Umphrey’s is very, very good at what they do and anyone who has the slightest interest of working in the music industry should take notes on their ‘listen-to-your-fans’ business model. They have been slowly teasing their upcoming live release “Live at the Tabernacle”, which was filmed at the venue in Atlanta during their four-night New Years Eve run. Every progressive-rock band needs a good single, and though they have been melting faces at sold-out shows for the last fifteen years, has only released one.

“Loose Ends” has potential for being a great second single if they were to include it on their next album release. It has that 90s rock-n-roll sound and doesn’t stray away from what we are used to hearing from them. Though a lot of their hardcore fans (who just want 15-minute jams) may disagree, it’s a step in the right direction. But, regardless of what they pump out in the studio, attendees are guaranteed to leave with a smile on their face after seeing them in concert.

Pre-order their upcoming live release here and check my mini review of their UMBowl show if you are interested in learning more about what makes them unique.

Watch: Umphrey’s McGee – “Loose Ends” (Live at the Tabernacle) |

Holyyyyyyy summer jam. Fans of indie pop, surrender now because Smallpools will have you in the palm of their gifted musical hearts by the end of this song. Premiering yesterday on A&R indie gold powerhouse label Neon Gold Records, LA’s Smallpools “Dreaming” makes a Russell Hammond “I AM A GOLDEN GOD” kind of cannonball splash. With Passion Pit synths, breezy lyrics and a melody worthy of Captain Cuts (who produced the track), “Dreaming” catapults the new indie pop band into the blogosphere and more importantly, into all of your summer playlists. Word is the band will be making their live debut at Popshop West Coast soon. LA, I want to be in you for this. Someone vine it for me?

And I’m obviously obsessed with the single’s artwork as well. You really can’t go wrong with dogs ever.

MP3: Smallpools – “Dreaming” |

I love the UK. They just make such GOOD music and New Desert Blues is a rising band adding to the UK’s music cred. Describing their music as noir-Americana, “Adam” sounds like a natural visualization of the Southern area of the UK the band is based: rough and raw and dangerously catchy.

Of the video, director Jack Bowden says “‘Adam’ is act one of a two act music video I shot for New Desert Blues. We flew out to the desert with a script, some actors and some camera equipment. This is what we flew back with. Act two, ‘Zachary’ will be released soon.”

Dig into this UK band’s new video for  their debut single “Adam” and check out their SoundCloud for a couple of other (really great) demos.

Video: New Desert Blues – “Adam” |

My fandom for The 1975 at this point is well-documented and almost fanatical. They’re one of the best indie rock bands out there right now, and they continue to deliver with quality music. Their latest offering from their upcoming IV EP, “fallingforyou,” is more mellow than some of my favorites like “Sex” and “The City” (see what I did there?), but no less interesting. The song kind of floats along in the ether, giving off some spooky vibes that beckon you into the realm of sleep. Like their soon-to-be tour counterparts The Neighbourhood, The 1975 have carved out a really great niche for themselves, and I’m interested in hearing what their debut album, which drops in September, will sound like.

(h/t TheChuckness)

MP3: The 1975 – “fallingforyou” |

MS MR made their TV debut last night on Late Show with David Letterman. I was so anxious to see which song they’d perform. Bones? Hurricane? Dark Doo Wop?! They ended up performing their hugely successful and loved single “Hurricane.” Just wait for that moment at the 3:50 mark…Lizzy’s vocals delivers pure bone-chilling goosebumps. It’s pure pleasure to see good people making good music and succeeding.

Get their album Secondhand Rapture available now on iTunes and Spotify.

And don’t miss them live with Magic Man on tour now.

Video: MS MR – “Hurricane” (Live on David Letterman 5.16.13) |

One of my favorite Brooklyn p o p bands aka Savoir Adore has a new song. “Beating Hearts” is the first song since the band signed with Nettwerk, but the song still maintains the band’s signature shimmering synthy sounds and fizzy beats. Easy to listen to, easy to love. Most likely to have on repeat this summer. Very happy.

“Beating Hearts” will be available on the re-release of Savoir Adore’s LP Our Nature out June 4th via Nettwerk.

Stream: Savoir Adore – “Beating Hearts” |

Lana Del Rey has entered back into my playlists most recently with her undeniable “Young And Beautiful.” Hate her, love her- that song is an obvious standout on one of the biggest movie soundtracks of the year (I say big for the publicity, number of features, iTunes #1 ranking, etc).

Today a new song from Lana has leaked. “Queen of Disaster” is a Motown-tinged burst of sparkling upbeat tempo. Taking a separate tune from her usual sad rap, it’s still traditionally LDR, with lyrics about being a bad girl and gangsta. All I can say is, That’s So Lana.

Now I will dream about Matt Weiner including this in an episode of Mad Men (preferably without Jessica Pare singing it though).

Stream: Lana Del Rey – “Queen of Disaster” |

I’m into it. The new song from Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd is a charring piece of starkly seductive and smooth R&B. Much in the same vein of Echoes of Silence, “Kiss Land” suggests The Weeknd’s new album due later this year will follow suit in this sound.

Listen to “Kiss Land” below:

Stream: The Weeknd – “Kiss Land” |

JMSN brought the full band to the Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles for an intimate session, and recorded that for iTunes which can be streamed below. Very cool to hear some of his studio work off †Priscilla† in a live setting, and it’s only growing my anticipation to see him perform these tracks with The Neighbourhood this summer. Still waiting on that Unit 6 EP with Soulo, though we’ll forgive them for the delay because this session is pure bliss.

Download it for free off the SoundCloud or support the man here.

Bonus

Download: JMSN – “Live At Red Bull Studios” EP |

Another best of both bellies collaboration hits with the title track to Gucci Mane’s upcoming Trap House III. It’s a huge 808 Mafia-produced single featuring none other than Rick Ross.

Trap House III drops next Tuesday and it just don’t stop. Free Black Migo Scooter!

via XXL

MP3: Gucci Mane – “Trap House III” ft. Rick Ross |