Video: Florence + The Machine - "Spectrum"

On the back of Calvin Harris' dance floor ready remix of "Spectrum (Say My Name)", Florence Welch constructs her own vibrant version of a ballet in the colorful video for the song, experimenting with opportunely placed light and a haircut that defines symmetry. Not really my cup of tea, but after finally picking up Ceremonials this week, she's got me fully on board with the music.

Video: M83 - "Reunion"

Remember those telekinetic kids with glowing blue eyes from the "Midnight City" video? Well, they're back. Where we last left off, our pre-teen X-men escaped some sort of government facility using their special powers. The theatrical video for "Reunion", once again directed by Fleur & Manu, picks up from there, as cronies aligned with a scary bald dude, and an equally freaky little girl with red glowing, eyes chase down the kids through a glittering metropolis. There's also a back alley face off involving an SUV and a subtle nod to the late Adam Yauch. Lets hope there are more of these to come. Check it out below.

Video: Wiz Khalifa - "The Grinder"

I think I did a pretty good job of voicing my displeasure for Wiz Khalifa's new single "Work Hard, Play Hard" and my low expectations for ONIFC. Fortunately, Wiz hasn't completely gone into PR mode for his new LP and is still giving love the wealth of bonafide good music on his most recent mixtape Taylor Allerdice. Here's his video for "The Grinder", which features his newest bff Juicy J.

Ellie Goulding - "High For This" (The Weeknd Cover)

British songstress (and girlfriend to Skrillex) Ellie Goulding teamed up with acclaimed Chiddy Bang producer Xaphoon Jones to cover the opening track from The Weeknd's House of Balloons. The trifecta of influences is a perfect storm of sorts, as Goulding transforms the song from a dark ode to chemical dependency into a sugary, futuristic pop song. Download it courtesy Neon Gold below.

Download: Ellie Goulding - "High For This" (The Weeknd Cover)

The Gaslight Anthem - "You Got Lucky" (Tom Petty Cover)

Brian Fallon and the boys of The Gaslight Anthem don't shy away from professing their love for Tom Petty: they cover "American Girls" live frequently, name dropped him in "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues", and included a cover of "Refugee" in their recent iTunes Sessions. The b-side of their excellent single "45" will once again pay tribute to the roots-rock legend with a polished studio cover of "You Got Lucky" from 1982's Long After Dark. Stream it below.

Video: Kanye West & Jay-Z - "No Church in the Wild" (feat. Frank Ocean)

Jay and 'Ye debuted their new video for "No Church in the Wild", their third from Watch The Throne. Shot in Prague, the video takes on the same dichotomy of elegance vs. vulgarity, chronicling a vicious confrontation between a mob and riot police as the carnage reflects off the city's immaculate ancient statues. Quality stuff with plenty of Molotov cocktails to boot. Check out Vevo's premiere of the video below.

Video: Pusha T - "Exodus 23:1" (feat. The-Dream)

Pusha T continues to push his Drake diss track "Exodus 23:1" with an official video. The timing may lead one to believe it's a return shot at Weezy's embarrassing initial comeback "Ghoulish", but the concept is more in line with Clipse's Virginia slum worldview than igniting any more YMCMB hatred.

John Frusciante - "Glowe"

With the exception 2009's The Empyrean, John Frusciante has dropped little to no official solo material since leaving the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2007. Frusciante will make up for lost time in the next few months, releasing an EP entitled Letur-Lefter in July and a full album PBX Funicular Intaglio Zone in September. The first taste of the forthcoming goodness has come in the form of "Glowe", a minute-and-a-half long instrumental of psychedelic noodling over electronic drum loops. Stream it below.

Stream: Big K.R.I.T. - Live From The Underground

Big K.R.I.T will bring us back to the good ole' days of D.I.Y. southern hip-hop when he releases his major label debut Live From The Underground on June 5th. We've already heard "I Got This Here" and "Yeah Dats Me" and how they showcase his abilities to channel Bun B and Ludacris (who both make appearances on the record) as well as he can Otis Redding and B.B. King. Now you can hear the whole thing at the link below thanks to the good people at NPR. Welcome back Dirty South.

Stream: Big K.R.I.T. - Live From The Underground

Pusha T - "Exodus 23:1" (feat. The-Dream)

I'm a little late on this considering it single-handedly overloaded Twitter on Thursday. Pusha T and Terius Nash combined to take on Drizzy Drake in what's one of the most devestating diss tracks out in recent memory. I'm not quite sure what Mr. Graham did to deserve this, but the Bible verse referenced in the song title reads: “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.” Drake has yet to respond, but Lil' Wayne made it known he's none too happy with someone challenging his protege and already released a response, albeit a weak one. The YMCMB vs. G.O.O.D. Music debate has been an popular one in the last year or two, at least now picking sides has some relevance. Hear it below.

Video: Nas - "Daughters"

Nas drops a video for "Daughters", the ode to his 13-year-old daughter. From her point-of-view, we see how having a famous dad who loves you but isn't always around has it's ups and downs. It was really cool that he had Destiny make actually make an appearance in the video. Nas has been on some top-notch shit lately, but I guess when hasn't he. Can't wait for Life is Good on July 17th.

Video: fun. - "Call Me Maybe" (Carly Rae Jepsen Cover)

Both fun. and Carly Rae Jepsen have played a major part in the resurgence sugary pop music has enjoyed in 2012. The two breakout forces combined when the former performed an expectantly theatrical cover of the latter's "Call Me Maybe" on a Dutch radio station. Say what you want about the band, but Nate Reuss has some absolutely killer vocals. Watch and re-watch below.

Blu - "Kiss The Sky" (feat. Mela Machinko)

Blu doesn't give a fuck what people think. His mixtapes are always unannounced and unpredictable--sometimes spitting fire over soul samples, other times rambling over experimentally minimalistic instrumentals, and occasionally, the tapes lack traditional vocals at all. Usually people get fed up with these antics quickly, but the sheer talent the young L.A.-based MC possesses keeps people coming back for more. Fortunately, Jon Barnes is back on his soulful grind with his new track "Kiss The Sky", delivering his best song in recent memory thanks to a nice guest verse by Mela Machinko and an flawless beat courtesy M-Phazes, doing his best Exile impression. Hear it below.

Video: Teen Daze - "Treten"

When you listen to Vancouver DJ Teen Daze's production, both the ocean and outer space come to mind. Today, he released a video for his breezy seven-minute cut "Treten" featuring, you guessed it, murky stock footage of dolphins, scuba divers, sharks, coastlines, and rockets firing off into space. All of Us, Together dropped yesterday so go scoop it up.

Video: Beach House - "Myth" (Live on Letterman)

Beach House brought Bloom's dreamy single "Myth" to the Letterman stage last week, as Victoria LeGrand dead-eyed the fuck out of the audience. Ball-imore represent. Follow the link below to watch it over at Stereogum.

Watch: Beach House - "Myth" (Live on Letterman)

Big K.R.I.T. - "Yeah Dats Me"

Mississippi rapper/producer Big K.R.I.T. is gearing up to release his major-label debut LP, and  follow-up to the critically-acclaimed 4eva N a Day mixtape, Live From the Underground on June 6th. He has already leaked the rattling lead single "I Got This Here" and now we have a second cut "Yeah Dats Me". A spiraling mix of vocal loops, acoustic strums, hand claps, and two-timing 808s, the kid obviously has as good of a production ear as he has skills behind the mic. T.I.'s repeated criminal offenses and inconsistent records have left the throne of southern hip-hop vacant, and from the sound of it, K.R.I.T.--a.k.a King Remembered in Time--is poised and ready to take that crown.

Video: Coheed and Cambria - Nervous Energies Session

Coheed and Cambria recently lent their talents to an installment of Nervous Energies Sessions during a tour stop in Birmingham, AL, performing three songs acoustically in a local shoe repair shop. The band have had a tumultuous past few years--just Google former bassist Michael Todd's name and you'll get an idea--so it's nice to see them returning to the nostalgic days of their first few records. Head below to watch them take on "A Favor House Atlantic" from 2003's In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3 and "Mother Superior" and "Feathers" from 2007's Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume Two: No World for Tomorrow.

Yasiin Bey - "Bey"

Yasiin Bey debuted his Top 40 Underdog series with "Niggas in Poorest" and keeps it rolling with "Bey". A vicious freestyle over Lil' Wayne's "John" instrumental, the artist formerly known as Mos Def knocks the "simple shit" known as radio-rap while paying tribute to the late B.I.G. who would've turned 40 yesterday. Hear it below.

Stream: Sigur Rós - Valtari

Beach House, Explosions in the Sky, and Washed Out are just a couple of artists that in the past year have given us shimmering, etherel records to leave on in the sun-washed afternoons of early summer. Icelandic post-rockers Sigur Rós' new album Valtari--out May 29th--is another to add to the list. Head over to the band's website for a full album stream.

Stream: Sigur Rós - Valtari

Video: Good Old War - "Not Quite Happiness"/"Better Weather" (Acoustic)

All of the attention Good Old War have deservedly earned following the release of their instant classic Come Back As Rain has continued to snowball. A few weeks ago, the Philly-based folkies announced their biggest achievement so far: a run of summer tour dates opening for Counting Crows. Follow the link to find where you can catch the shows and, to whet your appetite, head below to watch the boys harmonize on acoustic versions of "Not Quite Happiness" and "Better Weather" during a tour stop in Toronto.

Diplo - "Set It Off" (feat. Lazerdisk Party Sex)

Diplo leaks another cut off the forthcoming Express Yourself EP. "Set It Off" wavers between the dreamy electronics of the mainstream house scene and Diplo's stuttering dancehall rattlers. The former is likely thanks to the influence of Lazerdisk Party Sex, a DJ duo based out of Vermont whose name sounds exactly like the type of dudes Diplo would want to get up on a track. Stream it below.

Video: Best Coast - "The Only Place" (Live on Letterman)

Best Coast have begun their necessary publicity runs for The Only Place, making a return to David Letterman's stage with a faithful performance of the record's title-track. Bethany Cosentino gets about as dolled up as she ever has, but the girl-next-door look is a very fitting contrast to the song's jagged edge. Check it out below.

Stream: American Gospel - Tall Tales Vol. 1

Gregg Dellarocca introduced his side project American Gospel via a video for "Bayonet" just over a week ago, and already has his debut LP Tall Tales Vol. 1 available. There's a lot of different sounds coursing through the record, an early Modest Mouse vibe the most prevalent. No doubt a very impressive first effort. Head over to American Gospel's bandcamp to buy a physical copy of the album or check out a full album stream.

Stream: American Gospel - Tall Tales Vol. 1

Video: Best Coast - "Last Year" (South Park Sessions)

Rhapsody is starting a new project called South Park Sessions, where they invite artists to their San Francisco office to perform in the nearby South Park (no, not that South Park.) Best Coast agreed to participate with a rare acoustic rendition of "Last Year", a song that Bethany Cosentino astutely points out is about the last year of her life. It's amazing that it still sounds bummed out despite being stripped down in the summer sun. Their solid new LP The Only Place is in stores now, so treat yo 'self.

Watch: Best Coast - "Last Year" (South Park Sessions)

Yeasayer - "Henrietta"

Brooklyn dance-pop outfit Yeasayer announced summer tour dates and threw in a new song to boot.  "Henrietta" picks up where the thumping beats of Odd Blood left off, before detouring into a swirling wind of electronics and reverb. You can get yourself a physical copy if you're on the band's mailing list or see them in the above cities to hear this, and probably other new jams, live.

Video: Mayer Hawthorne - "Henny & Ginger Ale"

Mayer Hawthorne loves him some Henney and Ginger Ale, so much so he made a simplistically groovy ode to the adult beverage whose longing lyrics read "It never fails/Henny and Ginger Ale/I got my cup and I'm filling it up/ I can't get enough." The lovefest has escalated to unparalleled levels now that the song has it's own high-quality video in which the Detroit DJ/crooner throws a party in the Hollywood Hills filled with beautiful women and seduces them with, you guessed it, Henny & Ginger Ale. Cheers, sir.

Ryan Adams - "Mother" (Danzig Cover)

We all know Ryan Adams moonlights as a the geekiest of geeky metal fans. He accrued more cred in that respect when he closed out a recent set in Paris with a cover of Danzig classic "Mother". Many uninformed "critics" dismiss metal songs as ear-splitting garbage, but when deconstructed as Mr. Adams does in a beautifully pleading way here, it's hard to argue that they aren't truly well written. Check it out below.

Video: Usher - "Climax" (Live on SNL)

Usher was the musical guest for Will Ferrell's return to SNL, performing his Diplo-produced single "Climax" for the national masses. Those high notes are a bitch, huh? Still luv it doe.

Video: Florence + The Machines - "Breath of Life"

Florence + The Machines contribution to the Snow White & The Huntsman soundtrack ticks all the boxes in the epically sprawling department. Full orchestra? Check. Choir? Check. Florence Welch's supernatural wail? Triple check. Here's the official video for it, which is mostly just interspliced clips of Florence singing in studio with scenes from the film. And Charlize Theron side boob is a plus. Might have to check out the movie now.

Stream: Best Coast - The Only Place

Bethany Cosentino returns with her Best Coast pals for their revamped sophomore LP The Only Place next week. It sticks along the same surf-rock/break-up lyric formula as debut Crazy For You, but new producer Jon Brion (Kanye West, Fiona Apple, Of Montreal) shines by adding enough ingenuity to spice up the sound. There are still plenty of woah-ohs, but used more to complement complex harmonies than to drone along with reverb-heavy fuzz. And Cosentino herself sounds--hate using the m-word--far more mature, supplanting her previous snotty whining with crisp, fresh vocals. Check it out for yourself at the link below, shouts to NPR, and get a copy of the record when it drops May 15th.

Stream: Best Coast - The Only Place 

Animal Collective - "Honeycomb"/"Gotham"

It's not summer until Animal Collective unleash their sunny psychedelics on us. That day came yesterday when the Baltimore experimentalists dropped both the spastically tumbling "Honeycomb" and the serpentine longing of "Gotham". The two tracks will be released together as a single on June 27th, but head below in the meanwhile to hear them both.

Passion Pit - "Take A Walk"

It's hard to believe it's been three years since Passion Pit released their stellar debut Manners, huh? The Cambridge synth-poppers will drop their much anticipated follow-up Gossamer on July 24th and it's first single, the romping "Take A Walk", floated onto the internet today. Hit the SoundCloud link below to give it a listen.

Video: The Weeknd - "Crew Love"/"The Zone" (feat. Drake) (Live at Hollywood Forever Cemetery)

The Weeknd performed at Hollywood Forever Cemetery last Saturday and sent the crowd into a frenzy by bringing out Drake for his appearances on Take Care's "Crew Love" and Thursday's "The Zone". It was a pretty special moment considering it was the first time master and grasshopper performed these songs together. Too bad it looks like most of the crowd was too busy live streaming the footage to Twitter/YouTube/Pintrest to catch it.

Video: Explosions in the Sky - "Postcards From 1952"

Explosions in the Sky did not release a single music video in their previous 13 years of existence and now have dropped three alone from last year's Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. Talk about getting up with the times. The latest video for "Postcards From 1952" is reminiscent of one of those old school picture story cameras, taking the necessary deliberateness to run through some of life's most cherished moments with the band's euphoric ringing as an appropriate soundtrack.

Watch: Explosions in the Sky - "Postcards From 1952"

Video: The Gaslight Anthem - "45" (NME Acoustic Set)

To further appease the appetites of crazies like me who can't get enough of The Gaslight Anthem's excellent new single "45", here is a video of Brian Fallon performing the song acoustically in NME's London studio. You're welcome.

Video: A$AP Rocky - "Goldie"

My first listen to A$AP Rocky's new cut "Goldie" came it's NSFW official video. Shot largely in Paris, the video captures Rocky getting his King Midas on. That means making everything gold: from the condoms to the champagne; chains to the grills; to the star of the show, the Eiffel Tower--the seminal gold-painted tribute to wealth, art, and love. Everything from the beat to his flow is on point too. There's little doubt the dude will blow up very, very soon, but  consider me officially on the bandwagon right now.

Video: Washed Out - "New Theory" (Black Cab Sessions)

Black Cab Sessions is a unique project in which artists are invited to perform in the back of the moving said black cab, bringing along how ever many instruments they can fit in along with them. So simplistic and beautifully shot. Fortunately for the organizers, all Washed Out's Ernest Greene needs is an iPad. Watch as he lays down a flawless version of Life of Leisure's "New Theory" whilst cruising down dusty roads and past glimmering lakes in Athens, GA.

American Gospel - "Bayonet"

The Republic of Wolves' Gregg Andrew Dellarocca has a new twangy americana side project American Gospel, which got a proper introduction through the Instagram-ed video for "Bayonet". The song stays true to project's backwoods name, but also packs a spooky, slow-building atmospheric punch that was such a draw for TROW. Check the video out below and keep an eye out for more soon.

Video: The Dark Knight Rises (Trailer #3)

If the revealing third trailer for the as anticipated as anticipated gets The Dark Knight Rises teaches us anything, it's that the term "epic conclusion" is aptly used. A few more things we learned: 1) Lots of things are getting destroyed 2) The Batmobile is adding another dimension of travel and a camouflage paint job 3) Although Bane will undoubtedly be a badass, his voice sounds eerily like Mufasa's. Is it July 20th yet?

Chief Keef - "I Don't Like" (Remix feat. Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T & Jadakiss)

16-year-old Chicago MC Chief Keef got himself on the hip-hop map in one of the most illustrious ways possible: a Kanye West remix. 'Ye calls on his G.O.O.D Music buddies Big Sean, Pusha T, and Jadakiss to jump on the track, while dropping a standard verse of his own, touching on all of the usual topics (see: dykes, Michael Jackson, bout to be a Suge (K)night.) Grab it below.

Download: Chief Keef - "I Don't Like" (Remix feat. Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T & Jadakiss)

Lykke Li - "Come Near"

In celebration of Record Store Day, Lykke Li's new label Ingrid released a compilation highlighting all the artistic talents Sweden has to offer. Max Von Sydow and Miike Snow’s Andrew Wyatt make appearances, but  Lykke was nice enough to make her own contribution, the hypnotically tribal "Come Near", which has been making its rounds on the internet today along with video of her performing another unnamed new song live. Thanks to Pretty Much Amazing, you can head below to hear it.

Hear: Lykke Li - "Come Near"

Video: Big K.R.I.T. - "4evaNaDay (Theme)"

Big K.R.I.T. enlisted Decatur Dan to direct the first video off his excellent 4evaNaDay and he promptly brought the mixtape's cartoon cover to life, resulting in one of the most fun and carefree things to come out of the southern hip-hop genre in awhile.