[News] The Field Announces New LP, 'Cupid's Head'

Minimal techno mastermind The Field (the moniker of Axel Willner) is back with a new album, his first since 2011's Looping State of Mind. If you haven't heard his stuff before, his three previous albums are really quite excellent. Each clocks in at about an hour, giving you plenty of minimal electronic to lose yourself in. This latest effort, titled Cupid's Head, will see the artist movig in a new direction (sort of), opting for live instrumentation throughout as opposed to his usual synthesized affair. It will also be a darker album tonally, hence the brooding gray artwork pictured above. Fitting, right? Willner spoke on the album, saying:

When I started to work on Cupid’s Head, it was quite awkward. I felt that I had nothing to put into a new album and I’m not the type to sit down and force something out in the studio. But then, after a few modest attempts, I got a first loop together and running which turned out (in a short time) to be ‘No.No…’. It was a revelation of sorts as making it felt new to me, and different, and that’s when it all came out. (This album) is about visions of the future, tiny actions and their consequences, about sentimentality and most certainly… about life."

Cupid's Head will be released on September 30th.

Cupid’s Head Tracklist:
01. They Won’t See Me
02. Black Sea
03. Cupid’s Head
04. A Guided Tour
05. No. No…
06. 20 Seconds Of Affection

[Watch] Edward Sharpe and The Magnetics Zeros Perform "Better Days" on Conan

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros continue to support their new self-titled album with another late-night performance. This time they visited Conan O'Brien's eponymous show, performing the lead single from the LP, "Better Days." The whole band made it out for this one.

Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros is out now.

[Watch] Action Bronson Performs "Strictly 4 My Jeeps" at a Retirement Home

"I don't care about Coachella, or nowhere in New York, or the Garden. All about St. Hilda's." These are the words of Action Bronson before he entered St. Hilda's retirement home in London, where he performed his single "Strictly 4 My Jeeps" live in front of a group of bewildered seniors. While they weren't particularly fans of the music—"You can't understand what they're saying. It's far too quick."—the audience enjoyed Bronson's quirky antics and good-natured humor. In the end, he got an average score of 5.2. Not bad for his first showing at St. Hilda's.

[Y Not Festival] Our Most Anticipated Artists of the Festival

We've mentioned Y Not Festival a few times in the past few months and this weekend hoards of people will gather in Pikehall, Derbyshire to see some fantastic live music. We'll be making the trip over to enjoy the weekend in the sun (hopefully) and before we do that we thought we'd include some information on the bands we're most look forward to seeing over the weekend. 

Make the jump to get the low-down. The festival is now sold-out so if you slept on it, I'm afraid you've missed otu this year. Be sure to find the guys on Facebook to keep up with next year's plans. 

Dan Le Sac VS Scroobius Pip

When: Friday

Where: Quarry Stage

Why? Quick wit, great beats and a return from the duo after their last release back in 2007. Excited yet? You should be. Try and keep up as Scroob lays verse after verse down making you both think and dance all at the same time. A deadly combination.

The Cribs

When: Saturday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? The Wakefield band of brothers have come a long way over the past decade and their live shows are raw as freshly chopped onions. With their latest album released just last year after the departure of Johnny Marr from the ranks, they've gone back to basics and I'm sure the performance will be a highlight of the weekend for many.

Willy Moon

When: Friday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? When you first see Willy Moon you might not expect him to be a mover and a shaker, given his clean cut hair and dapper suits. Don't let that fool you. His live performances pack a punch and after releasing his brilliant album, Here's Willy Moon, he's sure to leave the main stage crowd impressed.

The Horrors

When: Friday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? If Dan Le Sac and Scroob ain't quite your thing on Friday evening, then how about you head over to the Big Gin stage to witness The Horrors perform tracks from their absolutely stunning LP, Skying. On point and it could be argued, better live than on record. You be the judges.

Family Rain

When: Sunday

Where: Quarry Stage

Why? Another band of Brothers for you to check out on one of the smaller stages. The Family Rain recorded in their families basement and the results on record are wonderful. Gritty and blues tinged, perfect for a Sunday afternoon in the sun.

Wet Nuns

When: Sunday

Where: The Giant Squid Stage

Why? A two piece band that will melt your face and make you want to kiss the person next to you all at the same time? Wet Nuns are for you with Kyuss like riffs and stoner vibes. Make sure you catch these guys and shake off your Sunday cobwebs.

China Rats

When: Sunday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? We've mentioned China Rats a few times on SKOA and they're definitely a band to keep a close eye on over the coming months and festival season. Catch them now before they start playing larger crowds and bigger tents. It could be an "I was there" moment for the years to come.

The Joy Formidable

When: Sunday

Where: The Big Gin Stage

Why? A band with fans such as Mark Hoppus and Dave Grohl have got to be high on your "to-see" list for Sunday surely? These guys are sure to start your Sunday evening with a bang before the big guns take to headlining. 

[Listen] HAIM - "The Wire"

HAIM have previewed  brand new track called "The Wire" which was premiered earlier this week by Zane Lowe on BBC Radio One. People who've seen the band live may recognise it as it's been in their live set for a while but we now have the studio version to enjoy. See what you make of it below. 

The band have now finished work on their debut album and will release details on it soon. Watch this space.

[Listen] The Weeknd - "Love In The Sky"

The Weeknd is set to release is long-awaited and highly anticipated album Kiss Land on September 10th and so far we've only had a little taste of what's to come. There was also a bit of trouble regarding a Portishead sample, which wasn't actually a sample. Today though we have a little less drama in the shape of a track titled "Love in the Sky". Hit play below and check out a short visual for it too, and lookout for the album in September when it drops. 

You can also hear "Belong To The World" over here.

[Listen] Cyril Hahn Drops Groovy New B-side, "Raw Cut"

Producer Cyril Hahn's recent foray into original work—he released his fantastic debut single "Perfect Form" last month—showed a lot of promise, and his new track "Raw Cut" is even better. Serving as b-side to the previously mentioned "Perfect Form," this latest cut is a journey in groove-laden goodness. It moves along with precision, adding layers in typical electronic fashion yet never feels overdone or cliche. Catchy basslines are met with pulsating 808 kicks only to elevate with atmospheric synthesizers and slick guitar riffs. It really is excellent, deserving of more than just b-side status. Check it out below.

The "Perfect Form" single will be released on September 9th through PMR Records.

[Listen] Stream RJD2's New Single "Her Majesty’s Socialist Request"

RJD2 described the sounds on his upcoming fifth album More Is Than Isn't as "ranging from subdued jazz-tinged pieces to bombastic club music, and a lot of funk in between." Want to hear an example of this? "Her Majesty's Socialist Request" is the first piece we've heard off the LP and it brings a lot of different influences to the table. The offering spins an elaborate web of sounds, from gritty guitar riffs to Middle Eastern Ney flute to intricate, glitchy synthesizers to jazz piano. It's pretty inconsistent, unsure of where it wants to go, but it's worth hearing how RJ weaves this instrumental number together.

More Is Than Isn't is out on October 8th.

More Is Than Isn’t Tracklist:
01. Suite 1
02. Temperamental feat. Phonte Coleman
03. Behold, Numbers!
04. Her Majesty’s Socialist Request
05. A Lot of Night Ahead of You
06. Bathwater feat. P. Blackk
07. Milk Tooth
08. Suite 2
09. Winter Isn’t Coming
10. See You Leave feat. STS and Khari Mateen
11. Got There, Sugar?
12. Love and Go feat. Aaron Livingston
13. Descended From Myth
14. Dirty Hands
15. It All Came To Me In A Dream feat. Blueprint
16. Suite 3