The afrobeat Brooklyn collective Antibalas are set to release their latest album March 6th on Anti-. The new album titled Security was produced by John McEntire and has been getting some great reviews.

Anti- had the following write-up about the new album, “What do you get when you pair up one of the most critically acclaimed and hardest-working bands on the planet, Antibalas, with one of indie rock’s most intricate and innovative producers, John McEntire (Tortoise, Stereolab, Tom Ze)…and let them play sonic tug-of-war in a studio for a month? The answer is Security, the fourth and newest full-length gem from this twelve-strong Brooklyn collective, who over the last decade have become known worldwide as much for their riveting afrobeat-laden concerts and social consciousness as for their previous albums and unique collaborations…”

Antibalas - “I.C.E.“
From Security on Anti-
Listen to “I.C.E.”

The band has also scheduled an extensive eight week U.S. Tour “Beginning with what promises to be an electric hometown show at Brooklyn’s Warsaw on March 10th, the band will then hit SXSW for a series of concerts, followed by record release galas at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall and the Troubador in Los Angeles…”

After releasing a series of collaboration albums last year it seems appropriate that the new Tujiko Noriko album be titled Solo.

From the recent Shift Interview: “I made 4 collaboration albums last year, and realized that there were also lots of things which cannot be done without being alone. Like playing alone in childhood was fun, like dancing or singing intently in my room or in a field of grass when I noticed nobody was around, even though there are some things that would make you laugh, I seriously wanted to do such things again…”

Solo is possibly the closest thing to a traditional pop album Tujiko Noriko has released to date, and while she has always enjoyed a strong fan base among the electronic/experimental-pop minded world, this might be the album that breaks out to a larger audience. Solo is out now on Editions Mego.

Tujiko Noriko - “Ending Kisses“
From Solo on Editions Mego
Listen to “Ending Kisses”

Tujiko Noriko - “Saigo No Chikyu“
From Solo on Editions Mego
Listen to “Saigo No Chikyu”

Word has it Tujiko Noriko is also working on some experimental short movies (anyone have any info on this?) and also a contributing member of the Toyko based magazine OK FRED which she launched a couple years back. Be sure to check out the SHIFT Interview with Tujiko Noriko.

Deerhunter are a are a five-piece band band from Atlanta, GA. You might hear the words hypnotic, ambient, minimalist, garage rock, noisy used to describe their sound and all might be correct depending on your take. Their new album ‘Cryptograms‘ is out now on Kranky records and one of favorites so far this year.

Deerhunter ‘Cryptograms‘ (stream):

Blonde Redhead’s newest album ‘23‘ will be released on April 10th in the States and on April 23rd in Europe on 4AD. The band has also announced spring tour dates which kick off in Austin, Texas for SXSW. Until then preview the first single scheduled to be released off the new album below…

Blonde Redhead ‘23‘ (stream):

Spring Tour Dates Announced:

March 14 Austin, TX Emo’s (SXSW 4AD SHOWCASE)
April 5 Nasa, Reykjavik Iceland
April 7 Aldrei For Eg Sudur Festival, Isafjordur, Iceland
April 13 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
April 14 Chicago, IL Metro
April 15 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
April 19 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
April 20 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
April 21 Seattle, WA The Showbox
April 23 San Francisco, CA Bimbo’s
April 24 San Francisco, CA Bimbo’s
April 25 Pomona, CA Glasshouse
April 27 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
April 28 Indio, CA Coachella Valley Music Festival
May 1 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room
May 2 Austin, TX Stubbs
May 4 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse
May 5 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
May 6 Washington, D.C. 9:30 Club
May 8 New York, NY Webster Hall
May 9 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
May 11 Toronto, ON The Opera House
May 12 Montreal, QC Club Soda

If your lucky enough to be in London at the time just saw this posted on the Sonic Youth page: “Sonic Youth will perform the Daydream Nation album live on August 31 at the Roundhouse in London as Part of the Don’t Look Back series of concerts. A second show on September 1 has now been added. Information and tickets here.”

SY have also posted seven videos for four songs from the latest album ‘Rather Ripped’:

Do You Believe In Rapture
Reena
Incinerate
Jams Run Free
Jams Run Free - Alt 1
Jams Run Free - Alt 2
Jams Run Free - Alt 3