New M83 - Ali & Matthias

Working again with film soundtracks, M83 frontman Anthony Gonzalez has partnered up with his brother Yann to score his film You And The Night. Anthony described the venture as an homage to French 70s soundtracks, so the feel won't be exactly like M83. Regardless, the team debuted the instrumental trek of "Ali & Matthias" earlier today.

Stream it below. The You And The Night soundtrack will be available digitally later this month and physically early next year.

White Sea - They Don't Know

Morgan Kibby, the lovely vocalist alongside Anthony Gonzalez in M83, is stepping out on her own for her first official White Sea LP next year with In Cold Blood. The album's first single is the ultra-impressive "They Don't Know," which touches on her more well-known band's lush and profound theatrics, but does indeed make it unique to her own.

Stream the effort below, which will be available to download on iTunes tomorrow. White Sea's In Cold Blood will be released in 2014 courtesy of Mom + Pop.

New M83 video - Wait

"Wait," the last entrant into the M83 + Fleur and Manu video series is one of Hurry Up, We're Dreaming's more subdued less well-known tracks. Full of splendid imagery, the video follows "Midnight City" and "Reunion" through the spacey realm of childlike whimsy. Check it out below.

New M83 video - Steve McQueen

Nearly a year after the release of Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, arguably the best album of 2011, M83 have released this utterly fantastic music video for "Steve McQueen."

Directors Balthazar Auxietre and Sylvain Derosne utilize a plethora of stop-motion animation, giving real life to the inanimate dream-like objects in a child's science experiment.

A lot of what made music videos so groundbreaking in the 80s and 90s isn't necessarily gone, but dissolved in an age which the video has become a secondary media tool. But you'd have to think if this video were made in, say, 1995, that people would remember it for a while.

Lollapalooza 2012: Day One Review

With five years of Lollapalooza freshly ingrained in my ever-vigilant memory, 2012 may be my swan song. I might only be 23 years-old, but as far as the festival goes my friends and I are veterans in the strongest sense. We know every corner of the park and every trick to speed up the arbitrary processes of the day (always go to the bathroom near the Google Play stage). But more so than the regular Chicago knowledge, we're slowly noticing the median age is fairly young. Ultimately, my return to 2013 really depends on the lineup. I can't spend every year of my life doing this, can I?

All things considered, 2012 was another successful venture. Not only vacation-wise (you forget sometimes how amazing Chicago actually is), but the festival has so many features that it's hard to really grasp everything. Once again, Perry's place is massive. And while it does attract a crowd that's less than favorable (assholes), it's still something to really admire. But overall, how does 2012 stack up?

Day One:

August 3, 2012 was in reality maybe one of the weakest days in recent festival history, schedule-wise. Aside from the casual interest in NES-inspired band Anamanaguchi at 1 p.m., there was a slew of open spots throughout the day.

Anamanaguchi

The self-described "chiptune" band is an unknown to most, but for those familiar with the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World soundtrack, Anamanaguchi scored the entire film. No vocals necessary, the band's uplifting atmosphere was enough to send part of the 1 p.m. crowd into a light frenzy. Sometimes creativity comes after the fun.

After the brief stop, the next hours were spent trying to find friends in a crowd of 100,000 people struggling to get service on their phones. For some stuck in the park, there's only a few "sweet spots" for cell service. And by "sweet spots" I mean, "It might work here, because it won't anywhere else." But, again, five years; I'm used to it.

Time was sparingly sent gathering snacks and biding time in the cooling Playstation Tent on the south side of Grant Park until the 4:45 p.m. SBTRKT show at the Google Play stage. The London electro-R&B act, fronted by Aaron Jerome, had delighted fans with details of their arrival from their native city earlier that same day. For a set that didn't cross over an hour worth of time, the effort was respected. And as the show is concerned, Jerome and co-performer Sampha did their most with their limited time. One thing fans noticed most was Jerome's innate freestyle abilities on the turntable and drums, adding another dimension to the live experience.

SBTRKT

Hastily leaving as soon as SBTRKT's set closed, most of the crowd rushed to the south side of the park for the night's biggest performances. The Shins, M83, and The Black Keys were all slated to play from 6:15 to close, as well as Bassnectar headlining Perry's. The Shins were a highly-anticipated name coming in, after sitting out on temporary recording hiatus since 2007. In reality, I'm still actually surprised I was able to finally see them after all this time, and they certainly did nothing to disappoint.

The lengthy setlist was topped by tracks from March's Port Of Morrow. Laced throughout the show were unrivaled gems from the group's previous three albums: Oh, Inverted World, Chutes Too Narrow, and Wincing The Night Away. No special song was left out, with 2001's "Caring Is Creepy" used as the introduction. Mercer and the band are certainly special live, almost perfectionists. Nothing sounded off on the Red Bull Soundstage - which provided to be one of the better stages the entire weekend. In all, it was one of the more satisfying experiences of the three days.

The Shins

Leaving slightly early to catch a spot close by, we made a tiny camp for M83 at the Playstation stage. For those who attended this year, the stage was marred with technical problems. Depending on where you stood, you either heard an amazing M83 concert or every conversation the people were having around you. But if you were lucky enough to get close, it was one of the weekend's highlights. Most specifically, the finale of the entire band performing a long version of "Coleurs." Culminating with Anthony Gonzalez screaming to Chicago fans, a light-parade followed. So while the Playstation stage may have been a struggle for some, having M83 fade into the night was still a sight to see.

M83

A late trip to Perry's wasn't so much of an experience for Bassnectar (although it was a good one) as it was for the people around. I'll keep it short; I wasn't paying a lot of attention.

So while the day started slow, the finale added an amazing dimension to my previous Lollapalooza experiences. But considering Saturday was a stronger day, I held my hopes up for more.

Best Performances: The Shins, M83
 
Highlights: "Couleurs," by M83. "Simple Song," by The Shins
Lowlights: Playstation Stage technical difficulties

Lollapalooza 2012 Must-See Artists Pt. IV

Today we'll continue our Lollapalooza countdown with part four.

#4: The Tallest Man On Earth
Obsession doesn't necessarily explain my recent fascination with The Tallest Man On Earth. Of course, I have an absolute urge to hear anything and everything Kristian Matsson creates, and I'm fairly confident saying that he's my favorite new artist in the past several years - but obsession is a strong word. In reality, I'm just very sure that he's one of the best artists working today and his ultra-romantic folk music is otherworldly.

Matsson will be performing at 5:15 p.m. on the Playstation stage, Saturday, August 4.



#3: M83
Even before 2011's utterly spectacular Hurry Up, We're Dreaming was released, M83 were something of a joyful enigma. The work of Anthony Gonzalez hasn't appeared at Lollapalooza since 2005 - the first official year the festival was stationed in Grant Park, standing with smaller festivals and venues for a few years.

However, after the band's last album and standout single "Midnight City," the band has become a full-tilt must see act, growing in popularity faster than ever before. And after their celebrated performance at Coachella, it's hard to say that M83 isn't one of the biggest non-headliners this year.

Gonzalez and the band will be performing at 7:30 p.m. on the Sony stage, Friday, August 3.



We'll continue with Part V tomorrow ...

New videos from M83, The Walkmen, Andrew Bird, and El-P

A direct video sequel for M83's "Midnight City," the newest video from directors Fleur & Manu has to be Akira inspired in some form (with an Adam Yauch tribute Easter egg thrown in as well). Check it out below.



Another future Lollapalooza alum, The Walkmen, just released their seventh studio album yesterday, along with a video for the title track "Heaven," directed by Alex Southam.



Despite the fact that Andrew Bird's latest album, Break It Yourself, has already been out a few months, until today we haven't seen any official video from the album. Check out the brain-exploding animation (done by Yu Morita) for "Eyeoneye" below.



And finally, from one of the best albums of 2012 so far, El-P released the video for his heavy single "The Full Retard," which ends up being more NSFW than you might think. Check it out below and grab Cancer for the Cure now.

Wednesday Bears: Lollapalooza rough schedule released

With three-day passes selling out yesterday, Lollapalooza released their "which artists on which day" rough schedule. The announcement (click photo for larger image) came with the release of single-day passes, which are available now for $95.

Conflicts are inevitable (in life as well, but, forget about that), and it seems that Sunday presents the biggest challenge. Jack White, Florence+The Machine, At the Drive-In, Justice, and Sigur Ros are scheduled to play as the day's largest acts, so decisions are likely going to be made, and unhappiness will spread like, let's say, smallpox.

While Sunday seems unfortunate, days one and two should be comfortable, with a super-strong mid-card scheduled to perform Saturday.

Check back to Bears and Bullets for when the official schedule is released.

Lollapalooza 2012 lineup revealed

So, the day's really here. And after the previous months/weeks of speculation, the biggest story of Lollapalooza 2012 ended up being that the lineup leaked from Sunday WAS 100% ACCURATE. It's the first time in recent memory that a complete leak like this has happened with a major U.S. music festival, so everything we heard tonight wasn't a surprise.

As you know, Black Sabbath, with all original members, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Black Keys, Jack White, Florence + The Machine, At The Drive-In, Avicii, and Justice are the big names headlining the August 3-5 Chicago festival. And if you've been following, you'd already known that M83, Sigur Ros, The Weeknd, The Shins, and many others will fit the billing as well.

So while the fest isn't as particularly top-heavy as in years past, there's a more-than solid mid-card to support it, with spectacular acts like The Tallest Man on Earth, Jeff the Brotherhood, Michael Kiwanuka, FIDLAR, and many others. Alongside them is an extremely solid electronica lineup, with Bassnectar, Star Slinger, Madeon, Kaskade, and plenty others worth your time this year.

There were a few left-field acts, like Franz Ferdinand and The Afghan Whigs making the billing, despite zero previous rumors of their inclusion.

But as it is every year, there are some notable disappointments. Namely, the absence of Odd Future, St. Vincent, Fucked Up, and Refused, among others, not making the final billing.

Regardless, there is a ton of depth to Lollapalooza 2012, and plenty of reason to get excited. Tickets for the festival are still available. And as always, stay tuned for more additions (and subtractions) from the billing, and the lineup schedule, which should be available in a few weeks. As well, check out the official Lolla video below.
 

Thursday Bears: Stream Chromatics' new Kill For Love entire album

Yesterday, Chromatics made their giant double-album Kill For Love available in full stream over on their Soundcloud page, and we couldn't be happier. There's been a few comparison's to M83's last album (my favorite of 2011) Hurry Up, We're Dreaming in the size and scope of the whole endeavor, but the new work is a complete joy in itself. Listen to the entire thing below.

Osheaga lineup announced

The annual Montreal music festival Osheaga announced their official lineup a few hours ago, with Snoop Dogg, The Black Keys, and Justice leading they way. If you noticed something, the festival's dates are scheduled conveniently (or inconveniently) on the same exact weekend of Lollapalooza.

In years past, both festivals usually had a heavy crossover rate. Last year, 20 of the 83 acts playing the Canadian fest also played Lolla, roughly a 24 percent carryover rate. That is, however, when the fest was a week before. As it stands, a lot of the artists on the billing are suspected to play Lolla, including the aforementioned Black Keys and Justice, along with Florence + The Machine, The Shins, Sigur Ros, Passion Pit, and more.

So far zero confirmations have actually been made for this year's Lollapalooza, which is pretty surprising now that it's getting into late March. This time last year, half of the headliners plus a few other had already been known for weeks. Regardless, the fact that Osheaga and Lolla fall on the same weekend doesn't rule any of the artists out, just that they obviously won't perform on the same days.

Bonus Notes: The $75 souvenir tickets for Lollapalooza have already sold out, despite no lineup confirmations, and early bird tickets go on sale next week, March 27. As always, stick with us for more rumors.

Bears and Bullets Top 25 Songs of 2011: Part V

We'll continue our countdown today with songs #5 through #1.

#5: The Rapture - How Deep is Your Love?
There's a strong, clear attempt at profound meaning in Luke Jenner's wailing on "How Deep is Your Love?," the Rapture's love-cry to loss, both in this world and in Jenner's spiritual one. It's a sound difference from the band's previous stops, who are clearly focused on the religious side of things. In that, it's hard to make a band sound good when they look to religion for most of their material, but forgive the pathways to "How Deep is Your Love?" was made. It sounds good enough so no one on either side of the spiritual spectrum pays any mind.



#4: Bon Iver - Holocene
It's hard to not find something that resonates in Bon Iver; the soft-lulled sensibilities, the unconscious, yet artful construction, and Justin Vernon's ease to cast light on enlightening visual elements. "Holocene," the center-piece of Bon Iver, still sounds like Vernon circa 2007, but there's a level of depth that takes a few listens. The subtle instrumental movements take a quiet, serene song, and make it sound more lavish, almost contextual with nature, than it seems. Vernon's reliable falsetto paces through soft horns and marching drums, slowly carrying the air under "Holocene" up to a point where it seems majestic. And while some songs have an uncharacteristic ability to mimic nature, Bon Iver truly sound immersed in it.



#3: Dum Dum Girls - Coming Down
Dum Dum Girls have effectively cornered the Mazzy Star aesthetic on "Coming Down," which blasts heroically through the aforementioned Star-like vocals and Jesus and Mary Chain drum snares. While the influences do rain heavy, the band sounds surprisingly huge here, especially for a group that teetered on the fence of "which indie girl group is that again?" The four-piece set themselves apart with "Coming Down," effectively standing their ground on something that can be called as beautiful as it is memorable, going on for nearly seven minutes, without losing a step any way through.



#2: Tyler, The Creator - Yonkers
"Yonkers" should effectively go down as 2011's "Holy Shit" moment. Here's Tyler, The Creator, the head-piece of Odd Future, the biggest up-and-coming group in hip-hop, rapping about killing Bruno Mars, Columbine, cartoons, and being a totally non-understood rapper. "Yonkers" screams anti-rap, almost to a rounded punk nature. Rather than take the music too seriously, the 20-year-old Tyler opts to fuck with it, laughing in the game's stereotypes and coming through as a generally fucked-up mind. Maybe it's all in character, but "Yonkers" isn't just a showcase for an all character, no substance artist. Sometimes genuinely weird people make genuinely weird, interesting music.



#1: M83 - Midnight City
It feels like a cop-out, I get that. The same song that was on my #1 Album of 2011 and Pitchfork's pick for song of the year, makes it as #1 on Bears and Bullets Top 25 Songs of 2011. But that decision was made months ago when "Midnight City" leaked - before Hurry Up, We're Dreaming was released and before the Victoria's Secret ad caught a bit of national attention. "Midnight City" has all the proponents of a visionary M83 piece; the roaring, romantic vocals, stand-out synth work,and  memorable hooks. But the wailing, off-beat chorus of what sounds like animal shrieks blended in between and the totally out of nowhere sax solo during the climax make "Midnight City" stand out far, far more than any other track released this year. How all of those components were put together to make something not only memorable, but insanely invigorating, is something to be admired.



We'll that makes Bears and Bullets last post of 2011. Have a happy New Year, everyone, and I'll see you in 2012.

Bears and Bullets Albums of the Year: Pt. V

We'll continue today with our top 25 countdown with albums #5 through #1.

#5: Fucked Up - David Comes to Life
In all honesty, the concept album isn't my thing. Too often the ideas of a concept album sweep away what could have been multiple tracks of endearing music, instead playing the hand of a story that isn't terribly interesting to begin with it. That's why 'essential' records like Tommy, Quadrophenia, The Wall, and Sgt. Peppers, for all their massive critical acclaim, don't truthfully pass through time as well as their super-fans would like to admit. Daring? Sure. But so was the first 'Tron' movie, and that looks terrible now. 

So, I had every right in my mind to be skeptical of Fucked Up's David Comes to Life project; a huge double-album about the omniscient David character and the pre-meditated sequence of events that follow upon meeting Veronica (both are identified in the album's second track "Queen of Hearts"). The problems that the band avoids is in their hardcore nature. While the song-writing is vital to the idea, Fucked Up thankfully understood that their punk sounds come first and foremost, not endlessly dragging through the four parts that make up the album. It almost feels like David Comes to Life destroys the concept of the concept album, playing with hearts instead of just minds.

#4: The Weeknd - House of Balloons
The man who should be on everyone's shortlist for Best Artist of 2011, Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, released three free records this year as part of a trilogy. Thursday and Echoes of Silence (released two days ago) were the final pieces, but it was his February debut House of Balloons that truly came out of no where to land him where he is right now, the best new voice in pop. Luckily, Tesfaye's edge isn't simply his voice, but his drippy, enriching production setting the pace for all three albums. The sampling is noticeable, like Beach House's "Master of None" on the seven-minute-plus "The Party & The After Party," but aren't the the most attachable portions of House of Balloons. That's Tesfaye's job, which comes through effortlessly and is hard to match.

#3: Shabazz Palaces - Black Up
Hip-hop too often settles with good, or just good enough. While some parts of the product remain pre-eminently consistent, truly pushing the boundaries isn't thought of as a necessary notion of the genre, it seems. For every great record that leaks through, there's another that just seems good, or passable, but not terribly imaginative. With the combined work of Ishmael Butler (ex-Digable Planets member) and Tendai Maraire, Black Up, the first studio release from Shabazz Palaces, is some of the smartest, most intricate, and deeply profound work the genre has seen in years. The narratives are existential tomes of race, materialism, and atmospheric elements only engraved in the deepest caverns of thoughtful construct. Combined with the other-worldly sounds the duo work with, and Black Up proudly comes out as one of the most imaginative efforts in recent memory.

#2: Bon Iver - Bon Iver
If there's one phrase that works for Bon Iver's self-titled release, it's "embarrassingly good." From the album's roaring opening, "Perth," to the slightly confusing, but heartwarming "Beth/Rest" (some won't agree with that), Bon Iver is too good even for the common cynic to thoughtlessly ignore. The sounds are too rich, Justin Vernon's voice is too sentimental, the craft is too perfect, the consistency is ... too consistent.

Every album has it's impossibly high moments ("Perth," "Holocene"), but rarely do they truly separate from the rest of the record, as it does here. From "Michicant" to "Calgary" to the aforementioned "Beth/Rest," fanfare is split to where the record stands tallest. But that distinction says more for Bon Iver's overall quality than anything else. It's a question worth asking, even if there's no direct answer.

#1: M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Expectations were pretty high for Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, M83's sixth studio release in ten years. The previous records were consistently formative, but usually ended up plateauing after a couple remarkable singles ("Run Into Flowers," "Kim & Jessie," etc.) There always seemed to be an innate ability for Anthony Gonzalez to not only replicate those stand-out moments, but captivate them with something bigger, something that required more time. And it's pretty easy to see how big Hurry Up, We're Dreaming is; nearly 80 minutes and two albums worth of material. You'd figure Gonzalez would fizzle somewhere.

The album scorches in the opening, with "Intro," "Midnight City," and "Reunion" - three tracks that have already marked their way through the past few weeks as singles, and the expectations are pretty much met. That pitch-perfect manifestation of imagination and childhood enchantment Gonzalez has a complete knack for are packaged in what could be perceived as a deluxe issue, unrelenting and unconscious. It's hard not to get completely lost on the first or second listen, but that's what a perfect record should do. It needs to be so good you don't care about anything else.



We'll continue next week with our Top 25 Songs of the Year ...

Tuesday Bears: M83 on Fallon

Anthony Gonzalez and the rest of M83 performed Hurry Up, We're Dreaming standout "Midnight City" on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night. You know, the song from the Victoria's Secret commercial and B&B Album of the Month for October 2011 (REMEMBER??)

Sax included.

M83 - Midnight City (Live on Fallon)

Albums of the Month - October 2011

Albums of the Month - October 2011

Like we started last month, here's how I rank the best albums for the month of October.

3. Real Estate - Days
Since 2009, with the Ridgewood, NJ band's self-titled debut, Real Estate seemed destined for Pitchfork-aura supremacy. With Days, an intrepid trek through the crew's soft lo-fi exteriors, Real Estate confirm they were never a group for the truly visceral at heart. There is, instead, a truly multi-layered scope to the songs, like in the eerily accurate "Wonder Years," with its patterning guitars and soft lulls transgressing seamlessly into the next track - a clever pattern you don't even need 10 songs to notice.

Real Estate - Days (Stream at Insound)

2. Tom Waits - Bad As Me
Tom Waits is in an invincible pantheon. Everything he touches turns into dirty Zatarains gold. With Bad As Me, Waits' first true studio album since 2004's Real Gone, Waits new work is a snarling, spit-stomping (an idea that only exists in Waits World, the most depressing theme park in town) anthem wedged in between the dreary soul four decades into his storied career. There are very, very few, if any, that can touch the level of poetic drag, again and again, that Waits so easily sneers at.

Tom Waits - Bad As Me

1. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
In some ways, M83 was due. It's not as if Anthony Gonzalez's previous efforts weren't good - they were, very good in fact. But Hurry Up, We're Dreaming had a varying degree of hype surrounding it after Gonzalez three-year in between period. And with everyone's first listen to "Midnight City," the double-album accrued an even higher potential appeal. And what we have is a daunting, 74-minute slow climb of M83-esque haunting beauty immersed in the soft, ethereal atmosphere that was, in a way, expected. Going through each side it's easy so see, for me at least, why it's #1 for October.

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (Stream at Insound)

M83 - Midnight City

Monday Bears: New M83 video - Midnight City

"Midnight City" is, deservedly so, beginning to get around everywhere. With the release of Hurry Up, We're Dreaming tomorrow via Mute Records, M83's first single from the new album was given the X-Men children's story video treatment, which is a good change of pace from the band's previous litany of attractive teenager's hanging out and doing teenage things series of videos.

Listen to the entire Hurry Up, We're Dreaming stream here and watch the video below.

M83 - Midnight City

Thursday Bears: Stream M83's Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

It's still a few days before the formal release of M83's Hurry Up, We're Dreaming, but you can listen to the entire album for free now before October 18 courtesy of Urban Outfitters. Buy some shirts!.

Stream here.

New M83 - Midnight City

A few weeks ago we got out first word of M83's upcoming album Hurry Up, We're Dreaming with a teaser video that didn't really amount to much. But today, you can actually here the fantastic first single from the upcoming release (due out October 18 via Mute Records) for "Midnight City." Head over to M83's site for a free download, which you get either by signing up, or through their Facebook or Twitter.

Listen below courtesy of Stereogum.

Wednesday; Yeah, more videos

Here's a crop of videos from the today, including Bat for Lashes performance of "Daniel" on Later... With Jools Holland.

M83 - We Own the Sky



King Khan & The Shrines - Land of The Freak



Bat for Lashes - Daniel (Live on Later... With Jools Holland)