Two Great New Tracks from Vampire Weekend

Whilst listening to the radio the other morning I thought to myself, this really sounds like Vampire Weekend. It's a great track though so I can't be harsh on them for sounding like the great V.Ws. Of course, I later discovered it was the fella's new track Diane Young from their new album Modern Vampires of the City. The album is out on 13th of May and it was recently announced they will be performing at this year's Glastonbury Festival too- yes!

Here are the supporting videos for their double A-Side Single Diane Young and Step. I only heard Step for the first time today; I LOVE IT.

New Sounds From Alela Diane

Last week Alela Diane used her first tweet in two years to announce a new song- The Way We Were.

It's comforting and familiar, yet there is a definite development and change from the album To Be Still which featured a much crisper sound on songs such as White As Diamonds.

I'm really excited to hear the new album About Farewell and experience what she's been working on these past few years.

What do you think of the new track?

The Antlers - 'Undersea' Teaser

The Antlers have just announced a new release coming next month on July 24th, titled Undersea. No body is sure whether the release is going to be a full LP, EP or just a single, but I'm ecstatic to hear anything new from this incredible band. I cannot wait to see these guys at End of The Road in September. Check out the teaser below.

UPDATE:

Turns out the teaser was to promote their forthcoming EP, here's the tracklisting:

The Antlers: Undersea tracklist:
1. Drift Dive – 4:48
2. Endless Ladder – 8:30
3. Crest – 3:42
4. Zelda – 5:31

The Shins release 'Simple Song'

As a taster ahead of their forthcoming album 'Port of Morrow', which comes out on 20 March, the Shins released a new song today. 'Simple Song' is... well. It seems to be the same as with the latest Band of Horses album, 'Infinite Arms': It's just not as good as it used to be.

Everybody in their right mind will agree that 'New Slang' and 'Pink Bullets' (or 'Australia' or 'Caring is Creepy') are incredible songs. But 'Simple Song' begs to be labled as simply not that great...

Either way, if you used to love the Shins, give it a listen. It might change your life. Or it might not.

Dum Dum Girls' Only in Dreams out today!

The Dum Dum Girls' new album, Only in Dreams is out today (or yesterday...depending on where you look...) on Sub Pop Records.  The new record is cleaner than 2010's I will be, losing much of the low-fi buzz but retaining their distinguishing features.  The themes of the album are heavier, with many of the songs  inspired by both Dee Dee's mother's passing and the trials and tribulations of long stints away from her husband while on tour.

I love the Dum Dum Girls, and although I can't argue that this album is necessarily pushing any musical barriers, it's still beautifully put together, polished to perfection, and for the most part makes incredibly sad themes deceptively danceable to.  My personal favourites are Bedroom Eyes and the devastating Wasted Away.  Have a listen below and see what you think.  If you like, it get it from Rough Trade and you get an exclusive bonus mix CD compiled by Dee Dee!  Yay!

Dum Dum Girls - Only in Dreams by subpop