Sound City Players (Grohl, Homme, Reznor)

Dave Grohl's upcoming documentary, "Sound City: Real to Reel," about the now legendary studio where Nirvana's "Nevermind" was recorded (debuting at this year's SXSW!) features an all star cast on Grohl-curated soundtrack.  Listen to "Mantra" below, featuring Grohl, Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), and Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails).  I don't think i need to go into it any further, except to say that it's pretty damn good, and somehow manages to capture the essence of all three artists without having that "supergroup" feel to it.

Magas

Magas is Jim Magas, a member of underground 90's post-punk bands Couch and Lake of Dracula who has spent the last few years experimenting with different synth textures and projects.  New album "Pspoilers" pulls out the vocals for a hypnotic, Kraut-infused journey through space and time.  Check out "Checkers" below, the perfect jam for speeding down the Autobahn at 150 MPH at night, the lights stretching past your peripheral vision as if you've just entered hyperspace.  Listen below and grab the cassette from Nuts and Bolts.

Andrew WK and Playtex

Apparently Andrew WK (yes, that Andrew WK) is now the face of "Fresh + Sexy" wipes from Playtex (yes, that Playtex), a unisex product to be used before or after sex on our special areas.  So, this is a thing now.  Read more about it here.

I seriously love this guy.

Carnivores

Carnivores are a lo-fi bedroom rock outfit from Atlanta and recently posted new track "Pillow Talk" to their bandcamp page.  It features Bradford Cox of Deerhunter and Atlas Sound fame, and it's a driving, swirling little number that has been bouncing around my skull for the last 24 hours.  Look for the "Second Impulse" LP in June.  Listen below and grab the download here.

Баллада Военной Машины Клип (Midnight Juggernauts)

Australian synth-pop outfit Midnight Juggernauts have released a new jam called "Баллада Военной Машины Клип" along with a wonderful lo-fi video that looks like some weirdo Communist 80's bootleg.  It's pretty awesome.  Thanks Acephale.  Watch below.

New Glass Candy

Here's another track from Italians Do It Better's upcoming "After Dark 2" compilation, this time around from Glass Candy.  "The Possessed" was unveiled at fashion show in Paris, which makes perfect sense.  Why won't this comp just come out already?  Listen and download below.

Kylesa

Dark, cold, dread.  The latest from Savannah metal group Kylesa finds the band venturing into icy Goth territory, aided by the vocals of member Laura Pleasants on "Unspoken."  This is doom music for the end.  Look for new album "Ultraviolet" in May from Season of Mist, but listen to "Unspoken" now below.

New Empress Of

In April, Empress Of (Brooklyn artist Lorely Rodriguez) will release the follow up to her excellent 2012 7" from No Recordings.  "Hat Trick" is taken from the upcoming "Systems" EP, and it's a continuation of the soft, synthesized fairy tales the singer began last year.  Get it from Terrible Records.

Small Black

It's been awhile since we last heard from Brooklyn's Small Black, 2011's "Moon Killer" mixtape to be exact.  The layers of warm synths still dominate the guys' sound, but ultimately, it's a lovely and inviting thing, reminding me of a blissed out version of an early U2 record (before they became unbearable).  New album "Limits of Desire" is due from Jagjaguwar in May, but take a listen to first single "Free at Dawn" below.

Big K.R.I.T. and Bun B

Southern born Big K.R.I.T. has easily become one of my favorite rappers over the last couple of years.  After a string of excellent mixtapes and one album, the man always manages to sound fresh, and i love his left of center production.  New single "Shine On" features Houston living legend Bun B in what i can only hope is the beginning of a long line of collaborative work.  Listen and download below.