The 2010 CMJ Music Marathon is upon us, which means that there’s new music been thrown around left and right here at Flavorpill (You already have our unofficial showcase this Saturday marked on your calendars, right?) This week’s mix features some new tracks from old favorites (Crystal Stilts, The Thermals) and a couple of up-and-comers (Twin Shadow, Dom). Right click + save as to download individual tunes or scroll to the bottom to nab the whole mix.
The Thermals, “Never Listen to Me”
“Never Listen to Me” is the first single off The Thermals’ newest LP, Personal Life . The lads seem to have cleaned up their production a bit — this track sounds far less raggedy than, say, “An Ear for Baby” — but the monster guitar riffs are still there, as are the power ballad vocals.
Dom was one of our pleasant CMJ discoveries — we caught them when they opened for Yo La Tengo with Screaming Females at the Brooklyn Bowl show. They sound like a band who wants to do Kiss covers but keeps churning out dance-y synth-pop. We mean that in a good way. “Bochicha” is a little bit AC/DC and a little bit CSS, and all-around pretty great.
This song actually came out over the summer, but Best Coast recently breathed new life into “Boyfriend” by releasing an uber-cute music video, apparently filmed at a quincenera. Check it below, and listen to the track above.
We really can’t wait for Cee-Lo’s upcoming album Lady Killer to drop in November. As if the stakes weren’t already high enough after “Fuck You,” Cee-Lo shows his softer side with this lovely, soul-infused slow jam “Old-Fashioned.” Think Al Green or even Otis Redding, complete with background singers.
Mystikal, “Papercuts (ft. Lil Wayne)”
When was the last time you listened to Mystikal? If you’re like us, the answer is way too long ago. This new track from the “Shake Ya Ass” rapper updates his sound a bit, with some help from Weezy and a crazily high-pitched recorder sample. Can a Kanye-Mystikal collaboration be too far in the future?
Twin Shadow is the stage name of George Lewis, Jr., a new wave artist who recently released his debut album on Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor’s label. “Yellow Balloon” is very Grizzly Bear-esque, full of whirling synth, reverb, and subdued vocals.
Rye Rye, “Sunshine (ft. M.I.A.)”
Rye Rye is a Baltimore-based rapper signed to M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. label, and recently accompanied her on several tour dates. The two are pretty compatible as artists: both favor neon, fringed dresses and clever beats. “Sunshine” showcases Rye Rye’s deft wordplay alongside a hook by M.I.A., harkening back to Galang-era dance jams. Her album is set to drop in January, and we’re anticipating it with eager ears.
Dr. Dog, “Nobody Knows Who You Are”
“Nobody Knows Who You Are” shows off Dr. Dog’s most Beatles-leaning tendencies, complete with a sort of nasal Paul McCartney vocal part. They’re touring this winter, and the track is part of a brand-new 7-inch available at their shows.
Brooklyn’s Bear Hands, who we’ve raved about before on our mixtapes, are working on their first full-length LP. Burning Bush Supper Club — for yes, that is what the album is called — is coming out November 2, delayed by band difficulties. “Crime Pays” sounds to us a little like The Knife crossed with Crystal Castles — it’s pretty mid-tempo, but augmented with falsetto singing on the verses. In other words, an intriguing lead in for the album.
Crystal Stilts, “Shake the Shackles”
The Crystal Stilts have been slaving away in the studio to finish up their second album, and “Shake the Shackles” is a little taste of what we can expect when Shake the Shackles is finally released this week. The band struggled when drummer Frankie Rose left, but this track shows a return to form: reverb, broody guitar, vocals like Lou Reed on codeine.
Main image: “Crzzzy Monsters,” which is available for purchase on Etsy.