Now if you’ve been following the dragged-out saga that will eventually be Kid Cudi‘s new album, Man On The Moon 2: The Legend of Mr. Rager, then you have already heard radio rips of these two songs. After listening to both, we feel that there must be something out there in Hawaii–either the waves or the drugs(most likely the drugs)–that has influenced the rapper to go a more rock-n-roll route for his sophomore album. Take the song “Erase Me” The production is textbook pop-rock. Almost sounds like it was an old Eve 6 record back in the day. Kanye spits his verse, but Cudi more-or-less sings the entire song. Now, take a look at “REVOFEV”. If he was not on psychedelics for the recording of this song it would honestly be a surprise to us, as he’s not rapping so much as to wondering through a fuzzy drug-haze saying random things. Mr. Cudder, you constantly keeping us on our toes–we commend you for that. And as for these two tracks, well we enjoy them. But you have to wonder, has all that Maui Wowie gotten to his head?

Kid Cudi feat. Kanye West- Erase Me(CDQ)

Kid Cudi- REVOFEV (CDQ)

Seeing Wavves preform in a few weeks at the Bowery Ballroom here in NYC…could not be more excited:

Wavves- Green Eyes

It’s another summer almost in the books, and that means it’s time for Converse to release the next piece of work in its series of unlikely collaborations–last summer it was Santigold, Julian Casablancas from The Strokes, and Pharrell doing “My Drive Thru.” This year, Bethany Cosentino from Best Coast, Rostam Batmanglij from Vampire Weekend, and Kid Cudi team up to creat an explicit ode to our favorite time of year, rightfully titling it “All Summer.” Featuring wonderfully reverbed vocals from Bethany, some slick rhymes from Cudi about not worrying about shit (what’s new), and a little pop-punk production from Batmanglij–this tune shines as bright as the summer sun itself. Thank you Converse for bringing these artists together!

Kid Cudi, Best Coast & Rostam Batmanglij- All Summer

So let me introduce you to my latest obsession: SLEIGH BELLS. As a new Electro-Rock group based out of Brooklyn NY, Sleigh Bells has been referred to as a “band to watch” ever since their single “Crown On the Ground” surfaced a few months ago. Here’s a little background into what makes up the band: “Derek Miller is responsible for the excessively compressed beats and abrupt guitars, while singer Alexis Krauss provides a melodic counterpoint, with a sweetness that can turn fierce.”

Yesterday was the release of their debut album “Treats“, and though I don’t purchase many full albums these days, I made it a point to go and grab this one. “Treats” is a thrill ride to say the least, that will have you smiling at one point and screaming your head off at another. It’s brash, loud, and extremely unsettling–all the reasons why I love it so damn much. The songs pound at your eardrums and leave your brain in a complete mindfuck. I feel like it’s the kind of music that when you listen to it with headphones in a public setting you find yourself wondering, “what would all these people think if they heard what I was hearing right now?”. Yeah, that kind of music. Stream the whole album here and check out some of my favorites from it below:

Sleigh Bells- Kids

Sleigh Bells- Run The Heart

Sleigh Bells- Crown On The Ground