CLAPS have released their New Science ep showcasing their stripped down sound.  The St. Paul, MN trio favors simplicity layering haunting vocals with rich analog synth sounds and straight forward beats.  The track “Fireworks”, lending a Nintendo-esq landscape into which the vocals blend, is a highlight.  “Gruzzles” and the single “Fold” round out the release accompanied by (“fold”) remixes by Chic Portier, Busy Signals, and Sovietpanda (of Too Much Love fame).

CLAPS – “Fold”

CLAPS – “Fold (Sovietpanda rmx)”

Philadelphia’s hard rock veteran, rapper Freeway spent the past decade riding shotgun with Jay-Z’s former rap juggernaut Roc-A-Fella Records. He also did a quick jump with 50 Cent’s G-Unit, so what’s next for the bearded Rhymeslayer? He’s slated to be signing a label deal with Lil’ Wayne’s Cash Money, but before the ink dries he’s goin’ in with indie powerhouse Rhymesayers for a unique collaboration project with highly regarded Seattle producer Jake One (50 Cent/I Self Devine/ MF Doom). This will be the rawest, gulliest record ever released from RSE. Disillusioned by the rap game and on a spiritual journey, Sunni Muslim Freeway went on hiatus for a few years after recording his 2003 debut Philadelphia Freeway, which went on to go gold, before making Hajj to the holy city of Mecca. On his return in 2007 he released Free at Last, followed in 2009 by the indie release of Philadelphia Freeway 2.

full review and tracks after the jump
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Brooklyn band The Canon Logic have a sound that certainly earns them a spot amongst the other “the” bands (the Killers, The Strokes, etc) but package it in a way separates them from simply sounding 8 years too late. Swelling piano combines with lead vocalist Tim Kiely to fill the mid-range, while up front guitar and large (but not blast dance beat) drums create an expansive sound large enough to fill an arena. The single Nights at Amour Mansion feels as relevant as anything yet keeps the Canon Logic from being swept away in the rush of dance-bands spilling out of Brooklyn. The band’s debut album FM Arcade is due out March 9.

The Canon Logic – “Nights at Amour Mansion”

The Canon Logic – “Avenue of Criminals”

While club tracks are a dime-a-dozen, what makes I’m Not a Band unique is a contempary electro sound mixed with an almost minimal influence. The track Black Horses grinds hard but, along with their other tracks, is expanded by a dark overtone of contrasting vocals and beats that are filled with blips, pops, and clicks instead of your usual hand-clap and 808 kick.

I’m Not a Band – “Black Horses”

For some folks who may not be getting any Valentine’s Day gifts your man DJ Benzi put his mechanics touch on the radio-love Young Money track Bedrock. Check it below:

Young Money – Bed Rock (DJ Benzi Valentine’s Day Remix)

The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Have To is the debut novel from writer/actor/rapper DC Pierson (Mystery Team, Community). This novel features your run-of-the-mill teenage plot development. Isolated, awkward high school boy loves to draw. Awkward boy meets extra-awkward boy who is equally isolated. They bond over love of science fiction. They become best friends. Awkward boy falls in love with girl. Best friend ends up taking girl. They fight, they make-up. The End. Oh wait, somewhere in there, extra-awkward boy admits he can’t sleep and has never been able to. Awkward boy becomes determined to test the bounds and limits of such a power/ability (or lack of ability). It turns into a fast-paced adventure when their greatest fear (The man in the suit) finds out and tries to capture the ‘never-sleeper.’

Pierson’s novel is  full of charm built on the basis that growing up is hard no matter who you are. Throw in an abstract ability like not having to sleep and its bound to complicate the already tough high school lifestyle. The characters drive this tale, which goes past analysis of teenage culture to add evocative moments on top of brooding science fiction action. The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To is a novel that provides entertainment, humor, and adventure that works for anyone, young or old.

***ABOVE THE FOLD is giving away TWO COPIES of Pierson’s new book! E-mail contests[at]above-thefold[dot]com with DC Pierson in the subject line for your chance to win a copy. Winners will be chosen February 17.***

Purchase the book HERE

Pierson took some time to answer a few questions about what his new book means to him, his own high school experience, and more: lanjut →

Gimme Noise dropped this promo video for Saturday’s Gimme Shelter: A Benefit for Haiti at First Avenue. Shouts to Anthem Heart for making the dope video. They also announced Set Times for the show Saturday:

——————————————————————————————————————-Steve Leaf’s debut album somber-funked me silly (someone put that on a t-shirt this instant). I laughed out loud when Wait, No, Go hit my ear drums. The acoustic guitar is just that sick. And the rhythmic interplay between banjo, percussion, and electric guitar is a new kind of groove, especially when the masterful ambient background noises creep in. Though the man can both shatter glass and swoon your baby to sleep with his vocal skills, he also features some instrumental tracks as well: India Pale Ale sounds like the mellow side of Ratatat, Sunday Procession like a church service scored by Morton Feldman’s unevil twin. In short, you should check it out:

Steve Leaf – Wait, No, Go

Steve’s tour:

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Childish Gambino (Don Glover) GOES IN over your favorite indie bands (Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, Discovery, Sleigh Bells) on his new mixtape I Am Just A Rapper. These seven tracks are laced with the message that Gambino “does not talk, he is just a rapper.” Gambino’s comedic background comes across with a slew of quick-witted pop culture one-liners. Although he is careful not to over-saturate the humor by showing off his actual MC skills on this lead-up to his debut album The Culdesac.

Download the whole mixtape HERE [I Am Just A Rapper also features DC Pierson, a member of Glover's comedy troupe DERRICK, spitting a few verses as well. [Loved the Mad Men reference]. More from Pierson to come on ATF soon!

Listen to a couple tracks below:

Childish Gambino – Bitch Look at Me Now (Feat. Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks) “I’ll always be childish/Call me Maggie Simpson”

Childish Gambino – New Prince (Feat. Sleigh Bells – Crown on the Ground) [this track goes so HARD!]

And just for S’s and G’s here’s Glover showing us all how to krump:

RJD2 has shed all of his record label connections, bought-back all the masters to his previous releases, and is now running his own label RJ’s Electrical Connections. RJ will release his first album since 2007 in January titled The Colossus. RJD2 is one of my favorite artists and I am beyond excited for this new album.

The song that got me hooked on RJD2 was The Horror. Check out the video below:

RJD2 – The Horror

RJD2 – Airbag (Radiohead Cover)