Rooster Roundabout: This week’s music highlights
Talk about three powerhouse divas coming together: English singer Jessie J has given listeners a snippet of her forthcoming album, which hits stores some time this fall. Said snippet comes in the form of the song “Bang Bang,” which features vocals from Ariana Grande and a few rhymes from Nicki Minaj. From the first listen, I can see this infectious track becoming a fan favorite. But don't take my word for it. Get your boogie on by hitting “play” below.
For those of you who haven't been keeping up, Led Zeppelin recently reissued their first three records (Led Zeppelin I, Led Zeppelin II and Led Zeppelin III). And you know those releases had some unreleased material, prompting the question: Where were those tunes before yo? Either way, now the legendary rock and rollers are set to reissue their two following records (Led Zeppelin IV and House of the Holy), which hit stores on Oct. 28. It's a little ways off, but at least that gives you time to save some dinero. Cause why not?
I'm a bit overdue. TV on the Radio is one of those bands that I've heard so much about over the years, but I couldn't name one song if you asked. Not one. Nada. And a part of me is shameful about it only because they're a fairly respected group of musicians, and you have to wonder where that respect comes from, right? All I really know 'bout 'em is that bandmate Tunde Adebimpe was in the film Rachel Getting Married. But enough jabber … the band has announced a new album (Seeds) that hits the music-sphere some time this fall. The group has come out with a teaser for said release, which you can view below. Cheers!
If you've paid any attention whatsoever to mainstream music in the past couple decades, then you know who Timbaland is. The man has had a producing hand in releases by such artists as Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, Aaliyah, Missy Elliott and more. Basically if you get this man to work on your record, it's pretty much guaranteed to be a hit (except if you're M.I.A.). No offense, but it's true. Back to the topic at hand, the man has confirmed to Rolling Stone that he's working on an upcoming solo record (Opera Noir) and says it's the most “innovative” thing he's ever done. And it might be his last. Okay, now we're listening ... To read more of what he had to say, click here.
Beck recently released Morning Phase, which he deemed as a companion piece to his heartbreaking record Sea Change. And now the singer/songwriter/rapper/extraordinaire has come out with a video for album track “Heart is a Drum,” which you can view below. If you've not yet heard the record, it's a nice slice of the man's oeuvre. And while we're talkin' 'bout Beck, you can stream his new record Song Reader, which features a wide array of artists, including Jack Black, Fun., Norah Jones and more. Listen to that via Spotify via Consequence of Sound.
'Member how I mentioned that Karen O (of Yeah Yeah Yeahs fame) is coming out with her first solo record? The album (Crush Songs) will see the light of day on Sept. 9, but in the meantime, O has released the visual accompaniment of album track “Rapt.” If you ever listened to her brief side project Native Korean Rock & the Fishnets, this song will sound like familiar, lo-fi territory. Nothing wrong with that. Have a looksie/listen over at NME.
Riding high from last year's The Electric Lady, Janelle Monáe is still traversing the galactic waves of sonic sounds vibrating from her warped but funky psyche. What I mean is that she's come out with a new video for the track “Electric Lady.” The visual features cameos from Estelle, Kimbra, Monica and other “electric ladies.” Go ahead and view that below, and buy the album any and everwhere.
A lot of people didn't know this (myself included), but before The Shins were The Shins, they were Flake Music, a local band here in the big, bad Duke City. Yup. They were slinging their tunes for local Burqueños before they made it to the majors. Then they became Zach Braff's favorite band and started appearing on every indie compilation and soundtrack known to man. But why do I bring this up? Because Flake Music's 1997 record When You Land Here, It's Time to Return is getting reissued. That's right … The Shins before they were The Shins are re-releasing the album The Shins made before they were The Shins. Confusing? Sorry. That should get released some time in the fall, so keep an ear out.
I think the day's gotta come where any music blog has to suck it up and finally talk about The Jonas Brothers. I mean, when they're not dishing out purity rings or making reality shows, they're musicians. So, there's the link you were after. Now the youngest sibling (Nick Jonas) is coming out with a new solo record (which doesn't have a title or release date yet), and he's shared the first snippet with the video for album track “Chains.” It's decidedly less Disney than from when young Jonas first started. All grown up? As grown up as the chains will allow. Ha! Chain pun. Either way, you can view the video below.
Get More: Nick Jonas, Chains, Music, More Music Videos
'Member how I mentioned that former Burqueno Willis Earl Beal had left XL Recordings and was self-releasing his new record Experiments in Time? Well now you can stream the album in its entirety via Pitchfork Advance. That is if you can't wait for the album to hit stores and online markets on Aug. 8. And if you can't, well ... enjoy!
