Weezer - Africa

A: Weezer
S: Africa

Dear Internet, rejoice. Days after releasing an unannounced cover of Rosanna by Toto and supposedly trolling the viral campaign requesting Weezer to cover Africa by the same band, Weezer released the real thing also unannounced. The cover art contains the original tweet from the Weezer fan who initiated the campaign, who is now pondering what to do next. Enjoy.

... hurry boy, it's waiting here for you.

Lykke Li - Hard Rain

A: Lykke Li
S: Hard Rain

Last week, Lykke Li generously gifted us with a music video for her single deep end after honoring all the mothers of the world in utopia. With an album release quickly approaching, the Swedish pop star is continuing to build up the momentum for her forthcoming album by dropping a visual for hard rain directed by Anton Tammi. Watch it below.

... I have a sea-full, I can give you an ocean.

Sons Of Bill Feat. Molly Parden - Easier

A: Sons Of Bill Feat. Molly Parden
S: Easier

Central Virginia’s band of brothers, Sons of Bill, have announced the release of their new album Oh God Ma'am on 29 June. Following the release of first single Believer/Pretender, the band have now shared Easier, featuring indie-folk woman Molly Parden on vocals. Easier, described by Rolling Stone as a gorgeous ballad – half resigned and half optimistic, with a rainy-day aesthetic in their recent premiere, is a love song, says lead singer James.

... after days of waiting for the other shoe to drop.

A$AP Rocky Feat. Frank Ocean - Purity

A: A$AP Rocky Feat. Frank Ocean
S: Purity

This one for the nerds out there. Purity builds on top of a snippet of Hill’s I Gotta Find Peace of Mind, a spare, lovesick performance pulled from her MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 album. It’s the kind of instantly recognizable sample few producers this side of Kanye would touch but here, the production team (Rocky, Dean Blunt, FnZ, and Hector Delgado) transform Hill’s vocal line and guitar figure, giving the clip a new meditative quality. Enjoy.

... I've been f*ckin' busy, I've been busy f*ckin'.

Gurr - Hot Summer

A: Gurr
S: Hot Summer

What happens when a Berlin garage punk duo sets out to write a song in cloudy London about their disillusionment with the warmer months? An anti-summer banger. Following their acclaimed 2016 debut album In My Head, Gurr are back with a sweaty, sticky and glorious video for their new single. Enjoy.

... hey lover, come closer to me.

Lykke Li - Deep End

A: Lykke Li
S: Deep End

It’s been a long time since we’ve heard from the great Lykke Li. She released I Never Learn, her excellently heart-shattered breakup album, way back in 2014. Since then, she’s had a baby, she’s taken a break from performing, and she’s made some music with the Swede-pop collective LIV. But now, after teasing new music, she’s back with a new album, and she’s shared a couple of tracks from it.

... I know where you've been.

Hurray For The Riff Raff - Pa'lante

A: Hurray For The Riff Raff
S: Pa'lante

Punctuated by the rallying cries of Pa’lante (short for para adelante: onward or forward), this protest-song warns against the spiritual death of assimilation and highlights the importance of community as well as of cultural and historical affirmation, brought to you by Hurray For The Riff Raff, straight outta New Orleans.

... I guess I don’t understand the plan.

Ben Khan - Do It Right

A: Ben Khan
S: Do It Right

Following the release of his long-awaited new single 2000 Angels, London artist Ben Khan has unveiled the video for Do It Right, the second track taken from his highly anticipated debut album, set for release in winter 2018. The video for Do It Right is co-directed by Khan himself and Salim Adam. “I wanted to just make it a collaged / scrapbooked feel. It’s similar to how I used to bootleg my old cut videos from earlier EPs,” said Khan to Complex of its creation.

... seems like it’s time to cut open my fascination.

Cardi B - Be Careful

A: Cardi B
S: Be Careful

Cardi B has shared a new video for her Invasion of Privacy song, Be Careful. In the Jora Frantzis-directed clip, she marries a man in the desert before ultimately burying him. The video follows visuals for Invasion of Privacy singles Bartier Cardi and Bodak Yellow. Enjoy below.

... my heart is like a package with a fragile label on it.

Róisín Murphy - All My Dreams

A: Róisín Murphy
S: All My Dreams

Earlier this month Róisín Murphy announced her new project, a series of four 12″s and has now released the first video, a hedonistic visual accompaniment to the single All My Dreams. Filmed at London’s The Store X, the former Moloko singer called on dancers, choreographers, actors, dreamers to collaborate with her on a series of videos – directed by Murphy herself – that will span the whole project.

... friends may become foes.

Men I Trust - I Hope To Be Around

A: Men I Trust
S: I Hope To Be Around

Striking us yet again with their signature image and sound, the indie band Men I Trust present their single I Hope To Be Around. This is what they said about it: This light yet introspective song talks about one’s desire to overcome the limits of the human lifespan in order to see the future and find meaning. Enjoy.

... in a midway I stand where many stood.

The Beths - Future Me Hates Me

A: The Beths
S: Future Me Hates Me

New Zealand pop-punk quartet the Beths’ melodic new single Future Me Hates Me is the title track on their upcoming summer and debut album. Just as their 2016 EP Warm Blood, which was reissued last month on Carparks Records, shined in its versatility, Future Me Hates Me is a bright, jingly track that plays with time.

... future cold shakes from stupid mistakes.

Backstreet Boys - Don't Go Breaking My Heart

A: Backstreet Boys
S: Don't Go Breaking My Heart

All these reboots and reunions and revamps - it's a parade of nostalgia, and just as I don't think I can handle anymore, the news drops: The Boys are back in town. And by The Boys, I mean the Backstreet ones. And by town, I mean in your compact disc player. Happy tripping down memory lane, y'all.

... cause it's the only one I got.

Many Voices Speak - Necessaries

A: Many Voices Speak
S: Necessaries

Swedish artsit Many Voices Speak has announced the release of her debut album Tank Town on August 31. Necessaries is about the progress and crisis you find yourself in when your certainties weaken or even withdraw. It reflects my own attempts to replace cynicism with knowledge and humility for the conditions of life - she says about the first single taken from the album. Enjoy it below.

... I fear I need your love.

Mt. Joy - Silver Lining

A: Mt. Joy
S: Silver Lining

Released in the U.S. to widespread critical acclaim earlier in the year, LA-via-Philadelphia five-piece Mt. Joy will release their self-titled, debut album in Europe in July. Mt. Joy’s debut is a startlingly open document, wracked with the anxieties and fears that come just as life seems to start working out. Happy Friday.

... teach only what you know.

Jess Williamson - Wild Rain

A: Jess Williamson
S: Wild Rain

Out now, the music video for Jess Williamson's Wild Rain features the singer-songwriter in a swirl of ethereal imagery. The Rhodes-soaked song begins with a ghostly air, until a swell of synths gives way like the heavens parting. Williamson’s voice emerges from the clouds promising that I will treasure your patience from you I learned what it means to make a family.

... what did I do to deserve a man as good as you.

Snow Patrol - Life On Earth

A: Snow Patrol
S: Life On Earth

Snow Patrol have shared the official video for their song Life On Earth last month. The track is taken from their new album Wildness, which is the band’s first record in seven years. The video was filmed at the European Space Agency in Holland and was launched via astronaut Tim Peake’s Twitter account. It features clips of space as well as pregnancy ultrasounds, and frontman Gary Lightbody exploring a space station. Watch it below.

... this is something else.

Arctic Monkeys - Four Out Of Five

A: Arctic Monkeys
S: Four Out Of Five

Arctic Monkeys made the choice not to release any tracks ahead of their new album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino. Now that the record is out, the Sheffield boys have cut a single off the effort in the form of standout Four Out of Five. In the song’s video, Alex Turner seems to be eerily messing with his own reality. There are some thick psychological sci-fi thriller vibes as he walks through a palatial home wearing a cream sport, seemingly directing every aspect of the milieu. That includes another version of himself, this time in a black suit with slicked back hair, as he navigates  a la The Truman Show. Happy Monday.

... you could meet someone you like.

Netta - Toy

A: Netta
S: Toy

Good morning Europe and congratulations to Netta, Israel and the rest of us. In many of her interviews, the singer talked about the message behind Toy, saying 'women, this year have been searching and finding their voices which is great, which is amazing, and very very important. But you know, it’s an empowerment song in general for everybody, for everybody who has been struggling to be themselves'. 

... dancing with my dolls on the motha-bucka beat.

Frightened Rabbit - Get Out

A: Frightened Rabbit
S: Get Out

Scott Hutchison, the Scottish musician and Frightened Rabbit frontman, has died aged 36, sadly. Scott offered an alternative to blokey songcraft, confiding that sex could be awkward, life could be hard and found humanity in our flaws.

... I know she won't get out of my heart.

RuPaul Feat. Bebe, Nina & Rebecca - Cover Girl

A: RuPaul Feat. Bebe, Nina & Rebecca
S: Cover Girl

In January 2009, RuPaul released the world premier of his first single Cover Girl on his MySpace profile. Oh those were the days. The song was premiered as a promotional video which included footage from RuPaul's Drag Race. It was recorded in the bedroom of record producer Lucian Piane's home, with the closet serving as the vocal booth. Enjoy.

... let your whole body talk.

Arp - Fluorescences

A: Arp
S: Fluorescences

As much as this blog loves itself some lyrics, we also appreciate a moment of instrumental. So this is Arp. Clear-eyed and illuminated, Fluorescences has the feeling of an image coming into focus. Permeated with a soda-pop fizz, the track's production draws inspiration from an intersection of 80s Japanese avant pop, Compass Point synth funk and Brazilian textures, hinting at a futurism informed by what might be called optimism.

...

Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa - One Kiss

A: Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
S: One Kiss

Ready or not, Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa have dropped the official music video for their hit collaboration One Kiss, which might just be the first strong contender for this year's summer bummer hit. One Kiss has already topped the charts in Calvin and Dua‘s native on the UK Singles Chart with two weeks at #1, while the song currently holds the #64 position on the Billboard Hot 100.

... let me love you while the moon is still out.

Celine Dion - Ashes

A: Celine Dion
S: Ashes

Just when you thought La Dion and Marvel's most meta hero couldn't get any cooler, they both joined forces and dropped this hot shit. The song arrives with a music video packed with every melodramatic trapping imaginable. Dion performs on a stage in an empty theater, while slow-motion footage from Deadpool 2 is interspersed throughout. Halfway through, a string quartet appears on stage, as does Deadpool, who accompanies Dion's performance with an interpretive dance routine. Enjoy.

... these prayers ain't working anymore.

Childish Gambino - This Is America

A: Childish Gambino
S: This Is America

While hosting and performing on Saturday Night Live over the weekend, Donald Glover dropped a new song and music video. Titled This Is America, the visually remarkable music video, which contains some graphic imagery, is a stirring commentary from Childish Gambino on the state of America as he dances with children in a warehouse in one moment then guns down a gospel choir in the next. Happy Monday.

... don't catch you slippin' up.

Blakk Pearl - Prayer

A: Blakk Pearl
S: Prayer

Following the release of her debut single Cowboy last year, Blakk Pearl has now shared her new track Prayer. Dubby and dynamic, the song has an edgy sophistication reminiscent of Sade; just when you think it’s over, in come the strings for a fantastical finale. And there's more, Blakk Pearl’s first EP is set for release later on this year.

... tell me who I am tonight.

Christina Aguilera Feat. Ty Dolla $ign, 2 Chainz - Accelerate

A: Christina Aguilera Feat. Ty Dolla $ign, 2 Chainz 
S: Accelerate

Guess who back. Nearly six years after Lotus, Xtina returns with Accelerate, her new Kanye West-produced single featuring Ty Dolla $ign and 2 Chainz. Over a hypnotic instrumental, the pop diva flexes her multi-octave vocals with raunchy lyrics. To go along with the song, Aguilera dropped a sensual video. Dipped in honey and glitter, the former Voice coach shows off her body. Enjoy.

... c'mon babe, pick up your speed.

Florence + The Machine - Hunger

A: Florence + The Machine
S: Hunger

Thank God it's Florence and the Machine! The band has announced their new album High as Hope. It’s out June 29 via Republic. “This song is about the ways we look for love in things that are perhaps not love, and how attempts to feel less alone can sometimes isolate us more,” band leader Florence Welch said in a statement.

... you're the best thing I've seen.

Miles Kane - Loaded

A: Miles Kane
S: Loaded

Ready, steady, go and listen to Miles Kane’s perfect Jamie T and Lana Del Rey collaboration Loaded. The track is the first to be taken from his forthcoming new album Coup De Grace.

... too proud to find no time to breathe.

Son Lux - The Fool You Need

A: Son Lux
S: The Fool You Need

Son Lux aka Ryan Lott, Rafiq Bhatia, and Ian Chang released a new album, Brighter Wounds, back in February and now they have shared a bizarre video for The Fool You Need. Jean-Paul Frenay directed the black & white clip, which takes place in a hallway and starts with a man and woman emerging aka being born from a weird flesh pod. 

... I am not letting go.

Young Fathers - Toy

A: Young Fathers
S: Toy

Scottish art-rap trio Young Fathers released their excellent album Cocoa Sugar - a strong album of the year contender - last month. On it, they explored the self as a primal and innately political entity. Today they focus on the political element with their new music video for the album’s buzzing anthem Toy. Enjoy.

... I got ss-stammers and no manners.