Guitarist for Blur and one of the world’s coolest people Graham Coxon drops new single “The Truth” from his upcoming A+E LP. “The Truth” is built on a heavy lower end (distorted bass and clattering drums) that supports Graham’s float-on-top-the-mix almost hypnotic driving melodies. Big tune.
Graham Coxon – The TruthGraham Coxon 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.5
By Jon Herriot
Here is a version of Lana Del Rey’s hit single “Video Games”, by Arkells out of Hamilton, Ontario. They keep it quiet, acoustic and simple, which is change-up from their typical rock sound. I have had the good fortune of seeing them play on two occasions, and their lead man has stage presence unlike anything I have seen. It makes for quite the live performance. Arkells are one of Canada’s hottest indie rock acts, and their latest album Michigan Left is one of my favorite from 2011, I highly recommend it. They are joining The Maine on their North American tour this spring.
The Arkells – Video Games (Lana Del Rey)The Arkells 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.0
We are totally in love. Sade’s our girl, we wouldn’t use a comparison like this lightly, but Jessie Ware just went Sade-level on new track “Running”. All the talent/potential surrounding Ms. Ware up until now has been fully focused into and realised on this new track. “Running” is Jessie Ware’s breakout moment.
Jessie Ware – Running (Prod. Julio Bashmore)Jessie Ware 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
Yes. One of our favorite producers anywhere right now xxxy links up here with Finnish singer Sara Sayed for a track that can only be described as sublime. Spare keys frame Sayed’s simple, visceral, icy melody; that moment at 1:00 when the clicking counterrhythm drops into the track is particularly special. Listen.
Sara Sayed & xxxy – The Earth Got Roundxxxy (Facebook)
Rating 8.5
If you’re of at least a certain age (say 21+) or you were really into Rescue Me, you may just recognize the vocalist on Hounds’ new track “For You And I” as former Von Bondies frontman Jason Stollsteimer. “For You And I” is definitely a bit different sound for Stollsteimer. We’re talking an anthemic, Southern roots music-influenced type of different. Is it a change the former early aughts buzz band dude can pull off? Check out the track below and let us know what you think.
The Hounds Below – For You And IThe Hounds Below 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.0
Awwwww shit. Check this 20,000-pound megatron bomb of a remix from Knife Party! If we’re being honest, the original “Last Time” kinda sucks. It’s comes off pretty flat when compared to other Lab produced tracks like “Earthquake” and “Pass Out”. Fortunate for Labrinth’s listening public, Knife Party has swooped in and delivered “Last Time” from the shit track respirator. Fully resuscitating it into a must hear full fathom five club banger. Shouts to our fam at DoML for the rip.
Labrinth – Last Time (Knife Party Remix)Knife Party (Facebook)
Rating 8.1
K Dot yep. Kendrick Lamar lets loose new jawn “Cartoon & Cereal”. Seems as if even our dude can’t avoid the imperial splendor, sprawl and grasp of the Untouchable Maybach Empire, as K Dot links up with MMG’s Gunplay for the track. The subtle nods to spaced out 70’s funk & R&B in the instrumental may remind a bit of ATLiens era Outkast. Tippin’ a Diet Coke to this one.
Kendrick Lamar – Cartoon & Cereal (Feat. Gunplay)Kendrick Lamar 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
This is really nice. MD native Dunson (a/k/a Kenton Dunson) delivers on “Count On It”, the first single from the MC’s upcoming The Investment mixtape. Produced by Phatboiz (John Legend, Ludacris), “Count On It” has that nice Friday afternoon, just-got-paid, no. 2’s-in-the-air, feel good sound to it. (The track samples Sesame Street ffs.) Put this one in your rotation.
Dunson – Count On It (Prod. Phatboiz)Dunson 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
More sunny guitar pop from Morecambe collective The Heartbreaks. “Winter Gardens” is previewed from the band’s forthcoming Funtimes debut LP expected this May, and is currently a free download at the band’s Facebook. We’re into it.
The Heartbreaks – Winter GardensThe Heartbreaks: (Facebook) (Soundcloud)
Rating: 8.1
Yung Berg protege Mia Rey drops a potential radio bomb with new track “Making Love”. With the right push/promo, “Making Love” is totally a hit on Hot R&B radio (& shit like 106 & Park). All the major playlist relevant ingredients are there: a sharp keys-on-the-one driven beat, subtle electronic elements, a GREAT chorus hook and melody, etc. Get on the Mia Rey train below.
Mia Rey – Making Love (Feat. Yung Berg) (Prod. Arch Tha Boss)Mia Rey 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
By Chris Gedos
The Brooklyn band Porcelain Raft proves once again that great things can happen by sticking to the shoegaze formula with zero deviation whatsoever. Most shitty shoegaze takes the formula and tinkers unnecessarily, but Porcelain Raft writes and performs shoegaze pop very, very well, and “Something in Between” is a great example of that, right down to the blatantly ambiguous title. The accompanying video is also of great merit, featuring an animated black dot dancing about the image throughout. With both Porcelain Raft and Damien Jurado making serious noise, shared label Secretly Canadian is having a mammoth 2k12 thus far.
Porcelain Raft – Something In BetweenPorcelain Raft 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.07
Like there was any doubt we’d be into this? Not only does Chicago band Blah Blah Blah totally nail the name, they come with a sound that might just be our musical perfect match. The nods to soul & R&B in the rhythm track, the dream pop guitar textures, the history-of-British-rock melodic palette. It’s like if our blog formed a band and it might sorta sound like this BLAH BLAH BLAH. blahblahblahscience loves Blah Blah Blah.
Blah Blah Blah – Soon As I Get Home TonightBlah Blah Blah 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.4
