Friday Music News

12/01/2017

Jasmine Albertson

Swedish sister act First Aid Kit are releasing their first album in three years, Ruins, at the beginning of the new year. Today they've shared the third single from the album, "Fireworks." They've previously shared the songs "It's a Shame" and "Postcard." The duo also shared a one-off single for International Women's Day called "You Are the Problem Here." Ruins is out January 19 on Columbia. First Aid Kit will be in Seattle on Sunday, January 28 to play the Moore Theatre. [ Under the Radar ]

If you've been waiting until December to indulge in Christmas music, Best Coast is here with one for you. Today the indie surf band shared their take on the Beach Boys' classic Christmas hit "Little Saint Nick." The song is a part of Amazon Music's Indie For The Holidays playlist which includes Christmas tunes from Charly Bliss, Albert Hammond Jr., and Kevin Morby. Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast said of "Little Saint Nick": “Being from California and being heavily influenced by The Beach Boys we felt like we had to cover this one. Also always fun for me to cover a song with a wall of harmonies and background vocals because it’s my favorite part about recording vocals.” [ Paste ]

Charlotte Gainsbourg released her fantastic new album Rest a few weeks ago. It was her first album in over six years, following 2011's Stage Whisper. Today she debuted the video for the song "Lying With You." Directed by Gainsbourg, the video features her exploring the untouched home of her late father, French icon Serge Gainsbourg. It features a younger version of herself as well as a present day version and is shot in a hazy way, making it feel like a dream (or possibly a nightmare). She's previously shared videos for "Rest," "Deadly Valentine," and "Ring a Ring 'O Roses." [ SPIN ]

Houston trailblazing rapper Scarface has announced that he'll be releasing a 10-song mini-album follow up to 2015's Deeply Rooted called Deeply Rooted: The Lost Files. The album will contain six new songs and four alternative versions of tracks from Deeply Rooted. "Black Still" is one of the new songs and the album's first single, shared today. Produced by N.O. Joe, the song is a re-imagining of Public Enemy's "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos" and addresses racism head-on. In the video, directed by Dr. Teeth, features a young black man spending time in the library, gaining information on the wrongs that have been done to black people historically. Deeply Rooted: The Lost Files is out December 15 via Facemob/BMG. [ Stereogum ]

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the tragic Ghost Ship fire in Oakland that killed 36 people. The label 100% Silk was hosting a show the night of the fire and two of the artists on the label, Cherushii (Chelsea Faith Dolan) and Nackt (Johnny Igaz) were victims that night. In honor of the anniversary, 100% Silk has announced a benefit compilation album called Silk to Dry the Tears which will feature songs from past and present artists on the label. Half of the album profits will go towards the Oakland-based coalition Safer DIY Spaces. Today they've shared Octo Octa's contribution "Not Sure What to Do (Variation Zoning 4)" which is a new version of a demo she released in 2016. Silk to Dry the Tears is out February 9. [ Pitchfork ]

Related News & Reviews

Daily Roundups

Scottish indie band Franz Ferdinand are releasing their first album in five years, Always Ascending, in early 2018. Today they've shared the video for the title track and lead single. Directed by Parisian collective AB/CD/CD, the slick video features the band members quite literally ascending thro…

Daily Roundups

Thursday Music News

Fresh off a live performance on The Morning Show on KEXP, The National have released a video for the single "Dark Side of the Gym," a track off their critically acclaimed new album Sleep Well Beast. The video is directed by Justin Peck, the resident choreographer at the New York City Ballet, who a…