Dan Auerbach on 'Kimmel'

Watch Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach go solo and perform "Cherrybomb" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Jake Bugg Details New Album

Jake Bugg will release his fourth album, Hearts That Strain, next month. 

The record features Black Keys singer Dan Auerbach; Bobby Wood and Gene Chrisman of Memphis Boys; and Noah Cyrus. 

“They’re old guys but they’re amazing,” Bugg says of playing with the vets. “It was ten to five and then that’s it. They'd pack up and we’d done two or three tunes. It was a mad vibe being from England and meeting these absolute legends and then cutting some tracks with them.”

Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below:

1.    How Soon The Dawn

2.    Southern Rain

3.    In The Event Of My Demise

4.    This Time

5.    Waiting

6.    Man On The Stage 

7.    Hearts That Strain 

8.    I Can Burn Alone

9.    Indigo Blue

10.  Bigger Lover

                  11.  Every Colour In The World

QUICK SPINS

SZA – Ctrl

The long-awaited debut from Top Dawg Entertainment’s top queen has finally arrived and SZA slices through every stigma any woman in hip-hop has ever faced. Arriving with one of the best debuts in recent memory, the rapper blends R&B, soul, funk, into her autobiographical LP. Featuring Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Isaiah Rashad, among others, she pulls her influences from Tupac to the Fugees to Odd Future to give the new school a taste of the old in an artistic manner.

FINAL GRADE: A

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Murder of the Universe

The second of three albums coming this year from the powerful and masterful Australian psyche band hears them progressing their vision just a bit further.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Portugal. The Man – Woodstock

It has been over four years since Portugal. The Man have released a new record which makes it the longest gap between music releases this band has had. That being said, the band take all of their influences from The Beatles, Oasis, and Wu-Tang and blend them together while still using their musical fingerprints to create a solid record that attracts new fans and pleases older ones.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Listen to Our 2009 Interview with Portugal. The Man 

The Drums – Abysmal Thoughts

Hands down the best Drums record since their fantastic 2010 debut. Johnny Pierce brings his surf rock meets 80s New Wave sound to new heights and clarity with his most succinct and sharpest lyrics as of yet. A perfect record for fun in the sun and sulking in a corner – which is the total opposite but Pierce makes it possible.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Read Our 2010 Interview with The Drums 

Color Film – Living Arraignments

Glassjaw, United Nations, Head Automatica frontman Darryl Palumbo debuted Color Film in 2014 and since then, the project has remained quiet until earlier this year when they announced they were finally putting a record out. Living Arraignments is a New Wave record done right for the 21^st Century. Unlike the poppy neo-New Wave sound he created in Head Automatica, Palumbo makes Color Film’s music a bit more dramatic but just as interesting.

FINAL GRADE: B+ 

Read Our 2014 Interview with Color Film 

London Grammar – Truth is a Beautiful Thing

The long awaited sophomore record from the moody London trio has arrived and singer Hannah Reid sores beyond all expectations on how she utilizes her voice. The lengthy record is a lot to digest in one sitting and her lyrics about breakup and hope resonate with anyone but it is how she showcases that unique voice of hers that captures everyone’s attention.  The record does need a song that needs to be not dramatic and a pop single but maybe we can hold out hope for those on album No. 3.

FINAL GRADE: B

Lana Del Rey – Lust For Life

It was pretty bold for Del Rey to name her third record after the iconic Iggy Pop album of the same name but she separates herself from the pack. She still brings the moody and dark tones of her previous LPs but this record does project the sound of hope and someone yearning to be heard.

FINAL GRADE: B

Beth Ditto – Fake Sugar

The long awaited debut album from the former Gossip frontwoman gives us something that is not only her most personal work to date but something of a glam, funk, country, pop record. Ditto tries it all on Fake Sugar and succeeds most of the time.

FINAL GRADE: B

Roger Waters – Is This The Life You Really Want?

After nearly 20 years, the former Pink Floyd bassist has returned with a new solo album and it comes at the perfect time. Waters’ timing could not be more perfect. With everything that is going on in the world, the outspoken activist has channeled his anger in a record that is both a gift to fans but much needed for our era.

FINAL GRADE: B

Slowdive

After 22 years, Slowdive return with a new album that marks their unique shoegaze sound going into a new era.

FINAL GRADE: B

Royal Blood – How Did We Get So Dark?

The British rock duo return with their second record and pick up right where they acclaimed debut left off. Packed with more thunderous riffs and stadium sized songs, Royal Blood are one of the only true new rock and roll bands around and they don’t even have a guitar.

FINAL GRADE: B 

Ride – Weather Diaries

21 years since they last graced us with their pioneering shoegaze sound, Ride returns right where they left off. This go around, however, it feels as if Andy Bell took some of the queues he got while playing in Oasis and crafted some anthems for the jilted generation.

FINAL GRADE: B

Read Our 2015 Interview with Andy Bell 

Fleet Foxes – Crack-Up

The Seattle lo-fi band return with a record that makes you wonder if nature had a soundtrack what would it be? The answer: Crack-Up.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Dan Auerbach – Waiting on a Song

The Black Keys frontman goes solo for the second time with a blues record that gives him a little more room to breathe from his main band. Auerbach has a command over his songwriting but still sticks to the style we have all grown accustomed to.

FINAL GRADE: B-

KMFDM – Yeah! EP

The fact that KMFDM are still creating pulse pounding beats, songs, and heavy riffs as they get older is an accomplishment on its own. The German industrial legends return with an EP that still sticks to the blueprint of what they have created over the years but also pushes them into the modern era as well as making them one of the most aggressive and loudest acts still around.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Read Our 2013 Interview with KMFDM 

Jeff Tweedy – Together At Last

The Wilco frontman goes solo and crafts an Americana record that only he could make.

FINAL GRADE: B-

 Alt-J – Relaxer

It is a new Alt-J record. Have you heard the previous two? Well, then you also heard their latest.

FINAL GRADE: D

Phoenix – Ti Amo

The French alternative rockers return with a new record and take inspiration from Italian disco, which they carry, that motif out through their entire collection of latest tunes. However, the issue with this album is that they should have hired Giorgio Moroder or Nile Rodgers to aide them with how to create a funky sound because this record not only lacks energy it takes such an exciting subgenre that is full of life and kills it.

FINAL GRADE: D

Dan Auerbach on 'Colbert'

Watch Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach perform a pair of songs on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Quick News

Weller’s new album A Kind Revolution will be released on May 12th on CD, Deluxe CD, LP and 10” box set: https://t.co/C5q3TaycnJ pic.twitter.com/hpxnk14hrf

— Paul Weller (@paulwellerHQ) March 30, 2017

Paul Weller will release his new album, A Kind Revolution, in May. The Modfather posted the album's info on Twitter, watch above, and the tracklisting, below:
1. Woo Sé Mama
2. Nova
3. Long Long Road
4. She Moves With The Fayre
5. The Cranes Are Back
6. Hopper
7. New York
8. One Tear
9. Satellite Kid
10. The Impossible Idea 

The Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach will release his first solo album in eight years, Waiting on a Song, in June. Take a look at the tracklisting, below:

1 Waiting on A Song
2 Malibu Man
3 Livin’ in Sin
4 Shine on Me
5 King of a One Horse Town
6 Never in My Wildest Dreams
7 Cherrybomb
8 Stand by My Girl
9 Undertow
10 Show Me

A Perfect Circle have confirmed that they will release a new album later this year. 

The Movelife will release their first album since 2003 later this year. In a press release, singer Vinnie Caruana posted: ”It's not easy visualizing what a Movielife record would sound like in 2017. We wrote and wrote and wrote, and got to an amazing place. This is not a comeback record; this is something truly special. This album is a project we are both immensely proud of and can't wait to share it with the world. Full steam ahead.”

 

Leftfield will reissue their debut Leftism 22 in June and comes exactly 22 years since it was released. "I suppose Leftism was completely different to anything else at the time,” Paul Daley said in a press release. "We tried to push sonic boundaries and used every inch of the speakers available, and then tried to push it a bit more. It was like pop music sticking two fingers up to pop music at the time and people seemed to take notice."

 

Queens of the Stone Age collaborator Mark Lanegan recently spoke on "Let Their Be Talk" podcast and said that QOTSA have finished their new album. An official confirmation has not been released from the band but it looks like new material is arriving soon considering this statement and the fact that they booked a summer tour. 

Quick News

via GIPHY

Fleet Foxes will most likely release a new album this year, their third, and singer Robin Pecknold is already teasing LP No. 4. In an Instagram post, he said that the new record will be out "within 24 months of LP3 according to contract."

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach said he plans on releasing his sophomore solo album this year.  The album is currently being crafted inside his Nashville studio.

Wavves have confirmed that their new album is finished and will be out in April.

Los Angeles will celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Doors with "Day of The Doors," a celebration of the legacy of the iconic band on Wednesday. The Venice section of the city, which is where singer Jim Morrison once lived, is said to host the event. According to a Facebook post, the details are as follows: "50 years to the day of the release of their debut album, January 4 will be declared “Day Of The Doors” in the city of Los Angeles. The proclamation will be made by Councilmember Mike Bonin during a public event at the intersection of Pacific and Windward Avenues, the location of the iconic “Venice” sign. Founding Doors members John Densmore and Robby Krieger will be on hand at the event as will family members of the late Ray Manzarek and Jim Morrison."

Pretenders and Dan Auerbach on 'Colbert'

The Pretenders were joined by Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach, who produced their new record, as they played "Holy Commotion" on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

QUICK SPINS

Dillinger Escape Plan – Dissociation

The mathcore band announced that after 20 years together and Dissociation was their swansong. If you are a fan of this band, this was a bittersweet farewell as one of the greatest and heaviest live bands around was saying goodbye but in typical fashion they were not doing it quietly. Dissociation is their way of letting fans knows they were going out with a bang on their explosive career.

FINAL GRADE: A-

The Pretenders – Alone

Linking up with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, Ohio’s finest Chrissy Hyde and the Arcs frontman bring their sounds and styles together from the Midwest. It is easily one of the best Pretenders records in decades as Auerbach gives the band a much needed modern twist but still maintain their identity.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Crocodiles – Dreamless

Six records in and the California noise pop band continue to bring a different atmosphere to their music with every record. Dreamless takes a slightly more shoegaze approach but still challenges their past material.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Kings of Leon – WALLS

The brothers Followill are back and return with their most solid record since their 2008 breakout, Only By The Night. Singer Caleb Followill assess his life and career on WALLS making it their most personal to date. The band started  rebuilding with 2013’s underrated Mechanical Bull but now come full circle.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Lady Gaga – Joanne

Mother Monster is back with her new album that is a hybrid of Americana, pop and rock. Gaga dives into her soul and comes out with an appreciation for life, women and herself as Joanne becomes her most personal album to date.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Green Day – Revolution Radio

It is no surprise that Green Day released a record during this election season but we are glad they did. The band come back and bring forth the political punk bite that made them enter a new chapter in their career back during Green Day’s American Idiot days.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Jimmy Eat World – Integrity Blues

How does an emo band survive in 2016? They look at how Jimmy Eat World have done it. The emo vets are back with one of their most solid records since Futures and show they still got some sugar in their tank.

FINAL GRADE: B+

CRX – New Skin

The Strokes’ Nick Valensi links up with a new band and Josh Homme to produce a biting rock and roll record and allows the guitarist to take center stage.

FINAL GRADE: B

Bell X1 – Arms

The Irish rockers return with their 10^th record and for fans it is another collection of solid songs for their arsenal.

FINAL GRADE: B

Sting – 57^th and 9^th

Sting returns to his rock roots and looks at his illustrious career with his latest. The artist was humbled by the passing’s of Bowie and Prince this year and took to the studio to assess what his life and career have been with this batch of songs.

FINAL GRADE: B

American Football

It has been over a decade since American Football released their debut and the emo indie heroes returned with a record for fans who have waited and grew up as they got older.

FINAL GRADE: B

Mike Doughty – The Heart Watches While the Brain Burns

The former Soul Coughing frontman’s new solo record is another lyrical adventure for fans to indulge as he adds to the growing collection of fantastic records he has given out over the years.

FINAL GRADE: B

Kaiser Chiefs – Stay Together

Using a crowdfunding campaign to record Stay Together, Kaiser Chiefs made a record totally for the fans as they didn’t experiment too much but crafted the same lovable rock and roll they became popular for.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Two Door Cinema Club – Gameshow

One of the finest bands around have released one of the most confusing records of their career. Two Door Cinema Club were known for poppy hooks and catchy riffs but on Gameshow they really try and push for a radio single in an era when radio singles are not as important as they once were.

FINAL GRADE: C

Pretenders Announce Dan Auerbach-Produced New LP

For the first time in 8 years, Pretenders will release a new album. The record, Alone, will arrive in October and was produced by Chrissy Hyde's fellow Akron, Ohio native, Black Keys frontman Dan Auerbach. 

Take a look at the cover, above, and the tracklisting, below, and listen to the new single, "Holy Commotion."

1. Alone Song
2. Roadie Man
3. Gotta Wait
4. Never Be Together
5. Let’s Get Lost
6. Chord Lord
7. Blue Eyed Sky
8. Be The Man That You Are
9. One More Day
10. I Hate Myself
11. Death Is Not Enough
12. Holy Commotion

Suicide Squad Soundtrack Details Revealed

One of the most anticipated movies of the summer is Suicide Squad and now, thanks to the details of its soundtrack coming out, the album is expected to be a desired piece of music. 

Take a look at the cover, above, and the star-studded racklisting, below:

01 Skrillex & Rick Ross: “Purple Lamborghini”
02 Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, & Imagine Dragons: “Sucker For Pain” [ft. Logic, Ty Dolla $ign & X Ambassadors]
03 twenty one pilots: “Heathens”
04 Action Bronson & Dan Auerbach: “Standing In The Rain” [ft. Mark Ronson]
05 Kehlani: “Gangsta”
06 Kevin Gates: “Know Better”
07 Grace: “You Don't Own Me” [ft. G-Eazy]
08 Eminem: “Without Me”
09 Skylar Grey: “Wreak Havoc”
10 Grimes: “Medieval Warfare”
11 Panic! At The Disco: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
12 War: “Slippin' Into Darkness”
13 Creedence Clearwater Revival: “Fortunate Son”
14 ConfidentialMX: “I Started a Joke” [ft. Becky Hanson]

Underrated Classic: The Black Keys 'The Big Come Up'

In the aftermath of The Strokes breaking through, it seemed like garage rock bands were popping up all over the world from Australia's The Vines to Sweden's The Hives to England's Libertines, they took the world by storm but two of the best came from America -- The Black Keys and The White Stripes. In 2002, the duo of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney arrived on the scene with The Big Come Up, a collection of lo-fi blues that challenged the idea that two people are limited to a certain amount of power. With songs like "Leavin' Truck,""Brooklyn Bound" and "I'll Be Your Man," indie audiences around the country rejoiced at these two guys from Ohio and what they were doing. After touring like two animals for years, they became critical and fan favorites over the years. While their sound has evolved in leaps and bounds from what they did 14 years ago, the record never charted but laid the foundation of what these two college dropouts would do for the rest of their lives.

Quick News

Are Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole releasing that joint album in February? According to Kendrick's sister's Instagram, she may have revealed the info in a post on accident following the emcees "Black Friday" surprise single. In the post, which was taken down but then reposted by Reddit users, she wrote: "Collab drop #Feb16 so be on the look out for that as well." We will have to wait and see.

Speaking to Hypetrak, MF DOOM is plotting a big 2016. He said: "I got a lot of good shit coming up this year. I know I've been off y'all's scope for awhile because I've been in the cut. I've been healing and resting up and shit. Getting ready to fuck y'all up." He was coy as to what it exactly was, but may speculate a new solo album and possibly the long awaited DOOMStarks collab with Ghostface Killah. 

Could The Arcs be releasing their sophomore album next year? That might be the case after Black Keys front man and Arcs main man Dan Auerbach told Billboard that they were really close to finishing their next record.

Taking part in a Facebook Q&A with his band ELVY,  Matt Berninger said that his main band, The National, will not be releasing a new album next year despite playing new songs live and saying that the unheard batch of tracks is really 'fucking good," when they spoke to Stereogum this month.

The Arcs on Colbert

Watch The Black Keys' Dan Auerbach perform with his new band The Arcs as they make their TV debut on The Late Show.

QUICK SPINS

 

New Order – Music Complete

In the decade since their last album, New Order broke-up, then reunited without founding member Peter Hook and now released their 10^th album – as much as fans may scratch their head that it isn’t New Order without Hooky, this album is some of their best material since the 1980’s. New Order take the new wave style they helped usher in, add more Euro trashness to it and sharp delivery for a record that is a party from start to finish. What is missing is Hooky’s signature bass lines and playing but it is made up for in Gillian Gilbert and Phil Cunningham’s synths. New Order fans of every generation will eat this record up.

FINAL GRADE: A

Everything But The Girl  - Walking Wounded / Temperamental (Reissues)
The final two reissues and the final two albums from one of the most underrated groups of the last 30 years has been released. Everything But the Girl's 1996 underrated classic The Walking Wounded and 1999's Temperamental still resonate and hold up to high standards today. It was on these records you can hear how the duo were a clear cut influence on artists like The xx, Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd, and James Blake. These reissues remaster the records sound and coupled with bonus cuts, it makes for the ultimate guide to the ultimate throwback. One of the finest reissues of the year.
FINAL GRADES: A 

Foals – What Went Down

British indie rockers Foals have been pushing the boundaries with their sound since they bursted onto the scene a decade ago. Their latest album, What Went Down, is an epic adventure that makes the listener feel as if they are surfing the highest waves and then crashing down at the beach after 48 minutes and 12 seconds.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Robyn & La Bagatelle Magique – Love is Free EP

Sweden’s finest pop princess and La Bagatelle Magique team up with Maluca to honor late Magique member Christian Falk on their debut EP, Love is Free. The EP is a confession for the dance floor and brings Falk back to life with the sounds of Europe on this collection of songs.

FINAL GRADE: A-

Craig Finn – Faith in the Future

The Hold Steady’s front man Craig Finn goes on his second solo outing and this time the lyrical master gets more personal than ever before. Faith in the Future is his unofficial love letter to his time in New York City since moving to the Big Apple from Minneapolis at the turn of the century as well as finding beauty in negative spaces. The record is also his most minimal in terms of music forcing the listener to pay attention to his brilliant songwriting and story telling.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Ghost – Meliora

As the Pope arrives in New York City this weekend, Ghost have given the papal visit something to sing about. The doom-and-gloom rockers return with another tongue-in-cheek look at Christianity and the church.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Public Enemy – Man Plans God Laughs

The 13^th album from Long Island rap icons Public Enemy might be their best this millennium. Chuck D has channeled all of his anger, frustration that has gone on in the news and crafted his most vicious and headline worthy lyrics in a while. This is a Public Enemy album for all to endure and hear.

FINAL GRADE: B+

Mac Demarco – Another One

Canada’s Mac Demarco currently lives in the Rockaway section of Queens, New York, and found a way to tie in his homelands into one creative mini album. The record is for Demarco’s fans that have been with him every step of the way.

FINAL GRADE: B

Willis Earls Beal – Noctunes

The artist and musician that is Willis Earls Beal never fails to impress and Noctunes does just that. It is a record that what written at the end of his marriage and creates lullabies that he can calmly sing himself to sleep with at night and now his most personal thoughts are exposed before you go to bed.

FINAL GRADE: B

Spector – Moth Boys

English rockers Spector return with their sophomore effort, Moth Boys, and still bring the slick Britrock inspired tunes that gained them attention when they first arrived.

FINAL GRADE: B

Radkey – Dark Black Makeup

Finally! The debut from Missouri’s Radkey has arrived and does not disappoint. The young garage band of brothers combines the ethos of early Arctic Monkeys and Strokes and mix it with the attitude of Fishbone for a solid first outing.

FINAL GRADE: B

Beach House – Depression Cherry

Beach House return with another lush, sexy, and often times musically erotic LP to seduce your new lover to.

FINAL GRADE: B

Teenage Time Killers – Greatest Hits Vol. 1

This massive metal super group features everyone from Dave Grohl and Nick Oliveri to Corey Talor, Randy Blythe, members of Clutch, Fear, Alkaline Trio, Sun O))), Corrosion of Conformity, and a shit load of other dudes that plug in their gear and blow the fuck out of each other in a room.

FINAL GRADE: B

Lana Del Rey – Honeymoon

Everyone’s favorite songstress to hate, Lana Del Rey, returns with her third album and like her other moody releases, this one does nothing different and it proves she doesn’t have to.

FINAL GRADE: B

Beirut – No No No

Four albums in and Beirut’s Balkan-inspired folk and pop is as infectious as ever.

FINAL GRADE: B

The Arcs – Yours, Dreamly

The debut album from Black Keys front man Dan Auerbach’s other band is here and basically sounds like The Black Keys with a full band.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Slayer – Repentless

It is a new Slayer record, there is no need for a review.

FINAL GRADE: \m/ \m/

Health – Death Magic

The LA noise rock superstars Health return with their first album in six years and third overall and still have the same flavor they did when they were at their height.

FINAL GRADE: B-

Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes – Blossom

When Frank Carter left Gallows to form Pure Love, his electronic experimental project, he left a void in the hardcore and punk scene. Now one of the greatest frontmen to ever do it is back in the genre he was born for.

FINAL GRADE: B-

No Devotion – Permanence

Former Thursday front man Geoff Rickly teamed up with the innocent members of LostProphets and created No Devotion. Now, after a few years together, the band have released their debut which is a post-punk extravagaza that is almost a natural progression for the Welsh band and the New Jersey post-hardcore singer since the fall of their prior groups. For fans of Rickly and LostProphets this is one to hear.

FINAL GRADE: B-