[Watch] The Shins - "No Way Down" (Official Video)

After the creative and visual wonder that was The Shins' music video for "The Rifle's Spiral," the band has opted for a more straightforward approach to their latest video. The accompanying visuals for "No Way Down," from their latest LP Port of Morrow, The Shins do the usual stand-in-a-room-and-play-the-song type of video. Although it's pretty lackluster in a creative means, the band does sound very good when playing live and raw. Watch it above.

[Listen & Download] Stars - "The Theory Of Relativity"

To celebrate the announcement of Stars' sixth full-length album, The North, which is slated for a September 4th release on ATO Records, the band is offering a free download of their single, "The Theory of Relativity" in exchange for your email address. If you need some convincing first, you can have a listen to a stream of the track below. Once you find yourself in love with the song head over to their official website to download the song.

[SKOA Presents] Top Artists of 2012 So Far... Part 1

As we mentioned earlier in the week, this Sunday BBC 6 Music and The Hype Machine will join forces to announce their top 25 artists of the year so far in the 2012 Music Blog Zeitgeist. In build up to the show we thought we'd cast out opinions on artists we think have been influential so far this year and there's a lot to choose from. We won't go ahead and list an expansive list of artists 'cos that's what "End of Year" lists are for. Over the coming days we'll give a few honourable mentions and a top 3 of who, as a blog we all have love for and feel have shaped our listening in 2012. Whether it's an album we can't get enough of thus making us all doughy eyed for said creator or the shear work ethic of an artist, if we love it they most likely made this is it. Make the jump to see our first few honourable mentions.

Check back later and tomorrow to see our top picks.

Death Grips

Early in the year the news broke that Death Grips were setting up to release not one but two albums in 2012 after signing to Epic Records. The first of which was titled The Money Store and followed up the well received album Exmilitary from the previous year. The energy and combination of live band and electronic beats intertwining with Stefan Burnett rip roaring vocal delivery are a real treat. The wall of noise hits you like a brick to the face and you can't help but go back for seconds. With this being the first of two releases from the band this year we can't help but be excited for what else they're going to have us listening to by the end of the year. Check out the video for "The Fever (Aye Aye)" below.

Killer Mike

Following up his 2011 album PL3DGE, Killer Mike released his ridiculously good album R.A.P. Music in May. The album was a collaboration between Mike and Brooklyn's El-P who handled production. The album is a beast, seriously. Pardon the pun there but opening track "Big Beast" not only showcases Mike's wordplay but T.I., Bun B and Trouble all shine too. The album from front to back is a push pull of creation between El-P and Mike.. There's not a wasted second or filler on here. If the beats don't draw you in the lyrics and flow will. The end result is a well oiled machine sounds just as good on the hundredth play, if not better, than the first. Mike is currently touring the states with El-P and he's sure to continue dominating your web feed for quite some time to come. Check out the epic video for "Big Beast" below.

Breton

After a string of solid EPs and remixes, London five-piece Breton took the plunge with Fat Cat Records and released their debut full-length Other People's Problems. The album is a solidly executed first effort that encompasses a wide range of emotional responses and sounds, ranging from more upbeat tracks like "Oxides", "Ghost Note", and "Interference" to spine tingling songs like "2 Years" or "The Commission". You can clearly hear the progression that the band has mad from their EPs to this full length, which makes it all the more clear that the only direction that Breton can head from this direction is up. Additionally, the visual/live element to what they have brought to the table adds even more depth to the music, which dare I say may be the best way to experience the band for first timers. For now, have a listen to "Interference".

To get involved in the discussion head on over to the official Facebook page and @SKoABlog and use the hashtag #Blog6Music.

[Watch] Baio - "Sunburn Modern" (Video)

Vampire Weekend bassist Chris Baio released his solo EP titled Sunburn last month and dropped a video for the lead track, "Sunburn Modern" yesterday for the world to see. The video follows around a blonde mannequin as she wanders around various parts of Brooklyn before stopping for a sunbathe in the park. They did such a good job with this video that after awhile you mostly forget that she's supposed to be "not real".

You can grab Baio's EP over on iTunes.

[Listen] Yeasayer - "Longevity"

Following up the surprise release of a track called "Henrietta" last month Yeasayer are keeping the momentum, they've announced a new album Fragrant World and a tour to support it. So what's next? Track two from the album that's what. Titled "Longevity" the band have released it with a video accompaniment that you can "take drugs too". Their words not mine!

Fragrant World drops on August 21st via Secretly Canadian.

[Watch] The Avett Brothers - "Murder in the City" Live on Conan

The Avett Brothers paid a visit to Conan O'Brien last night to perform a track we probably didn't expect them too. They dived into their back-catalogue and performed the track "Murder in the City" from 2008′s The Second Gleam. It was a pretty impressive performance and can be enjoyed again at the top courtesy of The Audio Perv.

[Download] Dragonette - "Rocket Ship"

credit: Kristin VicariFollowing up tracks, "Let It Go" and "The Right Woman" today we have a third new track from Dragonette called "Rocket Ship". All three tracks will be on their forthcoming third studio album titled Bodyparts and is slated for a September 25th release (24th in the UK). The trio just kicked off a contest today in partnership with Talenthouse where fans have been given the lyrics to a track from the new album called "Untouchable" and are being challenged to create a version of the song themselves without being able to hear the band's version first. The lucky winner of the contest will have their version included as a b-side of the single when it is launched in addition to a bunch of other prizes. You can learn more about the contest here.

The band have a few tour dates coming up over the next couple of months before kicking off a proper tour in September where they will be joining NYC's very own The Knocks for select dates.

Dragonette Tour Dates
* = w/ The Knocks
 
6/23: Winnipeg, MB @ Red River Exhibition - FREE SHOW w/ gate admission
7/1: Mississauga, ON @ Canada Day / Mississauga Celebration Square - FREE
7/5 Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Blues Festival
7/6: Vancouver, BC @ Summer Playland Festival
7/7: Regina, SK @ Summer Invasion
7/11: Edmonton, AB @ HOT Factor Block Party / Public House - FREE
7/12: Calgary, AB @ The Stampede - FREE
7/14: Mexico City, MX @ Auditorio Blackberry
9/11: Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom *
9/13: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
9/14: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club *
9/15: Washington, DC @ Black Cat
9/16: Cleveland, OH @ Ingenuity Festival - FREE
9/18: Chicago, IL @ Metro *
9/19: Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *
9/20: Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club *
9/21: Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge*
9/24: San Diego, CA @ Belly Up *
9/25: Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre *
9/26: San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine *
9/27: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir *
9/28: Seattle, WA @ Decibal Festival / Neumos *

[Watch] RAC - "Hollywood (feat. Penguin Prison)" (Official Video)

Today RAC unveiled the video for this single, "Hollywood", which is out now via Green Label Sound. The video follows an 1850s cowboy who has been misplaced in modern day Los Angeles. You can't help but feels sorry for the guy. He looks so confused and out of place. You can catch glimpses of RAC's very own founder André Allen Anjos, actress Rose McGowan, and Penguin Prison's Chris Glover. 

If you haven't already,you can grab a free download of "Hollywood" and a remix of the song by The Magician. RAC also has a few shows coming up in Portland and Brooklyn. Have a look at dates and grab both songs below.

RAC US Tour Dates
6/21/12 - Holocene - Portland, OR
6/29/12 - Brooklyn Bowl - Brooklyn, NY
6/30/12 - Brooklyn Bowl - Brooklyn, NY