What's New(s)?

The Killers' Brandon Flowers, Local Natives, Father John Misty, Dawes cover Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash's "lost album" Out Among the Stars dropped this Tuesday and it's been a surprisingly busy week for news surrounding the record. On Wednesday, we found out from Cash's son John Carter that "four or five" more album of unreleased material could see the light of day. And now, La Blogotheque has issued an Arturo Perez Jr. directed clip that features: Brandon Flowers of the Killers, Local Natives, Father John Misty, and Dawes reinterpreting tracks from Out Among the Stars and discussing Cash's importance to them.

Backed by Dawes, Brandon Flowers dives into "I Came to Believe" while reflecting on Cash's faith and storytelling abilities. Father John Misty covers June Carter Cash duet "Baby Easy Ride", a track he says features the husband and wife duo "winking at each other." And finally, Local Natives tackle the titular "Out Among the Stars" in their communal baroque pop style and pay tribute to the "duality of Johnny Cash."

 

2 Chainz and French Montana are "A-Rod"

Once ATL's reigning jester 2 Chainz was Akon (or at least his diamonds were) and now the endearingly goofy artist has apparently become NY Yankees third-basemen Alex Rodriguez. Accompanied by a surprisingly restrained Young Chop beat and a cogent French Montana, 2 Chainz compares himself to the suspended ball-player, citing his own $25 million a year payroll. With that high stack of chips he grabs up all the chinchilla he can, adds to his never-ending necklace collection, and pays for some introductory Spanish lessons (que pasa?). No word yet if 2 Chainz has passed his test for P.E.D.s or not.

While it hasn't been confirmed, there's a good chance "A-Rod" could appear on B.O.A.T.S. III, which 2 Chainz revealed in February he's been working on.

Check back Monday for more of the newest in new(s) and follow AllFreshSounds on Twitter for updates throughout the day.

"Deuces"- Freddie Gibbs (Prod. Young Chop)

Gary, Indiana's Freddie Gibbs is a lyrical flamethrower, burning down every track he alights upon with his dexterous double/triple-time flow. Occasionally he slows into a staccato rat-tat-tat that still manages to slay. On tracks like the excellent Madlib-collabo "Harold's" he can be incredibly slippery, though he's often at his very best when he's not sprinting out ahead of you but dancing around you. There's nothing wrong with notching a first-round knockout, it's just that sometimes a well-fought 10 round slugfest is more satisfying. Producer Young Chop best known for the Spartan beats he produces for Chief Keef similarly loves to go straight for the jugular. Why spend worrying about subtlety or nuance when you can coast by on pure brute force? As much as I love Chop's production on "I Don't Like", the slithering "Love Sosa" is far more interesting. The track booms and bangs for sure, but it never feels like it’s going to explode. It hulks, without flying into a fit of rage.

On the one-off collabo "Deuces" the only punches Gibbs and Chop are pulling are jabs rather than full-body shots. "Deuces" imagines a gothic squared circle where twinkling chimes and a tidal synthesizer act as the entry music and thudding bass knocks signal round 1. Gibbs opts for a half-sung hook where he's barely above a whisper, which somehow manages to sound more menacing thanks to the spinal-tingling refrain of "I shot that b**** to deuces". When the verses roll around, Gibbs is tiptoeing with a squad of killers ready to ride or die. Before you know it, they've crept into your house and Young Chop's hollow gong strikes seal your fate. It's the quiet ones you always have to worry about.

Freddie Gibbs and Madlib's collaborative album Piñata is out February 4 through Madlib's Madlib Invazion label.