Suuns - Images du Futur

While we're not exactly sure that we agree with Spinner's estimation that the band is "like Liars or Clinic", we couldn't be happier to have discovered that they're streaming the new record from Suuns, Images du Futur, over at the site. A couple of weeks back we tweeted the band's video for "2020", a killer track off the new record. Well, now in addition to that gem, we've got a whole disc of audio, and a new video for "Edie's Dream" (above).

In short, we're very, very, excited about the release. The band has taken their experimental sonics from the first record, and honed them down into arrangements that are simpler, even more engaging, and as acoustically edgy as their predecessors. At the same time, the deceptively poppy grooves from the first disc have only become more prevalent. Much like the work of many of the great visual artists of the modern era was honed after a comprehensive understanding of traditional craft, so it is clear that Suuns have the ability to deliver catchy, de rigueur rock and roll. Instead, they've chosen to cast aside easier options, and instead deliver a record that focuses on texture, groove, and hidden melodies that stick in your head for days.

We'll be honest: A new Suuns record is not a hard sell for us, as we already loved the band from the get-go. That being said, the record is even better than we had expected, and the fact that it's paired with a serious bout of touring has us seriously excited. The Montreal-based band is even better in their live incarnation, and the fact that some of the dates are with The Besnard Lakes is simply an added bonus. To miss out on this tour would be a serious mistake, and may be what we would guess is your last chance to see them in truly small rooms. But don't take our word for it: stream the disc below and see for yourself!

Suuns 2013 Tour Dates
03/02/13 Saint-Tite, QC - A la Fut w/ We Are Wolves
03/08/13 Saint-Hyacinthe, QC - Le Zaricot w/ We Are Wolves
03/12/13 Laval, QC - Studio Theatre w/ We Are Wolves
03/23/13 Toronto, ON - Lee's Place
03/29/13 Joliette, QC - Cabaret Arena w/ We Are Wolves
03/30/13 Terrebonne, QC - Moulin Neuf w/ Plants and Animals
04/04/13 Montreal, QC - Sala Rossa
04/05/13 Quebec City, QC - Le Cercle
04/09/13 London, ON - Call The Office
04/10/13 Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
04/11/13 Hamilton, ON - Casbah
04/12/13 Kingston, ON - The Grad Club
04/13/13 Ottawa , ON - Ritual
04/15/13 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
04/16/13 Washington, DC - Black Cat
04/17/13 Pittsburgh, PA - 6119
04/18/13 Cleveland Heights, OH - Grog Shop w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/19/13 Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/20/13 Chicago, IL - Schuba's w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/21/13 DeKalb, IL - Otto's Nightclub w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/22/13 Bloomington, IN - Bishop Bar w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/23/13 St. Louis, MO - Firebird w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/24/13 Fayetteville, AR - J.R.'s Lightbulb Co w/ The Besnard Lakes
04/25/13 Dallas, TX - Club DaDa w/ The Besnard Lakes & Black Mountain
04/26/13 Austin, TX - Austin Psych Fest
04/29/13 Rome, IT - Lanificio 159
04/30/13 Modena, IT - Mattatoio
05/02/13 Zagreb, HR - Culture Factory Club
05/03/13 Krems, AT - Donau Festival
05/04/13 Munich, DE - Atomic Cafe
05/05/13 Berlin, DE - Comet
05/06/13 Cologne, DE - Studio 672
05/07/13 Metz, FR - Les Trinitaires
05/08/13 Zurich, CH - Rote Fabrik
05/09/13 Paris, FR - Trabendo
05/10/13 Lille, FR - Le Grand Mix
05/11/13 Brussels, BE - La Nuit de Botanique
05/12/13 Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg
05/13/13 Brighton, UK - The Haunt
05/14/13 London, UK - XOYO
05/15/13 Leeds, UK - Brudenell Social Club
05/16/13 Dublin, IE - The Grand Social
05/17/13 Liverpool, UK - Kazimier
05/18/13 Bristol, UK - The Exchange
05/22/13 Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar
05/23/13 Vancouver, BC - Media Club
05/25/13 George, WA - Sasquatch Music Festival
05/26/13 Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge

Stream: Suuns - Images du Futur

Video: David Bowie - "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)"

Here we go: things are kicking into overdrive for the release of David Bowie's new record The Next Day, and that includes today's release of the latest single from the record, "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)". The tune, which was released as a video(above) starring Tilda Swinton and directed by Floria Sigismondi, opens with an almost-"Station To Station"-esque instrumental interlude, only to then break down into a rock jam akin to much of Bowie's last big single "New Killer Star".

As with Reality, these rockers tend to kill live, which is what makes it all the more disappointing that Bowie won't be doing more than a show or two in support of his new record. Nonetheless, the track provides a stark contrast to last month's "Where Are We Now", and leaves us with a real question about just how the new record will come together, and whether it will fulfill a hefty spot as the apex of the second half of Bowie's career. A title which currently, in our opinion, continues to be dominated by 2002's Heathen. Either way, we're stoked and ready to digest an album's worth of material.

"The Stars (Are Out Tonight)" is available on iTunes and will see physical release on Record Store Day as a limited edition single.

Johnny Marr — "Upstarts"

There's no denying that Johnny Marr long ago solidified his place in the world of cool, ranging from his tenure with the Smiths, to playing guitar for Modest Mouse at the height of their most recent success. Even so, we still were unprepared for the awesomeness that Marr was set to deliver with his new solo work. Culled from the forthcoming record The Messenger, "Upstarts" is a three-and-a-half minute dose of some of the best power pop we've heard in a long time. It's an utterly delightful slice of a sound that is at the same time classic and new, absent of a specific place or era. On top of that, Marr and Co managed to create a killer vintage-feel video for the song that is spot-on. Needless to say, we are very excited about this record.

Stream: Johnny Marr - The Messenger (Full Album)

Phoenix - "Entertainment"

Well, here it is. The first single from Bankrupt!."Entertainment" is a bombastic dose of classic Phoenix, with a solid dose of synth thievery from the vibe of Siouxsie's "Hong Kong Garden". Which isn't to say it's derivative, or that it's anything less than great. It's undeniably fantastic to hear the latest from these Frenchmen.

"Entertainment" picks up stylistically right where Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix left off, and demonstrates its skill as "Girlfriend"'s able bodied cousin. In short, it is a showcase for the band's intricate riffing and rock-solid songwriting, while Thomas Mars' vocals sail about it all. 

We'll stop gushing now, and just go listen to it on repeat. You should probably do the same — check it above.