Wednesday Music News

06/25/2014

Janice Headley

Yeah Yeah Yeahs' frontwoman Karen O has announced she'll be releasing a debut solo album, Crush Songs, on September 9th via Julian Casablancas' label Cult Records. In a note on her website, O shares, "When I was 27, I crushed a lot. I wasn’t sure I’d ever fall in love again. These songs were written and recorded in private around this time. They were the soundtrack to what was an ever continuing love crusade. I hope they keep you company on yours." [Pitchfork]

DFA Records duo The Juan Maclean have also announced a new album, In A Dream, out September 16th. Stream the album's opening track, the eight-minute-long disco-trance "A Place Called Space," below: [Stereogum]

Last year, Benjamin Curtis of School of Seven Bells sadly lost his battle with with a rare type of Non-Hodgkins Lymphona at the age of 35. Today, we have an incredibly moving track he recorded from his hospital bed: a cover of the Joey Ramone song “I Got Knocked Down (But I’ll Get Up)” with Alejandra Deheza on backing vocals. Stream their lovely rendition below: [Consequence of Sound]

L.A. trio Liars have shared a new video for their track "Pro Anti Anti," and as always, the band provides striking visuals to accompany their music. In the clip, 3D sculptures of band members Angus Andrew and Aaron Hemphill burst and melt down the podium, reinforcing the theme of their latest album, appropriately titled Mess. (Watch their KEXP live session on the blog here.) [Under the Radar]

Legendary vocalist Merry Clayton was seriously injured in a car crash earlier this month on Monday, June 16th. In a statement on her website, her representatives shared "Merry sustained severe injuries to her lower body, including major trauma to her lower extremities. We are truly grateful that our dear Merry is still with us. She has a long road of recovery ahead and we thank you all for your prayers as we link arms together with faith and the Lord’s strength for her rapid healing." Clayton was recently profiled in the Oscar-winning documentary Twenty Feet from Stardom — you can read DJ El Toro's review of the film here. [The Stranger's Line Out]

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