Since the beginning of their careers Coldplay has been dogged by comparisons to Radiohead. While the comparisons were not unfounded they seemed to be unfair. Coldplay’s piano driven heart-felt pop rock has produced two melodic albums that have been both lauded by critics and snarled at by hipsters. Three years after their last album Coldplay seem determined to silence all naysayers and continue making their brand of music with a more experimental twist. Even their forthcoming new albums’ title “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends” appears to be more cerebral and a departure from their earlier work. Furthermore, Coldplay will have Brain Eno producing their album who pieced together classic albums by the likes of U2, Talking Heads and Devo amongst others.
While expectations are high for the new Coldplay album, dropping on June 12, they are now at a fever pitch since the first single “Violet Hill” has just leaked. The new track starts off with a serene ambient backdrop and unexpectedly goes into a crushing guitar riff not associated with Coldplay’s signature sound. However, as the track gains momentum we hear the familiar grand piano sound and Chris Martin’s soothing voice soar over the chorus. There’s a guitar solo in the middle of the song that’s reminiscent of arena rock fist pumping anthems. The song ends with the usual melodic soft crooning over softly played piano we’ve come to expect from Coldplay. If this song is any indication of what the new album will sound like, we can expect a change of pace from Coldplay with welcomed familiarity.
Do you remember in the mid to late 90s when trip hop was supposed to change the face of music? It was considered by hipsters and music snobs to be more intellectual than the then current state of hip hop and more progressive than electronic music. Portishead was always the band that spearheaded the movement by putting together two brilliantly moody albums that seemed to define the genre. Trip hop fans rallied around the band and touted their ability to mix new age ambient music with old school lo-fi recording culminating into a unique sound. Beth Gibbons’ haunting voice gave the music a beautiful eeriness to the instrumentation of Utley and Barrow. However, just as they seemed to be getting notoriety in the mainstream, in the late 90s Portishead decided to take a hiatus seemingly taking the whole trip hop genre on a hiatus with them.
Eleven years later the Portishead faithful aren’t looking for trip hop to start a musical revolution anymore. They are just ravenous to hear Gibbons command her vocals over cinematic masterpieces again. Portishead has decided to give the people what they want producing their latest offering “Third”. While the new albums’ sound is not as familiar to its down tempo ambient hip hop sound, it is in no way a regurgitation of past works. “Third” has new elements of psychedelic rock music and lyrically Gibbons has become more emotional. The album briefly juxtaposes between folk, jazz and electronic. Although there are obvious differences in sound the change is welcome. Another Portishead trip hop album in the traditional sense would seem out of date and old. You never forget who you are listening to when Gibbons’ voice come soaring over tracks like their first single “Machine Gun”. One listen and you’ll still swear they can change the landscape of music.
Justice’s latest video for their track Stress has dropped. The electronica duo of of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay has put forth another strong track complete with a riveting video which follows a series of Justice thugs creating havoc in the neighborhood, ultimately culminating in the torching of a car and the crap kicking of the camera crew.
Music and art have always gone hand in hand when it comes to collaborations. While graffiti is always viewed as being closely tied to hip-hop culture, it can just work just as well in a rock setting. OG graf head Slick did up this giant inflatable pig for Roger Waters (of Pink Floyd fame) for Sunday Night’s Coachella show. The pig (representing a critique of capitalist greed) was used as a giant prop that emerged when he played a version of “Pigs”.
On a related note it’s reported that concert organizers are offering $10,000 for the safe return of the inflatable pig, as well as 4 lifetime Coachella passes. If you have any info on it’s whereabouts please email lostpig@coachella.com.
Hiroshi Fujiwara has posted up a video of his performance from last year’s FIL 1st Anniversary celebration which also include DSK and Ino Hidefumi. The video as well as mp3’s of the performance are now available on iTunes Japan. Aside from HF’s well known ability to design, he doesn’t seem out of place with a guitar albeit in a style that is outside the realm of most readers.
For a long time Electronic music was simply seen by the rock bias media as a subgenre that thrived in sweaty pulsating clubs, and not useful for much else. However, with the recent interest in synth heavy music in popular music mainstream music critics are paying close attention to what bubbles up from the from underground electro. The Presets, a Sydney based electronic duo, released their first album ‘Beam’ to critical acclaim. The album ran the spectrum from brooding moody music to emphatic up-tempo disco songs. Soon after they released their first album they duo did what they do best… hit the road and played their music. After a three year hiatus, the boys prove that they haven’t been resting on their laurels.
The new album entitled ‘Apocolypso’ is even more melodic then their first offering. The brilliantly titled album describes exactly what you will find on the album. Musically the album can be as abrasive as the apocalypse and as catchy as a calypso song. The soundscape this time is more cinematic and juxtapose between funk, pop and synth heavy songs. Each track is layered with weird but enjoyable high pitched vocals and with lyrics that are much more substantive and relatable than the first album. Their first single ‘My People’ is already a dance floor staple in any club you step foot in. But it’s their newly released ‘This Boy’s In Love’ that sums up the sound that is mainly heard on this album. Strangely beautiful and electronic with a human touch.
Describing a Hip Hop group as veterans or seasoned isn’t always necessarily a compliment in a genre that thrives off of new and cutting edge music. Several groups in hip hop who were around as recently as the mid to late 90’s are respected for they’re past material but largely forgotten as relics of the past. This is why it is so incredible that a group like The Roots is not only still relevant but is still releasing some of their best material in their fifteen year careers. Black Thought is still seemingly in his prime, easily navigating a flow that combines the best parts of Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane. The band itself sonically is tighter then ever.
?uestlove, the bands founding member, drummer and heart and sole of the group has lately been lacing the group with the hardest beats he can. A sound that destroys the “jazz rap” label they erroneously achieved in their early days. The tone and themes of the Roots music lately has turned more somber and serious with social commentary on the Bush Administration and pontification on life and death. However, The Roots never seem to jump off the deep end and still know that the original basis of Hip Hop is tracks that make you want to get up and dance. “Rising up” feat Wale & Chrisette Michelle is The Roots at their most celebratory and no doubt is one of their most up beat on their album coming soon titled “Rising Down.”
The shock factor of Gangster rap has been eroded for more than a decade now. The listening public is no longer appalled and pleasured by the unabashed mentioning of automatic weapons and the sale of illegal pharmaceuticals as we once were. The shtick has become so common place that we now have come to expect it. However, every now and then a veteran comes along and challenges our perception of the genre and actually makes it dangerous again. Prodigy of Mobb Deep was once considered musically dead by several musical critics. His vivid street analysis seemed to wane over the years and his pairing with the polarizing G-unit crew seemed to turn off some lifelong fans.
However, with a new concentrated focus and a more precise brutal delivery Prodigy has picked up where he left off with his mixtape offering last year “Return of the Mac”. His current release “H.N.I.C 2” is some of the grimiest, nihilistic gangster rap you will hear this entire year. P’s flow has become less complicated and straighter to the point adding to the gritty realism of his current release. Also his paranoid conspiracy theorist persona that was delivered in early Mobb albums is not only back in full force it dictates the tone of the entire album. Sonically, Alchemist takes the brunt of the production and masterfully lays down eerie tracks for P to brutalize. Maybe its Ps current jail sentence or his frantically weird new blog postings that makes the listener believe every word he says on the album. Either way, I dare you to turn on “Veteran’s Memorial” and not get shivers up your spine. H.N.I.C indeed.
Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D could fairly and accurately be described as the soundtrack to many HYPEBEAST readers’ lives. Therefore, when whispers surfaced that Kanye was bringing his highly praised “Glow In The Dark Tour” to the United States, the anticipation and speculation among the HYPEBEAST faithful was at a fever pitch. Everything from Kanye’s clothing, N.E.R.D’s set list and possible special guests have been debated and discussed in the days leading up to the first show. The speculation can now be put to a rest, as Kanye and his supporting cast have commenced the first leg of the tour and have literally left fans as well as critics in awe.
Kanye’s show reportedly goes above and beyond all expectations. There is a bizarre space odyssey story line, cutting edge set design, vivid visuals on big and small screens and as to be expected, impeccable wardrobe. Also not to be outshined, Rihanna, Lupe and N.E.R.D are holding down their opening performances with a enormous amount of energy for the awaiting fans. HYPEBEAST readers are already gathering on the message boards and trading stories of their experiences. In all of its grand pageantry Hip Hop now has it’s equivalent to U2’s Zoo Tour. A jolt to the system and a intense rush of pleasure to all the senses. Completely out of this world.
Source: Flickr
Lupe Fiasco has just released the video for his 3rd single “Paris, Tokyo” from his latest album “The Cool”. Lupe gets his GQ on, rocking a more sophisticated style, he also shows his love for Goyard throughout the video. Many exotic locations around the world are showcased in the video including Paris, Cairo, Madrid, Tokyo, and his home town of Chicago.
Upon last years opening of The Simpson’s inaugural jump to the silver screen, Chanel lead-man Karl Lagerfeld was among the group of fashion designers accompanying the Simpsons in cartoon form. Fast forward to this year, the legendary designer has returned in a new form as one of the radio DJs for the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto IV. While various musical genres will be represented, Lagerfeld’s own love of electronica and dance and personal commentary will highlight his role in the popular video game series.
Source: PSFK via WWD
One of HYPEBEAST’s favorite artists Kanye West just released a new music video for “Homecoming” featuring Chris Martin of Coldplay. “Homecoming” is the 4th single off of Kanye’s recent Album “Graduation”. The video is directed by veteran Hype Williams, and was filmed in Chicago using the always dope and classic black and white tones. Exclusive behind the scenes images can be seen at kanYe Live!.
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