Aloe Blacc

Aloe Blacc – “I Need A Dollar”

Now that most university students are in the final stretch, with final projects due and exams to study for, we’re all looking for excuses to procrastinate more and more. That said, I’ve recently started watching HBO’s How To Make It In America on friends’ recommendations, in a last-ditch effort to put off listening to the classical works of Stravinsky and Schumann. After catching up on the entire first season, my verdict is still out on the show: it’s kind of like Entourage (the shows share the same producers) crossed with Sex In The City (but with expensive Japanese denim replacing designer handbags and shoes), with a twist of The Sopranos, and a much better soundtrack than all of the previously mentioned shows. Previous episodes have featured songs from Florence and the Machine, Phoenix, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and Kid Cudi, the latter who has a starring role on the show. Best song choice though? Without question, that honour would have to go the series’ theme song, which comes courtesy of Stones Throw-signed singer/rapper Aloe Blacc. “I Need A Dollar” feels like it could have came off some long-lost soul record that was discovered in a crate in someone’s dusty basement, which is definitely a compliment. Get ready to hear this song everywhere - the guy DJing at Dance Cave last weekend threw it on, for goodness’ sakes. As for the couplet,”If I shared my story with you, would you share your dollar with me?” – if that doesn’t describe a journalists’ life in a nutshell, than I don’t know what does.

Saukrates feat. D-Sisive – “Wednesday (Remix)”

Speaking of songs that could have been written about university students, this song begins with the line “I’m sipping on a Wednesday”, which could very accurately describe the drinking habits of some second-years I know (sorry, bad joke). You might recognize Saukrates’ name from his recent appearance on fellow Torontonian k-os’ “I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman” (with Nelly Furtado), but “Wednesday” proves that the man born Karl Amani Wailoo is good for more than guest verses, with the rapper rhyming about The Matrix, Shakespeare, and Ella Fitzgerald, among other subjects. The whole song is taken over-the-top by D-Sisive’s verse towards the ends, who furiously attacks wannabe rappers, calling them out as “piss-test failures” and “never-beens”. This for all of you who still think that Canada can’t produce talented rappers. Download the song, plus a bonus track, for free here.

The xx – “Shelter (Death To The Throne Remix)”

Wait What – “Juicy-R (The Notorious B.I.G. vs. The xx)

Do I even need a reason for putting these two songs up? The xx have been one of my favourite new bands for quite awhile now, Death To The Throne are one of my favourite remix collectives, and as for the Biggie mashup…it works much, much better than you’d think on paper.

Gil Scott-Heron feat. Nas – “New York Is Killing Me (Remix)”

Gil Scott-Heron is a grizzled, 60-year-old poet and musician, who is considered by many to be one of the pioneers of hip-hop, laying the framework through his spoken-word poetry, free jazz and unique brand of funk. There’s also a good chance you’ve heard his work without knowing it. The scathing societal, cultural and political commentary of  “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”? That was Scott-Heron. Or how about the synth solo on Common’s “The People” or Kanye’s “My Way Home”? Lifted from Scott-Heron’s “We Almost Lost Detroit” and “Home Is Where the Hatred Is”, respectively. Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, better known by his stage name Nas, is a 36-year-old street-savvy rapper, who is considered by many be one of the finest rappers to ever pick up a microphone (not to mention to have been involved in one of the most famous beefs in hip-hop history). So, what do these two have in common? Both call New York City home, and despite its faults (which are outlined pretty clearly on this track), they probably wouldn’t have it any other way. Recently, Nas took “New York Is Killing Me” from Scott-Heron’s stellar new album I’m New Here, and laid a couple of verses on it. Here’s the result.

Joker – “Tron”

Now kids, this right here is how you do dubstep. I’ve been sleeping on Joker for far too long, but it ends now. The 20-year-old from Bristol has seen his profile rise steadily in the past few years, going from complete unknown, to one of the U.K.’s most well-known dubstep producers. Hopefully this year will be the year he breaks out big in North America. “Tron” is a good introduction to Joker’s canon (check out “Purple City” or “Digidesign” while you’re at it) – it may or may not have been directly-influenced by the upcoming remake of the classic 1982 sci-fi film – but the track sure sounds like it could have come from the future, with its wobbling bassline and huge synth blasts. Listen it to over at Joker’s MySpace, and cross your fingers that this catches the ears of Toronto club DJs – it’s too good to go unnoticed for long.

Cubic Zirconia – “Make Her Say (Kid Cudi Cover)”

If you thought the original wasn’t a guilty enough pleasure for you, wait until you hear this version from Diplo-approved, Brooklyn trio Cubic Zirconia, who on their MySpace describe their sound as “Disco House / Emotronic / Tropical”. Awesome.

LCD Soundsystem – “Drunk Girls”

Hot summer anthem alert! While it’s still too early to predict which new single will be this summer’s “Paper Planes” or  “Crazy”, I’m willing to bet that we’ll be hearing this one at least a few times in the upcoming months. The first single released from LCD Soundsystem’s forthcoming third album, This Is Happening (due out May 18th), “Drunk Girls” is classic James Murphy, with just the right amount of catchiness and jadedness that we’ve come to expect (and love) from the New York City musician. Much like previous LCD Soundsystem songs such as “North American Scum” or “Losing My Edge”, “Drunk Girls” is designed to make you dance your ass off on the surface, while Murphy’s lyrics sarcastically comment on  pop culture. Murphy’s last effort (2007′s Sound of Silver) made many critics’ “best album of the decade” lists, so the new album has a lot to live up to, but this song is definitely a good start. Bonus: LCD Soundsystem will be at the Kool Haus on May 25th. This show is all-ages and tickets will set you back $35.

Tokyo Police Club – “Breakneck Speed”

While you’ve been sleeping, Tokyo Police Club have spent the past few months hunkered down in an L.A. studio, working on the follow-up to their 2008 debut album. The band has finally set a release date for Champ (June 8th), have a bunch of tour dates coming up (including Coachella and Bonnaroo), and now we have the album’s first single. “Champ” is a bit of a misnomer – while I’d hardly call it a ballad, it’s a lot slower than past Tokyo Police Club songs such as “Your English Is Good”, and the majority of the A Lesson In Crime EP. And what’s this, there’s nary a handclap or gang vocal to be heard in this song? Could it be that (gasp!) that the boys from Newmarket, Ontario are growing up? If this single is any indication, we can expect a more confident and mature-sounding Tokyo Police Club album in the not-so-distant future. “It’s good to be back, good to be back,” sings David Monks. It’s good to have them back.

Wintersleep – “Black Cameras” and “New Inheritors”

I love Wintersleep. Here are four reasons why you should too:

#1: The band’s last album, Welcome To The Night Sky, was the band’s strongest effort yet, and garnered praise from music critics and fans alike across Canada.

They won the 2008 Juno Award for New Group of the Year, and the “Weighty Ghost” music video won a Much Music Video Award.

#2: Wintersleep are as revered as The Beatles in Atlantic Canada. You might think I’m exaggerating, but visit anywhere in Nova Scotia, and you’ll see that statement isn’t too far from the truth. Everyone and their mothers either knows someone, or somebody that knows somebody, that knows one of the guys in the band. Proof: I worked at a camp the past four summers, and the baker’s nephew starred in the “Weighty Ghost” video.

#3: When you hear any Wintersleep song live, it is almost never the same as on record – a testament to the group’s ability to keep their audiences on their toes by changing tempos, adding experimental flourishes, etc.

#4: Loel Campbell is one of the most underrated drummers in Canadian modern rock.

You can now listen to two new songs, from their upcoming album New Inheritors (out May 18th), on their MySpace right this minute. So what are you waiting for?

The National – “Bloodbuzz Ohio”

For anyone that’s seen The National play in the past two years or so, you know that “Bloodbuzz Ohio” ain’t exactly a new song, as its been a staple in the Brooklyn band’s live set for quite some time. For those of you who haven’t heard the song, or were waiting for a hard copy to play on your stereo, iPod, record player, etc., I have some good news for you: “Bloodbuzz” will be included on the new album, High Violet (May 11th), joining “Vanderlylle Crybaby Geeks” that I featured the other week. It isn’t the most aggressive song we’ve heard from Matt Berninger & Co., but it is characteristically melancholic, and builds to a big finish  that The National are known for. Alas, a Google Maps search could not confirm that an actual Bloodbuzz, Ohio exists, but it sounds like a pretty badass place nonetheless. Check out the new website for High Violet where you can download “Bloodbuzz” there.