto study sculpture, but then the path towards music opened up for me. I had an opportunity to make a record and it took me away from ever doing that."

"I work on paintings alongside with songs ... I take my work with me. As I write every day, I draw and paint every day and it's just part of my life, so even if I am touring it comes with me. In fact, songwriting is, for me, a very visual process as well."

"I'd like to do more because I just moved into doing oil painting as well, which I'm really enjoying and I'd like to spend more time doing that," she says. "I'm also a keen writer, not just of songs, but of poetry, short prose, short stories. I'd like to release regularly my extraneous works, drawings and writings that aren't songs..."

Source: [Spinner]

Watch: Keri Hilson & Nelly 'Lose Control'

Keri Hilson has released her new video for 'Lose Control' featuring Nelly. Watch:

Junior Boys New Album & Tour: 'It's All True'

Junior Boys will release their fourth album, It's All True, on June 14, 2011. It's All True is available to pre-order on CD and Vinyl from Amazon. Listen to a track from the album, 'Banana Ripple,' below. Tour dates and track listing for It's All True after the jump.

Ani Difranco Contributes to 'Every Woman Counts'

Ani Difranco, among other artists, have donated songs to the Every Woman Counts compilation. Ani contributed a reworked version of the song 'Present/Infant', originally on Red Letter Year, a version you can only find on this compilation. Other artists contributing to the album are all mothers and include Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Dixie Chicks, Toshi Reagon, Jennifer Lopez, Rosanne Cash, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sinead O’Connor. Full track list after the jump.

$8 from the sale of each CD will be donated to CARE, in association with Every Mother Counts, to support maternal health care worldwide.

The Cranberries Announce New Album

The Cranberries have announced they will release a new album this fall. Watch the brief video above. Their last album was 2001's Wake Up and Smell the Coffee.

Watch: Clare Maguire, 'The Shield And The Sword'

Clare Maguire's debut album, Light After Dark, was released on February 28, 2011 in the UK. There is currently no schedule US release date for the album. However, a few of her single have been released stateside.

Watch her latest video for 'The Shield And The Sword' above. Other singles currently available in the US: 'Ain't Nobody' and 'The Last Dance.'

Thievery Corporation Teases 'Culture of Fear'

Thievery Corporation has released a five minute teaser that is a mashup of tracks from their forthcoming album Culture of Fear, due out on ESL Music on June 28, 2011. Their previous album of original material was 2008's Radio Retaliation, along with their 2010 greatest hits collection, It Takes a Thief.

IAMX in 'Volatile Times'

I have been waiting for a US release date to post about this album, but it's been over two months, so, I'm done waiting. In March IAMX released his new album in the UK, Volatile Times. IAMX is Chris Corner, formerly of the Sneaker Pimps; '6 Underground' and 'Spin Spin Sugar' fame. You may remember his duet with Imogen Heap, 'My Secret Friend,' from 2009's Kingdom Of Welcome Addiction. My favorite track of his is 'Heatwave' off 2008's Kiss + Swallow.

IAMX is currently offering a free download of 'Fire and Whispers' through his official site. Listen to 'Ghosts of Utopia' below, and get the free download and track listing for Volatile Times after the jump.

Watch: 'Bounce' with Kelis & Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris, a Scottish singer-songwriter, record producer and DJ, has released a new video for 'Bounce' which features Kelis on vocals. His currently untitled third album is due out this year. His previous album was 2009's Ready for the Weekend. Tour dates after the jump.

Watch: Aqua Asks 'How R U Doin?'

Another band from the 90s have reunited, Aqua, of 'Barbie Girl' fame. They have released a brand new song and video for 'How R U Doin?'. Their new album is due on June 14, 2011.

“... We are working hard on a brand new album to be released in 2011 … We’ll do our very best to get out into every single country to play, promote and meet you guys. ... Love You! Lene, René, Claus and Søren.”

Source: Pop In Stero

Cibo Matto Reunite for New Tour & Album

Do you know your chicken? A group from the 90s you may or may not have heard of has reunited, Cibo Matto. Their most popular album, Viva! La Woman, included the infectious single, 'Know Your Chicken.' They scored a hit over five years ago with
their 2005 single and video, 'Sugar Water'. The experimental Japanese pop duo is set to reunite for a tour this summer, and an album due out in early 2012. Keep an eye on their official site, as they hint they may post some of their new songs. Tour dates after the jump.

M.I.A. Wants You To 'C.T.F.O.'

Over a static production, M.I.A. chants 'C.T.F.O. (Chill the Fuck Out),' a song off Total, the debut album of French electronic producer SebastiAn. I don't know about you, but the tack doesn't really make me want to C.T.F.O. You?



Source: Pitchfork

Joss Stone Announces New Album, 'LP1'

Joss Stone recently announced the release of her next album, LP1 on July 26, 2011. Joss recently established her own label, Stone'd Records, and has partnered with Surfdog to release the album. LP1 will be the first album Joss has recorded with total creative freedom. She co-wrote and co -produced it with super-producer and Eurythmics co-founder, Dave Stewart. Together they immersed themselves into a rock n' soul musical odyssey in Nashville, Tennessee, finishing LP1 in only six days.

“This is the most fun I’ve ever had making a record with Crazy Dave Stewart at the helm, and yes the players in Nashville are unbelievable!!!” says Stone. “This album captures a specific moment in time that was spontaneous and full of creativity.”

Kate Bush's 'Director's Cut'

Kate Bush, who has not performed live since 1979, has released Director's Cut, an entirely new project rather than a collection of mere remixes, Bush explained in an interview with the BBC. Director's Cut contains 11 tracks of reworked material from her earlier albums The Sensual World and The Red Shoes, all of which have been recorded using analogue, rather than digital, equipment to create "a warmer and fuller" sound.

All the tracks have new vocals and drums, as well as substantially reworked instrumentation. Most of them have been transposed to a lower key to accomodate her lowering voice. Three of the songs, including 'This Woman's Work' (covered by Maxwell) have been completely re-recorded, with lyrics often changed in places. This will be Bush's first release since 2005's Ariel. In the interview she shares that she is halfway through with writing material for a completely new album. Tracking listing after the jump. Listen to 'This Woman's Work,' below.

Björk Explains 'Biophilia'

Bjork says her upcoming album Biophilia will be a continuation of her previous, Volta. She explains, "Volta was more about anthropology, this is kind of without the humans. ... How the physics of sound ... is similar to how planets and how microscopic things work."



She also takes some time to share her excitement towards the growth of technology:

iamamiwhoami Returns with '; john'

This is the first new music from iamamiwhoami since winning "Innovator of the Year" at the Swedish Grammis. In this video the singer can be seen doing some freestyle dancing on a bed made of toilet paper rolls! Thoughts?

Previous singles, b o u-1 u-2 n t y, are available for purchase.

Watch: Diagram Of The Heart, 'Dead Famous'

The video for Diagram Of The Heart's first single, 'Dead Famous,' was released last year and is currently only available on iTunes UK. However, if you sign up for their newsletter, you'll get the Red Jackson Remix of the song for free. If you're in the US like me, you can still watch the video on YouTube as many times as you'd like. ;)

LimeWire / RIAA Settle for $105 Million

"We are pleased to have reached a large monetary settlement following the court's finding that both Lime Wire and its founder Mark Gorton are personally liable for copyright infringement," says Mitch Bainwol, of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "As the court heard during the last two weeks, Lime Wire wreaked enormous damage on the music community, helping contribute to thousands of lost jobs and fewer opportunities for aspiring artists."

LimeWire reached an out of court settlement with 13 record companies including Universal, Warner, and Sony, which calls for it to pay a total of $105 million. This will finally put an end to LimeWire's 5 year legal battle with the music industry. LimeWire was one of the last of the Peer2Peer programs, like Napster and KaZaa, to lose battles with the RIAA over illegal filesharing.

The record companies filed their complaint against LimeWire in 2006 and the US District Court ruled in their favor in May of last year. In June, eight members of the National Music Publishers' Association filed a separate copyright suit against LimeWire, leading the service being shut down completely in October. A jury trial began last week to determine damages in the case, following a decision that LimeWire was liable for "massive scale infringement" for assisting users pirate digital music files. The music industry blames LimeWire for a $1b loss in sales.

Source: CNet

'Cherry Picking' with Róisín Murphy

Róisín Murphy's collaboration with Toddla T, 'Cherry Picking,' will appear on Toddla T's next album, Watch Me Dance. The single is available as MP3 and on vinyl. Listen to the track below.



She recently announced her third solo album. Other recent Róisín Murphy songs: Momma's Place, Boadicea, and Don't You Agree?.

Goldfrapp Remixes Lady GaGa's 'Judas'

Goldfrapp, whose last album was 2010's Head First, has done a rather dramatic remix of Lady GaGa's 2nd single off her latest album, Born This Way. Goldfrapp slows down the vocals, throws out the original's rather spastic production, and delivers a slow, eery, and creepy re-imagining of the song. Listen below.

Solange Knowles Previews 3rd Album

Solange Knowles, younger sister of Beyonce, is putting the finishing touches on her currently untitled 3rd album. SoL-Angel And The Hadley Street Dreams, Solange's last album, took many people by surprise with its catchy hooks and 60s and 70s influenced songs. That album included production by Cee-Lo Green and Mark Ronson, and featured Bilal. She stated in an interview shortly after her second album's release that she intended to have her third album a similar sound to the track featuring Bilal, Cosmic Journey. She has stuck to her word with her new song, 'Left Side Drive.' Listen to the track and get more information on the recording experience below.

Taryn Manning will 'Turn It Up'

Boomkat leadsinger has released her new solo single, 'Turn It Up.' Taryn is a singer, songwriter, and fashion designer, but most people would recognize her from her acting roles in films such as Hustle & Flow, 8 Mile, White Oleander, and Crossroads.

In a recent interview with Electrocutie, Taryn says, "[Turn It Up] really exists for the sole purpose to get everyone to have a good time." She goes on to say she has a whole album full of material pretty much done, but isn't interested in releasing the whole album at once. She explains, "it’s a big body of work that I've put a lot of effort into, so I want to roll it out really slowly. ... It’s really hard to get peoples' attention with too many songs at once these days." Check out her previous single, So Talented. Listen to 'Turn It Up' below.



Sources: Electrocutie Music Blog, TarynManning.com

Mos Def to guest star on 'Dexter'

Billboard reports Mos Def will be guest starring on the upcoming sixth season of the Showtime drama, Dexter, in multi-episode arc. Def will portray an ex con who claims to have found religion, however, he seems to continually find himself in violent circumstances. Michael C. Hall's Dexter will attempt reveal to the truth of his identity. The amount of episodes he will be appearing is not known at this time.

Mos Def has previously had roles The Boondocks, The Italian Job, Monster's Ball, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, House M.D., and Cadillac Records, along side Beyonce.

Source: Billboard

Record Labels Hope Apple Will Force Amazon & Google Into Cloud Licensing

Cloud services allow users to upload their music files and stream/download them from any location. Amazon has launched their Cloud Player service, and Google's recently went into invitation based beta testing. Apple has yet to launch it's version of cloud storage and streaming, but CNet reports that record labels are eagerly awaiting the launch.

"... The services offered by Amazon and Google are not all that they can be because those companies had to tippy-toe around copyright issues. Since neither company was either able or willing to obtain licenses from the four major labels, neither of them could deliver the same range of options that Apple will be able to offer with its upcoming cloud service, according to multiple music industry sources.

Exactly what those options are, the sources wouldn't say. Nonetheless, the hope in the music industry is that Apple's music service will make the competing offerings look shabby by comparison and force Amazon and Google to pay the licensing rates the labels are asking."

Source: CNet

Stone Rollin' with Raphael Saadiq

Raphael Saadiq has released his new album, Stone Rollin.' On the album title he says, "I'm my best gamble. I'm gonna roll the dice on me." The album features Motown Sound-inspired songs with soul, blues, and funk music influences. For most of the album's recordings, Saadiq played most of the instruments; including bass, keyboard, guitar, Mellotron, percussion, and drums.

Watch the video for 'Stone Rollin'' below. Below, check out an EPK in which Saadiq discusses his sound, the album, and his single 'Radio,' as well as the album's and track listing.

Christina Aguilera Begins Recording 5th Album

Christina Aguilera, current coach on NBC's The Voice, confirmed recently on Jay Leno that she is recording her fifth studio album. She explains in an interview with USA Today, "for this one, I really want to make a real rooted, heartfelt record. After someone goes through the things that I have, regarding a divorce, there's a lot of emotions that are stirred. ... I love to sing. It's what moves me and inspires me. To be able to do that is a gift."

Her last album, Bionic, is available on Amazon MP3 and CD.

Beyoncé Reveals New Album Title, '4'

"We all have special numbers in our lives, and 4 is that for me," Beyonce tells Billboard. "It's the day I was born. My mother's birthday and a lot of my friends' birthdays are on the fourth; April 4 is my wedding date."

"I can never be safe; I always try and go against the grain. As soon as I accomplish one thing, I just set a higher goal," she said. "That's how I've gotten to where I am."

For her new album, she will be infusing various genres of music. "I recorded more than 60 songs; everything I ever wanted to try, I just did it,"

Her latest single, Run The World (Girls), with production by Switch, was released April 21, 2011.

Source: Billboard.com

Garçon Garçon wants to 'Stay In Touch'

Combining new wave synths with a unique '80s feeel and a dash of blatant pop, Garçon Garçon write intelligent songs with catchy hooks. Coming from different musical worlds of classical and punk rock, the duo conjure a sound as complex as it is podium busting.

Check out their debut single, 'Stay In Touch,' below:

Google Launches 'Music Beta' Cloud Service

Today Google launched its' much anticipated cloud service. Music Beta is a new service from Google that gives you instant access to your personal music collection without the hassle of wires or syncing. Add your music collection and listen on the web or any compatible Android.

The service, at the moment, is available via invitation only to U.S. users & allows users to upload up to 20,000 songs using software for Mac or Windows.

Currently free while in beta, but Google has yet to announce pricing for when the service exits beta.

Watch: Ellie Goulding in 'Lights'

I saw Ellie Goulding perform her single, 'Lights,' on Saturday Night Live over the weekend and the song was immediately stuck in my head. Enjoy!

Buy her debut album of the same name on Amazon.com.

In Session with Danja

I've been a fan of Danja for awhile now. Once Britney Spears' Blackout hit, I was constantly on the look out for his productions. The more I heard, the more I enjoyed and appreciated his work.

In this interview Danja, and his audio engineer Lago, discuss lots of topics; Timbaland, the production of "We Takin' Over" advice for aspiring producers, as well as their dislike for auto-tune. They feel like it's their job to get the best vocals out of their artists, and not just rely on auto tune to do the work for them. It may surprise you, but they reveal here that they did not use any auto tune on Britney Spears' Blackout album.

Lady GaGa Releases 'Edge of Glory'

Lady GaGa has released, 'Edge of Glory,' her latest promotional single for Born This Way. It takes quite a drastic turn from her previous singles, as it's production is more traditionally pop/rock, as opposed to the industrial sounds of her previous singles. Listen below:



You can order her album Born This Way in Special Edition or Standard Edition from Amazon.

Tori Amos Announces New Album 'Night of Hunters'

Tori Amos has announced a new album titled Night of Hunters set for September release. Her last albums were 2009's Abnormally Attracted To Sin and Midwinter Graces. Night of Hunters will coming out via the world’s most celebrated classical label, Deutsche Grammophon.

Here’s how Tori describes the new record:

"It's a 21st century song cycle inspired by classical music themes spanning over 400 years. I have used the structure of a song cycle to tell an ongoing, modern story. The protagonist is a woman who finds herself in the dying embers of a relationship. In the course of one night she goes through an initiation of sorts that leads her to reinvent herself allowing the listener to follow her on a journey to explore complex musical and emotional subject matter. One of the main themes explored on this album is the hunter and the hunted and how both exist within us.”

Esthero Shares Snippets of 'Francis'

Esthero has shared two snippets of a new song called 'Francis' from her forthcoming album, Everything Is Expensive. The first clip is a video shot shortly after the song was written (above), the second can be heard on her personal blog, here.

Last we heard from Esthero she announced she had to hand in her new finished album to Universal Canada on Mar 31, 2011. Her previous album was 2008's Wikked Lil' Grrrls. She has since help co-write Kanye West's Love Lockdown.