I’ll never forget this, but I met Beck awhile ago in Los Angeles when I went to see AIR. I fought through my star struckedness to see if he had any plans of releasing more work. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it seem likely. I was making my routine check up on Beck’s FaceBook with high hopes of some sort of announcement. Anything!! Found that he did this remix for Feist. I’ve always been really attached to Feist’s voice. It’s beauty is incomparable to anything I’ve heard. Plus Beck is one of the coolest, most unique artists out there. His style kinda reminds me of Asteroids Galaxy Tour. In the sense that it sounds like psychedelic electro rock from the 22nd century, except he has a little hip hop influence. Really love this guy.

Feist – How Come You Never Go There (Beck Remix)
Feist – How Come You Never Go There

BONUS BECK
Beck – Mixed Bizness
Beck – Que Onda Guero Choice!

Arctic Monkeys is a band that needs no introduction. They’ve released five music videos from their most recent album “Suck It and See” since September, three of which are the continuation of the same story. Mostly they’re just drummer Matt Helders being a badass. They’re some of the best music videos that I’ve seen in a while (not that I’d expect anything less from Arctics or from Focus Creeps, who directed them). I’ve put them in the order that makes the most sense to me chronologically. Motorcycles, crossbows and jail weddings if you’re into that kinda stuff. Warning: these are not G-rated so parental guidance is not suggested.

Holy shit! New Strokes songs! Well two of them…to me at least. These demo surfaced after being buried for years in the interwebs. “Rhythm Song” seems to be a demo pre Is This It? Which explains it’s fucking AWESOME rawness, which the Strokes built their reputation around. Julian’s powerful vocals, Nik’s ridiculous riffs, getting lost in Nikolai’s basslines, Fabio’s perfect drumming, and Albert keeping it all together. Old rockin’ Strokes. Not that I’m hating on the new Strokes. It’s all just different.
The Strokes – Rhythm Song

“Hawaii Aloha” sounds like something that would be life changing live. When I first saw them at Outside Lands ’10, the crowd was pushing and shoving each other all over the place. No rules. No one cared. Singing at the top of their longs. It was the Strokes first time back in California in almost 5 years. This song reminds me of that.
The Strokes – Hawaii Aloha

“I’ll Try Anything Once” is a slower, serious, more intimate version of “You Only Live Once,” the track that got me into the lifestyle and procured the creation of YOLO. Very beautiful track that defies the Strokes we’re used to getting. I love these guys…
The Strokes – I’ll Try Anything Once

12FV

EPs (extended play) were in steady flow this year. They’ve been more common for DJs trying to find their niche in different subgenres, but that didn’t keep indie/rock artists teasing us with little samplers before releasing an album. Given the success of these EPs, it’s safe to say we can expect bigger things from these cats in 2012:

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