Alexandra Stewart arrives to her music with the same wide open spirit that accompanies many of her fellow colleagues, artists like Bjork or Feist, with whom Stewart shares a link to Iceland’s legendary producer Valgeir Sigurðsson, through her own producer (and Sigurðsson’s apprentice) Alexander Overington. Like her own story, Stewart’s new album ‘Wàbà’ checks in with the force of a tireless immigrant, set to land on Brooklyn’s shores with a splash before finding its way to all our playlists over the next several months. Stewart is that kind of dangerous artist who threatens to upend expectations of what our local songwriters can do. The first single off her soon-to-be-released record is a mellow and slightly jazzy power rocker (‘Soul Like A Ghost,’ streaming below); so sure of it’s own power, it’ll leave you a little taken aback. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of perfectly quiet moments for you on the record too (‘Lullaby’ and ‘You Don’t Know How’) – you can stream the whole thing here.

Check out all these different moods when Stewart plays Glasslands Monday, September 17. – Mike Levine (@Goldnuggets)

Our friends Body Language , who graced the cover of The Deli SXSW 2012 issue, have just released a preview track (Lose My Head, sreaming below) from their upcoming EP Grammar, scheduled for release on September 18. The band is currently touring with Chicago’s The Hood Internet – don’t miss them at Music Hall of W’Burg tonight (09.14).

Brooklyn’s Morgan Neiman (aka Ducky) has a new EP, The Whether, continuing her assault on gooey soul-pop by playing sultry, understated vocals against tinny electro beats and homemade dubstep basslines. The four-song affair (clocking in at under 12 minutes) recalls the Cardigans, minus the joy, re-imagined instead as a dream- like transmission broadcast from an undisclosed underground bunker. Trippy stuff, Ducky’s videos are even more strange. Take the one for “Killing Time,” featuring three young females baking a cake and standing in front of a mirror dressed like tormented wives from a Douglas Sirk period drama, their greatest impasse here being that of sheer boredom. It’s this kind of unabashed decadence that first brought attention to Williamsburg over a decade ago. In the hands of the frivolously-monikered Ducky, it feels like a sort of homecoming. – Brian Chidester

This Friday, Federation of Horsepower will be celebrating its 10th anniversary of rocking the hell out of Kansas City and all over the country. The Friday show will feature an all-star lineup of every official member of the band, and is the farewell show for drummer Kriss Ward before his move to Austin. In our feature, we talk to founding member and frontman Gregg Todt all about FOHP. Where they started, what we can expect for Friday’s show, and what lies ahead. You can check it out right here, and be sure to hit The Brick Friday for what’s sure to be one of the biggest rock shows of the year. 

–Michelle Bacon

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Seems the good ol’ folks at Stereogum still got a little flavor left in them. Apparently, out of their top 40 new artists from around the world, five of them are Hip Hop artists who claim NYC as their home. Topping their alphabetical list is Azalea Banks, the cherry-bomb rapper known for lacing electro-clash beats with her staccato street flow. She is so damn sexy and, remarkably, most of her appeal comes from her amazing lyrical agility. Joey Bada$$ chimes in with an old school flavor reminiscent of NYC in the 1990s. For cats who appreciate straight lyricism over some classic boom-bap, he’s bringing it back. But what’s a top five rap list without a bit of nonsense? Das Rascist affiliate Lakutis (pictured) makes a bunch of words rhyme with little reverence for linear thought or punchlines—a headache to some, a welcome relief for many. Scroll a little bit further down and find young Le1f, the crunk southern-rap revivialist. His lean-back approach to lyricism has him vacillating between super triple-time and borderline chopped and screwed raps – highly recommended for altered mindstates. Speaking of altered mindstates, fifth and final NYC rap rep Meyhem Lauren garnered his acclaim simply by having a party in his SXSW hotel room and recording the whole thing for posterity. Wish you were there? Download his most recent mixtape and you can experience the cannabis-imbued fury of him and all his friends. – Broke MC

Photo Source: Jetman Jet Team

Jetman Jet Team are in the opening slot at the High Dive this Saturday, September 13th. Kingdom of the Holy Sun are also playing the gig.

Although they do not have a full-length out currently, the three songs available on their bandcamp seem to encapsulate – if not their whole sound, per se – some of the ways in which they mill their instruments for sonic machinations.

"Candy Loop" is an engrossing example of how the harsher palatte of noise-fueled shoegaze can become a beacon for bliss. It is clear that Jetman Jet Team do not take directives from any particular band or influence; their guitars’ metallic and mechanical reverberations blend with more mystical incantations to achieve a disorienting whirl of soundmaking.

In contrast, "Need Action" can recall certain experimental electronic acts like Boards of Canada or M83. Dreamy with a chit-chattering beat, the short song appeals to similar impulses as their other material while still making a distinct, floating impression.

To catch Jetman Jet Team this Saturday the 13th, make sure to get their on time – they play at 5pm. The show costs $5. Stream "Candy Loop" below and check out their bandcamp to hear several other songs.

– Cameron LaFlam