Robin Pecknold of the Fleet Foxes let this break-up song he wrote and recorded fly on his Soundcloud page recently. He pulled it down shortly after, but someone put it on YouTube (nice job). This is as sad and melancholy as a song can get. Check it out, it’s called “Olivia, In a Separate Bed.” What a beautiful heartache.

Every once in a while, I get the urge to post some throwback hip-hop shit. Tonight, I’m in a Ghostface Killah mood. Here are two clips that never really surfaced on the mainstream hip-hop video shows, but nevertheless are classics. First is “Mighty Healthy,” followed by “Cobra Clutch.” Two of my favorite Ghost songs ever. Enjoy…

“Mighty Healthy”

“Cobra Clutch”

Don’t fuck with Ghost, you’ll feel sorry!!!!! Yo, for the real heads, UpNorthTrips (where I got the pic above) posted a record with some unreleased Ghost gems a few months back. Get that HERE. I’m out. One.

*BONUS*

I just got put on to this project my boys at The Diggers Union put out this week, featuring blends of Ghostface rapping over DJ Premier beats. They also did a couple sweet little mini-mixes of original samples used by Ghost and Preem. Check it out for free HERE.

There’s a lot of dope music out right now, and a lot of it is being made by females! Who run the world? GIRLS. Here are three of my favorite songs out that are right now, all featuring a leading lady. Up top is a cover of Beyonce’s “Party” by Brooklyn band Chairlift, led by Caroline Polachek and featuring Das Racist rapper Kool A.D. who spits a fun verse. I like how they flipped this. And below, check out a great cut by newcomer Meg Myers called “Monster.” This shit is tough…

Also, watch the video for this smooth song from another newbie, Yuna, called “Live Your Life,” produced by the one and only Pharrell Williams…

Shouts to Pigeons & Planes, a new site I’m working with, for putting me on to all three of these songs/videos. Bookmark it. Now. I’m out.

*UPDATE*

Another female led gem found on P&P. It’s by Wild Belle and it’s called “Keep You.” Fire…

James Mercer is making the rounds it seems, promoting the late March release of The Shins’ new album Port Of Morrow. He’s been hitting up different radio stations and such, playing acoustic versions of Shins classics, and new cuts from the album. I came across some pretty decent video/audio of Mercer performing a brand new song called “It’s Only Life” live in Hollywood at some 987FM event. Check the footage above. Also, listen to the official leak of “September,” the b-side to their first single “Simple Song,” below. It’s seriously incredible…

Can’t wait to hear this album in full. Later skaters.

Alabama Shakes is a new band buzzing on the indie scene, and I like their style. Their lead singer, Brittany Howard, sounds like the female reincarnation of Joe Cocker. She’s got soul, for real. And the band’s soulful too, with hints of country, blues, and southern rock stylings that make for a unique, live sound reminiscent of The Black Crowes in their prime. I’m digging the live version of this song “Be Mine” (performed in studio at KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic) which I’m assuming is on their upcoming debut album Boys & Girls due out in April. Keep your eye out for this crew. They’re dope. And shout to all the lovers out their reppin’ hard for their partners. This is another Valentine’s Day weekend jam for you.

Alabama Shakes Official Website

My dude kills Adele’s “Someone Like You” on the 86th Street subway platform in NYC. Absolutely murders it, vocals and drum only. Shout to the good folks at Complex Magazine for putting me on. And crack up below to some guy on the subway rapping along to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Niggas In Paris” he’s off the hook! Major LOL!

Only in New York. Hollerrrr.

New band alert! These dudes Electric Guest are out of California, and their debut album Mondo, which is producer by Danger Mouse, is set to drop in April. Check the video below for thier latest release “This Head I Hold.” Tell me this shit ain’t fresh.

For more, stay tuned to their official website. That’s it!

My boy Jon Jo, who is a teacher at White Plains High School, told me these Pogo music videos are the craze with the students right now. This guy basically takes audio clips, mostly from Disney movies, and makes them into original songs, complete with the matching video edits. My first thought was, “This reminds me of Kutiman!” Kutiman makes songs and videos by taking different YouTube clips of musicians and mashing them all together. Anyway, this Fresh Prince of Bel Air one is my favorite Pogo song/video by far. The beat and samples are sick, and all the Will Smith dance moves make it very entertaining to watch. My only complaint is I want to see more Carlton dance moves!!!! Watch above, and then check out the official Pogo website HERE. One.

Mondays usually suck, but this song made today much, much better. Nothing like a brand new song from my favorite band of all time, The Shins. Click below to hear their first single, “Simple Song,” off of Port Of Morrow, due out March 20th. I just listened to it five times in a row. Stream below, and get more info on the album also (including how to pre-order)…

Listen: The Shins “Simple Song”

Finally, an album dropping that I am truly excited about.

*BONUS*

“Insane Lullaby” was the first song The Shins’ frontman James Mercer and Danger Mouse ever released together, before they formed Broken Bells. The actual studio recording is not that rad, but this acoustic version, performed live on KCRW, is incredible. I totally just stumbled upon this, and it got me super open. Plus, I found the mp3 of it! Oh gosh, I love the Internet. Watch the video of their performance above, and download the acoustic version of “Insane Lullaby” HERE. Uno.

Gonna keep this post short and sweet. Check out this great cover version of Cee Lo Green’s “Fool For You,” one of my favorite soul songs released in the past few years, done by the highly talented and slept on Alice Smith. Some may remember her from “Dream,” a song that I first heard on an episode of Entourage. Fun fact about Alice Smith: she’s Citizen Cope‘s wifey! Enjoy…

Ch.