Tag Archives: album art

Kanye West announces new album title, artwork & single “All Day”

Audio, Image cache, Music, News, , , ,

This week Kanye West made a few major announcements regarding his upcoming seventh studio album: it’s got a title, new single, and fresh album artwork. Ye’s next collection of music is collectively called So Help Me God and it will ship with previously released tracks “Only One” (Featuring Paul McCartney) and “Wolves” (Featuring Sia and Vic Mensa). Sources say the Rihanna-led “Four Five Seconds” is exclusively bound for the Barbadian singer’s next record.

As for Ye’s third single off So Help Me God, it’s called “All Day” and he debuted it live at the BRIT Awards last week. Today, he released a studio version on iTunes; preview it above. If you’ve been missing Ye going hard, “All Day” is the answer to your prayers. The rapper spits lyrics on top of an infectious beat, and he’s assisted by Trinidadian-born alt-hip-hop artist Theophilus London, Canadian rising rapper Allan Kingdom, and yes, Sir Paul McCartney rounds the track out with some whistling. Rolling Stone reports McCartney’s contribution, and they astutely speculate that the whistling was actually plucked from a song the Beatle shared in 1969.

Lastly, scroll up to eyeball the stylistic album artwork for So Help Me God. Four lower-case m’s connect to form a diamond shape. Redditors say it’s representative of a 13th century monastic symbol for the Virgin Mary, but I don’t buy it until Kanye says otherwise.

When can we expect the album to drop in full? West recently sat down with Power 105.1 and he claimed that it’s 80% complete. And even when it is ready, a hard release date will not be announced. Following in the footsteps of Queen Bey and Drake, Ye plans on surprising his fans by dropping his next studio album without any notice.

If you consider yourself to be a major Kanye fan, or if you’re simply interesting in exploring the controversial rapper’s mind, I highly recommend you listen to the aforementioned interview in full, here. In it, he discusses everything from his award show interruptions to his design aspirations. When asked to describe his upcoming album, he said this: “My last album [Yeezus] was a protest of music…This album is about embracing the music and embracing joy and being of joy and being of service to the people. I just hope people like it and enjoy it.”

[Stream via 2DopeBoyz]

Eminem’s ‘MMLP2’: new single + tracklist inside

Image cache, Music, News, Video, , , , , , ,

Eminem’s ninth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (aka MMLP2) will include 16 tracks, featuring singles “Berzerk,” “Survival,” and his latest release “Rap God” (listen to the third single after the break, along with them music video for “Survival”). Skylar Grey, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and Nate Ruess round out the record’s guest artists. Click after the break to view the tracklist. Above, eye the album artwork that is similar to 2000’s MMLP cover art–it features an image of Em’s now-boarded up Detroit home he grew up in.

Eminem performs on SNL November 2 and this will lead into MMLP2‘s November 5 release date. Continue reading Eminem’s ‘MMLP2’: new single + tracklist inside →

Kid Cudi’s ‘Indicud’ album cover and tracklist displayed [Update: iTunes preorder up, new single out, JKL performance]

Image cache, Music, News, Video, , , , , , , , ,

With less than a month left to go, the album cover and tracklist for Kid Cudi’s third solo record (fourth overall) has been revealed for all to see. The album art, like Cudder’s past few music videos, features a baroque-inspired frame. “The album art represents me. A ball of flames in a rose gold frame,” the rapper tweeted.

Indicud features a total of 18 tracks including singles “Just What I Am,” “King Wizard,” and “Immortal.” And for long-time fans of the once Lonely Stoner, a special track titled “Solo Dolo Part II” featuring rising rapper Kendrick Lamar will increase anticipation for the album’s release tenfold. Other featured artists include Cudi’s close friend King Chip (the artist formally known as Chip Tha Ripper is featured on two tracks), Father John Misty, Too $hort, Haim, RZA, A$AP Rocky, and Michael Bolton. Jump after the break to see the full tracklisting.

Currently Indicud is up for preorder at Amazon and at Kid Cudi’s official online store. His store sells digital and physical copies of the album, as well as the vinyl. On April 23 the hype becomes real.

Update (4/1): Today Indicud popped up on iTunes and is now available for preorder at that popular destination for music. Once you get there, you’ll notice that a previously unheard song “Girls” (Featuring Too $hort) is available for download. That’s the fourth single off the album–preview it at iTunes. Also, after the break I’ve posted Cudder’s first live televised performance of “Immortal” on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Continue reading Kid Cudi’s ‘Indicud’ album cover and tracklist displayed [Update: iTunes preorder up, new single out, JKL performance] →

Daft Punk readying new album ‘Random Access Memories’ (hear snippet here)

Audio, Image cache, Music, News, , , , ,

Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, better known by their stage name Daft Punk, are hard at work on their followup album to 2005’s Human After All. True, they worked on the soundtrack for 2010’s Tron: Legacy, but this new collection of tracks marks the fourth studio album release for the French electronic music duo. The name of their next album is Random Access Memories (I love it) and it will include 13 new tracks, one of which was teased in a commercial break during a recent episode of SNL. Take a listen to the 15 second snippet above.

Random Access Memories is out May 17 and it’s up for preorder at iTunes today ($11.99). Visit the Columbia-signed artists website to preorder a physical copy of the CD ($12.98) or the vinyl ($39.98) which includes a digital album download code, an LP size booklet, and a 180 gram double vinyl gatefold. Check out the official album artwork after the break.

Come on, people; it’s time make it get funky. Continue reading Daft Punk readying new album ‘Random Access Memories’ (hear snippet here) →

Hit-Boy shares “Old School Caddy” (featuring Kid Cudi) ahead of album release [Update: ‘HITstory’ out now]

Audio, Music, News, , , , , , , , , ,

G.O.O.D. Music member Hit-Boy is best known for wearing his producer hat; he’s collaborated with Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, and A$AP Rocky to design the beats behind “Christmas in Harlem,” N****s in Paris,” “Drop the World,” and “Goldie.” But now he’s ready to step into the spotlight and become a solo artist, his own rapper. Earlier this summer he dropped his first single “Jay-Z Interview” and left the producing to Bink!; it blew up on Twitter as he quickly made a name for himself as a solo rapper in the hip-hop community. This week he shared a new track “Old School Caddy,” and for this one he jumped behind the boards to produce. He is joined by fellow G.O.O.D. Music signee Kid Cudi in the laid back rap that’s spit in front of a smooth-as-butter beat. Listen above. (This release was teased with a 30-second clip featuring Hit-Boy and Cudi, so a full-fledged music video may be coming soon.)

All of this comes ahead of HITstory, the producer-turned-rapper’s first album that’s expected to release August 7. “This album is for the sophisticated ear,” tweets 25-year-old Hit-Boy. Check back here next week for a link to download the free album.

Update (8/7): HITstory is out today. Hit-Boy’s first release contains 11 tracks and guest appearances from Big Sean, Kid Cudi, Chip tha Ripper, Bun B, John Legend, and Stacy Barthe. Download it for free here. Snag the cover art and back tracklisting after the break. Continue reading Hit-Boy shares “Old School Caddy” (featuring Kid Cudi) ahead of album release [Update: ‘HITstory’ out now] →

Jason Mraz confirms ‘Love Is A Four Letter Word’ April 17 release date, tracklist & album cover, drops “I Won’t Give Up” music video

Image cache, Music, News, Video, , , , , , , , , ,

Fans of everything Jason Mraz, your time is near. The singer songwriter recently took to his blog to confirm that his fourth studio album will release earlier than previously reported on April 17–that’s less than two months away! Love Is A Four Letter Word contains a total of 12 tracks (just like his previous albums), including the popular single “I Won’t Give Up” and other songs he introduced to fans while he toured around the world. In addition to the album, Mraz will release a live digital EP appropriately titled Live Is A Four Letter Word that contains four tracks recorded from his performance at Spreckels Theater in San Diego, two of which are live versions of songs featured on the in-studio counterpart. The EP drops even sooner on February 28. Jump after the break to view the full tracklisting for both the album and the EP; below that watch the beautifully directed music video for “I Won’t Give Up.” And as a bonus, you’ll also find new live performances from the Today show and the Late Show with David Letterman. Continue reading Jason Mraz confirms ‘Love Is A Four Letter Word’ April 17 release date, tracklist & album cover, drops “I Won’t Give Up” music video →

Kid Cudi reveals WZRD album cover

Images, Music, News, Video, , , , ,

Kid Cudi can’t keep out of the news. After releasing two tracks from his upcoming collabo album with producer Dot Da Genius, Cudder jumped back onto Twitter to share with his followers the “official logo” for his band WZRD. He confirmed that the image embedded above will in fact serve as the album cover when the still yet-to-be-titled album drops January 30. Though now all signs point to it being self titled as WZRD. Cudi went on to describe the album art as “simple, classic, iconic.”

Bonus! The same day he posted the WZRD image to Twitter, he also shared a link to Dia Frampton’s YouTube channel. Embedded after the break you’ll find an amazing cover of Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” by The Voice runner-up. The two recently collaborated on Frampton’s new single “Don’t Kick the Chair.”

[Via @wizardcud] Continue reading Kid Cudi reveals WZRD album cover →

Coldplay reveals new album title, artwork and release date

Image cache, Music, News, , , , , , ,

Finally! I was getting tired of referring to Coldplay’s upcoming fifth studio album as the “Coldplay concept album.” Today the soothing rock band announced via their website that the album is complete and it’s called Mylo Xyloto (pronounced MY-lo Zy-loto). When it releases October 24, it will be made available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats. The band has also put together a “special limited edition Pop-Up Album version” that will include  a 12″ x 12″ hardback book containing graffiti pop-up art designed by David A. Carter, vinyl, CD and exclusive content including photographs, excerpts from the studio diary and the band’s personal notebooks. A must-have for hardcore fans, you see. The album artwork (left) and the reversible cover art (right) lie above. Markus Dravs, Daniel Green, and Rik Simpson helped produce the album, and longtime collaborator Brian Eno provided “enoxification and additional composition.”

Though there’s still a little over two months left of anticipation, you can calm your nerves by listening to “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” and a live rendition of “Charlie Brown,” two tracks confirmed to be on the album. Also, Coldplay promises that “Paradise,” the next single off the album, is coming September 12.

Kanye West & Jay-Z’s collab album ‘Watch the Throne’ available for preorder

Image cache, Music, News, , , , , , , , ,

After months of rumors today we finally get some solid information coming directly from rap overlords Kanye West and Kay-Z concerning their upcoming collab album. If you head over to Kanye and Jay’s blogs you’ll be presented with the album artwork for Watch the Throne; the gold metallic cover is designed by Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci and it’s pasted above. Clicking the album art at either site brings you to www.WatchTheThrone.com, a site designed by label Island Def Jam. There you can preorder the album in a variety of formats: Deluxe CD ($16.99), Standard CD ($13.99), Deluxe MP3 ($14.99), and Standard MP3 ($11.99). After completing your order an email receipt lists an August 2 drop date, but this information has not been confirmed. Sources say that the standard version will pack ten tracks, and the deluxe will add four bonus songs on top of that. West, Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz, No ID, and Lex Luger are all expected to receive production credits. And finally, it’s rumored that Beyonce and Bruno Mars will lend their voices to a track called “Lift Off.” Expect the followup to H.A.M. to drop within the next few weeks. According to fellow G.O.O.D. Music artist Cyhi Da Prynce the album is near completion–the songs are recorded, and ‘Ye is adding his final touches before the final master ships. Happy fourth of July!

Owl City’s ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ out now

Music, News, Video, , , , , , ,

Adam Young’s third studio album is out now! “All Things Bright and Beautiful” features 12 songs from the electro-pop-synth master, including singles “Alligator Sky” and “Galaxies.” iTunes is currently offering the bonus track version which includes all 12 tracks, the aforementioned singles, and “How I Became the Sea.” Pick up Owl City’s new space travel-themed album today; it should join Ocean Eyes, Maybe I’m Dreaming and An Airplane Carried Me To Bed in your growing collection of all things Adam Young.

Bonus! Hop after the break to watch a “making of” video that features Young talking about the process of putting the album together. Continue reading Owl City’s ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ out now →

Listen to Death Cab For Cutie’s ‘Codes and Keys’ in its entirety today

Image cache, Music, News, , , , , ,

Ben Gibbard and his Death Cab have teamed up with NPR to stream their seventh studio album in its entirety for free online. If you enjoyed the first two singles off the record “You Are a Tourist” and “Home is a Fire” head over to NPR’s music portal to taste all of what Codes and Keys has to offer. It releases later this month on May 31; it’s already up for preorder at iTunes.

Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ out now

Image cache, Music, News, , , ,

After dropping four singles–count ’em “Born This Way,” “Judas,” “The Edge of Glory,” and “Hair“–Lady Gaga’s second studio album is finally in stores now. Two versions exist. The standard version contains 14 tracks, while the bonus track version tacks on an additional eight. On the whole Born This Way is receiving positive reviews. RapUp’s put together a nice review roundup, if you’re so inclined.

Update: Amazon is selling the album for 99 cents. What are you waiting for? This is a steal!

Update 2 (5/30): And just like that the special offer is gone. Still, Amazon is selling the album for less than iTunes at a low $6.99.