"Big Dusty"- Joey Bada$$

My favorite description of Joey Bada$$'s "Big Dusty," is one supplied by Soundcloud user CooleztMan, "This beat make me chill but lyrics get me hype." It's not just appropriate for this latest track, but most of the work the 19-year-old's been crafting for two years. His old soul caw in "Hardknock" only makes alliterative brags to "Take the competition out commission with my composition," more threatening. A "conscious" line from the same verse, "Teachers should teach us to get Smith & Wesson’s off of the street," could inspire riots in the right circumstances because Bada$$'s timbre is so weary you want to do something to change it. The beats inspire relaxed head nodding, but his words are rallying cries.

So it is with "Big Dusty," the first single from his upcoming debut studio album B4Da$$. Pro Era crew mate Kirk Knight's production "bangs" without pulverizing. Drums warmly crackle over little meandering keyboards. Its noirish boom-bap or a pitch-black weed anthem where Bada$$ is so high he's "staring down at the devil." So seductively dark is "Big Dusty" that Bada$$'s promise to "Release and squeeze, might put a Halloween between your spleen," sounds unbelievably cool until you realize what he's saying. When you're too busy nodding along, you miss a lot. And with all Bada$$ still has to say that's a huge mistake.



"Big Dusty" is out on iTunes tonight at midnight and B4Da$$ drops some time this fall.

What's New(s)?

"Sheezus" season approaching

As lazily named as Lily Allen's new album Sheezus might be, the title-track and accompanying video are anything but. The track itself feeds on crisp drum claps and soft "ah ah ahs", while the clip is overstuffed with blacklights, squiggling white lines, and psychedelic swirls. At one point Allen appears to be freely floating in a star-cluster and she becomes a spot-on Avatar character while crooning "Periods. We all get periods." And if all of that weren't enough, she big ups other colossal female musicians like Beyonce, Lorde, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga who she refers to as a "martyr." 

Sheezus is out May 5 through Regal Recordings.

Joey Bada$$ pays tribute to the UFC with "Mr. Wonderful"

 






















Given 19-year old Brooklyn native Joey Bada$$'s penchant for laid-back boom-bap, you wouldn't expect him to be the type to pay homage to a UFC fighter. But that's exactly what he's done with "Mr. Wonderful", which tips a cap to light-heavyweight brawler Phil Davis. "Mr. Wonderful" doesn't just mention Davis in passing, it revolves entirely around the "number one contender" and how he'll "hit you with the flying kick." While it's fascinating enough to hear Bada$$ stick to one narrative for an entire song, it's much more interesting to hear Kirk Knight's beat which jabs in a way Bada$$ efforts generally don't.

Davis will fight Anthony Johnson at UFC 172 on April 26 and will be using "Mr. Wonderful" as his entrance music for the bout.




tUne-yArDs pays tribute to Pee-Wee's Playhouse in new video

Merrill Garbus' work as tUnE-yArDs has consistently towed the line between in control and chaotic for two albums now, so what better way to capture that near-chaos than to pay tribute to one of the masters of the art-form, Peewee Herman? In the video for the clattering "Water Fountain", the lead single off of third LP Nikki Nack, Garbus recreates the cult-classic TV series Pee-Wee's Playhouse. 

In Garbus' take multi-armed puppets, dog-man chefs, one-eyed monsters, robots, fanged couches, and mad scientists are freely roam around without much interference. Sadly there's no pterodactyls, genies, or mail-carriers to be found, but the video is just as joyous as any trip to the Playhouse would be. So pull yourself up a chair and enjoy.

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

"Tree of Life"- Ab-Soul

"Breathe easy," Black Hippy member Ab-Soul stutters over the whooshing airplane intro of his latest release "Tree of Life". As a musical commandment, it's nearly impossible to keep. Even more than fellow Hippies Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul is absolutely suffocating. By the time the assonance-heavy "It's my turn, Mr. LongTerm of turmoil
I'm holdin' up the terminal takin' flicks," fully uncoils you're left breathless on the floor clawing skyward for any sort of relief. Similar to efforts from the Wu's headiest member GZA, an Ab-Soul track is a subtle barrage. The jibing "I got most of you mothaf****s stumped, rap like I go to church with work in the trunk," feels like a wild flail until later in the day when you spot a redwood-sized welt on your chest.

In truth, much of the foliage-centered "Tree of Life" has a writhing-quality to it. Frequent collaborator Curtiss King's hollowed out boom-bap provides Soul with ample room to flex and he explores every corner of the shadowy production. He shuffles from the Travelodge to the W "just to shower," a terrific humblebrag elucidating the long distance he's traveled in a short amount of time and what the trip now affords him. Venturing down another one of Soul's backroads, we see him mixing enough lean to "give Sprite's stock a boost." And in that subdued state, Ab-Soul's caught thumbing through "Benjamins" while pondering "photosynthesis." He's so hyper-focused that Joey Bada$$'s "world domination" interlude drifts by as a relative afterthought. "I hope you get the analogy," Ab-Soul wishes near the end. If anyone does, it won't be easy.





"Tree of Life" may appear on Ab-Soul's upcoming Longterm 3 mixtape.

What's New(s)?

Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks announce debut Enter the Slasher House

Animal Collective founder Avey Tare's side-project Slasher Flicks has been touted for over a year now and today the project came into focus with the announcement of a debut LP. The trio, featuring Tare alongside ex-Dirty Projector Angel Deradoorian and former-Ponytail drummer Jeremy Hyman will release Enter the Slasher House April 8 via Domino. 

To accompany the announcement, they've shared a lively first single entitled "Little Fang". For all of the ghoulish titles and pictures, it's a remarkably effervescent track that finds Tare's voice lilting right along with aqueous synth noises. You can hear the cut below, along with the tracklist to Enter the Slasher House and tour-dates for the group.


Tracklist: 
1. "A Sender"
2. "Duplex Trip"
3. "Blind Babe"
4. "Little Fang"
5. "Catchy (Was Contagious)"
6. "That It Won't Grow"
7. "The Outlaw"
8. "Roses on the Window"
9. "Modern Days E"
10. "Strange Colores"
11. "Your Card"


Tour Dates: 
4/17 Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
4/18 Ann Arbor, MI - The Blind Pig
4/19 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
4/21 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
4/22 Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
4/24 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's
4/25 Washington, DC - U Street Music Hall
4/26-27 Asheville, NC - Moogfest
4/28 Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups
4/29 Nashville, TN - Exit In
4/30 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade (Purgatory Stage)
5/2 New Orleans, LA - Parish at House of Blues
5/3-4 Austin, TX - Austin Psych Fest 

"Little Fang" 

Joey Bada$$ celebrates Valentine's Day early

“Lil sumchin for the ladies , early valentine’s day present ;) -" Brooklyn boom-bap revivalist Joey Bada$$ says of his early V-Day present "Panty Raid Pt. II". A sort-of-sequel to 2012's "Panty Raid", Pt. II finds the 19-year-old in loverman mode whispering sweet-nothings over an 80s R&B beat. And while the promise to "expand your ocular" isn't exactly as sweet as candy, "Okay you’re obviously brainwashed, our time ain’t the same watch, waiting by your grandfather clock like that shit gon’ stop for us" is the type of line anyone would love to hear on the 14th.

"Pantie Raid Pt. II" marks the start of "Pro Era Week", which will feature new singles from Bada$$'s crew in the run-up to their third mixtape Seccs Tap.e Pt. 2.

Karen O and Ezra Koenig team up for "The Moon Song"

I don't know if there's a greater music moment in film from 2013 than the tender duet Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johansson share in the Spike Jonze directed Her. "The Moon Song" is delivered with such intimacy, featuring only whispered vocals and softly strummed ukelele, that the two feel as though they're in the same room together; even though they're close to the song's "million miles away."

This updated version of the track, featuring Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig provides O with a partner who she says "has the goods." In this minimalist setting, O and Koenig's hushed tones offer a stark contrast to both of their bands' work. And while piano has also been added to the mix, it's inclusion isn't a distraction in the least bit. It spins everything closer to a dream, one where distance isn't meaningless.

A three-song EP of "The Moon Song" will be debuting on iTunes later this week and you can hear the duet here.




For news updates throughout the day, follow @AllFreshSounds on Twitter and check back in Monday for more of the newest in new(s).

What's New(s)?

Arcade Fire announce tour

After all of the "microscopic" shows and salsa-club appearances, Arcade Fire are embarking on a full-blown arena tour, worthy of the spectacle that's surrounded their fourth album Reflektor. The Montreal-based band's tour will take them through much of North America from March to August of next year, not suprisingly wrapping up in their hometown in August. No word yet on whether or not frontman Win Butler will be performing with a mariachi band before the shows.

Check out the tour dates below (which all go on sale November 22nd) as well as the band's video for "Reflektor".

Tour Dates:

3/6 Louisville, KY - KFC! YUM Center
3/8 Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
3/10 Auburn Hills, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
3/12 Pittsburgh, PA - Consol Energy Center
3/13 Toronto, Ontario - Air Canada Centre
3/14 Ottawa, Ontario - Canadian Tire Centre
3/16 Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
3/17 Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
3/18 Bridgeport, CT - Webster Bank Arena
4/9 Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
4/10 Austin, TX - Austin360 Amphitheater
4/23 Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
4/26 Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre
4/27 St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
4/29 Columbus, OH - Schottenstein Center
5/1 Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena
5/2 Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
7/30 Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
8/8 Seattle, WA - Gorge Amphitheatre
8/11 Edmonton, Alberta - Rexall Place
8/12 Calgary, Alberta - Scotiabank Saddledome
8/14 Winnipeg, Manitoba - MTS Centre
8/17 Washington, DC - Verizon Center
8/19 Boston, MA - Comcast Center
8/22 Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center
8/23 Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center
8/26 Chicago, IL - United Center
8/30 Montreal, Quebec - Parc Jean-Drapeau

"Reflektor"

Unreleased J Dilla tracks coming soon

 

On November 29, clothing label Akomplice will be releasing a new line in partnership with Joey Bada$$ and the J Dilla Foundation. Accompanying an "angelic graphic" of the now-deceased cloud-rap forerunner J Dilla, there will be a 7" vinyl pressing featuring unreleased efforts from both of the performers. The Dilla offering "Two Lips" was originally released with the treasure-trove Lost Scrolls collection, and the Joey Bada$$$ B-side will see the boom-bap revivalist tackling the same beat. According to a press-release, all proceeds will be going to youth in music programs.

Check out the video for Bada$$'s "95 Til' Infinity" below, alongside a fan-made video of the all-time Dilla classic "Last Donut of the Night" from the final studio-album released before his death in 2006.

"95 Til Infinity"

"Last Donut of the Night"

A$AP Rocky drops video for "Phoenix"

Following the airy, fashion-focused video for "Fashion Killa", A$AP Rocky has dropped a similarly low-key clip to accompany Long.Live.A$AP cut "Phoenix". Shot by director Francesco Carrozzini, the stark video sees Michael K. Williams (Omar of The Wire and Chalky White of Boardwalk Empire) and model Joan Smalls as a feuding couple who gradually turn to violence. "Lord Flacko" mostly sticks to the sidelines of this moody drama, knowing precisely when to "take cover".

In Michael K. Williams news, the Brooklyn-born actor is still slated to portray to portray the late Ol Dirty Bastard in an upcoming biopic entitled Dirty White Boy. To see Williams rapping live as the fellow "Zoo" native, head here.

Check back in tomorrow for more of the newest in new(s), and visit the AllFreshSounds Twitter account for additional news updates.

What's New(s)?

Disclosure debut "Apollo"

Disclosure's excellent debut LP Settle is only four months old, but the dance-oriented duo is already returning with new material. "Apollo" dials down the bright-light "four on the floor" approach of Settle, opting for a sepia tone marked by muted background vocals and warped synthesizer burbles. And while the mood has noticeably shifted, the unmistakable dance-leanings remain. "Apollo" insures you'll eventually be tapping your feet, even if your initial inclination is to stick to the sidelines.

The aforementioned Settle is one of 12 nominees for Britain's Mercury Prize, winner announced on Wednesday, competing against: James Blake, Savages, the Arctic Monkeys, and others.

     




Tom Waits performs first live set in five years

Five years is entirely too long to be robbed of a Tom Waits live performance, so thankfully Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit (held this past weekend) coaxed the demonic troubadour out onto the stage. Accompanied by Primus' Les Claypool on upright bass and frequent collaborator David Hidalgo on guitar, Wait's howled through a 10-song set heavily relying on 2011's Bad As Me.

Posting on his site, the always shaggy Waits outlined his last minute addition, claiming ""I had every good intention to stay home and work on my JD Salinger Halloween mask, but when Neil told me yesterday he was serving burnt cow’s eyes on a flat tire and it’s all gluten free, I invited myself!"

The seemingly omnipresent Arcade Fire also performed at the benefit, playing cuts from Reflektor, before Young joined them on-stage for the freshly penned "I Dreamed A Neil Song". Check it out here, beginning around the 6:07:00 mark.

Joey Bada$$ re-releasing Summer Knights

 
Joey Bada$$' breezy summer-mixtape Summer Knights will be receiving the EP treatment and alongside mixtape highlights like "95 Til' Infinity", the 18-year-old rapper is including a few new tracks. One of those is posse-cut "My Jeep" featuring fellow Brooklyn-natives/Beast Coast residents: Flatbush Zombies and the Underachievers. Bada$$ remains stuck in the 90s, re-appropriating R. Kelly's classic "You Remind of Me Something" for a boom-bap s***-talking session. It's near impossible not to head-nod, and the kind of rap to be playing as a sunny fall day fades into a long cold winter.

Joey Bada$$ alongside the Underachievers and Black Hippy member Ab-Soul are currently out on the road for the annual Smoker's Club Tour, and dates can be found below.

 

Smoker's Club 

10/29 St. Louis, MO - The Pageant

10/30 Lawrence, KS - Granada
11/1 Denver, CO - Cervantes / Ogden 

11/2 Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
11/6 Ventura, CA - Venture Theater 

11/9 Santa Ana, CA - Observatory (minus Underachievers)
11/11 San Diego, CA - Soma
11/12 Tempe, AZ - Club Red
11/13 Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
11/15 Dallas, TX - Southside Music Hall
11/16 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
11/17 Austin, TX - Emo's East (minus Underachievers)
11/20 Tallahassee FL - Coliseum Tallahassee
11/21 Orlando, FL - Beacham Theater
11/22 Miami, FL - Grand Central
11/23 St. Petersburg, FL - Jannis Live!
11/24 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade (Heaven) (minus Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era)
11/26 New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
11/30 Philadelphia, PA - TLA

Check back in tomorrow for more of the newest in new(s).