Check out what’s new on the Music Unlimited service this week! Read the highlights and browse new albums & singles below.

Highlights:

• Kanye West’s much-hyped, Rick Rubin-produced new album Yeezus. Need we say more?
• Sophomore efforts from Roc Nation protégé, J. Cole and Rostrum Records’ breakout star Mac Miller.
• One third of Destiny’s Child, Kelly Rowland’s latest solo album, featuring a track about being in Beyoncé’s shadow.
• The first album in five years from Australian house music and fantasy fashion icons, Empire of the Sun (feature the addictive song, “Alive”)

New Albums Available This Week [6/18/13]:

Kanye West – Yeezus
J. Cole – Born Sinner
Kelly Rowland – Talk A Good Game
Mac Miller – Watching Movies with the Sound Off
Empire Of The Sun – Ice On The Dune
3OH!3 – OMEN
Sublime – 3 Ring Circus- Live At The Palace
Hanson – Anthem
Sigur Ros – Kveikur
Various Artists – The Bling Ring: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Hunter Hayes – Hunter Hayes (Encore)
Primal Scream – More Light
Falling In Reverse – Fashionably Late
The Mowgli’s – Waiting For The Dawn
Woodkid – I Love You
Valient Thorr – Our Own Masters
Tripwires – Spacehopper
Matthew Dear – Beams (Expanded Edition)

New Singles Available This Week [6/18/13]:

M.I.A. – “Bring the Noize”
Dierks Bentley – “Bourbon in Kentucky”
Busta Rhymes – “#Twerkit” (Feat. Nicki Minaj)
Britney Spears – “Ooh La La”
Gavin DeGraw – “Best I Ever Had”

Coming Up Next Week [6/25/13]:

Wale – The Gifted
India.Arie – Songversation
Bob Marley & The Wailers – Legend Remixed
Bret Michaels – Jammin’ with Friends
Jane’s Addiction – Live In NYC [Explicit]
Boys Noize – Go Hard
Borgore – Legend EP
Forever The Sickest Kids – J.A.C.K.
Victor Manuelle – Me Llamaré Tuyo
Serj Tankian – Orca Symphony No. 1
Jack’s Mannequin – Jack’s Mannequin: Live From The El Rey Theatre
Devo – Hardcore, Vol. 1
Attila – About That Life
Transplants – In A Warzone
Jillette Johnson – Water In A Whale
Leslie Grace – Leslie Grace
Palms – Palms
Dessa – Parts of Speech

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Check out what’s new on the Music Unlimited service this week! Read the highlights and browse new albums & singles below.

Highlights:

• Gustavo Santaolalla’s epic score to the highly anticipated PlayStation®3 exclusive, The Last of Us.  
• Black Sabbath’s first album since 1995 and the first to feature Ozzy Osbourne since 1978.
• Another outrageous set of songs from SNL’s comedy trio, The Lonely Island, including “YOLO.”
• The 8^th studio album from beloved emo revolutionists Jimmy Eat World, featuring “I Will Steal You Back” & “Damage.”

New Albums Available This Week [6/4/13]:

Gustavo Santaolalla – The Last of Us (Video Game Soundtrack) 
Black Sabbath – 13
The Lonely Island – The Wack Album
Jimmy Eat World – Damage 
Big Time Rush – 24/seven
The Goo Goo Dolls – Magnetic
Surfer Blood – Pythons 
Harry Connick Jr. – Every Man Should Know
The Almost – Fear Inside Our Bones
Children Of Bodom – Halo of Blood
Various Artists - 20 Feet From Stardom – Music from the Motion Picture
Court Yard Hounds – EP
Pacific Air – Stop Talking
Matrimony – Montebello Drive
Everything Everything – Arc
Prodigy & Alchemist – Albert Einstein
Gold Panda - Half of Where You Live
Celldweller – Celldweller 10 Year Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Teen Daze – The House on the Mountain

New Singles Available This Week [6/11/13]:

Jack Johnson – “I Got You”
Five For Fighting – “What If”
Mike Posner – “The Way It Used To Be”
Grouplove – “Ways To Go”
The Civil Wars – “The One That Got Away”

Coming Up Next Week [6/18/13]:

Kanye West – Yeezus
J. Cole – Born Sinner
Kelly Rowland – Talk A Good Game
Mac Miller – Watching Movies with the Sound Off
3OH!3 - OMENS
Empire Of The Sun - Ice On The Dune
Sublime – 3 Ring Circus – Live At The Palace [Live At The Palace]
Hanson – Anthem
Sigur Ros – Agaetis Byrjun
Soundtrack – The Bling Ring: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Hunter Hayes - Hunter Hayes (Encore)
Victoria Justice - Victoria Justice (Digital EP)
Primal Scream - More Light
Falling In Reverse – Fashionably Late
The Mowgli’s – Waiting For The Dawn
Woodkid - I Love You
Valient Thorr – Our Own Masters
Tripwires – Spacehopper
Matthew Dear - Beams (Expanded Edition)
Roberto Tapia – Lo Mejor De

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Check out what’s new on the Music Unlimited service this week! Read the highlights and browse new albums and singles below.

Highlights:

• Megadeth’s first album on their own label, Tradecraft Records.
• Queens of the Stone Age’s long-awaited first album in six years.
• Glee star Matthew Morrison (Mr. Schuster) going back to his Broadway roots, putting a new spin old standards like “Luck Be a Lady.”
• Canadian hardcore band Alexisonfire’s Dallas Green with his fourth folk-driven solo album as City and Colour.

New Albums Available This Week [6/4/13]:

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Featured New Releases: 

The-Dream – IV Play

IV Play is the proverbial “psych!” from singer/songwriter/producer The-Dream, who had declared before the release of his 2010 album Love King that it would be his last solo effort outside contributing writing duties (he is responsible for smash singles like Justin Bieber’s “Baby”, Beyonce’s “Single ladies & Rihanna’s “Umbrella” . . . to name a few.) After an officially unofficial release Terius Nash: 1977  was released online for free, he changed his mind and hunkered down this latest effort, collaborating with huge names outside some of the usual featured suspects, including Beyonce, Jay-Z, Pusha T and tourmate Kelly Rowland, with whom he worked on the track “Dirty Laundry” for her upcoming album. The album flows seamlessly, not asking too much but keeping you engaged throughout with its familiar guest vocals and an R&B style that The-Dream can be credited for perfecting over the years.

If You Like: Chris Brown, R. Kelly, Justin Timberlake
Recommended Track: “Turnt (ft. Beyonce)”

Various – Arts & Crafts: X

This year is the 10^th Anniversary of Toronto’s Arts & Crafts record label, a group that hand-picked some of the biggest Canadian and international bands to make their way through the indie scene. After releasing Arts & Crafts: 2003 -2013 earlier this year, the traditionally interwoven label took the comradery of their roster one step further with Arts & Crafts: X, featuring original songs & “fresh interpretations” from pairs of these artists, including Feist x Timber Timbre, Amy Millan x Dan Mangan & Chilly Gonzales x Stars, among others. This kicks off the next month of celebration, including a Music Unlimited powered pop-up shop in downtown Toronto and the Field Trip Music & Arts Festival on June 8^th (enter for a chance to win a trip to the fest here!

If You Like: Feist, Broken Social Scene, Stars
Recommended Track: The Darcys x Ra Ra Riot – “Time Can Be Overcome”

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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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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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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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Featured New Release:

LL Cool J – Authentic

LL Cool J has certainly kept himself busy since his last album, Exit 13, juggling his acting, hosting and music career alongside venturing away from Def Jam Recordings for his latest album, Authentic. His splintered direction projects through much of this album, exploring new territories and genres, specifically with guest appearances. He returns the favor(?) of appearing on Brad Paisley’s latest with the far less controversial track, “Live For You.” He also brings in the shred factor with Eddie Van Halen and Tom Morello, alongside Monica, Snoop Dogg and Seal. This album marks a new chapter of the many storied book of LL Cool J.

If You Like: Ice-T, DMX, Will Smith
Recommended Track: “New Love (ft. Charlie Wilson)”

Other Albums Available This Week [4/30/13]

Kenny Chesney – Life On A Rock
The Airborne Toxic Event – Such Hot Blood
Iggy & The Stooges – Ready To Die
Akron/Family – Sub Verses
Youngblood Hawke – Wake Up
Randy Rogers Band – Trouble
Daughter - If You Leave
Andrew McMahon – The Pop Underground EP
Streetlight Manifesto - The Hands That Thieve
Big Black Delta – Big Black Delta
Junior Kelly – Piece Of The Pie
Songs: Ohia – Hecla & Griper [15th Anniversary Edition]
Melvins – Everybody Loves Sausages
Beacon – The Ways We Separate

New Singles Available this Week [4/30/13]:

Michael Franti – “I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like)”
Marc Anthony – “Vivir Mi Vida”
Crystal Fighters - “You & I”
Eve – “Eve (feat. Miss Kitty)”

Coming Up Next Week [5/7/13]:

Talib Kweli – Prisoner of Conscious
Lady Antebellum – Golden
Soundtrack – The Great Gatsby
Vicente Fernandez – Hoy
Rod Stewart – Time
Pistol Annies – Annie Up
She & Him – Vol. 3
Natalie Maines – Mother
Fitz and The Tantrums – More Than Just a Dream
Various Artists – Idols Sing Idols
Nashville Cast – The Music Of Nashville Original Soundtrack Volume 2
Justice – Access All Arenas
Joe Satriani – Unstoppable Momentum
Deerhunter – Monomania
AM & Shawn Lee – La Musique Numérique
Various Artists – Dim Mak Records New Noise, Vol. 4
Havoc – 13
Original Broadway Cast – Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Straight No Chaser – Under The Influence
Joshua Redman – Walking Shadows

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Featured New Releases:

Snoop Lion – Reincarnated
The much-anticipated reggae “re-branding” of the artist formerly known as Snoop Dogg is here. He announced his new name after a spiritually enlightening trip to Jamaica, exploring his past during a particularly violent era of Hip-hop to a future of peace encouraged by the Rastafarian movement. Much of this was documented in the film Reincarnated, now available on the Video Unlimited service, which gives an even deeper look at the circumstances in which the lyrical content of the album was written. Reincarnated features guest appearances like Drake, Miley Cyrus and Akon and was produced by Diplo and the Major Lazer crew. Bonus: Snoop picked his favorite reggae songs in a new channel for the Music Unlimited service, Snoop Lion Reggae Picks, now available.
If You Like: Bob Marley, Collie Buddz, Major Lazer
Recommended Track: “Ashtrays & Heartbreak (ft. Miley Cyrus)”

Michael Buble – To Be Loved
Coming off a whirlwind weekend hosting The 2013 JUNO Awards, Canada’s favorite son has dropped his first original studio album since 2009’s Crazy Love. However, his name has continued to be everywhere, especially after the monstrous release of his 2011 seasonal album, Christmas, which managed to also top the charts the next holiday season. His classic Sinatra-style crooning has won over fans of all ages, from his modern renditions of “You Make Me Feel So Young,” “To Love Somebody” and original tracks like “It’s a Beautiful Day.” The tone of the album is incredibly cheery and light, highlighting his vocal chops outside of a classical setting. A perfect start to summer.
If You Like: Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Josh Groban
Recommended Track: “After All (ft. Bryan Adams)”

Phoenix – Bankrupt!
It has certainly been an interesting ride for Phoenix thus far. The seemingly “new” band that erupted on the scene with singles like “Liztomania” and “1901,” had actually been plugging away since the late 90’s, with pockets of devoted fans across the globe. Now, all of a sudden, their 5th studio album seems like a sophomore effort, as they once again have something to prove to a new wave of folks who jumped on board late. An incredibly strong first single, “Entertainment,” coupled with lots of Coachella buzz has put them top of mind, at least in the indie world. The consistency of their sound should please fans and draw in new ones but it is still to be seen if the takeover of a mainstream audience will strike once again.
If You Like: MGMT, The Strokes, The Postal Service
Recommended Track: “Chloroform”
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Featured New Releases:

Kid Cudi – Indicud
Surprise! In an abrupt move last week, Kid Cudi announced that his new album, originally slated for 4/23, would be released one week early. The overwhelming demand from fans and quick skyrocket of the single “Girls,” led to the decision, putting him up against artists like Tyga and Tyler, the Creator, who also recently release albums. Cudi has a unique advantage though, in bringing in a large contingent of other fans through his previous “rock” endeavors like WZRD, although he no longer has the Kanye West machine behind him, as he left G.O.O.D. Music earlier this year. This album also features indie artists like Father John Misty, HAIM and even Michael Bolton (really) alongside hip-hop mainstays like Kendrick Lamar, Too Short and RZA.

If You Like: Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Common
Recommended Track: “Young Lady”

Fall Out Boy – Save Rock And Roll
Don’t call it a comeback – Fall Out Boy never really left. While a formal “hiatus,” was announced over four years ago, the band always had plans to continue playing together after getting positively burned out from years of recording and touring on worldwide levels. They each took on other endeavors, either professionally and personally, most notably Patrick Stump’s heavily electronic album Soul Punk. While their trademark pop-punk and fast guitars reign supreme, some of that electronic influence seems to have rubbed off, as well as a highly-produced, fuller sound. They also use more guest appearances than the average rock band, imploring Courtney Love, Big Sean and yes, even Elton John. This kicks off a busy summer for the band, who will play sold out smaller venues across the US, then on to Europe before embarking on a major arena tour in September.

If You Like: Good Charlotte, 30 Seconds to Mars, My Chemical Romance
Recommended Track: “The Phoenix”

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Mosquito

Karen O. and her band of indie rock royalty return, three years after their last album It’s Blitz! and nine years since their breakout hit, Fever to Tell, featuring everyone’s wedding dance song, “Maps.” Well-known for Karen’s veracious live performances, they have had some massive singles that gained mainstream notoriety. Musically, they don’t seem to be straying too far from the familiar, although some of the big, booming punk guitar and screaming moments of the last few albums are replaced by the trendier experimental “chill” vibes of current music trends and more melodic vocals.

If You Like: Florence + the Machine, Tegan & Sara, The Ting Tings
Recommended Track: “Buried Alive”
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