alt-J – Hunger Of The Pine // Left Hand Free

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Cult indie trio alt-J will release their second full-length album, This Is All Yours, September 22 via Canvasback. The English band’s first single, “Hunger Of The Pine,” retains their trademark atmospheric sound, but adds the unexpected with a sample from Miley Cyrus’ song “4×4” that works surprisingly well. Discussing the song’s creation in an interview with NPR, keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton said: “It was written very quickly using some guitar chords and sounds being layered on Ableton, and seemed to signal a bit of a new sound for us. The lyrics mainly suggest the idea that missing someone — pining — can be a physical pain much like hunger.”

Also hot off the press is their second release, “Left Hand Free,” which is a markedly different sound from the former. Safe to say that true to their sobriquet, their sophomore effort will be a fresh new triumph for the group. Stream both songs below as you hunger for the new album.

alt-J will tour the UK and US this fall, making a final stop in the district November 19.

Sleeplessly embracing
Yawn yearns into me
Plenty more tears in the sea

Mac DeMarco – Passing Out Pieces

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Montreal’s Mac DeMarco released his new album Salad Days via Captured Tracks the first of this month. And for only a 23-year-old, DeMarco demonstrates remarkable craftsmanship — and a world weariness that is a marked departure from earlier efforts. Albeit still quirky in his aesthetic, the Justin Kirk look-alike manages to show a more authentic side of himself on the LP with his blend of understated pop and lo-fi sound. Stream the dismal single “Passing Out Pieces” below.

BROODS – Bridges + ASTR

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Brother/sister duo BROODS has made quite the impression on the blogosphere, and with their hit debut single “Bridges” it’s easy to understand why. Produced by the Grammy award-winning (and Lorde producer) Joel Little, the New Zealand siblings Georgia and Caleb Nott are clearly poised for international success with their ethereal atmospheric sound. What’s really blowing me away though is the below remix from NY production duo ASTR, who apply a breathtaking balearic beat and melody that manages to elevate the original in my mind. If you’re in the DC market, you can catch BROODS at U Street Music Hall this Friday, May 2 and ASTR opening for The Knocks at 930 Club June 16.

RAC – Cheap Sunglasses (ft. Matthew Koma)

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RAC has just released Part II of his debut album, Strangers — Part I of which was dropped last month. The renowned Portland-based remixer, born André Allen Anjos has outdone himself with this release, which features all new material he co-wrote and produced himself. Perhaps that’s why the track “Cheap Sunglasses” is featured as iTunes Single of the Week — meaning it’s available for free download for a limited time. So pick it up today and start prepping your summer playlist now.

The album also features a number of collaborations, including our favorite with new indie group SPEAK who recently supported RAC on tour. Listen to the collab “I Should’ve Guessed” below and grab the full LP on iTunes here.

SPEAK – Weiss + This Much I Know

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SPEAK is a new Austin-based band who recently released the stunning single “Weiss + This Much I Know.” The tranquil track begins with an Americana sound, slowly advancing into a beautiful progression of chords and leaving me wishing the song didn’t have to end at 3:18. Looking forward to hearing more from these guys. In the meantime, pick up the complimentary track here. And if you’re in NY, catch them opening for RAC at Rough Trade in Brooklyn tonight.

Sharon Van Etten – Taking Chances

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Sharing the first single from her upcoming album, Sharon Van Etten reveals the plaintive, downtempo track “Taking Chances.” In a departure from her traditional folk sound, the Brooklyn singer-songwriter employs an exquisite blend of electronic drums and layered vocals on the track. Her LP Are We There will be released May 26 via the label Jagjaguwar (Angel Olsen, Bon Iver, Unknown Mortal Orchestra).

 

Sharon has quite the busy agenda this summer:

5/08 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
5/09 Hudson, NY – Helsinki Hudson
5/10 Providence, RI – Columbus Theatre
5/11 Hamden, CT – Ballroom at the Outer Space
5/25 Brussels, Belgium – Le Botanique
5/28 Paris, France – Café de la Danse
5/30 Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Sound Festival
6/01 Cologne, Germany – Studio 672
6/02 Berlin, Germany – Privatclub
6/03 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Bitterzoet
6/05 London, England – KOKO
6/11 Boston, MA – Sinclair
6/12 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg (Northside Festival)
6/13-14 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
6/17 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
6/18 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
6/19 Millvale, PA – Mr. Small’s
6/20 Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
6/21 Nashville, TN – Exit In
6/24 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
6/25 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
6/28 Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
6/29-30 San Francisco, CA – The Independent
7/02-03 Portland, OR – Doug Fir
7/05 George, WA – Sasquatch Festival
7/06 Vancouver, British Columbia – Rickshaw Theatre
7/08 Calgary, Alberta – Republik
7/09 Edmonton, Alberta – Starlite Room
7/14 Fargo, ND – Aquarium
7/16 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
7/17 Madison, WI – University of Wisconsin
7/18 Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Music Festival
8/14-17 Wales, England – Green Man Festival

Caveman – In The City

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Brooklyn continues to churn out good musicians at a rapid rate. Caveman released a self-titled album in 2013 under Fat Possum Records. The five-piece was formed as the individual members’ respective projects all disbanded (The Subjects lead singer Matthew Iwanusa and guitarist Jimmy “Cobra” Carbonetti, White Clam keyboardist Sam Hopkins, The End of the World drummer Stefan Marolachakis, and Elefant bassist Jeff Berrall).

They are playing a gig in Brooklyn March 5, and will be heading to Europe in late May.

Jungle – Lucky I Got What I Want // The Heat

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Jungle video: Icky and Silence in The Heat. Photograph: PR company handout

Formed at the start of 2013, Jungle is the enigmatic new London duo consisting of best friends “J” and “T”. The loneliest place is in your own head, so you have to share it with other people to make it real, says J. They’ve already built up quite the fan base in the blogosphere over the past year, so much so that their first show in London this past December sold out in less than 24 hours. They will be supporting HAIM in March around Europe as well as a handful of places in the U.S., so check out their tour schedule below and catch this promising group live if you can.

Stream their song “Lucky I Got What I Want” from their debut EP The Heat, and watch their groovy video for the title track below. Co-directed by J and T, the vid featuring the dance moves of Icky and Silence from the High Rollaz UK skate crew.

2014 Tour Dates:

3/1 – Le Trianon Hall, Paris *
3/3 – Paradiso, Amsdterdam *
3/4 – Village Undergound, London
3/6 – Brixton Academy, London *
3/7 – Brighton Dome, Brighton*
3/8 – Rough Trade, New York
3/9 – Mercury Lounge, New York
3/10-14 – SXSW, Austin
3/17 – The Echom, LA
3/20 – Hare+Hounds, Birmingham
3/21 – Exchange, Bristol
3/22 – Deaf Institute, Manchester
* with HAIM

Destroyer – El Rito

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Five Spanish Songs is the name of the latest EP produced by Destroyer, consisting of five tracks originally recorded by the Seville songwriter Antonio Luque’s band, Sr. Chinarro. Following his own Spanish background, the Canadian-bred musician Dan Bejar surprises us with an acoustic format, absent of delayed horns and saxophones that gave identity to his phenomenal album Kapput in 2011. Stream “El Rito” below.