No Doubt's First Webisode; Album out Sept 25

No Doubt released their first webisode today for their long awaited new album, which finally has a release date now -- September 25th, 2012! Do you understand what this is doing to me? A girl who grew up in the '90s and worshiped Gwen Stefani? It's making me revert back to my teens! I grew up listening to the sweet, sweet, ska punk sounds of No Doubt. I went to their reunion tour in May 2009 so not only have I been waiting 3 years for their new album to come out, but I've been waiting since  Rocksteady's 2001 release, which was their last major studio album. I am so ready for this!

Adele's "21", A Track by Track Walkthrough

Adele is so fantastic, and easily one of my favorite female vocalists. I definitely had 19 on repeat when it first came out, and from time to time, I'll revisit it because it was such a phenomenal record. Her new album, 21, debuts February 22 in the U.S. It's basically perfection.

Here Adele walks you through the album, track by track.

Adele - "Rolling in the Deep"

19 is still on frequent rotation for me on iTunes. I can't wait for Adele's new album, 21, because I'm sure it will be fantastic. 21 releases on February 22, 2011.

Listen to Adele's new single, "Rolling in the Deep". It's lovely.

Oh Snap! New The Lonely Island Album Coming in 2011!

THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! So excellent that it deserves an all caps, double exclamation mark moment. For all of you who don't know The Lonely Island, they are a parody group whose members consist of SNL regular Adam Samberg and two SNL writers, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer. Samberg, Schaffer, and Taccone are also long time friends who grew up together. These are the guys behind Dick in a Box, I'm On A Boat, and Jizz In My Pants. THAT'S RIGHT. These are the type of people who automatically make you feel inferior for being less hilarious and less clever on all accounts. It's okay though, because I wholeheartedly accept the fact that I will never reach their level of genius. I've probably listened to their first album, Incredibad, about a bazillion times and for the past year, I've lived in fear that a new album would never come. Well those days are over because we're getting a new album in '11!

Kanye West's 35 Minute "Runaway" Short Film

Kanye West's "Runaway" short film premiered this weekend on MTV and it featured West along with Selita Ebanks, who plays a phoenix who falls down to earth. The 35 minute long video, directed by Kanye himself, features tracks from his highly anticipated new album, "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy", which releases November 22. Selita looks phenomenal in this video. Those wings were perfect. No wonder, since they were designed by Phillip Lim.

Interesting video, and highly conceptualized. It's kinda crazy, but so is Kanye. See for yourself below.

Justin Timberlake, Jimmy Fallon, and The Roots Perform a Medley of Rap Through the Decades

LOVE THIS. This is a must watch.

Kanye West "Power" Video Premiere

Check out the video premiere of Kanye's "Power", directed by Marco Brambilla, who is best known for his photo-montage style, which is prominently featured in his video installation, "Civilization". True to his form, "Power" is more of a moving painting than it is a music video. With references to the Sistine Chapel and Kanye as the central figure, it's definitely provocative, and definitely Kanye's style.

Thoughts?

Frankly, it freaks me out because it has such eerie imagery, and combined with how slow everything is moving, it's altogether a trippy experience. Even more unsettling are the blatant references to the Illuminati in the video, undoubtedly intentional considering it's not a secret that Kanye has a fascination with the Illuminati. However, I will say this, it's definitely original and it's nothing I've ever seen before in a music video. What really ruined it for me was the tacky 'Power' flashing on the screen on the end. What was up with that? That's like some tacky PowerPoint presentation stuff right there. We all know Kanye is a perfectionist, so we can't chalk it up to poor editing at the end.

Robyn & Snoop Dogg = Match Made in Heaven

Body Talk Part II is insane. I fucking love Robyn. This woman can do no wrong. This is officially the best year for music. Robyn releases an album in three parts over a course of a year, Kanye is finally dropping a new album, and rumors of a Kings of Leon album this October? Yes, please.

Now the only thing I love more than Robyn is Robyn and Snoop together. Throw in some old school pop beats and you get: "You Should Know Better (than to fuck with me) - Robyn feat. Snoop Dogg". Stream below:

Robyn - "U Should Know Better" (Featuring Snoop Dogg) by Some Kind of Awesome

Finally! Kanye West's New Single, "Power"

Kanye West has been laying low and keeping himself under the radar since his appearance last September at MTV's Video Music Awards when he infamously cut Taylor Swift's Best Female Video acceptance speech short.

Since then, he's been quietly working on a new album, rumored to be titled 'Good Ass Job', a followup to 2008's '808s & Heartbreak'. Today his new single, 'Power', featuring Dwele, leaked.

Personally, I am a huge Kanye West fan, and I loved, loved, loved '808s and Heartbreak', and I have been awaiting a new album ever since. Regardless of his public or private behavior, this man knows how to pump out an amazing beat and make awe-inspiring music.

Long live Kanye!

Check out 'Power' feat. Dwele below. It's seriously amazing and has made me all kinds of excited.

Madonna for Interview Magazine

Agh. I can't even form coherent sentences when I look at this. This--this is the reason why Madonna is the queen of well, everything.

Photography by Marcus Piggot and Mert Alas. Read her interview with Gus Van Sant on Interview's website. Check out the behind the scenes video below.

Robyn's 'Body Talk Part 1' Singles Cover Art

Check out the newly released cover art from Robyn's three new singles, 'Fembot', 'Dancehall Queen', and 'None of Dem'. I'm currently obsessed with these. They really appeal to my aesthetic. Totally feeling it. Love Robyn, she can do no wrong.

Body Talk Part 1 comes out on June 15th. I'm so ready for all new Robyn. It's been a long time coming! Listen and buy her new singles, 'Fembot', 'Dancehall Queen', and 'None of Dem'! They're seriously fierce. Um hi Lady Gaga, it's time to move on over.

New Robyn!

It's no secret I love Robyn. It's been five years from her eponymous release, Robyn, and she's finally ready to release a new album, tentatively titled Body Talk. Yipee! I am ridiculously, ridiculously excited. I've been waiting very patiently and the word is she will be releasing three mini albums this year.

Check out her new song, 'Fembot' and the relaunch of her new website: http://robyn.com, where you can also stream Fembot.

Taylor Swift wins Album of the Year at 2010 Grammys

Surprised--y/n?

Well, I guess I shouldn't be, but honestly, come on. Swifty is cute and cuddly in those sparkly dresses she wears to e-v-e-r-y single event she goes to and she sings about the ill-fated Romeo and Juliet set to modern day high school drama in a cutesy way, but come on. I thought perhaps Gaga or Sasha Fierce, or maybe even DMB, but I guess not. Well, here's to you, Taylor Swift! Sure has been her year. Kanye West sure did a hell of a job of turning out her career. Now if only he could do the same for himself.

T. Swift's wins aside, performances were pretty boring and predictable. The same goes for the fashion--just atrocious. Can't even comment on anything I liked because that just didn't exist. Does this mean Hollywood is seriously lacking in stylists? Or maybe just good stylists? I want to give these people the benefit of the doubt and just assume they didn't dress themselves. That is except for Taylor Swift. I know that girl just can't pass up an occasion to wear a sparkly dress. I mean, this girl is adorable and all, but please for the love of God, stop wearing sparkles. It's causing me to have a spazz attack everytime I see her on a red carpet.

Interesting combination of artists for the Michael Jackson tribute: Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and more. Even more interesting that they chose to do it in 3D. I don't know who just stows away some 3D glasses for a rainy day like this. Alright, Grammys, alright. It's been fun, but my interest in this show has started to wane.

The one thing I did fully enjoy tonight? Kings of Leon's wins!

Alright, folks. Full list of televised winners below and complete list of winners here:

Song of the Year
WINNER: "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" – Beyoncé
"Poker Face" – Lady Gaga
"Pretty Wings" – Maxwell
"Use Somebody" – Kings of Leon
"You Belong With Me" – Taylor Swift

Best Country Album
WINNER: Fearless - Taylor Swift
The Foundation - Zac Brown Band
Twang - George Strait
Defying Gravity - Keith Urban
Call Me Crazy - Lee Ann Womack

Best New Artist
WINNER: Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Best Comedy Album
WINNER: A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! – Stephen Colbert
Back from the Dead – Spinal Tap
Internet Leaks – "Weird Al" Yankovic
My Weakness Is Strong – Patton Oswalt
Suckin' It for the Holidays – Kathy Griffin
Tall, Dark & Chicano – George Lopez

Record of the Year
WINNER: "Use Somebody" – Kings of Leon
"Halo" – Beyoncé
"I Gotta Feeling" – Black Eyed Peas
"Poker Face" – Lady Gaga
"You Belong With Me" – Taylor Swift

Best Rock Album
WINNER: 21st Century Breakdown - Green Day
Black Ice - AC/DC
Live from Madison Square Garden - Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King - Dave Matthews Band
No Line on the Horizon - U2

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
WINNER: "Run This Town" - Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
"Ego" - Beyoncé & Kanye West
"Knock You Down" - Keri Hilson, Kanye West & Ne-Yo
"I'm On A Boat" - The Lonely Island & T-Pain
"Dead and Gone" - T.I. & Justin Timberlake

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
WINNER: "Halo" - Beyoncé
"Hometown Glory" - Adele
"Hot N Cold" - Katy Perry
"Sober" - Pink
"You Belong With Me" - Taylor Swift

Album of the Year
WINNER: Fearless – Taylor Swift
I Am... Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé
The E.N.D. – Black Eyed Peas
The Fame – Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King – Dave Matthews Band

Quick Bytes

Just a morsel of what's going on as of late:

ENTERTAINMENT:

• Comcast merges with NBC Universal: What does that mean for the long run? We'll just have to wait and see. For now, layoffs. Eek.
• Disney closing in on their merger with Marvel
• Massive PR and marketing machine to be created on Jan 1st: PMK/HBH and Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, two bigshot PR firms, will be merging-- creating one major powerhouse of Hollywood.
  

MOVIES:

• As discussed in my previous post on oscar buzz, Up in the Air has even more reasons to anticipate winning the almighty golden statue. It has won National Board of Review's best picture award and Anna Kendrick has nabbed best supporting actress. The Board's previous 2 winners of best picture have gone on to win the Academy Award.
• More National Board winners here.
  
• Big ups to Sandra B! The Blind Side dominated the box office last weekend, taking out New Moon's reign. I'd like to think I was part of Sandy's success since I went to see The Blind Side last weekend. Sandra's best performance ever. You get that warm, fuzzy feeling.
• Also went to see Fantastic Mr. Fox. Amazing! Wes Anderson is brilliant, but I'm sure you all knew that already. Go see!

TV:

• Heroes: near cancellation? Not surprised, considering their disappointing ratings this season, and the downhill trend on plot themes.
• CBS cancels long running soap, As the World Turns
  
• Bonnie Hunt talkshow canceled -- do I see a trend here?
• Flash Forward takes a longer hiatus than initially expected, it was due back by January, but now that date has been pushed further back to March. No word on how it will affect a date that's pivotal to the show's plot, April 29. This news also comes after the show had to stop production in order for the writer's to caucus and scramble for better material.

MUSIC:

• 2010 Grammy nominees: aka awards that will go to Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, or Kings of Leon
  
• Susan Boyle (of X Factor fame) just released a new album ("I Dream a Dream") and how is she doing? Sitting pretty at #1. Turns out you can be 48 and have it all--and, and you don't need to win some reality TV show.
• Sade releases new single after nearly a decade, "Soldier of Love", new album drops Feb 8th, 2010!
  
• Glee: The Music, Volume 2, out now
• Chris Brown, Graffiti, out now [For the love of GODDD just look at that album cover. I swear it's not Photoshop, that's what's sad. Click to see bigger, because you really need to see it bigger.)
• 30 Seconds to Mars, This is War, out now
• Timbaland, Shock Value II, out now [I take back what I said in this post. I wish I wasn't looking forward to its release and in fact, I wish it was never released. Plus no rumored KOL track. What a tease. However, check out Brandy, I mean Bran Nu's, rapping. It's actually not that bad.]
  
• Alicia Keys, The Element of Freedom, Dec 15

FICTION:

• Just finished Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and now I am a total fangirl for Jonathan Safran Foer. Highly recommended--easily one of my favorite books.
  
• Currently reading Everything is Illuminated by you guessed it, Jonathan Safran Foer. Also check out his current nonfiction release Eating Animals, which focuses on a vegan lifestyle and animal cruelty. Excessive fangirling ends right about now.
  
• I've also picked up A Little Bit Wicked, an autobiography by Kristin Chenoweth and Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky on sale at B&N! I love myself some Cheno!
• More books on my must read list on the left. Any reviews?

FASHION:

• RackedLA has spotted the inexplicable 2 week early launch (and possible snafu on Target's part) of Rodarte's line at the Eagle Rock, CA target. Guess who will be paying a visit tomorrow?
• Target's next designer? ZAC POSEN. Can I say that louder, now with more schoolgirl glee? ZAC POSEN! Mark that calendar for April 29, 2010!
• Lara Stone replaces Madonna as the new face of Louis Vuitton. Check out the campaign here.
• It's that time of year! Sample sale season! A notable few happening this weekend in LA: RVCA, Obey, William Rast and J. Lindeberg, LF warehouse sale. More info here.
• My newest shoe obsessions:
  YSL sculpted heels and the fabulous Kate Lanphear rocking the boot version[image courtesy of Jak and Jil.] Agh. Perfection!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Prada Mohawk sandals and Jane from Sea of Shoes with her amazing pair:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Fall movies and music

With fall here comes new fashion and new releases in movies and music. Here's what to look forward to:

1. Where The Wild Things Are, October 16, starring Max Records, Catherine Keener, James Gandolfini. An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book. Spike Jonze, an amazing visual landscape, and Karen O? Nothing could be better.
   
   
2. Paranormal Activity, October 16, starring Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat. This is the much hyped and reportedly scary as hell movie that has finally gotten a nationwide release. Think Blair Witch Project type hype. This low, low, low budget movie got picked up by Paramount Pictures and originally got a limited, after midnight only release, but now after staggering box office numbers and plenty of fans, this movie will finally be in your local theater. This home movie, shaky cam style film is about a couple who is haunted by a demonic spirit and in an effort to catch it in action, they set up cameras around their house. This is also the movie that Steven Spielberg got a screener of, took home to watch, and was so freaked out, he returned it back to Dreamworks in a garbage bag.
   
   
3. New York, I Love You, October 16, starring Natalie Portman, Shia LaBeouf, Hayden Christensen, and MANY more. An anthology film of several stories (directed by several different directors) revolving around love in one of the greatest places on earth, New York City. See this film if you love a whole cornucopia of actors (i.e. He's Just Not That Into You).
   
   
4. Antichrist, October 23, starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg. The controversial film by Lars von Trier that shocked (and mainly disgusted) audiences in Cannes. What's it about? A couple who tries to cope with the loss of their son. Beware of severed genitalia, rough sex, and violence.
   
   
5. Saw VI, October 23, starring Shawnee Smith, Tobin Bell, Donnie Wahlberg. Just in time for Halloween, yet another chapter of the Saw franchise.
   
   
6. Michael Jackson: This Is It, October 28: A mashup of rehearsal footage from MJ's last tour and a goodbye to this musical legend.
   
   
7. Youth in Revolt, October 30, starring Michael Cera. Based on C.D. Payne's novel of the same title. Watch Michael Cera try and get the girl yet again with his offbeat, quirky, and awkward style.
   
   
8. The Box, October 30, starring Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella. Richard Kelly's (Donnie Darko, Southland Tales) story about a struggling couple who receive a mysterious box with a strange proposal: receive $1 million by pushing a button, but pushing it will also kill one person they don't know.
   
   
9. A Christmas Carol, November 6, starring Jim Carrey. Another remake of a classic. Carrey plays Ebeneezer Scrooge in this animated telling of this classic story. Watch it if you're a fan of Robert Zemeckis-style animation (Beowulf, Monster House) and if you love that warm and tingly feeling Christmas gives you.
   
   
10. 2012, November 13, starring John Cusack, Amanda Peet. An apocolyptic tale of well, the world ending. A creepy Nostradamus feel, and some crazy, scary, and chilling scenarios. Watch the first five minutes here.
    
    
11. New Moon, November 20, starring Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, and Robert Pattinson. The highly anticipated sequel to 2008's Twilight. Find out what happens after girl and boy fall in love, when boy leaves girl. Expect long lines and die hard Twilight fans in t-shirts that say just that. What do I hear? Millions of screams, and the sound of cash registers nationwide.
    
    
12. Nine, November 25, starring Daniel Day Lewis, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Fergie, and MANY more. A Rob Marshall (Chicago) story that tells the tale of a man with the nine, yes nine, women in his life. Expect theatrics and plenty of music, which is certain to please just like Chicago.
    
    
13. The Road, November 25, starring Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron. After a postponement of almost a year, this movie is finally getting a release. This is a film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's (No Country For Old Men) book by the same title about a man and a son struggling to survive in a post-apocolyptic world. If it's anything like McCarthy's novel it will be dark, depressing, and disturbing: the makings of what sounds like a good movie to me.

Some movies that are out now that are definitely worth watching:

1. Zombieland : Zombies, bloody guts, the adorable Jesse Eisenberg, and a special celebrity appearance.
2. The September Issue : A look inside the making of the September issue of Vogue with the great Anna Wintour. Bring your best friend, not your boyfriend.
3. Inglorious Basterds : Another Tarantino great.
4. (500) Days of Summer : Wonderful, amazing, Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel... need I say more?
5. Adam : Hugh Dancy plays a man with Aspergers who learns to deal with the loss of his father and learns how to love the lovely Rose Byrne.

Besides movies, I'm looking forward to new music. I can never get enough of that. Fall's here, which means a whole bunch of new album releases! Here's what I'm listening to now and what I'm looking forward to:

1. Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson - The Break Up, available now : This is Johansson's sophomore effort and let just tell you, it is a million times better. It's surprisingly great and the songs have a catchy, folksy quality to them. Pete Yorn, of course, doesn't disappoint at all.
   
2. Madonna - Celebration, available now : it's a greatest hits album, as if I even needed an excuse to put Madonna on continuous loop. Check out the two new songs: Celebration and Revolver (feat. Lil' Weezy).
   
3. Paramore - Brand New Eyes, available now : I'm warming up to it, but at this point, I still like Riot! better.
   
4. Where The Wild Things Are soundtrack, available now : I love Karen O. and this does not disappoint. It's beautiful, and so aesthetically pleasing in every way. Can't wait for the movie release!
   
5. New Moon Soundtrack, October 20. Featuring Death Cab for Cutie, Thom Yorke, Muse, and Lykki Li--now that sounds like a great soundtrack.
   
6. Weezer - Raditude, October 27 : I'll say it now, I'll say it again. I love Weezer always and forever. I can't wait for their new album.
   
7. John Mayer - Battle Studies, November 17 : Looking forward to some Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Aniston inspired love and heartbreak songs.
   
8. Norah Jones - The Fall, November 17 : One of the best and most beautiful jazz voices out there.
   
9. Timbaland - Shock Value 2, November 24 : I hated Shock Value, but I'm hoping for greatness this time around since it includes collaborations with Kings of Leon (who, by the way, I L-O-V-E), The Fray, Paramore, Justin Timberlake, and Lady Gaga. I'm also VERY curious about Brandy rapping, who goes under the new alias "Brand Nu" for her rapping efforts.

So, what will you guys be seeing and what will music will you be buying/illegally downloading?