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Here’s a sexy music video from Brooklyn rapper Theophilus London. “Wine and Chocolates” is fantastic cut from London’s recently-released Timez Are Weird These Days. The concept for this clip is pretty simple: Theophilus + ladies. Oh, and a zebra. Not a life-changer, but the song is DOPE.

If you’re interested, here’s a very favourable review of Timez Are Weird from AbsolutePunk.net. (Evidently, they’re not too strict about being absolutely punk.)

I recently gushed about Twin Sister’s latest record In Heaven, and after seeing this fantastic video I am absolutely sticking to my words. The spooky clip for “Kimmi In A Ricefield” was co-directed by the band’s drummer, Bryan Ujueta, and based on on a ghost story penned by the band’s frontwoman Andrea Estella (who also acts – she’s the beady-eyed one). Terrifying and beautiful.

Now in its sixth year, the Polaris Music Prize honours the best Canadian album of the year, “regardless of artistic merit.” Part of that honour is a whopping $30,000 cheque. I caught up with a handful of the nominees at the Polaris gala, including electro buzz band Austra, avant-pop outfit Braids, East-coast favourites Hey Rosetta!, and Canadian pop veteran Ron Sexsmith. Below is a list of the ten nominated albums, and as for who won? Well, you’ll just have to watch. READ MORE »

1) Atlas Sound – “Te Amo”

Deerhunter frontman Bradford Cox may look pretty frail (given that whole Marfan Syndrome business) but on this single from his upcoming Atlas Sound record Parallax, Cox wields his voice with unwavering confidence. Hopefully the record will sound just as warm and watery as this sugary tune, but we’ll just have to wait ’til November to find out.

2) No Joy – “He Cried” (Shangri-Las cover)

No Joy is surprisingly gentle with this Shangri-Las song. The Montreal-based duo may have a knack for face-obliterating shoegaze, but they showcase a tamer grunge sound on this cut. The cover appears on a 7″ split with Marnie Stern, which is in fact the first release from the fresh-out-the-oven label Associated Electronic Recordings. Listen to the original here.

3) Childish Gambino – “Bonfire”

Donald Glover is a very funny guy. He’s also proving himself as a really good rapper. On “Bonfire”, Donny once again proves that he’s got a way with words — both writing them and spittin’ them. November will see the release of his debut full-length Camp.

4) Breton – “Kensington System”

Here’s a damn good track from “art pop sonic and visual experimentalists” Breton. Never heard of them? Same. But who cares, this song is fucking awesome.

Well here’s a good start to your Monday morning. NYC cutie-pop group Twin Sister have put their debut full-length In Heaven up on Soundcloud for your streaming pleasure. Emphasis on the word “pleasure” – the ten song album is certainly stronger and more original then any of their earlier releases. Despite the band’s 1980′s tinge, In Heaven sounds surprisingly futuristic. Kudos to these youngsters for meeting – if not exceeding – the blog-o-verse’s daunting expectations of this record.

Listen above, and watch out my 2010 interview with two of the Twins here.

Above is my interview with Broken Social Scene members Brendan Canning and Justin Peroff. That was in 2010, around the release of Forgiveness Rock Record, the band’s latest record – and perhaps their last.

In an interview with Pitchfork, BSS frontman Kevin Drew announced that the band will be going on indefinite hiatus. This isn’t really the first time Broken – well, Kevin, really – has called it “quits”. “I’ve taken “boy cries wolf” to the next level”, he acknowledges in the interview. “Endings have not really been something we’ve been good at, and letting go was always a scary notion for us, especially when so many families are relying on what has become Broken Social Scene and how we’ve made our living.” Beyond financial incentives to keep Broken alive, the collective – or “family”, as they so frequently call it – has always been a special project for the seemingly infinite roster of contributors. They’ve made some incredible records together – some of Canada’s best indie releases, to be sure – so I don’t think they’ll be gone too long.

As for the future, Kevin says “we have so much material– songs, B-sides, different mixes, live shows– all kinds of things we can release over the next few years to just keep the story going. I want to hook up with [You Forgot It in People/Broken Social Scene producer David] Newfeld again at some point. For now, we’re going to go off and there are going to be other projects and people putting out other records, and hopefully focusing more on film… I’m sure you’ll see some records from myself, and Brendan, and Andrew [Whiteman], and Charles [Spearin], and Justin [Peroff].” We’ll just have to wait and see.

Spank Rock doesn’t tend to take themselves too seriously – album titles like YoYoYoYoYo and the forthcoming Everything is Boring and Everyone is a Fucking Liar would support that assertion. The music video for “#1 Hit”, the second single from Everything is Boring tells a story about a white nerd looking into the mirror and seeing himself as a black rapper. Then he gains magical powers magical, goes insane, and becomes addicted to hard drugs. Can you blame him?

If you like this, be sure to check out the music video for DTF DADT, the first single off the new record.

Two hyper-extended thumbs up go to Mount Kimbie for this song and video. “Carbonated” is an outstanding clicky post-dubstep track from the British duo’s acclaimed 2010 full-length Crooks and Lovers. The song’s coy minimalism contrasts the shots of sleepy clubbers walking home in the early daylight hours, and even more dramatically contrasts the in-da-club scenes that make up the latter half of this clip. Tyrone Lebon directs.

Fun fact: James Blake used to be a touring member of Mount Kimbie.

Yesterday was a big day for indie album releases, one of those being Neon Indian’s Era Extraña. If you haven’t gotten a chance to hear it yet, expect an amazing mix of strange synthesized sounds, catchy dance melodies, and an overall ‘chillwave’ vibe (as they say). It’s a strong follow-up to their 2009 debut Psychic Chasms, and an arguably better album overall.

Here, we have the music video for “Polish Girl,” the second single off of Era Extraña. It features shots of the man behind the band, Alan Polomo, looking really fuckin’ cool, woven into a futuristic love story between a cyborg and a human who can’t be together because DUH cyborgs and humans can’t be together. The clip is by established director Tim Nakashi and produced by The Creators Project, Neon Indian, and Mom + Pop Music.

On a side note, Polomo is only 23, and you are now feeling ashamed of your complete lack of success. (Sorry.)