James Blake

Not really. James Blake mixed with some Drake. Conclusion? James Drake. I am not a fan of mash-ups. Girl Talk should just stop. Seriously, GT, stop. However, if you love James Blake as much as I do, this is quite the fun remix of Blake n' Drake. The remix includes multiple of Blake's songs such as "Limit to Your Love" and Drake's most famous songs like, "Forever." Therefore, the entire track is just long enough for that train ride or walk home from work. Give it a listen -

---> James Drake

*James Blake will also be playing at Webster Hall July 13th in New York.*

J

Cults

Cults' new album, "Cults," was recently released and in perfect time for that summer playlist. You probably recognize their most famous single, "Go Outside," because of its catchy sing-a-long essence over the simple and endearing xylophone beats. This song is one of my favorites for various reasons. It is not only suitable in the beginning of the morning to wake up to, but also after a long day when you just need an energy boost. The teenage-friendly and girl-power-esque lyrics such as, "It's good to go out cause if you dont you'll never make a memory that will stay,"pressures you to put on them shoes and actually go outside. Sweet, right?

The Antlers

Burst Apart, The Antler's new album, is a collection of electronic beats over-ruled with Silberman's hauntingly beautiful voice. His harmonies on top of the eclectic background piano and bass present this album as one of the best this year.

It's true. Whatever Silberman produces, I will believe it to be magic. However, those non-believers can even agree that this album is worthy. Hospice, the Antler's previous album, contained the most somber and empathetic lyrics - words that can make the manliest man cry.

With Burst Apart, Silberman strikes again. Each individual song in this album reminisces the pain and suffering Silberman experienced. My favorite song in the entire album is "No Widows." It is not only the perfect song to nod your head to the heavy drums and diverse mingled sounds, but also to fall into a deep depression from the lyrics sung and harmonized by one of the most passionate and brilliant voices.

Upcoming Concerts (New York)

I have devised a list of concerts that I want to see/will buy a ticket for/try to sneak into. This is for those who are in Gnu York or will be in Gnu York for the summer. Please inform me if I have missed some good ones that I should see. Enjoi.

YACHT @ Webster Hall - April 27th
Wolfgang Gartner @ Irving Plaza - April 28th
Cults and Oberhofer @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - April 28th
Titus Andronicus @ Maxwell's - April 29th
Of Montreal @ Webster Hall - April 30th
Yelle @ Irving Plaza - April 30th
A-trak @ Terminal 5 - April 30th
Titus Andronicus @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - April 30th
Sphongle @ Best Buy Theatre - April 30th
Lower Dens @ Mercury Lounge - May 1st
Peter Bjorn and John @ Mercury Lounge - May 2nd
Peter Bjorn and John @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 3rd
Foals @ Terminal 5 - May 4th
The Pains of Being Pure At Heart @ Webster Hall - May 6th
Interpol @ Paramount Theatre - May 6th
Minus the Bear @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 6th
Yuck @ Bowery Ballroom - May 7th
Yo La Tengo @ The Bell House - May 10th
Sleigh Bells @ Webster Hall - May 11th
Drop the Lime @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 11th
James Blake @ Bowery Ballroom - May 11th
Surfer Blood @Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 13th
Echo and the Bunnymen @ Irving Plaza - May 13th
Nneka @ S.O.B.'s - May 13th
Beirut @ The Wellmont Theatre - May 13th
Lykke Li @ Webster Hall - May 17th
Fleet Foxes @ United Place Theatre - May 18th/May 19th
The Antlers @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 19th/May20th
tUnE-YaRds @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - May 21st
Friendly Fires @ Webster Hall - May 25th
Death Cab for Cutie @ Bowery Ballroom - June 1st
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti @ Irving Plaza - June 2nd
Okkervil River and Titus Andronicus @ Terminal 5 - June 7th
Thao & Mirah @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 8th
The Dodos @ Bowery Ballroom - June 9th
Cults @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 9th
The Dodos @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 10th
Andrew Bird @ Prospect Park Bandsehll - June 10th
Kurt Vile & the Violators @ Bowery Ballroom - June 11th
Architecture in Helsinki @ Webster Hall - June 16th
Pretty Lights and Empire of the Sun and Neon Indian @ Governors Island - June 18th
Beirut @ McCarren Park - June 17th
Twin Sister @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 18th
Yeasayer @ Terminal 5 - June 18th
Deer Tick @ Brooklyn Bowl - June 19th
Foster the People @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - June 20th
Foster the People @ Bowery Ballroom - June 21st
Florence and the Machine and Twin Shadow @ Central Park Summerstage - June 24th
Matt & Kim and The Thermals @ Terminal 5 - June 29th
Animal Collective @ Prospect Park Bandshell - July 12th
Glitch Mob and Phantogram @ Terminal 5 - July 23rd
Sufjan Stevens @ Prospect Park Bandshell - August 2nd
Friendly Fires @ Central Park Summerstage - August 7th
Cut Copy and Foster the People @ Prospect Park Bandshell - August 11th

Lollapalooza Lineup

April 26th. The time has come. Lollapalooza lineup has officially been released. The headliners this year include, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Muse, and Coldplay.

Big year for Eminem - headlining two festivals in one summer (he will also be headlining Bonaroo). Foo Fighters are also headlining Sasquatch Music Festival and Muse will be headlining Outside Lands.

Before I compare all festivals (as now the biggest North American festival lineups have finally been released) I would like to state that I am not bias. Though I am from Los Angeles and devote my entire life savings to Coachella, I can safely say Lollapalooza lineup compared to all other North American music festivals usually is the best. However, this lineup is subpar compared to that of Coachella this year. Of course, Lolla 2011 is hosting some incredible acts - Beirut, Cold War Kids, Pretty Lights, Modeselektor, Ratatat, and Cee Lo. However, the huge festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonaroo do not include as many electronic acts as Coachella usually takes on, especially this year with Pure Filth Oasis Stage hosting big electronic headliners such as Mary Anne Hobbs, Joy Orbison, and Mount Kimbie.

Sure, people may define festivals based on their non-electronic acts. Bonaroo includes more folk and country acts than any other big music festival, which can be a determining factor for those who attend. However, for those who seek electronic artists, Coachella wins.

I am not talking about DJ's like Deadmau5 or Girltalk who are headlining Lollapalooza this year. Of course they both have performed at Coachella. I even remember watching Girltalk play a packed Sahara tent with his not-so-interesting visuals Coachella 2009. However, if you dig deeper into Coachella's 2011 lineup, you will find the pot of the gold, of those who are not playing at other big festival names, but those who definitely should.

You can find the full Lollapalooza lineup here! - http://lineup.lollapalooza.com/