A new video for Daft Punk’s “Contact” is out now, created in collaboration with Epic Games and Magnopus. The visual expands upon the world introduced in The Daft Punk Experience, which launched in Fortnite on September 27, reimagining its opening sequence with a cinematic twist.
In the game, players are launched through a portal into a kaleidoscopic audio-visual odyssey before arriving in the Daft Punk Experience. The “Contact” video follows the two Daft Punk robots as they embark on that same journey themselves - drifting through space toward a mysterious flashing signal that pulls them into an emotional, high-intensity voyage filled with nods to moments across their career.
Symbolic of both beginnings and endings, “Contact” closes Daft Punk’s landmark final album Random Access Memories, while serving as the opening sequence of The Daft Punk Experience. Just over a week ago, Daft Punk’s Thomas Bangalter opened his surprise DJ set at Paris’s Centre Pompidou (as part of the Because Beaubourg celebration) with the track, underscoring its enduring resonance. The event, which drew over 40,000 attendees across two days, marked the 20th anniversary of Because Music and the Centre Pompidou’s five-year closure for renovations - a fitting moment of transition as Daft Punk’s legacy continues to evolve.
Multi-platinum recording artist Jack Johnson announces SURFILMUSIC Tour, a 43-date North American tour that will take Johnson and his band coast-to-coast next year. The tour marks Johnson’s long-awaited return to the road since 2022 and will celebrate a new era of music, film, and environmental connection rooted in his chart-topping catalogue, spanning over twenty years.
In support of the tour, Johnson has released a new single, “Hold On To The Light,” featuring Hermanos Gutiérrez, out today on all streaming platforms. The song offers an early glimpse into the forthcoming SURFILMUSIC soundtrack, scored by Jack Johnson and Hermanos Gutiérrez for a new film featuring Johnson set to debut next year.
SURFILMUSIC, a documentary chronicling Johnson’s evolution from surfer to filmmaker to world-renowned musician, weaves through the making of his iconic surf films Thicker Than Water (1999) and The September Sessions (2000). These classic films revealed Johnson’s artistic point of view through his lens and guitar, ultimately launching his music career.
The new film celebrates the lifelong friendships and ocean-driven community that shaped Johnson’s path, and features many of the surfers who appeared in the original films, including Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, and the Malloy Brothers. It also captures the shared spirit of exploration and creativity that continues to inspire his music and environmentalism today. Additional SURFILMUSIC documentary and soundtrack details will be announced next year. Watch the first trailer HERE.
Jack Johnson SURFILMUSIC 2026 Tour Dates:
With Hermanos Gutiérrez June 19 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion June 20 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center June 21 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center June 24 – Saratoga, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center June 26 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion June 27 – Philadelphia, PA – Highmark Mann Center June 28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater June 30 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre July 1 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC July 3 – Burgettstown, PA – Pavilion at Star Lake July 4 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center July 5 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater July 7 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center July 8 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center July 10 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre July 11 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island July 12 – Shakopee, MN – Minnesota Quarry Amphitheater
Leg 2 with Lake Street Dive and *G. Love (Tahoe Only) August 18 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre August 19 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre August 21 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre August 22 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park August 23 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion August 25 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater August 26 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater August 28 – The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion August 29 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater August 30 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion September 1 – Riverside, MO – MORTON Amphitheater September 2 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre September 3 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre September 4 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre September 6 – Stateline, NV – Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic*
Leg 3 with ^Hermanos Gutiérrez and *G. Love September 26 – George, WA – The Gorge Amphitheatre^* September 27 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater* September 28 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater* September 30–October 1 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre* October 3 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl* October 4 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl* October 6 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre^ October 9 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre^ October 10– Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl^ October 11– Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl^
1999 was an ridiculous year for music. We huge hits from Built to Spill and Low. We had debuts from My Morning Jacket and Bright Eyes. But, for whatever reason, these three albums are still our favorites!
Le Tigre's self titled album was the dance punk hit of the year. With tracks like Deceptacon and Hot Topic (Is The Way That We Rock), their infectious fun spread far and wide being a hit with both critics and the snobby indie audience. To this day, I can't get the silly lyrics "How Are You, Fine Thank You" out of my head. While I still totally adore Bikini Kill, Le Tigre will always be my favorite Kathleen Hanna project.
Fan video of Deceptacon:
Magnetic Fields front man and songwriter Stephin Merritt really outdid himself with 69 Love Songs. The album is an enormous feat - 69 songs about love, longing, and passion. Those of us who remember earlier songs like "All The Umbrellas In London" were completely wow-ed when we heard the bouncy, happy go lucky side of Merritt on songs like "Luckiest Guy On Lower East Side" sung by vocal ringer Dudley Klute. And nobody can forget tracks "Book of Love," "Reno Dakota," and "Come Back From San Francisco." This one has definitely stood the test of time.
Hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, The Faint's Blank Wave Arcade made us all pause and wonder what the bleep was going on in the midwest. The album is an electro-punk soundscape fueled by sex and aggression. The Faint is widely considered the most influential band of the electro-dance-punk paving the way for all who came after.
On Nov 4th, Jesse Welles performed “No Kings” alongside Joan Baez at his sold out show at The Fillmore. Watch the performance below. Welles recently also won the Spirit of Americana Award for Free Speech in Music at the 2025 Americana Awards, which was presented by John Fogerty. Welles performed alongside Fogerty at the ceremony as well. Rolling Stone recently profiled Welles and said “every era needs its voice of the people, and through timing, luck, and talent, that person may be Welles,” and Relix Magazine named him “a voice of his generation.”
Jesse Welles recently announced his Spring 2026 tour of the United States. The tour will kick off Feb 23 in Knoxville, with shows in cities including Nashville, Atlanta, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Portchester and more (full dates below). Tickets for all dates are on sale now here. Jesse Welles just released his fifith studio album, Devil’s Den. The album was performed and produced entirely by Welles over 5 days in a cabin in the Ozark’s and follows his fourth studio album Pilgrim.
Multi-Platinum global pop superstar Kesha has unveiled ATTENTION! (SMASH FEATURES), collecting two brand new spins on her hit single, “ATTENTION!” (featuring pop disruptor Slayyyter and rising UK artist Rose Gray), created via an exclusive feature challenge heralding the launch of SMASH - a global creator community and marketplace where musicians connect and create independently. The competition saw over 500 submissions from more than 40 countries around the world, with Kesha ultimately selecting her two favorites for the new EP, including original remixes from Sizzy Rocket, and XAMIYA. ATTENTION! (SMASH FEATURES) is available everywhere now via her own Kesha Records.
Giant Rooks are back with a new single The Future is Cancelled! The sound is a bit gloomy departure from most of their previous works, but it's really beautiful and stirring! Watch the video below!
1998 was by all accounts a fantastic year for Indie! These are the 5 albums we think have stood the test of time and become all time classics! There were a lot of runners up, so if you think we missed stuff like Air or Elliott Smith, let us know!
Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea came out February 10th 1998 and was an instant hit in college radio and then gradually took the entire world by storm. Many still consider this to be the perfect album. Pretty much every indie rock fan can sing every word by heart. Our very favorite pop culture reference to Aeroplane is on Parks & Rec when April says Jeff Mangum is her favorite musician upsetting Andy. Time has definitely proven that Mangum deserves his massive cult like following.
Believe it or not, there was one album in 1998 that CMJ reported had more radio play than In The Aeroplane Over the Sea! It was The Halo Benders' The Rebels Not In. The Halo Benders featured Built to Spill's Doug Martsch and K Records founder Calvin Johnson. The opening track "Virginia Reel Around the Fountain" is one of the most wonderfully unexpected point and counter point dual singing arrangements ever created. Calvin's rich baritone makes this track completely irresistible. If you've never heard it, listen here!
The funniest thing to say about Belle and Sebastian's The Boy With the Arab Strap is Pitchfork absolutely hated this record when it came in September out giving it 0.8/10. At the end of 1998, Pitchfork then listed it as the #11 record to come out in 1998. It went from their most reviled to one of their most beloved records in a matter of months. None the less, it has definitely stood the test of time and is considered one of the best indie rock albums of all time.
Tortoise's TNT was their third album and hit the scene with a kaleidoscopic mish mash of genres that impressed critics and fans alike. Blending diverse genres like jazz, electronic, dub, and krautrock into an instrumental rock sound, influencing countless independent bands, Tortoise was one of the most influential bands in the 1990s post rock movement.
It is hard to believe Music Has the Right to Children is the debut release for the Scottish electronic music duo Boards of Canada. This album seemed like a revelation when it came out. But it only scratched the surface of the magic Boards of Canada would go on to create in the early 2000s.
Guided By Voices today have released their new album Thick Rich and Delicious via GBV Inc. Records. It is absolutely everything you wanted in a GBV record! Take a listen!
Thick, Rich and Delicious, produced and engineered by Travis Harrison, overflows with hooks. It plays through front-to-back like a power pop classic, but don’t misconstrue pop for soft. The basic tracks were cut live and hot to tape and are presented with minimal overdubs. The band recorded in a Brooklyn studio at extreme volumes, conjuring the spontaneity and electric energy of their legendary live show. Complimenting Pollard's lead vocals, harmonies are sung by Grammy-nominated Bobby Bare Jr & Pollard (aka "The Self-Righteous Bros"). The sound delivers on the album's titular promise: Thick Rich and Delicious.
Guided By Voices is Robert Pollard, Doug Gillard, Bobby Bare Jr., Mark Shue, and Kevin March.
Thick Rich And Delicious by Guided By Voices is out Oct 31st via GBV Inc. Records.
My copy of Viagra Boys' new LP Street Worms came today via Rough Trade! For those unfamiliar, Viagra Boys hail from Sweden, though you'd never know it to hear tracks like "Best In Show" - a slow burner white trash spoken word ode to a dog show taking place somewhere in Texas.
All in all, Street Worms is the most engaging sludge garage record I've heard in a long, long time. Check out the video for track #3 "Sports" and decide for yourself. Then go adopt yourself a wiener dog.
Papercuts is back with a sixth LP and has a new home at Slumberland Records! The new LP comes out on Oct 19th and is called Parallel Universe Blues. Take a listen to the preview track "Sing to Me Candy!" The band recently wrapped up an east coast tour opening for longtime pals and collaborators Beach House and has west coast dates in November.
San Francisco post-punk duo Seatraffic return this week with new single "Precious Stones" as the first sampling from their forthcoming full length debut Beauty in the Night set for late summer 2014 release. The new collection of sweeping, synth heavy tracks were recorded in fall 2013 at Different Fur Studios with Nic Pope (STS9, Bob Mould, The Morning Benders), the same fantastic team behind the project's beloved 2012 Crimes 7".
Seatraffic formed in 2011 when Mark Zannad added drummer Brandon Harrison to his then fledging solo project based in San Francisco. Together the duo wrote and recorded their self-titled EP merging together synth minded, layered pop with Harrison's background in northern California hardcore.
Following the initial EP the duo began recording at Different Fur Studios with Nic Pope in 2012 and released a string of singles as well as their Crimes 7" which included a handful of solid remixes.
As the project began to gain momentum Zannad headed out to Seal Rock, Oregon in the summer of 2013 and set up shop for 6 weeks writing and arranging tracks that would eventually become material for their forthcoming full length debut Beauty in the Night. Returning to Different Fur Studios that fall the duo incorporated elements of synthesizer drone, 80s post-punk and dreamy soundscapes to the new collection of tracks.
Keep an eye out for Beauty in the Night due out late summer 2014.
Brooklyn synth-pop trio share new single "Arco" from their forthcoming Vox Humana EP. Stream the track over at Refinery29, or on SoundCloud.
Papertwin has been playing music together since 2009, formed by Max Decker after narrowly escaping a lucrative career as a landscape painter. After two homespun EPs, the band is set to release their first studio collaboration, Vox Humana, on June 17.
Recorded under the guidance of producer Abe Seiferth (Yeasayer, Eleanor Friedberger, Turing Machine, DFA's Plantain Studios), and mastered by Joe Laporta (Vampire Weekend, Beach House), Vox Humana escalates the band's unique brand of synth-pop to new heights. Dreamy, dark, and nostalgically sci-fi, the EP features analog synthesizers, driving percussion, and reflective vocals. Drawing on influences from The Cure to Gillian Welch, Vox Humana builds upon the band's previous recordings Porcelain (2011) and Peru (2012).
Papertwin is comprised of Max Decker (vocals, guitar, synth), Francis Cardinale (drums, programming) and Nick Shopa (synth). They are friends, and have been for a while. Before forming Papertwin they were valet car parkers, land surveyors, piano tuners, landscape painters, denim tailors, movie popcorn poppers...and sometimes still are.
Toronto producer Beta Frontiers shares his latest offering, "Undone Things." The synth-heavy dance track is complimented by a color-washed video that compiles footage from 80s aerobic exercise videos. Check out the video for "Undone Things" over at SPIN, and stream the track on SoundCloud. The track is available for download on via iTunes/Bandcamp.
Fantastic track from Glass Animals. I love the delightfully creepy yet gorgeous claymation creations of directror Rafael Bonilla. Debut album ZABA out June 10th on Harvest Records.
Really wonderful video from Arcade Fire for the track "We Exist." Touching look at gender identity and the struggles of LGBT youth. Starring Andrew Garfield.
Psych-pop act Ludwig Persik premieres "Willow", a self-released atmospheric track produced by Warp's Jamie Lidell and taken from his forthcoming debut EP. The track is a sweeping of playful choruses blended with industrial instrumentation creating something ultra-modern. The electronically-tinged cut also comes along with a wistful yet experimental video, mirroring exactly what Persik symbolizes with a sonic palette.
Straight out of a dream and onto the screen... The Pains of Being Pure at Heart share a Jem and The Holograms inspired anime style music video today for "Until The Sun Explodes" which you can watch exclusively via Shazam. Here's how it works: play this 15 second video clip, and then using your mobile device, tag it using the Shazam app and it will unlock the full-length video.
Days of Abandon is out now via Yebo in North America and via Fierce Panda in the UK/EU on June 2.
The band is currently on tour and will wrap its North American run of
shows with a homecoming gig at Bowery Ballroom. In case you missed it,
check out the video for the album's first single, "Simple and Sure."
The
album was recorded at new Greenpoint studio House Under Magic which is
owned by longtime Pains cohort Danny Taylor (ZaZa). Produced by Andy
Savours (My Bloody Valentine, Patrick Wolf, Cloud Boat) and mixed by
Charlie Hugall at London's Engine Room (Swim Deep, Florence And the
Machine), The new record is the band's most musically sophisticated to
date, channeling the gilded pop optimism of bands like Aztec Camera, The
House of Love and The Lightning Seeds, while maintaining The Pains'
penchant for earworm melodies and emotional candor.
"This album was a chance to push beyond Belong's
universal style of songwriting into something that was far more
personal and true to my ideals," says Kip Berman. "I wanted the music to
be joyful, lush and full of possibility, even if the subjects were
often more painful to confront."
The album artwork prominently features the work of newly celebrated South Korean artist Lee Jinju's work The Material of Mind.
Gold-Bears' second full-length, "Dalliance," is a record about regret. It reminds you of that time you lied to your friend when you said you were too busy to hang out, but instead went to the bar alone. Or when you sent that really shitty email to your brother about something that really has no bearing anymore, because you were too caught up in the moment to think clearly. It also reminds you of the time you got divorced... from whatever or whomever.
In the past two years since Gold-Bears released their debut album "Are You Falling in Love?," main Bear Jeremy Underwood gathered a new crop of friends to carry out his fuzz-filled visions. "Dalliance" is more focused and abrasive than that 2011 debut, combining their noise-pop influences from forebears like Boyracer and The Wedding Present with shades of the post-hardcore, emo and post-punk on which the band all cut their musical teeth. This is not to say that Gold-Bears gave up impossibly catchy song-writing, just that their signature indie punk anthems are now even sharper, the guitars even more slashing, and the songs even more harrowing and heartfelt than ever.
"Dalliance" opens with the anthemic "Yeah, Tonight," a proper pop song featuring a duet between Underwood and Emma Kupa (of the defunct London indiepop band Standard Fare) that sets the agenda right away — sharp melodies and even sharper guitars, all whizzing by in less than three minutes. “Chest” rushes in almost immediately after, barely two and a half minutes of punk energy and fizzing feedback.
The stomping "From Gainesville to Tallahassee" features a gnarly feedback guitar solo and backing vocals from Black Tambourine's Pam Berry. “Punk Song No. 15” is as described, a blazing flash that condenses the history of UK noisy pop into just over one minute. “I Hope They’re Right” and the lovely, jangling “Hey, Sophie” show how much the band have expand their range, slowing the pace, turning up the jangle and taking on the big subjects.
Gold-Bears cover a lot of territory, musical and lyrical, in "Dalliance"’s 32 minutes and by the time that we reach the miniature epic of closer “Fathers And Daughters” we realize that we’re watching a band and a song-writer hit their stride, turning in an album that’s exciting, thoughtful and infectious.
