Bears And Bullets Songs Of The Year (#25-#1)

Continuing with yesterday's list, we count down the best songs of 2013 down to number one. See if your favorites made the list, after the bump.

Watch James Franco and Seth Rogen take on "Bound 3"

Last week, Kanye West released the furiously green screen heavy video for his Yeezus standout "Bound 2," starring his barely there fiancee Kim Kardashian on Ellen. You know this, because there's been about four billion jokes about it already. But now we have the best one.

Best friends and all-around good guys James Franco and Seth Rogen did their best to remake the video as "Bound 3 (Vague)", with Rogen taking the role of the shirtless Kardashian. I'm not sure if it's actually less ridiculous than the original. You know what, it isn't.

Kanye West - Bound 3 (Lee Bannon Remix)

Not long after being tabbed to Ninja Tune, releasing the Place/Crusher EP, and announcing his upcoming full-length debut, producer Lee Bannon has let out this next-level remix of Kanye West's "Bound 2."

Titled "Bound 3," Bannon fuses Euro-inspired house with frenetic sampling to make for one of the year's all-out best remixes. Stream it below.

Mixtape: Arca - &&&&&

One of the more curious inclusions on last month's Yeezus (which kinda gives some insight now on the direction of the record) was little-known producer Arca. Before his Kanye-assisted breakout, Arca had released a series of Stretch mixtapes, both hiding under 30 minutes a piece. The methods and production was, as they are on &&&&&, purely disorienting and cavernous. Blazing through the 14 tracks in the new 25-minute mix can leave one on empty, with Arca scaling all sorts of directions and auras. For the moment when blissful sincerity seems to creep through, around the end, you might forget the cataclysm that lead to that moment.

It's a pure joy and free to download as well.

Stream: Iman Omari - (VIBE)rations

Filling in perfectly on the first official day of summer is the new mixtape from West Coast producer Iman Omari, with (VIBE)rations. The full-track list with the massive guest list of helping parties is available courtesy of Omari's Soundcloud, but the fun comes from going in a little unknown. There's some familiar samples here and again, most notably of Kanye West's "Touch The Sky" on "Testify," but its largely a brand new experience for most. Check it out below before its official release.

Watch Fred Armisen's well-deserved goodbye from Saturday Night Live

For those that may have missed the season finale of Saturday Night Live, the show was notable for several reasons. It was the fifth time Ben Affleck, now an Oscar-winning director, hosted, and Kanye West performed some insane new material from his upcoming Yeezus album. But, at least for myself, what ended up stealing the show was the delightful and heartfelt send-off the two of the show's biggest names - Bill Hader and Fred Armisen.

The former saw the epic finale of his beloved Stefon character during weekend update, but the final moment belonged to Armisen. Staying in his Ian Rubbish character, Armisen, with Hader on bass and Jason Sudeikis (also rumored to be leaving) on drums, was joined on stage by his Portlandia counterpart Carrie Brownstein, along with a litany of musicians who've appeared on the show, including; Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Kim Gordon, J Mascis, Aimie Mann, and Michael Penn. Considering how much Armisen loved the initial Ian Rubbish skit and how his career started as a member of punk band Trenchmouth, this couldn't have been set up better.

Watch "Top Of The Pops" below. Cry if you must.

Mixtape: Groundislava - Treasure Chest

B&B doesn't really pay tribute to base level pop a lot, for somewhat obvious reasons (you aren't here for that), but truly quality remixes of anything are usually worth the time. Producer Groundislava has been doing this for years, releasing mind-warped versions of comparable pop hits from the likes of Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, and others. He put all his memorable past works together in his Treasure Chest mix, which is available for any price via his Bandcamp page. Also included among the aforementioned artists are remixes of Miguel's "Adorn," Shlohmo, Utada Hikaru, Kanye West, and the brand new original chiptune track "Time Alone."

Stream/Download Treasure Chest below.

Lollapalooza and the current state of music festivals

Why can't you get tickets?

There's a permanent sway that has held over the music festival market, drifting in one improbable direction in the past six years. Availability for music festivals, such as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Coachella, have become slim in recent years, selling out earlier and earlier every season. What results is a fundamental change in the way we, as fans, approach the idea of festivals.

New J. Period - Hold On (Kanye West and Consequence)

Although the compilation is current available in the U.S. (for whatever reason), J. Period's brand new G.O.O.D. Music: Remixed & Unreleased features this Kanye West and Consequence cut, "Hold On." It's a short track, so there's nothing extraordinarily huge here, but it's Kanye and good production so you should be on board.

TNGHT - R U Ready

"R U Ready" has been around for a bit, but back when TNGHT originally posted the track it was bought out by none other than one of the production duo's biggest fans - Kanye West. Reportedly, the track was used at a fashion show, but has snuck back online and is pure joy. Listen for yourself below.

Lunice's 1Xtra Mix

Yesterday, Lunice (the better-known member of TNGHT) debuted his energizing hour-plus mix for BBC 1Xtra, which you can stream in its entirety below. Featured in the lengthy collection is Lunice's famed remix of Kanye West's "Clique," which comes in at the 56-minute mark.

TNGHT's 'Mission Statement' Mix

As part of Diplo's BBC 1 Radio show, you can download (or stream below) TNGHT's uncensored "Mission Statement" mix. The hour-long segment is chock full of familiar goodies, from Kanye West to SpaceGhostPurrp. Check it out below.

New Kanye West - New God Flow (ft. Pusha T)

If you own a computer/have power, then the new Kanye West song, featuring frequent collaborator Pusha T, "New God Flow," has been news for almost a day now. But just in case you're a little late to it, check out the new song below. The single, as expected, is slated to appear on the upcoming G.O.O.D. Music.

New Kanye West video - Mercy (ft. Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz)

The first taste from Kanye's upcoming G.O.O.D. Music, "Mercy," the all-star laden single released back in April, has a new video to go along with it, featuring Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2 Chainz, along with Kid Cudi just off in the background. Check out the expensive looking video below.

Stream Rustie's BBC Essential Mix

One of the best new producers to emerge in the past few years, Rustie, has released a near two hour mix for BBC Radio, all of which you can stream below.

The massive mix features familiar voices of Kanye West and Drake, alongside Legend of Zelda samples if you can cue in on them.

Monday Bears: Kanye West and Jay-Z at the VMA's

Early into last night's VMA's (the only post this year you'll get from it), Kanye and new dad Jay-Z brought out "Otis" to a massive stage entrance, putting a lot on the performance aspect side of the show to literal shame. Don't worry about anything else that might have happened last night.

Kanye West & Jay-Z - Otis (Live at the VMA's)

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, JAY Z and Kanye West

Wednesday Bears: Bon Iver + James Blake = Fall Creek Boys Choir

A little late here because at this point in the blog world who hasn't heard James Blake's and Bon Iver's collaboration on "Fall Creek Boys Choir"?

It must be some Kanye West wet dream fantasy at this point, because I'm not sure what two artists combining their efforts could possibly be more 2011. Listen to the song below and grab the single August 29 on Itunes.

Monday Bears: Weekend video recap

Here were some of the better videos released over the weekend that I didn't get a chance to post yet:

Kanye West - All of the Lights (ft. Rihanna, Kid Cudi) - Directed by Hype Williams



Felix Cartal - World Class Driver - Directed by Josh Forbes



Wolfgang Gartner - Illmerica - Directed by Ryan McNamara



Star Slinger - Mornin'



Gold Panda - Marriage

Wednesday Bears: New Katy Perry - E.T. (ft. Kanye West)

I would be an idiot to not say this, but this new Katy Perry song featuring Kanye West is due to blow up pretty soon. Get your listenin' here first.

Katy Perry (ft. Kanye West) - E.T.

Friday Bears: Bears and Bullets Top 25 Songs of Year (Pt. V)

We'll continue our top 25 countdown with songs #5 through #1.

#5: All of the Lights - Kanye West
The third and final selection from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, "All of the Lights," explodes following a swollen string section interlude, morphing the album's impeccable middle section, with "Power" leading into "All of the Lights" and swirling off with "Monster." With that, "All of the Lights" is the album's polished core, swimming in blasting drum beats, guest voices, and a daunting platform -- Kanye being able to manipulate his most endearing forces into a breathing example of perfectionism

#4: Shutterbugg - Big Boi (ft. Cutty)
"Shutterbugg" is an exemplary sample of what a lot of time and patience can do for a song. As with most of Sir Luscious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, Big Boi's first (technically) solo work outside of OutKast, "Shutterbugg" was hindered by years and years of delays; the albums first promo single was released in 2007, believe it or not. Regardless, not suffering any Chinese Democracy type anguish, the delay didn't pull anything back. "Shutterbugg" is a incredibly polished and formed piece that vigorously blends the best of funk and Big Boi's coined southern verse. The wait was probably worth it.

Big Boi (ft. Cutty) - Shutterbugg



#3: Fuck You - Cee Lo
Without much of a doubt, "Fuck You" was the feel good single of the year. If I was popular enough to manage a poll, it'd be pretty hard to say that it wouldn't be the fan favorite, what with the Glee covers and multiple video mashups to go along with it. Cee Lo combines all of the interlayering factors that add up to something almost everyone can keen into: nostalgia? Check. Abrasiveness? Check. Universal understanding? Check. Don't be swayed by "Forget You," the toned down radio-friendly version, or even worse, Paltrow style. "Fuck" matters.

Cee Lo - Fuck You



#2: Dancing On My Own - Robyn
I've been totally ignorant of Robyn for the past few years, passively ignoring or just not getting it. I suppose my blatant disregard for what she's been able to do since her late 90s one hit wonder in the States made "Dancing On My Own" that much more important to 2010. It's a deceivingly well-paced dance pop masterwork, combing her invigoratingly melodic prose with an intensely romantic sub-sound into an all-engrossing dance frenzy. But, even with the lightning flash of awe-inspiring sound, Robyn's sense of loveless distance makes it that much more enchanting, disheartening, and, all at once, effortlessly breathtaking.

Dancing On My Own - Robyn



#1: Giving Up the Gun - Vampire Weekend
For one, "Giving Up the Gun" is defiantly unsuspecting: it's a melodic push of Vampire Weekend's strongest aesthetic forces, gleefully bound together in a spur that is almost impossible to categorize. In a way, it's the hardest thing Vampire Weekend ever had to do in their short three year career -- tactfully enclosing on the Ezra's romanticism, and the rest of the bands clever, blindingly thoughtful combination of buzzing bass and drums, strings, chimes, and a splitting mystery key board. "Giving Up the Gun" may end up being this good because it's an unspoken mismatch of multiple components that don't seem to fit well together. But, then again, the best songs usually have that effect.

Vampire Weekend - Giving Up the Gun



I'd like to personally wish everyone a happy 2011. We'll be back soon, kids. Until then.