Video: HEALTH – “Stonefist”

HEALTH have released a video for a radio edit of "Stonefist" off their new album Death Magic. I already shared the audio stream multiple times so you know how I feel about the song and band but just in case you missed it, or still need some convincing, maybe this clip will push you over the edge. Directed by NAKED FACES, “Stonefist” sees the band undergoing plastic surgery to both humorous and disastrous effect.

Listen: HEALTH – “DEATH MAGIC” LP

I’ve been praising HEALTH for years and come next week when the LA band releases their new LP, Death Magic, I’m fairly certain many others will finally take notice. Death Magic follows in stride with the direction the band has been moving towards for the better part of the last five years. The collection of songs is infinitely more poppy and the electronics are more prominent then on Get Color. This version of HEALTH probably has most in common with “USA Boys” or “Tears” and for better or worse tones down on the noise elements found on earlier works. I’ve heard the record a whole lot in the last five days and love it but my personal tastes wish a little bit more of the noise was retained or even sustained in the songs that do go down that road and from past recordings. The record is well sequenced with songs, not directly flowing into the next per say, but more so rhythmically or sonically. If you don’t like what you hear in the first four songs then this record isn’t for as it’s a killer lead-in as far as these things go and offers a good blend of poppy HEALTH vs. noisy HEALTH.

Studio engineering comes from the Haxan Cloak, Mars Volta engineer Lars Stalfors, and longtime Kanye West engineer Andrew Dawson which only adds list of things that will make the record more high profile then anything the band has done before. It’s well deserved, the record is great and they are always amazing live so do yourself a favor, if you like what you hear, make sure to catch them next time they are in your town.

On a final note I hope the band continue with their tradition of releasing a remix album for this record as well, they always have really interesting people tinkering with their songs, often to great results and possibly even acting as inspiration or a stepping stone for where the band sonically finds themselves today. DEATH MAGIC is out August 7th.

DEATH MAGIC Tracklist: 01. VICTIM 02. STONEFIST 03. MEN TODAY 04. FLESH WORLD (UK) 05. COURTSHIP II 06. DARK ENOUGH 07. LIFE 08. SALIVA 09. NEW COKE 11. L.A. LOOKS 11. HURT YOURSELF 12. DRUGS EXIST
 

Listen: HEALTH - "Stonefist"

Back in April I mentioned that HEALTH would be releasing a new LP on August 7th titled Death Magic. First single, “New Coke,” pushed forward with the LA noise group’s more dance oriented sound, but that should come as no surprise as they’ve been aggressively going that direction for quite some time now. “Stonefist” follows in those same footsteps with its immediately catchy pulsating rhythms and sharp sterile stabs that really has become something that defines the band’s sound. Whatever the case it’s another awesome tune from the group who I’ll be checking out again this Thursday when they roll into town to preview the new material live.

As a reminder Death Magic will see some studio engineering from the Haxan Cloak, Mars Volta engineer Lars Stalfors, and longtime Kanye West engineer Andrew Dawson and is coming out via Loma Vista.

Video: HEALTH - “New Coke”

Fuck yeah! I love me some HEALTH and the L.A. band have finally announced Death Magic, their first studio album since 2009's Get Color. The record will be released on August 7 via Loma Vista and with the announcement comes a new song and video for "New Coke.” As with most things HEALTH the experience can be a tense one, the clip was directed by the bands own John Famiglietti and the song checks off all those boxes that make HEALTH one of my favorite bands, ghostly vocals, interesting rhythms, thoughtful breakdowns and more. 

Death Magic will see some studio engineering from the Haxan Cloak, Mars Volta engineer Lars Stalfors, and longtime Kanye West engineer Andrew Dawson, I’ve started counting down the days till this drops already.

Listen: Zu - "Corta Tordo" (Full LP Stream)

Italian noise act Zu are gearing up to drop their fifth record via Ipecac Recordings on March 24^th. Corta Tordo was recorded in Bologna, Italy and for those not acquainted with the bands sound it’s a combination of atmospheric, heavy, sludgy moments (Think Melvins) and super chaotic outbursts (Think The Locust). While I wouldn’t compare them in sound, people who found themselves enjoying the last Deafheaven record unexpectedly might have a similar experience with Tordo, as there are some hypnotic moments wrapped up in otherwise abrasive compositions. Give the record a spin below…

(via)

Video: Death Grips – “On GP”

Death Grips shared “On GP,” their newest song from their upcoming LP Jenny Death. The track was shared with a video of a man doing random weird activities, it’s a different sound for the trio and reminds me a little more of Zach’s work with Hella. Look for Jenny Death to drop at the end of the month.

Listen: Lightning Bolt – “The Metal East”

Noise duo Lightning Bolt recently announced Fantasy Empire, their first album in over five years will be released on March 24 via Thrill Jockey. "The Metal East" is our first taste of the record and it’s a welcome return that definitely brought a smile to my face after hearing it. Lots of polyrhythms going on here with distorted vocals and heavy fuzzed-out baselines.   

Listen/Download” Death Grips – “Fashion Week” LP

Happy 2015 everyone! I'm Back from holiday and will slowly get the gears turning again, I should have my year end list up sometimes later in January for those asking but for now here is some new music from Death Grips.

Death Grips released a 14-track instrumental album called Fashion Week for free download on their website that you can also stream now from the player below. Fashion Week is not a substitute for  The Powers That B, the Death Grips double album consisting of the previously-released NiggasOn The Moon and the forthcoming Jenny Death, that record is now scheduled to drop on February 10th, but one never knows with this outfit.

Video: Death Grips – “Inanimate Sensation”

Death Grips officially called it quits earlier in the year with the promise of new music before year’s end and it would seem we are seeing signs of the projects imminent release as 2014’s end fast approaches.  Taken from Jenny Death, the second half of their upcoming double album the powers that b, “Inanimate Sensation” sounds a little bigger and bolder than a lot of the material on the already shared Niggas On The Moon disc. The visuals for “Inanimate Sensation” is as with all things Death Grips, unique. Taking place on a fallen jumbotron that has crashed through the floor of a basketball court, the video flicks between distorted computer graphics and MC Ride. Word on the street is that the LP will drop on December 27th which is precisely why I don't release my favorite albums of the year list until the year is officially over.

Download/Listen: Death Grips – “Niggas on The Moon” (Part 1 of The Powers That B LP feat. Björk )

Late last night Death Grips gifted yet another free LP, well at least the first half, entitled Niggas On The Moon, with an announcement that a second half, titled Jenny Death will follow sometimes this year. The whole project goes by the name The Powers That B and if that weren't enough part 1 feature’s Björk on all eight tracks. The record’s official release will come via Harvest/Third Worlds Records but for now listen and download it below via multiple sources…

DOWNLOAD IT HERE.

niggas on the moon tracklist:

01 Up My Sleeves
02 Billy Not Really
03 Black Quarterback
04 Say Hey Kid
05 Have a Sad Cum
06 Fuck Me Out
07 Viola
08 Big Dipper 

Listen: Perfect Pussy - “Say Yes To Love” (Full LP Stream)

After sharing a second track from Perfect Pussy’s Captured Tracks debut last week we follow things up with a full LP stream from the Syracuse noise-punk band. Say Yes To Love officially drops on March 18th but I’ve been playing an advanced copy to death over the last week. Clocking in at blink-of- the- eye 23-minutes the record is a frantic journey that shares a lot in style and execution with many of the noise punk bands of yesteryear, and to say that is a good thing since most of those bands have long gone the way of the dodo. If you preorder the LP now via iTunes you get four bonus songs that are live renditions of material you might already recognize. Usually pre order bonus material is just a bunch of garbage but these live renditions are nothing less than excellent and add to the albums already strong since of self. 

1 Driver
2 Bells
3 Big Stars
4 Work
5 Interference Fits
6 Dig
7 Advance Upon the Real
8 Vii
9 Bells (live) *
10 Iii (live) *
11 Advance Upon the Real (live)
12 I (live) *

* iTunes pre-order bonus tracks

Listen: Perfect Pussy - "Interference Fits"

"Interference Fits" is the second track we can share from Syracuse noise-punk band, Perfect Pussy's forthcoming debut LP, Say yes To Love, out March 18th. The tune is a little less chaotic than the bands usual fair and maybe gives a little more insight into Meredith’s lyrics which seemingly explore the complicated relationship that some have with love and personal freedom. 

Video: Perfect Pussy - "I"

So I’ve Been pushing Perfect Pussy on friends and family for a moment now, no one seems to be biting but I’m used to that and sometimes it can take a second for people to appreciate something that’s artsy fartsy and noisy like the Syracuse outfit.  Sometimes people just don't like what they are hearing regardless of what I feel, so your loss if that's the case. Obviously by the statement above you can tell that I love them and had a chance to see them on their most recent tour where they continued to impress me. What’s this all add up to you ask? Well the band released a new video for "I", a blistering track from their demo EP I Have Lost All Desire for Feeling that you might find at the end of a certain playlist. The video is a mix of live-performance footage and clowning around, shot and edited by Lukas Hodge. 

Video: Death Grips – “No Love”

Death Grips just shared a new video for "No Love", off their 2012 release NO LOVE DEEP WEB. The clip was directed by the band and features the characteristically harsh camera and graphic work displayed on much of their work, this time in Christmas colors and accompanied with some PSA type announcements describing how much they care..

Listen: Perfect Pussy - "Driver"

Meredith Graves’s Syracuse fem noise-punk band Perfect Pussy have announced their 12-track debut LP for record label Captured Tracks.  Say Yes to Love is out March 18th, that’s the cover art above and opening track, "Driver", below. You can pre-order the album from iTunes for $8, you get bonus live tracks, a PDF of the album art, and an instant download of “Driver.”

Listen/Download: Death Grips “Government Plates” LP

Without much warning Sacramento group Death Grips have unexpectedly shared a new free release! Government Plates can be downloaded HERE, here or here (servers are jammed so it might take several tries) or you can stream it below and check out some visuals for the track called "You might think he loves you for your money but I know what he really loves you for it's your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat.”

Government Plates Track List:

01 You might think he loves you for your money but I know what he really loves you for it's your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
02 Anne Bonny
03 Two Heavens
04 This is Violence Now (Dont get me wrong)
05 Birds
06 Feels like a wheel
07 Im Overflow
08 Big House
09 Government Plates
10 Bootleg (Dont need your help)
11 Whatever I want (Fuck who's watching)

Listen/Download: Death Grips- "Birds"

The always controversial Death Grips shared a new called "Birds" which can be streamed and downloaded below. There is a little less bark in the vocal delivery on this one but still plenty of interesting noisy effects going on musically; overall I would say this slowed down take is different for the group but still uniquely them.

DOWNLOAD

Listen: Flabmag Podcast #10 - Sonny Kay

This week’s guest on Flab Magazine’s podcast series  was is multi-media artist/singer/entrepreneur/art director and all around inspiring guy Sonny Kay, who is perhaps best known for starting indie label, Gold Standard Laboratories. Before closing it’s doors in 2007 the label was home of some of the most genre bending punk rock acts of my time including a number of bands that Sonny was a member of like Angel Hair, the VSS, Year Future, Savalas, Subpoena the Past and more. Sonny’s time now days is spent working on some of the best photo collage art works gracing LP covers today.

Sonny Kay – “Accidental Math” 2010 Photo Collage

In the hour and forty minute discussion Sonny talks about his career as a lover and performer of punk rock, a trip down memory lane on life in Boulder, Colorado circa the 90s, the rise of ‘mainstream punk rock” as compared to the rawer sound of GSL, his relationship with Omar from the Mars Volta, the transition from music to visual arts and much more. 

LISTEN HERE.

Video: Death Grips Full Boiler Room x Ray-Ban LIVE Show at SXSW Warehouse

What we got below is a full length HD performance of DeathGrips live at Ray-Ban x Boiler Room's SXSW warehouse showcase that took place on the 16th of March 2013.  The performance clocks in at 34 minutes and shows a different point of view than that seen recently in the video for “Lock Your Doors,” which you may recall used footage from cameras the band had attached to their heads. As always the showis pretty raw and intense.

Video: Death Grips – "Lock Your Doors”

Death Grips have shared a new video from a 2012 LP favorite NO LOVE DEEP WEB with "Lock Your Doors." The band also offered a little bit of explanation of what the "No Hands" tagline means.  

Zach Hill writes:

"Lock Your Doors" was filmed during the band's set at Boiler Room's SXSW showcase. It was filmed using cameras that the band members wore over faces, possibly using Google Glass technology. Hence the "no hands."