Up and coming rappreneur PHZ-Sicks joins forces with Detroit’s very own Young Scolla, and the results are something nice. The video, featuring the track “Success/Failure” is smooth like butta’ but pops like colliding atoms at CERN. PHZ-Sicks has been gaining traction since 2010 and is shining bright like the sun. Last year, January 5th, 2011, PHZ-Sicks released his much talked about The Laws of PHZ-Sicks mixtape, which only left fans wanting so much more. More recently, the young rapper has opened for such rising stars as Wale and J. Cole, but in 2012 I expect this VA. native to break out and gain a wider audience. PHZ-Sicks is without a doubt one of our picks to watch. Peace. Continue reading “PHZ-Sicks // Ft. Young Scolla – Success / Failure (Video)”
Xiu Xiu – HI
Back from a seemingly endless void, we can finally drop to our collective knees and say, “Thank you!” For those familiar, Xiu Xiu is a band, but to me its the metaphorical maladjusted step-child from the dark uncomfortable regions of your psyche. The neighbors in your mind will shun him, and try desperately to keep their own pristine children away. But unbeknownst, those overly clean children will gravitate towards him. Not because he is cool, but because he’s interesting, and tells the most wonderful stories. Yes, he’s slightly damaged, but wondrously resilient and resolves to never play the victim. He corals them one and all, and out into the world they go. He leads them into the darker parts of town. He learns their secrets and shares his as well. Each child learns things they should never be privy to, and divulge family secrets never previously told. Into the wide wilds of the underworld they trail tears and laughter, and he plies them with nothing more than daring. His arm about a shoulder, gives them song enough to house their pain and lift their chins to the sky. This is the world of Xiu Xiu and the long-awaited album Always will soon be among us, to light up everything. And make us uncomfortably curious for more. Peace.
The LP Always drops March 6th 2012. Pre-Order and get the “Hi” download free!
Always tracklisting: 1. Hi 2. Joey’s Song 3. Beauty Towne 4. Honey-Suckle 5. I Luv Abortion 6. The Oldness 7. Chimney’s Afire (Mickensian Suicide) 8. Gul Mudin 9. Born to Suffer 10. Factory Girl 11. Smear the Queen 12. Black Drum Machine Continue reading “Xiu Xiu – HI”
Moon Boots – Aretha EP
Alright, time to shed your workaday clothes, put on your party duds, and shake something. And you better believe I got the music for the occasion. Newly ordained DJ Moon Boots is serving it up hot and heavy with his latest stupefying Aretha EP, check it out. I also included the equally danceable track “Off My Mind.” We haven’t heard much from this newly sentient mixologist, but so far, so good. But best believe our antenna are now readjusted, and awaiting your next groove transmission. Peace. Continue reading “Moon Boots – Aretha EP”
The Embassy – Life In The Trenches / The Other Side of 2001-2011(Album)

What can be better than taking the best a band has to offer for over a decade and placing it all into a nice neat package? Well, nothing. Life In the Trenches – The Other Side of 2001-2011, is such a package and it is filled to the brim with wonderful treats to satisfy the old and new fan alike. Who can deny the work of Fredrik Lindson and Torbjörn Håkansson? The duo has made memorable music, which I’m sure has whispered into the ears of lovers dancing cheek to cheek, both horizontally and vertically alike. Well, what can you do, it’s just that kind of music. Inside this collection of songs you’ll find single-only tracks, rare tracks and new-old material never before released. It’s a sweet compilation of dance worthy (Flipside Of A memory, Flipside Of A memory & New Plans) and cuddle inducing (C’est la Vie) sounds. Cop it. Play it. And most importantly, do what you do while listening to it. Peace. Continue reading “The Embassy – Life In The Trenches / The Other Side of 2001-2011(Album)”
Caged Animals – All The Beautiful Things In The World (Video) ***(NSFW)***
For the past few hours I have been telling myself this, “I am not a voyeur, I am not a voyeur, I am not a voyeur…” But damn it! Maybe I am and a sinner too, because I just keep on watching the very, hmmm, er… “artful” video “All The Beautiful Things In The World,” by those esteemed Brooklyn gents Caged Animals led by the consummate master of adult lullaby’s Vin Cacchione. But really, I gotta stop beating myself up over this (Pun?), the human body is a beautiful “aesthetically pleasing form,” so there shouldn’t be any shame is admiring it, right? At any rate the video is the highbrow creation of filmmaker/visual artist Jamie Harley, and the song is taken from the bands full LP release Eat Their Own, which debuted back in September ’11. I’m also throwing in the invigorating video for the song, “Girls On Medication,” because it is too much damn fun! Peace. Continue reading “Caged Animals – All The Beautiful Things In The World (Video) ***(NSFW)***”
the history of apple pie // mallory
I think The History of Apple Pie is my fatal fuzzy fantasy band come to life, if not they’ll do until it gets here. Their music is the perfect blend of shaggy hair in your bubble gum — don’t worry, that’s just my way of describing their unshorn shoegazy pop sound. And the vocals of Stephanie Min make want to do unmentionable things to my speakers. Like rip ’em apart and commune with their fizzling innards. Hey, what can I say? I’m weird like that. Anyway, listen to the song “Mallory,” and if it makes you feel like putting on the warm wool sweater of nostalgia and pout into your yearbook, don’t say I didn’t warn you. THOAP is mighty, mighty delicious stuff. Peace. Continue reading “the history of apple pie // mallory”
Keepaway – Cake
If you happen to need a good reason to smile, then simply take matters into your own very capable hands and click on the tracks below. Yes. Instant smile eh!. The self-described Psych-Pop trio Keepaway are on the literal cusp of releasing their debut LP Black Flute via Das Racist’s Greedhead label. So, in honor of this momentous achievement let’s all play their stickily and funkily song, “Cake,” well into the night. Well, at least until those rowdy braless uddered cows come home way past curfew again. Damn cows! Peace.
By the way I just had to add the track, “Faces Now.” Why? Well, just because. Enjoy! Continue reading “Keepaway – Cake”
Battlekat // The Pain (Video)
She swallowed shards of flower petaled ice/Sung arias of longing and regret/She reached her strong durable hands out into the heavens and drew unto herself the flesh of stars/There I stood in a field of woe/Marveling at the silhouette of her voice howling into the night sky.
I am enthralled with Battlekat, formally referred to as ‘Just A Number 05272011′. I am continuously amazed as I listen to the kaleidoscopic jigsaw puzzle that is their music. Which,by the way sounds like it was made from the shattered souls of stained-glass Gothic cathedral windows. In my mind that’s an above level compliment. Agreed, its quirky, but just enough to keep things interesting. And the musicianship is as tight as Amber Rose’s pretty posterior. For this Best Fit Session live set, we have Bk playing their song, “The Pain,” and it is without a doubt something I want to listen and watch endlessly for the next week or so. And rest assured the song The Pain and a few others I snagged from iTunes will be on my playlist and on constant rotation. Another cool band from Scandinavia is always a good thing. Peace.
Battlekat – The Pain (Best Fit Session) from Best Fit Sessions on Vimeo.
Cool Rainbows – Southern Summer Sun
More cool stuff from almost down under. It’s a good thing I cast my musical net far and wide in order to catch wind of this Auckland, New Zealand band. The Cool Rainbows are everything you might expect from a band with such a, well, cool name. The band is headed by lead singer Djeisan Suskov, and the song, “Southern Summer Sun,” is the first release from their forthcoming debut album Whale Rocket via the Lil Chief Records. I got the video to the song below and it’s a very laid back and chilled out sort of deal. Plus, it sounds like everything you can imagine a song titled Southern Summer Sun would sound like; all shimmery and a bit tropical. Right now its available for a pay-as-you-like download. So after you’re finished soaking up the good vibes and sun worshiping the sounds, go cop this track for later use. By the way don’t forget your sunscreen. Peace. Continue reading “Cool Rainbows – Southern Summer Sun”
The Shins – Simple Song
About 40 minutes ago I got an e-mail from The Shins announcing the release of their first single, “Simple Song,” and boy is it nice. I am beyond happy. I really dig hearing James Mercer and his voice after a long hiatus. Plus, I’m really loving the guitar on this one, actually I love the whole damn thing. Good to have you guys back! Peace.
Listen to Port Of Morrows’ “Simple Song” endlessly now.









