Major Lazer — Jessica

We're told Major Lazer fought as a Jamaican commando. He lost his arm in a secret zombie war in 1984. He fights vampires and various monsters, parties hard, and has a rocket-powered hoverboard. What's not to love about him?

The new album "Free the Universe" is out since April 16th. Great single from it, which features Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend:

A good start for a lush sunny Saturday afternoon. Love to all Jessicas out there.

Oh ... and while we're at it:

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Hanni El Khatib - Family

Thanks to the amazing Sylvia Baxter for sending in this song :) Hanni El Khatib's second album, 'Head in the Dirt' is due out on 30 April.

Hanni El Khatib - Family

Savages - Silence Yourself

We've been following the Savages with interest since last year, and soon all their hard work is coming together in the form of their debut album 'Silence Yourself', which is due to be released on the 6th of May this year.

There are quite a few songs available to listen to, and videos to watch, like 'Shut Up' below, and 'She Will', which is the single released for the upcoming album:

Savages - Shut Up

Savages - She Will

DPRK: The Land of Whispers

Today's video is a travel guide to North Korea - a country that doesn't have a great many travel guides.

From the youtube comments:

North Korea lies somewhere between a 1930′s Soviet Union frozen in time and a dark, futuristic vision of society... as imagined back in the 70′s.

"Land of Whispers" invites you to visit arguably the most unique and isolated travel destination in the world - not to criticize, but to observe and listen. Aside from usual highlights such as Pyongyang or Arirang, this unique one-man documentary brings you to areas such as Chongjin or Wonson, still virtually unknown to even google or wikipedia. There, I attempt to pierce through the ever-present 'national mythology' and as much as possible, I try to connect with people - such as the waitress mesmerized by tablet computers, or a tour guide cautiously fascinated by modern pop culture.

The Black Angels - Indigo Meadow

The Black Angels, from Austin, Texas, have a new album out called 'Indigo Meadow', so it's a kinda psychadelic Christmas in April ;)

The Black Angels - Don't Play With Guns

Entrance Song is from The Black Angels' previous album, 'Phosphene Dream':

The Black Angels - Entrance Song

The Knife - Shaking the Habitual

The Knife have a new album out, 'Shaking the Habitual', released on 8 April 2013. As always, the Swedish duo are able to ease past current musical (and social) boundaries. There are two videos available on youtube from the album:


The Knife - A Tooth For An Eye

The Knife - Full Of Fire

Sometimes I get problems that are hard to solve
Here’s a story
That’s my opinion

When you’re full of fire,
what’s the object of your desire?

The National - Demons

Thanks to the ever-resourceful Giara for sending the video link below :) The National's new album 'Trouble Will Find Me' is due soon (21 May 2013), and this single (and video) heralds its arrival:

Cannot stay here I can’t sleep, on the floor.
Drink the blood and hang the palms, On the door.
Do not think I’m going places anymore,
Wanna see the sun come above New York.
Oh, everyday I start so great,
Then the sunlight dims.
Less I’ve learned,
The more I see the pythons and the limbs.
Do not know what’s wrong with me,
Sours in the cup.
When I walk into a room,
I do not light it up.
Fuck.

So I stay down,
With my demons