Watch out for Panic! At The Disco this Halloween

It’s All Saints Day!! Happy Halloween everyone. I’m lucky enough to get to spend this spooky evening  listening to the sweet sweet tunes of Panic! At The Disco at the 9:30 club in DC tonight (show is sold out, so if you haven’t gotten tickets, you aren’t getting them). As a little tribute/warm up to what is sure to be an awesome concert (as they always put on phenomenal shows), I’m posting a little holiday appropriate vintage P!ATD: “It’s Almost Halloween” from 2008 and their cover of “This Is Halloween” from Nightmare before Christmas.

As if that’s not enough, something new (and Halloween unrelated) from P!ATD as well – a behind the scenes video from their album cover photoshoot, complete with musical accompaniment “Sarah Smiles” from Vices & Virtues. Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween Warm-up: Starlight Girls “The Hunch” and “Gossip”

You know that super distinct sound that accompanies Halloween music? I’m not talking about the gorey ghouley kind, but the kind that’s sort of haunting and echo-y with a slightly tinny sound that seems to only really work well in the fall when the leaves are orange and everything smells like pie. That is exactly what the Brooklyn band Starlight Girls sound like to me – late October. They are one of the many current bands that are going vintage, but they are definitely taking their own spin on. For me, this feels like pumpkin and cinnamon apple cider. Not exactly bundled up winter time, but that half way point between beach bums and snow men.

So, with that description in mind, they seem like the perfect band to post about as we come up  on the Halloween weekend. “The Hunch” is their most recent release, full of vintage vibes and just enough driving rock sound to win you over. If you dig that, check out the music video from their earlier release, “Gossip”. Lots of lollipops and rainbows and a bit like what I imagine it might be like to trip on acid, but an enjoyable and unique song nontheless.

The Hunch

Wale and Big Sean show us some “Slight Work” can do our ears some good

There’s something about a super simple beat (with siren effects) that never gets old or goes out of fashion. Latest case in point – Wale‘s song “Slight Work” off his upcoming album, Ambition (out next Tuesday). It’s drums, it’s “whoop” sounds used in tandem, it’s Diplo production. And Wale drops a slick flow over top. I’m going to keep this write up simple since the song is simple (and I have a test tomorrow), but damn, does this make me want to dance. Nice “work”, Wale (oh yeah, and Big Sean throws in a REAL nice verse on here too). Like it? Download it here.

Gumby is an OG in Logic’s brand new video for “All I Do”

I would probably watch this video regardless of whether or not it was good because it has Gumby rolling straight OG in it, but luckily, Logic puts out good music and gangster Gumby. Like, not kidding, Gumby has bling, is hopping out the car, consuming blunts, and partying with fine ladies. This is not the Gumby from our childhood, everyone! Otherwise, the video is pretty standard fair, with bling and cars, but it has an added effect in that it looks a little homemade, giving the cinematography a little twist. “All I Do” is a solid rap song, with a nice hook and piano rhythm. It can found on Logic’s well received sophomore mixtape Young Sinatra. Nice to a see a white boy who doesn’t sound nasally. Dig it. Shouts to Pigeons and Planes for the heads up.

“Countdown” to the weekend with Beyonce’s new video and unreleased Lupe Fiasco mixtape track “Lightwork”

It’s been a crazy busy week, so my posting has fallen off a bit here at the end. But not for lack of music! So in an effort to at least get some good music up on the blog to carry through the weekend, I present my Friday wrap up – a couple songs I would have liked to do fuller posts about but grad school is not allowing me the time.

First, Lupe Fiasco‘s releasing new music, sort of. His previously unreleased mixtape, Friend of the People, looks like it’s actually going to be coming out around Thanksgiving, and we’ve got our first taste of it. Lupe takes Ellie Goulding‘s “Lights” (Bassnectar remix) and puts his signature flow on it, to some really interesting results. This for sure isn’t the commercialized Lupe we heard on Lasers. Check it out.

Second, the video for Beyonce‘s “Countdown”, off 4. Personally, I found to be a fairly weak record, Beyonce needs to play to her strengths and stop screaming in her ballads (girl’s got too much energy to sing breathy slow songs). But then there’s “Countdown”, which does what Beyonce does best, with huge sounds (big drums, horns, etc) and Beyonce going diva on the track. Add to that a seriously colorful and well choreographed retro styled video, and I call this a winner. This will definitely be in my head as I count down the time until my zombie obstacle course 5k run is over this Saturday (oh, Halloween themed fun). Take this song out with you this weekend, you won’t regret it!

MASHUP! Chiddy Bang vs. Childish Gambino “Put It In Your Manners”

Two of my very favorite things, combined into one song? No way I could resist that! I stumbled across this little mash up last night of Childish Gambino‘s lyrics for “Put it in my Video” over Chiddy Bang‘s “Manners” beat. The result is a practically flawless mix of funky flavorful goodness. Donald Glover’s vocals fit nicely into the bouncy hip hop beat. After hearing them blended together like this, I have to wonder what it would be like if they actually got together and put down a record. At least Xaphoon and Glover (no offense to Chiddy, he may have the longest rap in the world but his rhymes can’t match Gambino’s cleverness…). For now, I just get to pretend like it happened and enjoy this clever little jam.

Chiddy Bang vs. Childish Gambino “Put it in your Manners”

Coldplay album highlight: Duet with Rihanna “Princess of China”

Here’s to the modern era of music, where strange collaborations abound, the most recent of which brings together Coldplay and Rihanna. The song, “Princess of China” is on Coldplay’s upcoming record, Mylo Xyloto (due out October 24th), and apparently is one of the band’s favorite’s on the album. It leaked yesterday on the interwebs, and I think it’s safe to say it might be my favorite also. I’ve been getting a bit weary of Coldplay of late, with their melancholy bravado (they are just soooooo profound), but “Princess of China” has a bit more style and energy. The track is still anthemic, with a (Coldplay typical) large musical fanfare introduction, long “whoa oh oh” from both Chris Martin and Rihanna, but it shifts gear after the intro into something with a little bit of grime and sexiness for the verses, and alternates between these styles for the rest of the song. It’s mellow, but has a deep pulse that reverberates throughout, adding just the slightest twinge of club appeal.

So I guess it’s not really that much of a stretch for Coldplay. Definitely within their musical style range, but the duet between Rihanna and Chris Martin really works well, and spices the song up. I love seeing Rihanna do stuff like this, it reminds me that she’s got a pretty great range as an artist, and isn’t afraid  It’s pretty freaking sweet.

Caution: new single from Labrinth and Tinie Tempah may cause an “Earthquake” of sound

It’s about time for some new british hip hop! Today’s song comes from british hip hop singer Labrinth and HotW favorite Tinie Tempah. This isn’t the first time the pair has worked together on awesome music, as they teamed up on Tempah’s huge single “Pass Out” last year. And this single delivers just as strongly, with a big, hefty dose of bass and electronic fuzz. I’ve been listening to “Earthquake” on repeat since yesterday, and I don’t think I’ve stopped dancing. It makes me feel grand, bouncy and excited. With a sound that’s both mainstream hip hop and a little bit grime, it delivers on so many levels, and Tempah’s verse is a real highlight. And the music video is sick, with really fun computer generated pathways that move with the rhythm of the song, playing on the album cover of being knocked over by sound. Officially, the single is out in the UK on the 23rd with no date for the US, but we all know we can find ways of getting a hold of it via the interwebs (hint hint, click on interwebs and go get it!)

Unifinished secret songs “All the Shine” (and an untitled video) shows the softer side of Childish Gambino

Never can have too much Childish Gambino! In preparation for the release of his debut album, CAMP, Gambino is going viral with his promotions, and it’s a big benefit for all of us fans. He’s created a fake Tumblr account, posing as an asian girl (his personal lady choice, apparently) and posting all things adorable, pink, and girly. Which is pretty hard to look through, honestly, but if you’re willing to put in the effort, you will be rewarded. Buried deep within the account are new pictures, videos, and music. More specifically, a couple of unifinished tracks that hopefully we’ll be seeing on the new album.

“All the Shine” actually popped up on youtube a couple weeks back, but I didn’t see it until tonight, and it’s one of the buried songs. It’s a super mellow track, with a simple blues bass line, classic 4-4 drums, and low key guitar. It’s a more introspective song, less angry and way more emotional. I like hearing Glover when he isn’t getting riled up. You can see where his inspiration comes from on tracks like this. Check out the live in studio session video below:

The other video uncovered is untitled, and has a bit of a tour video accompaniment. It’s also a slower jam, but with a little more GRRR. A thumping beat, a energetic string line, and a rhyme that kills. I can’t wait to get a hold of the full version. So excited that CAMP is around the corner!

The Weeknd is giving us an “Initation” to upcoming mixtape Echoes of Silence

The Weeknd isn’t letting us forget him any time soon. With yet another mixtape, Echoes of Silence, coming up October 24th, he’s staying busy and keeping our ears tuned in. First taste of the new mix comes in the form of “Initiation”, a throbbing moody jam (aren’t all of his songs though?) which is full of complex rhythms and tweaked vocals. The pace is picked up a little from past work, giving this song an infectious frenetic energy with quick worded verses (practically rapping, but not quite) and quick staccato beats. I do think it’s a little messy, but damn if this guy can’t make mess darn sexy. Take a listen below and grab yourself a copy while you’re at it.