PORTISHEAD - 'Machine Gun'

Portishead are back and in a big way. After previewing the new album Third I can comfortably say that the trip-hop pioneers haven't lost their edge in all these years past, but have actually matured and created a stunning new album. Third will be released in the US on April 29 via Mercury Records, preceded by the first single "Machine Gun", available now. You can purchase the "Machine Gun" mp3 at 7Digital.com.


This limited edition box set is also available to the first 10,000 people who snag it from the official Portishead website.

Burial - "Untrue" 96%

If ever I have recommended an album, this is the one to listen in on...Burial's second album "Untrue" has just leapfrogged over the masses to find itself securely etched in my list of the best albums of the year. A throwback to early trip-hop and drum'n'bass, yet eerily dark, beautiful and haunting, "Untrue" gets it right on so many levels it's astonishing. The album embodies dirty scratches, passionate old soul vocals, and menacing synth-pads to enhance the overall tone, playing out like a homemade mix-tape to a scorned, unforgettable lover.

"Untrue" is available now on Hyperdub Records.

-Scot Bowman

LOU RHODES - 'The Rain'

Lou Rhodes, the lead singer of Lamb, recently released her second solo album "Bloom". Her first solo effort, "Beloved One" was nominated for the Mercrury Music Prize last year, and her latest effort is possbly even better. I may be biased, as Lamb is one of my favorite trip-hop acts of all time. Lou solo is a slightly different affair, but her unique, honest voice remains. The first single, 'The Rain', comes accompanied with a stellar video, check it out here.

STREAM - Lou Rhodes - The Rain

Lou Rhodes - The Rain (music video)


-Scot Bowman