James Blake - "Retrograde"

I think the gloomy weather in Atlanta is connecting me closer to this song, but James Blake's "Retrograde" is sure to get played consistently, even on the sunniest of days.

James Blake's 2011 breakthrough self-titled debut has left fans thirsty for more, and when news dropped that his sophomore effort Overgrown is set for an April 8th release, anticipation grew even larger. To top it off, check out "Retrograde," Overgrown's first single which premiered on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show.


[P+P]

Colin Munroe - Unsung Hero [New Mixtape]

All of the singles from Colin Munroe's Unsung Hero mixtape have done amazing on the site, and for great reason. The guy is great. Who thought I'd be over here listening to goth beats blended with pop and hip hop? With Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, RZA and more all involved on Unsung Hero, do yourself a favor and hit play on Colin Munroe's latest effort.

Download: Colin Munroe - Unsung Hero

Previously: Colin Munroe ft. K.Flay - Your Eyes

Passion Pit - Gossamer [Full Album Stream]

I'll never forget interviewing Passion Pit in college back in '09. I wasn't originally assigned to sit down with the group, but after the first interviewer pulled out I had only 15 minutes to do a little research on the band. Needless to say, the interview was pretty horrible but the guys were pretty cool with the fact that I knew little about them.

Fast forward to 2012 and Passion Pit is one of my favorite bands. Stream their sophomore album Gossamer below, before it drops on July 24th. Thanks NPR for yet another dope First Listen.

Ellie Goulding - High For This (The Weeknd Cover)

While I'm a little more of an indie/alternative mood, I wanted to share this cover of The Weeknd that I just stumbled upon. UK singer Ellie Goulding teamed up with Chiddy Bang's Xaphoon Jones to cover House Of Balloons favorite "High For This," and managed to make it her own.

Ellie Goulding - High For This (Prod. by Xaphoon Jones)

Download: Ellie Goulding - High For This (Prod. by Xaphoon Jones)

Read more at The Well Versed!

Previously: Xaphoon Jones - Stay Schemin' (Remix)

Azealia Banks x DJ Cosmo - Mermaid Ball [New Mixtape]

In celebration of her 21st birthday and in promotion of her Mermaid Ball, which is set to take place on Sunday at NYC's Bower Ballroom, Azealia Banks and her DJ Cosmo dropped off the official Mermaid Ball mixtape. With a variety of music ranging from Azealia herself to KP & Envyi, it'll definitely give you a feel of what to expect if you go.



Even if you can't make The Mermaid Ball this year, it'll be live streamed. Follow Azealia for updates.

Props to SC

Previously: Azealia Banks - 1991 [Free EP Stream]

Colin Munroe ft. K.Flay - Your Eyes

Colin Munroe gives us another listen to his upcoming mixtape Unsung Hero with "Your Eyes," an artistic take on wanting to remember only the good memories of a broken relationship. Shouts to K.Flay on the verse.

Colin Munroe ft. K.Flay - Your Eyes

Download: Colin Munroe ft. K.Flay - Your Eyes

Read more at The Well Versed!

Previously: Colin Munroe ft. RZA & Memoryhouse - Invincible

Karmin - I Told You So [Music Video]

Engaged couple Karmin first caught our attention with their covers of hit singles like "Look At Me Now," and a matter of months later, they're popping up on the Billboard chart with "Crash Your Party." Next up from their debut album is "I Told You So," a track accompanied by some spooky visuals that may have you feeling off your rocker.



Hit the jump to catch their recent interview with Rap-Up TV where they react to being co-signed by Kanye West.

Lana Del Rey x Azealia Banks - Blue Jeans (Smims&Belle Extended Remix)

Production duo Smims&Belle bring to of NY's hottest new artists together to craft an Azealia Banks featured dance remix of Lana Del Rey's "Blue Jeans."



Read more at The Well Versed!

Previously:

• Terry Urban & Dope Present: The Notorious B.I.G. x Lana Del Rey - Born Ready To Die [New Mixtape]
• Azealia Banks - Full Coachella 2012 Set [VIDEO]

Rye Rye - Shake Twist Drop ft. Tyga (Prod. by Pharrell)

Rye Rye uses her DMV connection and gets a Pharrell production for her debut album Go! Pop! Bang!. Tyga also lends a had to the track "Shake Twist Drop," which is aimed to make you do just that.



Rye Rye's Go! Pop! Bang! is set to hit stores on May 15th!

Props to HHNM

Previously:

• Rye Rye - Rack City Ni**a
• Tyga ft. Lil Wayne - Faded [Music Video]

Outasight - Now Or Never

Pop singer Outasight continues to burst from the indie scene to the mainstream with his new single "Now Or Never."



Read more at The Well Versed!

Previously: Talib Kweli - Beautiful ft. Big K.R.I.T., Outasight & Mela Machinko)

Chester French - Black Girls [Music Video] (NSFW)

I've been a fan of Harvard graduates D.A. Wallach and Max since their 2009 mixtape Jacques Jams, Vol. 1, and I'm glad to hear that Chester French is back in the studio. Never two to reappear quietly, they wasted no time in grabbing the attention of the digital world with their music video to "Black Girls."

It's a courageous act to sing about something like interracial love, something that is still (don't know why) seen as controversial. To take it a step further, the visuals tastefully show models Rie Rasmussen and Jodie Smith acting out the lyrics (if you catch my drift). NSFW!


Directed by Francesco Carrozzini

Purchase: Chester French - Black Girls (iTunes)

Props to The Overfeed

Rye Rye - Boom Boom [Music Video]

M.I.A. protege Rye Rye gets loose and outdances me, you, yo mama and yo cousin too in the music video to her new single "Boom Boom." Watch below as she stays true to her Baltimore upbringing in the highly animated visuals and get ready for her debut album Go! Pop! Bang!, which is expected to hit shelves on May 15th.


Directed by Legs

Props to FADER

Previously: Rye Rye - Boom Boom