Illustration by Tom Bagley
Welcome to the second edition of my incredibly named mp3 and music video column Weekly Leaks. I’ve gone all Julian Assange on the blogosphere to get you some of the best new tracks and videos that hit the web resulting in a Friday playlist that will have you feeling pumped up for the weekend.
Cam’ron “Fuck You”
Man oh man oh man did Cam’ron ever make this week feel good with his new track “Fuck You.” From the playful delivery to the soulful beat this will have you desperate for Killa Cam’s new album.
Nas “The Don”
With a new album right around the corner nasty Nas is in top form on his latest track “The Don.” The track features production from Da Internz who have previously worked with Rihanna and Big Sean.
Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch “Barry”
Sorry but the best new tracks this week are almost all rap tracks. As promised in his interview with Fast Forward Ghostface Killah is rolling out an album with Sheek Louch called Wu-Block. “Barry” is another leak from that project and it’s a mid-tempo burner complete with Addams Family harpsichords.
Babe Rainbow Pay Your Bills
Vancouver production whiz Cameron Reed has only released two proper EPs via his Warp Records deal but dude can’t stop working in between dropping countless chopped and screwed mixtapes and other treats. This week was extra productive for him in Internet land most notably with the Pay Your Bills mini-EP. Touted as a collection of unfinished beats the release demonstrates some solid ideas and creepy atmospherics. Babe Rainbow’s unfinished scraps > your bedroom DJ project.
Chromatics “Back From the Grave”
At this point the only album I really care about coming out is Chromatics’ Kill For Love . Following a killer leak last week the Portland sound team are back with another dusty audio-visual combo for new track “Back From the Grave.” More please.
Bloody Gears Landscapes of Disease
Boston’s Bloody Gears have a new LP coming out on Deranged Records this spring and most or all of it (it’s hard to tell) is available on Bandcamp. Sure the constant Wipers comparisons are apt with such meaty guitars but this is still drawing a lot of hardcore influence as well.
<a href="http://derangedrecords.bandcamp.com/album/bloody-gears-landscapes-of-disease" mce_href="http://derangedrecords.bandcamp.com/album/bloody-gears-landscapes-of-disease">BLOODY GEARS – Landscapes of Disease by deranged records</a>
Ketamines “Teenage Rebellion Time”
Lethbridge garage pop crew Ketamines are currently drinking up a storm at SXSW but that didn’t stop them from dropping a video for their bouncy percussive track “Teenage Rebellion Time.” If Tim and Eric tried their hand at remaking Yellow Submarine it might look something like this.
Khyber Comp Vol. II
Halifax is running a serious monopoly on fuzzy Canadian pop right now. For further proof look no further than the second Khyber compilation which offers up all proceeds to the Khyber Arts Society. It’s available on a cassette or digital download but you can stream the whole 27 track monster below complete with favourites like Long Weekends Dog Day Each Other and Long Long Long.
<a href="http://khybercompilation.bandcamp.com/album/khyber-comp-volume-ii" mce_href="http://khybercompilation.bandcamp.com/album/khyber-comp-volume-ii">Khyber Comp Volume II by The Khyber Comp.</a>
Sébastien Tellier “Cochon Ville”
Following his aptly titled sex opus Sexuality French producer Sébastien Tellier is getting spiritual on his sophomore effort My God is Blue . The first leak from the album is the spacey disco beast “Cochon Ville” complete with robotic vocals.
Usher "Climax"
Okay those of you who pretend that you don’t love pop music should probably skip this one but Usher is back with a serious heart-melter in "Climax." This is on that Timberlake "Cry Me a River" tip but instead of Timbaland the track was co-produced by Diplo. The result is a bunch of incredible sounding synths a clicky drum beat and some panty-dropping vocals from Urshur. Real men listen to R&B.