Not long ago we got a taste of The Walkmen‘s upcoming album in the form of its title track, “Heaven.” Today the band released another cut off the album, “We Can’t Be Beat.” If the song is any indication of Heaven‘s direction, its title could not be more accurate.

“We Can’t Be Beat” starts with a slow, acoustic guitar melody, frontman Hamilton Leithauser’s distinctively sonorous vocals and soft vocal harmonies from the rest of the band, setting the tone for some decidedly reminiscent lyrics. Lines like, “Oh, golden dreams, golden dreams all lose their glow” create the feeling of remembrance, but about halfway through the track is where the listener really starts to hear the band’s nostalgia. “It’s been so long, been so long/But I made it through,” sings Leithauser against a slow tambourine beat, triumphantly drawing out the notes as he sings, “We’ll never leave, oh/We can’t be beat, oh.” Against a steadily plucked guitar and jingling tambourine, the lyrics certainly ring true for a band over ten years in the making.

Check out summer tour dates for The Walkmen on the band’s website. Heaven drops May 29th on Fat Possum.

STREAM: The Walkmen – “We Can’t Be Beat”

LA-based Electric Guest released its debut album, Mondo, today. The duo, composed of Asa Taccone (younger brother of the Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone) and Matthew “Cornbread” Compton, met shortly after both had moved to LA a few years back. Compton knew some of Taccone’s housemates, and after Taccone invited him to play bass and drums on a few tracks, Compton started coming over to play music all the time. One thing led to another and Electric Guest was born.

After years of working on Mondo, the two have just premiered a new video for the track “This Head I Hold.” Not only is the song ridiculously catchy — thanks to Taccone’s soulful falsetto and a hand-clap rhythm from Compton — but the two have taken a page from The Lonely Island’s book, brining just the right amount of goofiness to the clip. As Taccone waits to audition for a talent show with an American Idol-like set of judges, his nerves build up while the other competitors break dance and use a variety of props–including a pair of three — pronged swords — to outdo one another. Suddenly Taccone bolts, running for miles and becoming a desert nomad. After a nearly two minute interlude with a nomad woman and child, Taccone bolts again, heading back to the competition to face his destiny on stage.

Catch Electric Guest on their U.S. and European tours, with dates including May 2nd at Bowery Ballroom in NYC and May 5th at Rock N Roll Hotel in DC.

STREAM: Electric Guest – “This Head I Hold”

Ten years after The Walkmen‘s debut album, the lauded New York quintet is slated to release its latest effort, Heaven, on June 5th via Fat Possum/Bella Union. And as with many bands ten years in the making, the youthful moodiness and naivety has been replaced with a more mature, seasoned sound fit for the grown men and fathers they’ve all become. The album’s first single and title track, “Heaven,” features bright, elated guitar melodies, toe-tapping drums, and an infectious chorus of “Remember, remember/All we fight for,” that is just begging to be stuck in your head for days. It may have been a decade since the band’s first album, but if “Heaven” is any indication, the Walkmen are only steadily improving with lots more to offer as accomplished vets.

Produced by Phil Ek (Fleet Foxes, The Shins, Band Of Horses), the bands sixth album promises a “bigger, more generous statement,” as reported by frontman Hamilton Leithauser, even featuring Fleet Foxes’ frontman Robin Pecknold on two tracks. And if you’re looking forward to hearing some of the new material live, The Walkmen will be headlining The National-curated Crossing Brooklyn Ferry on May 3rd, as well as supporting Florence And The Machine‘s North American tour in July.

STREAM: The Walkmen – “Heaven”

As frontman Alex Schaaf noted at the beginning of their set, this was Yellow Ostrich’s third time playing at Black Cat but their first time headlining. The sold out crowd at Black Cat seemed to realize the subtle significance of this statement. The band’s popularity has changed quite a bit since recording Strange Land. The critically acclaimed album has put them on a clear path to indie stardom. Their inclusion in this year’s Lollapalooza line-up should be enough proof. Needless to say, last night, their fans were psyched.

The first thing you notice about Yellow Ostrich is that, for three members, they have a lot of gear. I counted at least 40 foot pedals, three different horns, and a steel pedal guitar to go along with the traditional set of instruments. Once the show kicked off, it was impressive to watch Schaaf and multi-instrumentalist Jon Natchez harmonize and play off each other in innumerable ways. The way they kept track of so many things at once, you would think in another life they were air traffic controllers.

The set started with “Whale”, a surprise from Schaaf’s first album, The Mistress.  Schaaf’s superb vocals were in full display from the get go, and drummer Michael Tapper’s minimalist kit somehow provided for some complex percussion. By the time “Marathon Runner” rolled around, the entire crowd joined the band in singing every, single, word. “Daughter” and “Elephant King” brought a good amount of energy into the show, and pretty much everyone was frothing at the end as they listened to “The Shakedown”. The encore started with a nice surprise version of The Talking Heads’ “Heaven” and closed out with a powerful rendition of “Mary”.

All in all, a great set from an up-and-comer on the indie circuit. They are a talented trio, destined for the main stage when they come back to the District. Check out some pictures from the show after the jump.

MP3: Yellow Ostrich – Marathon Runner

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Count on a band named after a fictional cartoon dinosaur to title a song “Orifice Origami.” Fittingly, it’s the first single off the equally-ridiculously-named album Body Faucet. Conjure any strange and disturbing mental images?

But as you all know by now, this is all par for the course for our friends Reptar; they can truly do no wrong. This track is just another example. A funky intro that sounds like Donald Duck swallowed a bassoon quickly transitions into their patented brand of unabashed-fun and buoyant electro-rock—chock full of chiming, overlapping keyboards, knee-knocking percussion, hip-swerving bass-slapping, dynamic, energetic vocals, and just the right amount of hand clapping. This is my jam. It can be yours too. Stream it below or download it on their Facebook page.

STREAM: Reptar – “Orifice Origami”

After three years in the making, Portlandian art rockers AU have finished carefully crafting their third full length, Both Lights. “Get Alive” is the second snippet of the album they’ve released and showcases the duo’s orchestrations.  The track is lush, highlighted by the best combination of harpsichord and banjo that one could imagine.  AU (pronounced “ay-you”) creates a buoyant soundscape that at times carries a Xiu Xiu vibe–minus the suicidal tendencies and arrangements that lean towards post-rock.  If you dig “Get Alive,” be sure to look out for Both Lights on April 4 via Hometapes.

MP3:  AU – “Get Alive”

I’m a big fan of mystery and California – so begins my current obsession with The Neighbourhood. Don’t know too much about the band, but can easily make comparisons to Cold War Kids on twangy production, a little bit of Hamilton Leithauser of The Walkmen on the vocals and some Jonathan Fire*Eater drive on the drums. Popped up on my radar via Zane Lowe and Buzzbands LA earlier this week. I then proceeded to harass the band for a clean studio version of the song via twitter. They’ve obliged the masses and popped up on Neon Gold Records – next they take the World.

STREAM: The Neighbourhood – Sweater Weather

We heard a lot about Haim during SXSW this year. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that we ignored the cries of our swollen feet and hauled ourselves to not just two but three of their shows. More likely, however, their infectious ladyrock managed to rise above the noisy city, shredding holes through the rainclouds hanging over Austin to shower us with musical sunshine. Now those clouds have dispersed to the rest of the country, no doubt bringing word of these three talented sisters with them.

Haim’s sound is timeless; one listen and you’ll feel that their songs could fit in any decade. Their performances, raw with overt onstage sexuality, simultaneously channel a timeline of power rock heroines from Janis Joplin to Alanis Morissette. But their songs present a strikingly contemporary concept of what it means to be a strong female that hasn’t quite found a suitable definition–or place–elsewhere in music. They’re frustrated, but not angry. They’re hurt, but let’s not freak out about it. They allow men to make them question their actions, but never to question themselves. They’ll put up with some shit, but hey, also, fuck you, you know? They’ve finally struck the balance between boy-crazy and man-hating that our schizophrenic gender has been searching for. And, to be fair, I imagine it’s something our weary gentleman-friends have been searching for as well. Which is really cool! Thanks, Haim!

Couple this with something I’ve left out–that their songs are as catchier than a venus fly trap–and you’ll see why we’re all really excited about Haim’s undeniably huge future. Grab a couple songs below, and while you’re at, it go ahead and give them your email address here so you don’t waste any time listening to something that’s not their new stuff once it’s available.

MP3: Haim – “Forever”
MP3: Haim – “Better Off”

ANR is more than just a Miami music-making duo, they are now a Miami music-making trio (at least live)! Off of their recent run of shows at SXSW and throughout the southeast, they’ll be playing our New Noise 003 show with Body Language this Saturday, March 31st. Tickets are available HERE. We caught up with lead singer Michael-John Hancock during SXSW to discuss living in Miami, time travel and, of course, horror movies.

STREAM: ANR – “New Armor”

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New Yorkers Fort Lean played the Neon Gold Records showcase on Friday, March 16th at Karma Lounge. They were sandwiched in between Haim and Savoir Adore on the lineup, which somehow worked out perfectly for their high-energy set. The 5-piece breezed through songs from their self-titled, self-released EP including “High Definition” and “Beach Holiday” as well as “Sunsick” – a personal favorite and recent 7″ release. If you missed Fort Lean in Austin or the last time they came through DC for our New Noise series, you have the opportunity to see them at U Street Music Hall this Friday night with The Postelles. I will be the guy in the front row geeking out on air guitar.

STREAM: Fort Lean – “Sunsick”