Filed Under: Reign Of Terror

We told you about the NYC duo Sleigh Bells back in 2010 as a band to keep an eye out for, and for all of us that felt the 11 tracks off “Treats”—which made you want to roll down all the windows and blow out your speakers—wasn’t enough, the wait for more is almost over. On February 14 Sleigh Bells is releasing their sophomore album, “Reign of Terror” (Mom +Pop) which looks to add more melody to the sample and noise heavy duo. The above video is a trailer for their new album, which we’re seeing a lot of bands put out lately to gain early buzz and expect to see that trend continue.  

A Trendera “One To Watch” music pick!

Filed Under: Well Branded

Scion Automotive has always done a great job of integrating themselves into the influencer scene in America by helping support (financially and creatively) the music scene. They recently created Scion AV where they host all the videos, music and magazines they produce and are even on their way to creating a music label. The support and relationships they have built with young influential consumers is not something they can quantify publicly but is felt strongly by young consumers in the music scene who count themselves Scion brand fans. 

Most recently they put out a video series following DJ/Producer Prince Paul across the country in a Scion car (duh) talking to different music scenes. In the above video they talk to LA local legends A Club Called Rhonda, which has arguably the best party in all of the entire country. Scion understands that in order to engage today’s young consumers you have to offer them something of a real value, and not something splattered with advertising. We tip our hats to Scion.

Want rappers boiled down to one phrase, a laugh and yes a “Brrr”?  The Rap Board is a new one-off website that does just that. Click on your favorite rappers face to hear their catch-phrase. With the simple design, clean interface and with the app coming out soon, we could see this going viral faster than a Diddy giggle. 

Yes, annoyingly kitchsy re-creations of boombox graphics on tees, bags, and just about everything else have been popular over the last few years. But now, finally, form and function unite to give us the iHome iP4 Portable Stereo Boombox for iPhone/iPod. Fully worthy of being hoisted up on a shoulder, the iP4 delivers true hi-tech with a modern throwback look. Dear Santa… 

Filed Under: Insane Clown Posse + Jack White + Mozart?

It would make sense that when ICP hooks up with Jack White that they would invite dead Mozart along for the ride and make a song about ass-licking. Oh, wait I’m wrong. That makes no sense whatsoever.

The just-released Florence single “What the Water Gave Me” references Frida Kahlo and Virginia Woolf—a decidedly lofty premise, but the melodic power of the Machine never collapses under the weight of its own drama. With a sophomore album coming in November, this is a promising sample of more fabulous Florence to come.

Vinyl record sales jump 55% this year in the UK, reports Retail Gazette. Last year, vinyl sales were up just 14.2%. No data from the US has been released, but UK buying patterns may hint at a similar trend occurring on these shores. Now that CDs are long gone and digital reigns supreme, this surprisingly sizable jump in record sales indicates that vinyls still have a significant niche in the market—and maybe an increasing one, at that.

The persistent sales of an “outdated” technology could be fueled by one, or all, of the following: a holdover from nostalgic older Gen X, a resurgence in the desire for vintage-esque vinyls in today’s Gen Y consumers, or possibly because cutting-edge bands have been pushing vinyl releases. Why release costly vinyls? DJs prefer vinyls, music aficionados insist the sound is better, nostalgia continues to propel sales, and frankly, the design of Radiohead’s King of Limbs is nothing short of stunning. The causality of this trend is debatable, but the numbers are in and vinyl sales are up.

Filed Under: Jay-Z And Kayne West Hold Down the Throne

These guys just seem like they are having such a good time these days. I really want to be a hip-hop mogul.

Filed Under: Is “Swag” The Next “Friday?”

I mean it’s basically as bad and not age appropriate—-so maybe?

Filed Under: Bjork and Michel Gondry= TOTAL DREAM TEAM

Though not surprising that I would love a video that traces the electro-neon story of crystals growing on the moon, what shocked me was waking up this morning and turning this on and feeling like Bjork and Gondry had plugged into my brain and pulled out my dream from last night. Even if your dreams are more literal, you should watch this video of Bjork’s new single—which she famously primarily recorded on an iPad and released on a record that was an app!

Filed Under: Spike Jonze Is A Ken Doll Murderer

With the help of Spike Jonze and Santigold, the Beastie Boys have unleashed another epic music video for their new single “Don’t Play No Games that I can’t Win.” I guess Grace was right about the serious Barbie trend happening, because the video only features Ken dolls being mutilated and made heroes. Check it out.