Metal Lungies

After an exciting non-album cut, here’s the first official single for Bilal’s upcoming album Airtight’s Revenge which drops September 14. “Restart” trades the turmoil of young love for a grown man’s attempt at picking up where he left off with that special someone. Something sophisticated for us young thundercats.

If you’ve ever wanted a naked Janelle Monae to peer deep into your soul for three and a half minutes, her video for “Cold War” is for you. I’m convinced Leonardo DiCaprio helped Janelle steal this idea, because I’ve had this exact dream dozens of times.

via Pitchfork

Let Mayer tell it:

I met Nottz at Nightlife’s Dilla Tribute in L.A. and we just kept in contact. I had always been a fan of Nottz since the 90s. He sent me a bunch of beats and at first I had no idea what to do with any of them, but eventually it hit me. I sang a hook for him on his album as well.
The song is a cover of a cat named Otis Leavill which is one of my all time fav soul sides, but relatively unknown 45. I don’t think Nottz even knew it. I actually even made up some of the words because no one could make out what he said in the original. ha!
When Nottz sent me that batch – that particular beat stood out. It had the same chord progression as the Otis Leville, so I just went with it.

So silky you’d think it’s a Delfonics record.

via Stones Throw Records

Mayer Hawthorne’s music videos consistently kick ass. When I saw the wobbly cam in the opening shot, I feared for a second that it would be on some discount video bullshit. But then the video launched into a choreographed, minimally edited, one-shot pageant of sunbathed happiness that made me wish I grew up in the 60s, back when everyone was happy all the time. For more fun, see the videos for “One Track Mind” and “Green Eyed Love.”

Update: Here’s a behind the scenes clip and some pictures.

Watch Janelle Monae perform back to back smashes from her amazing debut LP The ArchAndroid as well as some older material. She performs not one, but TWO eye watering sets, with an interview in between.  If I were there, I would have jumped onstage and bagged her Borat style.

Unexpected crack from Jazmine Sullivan. Missy Elliot flips the “Impeach the President” drums, “Affirmative Action” by the Firm, Biz Markie, and Dougie Fresh for a track that should send you stumbling down memory lane in multiple directions.

First rapper to spit over it gets a Metal Lungies fanny pack.

Funky party groove from Zo!’s SunStorm LP, dropping July 27. On some Jagged Edge/112 shit, but more grown up. Sounds like it’s about to be a hot and sweaty summer.

Download: Zo! – This Could Be The Night (ft. Eric Roberson, Darien Brockington &  Rapper Big Pooh)

via +FE Music

Unfortunately, the two tracks featuring rappers are the only reason to listen to Dwele’s newest album Wants World Women. The rest is generic neo-soul whimpering.

Download: Dwele – Dodgin’ Your Phone (ft. David Banner)

Download: Dwele – How I Deal (ft. Slum Village)

Backed by just a guitar, Janelle Monae impeccably covers “Smile” from Charlie Chaplain’s Modern Times with an angelic quality that stretches her already impressive range of styles. The ArchAndroid will make you dance and cry at the same time. Janelle, marry me. You’re Jewish, right?

via Billboard.com

I love it when big companies have good taste in music. If music sales ever completely dry up, it’s good to know that Adult Swim, Smirnoff, and Levi’s will commission a jam here and there. I know when I’m a billionaire, I’m gonna pay DJ Khaled $50 million to stop making music.

Today, Raphael Saadiq covers “It’s A Shame” by the Spinners for a song that would be right at home on his Motown-era throwback album The Way I See It.

Download: Raphael Saadiq – It’s A Shame

via Levi’s Pioneer Sessions