[Album Stream] Jay-Z - 'Magna Carta Holy Grail'

Well here it is folks. After a few weeks of build up we can finally stream Jay-Z's highly anticipated new album, Magna Carta Holy Grail. It features guest spots from Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Swizz Beats, JT, Pharrell, Timbaland and Rick Ross. Samsung users have lucked out as the first 1million people to download the album via an app get it for free. For us people on the Apple train we'll have to wait until the 8th to get our hands on a physical copy. For now though, enjoy it in full below via Fist In the Air / Hypetrak.

[Watch] Lulu James - "Step By Step" (Official Video)

Late in June we were treated to a brand new track titled "Step By Step" from the soulful and extremely talented Lulu James. Today we get an eyeball of a treat from her in the shape of the official video for that track. Colourful and vibrant to match the funky track you can watch it above. Very much excited to hear some more from Lulu but for those of you wanting to purchase this single, it's released on August 12th via RCA.

[Listen] Franz Ferdinand Share Two New Songs, "Right Action" and "Love Illumination"

I'm so excited these guys are back. Franz Ferdinand recently announced that their fourth album, titled Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, would be released on August 27th, and now they've shared two studio quality tracks from the record. The first is the (sort of) titular song "Right Action," an upbeat rock number that fits right in with the band's past work. "Love Illumination" is the second offering. It drives forward with relentless tempo, gritty guitar riffs and the love-struck lyrics of Alex Kapranos. Stream both songs below.

[News] Arctic Monkeys Announce UK Tour

Earlier this week Arctic Monkeys surprised fans with the annoucement of their fifth studio album, AM, set for release on September 9th. Today UK fans can rejoice as they've announced an arena tour to support it set for October/November. Check out the details below. No doubt some great footage will be up for grabs later in the week following their Glastonbury set this weekend. Maybe we'll even get a preview of another new track or two as we've already heard "Do I Wanna Know?" and "Mad Sounds" debuted live in recent weeks. Arctic Monkeys season is upon us. Let's embrace it.

Arctic Monkeys 2013 UK Tour: 

22 October       Newcastle Metro Radio Arena

23 October       Manchester Arena

25 October       London Earls Court

28 October       Liverpool Echo Arena

29 October       Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

31 October       Birmingham LG Arena

1 November     Glasgow Hydro

2 November     Sheffield Motorpoint Arena

[News] Bloc Party to Release 'The Nextwave Sessions' EP in August, Watch the Clip for New Song "Ratchet"

During an interview at Sasquatch!, Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke and I dove into a discussion about the band's current projects. What ended up dominating the conversation was a new EP the band has been working on. The EP now has an official title and release date. The Nextwave Sessions is due out on August 13th.

Written and recorded during their Four tour, the EP consists of five tracks—check out the full tracklist below. The band have been performing one of those live, the relentless, attitude-heavy "Ratchet." It's a great song, especially when heard live, but now it gets an official video and some studio quality sheen. Catch the replay below.

The Nextwave Sessions Tracklist:
01. Ratchet
02. Obsence
03. French Exit
04. Montreal
05. Children Of The Future

[Listen] Washed Out Unveils New Track "Don't Give Up"

The Washed Out hype train is quickly picking up speed. After announcing his sophomore album Paracosm a few weeks back, Ernest Greene gave us the vibrant lead single "It All Feels Right." I was impressed. He's taking a more nuanced approach to his music, using a wide array of instruments to create a mellow sound with lots of depth. That approach is even more evident on his latest cut, the nostalgic "Don't Give Up." It begins and ends with the faded sounds of friends and family laughing, setting the perfect tone for three-and-a-half minutes of blissful summer listening. Stream it below in the form of a lyric video.

Paracosm is out on August 13th.

[News] Arctic Monkeys Announce New Album, 'AM'

As I predicted on Saturday Morning, Arctic Monkeys have just out of the blue announced their fifth studio album, AM, which will be released on the 9th of September. It features twelve tracks, three of which we've already heard. The new single "Do I Wanna Know?" along with "Mad Sounds" and "R U Mine?" will be joined by another 9, some of which star some interesting sounding guest spots. Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme, former member of The Coral, Bill Ryder-Jones and Elvis Costello's drummer too, Pete Thomas. It's been produced by James Ford, and co-produced by Ross Orton at two Los Angeles studios: Sage & Sound Recordingand Rancho De La Luna, Joshua Tree. 

Mark your calendars and get excited. I'm sure we'll have plenty of previews before then. Also you should be extra pumped this week as the band are set to headline Glastonbury this weekend and it'll be televised on the BBC. Check out the new single and tracklist below.

AM Tracklisting:

1. Do I Wanna Know?
2. R U Mine?
3. One For The Road
4. Arabella
5. I Want It All
6. No. 1 Party Anthem
7. Mad Sounds
8. Fireside
9. Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?
10. Snap Out Of It
11. Knee Socks
12. I Wanna Be Yours

[Listen] Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros Bring in a Gospel Choir for "This Life"

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros get loud and preach with passion in their new single "This Life." It's the second song we've heard from the band's upcoming self-titled third album (the first was "Better Days"), and this one is a roller coaster of emotions and instruments. One moment will be met with quiet bliss, only to erupt in a explosion of horns, drums, guitars and gospel croons. It's really quite something. Worth noting is Alex Ebert, who delivers a fantastic range in his vocals. Stream the song below.

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros is out on July 23rd

(via Rolling Stone)