David Lynch (@DAVID_LYNCH) – Star Dream Girl

Legendary multimedia artist David Lynch returns this summer with the follow-up to Crazy Clown Time, his acclaimed 2011 solo debut. THE BIG DREAM will be released July 16th, in the U.S. by Sacred Bones, which will distribute THE BIG DREAM in America and July 15th in Europe on Sunday Best Recordings — the British label that signed Lynch two years ago.

The new album sees Lynch returning to primary songwriting and performance duties, writing 11 out of the album’s 12 tracks. Also included in the lineup is Lynch’s signature take on the Bob Dylan folk classic “The Ballad of Hollis Brown.” THE BIG DREAM was recorded over several months at Lynch’s own Asymmetrical Studio with engineer Dean Hurley, who also contributes production and instrumentation to the album.

Describing his style of music as “modern blues,” Lynch says the songwriting process for his new album was similar to his debut. “Most of the songs start out as a type of blues jam and then we go sideways from there. What comes out is a hybrid, modernized form of low-down blues.”

THE BIG DREAM will be available in physical and digital formats (CD/LP/DL) all including an additional bonus download track “I’m Waiting Here” with Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li. The double-LP set pressed on Heavyweight Vinyl will be accompanied by a bonus 7″ that contains the Lykke Li track on side A, and a visual etching on side B that was hand-inscribed directly into lacquer by Lynch exclusively for this release. Lynch praised Lykke Li as a natural songwriter with a great intuition for lyrics and melody: “She brought her own style to this song, which has a doo-wop sort of thing going on, but in a way it’s far-removed from the ’50s.”

As you would expect from an accomplished film director, the songs are cinematic in scope. Lynch uses his reverb-drenched guitar and processed voice to summon primal moods and melodies that color a strange world populated by character archetypes familiar to fans of his films: the irresistible femme fatale in “Star Dream Girl,” the tender romantic in “The Big Dream,” and “Are You Sure,” the smooth psychopath in “Say It,” and the quirky oddball in “Sun Can’t Be Seen No More.”

While Lynch touches on modern electronic production (“Wishin’ Well” and “Last Call”) and classically dreamy material (“Are You Sure,” “Cold Wind Blowin'”), the album always manages to keep one foot rooted in the blues – a style of music he loves. “The Blues is an honest and emotional form of music that is thrilling to the soul. I keep coming back to it, because it feels so good,” Lynch says.

Riff Raff – Dolce & Gabbana

Riff-Raff-Dolce-Gabbana

We’ve been hearing a lot of random songs here and there from Riff Raff, but for those that have been wondering what to expect from his first offering through Diplo’s Mad Decent, well…..we now know. The first single from Neon Icon, titled ‘Dolce & Gabbana’, is produced by DJ Carnage.

Zaytoven – Birds Of A Feature (Soundtrack)

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Zaytoven the music producer has apparently become Zaytoven the actor, as a new street movie has dropped titled Birds Of A Feather. It only made sense that Zaytoven take care of soundtrack duties as well, which you can stream and download below. Check out more on (or buy) the movie here.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER is the story of two men, Zaytoven (Xavier Dotson) and Al Nuke (Curtis Franklin), cousins from separate walks of life pursuing their dreams of fame and fortune. Zaytoven’s ambitions lead him to the trap muzik of Atlanta while the promise of fast cash attracted Nuke.

Penetrating the music scene isn’t as easy as Zaytoven had hoped. To make ends meet he takes work in his Uncle’s barbershop but money is always tight. When Nuke offers to manage his music career, Zaytoven reluctantly agrees. But Nuke has aspirations of his own – he wants to get rich quick and by any means necessary.

Nuke does exactly what he promises, he makes a deal with Atlanta businessman Doc (Rashad A Holsey). Doc in turn introduces them to Gucci Mane and some of Atlanta’s hottest artist and soon things begin to take off. Zaytoven’s songs are being played on the radio, in the clubs and the cash begins rolling in. Things are good, maybe too good. Unbeknownst to Zaytoven, Nuke‘s side deal with Doc comes with life-threatening consequences.

Problems arise when Doc comes to collect his share of the profits and Zaytoven discovers Nuke’s deceit. Zaytoven decides to disassociate himself from Nuke and signs with a management company out of New York. This causes a rift between the cousins and they go their separate ways. But fame and fortune come with a high price and it’s time for somebody to pay.

Marsha Ambrosius – Sky

New Marsha? Oh yes.

I was compelled to write and play this song because I heard it in a dream. I was out in LA doing a couple of writing session a couple of weeks ago and this song happened. Flying back to Philadelphia the other day, I captured footage of the clouds on my iPhone. Felt only right to put the two together as I reflected on the lives lost these past couple of weeks. Jimme Wall Street, Lil Snupe, Aunty. I can listen to this and remember. I can listen to this and want to forget. I can listen to this and mend a broken heart or feel it break. I made this song to FEEL!

LOVE

Marsha Ambrosius