Sleigh Bells, Girlpool, More to Play Planned Parenthood and Tumblr’s SXSW Show

Planned Parenthood and Tumblr have announced a joint show during this year’s South by Southwest festival in Austin. The “Never Going Back” event goes down March 12 at Mohawk, and will feature performances by Sleigh Bells, Girlpool, Hoops, and PVRIS, with “other special guests TBD.” Tumblr CEO David Karp will be in attendance, as well as Planned Parenthood representatives, who will be on-site with “resources, literature and ways to get involved and stay active.” If you’re planning on attending SXSW this year, you can RSVP for the free show here.

Revisit Sleigh Bells’ “Demons” video on Pitchfork.tv:

via Noah Yoo

Listen to the New Pornographers’ New Song “This is the World of the Theater”

The New Pornographers have shared a new song from their forthcoming album Whiteout Conditions. Listen to “This Is the World of the Theater” below. The band previously released the song “High Ticket Attractions.” In a new interview with Noisey, frontman Carl Newman spoke on moving to a new label, the sound of the new record, and the (lack of) involvement from longtime New Pornographers contributor Dan Bejar, aka Destroyer. “Everything we were working on for this record was 160 BPM, and he's been working on a Destroyer record that's going to be very mellow,” he said. “He was like, ‘All these songs I'm writing are quiet songs. If you know what you want to do on this record, maybe I'll sit this one out.’”

via Noah Yoo

Alice Glass: New Music Sounds Like “Being Eaten by Fire Ants”

Former Crystal Castles frontwoman Alice Glass has shared a new mix and interview with Thump, in which she describes her forthcoming solo album. “I knew how I wanted things to sound early on, sinister and sweet, but it's evolved now,” she said. “Some songs sound more like being eaten by fire ants and some songs are like being slowly consumed by a snake.” When asked what she believes to be the most surprising thing about the upcoming album, she replied, “That you can hear my voice clearly.”

Elsewhere, Glass spoke on artists making their voices heard in the current political climate. “We need to know that other people out there that we feel a connection to also aren't okay with what's happening. It gives us a feeling of community and hope when our contemporaries and people we admire speak out for what is right,” she said. “A lot of people on the other side are criticizing artists for being vocal, but that's just a strategy to silence us. People in the arts and entertainment industry have a lot of influence to help progressive ideas gain strength.”

Last year, Glass shared “Stillbirth,” her first solo material since leaving Crystal Castles (and embarking on a war of words with former bandmate Ethan Kath) in October of 2014.

via Jazz Monroe

Yes, Lana Del Rey Is Promoting an Anti-Trump Witchcraft Ritual

Lana Del Rey tweeted out a cryptic series of dates last night: Feb. 24, March 26, April 24, and May 23. As previously noted, the dates lined up perfectly with the “waning crescent moon ritual dates” observed by members of the occult, which recently made headlines as witches around the world plan on casting a “binding” ritual on these dates over President Donald Trump, in an effort to remove him from office. After much speculation, a representative for Del Rey has confirmed that the singer-songwriter’s tweet was in reference to the occult ritual dates.

In other Lana Del Rey news, it was announced today that she and Miles Kane (of the Last Shadow Puppets) are collaborating on a new project. Earlier today, Del Rey called in to Jo Whiley’s BBC Radio 2 show for an interview, where she revealed they’re working on something together “for fun.” During the conversation, Lana discussed her new single (“Love”) and her forthcoming solo record. She said she’s been writing for the last 15 months, and she “started out thinking that the whole record was going to have sort of a, like, a ’50s, ’60s feeling, with some kind of Shangri-La, early Joan Baez influences.” She continued:

As the climate kept on getting more heated politically, I found, like, lyrically everything was just directed towards that, so because of that, the sound just got really updated, and I felt like it was more wanting to, like, talk to the younger side of the audience I have. I guess it’s just a little more socially aware. That’s kind of a global feeling.

Listen to the full interview below. Lana Del Rey’s last studio LP, Honeymoon, came out in 2015. 

Watch the “Love” video:

via Noah Yoo

Listen to Chance the Rapper on His Brother Taylor Bennett’s New Album

Chance the Rapper’s younger brother Taylor Bennett has shared a new album, Restoration of an American Idol. It features Taylor’s big brother on the Mike WiLL Made-It-produced “Grown Up Fairy Tales”—a track that Bennett said dates back to “around the time of Acid Rap.” There are also appearances from Lil Yachty, Jeremih, and Raury. Listen to Restoration of an American Idol below (via The Fader).

Read “Inside Chance the Rapper’s Brain Trust” on the Pitch.

via Noah Yoo

Foo Fighters to Headline Glastonbury 2017

Foo Fighters have joined Radiohead as confirmed Glastonbury 2017 headliners. They’ll play the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, June 24, making up for the forced cancellation of their 2015 slot after Dave Grohl broke his leg (and before his giant throne materialized). The announcement came at the beginning of a live stream for their concert at Cheese and Grain in Frome, England. It follows heavy speculation this week after fans received tickets from a fictional airline with a pyramid-shaped logo, which arrived in Foos-branded slips. A similarly branded website was also launched, with a countdown to the Glastonbury announcement and Frome show. Watch a live stream of the concert below.

We're delighted to confirm that @foofighters will headline the Saturday night of this year's Glastonbury Festival, on 24 June. http://pic.twitter.com/KXWfugv29c

— Glastonbury Festival (@GlastoFest) February 24, 2017

via Jazz Monroe

Frank Ocean Interviews Jay Z About the Sorry State of Modern Radio

Turns out Frank Ocean had another trick up his sleeve today. During the surprise broadcast of his new Beats 1 radio show “blonded RADIO” this afternoon, he aired excerpts from a conversation between himself and Jay Z. Jay bemoaned the state of modern radio, saying “these places are not even based on music” and “a person like Bob Marley right now probably wouldn’t play on a pop station. Which is crazy.” Read more quotes below. And listen here, starting first at the 1 hour and 3 minute mark and then at the 1 hour 53 minute mark.

“blonded RADIO” also featured tracks by artists such as Prince, Sade, Nao, Outkast, Pixies, Dirty Projectors, Stevie Wonder, um, Celine Dion, and, of course, Frank, including his new song with Calvin Harris and Migos, “Slide.” Vegyn, Roof Access, and Federico Aliprandi served as guest hosts. It’s unclear if the show is a one-off event or a recurring series.

Jay Z said:

Take radio for instance. It’s pretty much an advertisement model. You take these pop stations, they’re reaching 18-34 young white females. So they’re playing music based on those tastes. And then they’re taking those numbers and they’re going to advertising agencies and people are paying numbers based on the audience that they have. So these places are not even based on music. Their playlist isn't based on music. If you think a person like Bob Marley right now probably wouldn’t play on a pop station. Which is crazy. It’s not even about the DJ discovering what music is best. You know, music is music. The line’s just been separated so much that we’re lost at this point in time.

They have to revolutionize that thing, you know, be more progressive. I think with all the technology and where we are today, it’s definitely a more efficient way to get music out. Because it's the whole idea behind having a festival that played all sorts of music. Because no one listens to music like that - you just listen to music more than ever. Back in the days there used to be hip-hop clubs. Like, specific hip-hop clubs. Now every club is a hip-hop club. Every club is a music club. You go in there, you’re liable to hear EDM, hip-hop, you're gonna hear some soul, you’re definitely going to hear “Poison” around 2-3 in the morning.

It’s unfortunate because with, you know, technology and everything moving forward, we should, it should be a better way that the music, the musicians, radio, and these things that are supposed to be instruments for the arts, should exist. And it shouldn’t be about advertisement. And it shouldn’t be about—so the more times, you know, someone like yourself can bypass that, it’s better for the, for the arts. And it’s better for the audience ‘cause you have to have, like, a level of discipline and just a belief to put music out in this place where not everyone can. You know, people, like, they wanna shoot for that, and then they’re making music that’s not really conditioned to who they are [Frank says “right”], who they are so they can reach a certain platform.

via Amy Phillips

Listen to Frank Ocean’s New Beats 1 Radio Show Right Now

Frank Ocean has a new Beats 1 show. It’s called “blonded RADIO” and it is premiering right now. Listen here. Frank’s latest albums, Blonde and Endless, were first released as Apple Music Exclusives. He is featured on Calvin Harris’ new song “Slide.”

Frank Ocean presents #blondedRADIO!
TAP IN NOW for selections with @vegynvegyn, Roof Access and Federico Aliprandi. https://t.co/rAPwDbsSan http://pic.twitter.com/fAoD54OSV0

— Beats 1 (@Beats1) February 24, 2017

via Matthew Strauss

New “Twin Peaks” Posters Revealed

Today is “Twin Peaks” Day. That is, the day that Laura Palmer’s body was found in 1989, sparking the mystery behind David Lynch’s iconic TV show. To mark the occasion, Showtime has shared two new posters for its upcoming revival. One poster depicts Laura, the other features Kyle McLachlan’s character, Special Agent Dale Cooper. Both posters say “It Is Happening Again.” Check them out below.

“Twin Peaks” returns with a two-hour premiere on Sunday, May 21 at 9 p.m. Eastern. Lynch directed all 18 parts of the limited series, which takes place 25 years after Laura’s murder.

Read “The Musical Legacy of Twin Peaks” on the Pitch.

Watch a teaser featuring Lynch’s Gordon Cole:

via Matthew Strauss

Soul Legend Leon Ware Dead at 77

Soul and R&B singer-songwriter Leon Ware has died, NPR reports. The artist and producer who worked with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, and Michael Jackson passed away yesterday, his manager confirmed to NPR. He was 77 years old. While the cause of death has not been revealed at this time, Ware was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the mid-'00s.

Ware found his first success as a Motown songwriter, writing for artists such as the Isley Brothers and Donny Hathaway. He cemented his legacy with his hand in producing Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On follow-up I Want You, on which he produced and co-wrote every song. He also wrote hits such as Michael Jackson's "I Wanna Be Where You Are" and Minnie Ripperton's "Inside My Love."

In 1996, Ware collaborated with Maxwell on "Sumthin' Sumthin'" from Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite. His work has been sampled by Jay Z, Tupac, A Tribe Called Quest, Brandy, and countless others. In 2014, Ware worked on Theophilus London's album Vibes, and in 2015, Ware appeared on "OKAGA, CA" on Tyler the Creator's album Cherry Bomb.

Read Jason King's interview with Ware about Marvin Gaye's I Want You on its 40th anniversary here.

via Noah Yoo and Amy Phillips

9 Albums Out Today You Should Listen to Now: Dirty Projectors, Future, Thundercat, and More

With so much good music being released all the time, it can be hard to determine what to listen to first. Every week, Pitchfork offers a run-down of significant new releases available on streaming services. This week’s batch includes new albums from Dirty Projectors, Future, Thundercat, Los Campesinos!, Stormzy, Vagabon, Pissed Jeans, Kingdom, and Power Trip.

Dirty Projectors: Dirty Projectors [Domino]

Dirty Projectors’ new self-title record arrives four years after the band’s Swing Lo Magellan. Collaborators on Dirty Projectors include D∆WN, Solange, and Tyondai Braxton. Check out our reviews of “Keep Your Name,” “Up in Hudson” “Cool Your Heart,” and “Little Bubble”; the latter two were named Best New Track. Read Pitchfork’s new feature “Going Solo: Dirty Projectors’ Dave Longstreth Steps Outside the Frame.”

Listen on Apple Music

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Tidal

Future: HNDRXX [Epic/A1/Freebandz]

One week after putting out his self-titled record, Future has unleashed his second full-length of 2017. Like its predecessor, it’s 17 tracks long. HNDRXX features the Weeknd and Rihanna.

Listen on Apple Music

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Tidal

Thundercat: Drunk [Brainfeeder]

Thundercat’s Drunk follows 2015’s mini-album The Beyond / Where the Giants Roam and 2013’s Apocalypse. Collaborators on the LP include Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington, Pharrell, Wiz Khalifa, Kenny Loggins, and Michael McDonald. Check out our reviews of Drunk’s “Them Changes, “Show You the Way” and “Friend Zone”—all named Best New Track.

Listen on Apple Music

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Tidal

Los Campesinos!: Sick Scenes [Wichita]

Los Campesinos! are back with their first album since 2013’s No Blues. Read our review of the lead single “I Broke Up in Amarante.”

Listen on Apple Music

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Stormzy: Gang Signs & Prayers [#Merky]

Gang Signs & Prayers is the debut album from Grime artist Stormzy. It features Kehlani, Raleigh Ritchie, MNEK, Wretch 32, Ghetts, and J Hus. Read Pitchfork’s Rising feature, “Stormzy: Grime Heavyweight,” as well as the review for “Big for Your Boots,” which was named Best New Track.

Listen on Apple Music

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Listen on Tidal

Vagabon: Infinite Worlds [Father/Daughter]

Infinite Worlds is Laetitia Tamko’s debut album as Vagabon. Read Pitchfork’s Rising feature, “Vagabon is an Indie Rock Game Changer,” and reviews for “Fear & Force,” “The Embers,” and “Minneapolis.”

Listen on Apple Music

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Pissed Jeans: Why Love Now [Sub Pop]

Pissed Jeans are back with Why Love Now, their first album in four years. The follow-up to 2013’s Honeys was produced by Lydia Lunch and Arthur Rizk (of Sumerlands), and features contributions from author Lindsay Hunter, delivering a “self-penned monologue of W.B. Mason-inspired erotica.”

Listen on Apple Music

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Listen on Tidal

Kingdom: Tears in the Club [Fade to Mind]

After teaming up with D∆WN last year for a joint EP called Infrared, Kingdom has returned with his debut solo album. It features guest spots from SZA, the Internet’s Syd, Shacar, and Vine singer Najee Daniels. Read Pitchfork’s reviews of the title track and “What Is Love.”

Listen on Apple Music

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Power Trip: Nightmare Logic [Southern Lord]

Nightmare Logic is the second album from Texas thrash metal band Power Trip, following 2013’s Manifest Decimation. Read Pitchfork’s review of “Firing Squad.”

Listen on Apple Music

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via Sheldon Pearce

Watch Fred Armisen and Jenna Fischer Star in Old 97’s’ Hilarious New “Good With God” Video

Old 97’s’ new album Graveyard Whistling is out today (via ATO). To mark the release, they’ve shared the music video for the record’s “Good With God.” It stars Fred Armisen and Jenna Fischer (Pam from “The Office”). Fischer plays the host of the fictional interview program “An Hour and 60 Minutes,” while Armisen takes on the role of the band’s fill-in drummer after their real one can’t make the session. Despite his impromptu inclusion, Armisen takes charge and really can’t keep his mouth shut. Old 97’s then perform a live take of their track (with Armisen really on the drums!). Watch the Lee Kirk-directed video, and check out frontman Rhett Miller’s statement on it, below.

Rhett Miller:

Lee Kirk and his team had written a great script and arranged for what would have been a very cool video when we discovered at the last minute that our drummer would not be able to take part in the filming. Thank god that Fred Armisen is a world-class drummer in addition to being literally the funniest man on the planet. What we wound up with was unexpected and amazing. This video could have been an hour long given all of the hilarious improv that Jenna and Fred did.

via Noah Yoo

Watch Ryan Adams Perform “Do You Still Love Me?” on “Corden”

Beyoncé: “LGBTQ Students Need to Know We Support Them”

Watch Lupe Fiasco Perform “Jump” on “Colbert”

Lupe Fiasco was the musical guest on last night’s episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” He performed “Jump” from DROGAS Light, alongside Gizzle. Watch the performance below.

via Sheldon Pearce

Arca Shares New Video for New Song “Anoche”: Watch

On April 7, Arca is releasing a new self-titled album on XL. Its latest offering is the new song “Anoche,” for which he’s shared a video. Watch it below. Directed by longtime Arca collaborator Jesse Kanda, it sees Alejandro Ghersi in an eerily black room, performing a mournful dance amongst scattered corpses. “Anoche” follows the previously shared tracks “Piel” and “Sin Rumbo.” Arca’s last album, Mutant, was released in 2015. Last year, the producer released a free 14-track project called Entrañas.

Read Pitchfork’s feature, “Arca’s Warped Beauty.” 

via Sheldon Pearce and Jazz Monroe

Stream Future’s New Album HNDRXX

Future has released his new album HNDRXX. It features 17 tracks, including new songs with the Weeknd and Rihanna. Stream it below. It’s Future’s second album in as many weeks, following up last week’s self-titled album. Before that, his last solo album was 2016’s EVOL. 

via Noah Yoo

Gucci Mane and Nicki Minaj Reunite for New Song “Make Love”: Listen

Gucci Mane and Nicki Minaj have reunited for a new song called “Make Love.” Stream the track below. The song comes in advance of Gucci’s forthcoming album Drop Top Wop. Yesterday, Gucci announced his first ever career tour, which includes both dates at Coachella. Find the full itinerary below.

Gucci Mane:

04-05 Boston, MA - House of Blues
04-06 Wallingford, CT - Oakdale Theatre
04-09 New York, NY - Terminal 5
04-12 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
04-13 Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
04-14 Detroit, MI - The Fox Theatre
04-15 Indio, CA - Coachella
04-16 Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
04-17 San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
04-18 Portland, OR - Theatre of the Clouds
04-20 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
04-22 Indio, CA - Coachella
04-24 Columbus, OK - Express Live!
04-25 Philadelphia, PA - The Liacouras Center
04-26 Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
04-27 Washington, DC - Echostage
05-02 Miami, FL - Fillmore
05-05 Dallas, TX - JMBLYA
05-06 Austin, TX - JMBLYA

via Sheldon Pearce

Listen to Thundercat’s New Album Drunk

Thundercat’s new album Drunk is out now. It features contributions from Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald (on the previously released “Show You the Way”), as well as songs with Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington, Pharrell, and Wiz Khalifa. Stream it below. It includes previously released tracks “Them Changes” and “Bus in These Streets,” and is the follow-up to his 2015 mini-album The Beyond / Where the Giants Roam.

Watch Thundercat and Flying Lotus’ episode of “Over/Under” on Pitchfork.tv:

via Noah Yoo

Listen to Frank Ocean, Calvin Harris, Migos’ New Song “Slide”

Frank Ocean, Calvin Harris, and Migos have released their new song. Listen to “Slide” below. After teasing the track multiple times on his Snapchat story, Harris finally officially announced the song earlier this week, tweeting out the full credits for the song along with a list of the instruments used to create it. Ocean notably “appears courtesy of Frank Ocean,” further confirming his status as an unsigned artist following the release of his last studio album, Blonde, under his own company Boys Don’t Cry. “Slide” marks the first new piece of music from Ocean since the release of Blonde last year.

CALVIN HARRIS // FRANK OCEAN // MIGOS http://pic.twitter.com/UvsJzm9F6k

— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) February 21, 2017

via Noah Yoo