Rooster Roundabout: This Week’s Music Highlights

Mark Lopez
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5 min read
Rooster Roundabout: This weekÕs music highlights
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Good news for good news lovers

Man, them Swedish folks sure know how to craft a nice pop tune. This song may have some bubblegum-ness to it, but damn if it ain’t catchy. Oh, I’m talking about Icona Pop’s new song. In case you’re unfamiliar with the Swedish pop duo, they hit it pretty big with their track “I Love It,” and now they’ve come out with a new tune that might not have the same edge of the aforementioned ditty, but it’s for sure gonna snare them some new fans, if not keep the old ones steady until a full-length manifests. Have a listen to “
Get Lost” below.

I’m sure there has been talk of this, but I wasn’t aware. Aretha Franklin is recording a divas covers album. Ms. Franklin took the time to speak with
Billboard about working with Andre 3000 (who is a co-producer on the record), the status of the album (she’s “on it”) and named a few songs she’s covering. Among them are Adele’s “Rollin in the Deep,” Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” and Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” Head to Billboard to read what one of the best vocalists ever had to say about what she’s working on.

Some electronica-lovin’ folks are ’bout to get super-duper excited. Grimes has come out with a new track (apparently her first in two years), and it was originally written to be performed by Rihanna … who turned it down. So what was Grimes to do? Why, record it herself! The song (titled “
Go”) is a lovely, atmospheric tune that’s got a banging beat, background yelps and some smooth, slick production, and it also features Blood Diamonds. Have a listen below.

For fans of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, including myself, it’s time to get excited: Karen O is coming out with her first solo effort (
Crush Songs). Granted, she already recorded solo material with Native Korean Rock & the Fishnets, but that project only released rough demos, which you can still find on YouTube. But this is an actual full-length endeavor, y’all. That drops on Sept. 9, which isn’t too far off, so keep scanning those headlines for more info in the coming months.

While I didn’t listen to Robert Plant’s last solo record (
Band of Joy), I was a huge fan of his collaborative LP with Alison Krauss (Raising Sand). That record was phenomenal; all you have to do is listen and hear how their voices meld together to form a sound that can’t be replicated, a sound that is pure magic. See “Stick With Me Baby.” Regardless, Plant is coming out with another solo effort, titled lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar. That’ll hit stores on Sept. 9, and you can have a listen to album track “Rainbow” below.

It’s here people! Well, the announcement is here. Julian Casablancas + the Voidz have officially announced their debut record (or Casablancas’ second solo record). The album (
Tyranny) hits stores and online markets on Sept. 23 and will be sold through Casablancas’ Cult Records, where it’s on preorder now for the mere cost of $3.87. You read that right. Head over to Rolling Stone to read more about the album.

Get ready for the blasphemy because I’m gonna say it: I’ve never really listened to Radiohead. And it’s not because of any disrespect, but mostly because they just haven’t crossed my path as much as most. Wait … does "Creep" count? Okay, back to the point. Radiohead drummer Philip Selway is coming out with a new solo record. There isn’t too much info on the release, other than it’s called
Weatherhouse and comes out on Oct. 7. So keep an ear out for that.

Oh snap! Prince is back! Well, he never really went away, but you know what I mean. The pop diva (erm … divo? What’s the male term?) has announced another album is on the way (on top of his 3rdEyeGirl record, which still hasn’t seen a proper release). Good news? Hell, you’re getting two for the price of one, or maybe not the price of one, but you catch my drift, right? As for the album, there’s no title or release date, but Prince did name a few tracks: “The Gold Standard” and “This Could Be Us.” Head to
Pitchfork to read more ‘bout it.

Audio/Visual

If you’ve read this column, I’m sure you’re tired of witnessing my excitement concerning Veruca Salt’s reunion. But hey, it didn’t end there, and it won’t end here. The band has now come out with a video to the b-side of their first single, “The Museum of Broken Relationships,” aka “
It’s Holy.” The video features band footage along with fans listening to the record in the comfort of their own homes. Scroll down a little further to view the little gem.

As
Rolling Stone notes, Robin Thicke’s new video for the song “Get Her Back” is kind of “awkward.” While I don’t indulge in gossip, the track is supposedly a plea to his estranged wife, begging for her to come back. The awkward (and so 2014) parts of the video are the text messages that flash across the screen. I’m not sure if they’re real, but either way, it’s pretty uncomfortable. But I’ll let you decide for yourself. Also, you can pick up the album (titled Paula, yes, after his wife) next week. Enjoy! Or don’t.

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