WATCH: Brontide Perform New Song for CutLooseTV

In 2011, UK instrumental math rock/post rock/post-hardcore trio Brontide released one of the year's best albums with their debut LP, Sans Souci. That album was consistently strong throughout, playing out like one giant riff-fest with each song connecting to the next; it was a behemoth of musical proficiency and dizzying, exciting arrangements. Naturally, quite a few people around the globe, including me, have been anxiously awaiting the band's follow-up album, one that's been teased since the tail end of last year. No official release date has been offered, but new music has started to surface online.

PREMIERE: Upstairs Downstairs - "Parkas Indoors"

Kicking of this fine week, Mixtape Muse has the honor of premiering the video for Upstairs Downstairs' single "Parkas Indoors," off their new, self-titled sophomore album. Animator Ric Carrasquillo's stop-motion work provides a clever, pensive visual treatment for this charmingly melancholic and melodic track that sounds like the sun sneaking glances through the clouds. With nothing more than some tape and imagination, Carrasquillo creates life out of seemingly mundane things to evoke a sense of lost time, regret, and longing for something more. It's a strong complement to the San Francisco quintet's dreamy indie folk pop song. As a pair, they produce something rather thought-provoking, with the implication that sometimes it's the little things that mean the most. Watch the magic below.



"Parkas Indoors" is from Upstairs Downstairs new self-titled sophomore album, out tomorrow on 20 Sided Records.

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SEE & HEAR: The Belle Game - "Wait Up For You"

A cult. Forbidden love. Torture. Escape. Freedom. "Wait Up For You" is a dark yet triumphant tale of two lovers willing to risk it all to be with one another, free from the constraints of their lives inside a cult. It's set in the changing tides of the 1960s and beautifully captures the saving grace of a shared attraction and purpose. Director Kheaven Lewandowski shot the video using 16mm film, which adds the true look and feel of classic cinema.

See the music video and hear the song below.

Kavinsky To Release Debut LP, Hear "Protovision" Now

One of the biggest names in the French electro scene is Kavinsky, but you may know him best as the creator behind "Nightcall," the opening track off the Drive soundtrack. That's about to change with the forthcoming release of Kavinsky's highly-anticipated debut album, Outrun, on February 26, 2013 via Casablanca Records. The album comes on the heels of three well-received EPs: 2006's Teddy Boy, 2007's 1986, and 2008's Blazer.

Outrun may not be out until next year, but you can hear a track from it right now entitled "Protovision" via a brand new music video. Relive the magic of '80s car chases below.

WATCH: "Broken Mirrors"

2013 will mark 7 years since the birth of Mixtape Muse. In that time, I've made it a point to never cross my own creative endeavors with the work I do here on Mixtape Muse. So, please allow me a moment to step of character. I figured based on the post below, it only seemed fitting.

For what it's worth, I hate talking about myself.

SEE & HEAR: Deep Sea Diver - "NWO"

Seattle trio Deep Sea Diver may have started as the solo project for songwriter Jessica Dobson (The Shins, Beck, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), but with this year's release of the project's debut album, History Speaks, it's clear that this has grown into something much more. The album's latest single, "NWO," is an ebb and flow of rhythmic beauty supporting an earnest and sweet melody. Album producer Matt Wignall (Cold War Kids, the Delta Spirit) took the reigns for the song's music video treatment, which you can scope below. It's a flash of archival film and black and white footage of Dobson, drummer Peter Mansen, and bassist John Raines that makes an abstract whole out of a puzzle of imagery.

Download 2 New Bowerbirds Songs, See Them In Baltimore Tomorrow

Raleigh indie folk rockers Bowerbirds will be performing at the Ottobar tomorrow evening, touring in support of their brand new album, The Clearing (Dead Oceans). For those unaffected by that news, I recommend checking out the band's recent 10,000 Takes Session featuring a live performance of The Clearing's "This Year" as well as their North Shore Session featuring a performance of two other tracks from the new album: "Overcome With Light" and "Brave World."

Bloc Party Announce New Album, Share Album Trailer

Yes. Yes. One yes for "Yes, that's correct" and one for "Yes, I'm so happy this album is on its way." Bloc Party will release Four their, you guessed it, fourth studio album on August 21st (US) and August 20th (rest of the world). The album marks the band's return after a 2+ year hiatus and the first release of all new material since 2008's Intimacy. Four will also see the band debuting with their new label Frenchkiss (surprising and super awesome). Man, August, huh? Why wait to hear it? Check out a trailer for Four below which features snippets of some new songs.

SEE & HEAR: The Waxing Captors - "The Trip"

Oh no, it's Monday. Well, if it feels as though you're living inside of "Office Space," then you could probably go for a serious pick-me-up -- you know, something to really get the week started off right. So here's a wonderful, buzzy tune called "The Trip" from Ipswich five-piece The Waxing Captors. It's the sound of power pop attempting to knock down the walls of rock's garage, and it's bound to wake you up with all this energy.

WATCH: A Full Beastie Boys Concert In Glasgow From 1999

As we all know by now, Adam "MCA" Yauch of the Beastie Boys passed away yesterday at the age of 47. I'm working on a piece for next week, but I wanted to share this video that features the group's entire set from a 1999 concert in Glasgow. Enjoy.

R.I.P. MCA.

SEE & HEAR: Patrick Watson - "Into Giants"

Montreal singer/songwriter Patrick Watson's new album, Adventures In Your Own Backyard, was released today via Domino (Secret City released it in Canada on April 16th), and from the album we have "Into Giants" to share. It's a lovely tune that starts with gentle acoustic guitar and dashes of piano before sprouting into something rather sprawling. It's a song about the infinite possibilities love can provide, capturing both the beauty, depth, and magnitude of love's character. And with the entrance of some triumphant horns in its final chapter, everything sounds all the more wondrous.

SEE & HEAR: Archie Powell & The Exports - "Crazy Pills"

You probably didn't know it, but I bet you've been looking for some good 'ol rock 'n' roll fun with shots of power pop -- lots of shots. Chicago rockers Archie Powell & The Exports are back with their sophomore album, Great Ideas In Action, out May 1st. No, you won't find sophomore slump here at all, because Archie and the boys took it for a night of rock and drinks and it couldn't keep up. If the two tracks released from the album ("Crazy Pills" and "Metronome") are any indication, Great Ideas In Action improves greatly upon its predecessor, which wasn't all that bad in the first place. If you were hoping to catch what a young Elvis Costello and the Attractions might sound like in 2012 at the top of their game, look no further than "Crazy Pills."

INTERVIEW: Watch An Exclusive Interview with D1n.ONLY

Back in December, I shared a track from Orlando hip hop artist D1n.ONLY called "Somebody Talk To 'Em" from his new mixtape Coming To An Ear Near U. I was struck by the production as well as the message -- not to mention his skill on the mic. Curious, I checked out the rest of the mixtape, which was just as strong. I had a lot of respect for D1's honesty, determination, and passion for his craft, which translated to a raw but sharp flow. Florida rapper Mouce stepped up and offered to produce an exclusive video interview with D1, so I sent over some questions to talk about everything from his influences to what's next.

SEE & HEAR: Father John Misty - "Hollywood Cemetery Forever Sings"

As you may have already heard, Baltimore native* Josh (or J) Tillman recently left Fleet Foxes. It would appear the move was made to pursue is solo career full-time. Tillman has already released seven full-length albums under his own name and is now gearing up to release his debut LP for Sub Pop as Father John Misty. The album, titled Fear Fun, will be released on May 1st.

SEE & HEAR: Spiritualized - "Hey Jane"

In case you didn't happen to hear the good news, Spiritualized will be releasing a new album April 16th entitled Sweet Heart Sweet Light. No, the image above isn't included for irony or just because it's nice to include a picture with my silly, little write-ups. What you see above is the official cover art for the aforementioned Spiritualized album. Jason Pierce (or J Spaceman, if you prefer) and co. have had this record in the oven for about two years, apparently -- not to mention the other year Pierce spent mixing the album. So, why wait any longer? Hear album track "Hey Jane" below. It's the first release from the new LP, and it's everything you could hope for: an epic, just under nine minute slab of Britpop/neo-psychedelia excellence. I can't say I'm an expert when it comes to Spiritualized, but I feel comfortable enough to say that Jason Pierce knows how to tastefully handle his ambition.

LISTEN: Esperanza Spalding's "Radio Music Society"

If anyone cared to remember when I used to post more, they'd remember that I'd occasionally freak out because the folks over at NPR: First Listen offered something really special. 

Well, it's been too darn long.

Back in 2010, I wrote briefly about Esperanza Spalding's sophomore effort Chamber Music Society. Whether you're a jazz enthusiast or not, it's tough to deny that this 27 year-old woman is oozing talent. I was so taken aback by Chamber's odd and ghostly fusion of classical and jazz themes, that after only a few listens I stamped it on the top of my year-end list. 

2 New Death Grips Albums On the Way, Hear 2 New Songs Now

One of my favorite releases of 2011 was Death Grips fantastic and refreshing mixtape/LP Exmilitary. It was aggressively raw and unlike any other thing out there, especially in the field of hip hop. And hot off the heels of such a stellar debut, Death Grips are gearing up to release not one but two new albums this year starting with The Money Store on April 24th. The group has also signed with Epic Records (I know, right? Didn't see that coming, but awesome), who will handle the release of the new albums. Hear two new songs from The Money Store below.

SEE & HEAR: Little Racer - "Split For the Coast" + "The Town"

Little Racer was, like many things, something I missed last year. The Brooklyn trio released a few singles at the tail end of 2011, the most recent being the "Split For the Coast"/"The Town" single. If you're anything like me, you'll be shaking your head for a while after you hear these songs, frustrated that you're just hearing them now in the second month of 2012. While it seems like every band under the sun is sprouting out of Brooklyn, Little Racer, after just a few songs, seem to be onto something worth repeated listens. Mixing the carefree cool and verve of surf rock, the charm of '60s pop, the energetic roll of garage rock, and vocal harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys (if they were more of a garage rock band), their songs are effortlessly infectious while still sounding somewhat adventurous ("The Town" is built around the sound of bossa nova). And while there are plenty of bands working that whole '50s/'60s-style harmonies over sharp garage rock thing, Little Racer are dynamic with their approach, seeming just as interested in melody and harmony as they are with instrumental and stylistic shifts.

SEE & HEAR: DyE - "Fantasy"

Before we continue, this video is NSFW. Ok? Cool.

I saw this a few months back and knew it would be something I had to share with you all. Thanks to my recent fascination with and growing interest in film, I've begun to appreciate music videos more and more. It's not as though I didn't care for them before, but now I view them through a whole new lens. This anime video for Paris electronic artist DyE's single "Fantasy" starts off with a plot centered around a few teens breaking into a swimming pool to drink some beers and mess around. That sounds relatively trite, I suppose, but what makes this video so special is how it concludes. You never see it coming, and boy is it crazy.

SEE & HEAR: Courtesy Tier - "Rescue" + "Cold"

Photo by Zoe Hiigli

Courtesy Tier has jumped in size a few times. And despite the fact that they now only count two members, they sound no less well-rounded or big. For this Brooklyn duo, fewer members leads to a much more honed approach, creatively, or rather seamlessly, mixing a variety of genres (e.g. blues, rock 'n' roll, math rock, post-rock, etc.) to create something bigger than themselves.