MP3: Okkervil River - "Your Past Life As A Blast"

Okkervil River's I Am Very Far was released in early May on Jagjaguwar, and so far three singles have been released from the album; "Wake And Be Fine", "Rider" and now "Your Past Life As A Blast", which you can listen to and download below. The 7" single is out now in the US and will be released on September 5 in the UK, and also features the non-album b-side "Gold Faces" which you can listen to here. Listen to and download "Your Past Life As A Blast" below (via Pretty Much Amazing).

Download: New Big K.R.I.T. mixtape, Last King 2: God's Machine

Earlier this year Mississippi hip-hopper Big K.R.I.T. released the excellent ReturnOf4Eva street album, the follow-up to 2010's K.R.I.T. Wuz Here, and he's set to release his first proper studio album Live From The Underground in September. Despite this he's managed to release yet another mixtape called Last King 2: God's Machine, although this one feature not only production from Big K.R.I.T. himself. Last King 2: God's Machine is available for download (free and legally) here, and features guest spots from Yelawolf, Wiz Khalifa and Bun B among others (see tracklist below).

Video: The Black Lips perform "Family Tree" on The Daily Habit

Atlanta, GA garage rock/flower punk band the Black Lips released their sixth studio record Arabia Mountain in June this year, and a few days ago they performed the opening track from the album, "Family Tree" live on Fuel TV's The Daily Habit. Watch the performance below and if you haven't heard Arabia Mountain yet you can stream it over here.

MP3: The Fresh & Onlys - "I Would Not Know The Devil"

Garage rockers The Fresh & Onlys are set to head out on a European tour in September and in connection that they are also releasing a new 7" via Sexbeat, featuring two new tracks; "I Would Not Know The Devil" and "Strangers (You & Me)". "I Would Not Know The Devil" is available to stream and download below, and features the San Franciscan garage psych act at their best.

Download: The Weeknd release new mixtape, Thursday

In March The Weeknd released his first mixtape House Of Balloons which quickly became one of the most acclaimed records of the year, and it was the first part in a trilogy, and last night the second part was released. The mixtape is called Thursday and it's available for free download over at The Weeknd's website. Being on my first listen right now, it's hard to say whether it's as good or even better than House Of Balloons, but it's surely a very good record and worth your time - espeically since it's free.

(via The Line Of Best Fit)

Ryan Adams announce new album Ashes & Fire

This is a week old or so, but I spent last week at the Way Out West festival in Gothenburg for One Thirty BPM so I didn't have the time to write about it then, but Ryan Adams is releasing a new record in October. There have been rumours flouting around for awhile concerning a new Ryan Adams lp and now it's finally confirmed, the album will be called Ashes & Fire and will be released on October 11 via Adams' own PAX AM label, with support from Capitol. The album was recorded at Sunset Sound Factory in Hollywood with production from Glyn Johns who has worked with bands such as The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and The Clash, and whose son Ethan Johns produced Adams' solo debut Heartbreaker.

Ashes & Fire is said to be a return to the acoustic country-based sound of Heartbreaker, welcome news for his fans, and judging by the new tracks he played during his sold out European tour earlier this summer, and the 7" sold at the tour it could be his best work in years. Adams will head out on a short Pacific tour in support of the album in October with Jason Isbell opening, with more tour dates in the works. Check out the tracklist for Ashes & Fire and the tour dates below.

MP3: Deer Tick - "Miss K."

Deer Tick is one of my favourite current bands and I've been excited about their upcoming fourth studio lp for quite some time now, and on Tuesday they finally announced album and released the track "Miss K." as a free download. The album will be released on October 25 via Partisan Records and it's entitled Divine Providence, and it's the first Deer Tick album to feature vocals from other bandmembers than John McCauley - namely guitarist Ian O'Neil and drummer Dennis Ryan.

The album was produced by the band, Adam Landry and Justin Collins and McCauley had this to say about the album: "It's got a little Exile, it's got a little In Utero, it's got a little Nilsson Schmilsson, but it's 100% Deer-Fucking-Tick in our purest, and most carefree form". Sounds great. Stream "Miss K." below and head over here to get your free mp3 in exchange for an email address, and don't forget to check out the tracklist below too.

Video: Oupa - "Windows" (official music video)

Yuck guitarist/vocalist Daniel Blumberg released Forget, his debut album under the name Oupa, this Monday (full album stream here) and yesterday Oupa unveiled the new video for the shortest track on the album, "Windows". The video is directed by Maxi, features a revolving window and you can watch it below.

Video: Bon Iver - "Holocene" (official music video)

Bon Iver's second lp Bon Iver, Bon Iver dropped almost two months ago and they've now released a second video for the album following the one for "Calgary", this one for "Holocene". The video was directed by Nabil, and features a boy and some beautiful Icelandic scenery, check it out below and stream/download the track under the video.

Full album stream: Oupa - Forget

Today Oupa, the solo project of Yuck's Daniel Blumberg, releases its first record, entitled Forget, which we first brought to your attention in March. While Blumberg's main project relies heavily on the Dinosaur Jr./Pavement-like distorted guitar Oupa is far more quiet and introspective, but to my ears it sounds excellent based on the first two listens. While the discrepancy between the sound of Yuck's self-titled lp and Oupa may seem large, listening Yuck's debut ep from summer 2010 makes it seem all the more logical (stream it here). Listen to Forget below and head over here to buy it.