Featured New Releases:

Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

It’s rare that an artist’s new material becomes a “no brainer,” for most listeners, but in spite of Daft Punk’s notorious elusiveness, they’ve been one of the biggest conversations in the music industry since they ever-so-simply updated their website with their iconic helmet. Fans didn’t think twice about checking out the infectious single, “Get Lucky,” which has run rampant on the airwaves. They originally started working on this album side-by-side with the critically acclaimed TRON Soundtrack,  but after being unhappy with the result, they quickly switched gears to include live studio musicians, a seismic shift from their synth-heavy past. However, this sound is undeniably Daft Punk and an evolution that best matches the movement that has occurred leading up to this album and will sure to send shockwaves for a while to come.

If You Like: Justice, Empire of the Sun, Gorillaz
Recommended Track: “Lose Yourself to Dance”

Thirty Seconds To Mars – Love Lust Faith + Dreams

Jared Leto and co. hardly took a minute to sit down after the release of This is War and a Guinness Book of World Record-breaking tour (309 shows over two years.) While rumors had swirled that there may not be another album following the highly conceptual 2009 release, the band quickly got their post-road bearings and jumped back into the studio, creating yet another group of thematic songs, this time following the four main ideas in the title of the album. After massive success over three previous albums, the band has earned their big entrances, which included a first-ever debut of a commercial single debut aboard the International Space Station SpaceX CRS-2. The band embarks on an overseas tour next month, later hitting Australia and Japan as well as one stop in San Diego in September, likely accompanied by other US dates TBA (fingers crossed.)

If You Like: My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Panic! At the Disco
Recommended Track: “City of Angels”

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The time has come once again for the Billboard Music Awards 2013, broadcasting live on Sunday at 8|7c on ABC. Each year the finalists are comprised of some of the most played and certainly most visible artists of the year. The show will also feature performances from Miguel, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Lil Wayne, Macklemore, while Prince will be taking home the Billboard Icon Award.

It’s hard to choose just one winner, but we took our best shot of breaking down the finalists and our predictions in 10 Top categories. Do you agree? We’ll all know for sure come Sunday. Listen to the highlighted artists and more on the Music Unlimited service.

1) Top Artist:


Justin Bieber

Maroon 5

One Direction
Rihanna 
Taylor Swift

Reason: These guys put out two albums in a single year. By breaking convention, they made sure that there were few moments between those albums where you weren’t surrounded by One Direction.

2) Top Hot 100 Song:


Fun. “Some Nights”
Gotye feat. Kimbra  “Somebody That I Used To Know”
Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe”
Carly Rae Jepsen “One More Night”
Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa
 “Payphone”
Reason: It’s great to see a band break out as the dark horse of the year, but they also managed two smash singles. That’s something to celebrate.

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Over the past few weeks, there seem to be several albums celebrating their 25^th anniversary, some with special deluxe editions like two released on Tuesday: Public Enemy’s 25^th Anniversary Collection &  R.E.M.’s Green, featuring an additional 26 live tracks from a 1989 show in North Carolina. Later on next month, Sublime will release the 3 Ring Circus – Live at the Palladium album marking the 25 years since the band formed.

All of these are huge milestones, especially if the groups have stuck together, creating other iconic albums along the way. For this week’s #ThrowbackThursday, we round up some of 1988’s biggest  albums & cult classics.

Public Enemy
Album: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back
Song: “Bring the Noise”

R.E.M.
Album: Green
Song: “Stand”

U2
Album: Rattle and Hum
Song: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”

Prince
Album: Lovesexy
Song: “Alphabet St.”

Jane’s Addiction
Album: Nothing’s Shocking
Song: “Jane Says”

Morrissey
Album: Viva Hate
Song: “Suedehead”

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Today we’re excited to announce the expansion of the Music Unlimited service to Brazil!

Now music lovers in 19 countries across the world have on-demand access to an ever-expanding global catalog of over 20 million licensed tracks from all major and many leading independent labels. Whether you want to listen to your favorite tunes at home or on the go, the Music Unlimited service gives you access across multiple devices, including PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Android smartphones and tablets, iPhone, PCs, and many more. You can enjoy the Music Unlimited service’s customizable playlists, premium channels and other great features.

Find additional information about the Music Unlimited service, including a complete list of compatible devices, here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and this blog to stay up to speed on all of our new content and features.

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Arts & Crafts, the taste-making Canadian label that brought you Feist, Stars, Dan Mangan  and more is celebrating their 10 Year Anniversary in a big way with Field Trip Music & Arts Festival on June 8^th in Toronto, ON. The day will be filled with Arts & Crafts-sanctioned artists, including the return of Broken Social Scene, who went on hiatus in 2011 and whose members include Metric’s, Emily Haines, Leslie Feist, Jason Collett and more.

The Music Unlimited service wants to send you and a friend to join in on the fun, including flights, hotels and side-stage viewing in our Field Trip Fly-In Contest, starting now through May 29^th. Enter for a chance to win all of this, plus an Arts & Crafts prize pack and a one year subscription to the Music Unlimited service on the festival’s website.

We’ll be celebrating the 10 year anniversary leading up to, during and after the festival, including a new premium channel dedicated to the label, videos & more coming soon. Stay tuned!

 *Not valid outside the US and Canada (excluding Quebec). Contest closes May 29, 2013. Please see Official Rules for more information.*

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Featured New Releases:

Eve - Lip Lock

It’s been a lengthy 11 years since Eve released the album Eve-Olution. She’s kept her toes in the entertainment water, primarily through acting in both TV & film, including roles in Barbershop, Whip It!, Single Ladies and Glee. While she’s made appearances on tracks like Gwen Stefani’s “Rich Girl”, the music industry is a much different place for an artist that has been gone a while. A multitude of label issues led Eve to release this album independently, exploring the new landscape and digging her heels in the territory she helped create. New emcees like Nicki Minaj should be thankful for someone like Even who paved the way and be ready for some competition.

If You Like: Gwen Stefani, Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj
Recommended Track: “Grind or Die”

Trace Adkins - Love Will…

Trace Adkins is one of country music’s most recognizable stalwarts, churning out a new album every two years (or so) for the last 15 years or so) His public persona is almost as big as his music, with a series of controversies throughout his careers, lightened by a candid look at the singer during his time on NBC’s All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, whose finale this weekend could award Adkins with over 700K to the American Cancer Society. The album features an appearance by Colbie Callait and an open ended interpretation (hence the ellipses) of  Love Will . . .

If You Like: Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith
Recommended Track: “If the Sun Comes Up”

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Listen to your favorite tune from The Music Unlimited service. Now music lovers have on-demand access to an ever-expanding catalog of over 20 million licensed tracks from all major and many leading independent labels. Whether you want to hear music at home or on the go, the Music Unlimited service gives you access across multiple devices, including PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and even Xperia Z Tablet now.

Participate and win a 60-day free subscription to the Music Unlimited service so you can not only enjoy great music but do so for free!

Here’s how to win:

1. Follow @SonyEntNet on Twitter
2. Watch the video below
3. Watch @SonyEntNet as we ask a few questions. Follow the rules in those Tweets and you’re eligible to win!

Full rules below. Good luck!
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Each month, we’ve been bringing you picks from artists that are on the verge of something big, from Cher Lloyd to Kendrick Lamar, Local Natives to Atlas Genius and more. There is so much great talent bursting at the seams, especially leading into summer, so we’ve decided to change the game a bit.

Introducing the new On the Rise Channel, featuring a larger list of our staff picks of up-and-coming hits, updated each month. Love that song from the Gatorade commercial? That’s Jake Bugg’s “Lightning Bolt.” Game of Thrones fan? That’s MS MR “Bones” in the Season 3 trailer. Impress your friends with your “before it was cool” discoveries.

Check in throughout the month as we introduce you to the artists in May’s channel, including A$AP Ferg, Daughter, Youngblood Hawke, and more. Enjoy!

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Featured New Releases:

Pistol Annies – Annie Up

Supergroups are pretty commonplace and always a treat, but not very often in country and certainly not with a group of ladies. However, Pistol Annies pushed that boundary two years ago with the release of Hell on Heels in 2011. The group is anchored by platinum superstar Miranda Lambert, which initially made the group a “side project.” However, the success of bandmate Ashley Monroe’s March release Like a Rose has upgraded them to super-group status, rounded out by friend Angaleena Presley. Lambert’s well known tenacity is projected three-fold through these tough, sassy ladies, singing about men, family and drinking in a fun romp provided by some exceptional musicians.

If You Like: Lady Antebellum, Dixie Chicks, Sugarland
Recommended Track: “Hush Hush”

She & Him – Vol. 3

It’s been three years since the last original studio album by She & Him, a duo consisting of indie stalwart M. Ward and actress/singer Zooey Deschanel. While the two released a Christmas album in 2011, this is the first piece of work to encompass a whirlwind few years for Deschanel, whose popularity skyrocketed with her starring role in The New Girl. She has a tendency to interject her sultry vocals into parts of her acting work (see: 500 Days of Summer) and reigns supreme as adorkable indie queen. However, if there was ever any teetering between which Zooey to love, the duo’s strongest effort to date may inspire you to be most connected to Zooey the songstress.

If You Like: Ingrid Michaelson, Best Coast, Rilo Kiley
Recommended Track: “I Could Have been Your Girl”

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This weekend should hold some serious partying for those participating in the annual celebration of Cinco De Mayo. The day signifies Mexico’s victory over the French army in the mid 1800’s during the Battle of Puebla, one where they were massively outnumbered and still claimed victory. It is an official holiday in the State of Puebla and an celebrated largely in the United States by recognizing Mexican traditions, cuisine and music.

The Music Unlimited services has compiled a channel featuring a variety of music from Mexico, from superstars to indie artists and Ranchera to Banda in the new Cinco De Mayo Channel, now available in the premium channels section. Hear tracks from Vicente Fernandez, Jenni Rivera, Los Daniels and more. Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

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