New Theophilus London and Jesse Boykins III - Afternoon

Rappers Theophilus London and Jesse Boykins III have joined up (they were long-time friends) for their joint Paris 96 venture. Featured on the upcoming Paris 96 EP this April is "Afternoon," which features slowed verses and crisp production. Not a party banger, but more methodical.

Kutmah's J Dilla Mix

Know me well? Well then you might know I worship the legacy of J Dilla, the legendary Detroit producer/rapper who died six years ago yesterday. To celebrate his influence, Brighton producer Kutmah released this hour-long mixtape of classic J Dilla material on the NTS Sketchbook Radio Show.

Stream/download the whole mix below (via FACTmag).

New Kool A.D. mixtapes

Das Racist may be dead, but the sum of the parts are still doing their due diligence. Kool A.D., debuted two brand new tapes earlier today via The Fader, 63 and 19. For those who may be unfamiliar, the numbers signify bus lines in the Bay Area, which explains Kool A.D.'s previous 51 tape.

Both are filled to the brim with guest rappers and producers you can see via the Bandcamp. Each of the tapes are available for $7, but you can stream both below.

New ODESZA video - IPlayYouListen

Seattle producer duo ODESZA, who I mentioned via Twitter a few nights back have their lovely Summer's Gone mixtape free to download on their site, have released the firework-themed video for "IPlayYouListen."

Director Diego Contreras captured Christmas in Guatemala, which seems like a much different version of the holiday we're used to in the states, for the short video available below.

 

Dirty Projectors on Conan

Still coasting after last year's excellent LP Swing Lo Magellan, Dirty Projectors appeared on Conan last night for a swelling performance of "Offspring Are Blank." Check the performance below and grab the album any time you feel like via Domino Records.

New James Blake - Retrograde

As was promised yesterday, James Blake's brand new single, "Retrograde," premiered today on Zane Lowe's BBC 1 Radio show. The track has an elegant touch of Blake's looping harmonies with eventual electro drone overtones fans of his self-titled LP will be plenty familiar with.

Blake's next album, Overgrown, is due out April 8 via Republic Records.

Our Newest Obsession: Clipping

Forgive me. My words to describe whatever the hell Clipping is comes directly from fellow 405 writer Wil Cook in his article about the other-wordly Los Angeles rap group.

"Clipping seem to be the logical progression from the Dalek, Death Grips and Shabazz Palaces' stream of consciousness. Two guys making rhythmical Tim Hecker style noise made into perfect swelling waves of cerebral hip hop."

In another word, the streamlined chaos of Clipping's midcity LP, available on the group's Bandcamp, is unheard of. The beats are disorienting, the pulse is fast, and the rhythyms are absolutely jarring. midcity is an experience that cannot be comprehended.

Aesthetically pleasing is out the window - midcity is furious art, made for the most visceral curiosities. For a taste, listen to "guns.up" below and just be ready.

New Doppelgangaz - Hark Back

New York hip-hop duo Doppelgangaz released this late night gem, with fitting dark and dreary sound backdrops to complete the duel verses. Stream and/or download "Hark Back" below from the band's forthcoming HARK.

The new album is due out March 12, via The Groggy Pack.

New Woodkid video - I Love You

While the art of the music video may be "dead" to many, French producer/designer/musician/director Yoann Lemoine (Woodkid) has been delivering stoic, all-encompassing, and amazing videos for the past few years. His newest for "I Love You," seems relatively normal until the cinematography goes the extra mile at a beach scene. How Lemoine joins his sounds with the engrossing scenery is truly wondrous.

New AraabMuzik - The Prince Is Coming

Leading off what should be another busy year for AraabMuzik is the brand new "The Prince Is Coming," available below.

The track precedes his upcoming free mixtape For Professional Use Only, which is due out February 15. And that mixtape will precede a brand new album expected later this year.

Sasquatch! 2013 lineup revealed

The always underrated Sasquatch! music festival, held every Memorial Day weekend in May, has announced its 2013 lineup.

Headliners this year include Mumford & Sons, the recently reunited Postal Service, Vampire Weekend, The XX, Sigur Ros, and Mackelmore & Ryan Lewis - who are placed pretty high on the billing.

Included in the usually stellar mid-card are: Empire Of The Sun, Cake, Grimes, Andrew Bird, Built To Spill, Danny Brown, Schoolboy Q + Ab Soul, El-P, Japandroids, Death Grips, and plenty others (comedians a plenty, too). Click the poster above to see the whole lineup.

Tickets for the May 24-27 event, held in the stupidly gorgeous Gorge Ampitheatre in Washington, will go on sale February 9 via the festival website.

Short Stories video - On The Way

This new video from Short Stories, comprised of producers Koreless and Sampha, is really just a funny cut of kids doing a DIY music video with faster editing. The track's featured as the duo's A-Side "On The Way" b/w "Let It Go," out now.

New Beach House video - Forever Still (Short Film)

The release of Beach House's 26 minute-plus short film "Forever Still" probably has little to nothing to do with the Ravens winning the Superbowl last night, but the Baltimore dream-pop piece still seems to be reeling from the success of last year's Bloom.

The short film, in partnership with Pitchfork, was filmed near the Texas studio where the album was recorded. Four tracks were performed in the video; "Wild," "The Hours," "Wishes," and "Irene."

New Curren$y mixtape - New Jet City

Right on time (or as close to it as you can get), New Orleans rapper (remember the Superbowl?!) Curren$y released his huge New Jet City mixtape. Alongside him are Rick Ross, Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa, French Montana, Jadakiss, Styles P, Juvenile, and many others. As well, Curren$y enlisted the help of notable producers Harry Fraud, Lex Luger, DJ Toomp, and Cargo.

It's big. See for yourself below and download here via Dat Piff.