Taste Of Music

On their self titled debut album, the xx delivered a whopping to audiences with the purring voices of Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim. Though they lack a drummer, the xx seemed to do what other bands didn’t: they manipulated the light, airy negative space better than anyone else around. Now, on their latest single, the xx seems to have done something new. Angels, off their new album Coexist, has everything we ever loved about the band, Madley Croft’s airy voice at the front of the track and loads of empty space to create intimacy with the audience. But then, a distant snare rolls into the background, providing an ominous element that is different than any of their other tracks. Perhaps this is an indication of a style evolution. We just hope they don’t change too much because we’ve grown to love them just as they are.

Written by:
Krystal Lau

Fans that have eagerly been awaiting a new 50 Cent album can now rejoice! After negotiations with his record label, Interscope Records, he has announced that his new album Street King Immortal will be released on November 13, 2012. The G-Unit rapper recently released the album’s first single “New Day,” which features Alicia Keys and Dr. Dre. 50 Cent also dropped the mixtape Five (Murder by Numbers) earlier this month to tide fans over until his November release date. Let us know what you guys think!

Written by:
Krystal Lau

Lady Gaga has been spotted teasing her New York fans with a little preview of her unreleased work.  The famous singer played an upbeat song from the window of her car. A group of fans surrounding her vehicle not only got to meet the star, but also got an insight of what her upcoming album will sound like (double the excitement!)  Short after the encounter Gaga’s fans tweeted: “Just met GaGa. She was playing a song from her new album! …It was very heavy/dance club song! The beat was f—ing insane!”

Although her new album’s name is yet to be known, Lady Gaga has opened up about the music on her new album hinting that her new tracks will be dance songs. Unlike “Born This Way,” Gaga claims that her next album will “lack… it’s tremendous… maturity or sense of responsibility.” I don’t know about you guys but after Gaga’s little teaser, we can’t wait to hear her new album!

Written by:
Paulina Zarate

Although Whitney Houston has passed away, her memory still remains with us. The Grammy Museum is hoping to create an exhibit with the sole purpose of remembering Whitney Houston’s career achievements in honor of her memory.  The executive director of the Grammy Museum, Robert Santelli said: “We are particularly excited to showcase her long connection to the Grammy Awards show and to celebrate the musical genius that made her one of America’s most-awarded pop and soul vocalists.” The museum will exhibit photographs, albums, concert videos and interviews with her loved ones. The exhibition is said to be a token of appreciation to Whitney and all the things she had to offer to the world.  The “Whitney! Celebrating the Musical Legacy of Whitney Houston” exhibition will be opening August  15, 2012.

Written by:
Paulina Zarate

The Queen of Pop is ready to release her new music video for her MDNA single.  According to MTV Music news the video is set in Florence, Italy and it will be the 3^rd single of Madonna’s 2012 album release.

MTV News spoke to Mark Solveig, the producer of Maddona’s new single, who claimed that Maddona was extremely open minded and gave the producers freedom to take the studio, and ultimately the video, in whichever direction they wanted.  Her only request was to create a single that would make people dance and connect with her music. Mark Solveig stated that they worked with no limits and so the video “was open to any kind of experimentation.” Sound like a must see!

So make sure you don’t miss Madonna’s “Turn Up The Radio” video release this Monday. We know you won’t be disappointed!

Written by:
Paulina Zarate

Brooklyn-born rapper, Jay-Z has added more shows to celebrate the arena’s opening in his hometown.  On Thursday July 12, he added October 1, 5, 6 to his already previously announced dates September 28-30 and October 3-4.  This brings to a total of eight nights.

Brooklyn’s Barclays Arena will house the former New Jersey Nets, who will make their debut as the Brooklyn nets this fall at the start of the 2013-14 NBA season.  Other concerts and events have been lined up for this new venue including Justin Bieber, Barbra Streisand, and Neil Young.  Jay-Z will christen the building on opening day.  Jay-Z says “It’s going to be more than about basketball; it’s an entertainment arena.”

Also, in an effort to accommodate fans who are not able to afford the usual concert going experience, there will be more than 700 tickets under $30, for each shows.  However, scalpers are already snatching up massive number of tickets and trying to sell them for up to nearly $6,800.

Written by:
Amanda Pun

Pink is planning on releasing her new album after what seemed like the longest break of her career. She revealed the name and date of release on a cheeky video she posted online. This album is a follow-up to 2008’s Funhouse, it’s called The Truth About Love and according to Pink it will be released on the 18th of September. Glad to have you back!

Written by:
Paulina Zarate

Lil Wayne’s appearance at the 2012 X Games have brought up some exciting news! During the 2010 X Games Lil Wayne answered 40 different questions for a live online chat directed by ESPN. The questions ranged from X Games to skating. During the Q&A session Lil Wayne mentioned his plan to release “Tha Carter V” next year, to follow up his last album “Tha Carter IV” that was released last year on August 29th.

According to LilWayneHW.com, Lil Wayne has also shown interest in working with Eminem and Spanish artist Gloria Estefan. But even before releasing “Tha Carter V,” Lil Wayne is plans on releasing his “I Am Not a Human Being II” album which according to him is similar to “I Am Not a Human Being” without sounding rushed. We can’t wait to hear it!

Written by:
Paulina Zarate

Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello recently announced through that their next tour will be their farewell tour. The message on their website reads: “Today we want to share with you that the tour we are about to go on will be our last. We want to thank every single one of you that came with us on this journey. We came, we raved, we loved,” The three Swedes formed Swedish House Mafia in 2008, and produced one studio album “Until One” and several singles, some in collaboration with others. The three joined their unique talents to create one of dance music’s most successful “bands”. They dominated music festivals such as Coachella, sold out their Madison Square Garden concert, and hosted Masquerade Motel in Miami. They were also an inspiration to artists such as Calvin Harris, Thomas Gold, Dirty South, Max Vangeli & AN21, Afrojack, Junior Sanchez, and Alesso.

The EDM pioneers caused that a number of their fellow DJ’s and musicians publicly responded to their announcement. David Guetta tweeted “I just heard @swedishousemfia are gonna split. I hope it’s not true They are really special,” Zedd wrote: “Well … @swedishousemfia will be a legend for ever!” These are just two of the countless acknowledgments to this disappointing message.

It would be wrong to say that the fun is over. Swedish House Mafia will make appearances all around the world during their tour this summer. The Swedes also plan to release a new single, titled “Don’t You Worry Child.” SHM will be seen in Milton Keynes Bowl in England on July 14, at Ushuaia in Ibiza from July 4 until August 29, and will perform at various music festivals throughout the summer. They will announce the final steps of their tour, along with their dates in the U.S., in August.

If you’re a fan book your tickets now, because as sad as it sounds, you might never hear them together again.

Article by:
Anna Smyczynska

The solitary R&B singer performed live at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival after twelve years of (public) absence from the United States. He made an appearance on Sunday morning a couple weeks ago, surprising thousands of fans during the Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Superjam session. Thompson said: “I’ve been waiting 12 years to say this – ladies and gentlemen, D’Angelo!,” and the crowd began to shout instantly.

The last time D’Angelo performed in the US was in 2000. His recent appearance was a prelude to his upcoming performance at the Essence Music Festival and a European tour.

D’Angelo and his band gave a 90-minute jam session which included: Jimi Hendrix’s “Have You Ever Been to Electric Ladyland,” Parliament Funkadelic’s “Funky Dollar Bill,” Led Zeppelin’s “What Is and What Should Never Be,” and The Beatles’ “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window.” However, he did not play any new music.
The crowd cheered: “One more song! One more song!”, but Thompson told the fans that there was no more. D’ Angelo responded in an interview saying, “not yet.”

Not yet? So there is more to come! And we will find out what it is most certainly at the Essence Music Festival!

Article by:
Anna Smyczynska