[Album Stream] Giraffage - 'Needs'

San Francisco-based producer Giraffage impresses once again with his new mixtape Needs, a collection of nine songs that delve into his emotional core through shimmering samples, R&B influences, and top-notch production. His first major release since 2011's Comfort, this new mix is an even clearer indication of Giraffage's talent. Do yourself a favor and download this album. Grab yourself a free copy here or at Giraffage's Bandcamp, where you can name your price.

(via Gorilla vs. Bear)

[Listen] Big Black Delta - "Side Of The Road"

Big Black Delta is the moniker of ex-Mellowdrone vocalist Jonathan Bates, who has been producing heart-pounding, synth-heavy electronic beats under the name for the past two years. He's so good we've interviewed him not once but twice. It appears that nothing is slowing down the Los Angeles artist, who shows that there is always room for expansion and improvement. In April BBD will release his sophomore album, a self-titled affair, and if the first single "Side Of The Road" is any indication, the album will surely be a melodic synthesized journey into the sounds of the '80s. The song is dancey, exciting, and just plain good. Stream it below (via MTV Hive).

Big Black Delta is out on April 9th.

[Album Stream] Dead Sons - 'The Hollers & The Hymns'

Every now and again I get a real bit of excitement for some new music that gets me a little warm in the loins. Over the new year period, that happened while I was on holiday in New York with the SKoA family. The band that got me all hot under the collar was Dead Sons, a band humbling from Sheffield who I've mentioned previously via their track "Hangman". Next week they'll release their debut album The Hollers & The Hymns via Bereyt Records next Monday, February 18. Today Artrocker has got a hold of that album, the album that soundtracked 10 days in Brooklyn for me, strolling the streets, drinking far too much and eating myself silly.

It's dirty, heavy, fuzzy beast of an album from start to finish with hints of Queens of the Stone Age and just desert rock vibes in general. I feel people will make a comparison to Arctic Monkeys which is fair enough. They come from the same city. They all started making music at a similar time back when members of Dead Sons were in Milburn so that's bound to happen, but damn this is a great debut album. I've had it playing regularly for over a month and I hope you guys will give it some love too. If you like what you hear, the band will be on tour in March hitting up numerous venues including my old hometown of Chesterfield. Dates after the jump and the glorious album is below too. Bathe in its glory and pick up a copy from Monday.

Dead Sons UK Tour 2013:

February 16 - Sheffield, The Library Theatre 
March
02 - Chesterfield, Real Time Live 
08 - Bedford, Esquires 
09 - Milton keynes, The Craufurd Arms 
14 - Manchester, Trof Fallowfield 
15 - Stockton, Ku Bar 
21 - Bristol, Start the Bus 
22 - London, Sebright Arms 
23 - Southampton, Lennons 
26 - York, The Duchess 
27 - Leeds, A Nation of Shopkeepers 
28 - Middlesbrough, Doctor Browns 
29 - Coventry, Taylor Johns 
30 - Stoke, The Sugarmill 
April

05 - Preston, Mad Ferret

[Watch] Fall Out Boy - "My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark" Live on Kimmel

After returning to the world last week (almost) completely out of the blue, Fall Out Boy last night returned to the late night TV circuit with a performance of their new track "My Songs Know What You Did In the Dark". Donned head to tow in UV skeleton outfits, complete with Patrick's trademark hat, the band performed the track with the energy they used to be renowned for. I wasn't completely sold on this track when I first heard it, me and Mark have talked about it a fair bit this past week and it's definitely a grower. It seems that the band is as tight as ever in a live situation but see if you agree up at the top. 

The band is also set to return with an album titled Save Rock And Roll is now coming out on April 15th rather than the previously announced May 6th.

[Listen] Jessie Ware - "Diamonds" (Rihanna Cover) in Radio One's Live Lounge

Today during the weeks ongoing Best Breakthrough act Live Lounge sessions Radio One has been holding all week, the wonderful Jessie Ware stepped up to perform. Now as we know by this point the Live Lounge can result in some rather odd songs being covered by artists, but today, Jessie covered something which fitted her voice beautifully. It was what she says is her "...favourite pop song of last/this year" and it originally came from Rihanna's 2012 album, Unapologetic. She covered "Diamonds" and the results were breath taking from start to finish. We've given Jessie a lot of love over the past year, and I think this just goes to show how great of a live performer she is. Listen again below and for some more pics and video check out the official BBC website here.

[Watch] Foals - "Milk & Black Spiders" (Official Video)

Foals shift away from the danceability and slick visuals of "My Number", changing their focus to the moody CCTV footage of "Milk & Black Spiders". With our eyes fixed solely on the band rehearsing the song, the execution is simple but effective, forcing us to pay attention to the intricacies of the gloomy track. Catch the replay above.

Holy Fire, Foals' newest album, is out now.

[News] Parklife Weekender announces initial line-up

After weeks of torment and announcing just one act a day via numerous sources, Parklife Weekender has been given a full initial line-up announcement and it's shaping up to be a fun start to summer in Manchester. Presented by the same awesome people that bring us the Warehouse Project, the festival takes part over the weekend of June 8th-9th. Previously announced acts included Julio Bashmore, Everything Everything, The Maccabees, Four Tet and Hudson Mohawke. 

Names added today include Example, Plan B, Rita Ora, Mark Ronson, A Trak, The Horrors, Jessie Ware, Jamie Jones, Disclosure, Rudimental, TEED, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Savages, King Krule, Toro Y Moi and a crap load of others, with loads more still to be announced it's looking like it will live up to the previous years'. For the full line-up so far head over to the official website to grab some tickets. You know you want to. We're still awaiting word on the new venue/location for the event but we're told it'll all be revealed a week today (February 21st).

[Watch] The Weeknd - "Twenty Eight" (NSFW)

The Weeknd has hinted at a big year, and to get things started he has unveiled the video for his Trilogy bonus track "Twenty Eight". Overwhelmed by a sense of bleak nihilism, the visuals center around an interview with an absent-minded Tesfaye with footage of strippers, dancers, and naked women of all kinds interspersed. Watch the NSFW clip below.