Yumi Zouma covers Air France

Dreampop artist Yumi Zouma just recently released a cover of the now defunct electro-dreampop duo Air France's "It Feels Good to Be Around You," recorded with the assistance of Air France.  It's sleek and smooth and sexy.  Listen and download below.

Future Islands

I've never really given Future Islands a fair shake.  I don't know why.  I listen to a ton of stuff, and sometimes things just slip through the cracks, are catch me at the wrong time, or just don't jump up and punch me in the nuts when that's what i'm looking for.  But then i heard the band's "Seasons (Waiting on You)" in the car today while driving back from Houston...and it just worked for me.  This morning was emotionally difficult for me and my whole extended family of longtime friends, and for some reason, the vibe on this song just seems to wrap a whole lot of melancholy and celebration into four cathartic pop minutes.  It's what i needed this afternoon.  Watch the video below and grab "Singles" from 4AD.

Run for the Rose

Last year i lost a dear friend to brain cancer.  She meant a lot to a lot of people.  If you feel so inclined, please donate to the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation, a charity organization that raises money for cancer research.  Thanks.

Fucked Up - Year of the Dragon

As if a new studio album on the horizon weren't enough, Canadian screamers and shouters Fucked Up are unleashing the latest 12" single in their Zodiac series.  "Year of the Dragon" is fire and destruction and rages on for 18 minutes.  It's epic and awesome and worthy of your attention.  Get it from Tankcrimes at the end of April, but listen to it in all its glory now below.

Horseback

Chapel Hill experimental-psych-folk-ambient-drone-Americana-metal band Horseback have a new album up for grabs from Three Lobed Recordings.  "Piedmont Apocrypha" finds the band in calmer waters, albeit dark waters nonetheless, as if something monstrous and sinister is lurking just beyond eyesight...waiting.  Horseback have always managed to wear ALL of their influences on their sleeves, yet somehow still come out sounding like no one but themselves.  Get the new record here and listen to the vast and sprawling album closer "Chanting Out the Low Shadow" below.

De La Soul and J Dilla

Right now you can download the "Smell the DAISY" mixtape by De La Soul and J Dilla for free.  You would be doing yourself a huge disservice if you don't go download it here right now.  Get on that shit, and listen to "Vocabulary Spills" below.

Luminance

It's not only muscles that come from Brussels.  Bask in the cold wave of Luminance, cool female vocals over icy synthesizers and pulsing beats, meeting a vampire in some European back alley and following him or her to your doom.  Listen to "Obsession" below and look for the 7" in May on Weyrd Son Records.

Found Vinyl: Euphoria - Euphoria

Euphoria were a short lived sunshine pop and folk group from the late 60's/early 70's.  Their lone self-titled album from 1969 at times feels like the early AM gold, sun-drenched Americana with a sing-a-long vibe.  They sound like driving in a convertible on a road trip across country with friends...or strangers.  It sounds like hitchhiking before it was dangerous, or smoking the good weed.  Listen to "Tucson" below.



And here's "There is Now."



And let's end with the wistful "You Must Forget."

Power Glove

Far be it for me to mock video game music...i've always had a soft spot for it in my heart of hearts, even though i'm not a gamer by any standard.  Melbourne's aptly named Power Glove provided a very 80's synth score for the game "Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon," and it will be available on Record Store Day.  Hooray!  Listen to "Blood Dragon Theme (Reprise)" below.

HAERTS - Call My Name

Here's a new one from one of my favorite acts from the last couple of years.  "Call My Name" finds HAERTS revisiting the lush synthesizers and 80's melancholy vibes that make me jones for oh so much more.  Listen below and anxiously await word on a proper full-length debut.