Check out the uplifting power in “You Were The First Thing” a new song from Brooklyn indie band Bridges and Powerlines. It’s a song off their upcoming new album Eve, which will be released in January next year.
The song moved me emotionally, while being catchy enough to keep it on constant repeat. It’s rare to have the best of both worlds, but this song has it:
[mp3]: Bridges and Powerlines – You Were the First Thing
I’m really excited to share the sounds of Let’s Say We Did with you guys. I just got their new EP, Straight Back To You, and it’s phenomenal. Filled to the brim with tight guitar riffs and memorable hooks.
The Stockholm, Sweden rock band writes guitar rock that has a bit of 90′s swagger in its blood. I can’t help but believe that “Straight Back To You” is somewhat Pavement inspired. The band shows their fine musicianship on “Always (I do)”, impressively switching the tone of the song from calm to a triumphant blissed out battle between guitars and thumping bass.
The final two tracks on the EP keep up the bands winning formula, with more addicting jams. “A Lesser Matter” sounds like a return to a familiar place, having no care in the worse.
“Come On Honey” is probably my favorite track off the EP. It’s bursts out of your speakers with a cool confidence that you can’t help but believe in. It’s something that I have no problem putting on all day, and that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.
Let’s Say We Did may just be one of my favorite new bands. Keep an eye on them for sure. 2011 should be kind to these boys.
Stream “Come On Honey” below, and watch the music video for “Straight Back To You” right after it:
[stream]: Come On Honey
Let’s Say We Did – Come On Honey by Weallwantsomeone
Let’s Say We Did – Straight Back To You
Let’s Say We Did | MySpace Music Videos
Visit the band on their myspace or facebook. Their EP is limited to 250 copies, but available to order via PayPal (nesnarecords@gmail.com).
Browsing around and discovered this pretty powerful live acoustic session of “Wake Up” that Arcade Fire did a while back. Not sure who they did it for, or how old it is, but that doesn’t really matter. Sounds like it’s pretty old to me.
This is a raw and honest version, and the result is something special:
[mp3]: Arcade Fire – Wake Up (Live Acoustic Session Version)
New Monsters Collective are a band from Springfield, Missouri. This is the same hometown as the always great Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin. This isn’t where the ties to SSLYBY end for The New Monsters Collective.
Roni Dickey, of the bands two singers, is the sister of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin’s Phil Dicky. Someone Still Loves You’s guitarist Will Will Knauer also plays bass for them. SSLYBY’s bassist Jonathan James even recorded their EP.
However, these guys aren’t just another SSLYBY. New Monsters Collective have created a distinctive sound that can be found on their debut EP, Buddy System. The EP consists of 6 songs that play as an introduction to what the band’s all about.
Many songs dark melodies intertwined with pop rock sensibilities. With two female signers often switching the lead, there is never a moment where one song sounds a like.
It’s quite the opposite actually. Every song has it’s own identity, giving you a detailed look at what each member brings to the table. One minute your dancing to the undeniably catchy “The Break Up”, next your trying to figure out more experimental “Life After College” & “Spaceland”.
This EP is a warm introduction to a band that has plenty of reason to break out. Check out my favorite tune from the EP, below:
[mp3]: New Monsters Collective – The Break Up
The Tallest Man On Earth is releasing a new EP titled Sometimes The Blues Is Just A Passing Bird. It’s a quick follow up to his 2010 LP, The Wild Hunt. The EP is available to purchase on iTunes right now. He’s given away “Like The Wheel” a song from the EP, for free download. Snag the beauty below:
[mp3]: The Tallest Man On Earth – Like The Wheel
Here’s the free song that Owen Pallet released from A Swedish Love Story, his upcoming EP. It’s called “A Man With No Ankles” and it’s a typical Pallet gem. He creates a dreamy wonderland through his carefully crafted melodies. The song was given away on his birthday, so you know it’s special.
Grab the song below:
[mp3]: Owen Pallet – A Man With No Ankles
The A Swedish Love Story EP drops on September 28th via Domino.
Mr. West just barely made the cutoff for his G.O.O.D. Friday promise. With an hour left, Mr. West dropped a song appropriately titled “Good Friday “. It has a monstrous supporting cast of Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean & Charlie Wilson.
This song is radiating with cool vibes all over. It sounds fresh and modern, with a vintage twist due to it’s vibrant production. All the guests add their fair share of talent to the mix to create something special.
My friend Kenechi points out that Mr. West uploaded a 128kbps version of the song, leading us to believe that this may be on his album (If it’s on the album, he wouldn’t want to give away the high quality stuff for free, now would he). What do you think?
Download the song below, via Kanye’s Blog:
[mp3]: Kanye West – Good Friday (Feat. Common, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Big Sean & Charlie Wilson)
Matt from You Ain’t No Picasso just posted some live bootlegs of two new Gaga songs that she performed live on her current tour. Their pretty great. It’s a different take on GaGa.
Gone are the dance grooves of “Bad Romance” & “Just Dance”. Lady Gaga gives a honest, bare performance, showing her true talent as a singer. She takes a more personal approach to her songwriting, and I totally approve of it.
“You and I” is especially great. For all of you who think GaGa has no talent, well you best reconsider:
[mp3]: Lady GaGa – You and I (Live)
[mp3]: Lady GaGa – Living On The Radio (Live)
Both via YANP
Adam Haworth Stephens has given away another song for free download off his debut album, We Live On Cliffs. I was impressed with the first song he gave us, and “Second Mind” is on the same level. Harmonies that are kind to the ears, and a pure americana sound that I can never tire of.
It’s hard not to enjoy this one:
[mp3]: Adam Haworth Stephens – Second Mind
We Live On Cliffs drops on September 28th via Saddle Creek. Totally a sleeper album.
Totally missed “Photojournalist”, the new song from Small Black. Don’t know what happened there, but at least I caught myself. “Photojournalist” is a cool collected jam off their debut album New Chain that is set to come out October 26 on the consistently great Jagjaguwar.
Fans of Washed Out and Neon Indian should totally eat this one up:
[mp3] Small Black – Photojournalist
Check out their fall tour dates, after the jump:
