Images by Michael Orlosky

Images by Michael Orlosky

Wiz Khalifa raps so much weed so much that he should have a strain named after him. “Just got a zip of that Wiz Khalifa” has a nice ring to it, right? Here’s his latest video, from the Kush and OJ mixtape. In other news, my Sunday morning headache is the worst ever. Left side of my brain might shut down soon.

In the cut, in the cut, rollin’ doobies up.

Images by Michael Orlosky

WikipediaOne of the perks, if you could call it that, of not having cable or a working terrestrial radio, is that it’s very easy to be completely tuned out of mainstream popular culture and whatever the inescapable song du jour might be. The only time they seep onto my radar is when they’re slowed down 8000% and become internet memes or are covered – ironically or not – by artists I do like. And so it was that the first time I heard Rihanna’s “Umbrella”, which was apparently one of the monster jams of 2007, was when Coeur De Pirate covered it beautifully at Virgin Festival last year (her version).

The second time was when I found this version by Manic Street Preachers, recorded for an NME CD released in conjunction with the NME Awards in 2008, wherein they got artists of the moment to cover other artists of the moment, the Manics’ moment at that point being their 2007 album Send Away The Tigers. It’s a typically Manics big rock treatment, trading the original’s slinkiness for stadium scale, but you can still hear James Dean Bradfield smile as he gets to that chorus. Who wouldn’t?

The Manics’ new record Postcards From A Young Man is out September 28. Rihanna is set to release a new album, as yet untitled, on November 2.

Abbey DruckerWho: School Of Seven Bells
What: New York outfit working the time-honoured two-twin-sister and one boyfriend formula to create heady and gorgeous dream-pop
Why: Having toured their debut Alpinisms relentlessly but not having been back to Toronto since last October, their sophomore effort Disconnect From Desire finally gives them the excuse to return
When: Wendesday, September 15, 2010
Where: The Mod Club in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Highly-touted locals Bishop Morocco and highly-touted Los Angelenos Active Child round out the bill
How: Tickets for the show are $20 in advance but courtesy of Embrace, I have two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to attend School Of Seven Bells” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 12.
What else: The Fader has got videos from an acoustic session with the band

MP3: School Of Seven Bells – “Windstorm”
MP3: School Of Seven Bells – “Babelonia”

FacebookWho: Dirty Projectors
What: Critically-acclaimed but polarizing Brooklyn collective known for their musical and vocal prowess and willingness to show it off
Why: If the impending September 26 re-release of 2009′s Bitte Orca in double-disc deluxe form isn’t reason enough to tour, then I don’t know what is
When: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Where: The Opera House in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Vermont-based, Sub Pop-signed Happy Birthday support
How: Tickets for the show are $24.50 in advance but courtesy of Domino Records and Union Events, I have a grand prize consisting of a pair of passes to the show and a copy of the deluxe edition Bitte Orca on CD and two additional pairs of passes to the show to give away. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to be a Dirty Projection” in the subject line and your full name and mailing address in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 12.
What else: The Washington Post talks to Dirty Projectors main man David Longstreth.

MP3: Dirty Projectors – “Stillness Is The Move”
MP3: Dirty Projectors – “Useful Chamber”

Nacho AlegreWho: Mystery Jets
What: British five-piece known partly for having frontman Blaine Harrison’s dad in the band and partly for putting out catchy rock that’s a little bit psych, a little bit new wave and a whole lot catchy
Why: They’re making a very short visit to North America in support of this year’s new album Serotonin with dates in just Los Angeles, New York and Toronto
When: Monday, September 13, 2010
Where: The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto (19+)
Who else: Up-and-coming Kingston, Ontario noisemakers PS I Love You
How: Tickets for the show are $17.50 in advance but courtesy of Collective Concerts I have two pairs of passes to give away for the show. To enter, email me at contests AT chromewaves.net with “I want to ride the Mystery Jets” in the subject line and your full name in the body. Contest closes at midnight, September 9.

MP3: Mystery Jets – “Dreaming Of Another World”
MP3: Mystery Jets – “Flash A Hungry Smile”

In the tradition of G.O.O.D. Friday, in which Kanye West has agreed to drop a new G.O.O.D. Music release every Friday until Christmas, Kanye has given us “Devil in a New Dress”. The song is a downtempo track, soulfully produced by Bink. I’d be surprised if this made it to Kanye’s album, at least without some major changes. Swizz Beatz approves, but seems confused about the title (or maybe it’s just some kind of inside joke that I don’t get):