Though we at FILTER don't endorse anyone's newfound (or ancient) affinity for crack, we are indeed pushing the latest FIDLAR track in your direction—"Gimme Something"—which you can listen to right here.

Our favorite group of young and unapologetic L.A. punk rockers self-describes this song as "the international anthem for crackheads everywhere," however this is a sonically-sweet, toe-tapping rock song that even your grandma will enjoy, because of its rough yet infectious harmonies, expert guitar playing, and casual junkie narrative.

FIDLAR may have just invented a new genre: crack rock 'n' roll. Nicely done, dudes. 

Are you one of those people who go nuts upon passing the green, blue, and purple-colored 99¢ Only Store sign? Today, you don't even have to get in your car to win such a sweet deal.

For 99 cents, head over to iTunes to purchase Nico Vega's new single, "Easier," released yesterday via Five Seven Music. This intense, synth-infused song will be the next track you rock out to while completing your morning routine. Life really can get easier—just listen to Nico Vega, chuck your worries behind, and bust a sweet move or two.

"Easier" will also be available on NV's upcoming full-length record, We Are The Art, which was recorded in their hometown of Los Angeles (another reason why we can't help but adore this trio). We Are The Art will drop Spring 2013. 

Push play, eh? Photo (CC-BY) Annie Roi.

Sometimes, it’s worth pushing pause on overheated blog diatribes and angry Facebook threads. Step away from the computer, you can have a real conversation. Resident Advisor, in the latest installment of their regular Critics roundtable, takes on three hot-button issues with a mix of people able to bring some nuance to the chatter.

And since it’s a podcast – part of their excellent RA Exchange series – you can listen while doing dishes or driving to work.

I’m one of the panelists in the series, but all three are touch some vital issues:

Visas and cross-border international shows. Australian-born DJ/producer Deepchild is the latest person to hit snags on the Canadian border; he talks about issues elsewhere, as well.

Pressing play. Deadmau5 pressed someone’s buttons, tipping off a fresh wave of debate over just how much people are really doing in live electronic music performances. Guests for this discussion: yours truly for CDM, plus Jim Mazur of Native Instruments and RA contributors and editors Todd L. Burns, Will Lynch, and Philip Sherburne.

Performing rights. Burns, Lynch, and Sherburne talk about a proposed performing rights rate change that famed German clubs like Berghain and Watergate say could close their doors forever. It’s on the lips of plenty of producers of events and music alike here in Berlin, but it also spotlights issues with performing rights and rate structures in the digital age, worldwide.

Give a listen — and let us know what you think, as all three of these issues are worth ongoing coverage here on CDM:
RA.EX107 Critics roundtable [Resident Advisor]
Direct MP3 download
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

Lastly, if you want more Deepchild, XLR8R just checked in with the artist and shared a free download of his new track “Noise Machine”.

Singer-songwriter Jason Karaban is set to release is forthcoming album, Shift, on September 4 via Ascend Records. And he's released a new song, "Misplaced," in light of this. This is a song that pulls you in and guides you along its storytelling path.

Shift is an album centered around community and collaboration. Not only is it produced by Steven Jay (Regina Spektor, Jeff Lynne) and Shane Smith (Amos Lee, Los Lobos), it features guests spots by Los Angeles greats like Lucy Schwartz, Garrison Starr, Sara Watkins, Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) and Dave Immerglück and Charlie Gillingham (Counting Crows).

The maniac tendencies of frontman John Dwyer of Thee Oh Sees have become the only dependable facet in the band’s 14 albums. There have been psych-punk rhythms to the 13-minute “Warm Smile” – all accompanied by insane performances by the four-piece band. But the sound of their latest release, “Flood’s New Light” shows that the guys might be taking a tidy approach to their formerly rough punk tunes.

The high-pitched vocals are accompanied by dance-worthy chords and some (dare we say?) cute “ba-ba”’s by the rest of the band. 

Earlier this year, Brooklyn's Bear In Heaven released I Love You, It's Cool via Dead Oceans/Hometapes. And now, the band has released a new single from this album, "Kiss Me Crazy."

The song is an energetic, dance-inspired look into love and lust. And, naturally, this is the perfect combination for the dance floor.

And if this wasn't enough, the band has also released two remixes, which are available over on Bear In Heaven's Facebook. The first remix, by the Brooklyn-based electronic duo Beacon, features an R&B interpretation of "Kiss Me Crazy." And the second remix, by BNJMN, interprets the song into a summer jam. 

Hurricane Bells, a project by Steve Schiltz of New York-based band Longwave,  is putting out a new album entitled Tides and Tales (Invisible Brigades) October 25, 2011 and we're premiering one of the tracks "Possibilities" . Schiltz wrote, recorded and produced everything himself (with a bit of help from musicians for some instrumental elements). For just one week, FILTER is offering this Fall-playlist-worthy track which can be downloaded below. 

Hurricane Bells, "Possibilities" by FILTER Magazine

The track's ethereal tone in a bundle of anthemic lyrics makes for a short and sweet introduction to Schiltz's upcoming release. Keep an eye out of other tracks being premiered in the next few weeks leading up to the release of their sophomore album Tides and Tales (10/25).

Preorder 'Tides and Tales' Here. 

Come this September, dream-pop maestro, Toro Y Moi, will be dropping a new EP titled Freaking Out. Below, you can get a FREE MP3 from that EP.

For the price of your email, you can download the tune "All Alone" which appears on the EP. The tune is filled with funky beats and synth blips that try their best to get you bopping in your seat.

Freaking Out arrives September 13 via Carpark

You can also catch Toro Y Moi at the dates below.

Premiere number two! FILTER is proud to premiere Tokyo Police Club's cover of 2009's track, "Strictly Game," by Harlem Shakes as a part of their Covers Project with Polaroid recorded at Red Bull studios in Santa Monica, CA. Download*  the track and check out the cover art courtesy of Polariod film below! Graham Wright of the band also gives us 10 reasons to check out the project in our lovely clip after the jump. It's quite convincing.

In case you missed yesterday's premiere of TPC's M83 cover and our interview with member Graham Wright, click below!

For the last 9 awesome cover recordings and other information on the project, please visit www.polaroid.com/tokyopoliceclub.


* Right click and "Save As" *

| Tokyo Police Club (cover for 2009) - "Strictly Game" by Harlem Shakes  MP3 |

Johanna & The Dusty Floor (aka Johanna Cranitch) is releasing her debut album, Northern Lights, this May and to celebrate, she was nice enough to not only offer up a new tune to download, but make a video just for FILTER!

"Witch Shoes" is a light and airy pop song filled with haunting vocals and multiple instruments. The Jessie Sara English clip is simple enough with most images only being of Johanna but you get the occasional drawing on her own arm.

Get your download of "Witch Shoes" below and enjoy the video!

Northern Lights arrives May 24th via Red Valise Records.

| Johanna & The Dusty Floor - 'Witch Shoes' MP3 |

Chillwave extraordinaire Washed Out (Ernest Greene) is dropping his debut LP, Within and Without, in July. Below, you can get a taste of the synth-pop to come.

"Eyes Be Closed' is the opening track from the Sub Pop release and you can get it for the low, low price of an email address. He IS a sweet talked huh?

Within and Without arrives July 12th via Sub Pop and you can see some of his tour dates below.
 

Tour Dates:

May
28 George, WA – Sasquatch! Festival

June
25 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club

July
02 Atlanta, GA – The Earl
08 Los Angeles, CA – Echo
09 San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
11 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

As reported a while ago, Fucked Up have recorded and are releasing a rock opera titled David Comes to Life. Today we get a tune from that album and cover art.



"The Other Shoe" is an anathematic tune that features frontman Damian Abraham swapping vocals with a female and it seems to work perfectly. There will also be more singles according to the band's website. "A Slanted Tone" will arrive on April 15th, "Ship of Fools" on April 26th and "One More Night" on May 3rd.

To read Abraham's quick explanation of the 18-song, 78-minute album, Click Here.

Listen to and download "The Other Shoe" below.

David Comes To Life arrives June 7th via Matador.

| Fucked Up - 'The Other Shoe' MP3 |

As you may already know, the Flaming Lips and Neon Indian have joined forces to bring you a very interesting 12".

"Is David Bowie Dying" has been released as a single and sold only in Dallas record shop Good Records and at Guestroom Records in Oklahoma City.

Below, you can hear the tune courtesy of One Thirty BPM.

Time will tell if there will be more releases of the 12".

The track is also part of a limited EP. Tracklist below.

Flaming Lips & Neon Indian - "Is David Bowie Dying?" by One Thirty BPM

Track List:

Is David Bowie Dead?
Alan's Theremin
You Don't Respond
Do You Want New Wave or Do You Want the Truth Part 2

With the April release of Tomboy nearing, news of the the last Panda Bear single has been revealed. "Surfers Hymn" will be Noah Lennox's final offering in the lead-up to his highly anticipated LP. The slow-building tune seems to float along somewhere between electronic and drum and bass—not quite the glossy shiner we were expecting, but we'll wait and see what the entire album has to offer.

You can check out a stream of the single over at Stereogum and have a listen of the "Surfers Hymn" B-side, a remix by Actress, below via Soundcloud. The single will be officially released on March 28 via Kompakt.

Tomboy arrives April 12th via Paw Tracks.

| Panda Bear - 'Surfers Hymn' MP3 |

Fresh from their SXSW experience, garage-poppers, Dum Dum Girls, performed an unreleased tune on Sirius XMU.

The tune is called "Teardrops on My Pillow" and it sounds like...well, Dum Dum Girls. Check it out below.

The tune was recorded for Sirius XMU's "Sirius XMY Sessions" which will air tonight at 9pm EST on Sirius XMU.

Get their latest EP, He Gets Me High, Right Here.