Guards - Coming True

A few months before the release of their debut full-length LP, Guards have set forth this incredible single "Coming True." I know the blog world overuses the phrases "standout" and "stellar," but this single truly stands ... out as one of the best of the year. Check it out below, and grab In Guards We Trust February 5.

Miguel - The Thrill (Live on Yours Truly)

Miguel, who's name you should be more familiar with by now, stopped by the always excellent Yours Truly to perform a special version of his hit "The Thrill." Well shot, well done - you can see the hype behind this guy.

Mister Lies - Align

"Align," the first track from Mister Lies upcoming debut album Mowgli, hits hard. The duality of spinning echo chambers mixed with urban tilt and the heavy synths spiral into an crater of open sounds. In other words, there's some profound uniqueness here, that sounds just as good on its own merit.

Dirty Projectors on Letterman

Last night, Dirty Projectors stopped by The Late Show with David Letterman to perform the title track from their stellar About To Die EP, complete with huge backing orchestra, fitting tight corners on this unusually timed song. Check it out below, and grab the EP today via Domino.

New Ra Ra Riot - Beta Love

Is there an indie band that fits the commercial-friendly mode better than Ra Ra Riot? Sure, you can make arguments for Vampire Weekend and Passion Pit, but the band's new track "Beta Love" may question that whole thing. Check out the lovable new single below, and watch for the band's new album January 22.

Diplo's mix for Sway In The Morning

If you ask me (too late, you did), there aren't enough Diplo mixes. Earlier today, the Philly DJ/icon stopped by Sway In The Morning on Shade45 to bring another healthy mix to your day. This one fills the billing for the more conventional stagger, starting off with hits from Danny Brown, his own Major Lazer, and Missy Elliott. Stream/download the 26 minute mix below.

New Jamie Lidell - What A Shame

Two years after the infatuating spin of his 2008 album Jim, English soul singer Jamie Lidell released a mellowed out Compass, cutting a more introspective curve in his emerging catalog.

Earlier today, Lidell announced the upcoming release of his self-titled album with his new single "What A Shame." The new track harks back to his Jim days and even his 2005 breakout Multiply. See for yourself below, or download "What A Shame" at Lidell's official website simply by submitting your email on the right side. And grab Jamie Lidell February 18.

Tomas Barfod - November Skies (Jerome LOL Remix)

Jerome LOL debuted his wonderful remix of Tomas Barfod's equally wonderful track "November Skies." The original, which boasts romantic vocals from Nina Kinert, was reworked to a higher pitch for a more shady dance hall effect. Compare for yourself below and grab it November 26 when it's released as part of Barfod's November Skies EP.

Stream Cities Aviv's mixtape 'Black Pleasure'

Experimental (and underrated) hip-hop act Cities Aviv debuted his entire Black Pleasure mixtape today, which is free to stream via his Bandcamp. The 15 track collection is, as you could expect, not a straight-forward mixtape. The vocals here are distorted, traced behind glorious ambient and new wave production. See for yourself below, or download the whole thing here.

New Beach House video - Wild

Before the European leg of their current tour, Beach House premiered the newest video from last spring's Bloom. "Wild," directed by Johan Renck, stirs through a gamut of emotions, none of which seem to be positive. Check it out below.

New Björk video - Mutual Core

Bjork, in partnership with the Museum Of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, bring this visually stunning video for her Biophilia track "Mutual Core." The release comes a day after it was announced that Bjork would be releasing her Biophilia remix compilation, bastards, next week.

New Tyvek - Wayne County Roads

It's been over two years since I've heard anything new from Tyvek. Whether that's more due to my lack of research (they were included in one of my first Our Newest Obsession pieces) after I heard their still awesome "4312" probably has more to do with it, but I'm glad I'm hearing the Detroit band again.

Listen to "Wayne County Roads" below, which comes from the group's new album On Triple Beams, which is out today via In The Red.

Ninetails video - Maybe We

Liverpool four-piece Ninetails are set to release their endearing six track EP Slept And Did Not Sleep later this month. You can check out this unbelievably fantastic video from the EP for "Maybe We," produced by Todd Atticus. Seriously, the imagery and play with the track is possibly the best video of the year.

You can also pre-order the band's EP, which is due out November 26, here.

The most accurate reason MTV doesn't play music videos anymore

Are you still one of those who complains that MTV "doesn't play music anymore?" Well, it doesn't, but that's besides the point. The sad reality, which is explained in the video below (a parody, not a real MTV promoted video) is that music has lost so much value that the network has to run reality TV 20 hours a day.

Think of the people that say that cartoons were better when they were kids. Is it true? Maybe. But it doesn't matter, because those people aren't the market any more. Use the internet, it's better anyway.

New Freddie Gibbs video - BFK

The shortened title track from Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs' recently released Baby Face Killa, "BFK," gives a big light on why Gibbs is one of the rising names in hip hop. Particularly the second verse, which kills in a few ways. Check it out below.

Stream Björk's 'Biophilia' remixes, 'Bastards'

Next week, Björk will release a collection of stellar remixes from her most recent album Biophilia. Included in the 13-track collection are reworked songs from Death Grips, Matthew Herbert, These New Puritans, and more. You can stream the entire collection over at The Guardian, or just listen to a few below.