A new version has been released of Kanye West’s "White Dress," his contribution to The Man With the Iron Fists soundtrack. This alternate take of “White Dress” is certainly a bare bones approach compared to the original, and the ending is different, but it's hard not to enjoy it just as much. Listen to both versions of the track below.
Only a week after President Obama's re-election, his post-win speech now appears on Wale's latest track "Freedom of Speech," which the rapper debuted Wednesday. Opening with chords reminiscent of John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" before moving into an inspirational set of lyrics that comment on the climate of society, the song proclaims: "I voted once and I prayed three times / you tell me which one means more." Portions of the President's speech run throughout the cut, which is a prelude to a new project Wale also confirmed on Wednesday. Folarin, a combined effort with DJ Clark Kent, will release on Dec. 24.
Christmas comes early this year with the new release from Sufjan Stevens. The singer, whose new music has been highly-anticipated, has unloaded a wealth of tracks -- 58 to be exact -- which were recorded over the last six years. Silver and Gold: Songs for Christmas, Vols. 6-10 features collaborators Aaron and Bryce Dessner (The National), Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Cat Martino, and more.
In anticipation of their upcoming 2013 release Beta Love, Ra Ra Riot has released the title track (also the first new song to be heard) off the set. While the pop confection definitely pleases, after a couple rounds of "Beta Love," does the chorus kind of echo The Surpremes' "Baby Love"? Maybe? Nonetheless, welcome back Ra Ra Riot, whose first album since the departure of cellist Alexandra Lawn releases on Jan. 22.
If you were craving some new Alt-J (∆) music this week, you're in luck. The recent Mercury Prize-winning foursome has released a new track "Buffalo," which is included in the upcoming movie Silver Linings Playbook, which stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. The soundtrack releases Nov. 19 and features tracks by Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and Alabama Shakes, as well as a score by the one and only Danny Elfman. The Alt-J track features backup vocals by the band Mountain Man.
Ahead of the release of his massive holiday set Silver & Gold: Songs For Christmas Vol. 6-10, Sufjan Stevens has released another early track for fans, this time a sweet rendition of Prince's "Alphabet St.," which was the first single off the latter's 1988 album Lovesexy. The song is expected to be included on Vol. 8: Christmas Infinity Voyage, which features some eccentric artwork, as seen by the Soundcloud sample below.
And your Friday is now complete with this newly released track off Big Boi's upcoming album Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors. Debuting ahead of the album's Dec. 11 release, "Lines" features rising star A$AP Rocky and indie electro duo Phantogram. This fresh cut is one of several collaborations Big Boi displays in his upcoming set, which includes offerings by T.I., Ludacris, B.o.B and Little Dragon.
On this third day in a row, BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe has premiered the last of three bonus tracks on The Weeknd's upcoming Trilogy, which releases Nov. 13 via Universal Republic. "Till Dawn (Here Comes The Sun)" aired for the first time Thursday on the the British radio program.
BBC's Radio 1 isn't done with The Weeknd just yet. Following Tuesday's premiere of "Twenty Eight," host Zane Lowe has followed up with the debut of the track "Valerie" as well. Yesterday, Lowe "confirmed" that he will later this month reveal an exclusive interview with Abel Tesfaye -- his only interview to date, having previously abstained from any formal press. Lowe has now explained the interview is not set in stone.
Lady Gaga released to fans Wednesday the cut of "B----, Don't Kill My Vibe," her collaboration with rapper Kendrick Lamar that unfortunately did not make his good kid, m.A.A.d city album due to deadlines, according to Lamar himself: “That situation was a deadline situation. We had to meet these pre-orders. I was frustrated about it. My team was frustrated about it, but at the same time, we had to move forward.”
One week before the major label debut by The Weeknd, BBC Radio 1's Zane Lowe has premiered a new track off the Trilogy set. It's one of the three new songs to appear on the album, which releases Nov. 13 via Universal Republic. Lowe also confirmed that later this month he will debut an interview with Abel Tesfaye--his first-ever press interview.
Ahead of their upcoming album release, Crystal Castles have debuted a new track, this one titled "Affection." The new song comes after a recent interview in which vocalist Alice Glass took issue with pop stars like Katy Perry.
