VV Brown landed on the scene with an infectious song and a simplistic approach to making music. In fact, most of the music on her debut album Traveling Like the Light was originally created on Brown’s one-string guitar. But, with growth comes change, and Brown’s new single “Samson” will either isolate fans or excite them. Brown unleashed “Samson” on HungerTV with sinister visuals that show Delilah cutting Samson’s hair (If you’re not familiar with the Bible story here is a synopsis.) and making him instantly weaker, older and just plain creepy looking. The visuals are monochrome. Brown’s vocals are heavy and the drums are strong and steady. Where Regina Spektor turned the infamous tale into a love story, Brown highlights the betrayal and shows Samson’s downfall at the hands of a seductress both visually and sonically.
According to Brown, most of her new songs feature a similar experimental sound. “The new sound is way more experimental and electronic,” she said. “I think my tastes have matured and have become more alternative. I use to listen to a song and think how can this be a “hit record” but now I listen to a record and it’s all about how it makes me feel. It doesn’t have to be consumed with the idea of its catchy or specifically categorized for a particular radio station,” she added. Continue reading
NBC
After projecting his new song “New Slaves” on buildings across the world last night, Kanye got his scream on and addressed his usual topics shielded by darkness, with only his silhouette showing during his Saturday Night Live set. If you thought “New Slaves,” which Yeezy performed for the first time during the show, was controversial brace yourself! Yeezy premiered a song titled “Black Skinhead” during the SNL finale. Visually the performance was appealing, thanks to a screen with flashing images of receipts, barking dogs and a sign that read “not for sale,” but musically it was quite noisy. I can’t give my opinion on that song right now. I need Rap Genius and a tylenol. However, I do think “New Slaves” is nice sonically and it is sure to start some interesting conversations, even if it is a bit hypocritical lyrically.
Mr. West’s forthcoming album appears to be titled Yeezus. The album will reportedly be released on June 18.
Is it me or is the God-like nicknames for celebs a bit much? Yet another piece of stan culture flowing into the mainstream, I suppose.
Bring on the controversy and opinion pieces, Yeezy. Continue reading
Dreamvillian
Kanye West caused quite a stir when he tweeted “June 18,” which many believe to be the release date for his forthcoming album. The rapper debuted a few songs at the Met Gala, including the scream-heavy “I Am A God” (I’ll hold my rant for the official release) and is set to perform on Saturday Night Live on May 18. All of the hype is making fans pretty excited for what’s to come from the troubled artist!
Well, fellow rapper J. Cole reportedly wants a little competition, because The Hollywood Reporter says the rapper plans to push his sophomore album Born Sinner up a week to compete with Yeezy’s release. Born Sinner is led by the Miguel-assisted “Power Trip,” which has definitely garnered some attention for the forthcoming album, but can rapper/producer Cole compete with rapper/producer Yeezy?
We’ve already experienced half of The 20/20 Experience, but we won’t have to wait much longer for the final installment. Fans waited years for Timberlake to return to music and now comes solid confirmation that he’s releasing a second album in less than a year. Timberlake uploaded a photo of himself playing guitar in the studio today, with the release date of the forthcoming sequel.
The second installment of The 20/20 Experience will be released September 30 and I’m not even sick of pt. 1 yet.
“Scream & Shout” still
Britney Spears’ eighth studio album will be executive produced by Will.I.Am.
I know I complain about William’s rap skills sometimes, but he’s a pretty good producer so this could be very interesting! According to the Black Eyed Peas star, the collaboration came about following their previous collaborations (“Big Fat Bass” and “Scream & Shout”).
I gotta be the vehicle between her and her fans. We can’t do another song about going on the dance floor. Really? Didn’t we see a bunch of Britney doing that already? Don’t we want to see something that comes from her heart?,” Will.I.Am said.
The album will be released later this year.
Sensibility
Last year fans of The Civil Wars were left in limbo when band members Joy Williams and John Paul White cancelled the remaining dates of their tour last year citing “internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition.” However, after the two collaborated on a soundtrack earlier this year fans were given a small ounce of hope and now there’s more. Today the folk duo announced plans to release their self-titled, sophomore album this summer. The semi-bad news is Williams and White announced the album via separate announcements on their official website.
New music is often created in times of drama though, so I’m excited for what’s to come. I just hope they’re not breaking up.
Update: Billboard says the duo did break up and will only reunite for a few promotional appearances. :( :(
Epic
It’s really happening this time.
Ciara has been releasing the album tracklisting for her forthcoming, now self-titled album over the last few days via twitter and today the last few songs were revealed. The album will feature 10 songs, including a collaboration with Nicki Minaj and the Future-assisted single “Body Party.” Previously released singles “Sorry” and “Got Me Good” did not make the album. Essentially, Ciara scrapped most of the album and started from scratch.
Ciara will be released June 4. Check out the full list of songs below!
Update: According to a new press release, Ciara won’t be released until July 9, a month later than the previously scheduled (well, rescheduled) date. The video for “Body Party” will be released on April 22.
JanelleMonae.com
Janelle Monae and Erykah Badu on a single together? Are we ready?
Today eclectic songstress Janelle Monae revealed plans to release a new album The Electric Lady later this year, and the lead single is right around the corner! Monae put a gif of her to-do list on her official website and there’s only one task on the list: “Release ‘Q.U.E.E.N.’ featuring Erykah Badu.” The single will be released on Monae’s site on April 22 at 7:54 p.m. EST.
Check out the cute gif below! Continue reading
Interscope Records/KIDinaKORNER Records
Earlier this year Skylar Grey revealed plans to release her debut album, Don’t Look Down, this year, but since releasing the first single, “C’mon Let Me Ride” and album artwork Grey has been pretty silent.
The good news: Don’t Look Down is still coming. The bad news: It’s not coming until July.
The singer revealed the July 9 release date to Rolling Stone, telling the publication she wanted to be able to release four singles and videos ahead of the album. Grey says the album, which is executive produced by Eminem, will be singer-songwriter, but with hip-hop influences.
A new song, “Final Warning,” will be released on April 16.
Universal Republic
Leaks happen.
Following the leak of Kid Cudi’s third studio album Indicud the rapper pushed the release date forward a week. Indicud will now be released next week on April 16, instead of in two weeks on April 23.
Have you heard Indicud yet or are you waiting for the official release?!
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