CITYist

We’ve talked a lot about Wavves this summer, mostly because we think their California lo-fi punk sound is quintessential summer tunage. And now, they’ve released a fittingly juvenile SoCal video to go along with it. Watch as the Wavves guys, ensconced in suburban boredom, meet an alien who shows them how to party in the video for “Post Acid.” It’s the perfect way to start your weekend.

When Jay-Z and Beyonce give their blessing to a pair of hardcore headphones, then you know they’ve got to be good. Co-designed by Jay himself, these Roc Nation/Skullcandy “aviators” come in minimal white, black and brown with heavy padding to keep city street noise out and music in. Buy a pair online (for $149.95) or pick them up at your local Apple store for what Jay-Z calls “the best way for people to experience the soundtrack of their lives.”

Have You Heard? is our weekly roundup of items we may have previously missed (or would like to remind you of again). So as you plan the week ahead, take a look at our cherry-picked selections of what’s hot in art, music, film and fashion right now.

Have You Heard? is our weekly roundup of items we may have previously missed (or would like to remind you of again). So as you plan the week ahead, take a look at our cherry-picked selections of what’s hot in art, music, film and fashion right now.

M.I.A.’s recently released single for song “XXXO” is in no way comparable to the controversial Born Free video. But that’s not a bad thing. Perhaps this is a way for the artist to “take a chill pill” between tweeting the phone numbers of harsh critics and instilling fear into gingers of the world. Whatever the reason, the song’s catchy tune and crazy gaudy graphics are, dare we say—fun? M.I.A.’s signature 80s style—gold lamé, red lips, hoop earrings—are scene throughout, but this has to be the most glam we’ve seen her in a video. It actually looks like a bad Myspace page in motion. But surely that’s the point. What do you guys think?

CITY favorite Janelle Monae has just released the video for her single “Cold War.” A minimalist, emotional affair, the video is shot entirely in close up of Monae’s face as she belts out the tune. Her face a nude palette with the exception of her expressive, coal-rimmed eyes, the focus here is entirely on the song and Monae’s own emotions (she bursts out crying at one point). “Cold War” comes off critically lauded album The ArchAndroid, which Monae produced at The Wondaland Arts Society, her home studio in Atlanta. In our interview with Monae, she explained, “We were listening to what our minds were telling us, but even more so from our hearts and our souls.” That’s certainly evident here.

Have You Heard? is our weekly roundup of items we may have previously missed (or would like to remind you of again). So as you plan the week ahead, take a look at our cherry-picked selections of what’s hot in art, music, film and fashion right now.

Recently, we expressed our excitement over Kanye West’s upcoming album, Good Ass Job. Now, the video for the new song “Power” is out, and it’s a rather short, artsy and, well, powerful affair. Wearing what appears to be the Egyptian-influenced jewelry he designed, Kanye stands out like a Greek God against a backdrop of stormy sky and pillars of columns. Mythical, horned creatures, lots of draping Grecian garb and what appears to be an angel surround him as the song seems to blast from an unseen stereo. It’s like a gothic Botticelli painting come to life. Enjoy it after the jump.

Outdoor concerts at Central Park and Governor’s Island? Been there, done that. Starting August 28, you can catch none other than an outdoor opera performance at Lincoln Center, home to the world renowned Metropolitan Opera. Following its successful debut last year, the Summer HD Festival is back, featuring ten stellar productions that will be screened on the Met’s grand facade. The 10-day festival features opera classics such as La Boheme (September 2) and Aida (September 5) , as well as an interpretation of the popular children’s tale Hansel & Gretel (September 3). Newer productions, such as the Italian show Tosca, described as an “operatic thriller,” will show on opening night. With more than 3,000 free seats available each night, you really don’t have an excuse—it’s time to add some high brow entertainment to your summer routine.

Hot Chip brought its brand of eerie, love-sick, droning indie electro-rock to Central Park’s summer stage last night. The humidity also showed up in full force, causing Panama hat-wearing and Blue Moon-guzzling hipsters to seek relief from handmade fans and lemon Pellegrino. Beneath a hazy, cloud-filled sky, Hot Chip followed the upbeat theatrics of Holy Ghost! and Hercules and Love Affair, who brought some fabulous dance moves despite the heat and still-shining sun. Once darkness descended, the London-based headliners (minus vocalist/synth player Joe Goddard, who was home waiting on the arrival of his first child) took to the stage with an arsenal of hits, including “Boy From School,” “One Life Stand” and “Over and Over.”

Arcade Fire’s new album, The Suburbs, is out today, igniting a thousand adolescent fantasies from its original fans. The subject of the Montreal-based indie mega-group has always been childhood and suburban living, so it doesn’t hurt that the new album’s title fans the flames of nostalgia. In an interesting turn, Arcade Fire has also produced a trailer of sorts for the album, in what seems to be a first in the music world. Watch the video after the jump and be sure to get your hands on the new album—which has already been deemed “Best New Music” on Pitchfork.

Have You Heard? is our weekly roundup of items we may have previously missed (or would like to remind you of again). So as you plan the week ahead, take a look at our cherry-picked selections of what’s hot in art, music, film and fashion right now.

We don’t think we were the only ones perplexed by Kanye’s last album, the auto-tuned departure 808s and Heartbreak. So it’s nice to hear news that he’s returning to form with his next effort, Good Ass Job, expected this fall. Now, some videos are drifting about the Internets of Kanye performing in a rather strange venue—the Facebook office, that is. Regardless, the three songs dropped, even without a back beat or any accompaniment, are making us pretty excited. Check out the videos after the jump, as well as Kanye’s blog-released statement in regards to the reception, and let us know if you think this album will help Kanye weather the post Taylor Swift storm.

Have You Heard? is our weekly roundup of items we may have previously missed (or would like to remind you of again). So as you plan the week ahead, take a look at our cherry-picked selections of what’s hot in art, music, film and fashion right now.

Indie pop-rock band Rooney made the 24th stop of their Eureka tour in New York City last night. And though it wasn’t their first time at the small and intimate Irving Plaza, the California-based band is on a tour of many firsts: it’s their first major tour after dropping Geffen/Interscope Records and going the independent route, which means it’s also their first tour promoting their independently recorded album, which hit stores June 8th. It’s also the first time without one of Rooney’s original members, Matthew Winter, the bassist who, curiously, quit the band to pursue medicine. But Rooney is a quintessential California band, something like a Beach Boys version of Wavves for the high school set–and the tunes were just as sweet as usual.

With Jerry Lee Lewis piano, Sex Pistols attitude and Little Richard swagger, the Jim Jones Revue brings back old time rock ‘n’ roll in a big way. Catch the band next week at their shows in New York and check out our interview here.

Have You Heard? is our weekly roundup of items we may have previously missed (or would like to remind you of again). So as you plan the week ahead, take a look at our cherry-picked selections of what’s hot in art, music, film and fashion right now.

From high up in the Japanese mountains to a 16th century Norviliskes Castle, music festivals have cropped up in some fascinating and little-known locations over the past several years. Whether you’re an electronic music aficionado, traveling with a kid onboard or itching to get a taste of unique global culture, these six festivals offer a bit of something for everyone not found at your average corporate-sponsored event. Open your eyes, your ears and your minds to what they have in store.

Remix albums can sometimes feel like a “last call” for album sales: the same tracks, the same lyrics and familiar baselines. Not here. Au Revoir Simone’s Night Light is like listening to a new album all over again. The Williamsburg-based trio blends fluffy clouds of synth beats and lo-fi pop, for a melancholic sound that’s by no means simple. It features rehashed tracks from talents like Angel Deradoorian (from The Dirty Projectors), Aeroplane and Jens Lekman, to name a few. Although it’s a much livelier version of the previous Still Night, Still Light, their trippy, wispy vocals are still heard throughout.

If you’ve escaped this week’s oppressive heat for the seaside breezes of the Hamptons, then we’ve got some weekend happenings for you. On Saturday, stop by Intermix to meet Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Tori Praver and get a chance to shop her new swim collection. Later, stop The Memory Motel for a performance by Preacher and the Knife.

Seeing as Janelle Monae was trending on Twitter last night, just released an album that scored a coveted 8.5 on Pitchfork and and counts Barack Obama as a fan, we figured we should share our inside look into Monae’s creative process for her new, genre-defying record, The ArchAndroid. Check out our interview with Monae by clicking here.

It’s unclear why parents thought it was appropriate to take their 8-year-old daughters to the Lady Gaga concert last night at Madison Square Garden. Gaga is one part pop princess, one part soul songstress, one part activist, one part dominatrix and one part provocateur—and her favorite word is four letters long. Last night, the whole gang came out to play: the bra and panties ensemble from “Alejandro” and “Telephone,” the skirt composed of spikes, the disco stick, the red latex, the two cross strips of tape covering a very delicate area. And as Gaga cycled through hit after hit, “Poker Face,” “Paparazzi,” and “Bad Romance,” to name a few, her enthusiasm and compassion were unmatched. Often with tears in her eyes, she continually declared her love for her hometown, trying to give back the only way she new how, screaming, “Tonight, you will be set free!”

Everyone knows that the Fourth of July is all about the fireworks and the music—and if you’re in Boston, Chicago or The Hamptons, then we’ve got some plans for you.

Cee-Lo has covered one of our all time favorite songs, “No One’s Gonna Love you” by Band of Horses. The Gnarles Barkley singer is going solo with his upcoming album, Cee-Lo Green Is the Lady Killer, and this is our first listen to the mix of soul singing and electro pop. Shunning Band of Horses’ quiet alt country emotion for a more grandiose, synth-injected arrangement, the song holds up nearly as well as the original. In the video, a couple goes on a sort of rambling road trip adventure, and we see their relationship morph through a series of quick jumps of convertibles, cliff-jumping, nudity and American flags—somehow very suitable for this Fourth of July weekend. Watch and listen after the jump.