New Smith Westerns video - Idol

It seems the love affair with Chicago garage band Smith Westerns has reached another level with the criminally excellent Soft Will, the third LP in the young band's catalog. Not soon after the LP's release, the band debuted the fuzzy VHS-quality house party video for "Idol," which seems to capture the 90s better than most things.

Watch the video below and grab Soft Will today on Mom + Pop Records.

Ametsub - Lucent

After debuting All Is Silence earlier this month, Japanese producer Ametsub brought out the brand new nature-loving video for "Lucent" from director Dominic Plaza.

The video, which consists mostly of sun-shading cascades of time-lapsed nature shots, plays with the minimalist approach of "Lucent," making both parts one in the same. Check it out below and grab All Is Silence today.

Stream: Robocut Slum - Study Breaks


There's a resonating disconnect with Study Breaks, the hour-plus album from bedroom producer Robocut Slum. The pulse connecting each track disorients and turns with every nailing synth, gnarling between subtle and serene to nightmarish. What purveys the seams are clever samples, causing a uniform feel for the album. While it may be a little too unnerving for actual studying, it does deserve a full listen. Check it out below or order the LP via Slum's Bandcamp.

New Washed Out - Don't Give Up

Only a few weeks after debuting "It Feels Alright," Washed Out revealed the newest warm offering from the upcoming Paracosm, "Don't Give Up."

Following the floral style of the previously mentioned first single, "Don't Give Up" is also a lyric video, which kinda helps with Ernest Greene's sometimes hard-to-hear lyrics. But its gorgeous, and its really hot out, so it works regardless.

Stream the new single below. Paracosm is due out August 12/13 on Sub Pop.

New Delorean - Spirit

Barcelona outfit Delorean, nearly three years removed from the excellent debut Subiza, are officially back with what the group is calling a "big production album" on the way. The first of the 10 track LP Apar is the supremely lively and colorful "Spirit," which quickly reminds of how enjoyable "Grow" was the first time around.

Stream "Spirit" below. Apar is set for release September 10 on True Panther Records.

The Fire, June 25 - Hospital Ships (Preview)


After meandering his way through the likes of Shearwater and Minus Story, in which he contributed various pieces, Kansas-native Jordan Geiger crafted his bedroom pop outfit Hospital Ships.

The band, which will be performing tonight at The Fire in Philadelphia with The Meta and Sean Rosner, is coming off Destruction In Yr Soul, the first with a full band behind Geiger. With the added dimensions, the lifting pop-centric dimensions balloon to something more massive, encapsulating.

The output, although aiming for something much larger than the early versions of the band, still sits comfortably between humble origins and steady progression. Through the band's evolution, that bigger sound crawls past Geiger's predisposed limitations and allows him to move forward to a possibly grander setting.

That vision will look to flourish tomorrow when doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets for the 21-plus show are still available.

Destruction In Yr Soul is out now on Graveface Records.

New Bleached video - Dead In Your Head


LA fuzz rock band Bleached already released its ever-so-pleasing Ride Your Heart, but the band has a brand new 'fun-with-green-screen' video for "Dead In Your Head," available below. And as with all sentences that begin with "LA fuzz rock band," you can bet its pretty fun.

New Yeah Yeah Yeahs video - Despair

Patrick Daughters, the director who's biggest claim to fame is the beloved video for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs seminal video for "Maps," was at the helm once again with the band for the Mosquito epic "Despair." In it, the band parades their jubilant talents on top of the Empire State Building (the first video to do so), with Karen O coming as lively as ever during the roaring climax.

Watch the video below and grab Mosquito today on Interscope.

Stream: Iman Omari - (VIBE)rations


Filling in perfectly on the first official day of summer is the new mixtape from West Coast producer Iman Omari, with (VIBE)rations. The full-track list with the massive guest list of helping parties is available courtesy of Omari's Soundcloud, but the fun comes from going in a little unknown. There's some familiar samples here and again, most notably of Kanye West's "Touch The Sky" on "Testify," but its largely a brand new experience for most. Check it out below before its official release.

Stream: Nicolas Jaar - Daftside (Random Access Memories Remixes)


Just so you know, the adornment of Nicolas Jaar has now exploded ten-fold. The visionary 23-year-old producer, two years after the release of the seminal Space Is Only Noise LP (and numerous other small efforts in between), has crafted the otherwordly Daftside. The album (named in the same ilk of his 2011 EP DARKSIDE) completely recraft's Daft Punk's Random Access Memories into something completely new and bewildering. While some arrangements and signatures from the original album are still in tow, Daftside is largely a completely new sounding concept. It's an absolute must-listen, below.

New Gauntlet Hair - Bad Apple

Future noise duo Gauntlet Hair, which has been producing enduring under-the-radar material for the past few years, debuted the first new track from the upcoming Stills album with "Bad Apple." The tempered single, complete with shadowy keys falling through the backdrop, comes with production help (as does all of Stills) from Unknown Mortal Orchestra member Jacobo Portrait.

Stream the single below. Stills is set for release July 16 on Dead Oceans.

FTSE - Tidal Wave (ft. Saint Saviour)

British producer Sam Manville, better known as FTSE, debuted the new video for the somber electro chamber pop "Tidal Wave," which features some welcome vocal help from Saint Saviour. The Lily Smith-directed video features actors Jason Newell and Julieta Kilgelmann caught in an isolated indoor windstorm. Of which, we should surely suspect, is of emotion.

Watch the video below and grab FTSE's 1 EP today.

New BADBADNOTGOOD - Hedron


Canadian jazz trio (don't say that often here) BADBADNOTGOOD will be setting off for the European portion of its tour soon. But before then, the group debuted the mellowed out "Hedron," the first new original music from the band since last year's BBNG2. Stream the new track below and check out the aforementioned tour dates here.

Mixtape: CFCF - Belongs, Possessions


Montreal's Michael Silvers, better known as the enigmatic producer CFCF, debuted the wonderful "Camera" several days back from his upcoming Music For Objects EP. While the July 9 release date creeps closer, the meantime can be spent listening to the positively lush and endearing Belongs, Possessions mixtape, courtesy of Dazed Digital. Available to stream and download, the heartwarming instrumental styles are intoxicating and unique, giving a presence of a massive orchestral composition. It's a serious must listen.

Music For Objects will be released July 9 via Paper Bag/Dummy.

Album Stream: µ-Ziq - Chewed Corners


Its been nearly six years since Planet Mu figurehead µ-Ziq has released any solo materials, but the brand new Chewed Corners is here and is available to stream in the full. The official release is coming next week, June 24, via the aforementioned Planet Mu label, but fans can get a little early insight on the 14-track courtesy of Hypemachine. Stream album the album below and pre-order here.

JJ DOOM - BOOKHEAD

From the upcoming Keys To The Cuff: Butter Edition from JJ DOOM (that's Jneiro Jarel and, of course, DOOM) is the brand new 'BOOKHEAD." The track, which partially premiered as a Clams Casino collaboration with DOOM entitled "BOOKFIEND" a month back also has a new video from the visual guidance of Steve Powers. Check it out below and stay alert for the album, coming soon from Lex Records.

New METZ video - Get Off

METZ, one of the best new punk bands in recent years, debuted the brand new video from the trio's self-titled debut for "Get Off." The animated feature, which was actually directed by fellow Sub Pop alum Chad VanGaalen, comes off in a very Heavy Metal style. Check it out below.

Album Stream: Yosi Horikawa - Vapor


Full of supreme vision and exploratory virtuosity, Yosi Horikawa gave fans a preview of his upcoming 16-track full-length Vapor. The sounds and clouded samples come from so many varied angles that one might end up losing count (hint; don't try and count them). It's a masterfully provocative blend that has raised a lot of hype for the eventual June 24 release on First Word. Stream it in its entirety below.

New Small Black video - No Stranger

Taking one of an album's most romantic tracks and turning it into an even more romantic video fairly admirable. For "No Stranger," one of the more endearing tracks from Small Black's recently released Limits Of Desire, directors Mandy Mandelstein and Addison Mehr focus on a man who sees on a woman on a train, imagining the life they could have together if he didn't miss out on this chance to talk to her.

Watch the video below and get Limits Of Desire today on Jagjaguwar.

New Fuck Buttons video - Red Wing

Although this version of "Red Wing" still isn't the full-length official take that will be featured on Fuck Buttons next album Slow Focus, at least there's a creepy video to support it. The slow-moving red hued drag was filmed by one of half of the group, Andrew Hung. Watch the video below and grab Slow Focus July 23.

Nude Beach - What Can Ya Do


Following up last year's II, the debut album from Brooklyn fuzz rockers Nude Beach, the band returned with the title track to its upcoming What Can Ya Do EP. This follows the release of "I'm Giving Up," the B-Side to the "What Can Ya Do" single release, which debuted last April. It's a straight-up dive bar anthem, which could draw a few hard line comparisons to bands like Deer Tick and Turbo Fruits.

Listen to both tracks below. The "What Can Ya Do" b/w "I'm Giving Up" 7" will be released July 9 on Other Music Recording Co.



New Franz Ferdinand - Bullet (From 'A Weekend In Glasgow')

Before Scotland faves Franz Ferdinand release the brand new Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action, the band gave a little taste of the studio process with "A Weekend In Glasgow." The mini-documentary shot feature, which barely crawls past three minutes, features a brand new Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action track "Bullet." Although it's not the finished product (patience, guys), it's the first brand new music we've heard from the band since 2009's post Tonight: Franz Ferdinand dance collaboration release Blood.

Watch the short below and pre-order the new album via Domino Records before the August 27 release.

Joakim - Another Light


While he works on his next full-length release, French producer Joakim has released a brand new 12" from his own Tigersushi imprint, "Heartbeats" b/w "Another Light." The former has an accompanying video which is more or less some snippets of scientific documentaries with Joakim' cute Tigersushi symbol plastered in the right corner.

Expect the two tracks, plus some new singles in the coming weeks, to be a part of the new album.

New Flatbush Zombies - Palm Trees


"Lions don't lose sleep over the opinions of sheep" might make any Tywin Lannister fan's ears perk up, even if it comes from a Flatbush Zombies track mostly about weed. The throaty "Palm Trees," graced with the excellent cover of Master Roshi's island hut (references a plenty), comes from the group's upcoming Better Off Dead mixtape. Stream it below and stay alert for the release soon.

New Shabazz Palaces video - An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum

It's been nearly two years since the release of the still fantastic Black Up from Seattle's enigmatic rap outfit Shabazz Palaces, but director Joris Grelet finally debuted the official video for "An Echo From The Hosts That Profess Infinitum."

In other Shabazz news, frontman Ishmael Butler has taken over Gorilla vs. Bear today, posting whatever he so feels. Check that out in the link above, otherwise watch the new video below.

New CHVRCHES video - Gun

The pathway for Glasgow group CHVRCHES becoming the next big indie pop group is being steadily paved. Shortly after the release of "Gun," the band debuted the colorful new video for the hit single from the upcoming debut album The Bones Of What You Believe. Check it out below and watch out for the album September 24.

Alexander Spit releases new video, announces next project

Housing what may be the best debut of 2013 (so far) is California rapper Alexander Spit. You may remember a some time after the release of A Breathtaking Trip To That Other Side, Spit debuted the massive 25-track free instrumental mixtape Mansions 2, further cementing his stamp on the first of half of the year. Now, Spit has another new video for "Black Magic On Blue Magic" from director Jason Goldwatch.

The new video gives a look at Spit's intimidatingly awesome studio, but comes with even better news. Spit already announced a follow-up to A Breathtaking Trip To That Other Side with To Be Invisible Will Be My Claim To Fame, which could be coming out shortly. Watch the video below and stay tuned for more details of the follow-up effort.

New Califone - Stitches

Chicago indie veterans Califone have been quiet since the band's last release, 2009's All My Friends Are Funeral Singers. But for the first time in the band's 16-year history the newest LP was recorded outside of its native city, hitting the American Southwest for more inspiration.

The rugged title track "Stitches" shows a little ware with age, and the recording move shows little changes in subtlety (not just with the desert-themed album cover). Stream the track below and grab Stitches September 3 on Dead Oceans.

Dornik - Something About You


"Something About You," this completely left field totally engrossing R&B single, comes mysteriously from Dornik Leigh. If the name is unfamiliar, no worries. Leigh drums as part of Jessie Ware's band, and has been debuting some of his miraculous solo stuff. The new single comes from PMR, the same label that enlists Ware's talents (as well as Disclosure), and is available to stream below.

New No Age - C'mon Stimmung

It's kinda unclear what "C'mon Stimmung" actually means (you tell me), but who cares? It's brand new No Age, dammit.

The messy, profusely chaotic and disorienting track is the first from the band's upcoming new LP An Object, which will be released August 20 on Sub Pop. Listen to it below.

Shigeto - Detroit Part 1


Before Ann Arbor producer Shigeto releases his brand new No Better Time Than Now LP, Ghostly is offering a preview of the album's first official single "Detroit Part 1."

Obvious jazz influences reign through on the track with peeling key progressions railing behind brisk snare drops and pulsed synths, which can be streamed below. The label, also based in Ann Arbor, will be releasing "Detroit Part 1" as a 12" June 17, roughly two months before the scheduled August 20 release date of No Better Time Than Now.

New Smith Westerns - Idol


Chicago's Smith Westerns have already plucked two spirited offerings from the upcoming Soft Will LP, but seemed to have topped both "Varsity" and 3 AM Spiritual" with "Idol." All three tracks - which might be a good indicator of Soft Will as a whole - are far more harmonious than most of the material the group brought out with its self-titled debut and 2011's excellent Dye It Blonde. Expect the rest of the record to hold the same regard, although it may fall by the wayside compared to the year's bigger releases.

Listen to "Idol" below and grab Soft Will June 25 on Mom + Pop Records.

New Schoolboy Q - Collard Greens (ft. Kendrick Lamar)


While Kendrick Lamar has blown past the idea of superstar in recent months, his fellow Black Hippy crew member Schoolboy Q may not be far behind. Q has a brand new album on the way in the form of Oxymoron, which boasts not only the lead single "Yay Yay," but this furious brand new cut "Collard Greens."

Kendrick does what only he seems to be capable of, with a thrilling guest verse, but the whole tracks sits a top as one of the year's best. Stream it below and watch out for Oxymoron soon.

New Fat Tony video - Hood Party (ft. Kool A.D. and Despot)

Hanging out on Froogle, the latest media incarnation of what a Google Hangout is (still haven't done that - note: need more internet friends) are Fat Tony, Kool A.D., and Despot for "Hood Party." Tony sticks with his Houston, with A.D. and Despot stashing on the coasts. Look closely and you might notice plenty of cameos, ranging from Bun B, Rai P, Lakutis, Amaze 88, and plenty more.

Check it out below and grab Fat Tony's newest album Smart Ass Black Boy today via Young One Records.

New Washed Out - It All Feels Right

If the sun is out at this very moment, then stop wasting time and stream "It All Feels Right," the first singles from Washed Out's upcoming LP Paracosm. Like a lot of what Ernest Greene churns out, "It All Feels Right" sounds like a glistening sunset, and has a lyric video with plenty of forest-like imagery to support that assumption.

Paracosm is set for release August 12 on Sub Pop.

New Paul White - Watch The Ants


Frequent Danny Brown producer Paul White debuted "Watch The Ants," the jubilant marching anthem from his upcoming EP of the same name yesterday. The track, available to stream below, features a clever array of vocal loops that may not seemingly mesh well together, but come through with a spiral of percussion and subtle keys.

Pre-orders for the aforementioned EP are available now via White's Bandcamp, with Watch The Ants set for release July 28.

New XXYYXX - Pay Attention


"Pay Attention" marks the first official cog in the likely upcoming hype cycle of Florida producer XXYYXX. It's a low-looped beauty tempering with elegant keys that one could easily mistake for Flying Lotus - a high praise, if there ever was. Stream the lead single from the upcoming album, which is sure to make light some time later this year.

New Young Galaxy video - New Summer


"New Summer," one of the many ultra-catchy singles from Young Galaxy's most recent output Ultramarine, has a brand new video courtesy of NPR and director Ivan Grbovic. And apparently, we figure out that the "New" in "New Summer" wasn't really about weather at all, but massive industrial destruction and general mayhem. See for yourself below and grab Ultramarine today.

The Next Phase ...

Honestly, things have been fairly light on B&B for the past few weeks. But there's good reason.

We're moving.

It's not immediate, but ultimately, the move has been in the process for some time. But as of today, the decision to move forward with a brand new site is official. Within the next few weeks, the number of posts here will slow down (but not stop completely). I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that the next step for Bears and Bullets is the right one, and that could take some time. Rest assured, it's happening.

In the meantime, stay up with me on Twitter for the best new music and just good ol' fashion jokes. It's worth it.

- Matt

CFCF - Camera


"Camera," the new cut from Montreal producer CFCF's upcoming Music For Objects EP, features a swirling wind of saxophone from Francesco de Gallo that endlessly drifts towards lifting ambiance. The EP won't be released until July 9 via Paper Bag/Dummy, but "Camera" will do its best to mend the tide in the mean time.

Stream/download it below.

New Wu-Tang Clan - Family Reunion


Hot 97's DJ Rosenberg, gladly accepting the gift, got an early listen to "Family Reunion," the newest music from the all-world rap collective Wu-Tang Clan. While the radio cut was kinda flimsy, the group debuted the RZA-produced track on its Bandcamp, which is taking orders for the 7" right now.

Only two copies can be ordered per customer, which will be limited to 500 copies. Otherwise, stream the soulful new track below and expect it on the group's next album later this year.

New Trentemøller video - Never Stop Running (ft. Jonny Pierce)

While celebrated Danish artist Trentemøller is more well-known for his electronic soundscapes, his most recent venture drifts improbably more towards the standard version of aesthetically pleasing. "Never Stop Running," while dominating by heavy bass lines and rolling percussion, features the sweet vocals of The Drums vocalist Jonny Pierece, giving the track a surprising amount of heart.

"Never Stop Running" will be featured on Trentemøller's upcoming third album (as of yet, untitled), which will also be released as a 7" with an instrumental B-Side. Check out the accompanying video directed by Frederick Jacobi below.

New Deerhoof video - Breakup Songs


The always wondrously-creative Deerhoof debuted the title track video from the band's most recent LP Breakup Songs, from director Pieter Dirkx. He manages to get the whole Cult Of The Birdman shtick down fairly smoothly, and even leaves off on a cliffhanger (whether that's solved or not is unknown).

Check the video out below and grab Deerhoof's Breakup Songs today via Polyvinyl Records.

Mixtape: Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire - Kismet


Another year, another mixtape. New York's Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, who's quickly laid claim to the best name and work ethic in the movement, released the brand new 16-track mixtape Kismet yesterday. The whole set, which is available to stream and download below, features another lengthy crew of notable helping hands, including Danny Brown, Nacho Picasso, and Flatbush Zombies, among a range of different producers.

See for yourself (courtesy of Audiomack).

New Hot Chip - Dark & Stormy

Don't get too far ahead of yourself - "Dark & Stormy" isn't part of some surprise Hot Chip album on the way (sigh).

While many of the group's members are venturing outside the Hot Chip boundaries with various solo efforts, including Joe Goddard's upcoming Taking Over EP, "Dark & Stormy" is the band full and true. It's the first new studio music from the band since last year's In Our Heads, and it might not be a surprise if its eventually on a new LP. But for now, stream the single below.

Bonus: The "Dark & Stormy" single will be released digitally and on 10" vinyl July 22, with an alternate version of "Look At Where We Are" as the featured B-Side from Domino Records.

New Vampire Weekend video - Diane Young

It turns out that the burning Saab video originally for "Diane Young," the energetic lead single from Vampire Weekend's recent Modern Vampires Of The City, wasn't the "official" video. Today, the band debuted the real thing as a modern Last Supper, featuring an array of indie heroes. Those included are; members of Dirty Projectors, The Walkmen, Chromeo, Santigold, and Sky Ferreira, having a better party than any of us are.

Azizi Gibson - 8th Street (prod. by Jeremiah Jae)


More rap duos!

While you were out last weekend, Brainfeeder standouts Azizi Gibson and Jeremiah Jae debuted "8th Street," part of the follow-up to last year's Ignorant Prayers mixtape, which featured Jae mostly on the production side of things.

Expect the follow-up mixtape soon. In the meantime, stream "8th Street" below.

Run The Jewels - Banana Clipper (ft. Big Boi)


Over the weekend, the ultimate duo of Killer Mike + El-P, better known as Run The Jewels, released the killer second track from the duo's upcoming self-titled release Run The Jewels, "Banana Clipper." Fans would note that this isn't the first listen of the track we've gotten, but now the full-blown version with Big Boi is readily available to stream and download. Drool away.