
May 17, 2012 In January, a few months before an unexpected coup d’état toppled the Malian government and launched the country into a spiral of political chaos, it would have been hard to imagine that “Festival In The...

May 16, 2012 We've all heard the proverbial rags to riches stories of how rappers can go from hard knock lives to gold-plated roadways tricked out by overly-priced wheels. And oftentimes when said rapper is female,...
May 16, 2012 Before Jamaican dancehall legend Vybz Kartel was charged with murder in 2011, he was already making headlines around the world. Yes, for his flamboyant press wrangling, yes, for his so-called 'skin...

May 16, 2012 Name: Los Vigilantes
Where They're From: Puerto Rico
Genre: Garage Punk
When They Started: 2009
Most Similar: Davila 666, Mark Sultan
The Sound: Like trouble
Favorite lyrics: "No...

May 16, 2012 Twin Atlantic’s huge rock sound have bewitched UK audiences from Glasgow to London, and they’re currently working on American domination. Their debut full-length Free hopped to the top of the iTunes...
May 16, 2012 Originality comes few and far between these days, especially in overly saturated music categories where some artists are merely carbon copies of legends from generations prior. The smart ones are those...

May 15, 2012 Simian Mobile Disco is among the most ubiquitous names in electronic music. You'd be hard-pressed find a credible dance lineup somewhere in the world without this duo's name in lights. Yet, you're not...

May 15, 2012 Who They Are: Punks Jump Up, or Joe and David
Where They're From: England and Sweden, Based in London
Genre: Neon Dance Funk Rock Pop Goodness
When They Started: 2004
Most Similar: The Rapture, Parliament, occasionally Justice
The Sound:...

Emeli Sandé, a pop singer/songwriter, has whip appeal. She sings about her close relationship with a very worthy lover in “Next to Me.” He nixes nights at the club and unfaithful frolics for a spot next to the Zambian/English songstress. We dig her...

We think that Diplo and Oliver Twizt, Mad Decent labelmates, probably dabble in computer art courses when they’re not making global bass delicacies. “Go” is already hypnotic with its synth zigzags and 100-second long buildup, but we can’t stop staring...

Want to meet the biggest legends in Japan’s music industry? You might not have heard of them, but these icons have been in the business for years and all are at the top of their game. From idol Jin Akanishi’s steamy pop appeal in “Test Drive,” to rocker...

Drop the Lime, also known as Luca Venezia, flirts with a few deadly sins in “Bandit Blues.” The NYC-born producer plays the role of the wrongful ringleader clad in all black. He witnesses gluttony, sloth...

Amanda Mair, the doe-eyed Swedish crooner, touched down in NYC for the first time this Spring. But when the 17-year old ingenue arrived at Molly's Cupcakes NYC for her MTV Iggy live performance shoot,...

A Whisper in the Noise, Minnesota-based art rockers, delivers a single as delicate as their name. “Your Hand” is a gracefully composed song illustrated with simple, elegant winter-white Minneapolis farmland imagery. The wind chill is tangible with wispy...

Ane Brun, an indie folkstress, remembers the sweet moments of a spoiled milk relationship. “Do You Remember” examines a relationship in retrospect using a fun, whimsical and slightly shadowy dream sequence. Ballet dancers, balloons, band members and...

The lazy days of summer would be incomplete without an anthem, no? Cloud Nothings, a Cleveland punk indie band, vows to “Stay Useless” from now on. Slacking has never been so creatively depicted! An animated young outcast uses the power of his...