Steve Reich

Looking for something gut-wrenching and depressing? Look no further. Composer and New York native Steve Reich has put together a very powerful piece of music with some help from the Kronos Quartet, a sprawling account of the 9/11 World Trade Center attack using string arrangements, sparse tape manipulations, and samples of voices recalling and responding to the tragedy. It's a tough listen, but ultimately an important one. Stream it here from NPR. Pre-order from Nonesuch.

Co La

Wonky, worldly, warm-weather tribute jams from Co La, courtesy of Friends Records. "Fugitive of Leisure" is a little tough to describe, but look...a butt.

Co La: Fugitive of Leisure by alteredzones

Lana Del Rey - Blue Jeans

Here's a new video for Lana Del Rey's lovely "Blue Jeans" from the forthcoming double A-side 7" single "Video Games." The tune has a little bit of a Chris Isaak vibe combined with the usual Nancy Sinatra old school thing that the lovely Lana has going for her. Get the 7" from Stranger Records on October 10th. Pre-order here. We cannot wait for the full-length.

Seattle, Bumbershoot, etc, etc, etc.

Went to Seattle for a few days...visited some old friends, saw some bands at Bumbershoot, got hugged by a crackhead, went on a whale watching tour, went to a Nirvana exhibit, ate a ton of seafood, got yelled at by another crackhead...good trip.

Thee Oh Sees

Dam-Funk

Das Racist

Butthole Surfers

A big sea lion

Angel from "In Utero" tour

Blouse

Portland's Blouse have a dreamy new LP due out from Captured Tracks in November. Check out the Sub Pop single " Shadow" below.

Blouse - Shadow by subpop

Jape

A grand scape of 80's movie synth-pop aesthetics, haunting and hushed acoustic guitars, ambient noises and textures, echoed vocals, and the occasional foray into worldly and otherworldly sounds alike...thus enters Jape. Their LP "Ocean of Frequency" is due out on September 30th from Music Is For Losers. Listen to the excellent "The Oldest Mind" below.

THE OLDEST MIND by Jape

Puro Instinct TRUEEMERALD mixtape

Here's another mixtape for your weekend listening pleasure, this one from the young lasses of Puro Instinct. Created for Japan's Oki-ni, the mix features a barrage of wierdo pop and synth jams from around the globe. Listen below.

TRUEEMERALD by Puro Instinct by Oki-Ni on Mixcloud

Blakroc 2

The Black Keys and their hip-hop side project Blakroc was easily one of our favorite records of 2009, and they're at it again with the upcoming Blakroc 2. No release date yet, but check out the "trailer" below.

Korallreven mixtape

Korallreven are gearing up to release a full length LP this fall from Acephale Records. If you're familiar with any of their previous releases, you'll know that they're very pretty and dreamy. To tide you over til November, the band put together a mixtape that's available for free download over at Acephale. It's got a remix of Britney Spears on it. Hooray? Get it here.

Silent Diane

Austin synth-pop wunderkinds Silent Diane are set to release a new 7" single from True Panther. Check out the A-side "Capella" below, and buy the thing here (limited to 500 copies with no repress).

Silent Diane- Capella by truepanther