Family Machine - Skeletons & That

"Skeletons & That" is the brilliant Halloween single from Oxford based Indie Rockers Family Machine and is available to download for free from BeardMuseum.co.uk/skeletons.

San Cisco - Beach (Video)

"Beach" is the title track from new Columbia Records signing San Cisco's forthcoming EP, which will be released on 10th December.

Video directed by Ruskin Kyle.

Previously: San Cisco - Wild Things (Video)

Rudimental - Not Giving In (Bondax Remix)

An easy choice for today's Song of The Day! Big up Bondax.

Previously: Bondax - Baby I Got That (Video)

Plan B - Playing With Fire ft. Labrinth & Etta Bond (Video)

"Playing With Fire" is taken from the soundtrack to iLL Manors, which I recently got to see (and recommend). You can buy the soundtrack now on iTunes UK.

Previously: Plan B - Deepest Shame (Video)

Kendrick Lamar - The Jig Is Up (Dump'n) (Prod. by J.Cole & Canei Finch)

Kendrick Lamar's back with some J. Cole produced heat, in celebration of making the biggest opening week sales by a male rapper this year and in retaliation to Shyne's comments about good kid, m.A.A.d. city.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Kendrick Lamar - The Jig Is Up (Dump'n) (Prod. by J.Cole & Canei Finch)

The 1975 - You

Taken from The 1975's forthcoming Sex EP, which is shaping up nicley and is available to Pre-Order now on iTunes UK/ iTunes US.

Previously: The 1975 - Sex (Video)

Lucy Rose - Middle Of The Bed (Video)

Good music from Lucy Rose, as always.

Video directed  by Orestes Mitas.

Previously: Lucy Rose - Bikes (Video)

The 1975 - Sex (Video)

The 1975's brilliant new single "Sex" will be released in the UK on 19th November/20th November in the US and is available to Pre-Order now on iTunes UK/ iTunes US. 

Video directed by James Booth.

Lulu James - Be Safe (Video)

"Be Safe" will be released on 19th November on Black Butter Records. Still can't enough of this tune!

Juliyaa - Stars & Dragons EP (Preview)

Juliyaa is a half Welsh half Ghanaian singer-songwriter from North London, who’s music I’ve previously featured on Best In New Music. On 1st November she will be releasing Stars & Dragons, her new EP. I have been lucky enough to enjoy the pleasure of listening to the EP before its release and can say it is a project something Juliyaa should be proud of. Stars & Dragons features a good mix of tempos, moods and arrangements; from the “Earthquake” inspired “Tidal Wave” to the acoustic “IWIHIA” which can be enjoyed almost purely for Juliyaa’s vocal. It is perhaps fitting that the EP’s title track is “Stars & Dragons” as it is one of the EP’s best songs and ends the project on an uplifiting vibe. 

You’ll have to wait until 1st November to enjoy Juliyaa's Stars & Dragons EP but good things comes to those who wait - as the saying goes!

UPDATE: Here's a teaser for "Tidal Wave":


You can downlaod Juliyaa's Stars and Dragons EP, for free from Juliyaa.bandcamp.com. 

Previously: Juliyaa - Smile (Video)

Gold Link James - Black Ski Mask

Gold Link James provides today's Song of The Day.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Gold Link James - Black Ski Mask

Marie Dahlstrom - In The Air (Phil Collins Cover)

Marie Dahlstrom treats us to a cover of Phil Collins' classic "In The Air Tonight".

Filmed and edited by Dan Pick

Previously: Marie Dahlstrom - Search

Album Review: Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D City

At times hype can super seed the talent and quality of an artist’s music (take one listen to Kreashawn’s debut album for proof). One person who has been one of the poster kids for the new school of rappers is Kendrick Lamar. While his releases to date have been pretty damn good, the question remained whether Kendrick would (as many have done before him) change the formula that has so far been successful in the hope of chart success. Read on to find out whether the hype surrounding Kendrick Lamar is deserved or whether it was all hyperbole.

The title of Kendrick Lamar’s major label debut album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is an interesting one from every aspect. The title has two meanings the first being ‘My Angry Adolescent Divided’ and the more poignant one being ‘My Angels on Angel Dust’. In his song of the same title “M.A.A.D City”, which features MC Eiht, Kendrick touches on his first experience of smoking a blunt which has since deterred him from smoking again - the angel on angel dust was infact Kendrick.

“And they wonder why I rarely smoke now

Imagine if your first blunt had you foaming at the mouth” – Kendrick Lamar on “M.A.A.D City”

Kendrick’s good or angelic side (in the positive sense) has a big presence on the album. The album’s second song and interestingly titled “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” is a key case in point. The song takes an interesting look at the life of a rising rapper and the challenges that he or she will face. It is good to hear that although it must be easy for Kendrick to succumb to the attraction of getting radio play, Kendrick expresses that he is more concerned with making honest music that’s truer to Hip Hop’s mantra of ‘keeping it real’.

“I'm trying to keep it alive and not compromise the feeling we love

You trying to keep it deprived and only co-sign what radio does” – Kendrick Lamar on “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”

Homeboy Sandman - Whatchu Want From Me (Video)

Homeboy Sandman video for one of the best songs on his new album First of a Living Breed and you can download it for free from Stonesthrow.com.

Video directed by Pace Rivers.

Previously: Homeboy Sandman - Not Really (Video)

Angel Haze - Classick (Mixtape)

Angel Haze is back with a new mixtape following her recent freestyle over Eminem's "Cleaning Out My Closet".

Previously: Angel Haze - Werkin Girls (Video) 

FREE DOWNLOAD: Angel Haze - Classick (Mixtape)

Rudimental - Not Giving In ft. John Newman & Alex Clare (Video)

"Not Giving In" will be released on 18th November and is available to Pre-Order now on iTunes UK.

Written and Directed by Josh Cole.

Danny Brown - Wit It (Video)

Danny Brown's No Limit Records inspired video for his new banger "Wit It".

Video directed by Bijoux Altamirano.

Previously: Danny Brown - Grown Up (Video)

Night Engine - On and On

It's good and it's free - there's nothing not to like about "On and On"!

FREE DOWNLOAD: Night Engine - On and On

Julia Stone - Justine (Video)

Julia Stone's cool video for her new single "Justine".

Video directed by Jessie Hill.

Buy "Jsutine": iTunes UK | iTunes US

Previously: Julia Stone - You're The One That I Want (Acoustic)

King Krule - Octopus (Ratking Remix)

Wow, Ratking killed this remix! 

Previously: King Krule - Rock Bottom

Erdbeerschnitzel - Tetra

I've had the pleasure to listen to Erdbeerschnitzel's new album Tender Leaf and as I said before it's pretty damn good! Today I am pleased to say that I can share something from it, "Tetra", which  Erdbeerschnitzel is giving away as a free download below. Tender Leaf  will be released on 19th November.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Erdbeerschnitzel - Tetra

Ravens and Chimes - Division Street (Video)

"Division Street" is the briliant first single to be taken from Holiday Life, the forthcoming sophomore release by fast rising New York based five-piece Ravens & Chimes. The band will be touring Europe starting November, head to RavensAndChimes.com for more info. "Division Street" will be released on 19th November.

Video directed by Josh Shayne.

Charlie Cooper - Beautiful Clown

 

Charlie Cooper is a new female Soul artist from Manchester and by the sounds of "Beautiful Clown" she's got a bright future ahead of her. Look out for Charlie's forthcoming EP, which will be released soon.

Theme Park - Wildest Moments (Jessie Ware Cover)

Theme Park have covered Jessie Ware's brilliant single "Wildest Moments" and it's available to download for free from the band's Facebook Page Facebook.com/ThemeParkBand. The band's forthcoming Two Hours EP will be released on 12th November and a remix by Mad Decent's Dawn Golden & Rosy Cross has just been released here.

Previously: Theme Park - Two Hours (Video)

Jakwob - Blinding ft. Rocky Nti (Video)

"Blinding" will be released on 18th November and is available to Pre-Order now on iTunes UK.

Video directed by Billy Boyd Cape.

Previously: Jakwob - The Prize (Mixtape)

The Weeknd - Wicked Games (Video)

The Weeknd’s latest visual for his Trilogy album, which will be released on 12th November (UK) & 13th November (US). You can get "Wicked Games" now for free if you can't wait until then (and don't already have it) by clicking here.

Video directed by Abel Tesfaye (AKA The Weeknd).

Previously: The Weeknd - Rolling Stone (Video)

AlunaGeorge - This Is How We Do It (Montell Jordan Cover)

AlunaGeorge passed through the BBC Live Lounge yesterday and performed a cover of Montell Jordan's 90's classic "This Is How We Do It" and smashed it! The duo also slipped in a performance of their new single "Your Drums, Your Love".

Previously: Rustie - After Light feat. AlunaGeorge

San Cisco - Wild Things (Video)

Saw this band perform live last week, you should too if you get the chance. "Wild Things" is taken from San Cisco's forthcoming self-titled debut album out November 23, 2012 in Australia.

Directed by Kasimir Burgess.

Previously: San Cisco - Rocket Ship (Video)

Die Antwoord - Fatty Boom Boom (Video)

Another epic video by Die Antwoord, guess I was right!

Directed by Ninja, Terence Neale and Saki Fokken Berg.

Previously: Die Antwoord - Baby’s On Fire (Video)

Stay+ - Crashed feat. Queenie

"Crashed" will be released 5th November on Black Butter Records .

Previously: Stay+ - Guardian

Roosevelt - Sea

Tune!

Buy "Sea": iTunes UK | iTunes US

The XX - Chained (Video)

"Chained" is the second single to be released from The XX's critically acclaimed, number one album Coexist which is out now on iTunes UK & iTunes US.

Video directed by Young Replicant in partnership with The Creators Project.

Those That Know - Arise (Funkystepz Loveshy Mix)

Funkystepz's absolutely massive remix of Those That Know's "Arise".

FREE DOWNLOAD: Those That Know - Arise (Funkystepz Loveshy Mix)

Previously: Rude Kid - Get Busy (Funkystepz Loveshy Vocal Mix)

Kanye West - White Dress

"White Dress" was co-produced by RZA and Kanye West and is taken from the soundtrack to RZA's new film The Man With The Iron Fists. The soundtrack will be released on 23rd October and is available to Pre-Order and now by clicking here.

Previously: Review: G.O.O.D. Music - Cruel Summer

Lewis Watson - Sink or Swim (Video)

"Sink or Swim" is taken from Lewis Watson's new EP, Another Four Sad Songs, which will be released on 21st October and can be Pre-Ordered now on iTunes UK.

Previously: Krept & Konan - Let Go ft Lewis Watson (Acoustic Video)

Rick Ross - Diced Pineapples ft. Wale & Drake (Video)

If Carlsberg directed Rick Ross' music videos then they'd have some stiff competition for this video! Probably Rozay's best to date.

Video directed by Director X.

Buy "Diced Pineapples": iTunes UK | iTunes US

Previously: Rick Ross - The Black Bar Mitzvah (Mixtape)

Saturday, Monday - Headshake feat. Julia Spada (Video)

"Handshake" is available to buy now on iTunes UK & iTunes US.

Video directed by Emile Rafael.

Lana Del Rey - Ride (Video)

"Ride" is taken from Born To Die - The Paradise Edition which is released on 12th November and available to Pre-Order now on iTunes UK & iTunes US.

Video directed by Anthony Mandler.

Previously: Lana Del Rey - Blue Velvet (Video)

Lili K - Curtain Call (Video)

"Curtain Call" is the first single to be taken from Lili K's sophomore EP, Metal Petals which will be released later this October. If you're not yet familiar with Lili K then click here for a quick introduction to this talented singer.

Lulu James - Be Safe

 "Be Safe" was produced by Hostage & Kidnap Kid and will be released on 19th November via Black Butter Records. Such a big tune!

Angel Haze - Werkin Girls (Video)

Taken from Angel Haze's Reservation mixtape which you can download for free by clicking here.

Video directed by BRTHR films.

Previously: Angel Haze - New York (Video)

Shout Timber - East India Trading Company (Video)

"East India Trading Company" is the first of two singles to be released this year by Indie Rockers, Shout Timber. The song is the band’s take on travelling through India for the first time and the accompanying video takes us on that journey too!

Released on the 29th October

Directed & Edited by Austin Taylor.

Bat for Lashes - The Haunted Man (Album Sampler)

Listen to a preview of Bat For Lashes' new album The Haunted Man which will be released on 15th October and is available to Pre-order now on iTunes UK & iTunes US.

Previously: Bat For Lashes - Marilyn

The Family Rain - Trust Me...I'm a Genius (Video)

"Trust Me...I'm a Genius" is the first song from The Family Rain, a band made up of brothers Will, Tim and Ollie Walter. They have played music together since they were kids and their songs were written in the basement of their parents home in Bath. The boys will be playing the NME Stage at SWN Festival on October 20th, if you'd like to see them live head to swnfest.com for more info.

Video directed and edited by the Family Rain.

Buy "Trust Me...I'm a Genius": iTunes UK | iTunes US

Disclosure - Latch feat. Sam Smith (Video)

Thumbs up for the video and the song's not bad either!

Video directed by Ross McDowell & Ben Murray.

Buy "Latch": iTunes UK | iTunes US

Rhye - The Fall (Video)

A cool video for the title track to Rhye's Fall EP which is out now on iTunes UK & iTunes US.

Video directed by Daniel Kragh-Jacobsen.

Stubborn Heart - Starting Block

"Starting Block" is taken from London and Oxford bred duo Luca Santucci and Ben Fitzgerald aka Stubborn Heart's self titled debut album which will be released on 5th November. Stubborn Heart will be performing their debut London show at Rough Trade East on the day their album's  released - 5th November, so you can kill two birds with one stone! Stubborn Heart is available to Pre-Order now on iTunes UK.