We All Want Someone To Shout For

Death Cab For Cutie have given us an early look at new album Codes And Keys via “You Are A Tourist” & “Home Is A Fire”. Yesterday they unveiled, “Some Boys”, another new song.

“Some Boys” blow me away at first, but I was very intrigued. Something about it connected with me, but just not fully. Then, I hit repeat a few times. Now after nearly half a dozen listens, I’m starting to appreciate it a lot more.

The band is playing with a new sound, leaving the familiar territory that they’ve made a healthy career out of. A dark cloud of moody ambiance surrounds the music, welcoming the listener to fully breath in the tensity that Ben Gibbard and co. are trying to initiate.

I believe the songs we’ve heard off Codes And Keys will benefit a great deal among each others company. Doesn’t seem like the band are trying to make stand out singles. Rather, it seems like all the songs are pieces of a final puzzle that will be, Codes And Keys.

Who are FM Belfast? Good question. They’re a Icelandic group that sing about running over hills in their underwear. They also make catchy electronic pop that makes me feel damn good. This live video of them performing “Underwear” in Iceland should pretty much seal the deal on their awesomeness. It’s taken from their 2008 debut album, How To Make Friends.

Think if The Knife and Hot Chip happily made a baby. I think FM Belfast would be the result.

Watch the band play the song live at what looks to be an incredibly fun party. The live clip is taken from the music documentary, Backyard. You can stream the studio version of the song right after:

The great folks over at Sub Pop accidentally sent me an extra copy of Fleet Foxes new album Helplessness Blues (which drops May 3rd) on CD. First world problems, right?

That’s why I’m running a contest to give that extra copy to one of you guys. They gave me the green light, so here’s your chance to grab this wonderful new album from Fleet Foxes for free.

To win, just leave a comment with your favorite song from the album and why. That’s all. I’ll pick a winner at the end of the month, allowing enough time to get it to you on the May 3rd release date.

Big hat tip to Matt from You Ain’t No Picasso for uncovering this piece of Fleet Foxes history. Matt uncovered a video of a younger version of Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold covering Radiohead’s “Let Down” alongside his friend, Aaron Mannino. At the time, Robin was only 17 years old. Even then, he nailed it. You can definitely hear the promise of a very special musician who would later achieve greatness in the eyes of many.

Check out the performance below, thanks to YANP:

Fleet Foxes recently stopped by Jools Holland to perform Helplessness Blues cut, “Grown Ocean”. Watch present Robin perform below, thanks to Prefix:

I’ve just been made aware of some great live sessions that Shazam (the mobile app that you probably use to find songs that you hear) has been shooting. One performance that really grabbed me was their session with Glasvegas. The famed Glasgow band gave a heartwrenching performance of “The World Is Yours” the lead track from their new upcoming album, EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\.

Check out the performance below. More performances can be found at the Shazam youtube page.

Glasvegas – The World Is Yours (Shazam Session):

Less is more……right?

Today Arctic Monkeys revealed the album art work for their upcoming new album, Suck It And See. The bands 4th album features pretty straightforward artwork that may reflect on the supposed “straight to the point” direction that the band has taken on their new album.

I’m lounging around the internet and a lot of fans are comparing this art to another album you may have heard of once or twice.

What are your thoughts on the artwork? Does it bother you? Are you comfortable with it, knowing that the tunes will speak for itself? I’m on the latter side. Let me know in the comment section.

Here’s lead single “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair” if you’ve somehow yet to hear it.

On June 21 Bon Iver will release their self titled new album on Jagjaguwar. It was recorded over three years at a former veterinarian’s clinic in Wisconsin. Justin Vernon and his brother, Nate, recorded and mixed it. You can see Gregory Euclide’s cover art posted above. If it looks familiar, that’s because you’ve seen it before.

This will be the album that takes care of all of our summer sorrows. Check out the North American geographically influenced tracklist below:

01. Perth
02. Minnesota, WI
03. Holocene
04. Towers
05. Michicant
06. Hinnom, TX
07. Wash.
08. Calgary
09. Lisbon, OH
10. Beth/Rest

Sondre Lerche is releasing a new self-titled album, out June 7th via Mona Records. Take a listen to a fun track called “Private Caller” that can be found on the record. It’s a catchy song that is easy on the ears. It’s light and fun, perfect for the spring weather thats so close, yet, so far.

The Drums have recorded and released a new single titled “The New World” that is available for paid download. All proceeds will go towards Japan disaster relief efforts.

Here’s a message from The Drums in regards to the single:

“We are deeply saddened by what has happened, and we are so in awe of the strength and courage shown by the people of Japan. We wrote this song to bring a little more hope. Japan, we have loved you since the very first moment we set foot on your land. Thank you for all your love.”

The track is available to purchase at iTunes right now.

If you want, take a listen to a stream of the song that (I found) on youtube. Be sure to buy the song if you like it. It’s for a great cause.

Vancouver, Canada, act Said The Whale are releasing three songs for free on their website. The songs are taken from their 2009 album, Islands Disappear. They were recently championed “The Best New Act” at the Juno Awards, so this is there way of thanking the world.

This is my first listen to Said The Whale, but it certainly won’t be my last. Check out the three songs below and see why these guys are so critically adored:

[mp3]: Said The Whale – B.C. Orienteering
[mp3]: Said The Whale – Camilo (The Magician)
[mp3]: Said The Whale – Goodnight Moon

The band are currently touring with Tokyo Police Club.