The 1975 – The City

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New British band The 1975 have been hard at work recently, having released three EP’s to date with their fourth, IV out on May 20th. I’ve been meaning to share the delectable track “Chocolate” from their latest EP Music for Cars for some time, however it was their sexy new video for “The City” that finally impelled me to pull the trigger on the post. Props to the artistic director as the vid features some stunning overlaid shots of the urban cityscape.

Also in the works is the group’s first full length album, which will be co-produced by Mike Crossey, the producer behind the Arctic Monkeys, Foals, and Ben Howard. The 1975 is getting ready to kick off a US tour with headliner The Neighbourhood — in my hometown of Tulsa no less (huzzah!) — on June 4th. More tour dates listed below.

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The 1975 w/ The Neighbourhood Tour Dates:
6/4 – Tulsa, OK @ Vanguard
6/5 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
6/7 – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s
6/8 – Austin, TX @ Antones
6/11 – Orlando, FL @ The Social
6/12 – St. Petersburg, FL @ The Local 662
6/14 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
6/15 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
6/17 – Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl
6/18 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend
6/19 – Norfolk, VA @ The Norva
6/22 – Rochester, NY @ Main Street Armory
6/23 – South Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground Showcase
6/25 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
6/26 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg
7/24 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour (headlining)
7/25 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop (headlining)

Ben Howard – Only Love

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Ben Howard is the adorable Brit and singer-songwriter, whom I first discovered via this Moonlight Matters Rework of his 2010 single “The Fear.” His debut album, Every Kingdom, released October 2011, and has been steadily climbing the charts ever since — peaking at #4 on the UK Albums Chart in February this year after landing two BRIT Awards.

While it’s hard to stand out in the vast singer-songwriter genre, Ben Howard manages to do so with his unique vocal stylings and haunting musical sensibilities. His sound reminds me of José González, which frankly, the world could use more of.

Upcoming US tour dates include Coachella next weekend, The Fillmore in SF directly thereafter, and then finally at Central Park Summer Stage in NY July 29 after a number of stops abroad (including Glastonbury in June!). Check out “Only Love” below, along with a mellowed out and remarkable rendering of “Call Me Maybe.”

Foals – My Number (T.E.E.D. Remix)

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Foals first landed on my radar with the release of their debut album, Antidotes in 2008. The indie group from Oxford have been making steady music ever since (particularly prominent in the UK), dropping their third studio album Holy Fire this month.

Although as a whole the music is a little too post-punk for me, I dig this house remix by the also Oxford-based (and totally amazing) producer Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (TEED) of their latest single “My Number.” Hot Chip also attempted a makeover over the song, but I much prefer TEED’s version. Check it out below, along with earlier effort of theirs “The French Open.”

Update: Foals will be coming to DC’s 930 Club May 5th!

Chlöe Howl – No Strings

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Chlöe Howl is a newcomer out of the UK, whose debut single “No Strings” is sure to strike a chord with many. Hard to believe the singer is only 17 years old given the track’s explicit content; but there’s no denying the catchiness — or verity of the theme — of this well-crafted pop song.

With all this love you’re unprotecting, 
I’d hate to think of what you’re collecting …