The Be Rad Blog

Alright Strokes fans, here is your chance to win some free goods. Pictured above are two copies of The Strokes’ latest single, “Under Cover of Darkness,” off their recently released album, Angles. I have these two extra copies of this 7 inch vinyl laying around and I want one of you to have them.

For a chance to win, comment on this post and tell me your favorite song by The Strokes, or at least your most favorite at the moment. I will pick a winner at random in exactly one week.

If you are on Tumblr, you can double you chances on winning, by reblogging this post.

Alright, that’s it. Good luck my friends.

Be Rad. Enjoy.

I just posted this picture over on my Tumblr. If you notice at the bottom, that’s a total of THREE copies of “Under Cover Of Darkness.” That’s about two too many, so I’m going to give two away! Yay for you, right?!

I am going to devise a plan on picking a person to whom I will be giving my extra copies. Follow me on Tumblr, Twitter, or just stay up to date with this here blog, as I will be posting details about how one copy of “Under Cover Of Darkness” on vinyl can be you within the next few days.

Be Rad. Enjoy.

Ah yes. The music gods have been listening to my pleas – they have blessed me with more tunes from two of my favorite producers.

JFK and Al-P, the duo that make up MSTRKRFT, put out the song “Beards Again” on their website yesterday. It seemingly crashed though, as every time I tried to grab it, there was no connection. Well, their site is back up, so head over there to grab the free track in WAV form. If the overwhelming WAV format isn’t your thing, grab the mp3 right here.

“Beards Again” is one hell of a song. It starts with some very Iron Maiden sounding guitars matched with MSTRKRFT’s perfectly paced distorted synths. The campy guitars bring you in to one crazy ass drop 3 minutes in; then the dance party starts. The guitars come back, but in the hard hitting electro style everyone has come to expect from MSTRKRFT.

Their debut LP, The Looks,  is considered by many to be pure electro gold, while some say they missed the mark with their sophomore effort, Fist Of God. Considering this, I don’t think MSTRKRFT are going to be letting anybody down with the next full length. Can’t wait!

Be Rad. Enjoy.

Well boys and girls, the day has finally come!

NEW STROKES! NEW STROKES! NEW STROKES!

Head over to The Strokes new website to try and download The Strokes’ new single, “Under Cover of Darkness.”

If you can’t downlad the radio rip here.

Be Rad. Enjoy.

Earlier this week The Streets sent iphone users on a soup-hunt for download access to his free mixtape “Cyberspace and Reds.” Well, today, the rest of the interwebs have been blessed with access to said mixtape. “Cyberspace and Reds” ain’t your typical Streets album – for one, it’s free, and secondly, and more importantly, there are lots of featuring artists, more than usual at least. While Mike Skinner raps on all the songs, he alone is only attributed to two songs – the rest are all features. This doesn’t dumb down the album, it’s just different. And well, let’s be honest, it’s not The Streets album fans truly desire.

“Computers and Blues” is what we’re waiting for, but there was such a plethora of ideas and material, “Cyberspace and Reds” just had to be put out (or at least I’m assuming). Mike Skinner is a lyrical and beat genius and this album is a backhanded way to prove it. While it may seem like a put down, this album is “leftovers.” Wonderful wonderful leftovers of the last and final Streets album. It’s a preview of the greatness that will be last words in the rap legacy that is The Streets – “Computers and Blues.”

Download “Cyberspace and Reds” here

“Computers and Blues” is out on February 7th on Atlantic.

Be Rad. Enjoy.

If you have never heard of the band jj, I’ve got news for you: it’s time to get in the know!

jj are a duo from Sweden who tend to make some pretty chilled out rad tunes. They’ve released a couple LPs and some singles through the label Sincerely Yours over the past two years and they never seem to stop. Just last week, Christmas Eve to be exact, they put out a hip-hop mixtape that is nothing short of fantastic. Don’t let the “hip-hop mixtape” title scare you off; it’s not what you think. Yes, you will hear some Dr. Dre, Jay-Z or Kanye shining through, but, they are deceptively hidden amongst the sirenical serenade of Elin Kastlander. I don’t know what it is about her voice, but you can’t help but be entranced.

Like I said, if you’ve never heard (of) jj, you’re missing out. So, let this be a little introduction. Head over to Sincerely Yours to grab the mixtape for free. Take it as a belated gift from jj to me and then me to you. (^_^)

Download jj – kills mixtape here

Be Rad. Enjoy.

Mash-up king, Gregg Gillis, aka GIRL TALK, just put out a new album. It’s titled All Day. It’s free to download here.

Girl Talk is known for his furious fist-fight frenzy mash-ups that pull samples from everywhere.

I’ve yet to listen to this, but it is downloading as we speak. You should probably do the same.

DOWNLOAD GIRL TALK’S NEW ALBUM, ALL DAY.

Be Rad. Enjoy.

Museum of Bellas Artes are a sweet little trio from Sweden who have release a total of two songs. Two songs, though, that will melt your heart while you figure out whether to dance or stare at your shoes. Check the videos out below to see what I’m talking about – be careful, you might fall in love.

While I really want some more original music, the trio decided to put out a mixtape to hole off minions like me. It is a clear departure from their sound, so don’t expect the upbeat tunes previewed above. What you’re in for is an almost ambient escape ride through soothing sounds and cushioned cumulus clouds. It’s relaxing and charming. Did I say relaxing?

Head over to VICE to grab the mixtape. Here’s the track list:

photo: Cameron Smith

If you’ve read this blog at all, you ought to know that I have a soft spot for Florrie. I won’t go into how I think she’s an ideal pop star or how her music is fantastic – oh wait, I just did. Anywho, Florrie gives out ALL her music for free on her website and she recently announced some remixes of her new songs from two heavy hitting producers.

Fred Falke is no stranger to Florrie, but I’m always glad to hear another remix of his. Mr. Falke put his French hands all over “Give Me Your Love” and “You Wanna Start Something.” I must be honest – I’m not too impressed by either of these remixes. He just extended the edits and didn’t add much flavor – the originals stand out more, especially “Give Me Your Love.” Thinking about it now, maybe that was his point as they are “club edits” – I don’t know, what do you think them?

Florrie – Give Me Your Love (Fred Falke Club Edit)

Florrie – You Wanna Start Something (Fred Falke Club Edit)

Then we have remix extraordinaire Justin Faust – he gives “Give Me Your Love” a proper remix that makes it a disco approved dance classic. Gotta love a good remix. Check it out below.

Florrie – Give Me Your Love (Justin Faust Remix)

Head to Florrie’s website for even more songs and news.

Be Rad. Enjoy.

Coming out of the gloomy gray of Seattle, Beat Connection delivers music that is anything but. Claiming to sound like “waking up to a sunset” you would think that this duo would deliver nothing but chilled out tunes. But, despite their overt push towards relaxed beach themes, Beat Connection also churn out songs that are perfectly suited for the discotheque. If you head over to their website, you can get their EP, Surf Noir, for free. Like I said, it’s packed with beachy tunes that will make you desire the sun, as well as dancefloor melodies.

“Theme From Yours Truly” is their most danceable. It’s the song I listen to most – no words, just tuneage.

Theme From Yours Truly by Beat Connection

“Same Damn Time” is the closing track and it’s dreamy and whimsical – a perfect closer.

Same Damn Time by Beat Connection

Already with an excellent collection of songs, Beat Connection definitely have a promising future. Go grab their Surf Noir EP over on their website – it’s free! Their mixtape on Soundcloud is rad too!

Be Rad. Enjoy.