The Horrors Are Next Brit Band To Take Over. Sorry, Radiohead.

With hints of Radiohead, Blur and The Verve, this group of young Brits is something special.

Formed in 2005, The Horrors are a post-punk, semi-shoegaze band from Southend on Sea, England. They have three albums out so far: Strange House, Primary Colours and their newest being Skying (released in July). Each album has progressively climbed the UK charts. Their first album getting to 37th overall and Skying reaching an outstanding 5th overall. It's no surprise Louise Brailey, of the UK's 'NME' magazine, called the group "one of this generation's most important bands."

While not as complete and whole of an album as Primary Colours, Skying showcases the group's growing maturity. The songs have more meaning somehow, with a clear focus being on atmosphere, background and significant subject matter . Faris Badwan (lead singer) is more comfortable and confident with his singing than ever before and it enhances each song's overall appeal greatly.

The band recently recorded a live performance in New York City's famed Webster Hall for MTV Hive. The song featured below, "Moving Further Away", is one of two centerpieces to Skying (the other being "Still Life"). It's an impressive and meditative sprawling piece that shows you the band isn't afraid of letting things develop. Patience is a virtue and this song is the reward. Give it some time to sink in and appreciate the waxing and waning of the energy. Enjoy.

The Horrors
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The Horrors, MTV Hive

Lykke Li Gaining Momentum

Already proven, Lykke Li shows she has more tricks up her sleeve.

Li's new album, Wounded Rhymes, was released this past February to near universal acclaim. Metacritic gave it a "universal acclaim" rating of 83/100 and BBC Music proclaimed "another outstanding album" and "...there is a level of subtlety at work here far more sophisticated than most mainstream releases, the sound's sheer size is almost overwhelming."

Having had enough of the cold weather and cold emotions in Stockholm, Lykke Li decided to write the album in Los Angeles. Li said, "I was totally romanticizing the idea of Los Angeles when The Doors, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young were hanging out there. I was trying to find David Lynch and Leonard Cohen with no luck. It was just more of a retreat."

Directed by Tarik Saleh and featuring Stellan Skarsgård (Pirates Of The Caribbean and Thor), this video doesn't lack star-power. Lykke Li displays the raw emotion you'd expect to find in a seasoned actress, and the whole setting of the video contrasts the music of the song. It really does look like a scene from David Lynch's Twin Peaks so in a sense she did find her own, inner version of Lynch somewhere in the hills of the city of angels. "Sadness Is a Blessing" shines a light on the power of changing attitudes for a positive outlook. Vocally driven with minimal distraction, Li has layered the song so the lyrics absorb completely. This piece must resonate with her because it feels as if she's yelling the message to you from on top of a hill, but the valley below turns that yelling into a clear, melodic-sounding verse of song. Enjoy.

Dum Dum Girls New Album Out Soon-Bhang!

"Things can be so awful but at least they can be bliss."
-Dee Dee Penny

Dee Dee, also known as Kristen Gundred, formed Dum Dum Girls back in 2008. Quickly gaining attention from her solo songs, Sub Pop signed her in 2009 and a four piece band formed as a result. They went on to release their first full album, I Will Be, the following year. Their new album is due out this September and pre-orders were just made possible two days ago (Aug. 8th). 

Inspired by the likes of The Ramones, Patti Smith, The Beach Boys and Billie Holliday, DDG have a really nice throwback, stripped-down sound that doesn't try too hard to impress. With subtle notes of Blondie (producer Richard Gottehrer produced Blondie as well) and other Rockabilly-esque artists, "Bhang, Bhang, I'm a Burnout" turns distorted echo into loveable pop. Enjoy.

Air France New Track (Mix by Star Slinger)

Having already signed with Sincerely Yours, Swedish duo Air France ( Joel Karlsson and Henrik Markstedt) are almost done with their first full length album. They released an EP (2008), No Way Down, that generated a lot of buzz from music magazines and even pulled in a 8.6 rating on Pitchfork's Best New Music section. 
Having only released an EP so far, this post-rave bliss duo have their work cut out for them to be recognized on the world stage. But without a doubt they are up for the challenge. They have teamed up with Star Slinger to put out a track that makes you stop and double-take. Fluid with just the right amount of heart-thumping beat, it's a laid back song that makes you feel like spinning around and around with a huge smile on your face. "It Feels Good To Be Around You" feels really good around you, especially as sound-waves coming from that outdated, turn-dial, gold and blue stereo system out in your garage. Hook it up, play the song and enjoy.

SBTRKT featuring Drake; Announces North American Tour

For anyone that likes electronic, dubstep, dance, or even a minimalist combination of all three I have your go-to artist.
SBTRKT got his start in the underground club scene of east London, specifically in a popular underground (literally) club called Plastic People. He met connections there that led him to Young Turk Records (where he has signed) and Sampha (A major contributor to both his new album and to SBTRKT's live shows).
SBTRKT released his debut album on June 28 and just announced a North American tour from Oct 25th to Nov 5th. He will be playing at venues such as the Bowery Ballroom in NYC, the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, Club Royale in Boston and Bluebird in Denver.
If you need any reason to go his show in your town then check out the clip below. Featuring an impromptu appearance by Drake while at a concert in Toronto, SBTRKT (playing drums) and Sampha (keyboards and synth) light up the dancehall with an intrinsic and organically moving sound. Complete with african masks and all, they are one duo you won't want to miss.
Enjoy.

New video for Best Coast directed by Drew Barrymore

When your album ranks 39th on Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2010, you know you've hit gold.

Best Coast is a glorious combination of lo-fi wishy-washy goodness and twangy, punchy surf rock that reminds you of that time when you went to that place and you heard that band. Forgotten memories of the past come swirling back when you press play to any number of their songs. Perfect for summer but always welcome year round, Crazy For You (BC's 2010 LP release) boasts songs like "Boyfriend", "When I'm With You" and "New Deal". 

Just released today and directed by Drew Barrymore, the video for "New Deal" stars Chloe Moretz, Donald Glover, Miranda Cosgrove, Alia Shawkat and Tyler Posey. It's throwback and it takes place in a cement riverbed, what else could you ask for?

Enjoy.

Get More: MTV Supervideo, Music, Best Coast

Can't Miss: Miami Horror + Kimbra

Catch 'em while they're hot!

Miami Horror is a disco boppin' lovefest hailing from good 'ol Melbourne, Australia. They have this throwback electronic sound that doesn't overwhelm you with layers upon layers of electronic gushiness. Benjamin Plant, the head producer behind MH, got his influences from Prince, New Order and Michael Jackson among many others. Plant began DJing at small house parties for groups friends and by 2008, he had released a slew of remixes for bands such as Bloc Party, The Presets, Datarock and The Dirty Secrets. Horror released their first EP, Bravado, shortly after in 2009. In 2010, they signed with EMI for full distribution in Australia and France and released their full length album, Illumination. For many of the tracks MH pulled in outside voices to contribute to the album. One such voice was Alan Palomo of Neon Indian and the talented Kimbra.
For all of you out there who have NOT heard of or listened to Kimbra: get on the bandwagon NOW! Kimbra has just signed with Warner Bros. for international distribution and that means she's headed for fame in the US. MH will relocate to the US very shortly for the same reason. Get to know these two wonderful artists, both of which are featured in the song I Look To You ft. Kimbra. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.