Buzz MeterDaft Punk (Pictured) A new album is confirmed, it features Pharrell, Julian Casablancas, Panda Bear and Gonzales, channels Fleetwood Mac and suggests they might actually tour. That's all. Queens of the Stone Age They're back with a new album, new label and an old friend on drums: Dave...Read More
Buzz MeterDavid Bowie (Pictured) Never has an new album from a sexagenarian been so anticipated. That it's his best in nearly half his years makes Bowie's one of the great comebacks ever. Rhye Their debut album, Woman, deeply affects anyone who's heard it, reviving actual, word-of-mouth buzz. ...Read More
Translator Cloud RapWhat is it? Lo-fi, ambient hip-hop featuring unconventional samples, ethereal sounds and a tendency towards slow, blunted delivery. It's either the next evolution in hip-hop, or rap music for people who don't like rap, depending on who you ask. Who's doing it? The phrase was...Read More
Buzz MeterMy Bloody Valentine (Pictured) It only took Kevin Shields 21 years, but he made good on his very, very belated promise. The Knife A 100-minute album might seem like a challenge but when it comes to the Dreijer siblings, we say bring it on. The Strokes Julian sings in falsetto now?...Read More
The Translator PBR&BWhat is it? The socially and racially charged term refers to R&B that's been co-opted by "hipsters" ('cause they drink Pabst Blue Ribbon). The term "NoiR&B" works better, as it implies the darker tone, smoky production, and general mystique employed by a new generation of R&B crooners...Read More
Buzz MeterFoals While it's still early, the angular UK rockers' Holy Fire is arguably the most anticipated album of 2013. Deftones Who knew the coolest nu-metal band would survive, let alone have an album in them as strong as 2000's classic, White Pony? Rihanna Her 777...Read More
Translator TrapWhat is it? A controversial term now referring to two distinct genres. Originally an 808-heavy form of Southern hip-hop made by producers such as Lex Luther, the new EDM-style trap borrows heavily from (or shamelessly appropriates) the former and incorporates elements of dubstep and dance music. ...Read More
Translator American Black MetalWhat is it? American black metal originates from the Norwegian scene of the early '80s, Early American black metal was defined by blast beat drumming, extremely distorted guitars, tremolo picking, shrieked harsh vocals and fast pace. A great deal of contemporary American black metal incorporates...Read More
Buzz MeterKendrick Lamar He may not been the most hyped rapper of the year. That is, until everyone heard that this underdog has made the best rap album of the year. Local Natives The zealous response to the announcement of new album Hummingbird seems like the L.A. band were gone for years....Read More
Buzz MeterAlunaGeorge After turning heads with their irresistible EP on Tri Angle, this London-based R&B/pop duo signed to Island and are prepping an album for early 2013. Which feels way too far away. Polaris > Mercury The Brits may have come up with the concept, but Canadians definitely put up the...Read More
Translator Outlaw CountryWhat Is It? This movement originated in the early '70s in Texas, where established artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings had relocated from Nashville and allied themselves with rock audiences. Outlaw has since become a tag sought by any country artist whose sound and ideology run counter...Read More
Translator FootworkWhat is it? Footwork, a faster variant of ghetto house, is a brash, syncopated, hip-hop infused sub-genre of house music from South (and West) Chicago replete with tight snares and plenty of hand claps. Often used synonymously with juke, some see footwork as a distinct genre. Who's doing it?...Read More
Buzz MeterGrizzly Bear One of the most revered bands in indie rock returns with new album Shields. Jay-Z, Beyonce and Blue Ivy among those on the pre-order customer list. TNGHT (pictured) This Montreal/Glasgow duo answer the call for anyone wanting Waka Flocka Flame-type bangers minus the...Read More
Buzz MeterSeptember Any one of Animal Collective, Cat Power, the xx (pictured) or Grizzly Bear could top the Meter. All in the same month? Incredible. Frank Ocean Channel Orange is on course to become the best thing anyone from Odd Future has done yet. Or will ever do. Smashing Pumpkins...Read More
Hip Hop Eh Explores CanadaIs there a Canadian hip-hop identity? That's the question explored by Joe Klymkiw's documentary Hip Hop Eh. The answer depends on who you ask, so he gathers various luminaries: pioneers like Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee and the Dream Warriors appear alongside Cadence Weapon (pictured),...Read More
Translator Dream PopWhat is it? An indie/alternative subgenre that evokes a hypnagogic state and relies heavily on ethereal textures built from reverb-heavy production, glimmering guitar jangle and whispered or operatic vocals. Who's doing it? Dream pop has seen a major boost in its profile thanks...Read More
Buzz MeterAnimal Collective (pictured) The quintessential buzz band. The announcement of a new album will always top the meter. Killer Mike and El-P These hip-hop vets have partnered to produce two of the finest rap albums of 2012. My Bloody Valentine It took them forever and the unreleased...Read More
Translator DjentWhat is it? Djent is a contentious sub-genre of metal, to put it mildly, with detractors such as Lamb of God's Randy Blythe claiming, "there's no such thing as Djent" and even bands under the umbrella wanting nothing to do with the label. An onomatopoeia for the palm-muted guitar sound,...Read More
Buzz MeterAlabama Shakes They stole the show at SXSW, tore it up on Letterman and saw their debut enter the UK charts at #3. The quintessential buzz band. A$AP Rocky (pictured) Really, he's been on this meter for the past year, but the title of Pretty Flacko's upcoming debut says it all:...Read More
Translator EDMWhat is it? An abbreviation of Electronic Dance Music used as an umbrella term incorporating techno, house, dubstep and all electronic club music. Sometimes specifically used to describe the new wave of arena-filling producers like deadmau5 (pictured) and Kaskade. It's electronic? You can dance...Read More
Daft Punk (Pictured) A new album is confirmed, it features Pharrell, Julian Casablancas, Panda Bear and Gonzales, channels Fleetwood Mac and suggests they might actually tour. That's all. Queens of the Stone Age They're back with a new album, new label and an old friend on drums: Dave...Read More
David Bowie (Pictured) Never has an new album from a sexagenarian been so anticipated. That it's his best in nearly half his years makes Bowie's one of the great comebacks ever. Rhye Their debut album, Woman, deeply affects anyone who's heard it, reviving actual, word-of-mouth buzz. ...Read More
What is it? Lo-fi, ambient hip-hop featuring unconventional samples, ethereal sounds and a tendency towards slow, blunted delivery. It's either the next evolution in hip-hop, or rap music for people who don't like rap, depending on who you ask. Who's doing it? The phrase was...Read More
My Bloody Valentine (Pictured) It only took Kevin Shields 21 years, but he made good on his very, very belated promise. The Knife A 100-minute album might seem like a challenge but when it comes to the Dreijer siblings, we say bring it on. The Strokes Julian sings in falsetto now?...Read More
What is it? The socially and racially charged term refers to R&B that's been co-opted by "hipsters" ('cause they drink Pabst Blue Ribbon). The term "NoiR&B" works better, as it implies the darker tone, smoky production, and general mystique employed by a new generation of R&B crooners...Read More
Foals While it's still early, the angular UK rockers' Holy Fire is arguably the most anticipated album of 2013. Deftones Who knew the coolest nu-metal band would survive, let alone have an album in them as strong as 2000's classic, White Pony? Rihanna Her 777...Read More
What is it? A controversial term now referring to two distinct genres. Originally an 808-heavy form of Southern hip-hop made by producers such as Lex Luther, the new EDM-style trap borrows heavily from (or shamelessly appropriates) the former and incorporates elements of dubstep and dance music. ...Read More
What is it? American black metal originates from the Norwegian scene of the early '80s, Early American black metal was defined by blast beat drumming, extremely distorted guitars, tremolo picking, shrieked harsh vocals and fast pace. A great deal of contemporary American black metal incorporates...Read More
Kendrick Lamar He may not been the most hyped rapper of the year. That is, until everyone heard that this underdog has made the best rap album of the year. Local Natives The zealous response to the announcement of new album Hummingbird seems like the L.A. band were gone for years....Read More
AlunaGeorge After turning heads with their irresistible EP on Tri Angle, this London-based R&B/pop duo signed to Island and are prepping an album for early 2013. Which feels way too far away. Polaris > Mercury The Brits may have come up with the concept, but Canadians definitely put up the...Read More
What Is It? This movement originated in the early '70s in Texas, where established artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings had relocated from Nashville and allied themselves with rock audiences. Outlaw has since become a tag sought by any country artist whose sound and ideology run counter...Read More
What is it? Footwork, a faster variant of ghetto house, is a brash, syncopated, hip-hop infused sub-genre of house music from South (and West) Chicago replete with tight snares and plenty of hand claps. Often used synonymously with juke, some see footwork as a distinct genre. Who's doing it?...Read More
September Any one of Animal Collective, Cat Power, the xx (pictured) or Grizzly Bear could top the Meter. All in the same month? Incredible. Frank Ocean Channel Orange is on course to become the best thing anyone from Odd Future has done yet. Or will ever do. Smashing Pumpkins...Read More
Is there a Canadian hip-hop identity? That's the question explored by Joe Klymkiw's documentary Hip Hop Eh. The answer depends on who you ask, so he gathers various luminaries: pioneers like Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee and the Dream Warriors appear alongside Cadence Weapon (pictured),...Read More
What is it? An indie/alternative subgenre that evokes a hypnagogic state and relies heavily on ethereal textures built from reverb-heavy production, glimmering guitar jangle and whispered or operatic vocals. Who's doing it? Dream pop has seen a major boost in its profile thanks...Read More
Animal Collective (pictured) The quintessential buzz band. The announcement of a new album will always top the meter. Killer Mike and El-P These hip-hop vets have partnered to produce two of the finest rap albums of 2012. My Bloody Valentine It took them forever and the unreleased...Read More
What is it? Djent is a contentious sub-genre of metal, to put it mildly, with detractors such as Lamb of God's Randy Blythe claiming, "there's no such thing as Djent" and even bands under the umbrella wanting nothing to do with the label. An onomatopoeia for the palm-muted guitar sound,...Read More
Alabama Shakes They stole the show at SXSW, tore it up on Letterman and saw their debut enter the UK charts at #3. The quintessential buzz band. A$AP Rocky (pictured) Really, he's been on this meter for the past year, but the title of Pretty Flacko's upcoming debut says it all:...Read More
What is it? An abbreviation of Electronic Dance Music used as an umbrella term incorporating techno, house, dubstep and all electronic club music. Sometimes specifically used to describe the new wave of arena-filling producers like deadmau5 (pictured) and Kaskade. It's electronic? You can dance...Read More
