Rusko ft. Amber Coffman (Dirty Projectors) -"Hold On"-mp3

Dubstep posterboy Rusko preps his Mad Decent/Downtown Records debut O.M.G.! with an assist from Amber Coffman of Dirty Projectors on "Hold On". via RCRD LBL

Rusko ft. Amber Coffman (Dirty Projectors)-"Hold On (Sub Focus Remix)"-mp3
Rusko ft. Gucci Mane -"Got Da Groove"-(stream)

Blu -"BossCo.2" + "NewMGMGrand"-mp3

West Coast experimental MC Blu is not easy to pigeon-hole, one thing for sure dude is jazz influenced, melodic, thoughtful and innovative. I meant to post this last week, his newer jump is a bit strange "NewMGNGrand" brings to mind LoveSexy era Prince. Both From the forthcoming NoYork!LP. Cheers to NR.

Blu -"BossCo.2"-mp3
Blu -"NewMGNGrand"-mp3

Dada Trash Collage -"Paint On The Windows"-mp3

Minneapolis William Freed aka Dada Trash Collage second track from upcoming Neighbors. Their first look "In Season" sounds like an excellent Animal Collective b-side, thats with good reason since Freed did work with Animal Collective/Arcade Fire producer Scott Colburn.

Dada Trash Collage
Dearling Physique
Netherfriends
Hunting Club
May 7th
7th Street Entry

Dada Trash Collage -"Paint On The Windows"-mp3
Dearling Physique -"Oh This Currency"-mp3

Jay Electronica -"The Ghost Of Christopher Wallace"-mp3

"The game ain't been the same since B.I.G died and WU swarmed on New York from out that bee hive". Another quiet storm from Erykah Badu's baby daddy Jay Electronica. Death to "Ring-Tone Rap"! Shout out YouHeardThatNew.

Jay Electronica -"The Ghost Of Christopher Wallace"-mp3

Kele Okereke -"Tenderoni"-mp3

Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke makes his solo debut with the XXXchange-produced electro/disco of "Tenderoni". The first track from Kele's The Boxer it's no Bobby Brown but is baby cool and out June 22 in the U.S. via Glassnote. Cheers to Scottish Friction

Kele Okereke -"Tenderoni"-mp3

Sleigh Bells -"Tell' Em"-mp3

I'm still pissed from missing them open for Yeasayer last night at First Avenue, M.I.A. protege' and recent signees to her N.E.E.T. imprint. Brooklyn's Sleigh Bells have been making noise in hipster circles for awhile, here's their first official look, the bombastic "Tell'Em" from their debut Treat in stores May 11th. Shout out PMA.

Sleigh Bells -"Tell' Em"-mp3
Sleigh Bells -"Infinity Guitars"-mp3

Guilty Simpson & Madlib - "Friends Only"- (Bonus 45)-mp3

Ahead of the May 18th release date of Guilty Simpson & Madlib's OJ Simpson, Stones Throw has vinyl & CD copies of Madlib & Guilty Simpson's OJ Simpson available & shipping now. All orders, while supplies last will come with the bonus 45 "Friends Only" (Vocal/Instrumental). Madlib's latest installment of his excellent Medicine Show series, now at No.4, 420 Chalice All Stars highlighting Jamaican music is out now and the first track from Medicine Music No.5 The History of Loop Digga, "Static Invasion". peace to 2db.

Guilty Simpson & Madlib -"Friends Only"-mp3
Madlib -Static Invazion"-mp3

M.I.A. – “Born Free” -mp3

M.I.A.'s new track, the boisterous "Born Free". Not sure if it's from her new untitled record due June 29th on N.E.E.T./Interscope.

M.I.A. –"Born Free"-mp3
M.I.A. -"Born Free"-video

BLK JKS -"Zol!"-mp3

South Africa's promising indie quartet BLK JKS return with "Zol!", a less psychedelic, more groovy chant meets folk workout, the first track from their upcoming ep ZOL!, out June 8th Secretly Canadian. On June 10th the band’s playing the FIFA World Cup Kickoff Celebration at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, South Africa. via Fader

BLK JKS -"Zol!"-mp3

Jay Electronica -"A Million In The Morning"-mp3

Another thought-provoking joint from Jay Electronica, the theme song inspired by the original motion picture A Million In The Morning. Jay Electronica continues to drop jewels all over the place. Glook from NahRight.

Jay Electronica -"A Million In The Morning (Inspired by the Original Motion Picture)"-mp3
Jay Electronica -"Exhibit C (Astronote Remix)"-mp3

Cody Chesnutt -"Come Back Like Spring"-mp3

The first time I saw Cody Chesnutt was 2002 at the Village Underground in NYC for a Fader/CMJ showcase with Chesnutt, Stiffed (Santigold) and Graph Nobel. Chesnutt a true American Original who had just self-released his debut solo jump the analog classic, The Headphone Masterpiece and we haven't heard anything like it since, the closest being psychedelic soul of the Shuggie Otis reissues. The industry cats were all over Chesnutt, he was not having it. It's cool to hear that he's back in business and in great form. Peace to fam at Bright Moments

Cody Chesnutt -"Come Back Like Spring"-mp3
Cody Chesnutt & The Roots -"The Seed 2.0"-mp3

Blonde Redhead -"Not Getting There"-mp3

New Blonde Redhead "Not Getting There" from 4AD exclusive Record Store Day 12″ EP Fragments. Beach House fans, if you don't know go get anything from Blonde Redhead. Shout out We All Want Someone.

Blonde Redhead -"Not Getting There"-mp3

Maria Isa -"Lowrider Mami's (Caddy, Lincoln, Chevys)" -mp3

Maria Isa hot off her performance in RENT,the biligual rhymeslinger returns with a new track off her SotaRico presents El Mixtape: Sip-It . Recorded in Queens, NY at Eddie Sancho Studios. Maria Isa goes in on the radio hit "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley" by Lloyd Banks and murks it. Maria Isa will be performing iat Dessa's ambitious 3-day event Cadence Hip-Hop Series at the Guthrie Theatre, followed by her birthday jump at Cinco De Mayo.

Maria Isa
M.anifest
Paper Tiger
May 5th
Guthrie

Maria Isa
May 7th
Cinco De Mayo Festival

Maria Isa -"Lowrider Mami's (Caddy, Lincoln, Chevys)"-mp3
Maria Isa -"Caramelo"-mp3

Raekwon -"Jolly Ranchers (prod. by Alchemist)"-mp3

Wu-Tang's Raekwon hooks up with Alchemist for "Jolly Ranchers", off Brinks Boys Vol 2 mixtape. Check out Sound Verite's review of Meth, Ghost & Rae's Wu-Massacre at Reviler. Peace to NR.

Raekwon-"Jolly Ranchers (prod. by Alchemist)"-mp3
Meth, Ghost & Raekwon -"Dangerous"-mp3
Raekwon & Method Man -"Meth Vs. Chef"-mp3

Thom Yorke -"Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)"-mp3

Thom Yorke and his band Atoms Of Peace ran through a highly energetic performance of Joy Division's classic "Love Will Tear Us Apart" at the Fox Theatre in Oakland, CA., April 15th. Cheers to Music Is Art.

Thom Yorke -"Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division)"-mp3
Flying Lotus ft Thom Yorke -"...And The World Laughs With You"-mp3

Andreya Triana -"Lost Where I Belong (prod.by Flying Lotus)"-mp3

U.K. songbird Andreya Triana hooks up with Flying Lotus for her debut single on Ninja Tunes, she's definitely one to watch. The sultry, psychedelic soul stylings are in league with the new Erykah Badu. Shout out Scottish Friction.

Andreya Triana -"Lost Where I Belong (prod.by Flying Lotus)"-mp3

Dark Dark Dark -"Trouble No More (Ghostband Remix)"-mp3

Minneapolis/New York/New Orleans arty folk ensemble, accordion rockers Dark Dark Dark celebrate the release of their new ep Bright Bright Bright. On first listen the haunting "Something For Myself" with it's swelling vocal choir alone is worth the cost of this 6-song ep Bright Bright Bright, available on vinyl and Itunes. peace to MFR.

Dark Dark Dark
Apr. 15th
Cedar Cultural Center

Dark Dark Dark -"Trouble No More (Ghostband Remix)"-mp3
Dark Dark Dark -"Bright Bright Bright"-mp3

Kurt Vile – “Invisibility: Nonexistent” -mp3

Philadelphia's psych/blues wonder Kurt Vile follows up his critically praised debut solo jump Childish Prodigy, with "Invisibility: Nonexistent". "Invisibility: Nonexistent" is the first track off the forthcoming Square Shells EP, out May 25th on Matador. Cheers to MBV.

Kurt Vile – "Invisibility: Nonexistent"-mp3

Guilty Simpson - "Killer (Oh No Remix)"-mp3

Name a modern, lyrical, hard rhyming rapper quick, if you didn't say Guilty Simpson, fuckit. Detroit's finest preps his new Madlib collabo project OJ Simpson with a pair of remix's from Oh No. OJ Simpson out May 18th on Stones Throw. via NahRight.

Guilty Simpson -"Killer (Oh No Remix)"-mp3
Guilty Simpson -"Y’all Scared (Oh No Remix)"-mp3
Guilty Simpson -"Cali Hills"-mp3

Cornershop ft. M.I.A. -"Topshop (Cavemen Mix)"-mp3

Cornershop's 2004 single "Topshop" had a remix featuring M.I.A., and magically it was premiered by Spin earlier today. The track has been floating around for a few years. Maybe that's got something to do with Cornershop new self-released Judy Sucks A Lemon For Breakfast. Shout out I Smells Like Money.

Cornershop ft. M.I.A. -"Topknot" (Cavemen Mix)-mp3
M.I.A. -"There's Space For Ol Dat I See (Space Odyssey)"-mp3
Cornershop -"The Roll Off Characteristics (Solo RMX)"-mp3

Blue Sky Blackout -"Somebody Said That You Loved Me"-mp3

Minneapolis has being doing Oasis, since well Oasis, Black Sky Blackout debut 3side single Clear From A Mile Away keeps in the "Brit-Pop" tradition of the Susstones label. The 3side single includes the future hit "Somebody Said That You Loved Me", "Libertine" and "The Drugs Don't Work" recommended for fans of BRMC and Dandy Warhols. Blue Sky Blackout plays The Voltage:Fashion Amplified extravaganza at First Avenue Fri., Apr. 16th, alongside The Red Pens, Caroline Smith & The Good Night Sleeps, Mayda & Ruby Isle.

Blue Sky Blackout -"Somebody Said That You Loved Me"-mp3

Trama -"I'm A Big Fucking Deal"-mp3

The creative MC from Queens, NY, residing in Minneapolis the last decade, the always grindin' multi-tasker, besides releasing various critically acclaimed mixtapes and records, by day works as a video director and graphic designer. Trama delivers the Unatrama mixtape, the prequel to his final record Viet-Tram the audio movie. On the first track "I'm A Big Fucking Deal", Trama goes in over The Clipse/Kayne West collabo "I"m Kinda Of A Big Deal". The mixtape Unatrama will be available for free exclusively at Fifth Element April 27th from 6pm-8pm. He'll discuss why Viet-Tram is his final record.

Trama
DJ Stage One
Fifth Element
Apr. 27th

Trama -"I'm A Big Fucking Deal"-mp3

Wale -"Breakup Song"-mp3

D.C.'s Wale leaked a new track today via his twitter. "The Breakup Song" which he says is "for the lovers and those with the broken hearts" rides a sample of the Stevie Wonder classic "All I Do". Wale's currently on tour with K'naan.

Wale -"Breakup Song"-mp3
Wale -"I'm Ill"-mp3

Sebastien Grainger -"Its A Living"-video

Sebastien Grainger ex-DFA 1979


Toronto's Sebastien Grainger (ex-DFA 1979) gets his inner James Black and the Contortions on for the clip to his punk/jazz/funk romp "It's A Living". The "It's A Living" video was shot and directed by Grainger as the track was being recorded with Joseph Shabason on sax. The song is the b-side of the 2009's "Who Do We Care For?" 7"/Digital EP. Grainger can also be heard on the new Broken Social Scene, Forgiveness Rock Record out May 4th.

Sebastien Grainger -"American Names"-mp3

Gayngs -“Faded High" -mp3

New sexy mega-band project Gayngs headed by producer Ryan Olson (Digitata, Building Better Bombs) with Bon Iver and Solid Gold's Zach Coulter. While the first leak "The Gaudy Side Of Town" was more porno soundtrack cool with the hushed vocals of Solid Gold's Coulter and Bon Iver's Justin Vernon. The new track "Faded High" has contributions from Vernon, Dessa (Doomtree), Channy Moon Casselle (Roma di Luna) and Maggie Morrison (Lookbook) on this 7 minute airy electro jump where they proclaim "I want your body on me". Gayngs debut Relayed, also co-stars P.O.S., Megafaun, members of Solid Gold, Mystery Palace, The Rosebuds, Leisure Birds and Michael Lewis (Happy Apple/Andrew Bird). arrives May 11th on Jagjaguwar. The track premiered over Stereogum

Gayngs -"Faded High"-mp3
Gayngs -"The Gaudy Side Of Town"-mp3

dead prez with Toki Wright, Maria Isa at From Vices To Verses

Revolutionary hip-hop artist dead prez return to Minneapolis for the “From Vices to Verses” a conference featuring workshops, performances, discussions and educational events centered on how hip hop pedagogy, activism and culture can educate, empower and transform communities. You know the drill "It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop"! Also performing Tru Ruts camp, Ill Chemistry and PosNoSys.

dead prez
Toki Wright
Maria Isa
Apr. 10th
Cabooze

dead prez -"It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop"-mp3
Toki Wright ft. Brother Ali -"The Feeling"-mp3
Maria Isa -"Caramelo"-mp3

Thom Yorke -"Chris Hodge"-mp3

Performing with his new band Atoms of Peace, Thom Yorke introduces yet another new stunner "Chris Hodge" live at Roseland Ballroom in NYC April 5th. Some are referring to the track as "Let There Be Control". The latest in a slew of recent new solo tracks,hopefully there's a Radiohead/and or Yorke album somewhere in the near future. Yorke and Atoms of Peace are on tour now with Flying Lotus in support, Flying Lotus brilliant new Cosmogramma in stores May 4th. Cheers to OneThirty BPM

Thom Yorke -"Chris Hodge"-mp3
Flying Lotus ft Thom Yorke -"...And The World Laughs With You"-mp3
Radiohead -"Kid A (dangerDAN Remix)" -mp3

Madlib -"Medicine Show 420 (snippet)"-mp3

Madlib's 4th installement of the Medicine Show series, 420 Chalace All Stars aka Son Of Super Ape All Jamaican Sounds. Here he goes diggin' in the crates in Jamaica. Madlib's 420 extravaganza is an 80-minute dub/roots/reggae mixtape which comes with a 12-page booklet and medicinal marijuana guide for Los Angeles. Pre-order at Stones Throw.

Madlib -"Medicine Show 420 (snippet)"-mp3

Communist Daughter -"Not The Kid"-mp3

Prescott, Wisconsin/Minneapolis indie strummers Communist Daughter latest lo-fi affair Soundtrack to the End, will be released on April 6th, via Grain Belt Records. Communist Daughter will be playing a free in-store at Electric Fetus as part of their MinnEconomy Series. They recently got some love from hipster taste makers at Fader who premiered their new single "Not The Kid". City Pages also has a feature highlighting the colorful past of leader Johnny Solomon.

Communist Daughter
Apr. 8th
Electric Fetus

Communist Daughter –Not The Kid-mp3

Trouble Andrew -"Push"-mp3

Snowboard hero, Santigold boyfriend Trouble Andrew preps his new The Trouble Gang Mixtape, droppin' May 1st with the slow rolling after-party bounce of "Push".

Trouble Andrew -"Push"-mp3
Santigold -"Shove It (Trouble Andrew Remix)"-mp3
Trouble Andrew ft. Diplo -"Run,Hide"-mp3
Trouble Andrew -"Falling Apart"-mp3

Dada Trash Collage -"In Season"-mp3

Minneapolis now has it's own freak-trippy outfit in Dada Trash Collage the brainchild of William Freed, whose spiraling daydream "In Season" is a dead ringer for a Animal Collective b-side with it's awesome repeated first line of chorus "I know it's hard to breathe". Dada Trash Collage worked with producer Scott Colburn (Arcade Fire, Animal Collective) on their ep Rain War. DTC's new full length Neighbors, is also produced by Colburn and will be released May 4th. Spotted at the good folks over at MFR.

Dada Trash Collage -"In Season"-mp3

Method Man & Ghostface -"It's That Wu-Shit"-mp3

Wu-Tang Clan! Another joint "Its That Wu-Shit" off the hard hitting and incredibly too short Meth, Ghost & Rae record Wu-Massacre. via NR

Method Man & Ghostface -"It's That Wu-Shit"-mp3
Raekwon -"Disposable Guns"-mp3
Raekwon -"Canal Street"-video

Jonsi – "Stick & Stones" -mp3

New track from Jonsi off the How To Train Your Dragons soundtrack. Jonsi's solo jump contender, Go out April 4th. Shout out redthreat

Jonsi
April 24th & 25th
Pantages Theathre

Jonsi –"Stick & Stones"-mp3

MGMT “Flash Delirium” -video

Brooklyn's MGMT switch it up, no longer the M.I.A. like band of hipster electro beats and trippy loops, now their going psychedelic pop in a lane closer to the Flaming Lips. Even MGMT's Ben Goldwasser apologized to Spinner for "Flash Delirium", their record Congratulations is a keeper. Congratulations is out April 13th.

Buffalo Moon -"Poolside Dreaming"-mp3

Minneapolis is not the first place you think of Bossa Nova, well Buffalo Moon may change that, with their unique brand of lo-fi psychedelic bossa nova, inspired by Astrud Gilberto and Stereolab, reminiscent of early Feist. Led by their guitarist/harpist/main vocalist, Karen Freire originally from Ecuador, alongside four musicians from South Dakota and boom, you have the next wave of indie cabaret music. Their debut Wetsuit is available now on rising cassette specialty label Moon Glyph. Their CD release show for Wetsuit is April 9th with Chelsea Boy and Daughters of the Sun (DJ set).

Buffalo Moon
The Bedlam Theatre
Apr. 9th

Buffalo Moon -"Poolside Dreaming"-mp3
Daughters of the Sun -"Ancient of the Ancients (excerpt)"-mp3

RTD Presents The Four Horsemen -mixtape ft. Muja Messiah

RTD Presents The Four Horsemen, Khal at Rock The Dub has been holding it down for New Jersey underground with the tagline "the least jiggy and the most no frills.". Here's his compilation to celebrate 4 yrs in the game. Included among the 23 tracks from indie/underground artist is Minneapolis' Muja Messiah & Samarha Daly of Black Blondie.

Muja Messiah ft. Samahra Daly "Critically Acclaimed" (MPLS representer Muja hooks up with one of the beautiful voices of Black Blondie for this one. Dude's always helped with content since the site got some solid legs, so I am always welcoming his latest material. He's been kind of quiet, so I imagine there's a full project or 3 sitting on deck lol.)

RTD Presents The Four Horsemen-mixtape