Kylie Minogue - Kylie + Garibay

Okay, so we all know Kiss Me Once came out earlier this year and it was partially amazing.  Some of it was on the less stunning side of the pop spectrum, and I'm not gonna pin the blame on anyone in particular.  I'm just saying, we would've been just fine without the Enrique Iglesias feature... and "executive producer" Sia.  But that's all said and done, and there's still a nice bundle of standout Kylie moments on the record.

Now here's the exciting news: Kylie just posted a free EP on the wonderful internet without any prior notice.  It's a collaboration with Fernando Garibay, the man who produced some of Lady Gaga's finest work.  I'm talking about "Dance In The Dark" and the majority of her Born This Way album.  With that in mind, the new EP, presumably titled "Kylie + Garibay", is completely different from Kiss Me Once.  It's dark and hard hitting, with Kylie's vocals left in a somewhat raw state.  The first two tracks are especially stunning.  "Glow" is a song that just pummels you with haunting vocals and a drilling synth, while "Wait" has a fantastic bounce that just fuses to a perfect melody.

Several of the tracks on the four song album were featured in the opening video sequence of the Kiss Me Once tour, which kicked off in Liverpool on September 24.  This means that Kylie + Garibay is more than just leftover material from an unused Kiss Me Once recording session.  And I must say, I find this EP to be far more exciting than the full-length album.  It's a daring and unusual move for someone in Kylie's position.  Why give it away for free when the label could slap together an "extended version" of Kiss Me Once with the four new songs?  She does it because she's Kylie Minogue.

Kiesza - No Enemiesz

I feel like a decent amount of the big pop stars have taken a dip into the "early-nineties house music" sound for maybe a single or two, but few of them have truly captured a modernized version of the vibe like Kiesza has.  Following the release of her Hideaway EP, Kiesza's debut album will see the light of day on October 21.  Sound Of A Woman will feature every song from the EP, along with a slew of new tracks, with one of them being her latest single,"No Enemiesz".

From the sound of "No Enemiesz", this album is gonna be a solid jam.  Grab a smoke machine, a few strobes, and you're set for the night.  There's this particular synth that reminds me of something Robyn would use, which puts Kiesza in good company.  Check it out...



Sound Of A Woman is out on October 21 in the US and November 17 in the UK, via Lokal Legend / Island.  That stunning picture up top is the cover artwork.  You can pre-order the album here.

BANKS Just Won The Vinyl Game

BANKS released her debut album last week, and if you haven't heard Goddess yet then you should definitely go check it out, but the real story here is the vinyl.  Vinyl tops the list when it comes to aesthetically pleasing music formats, but BANKS went all out on this one.  The double-LP gatefold record is housed inside a translucent red sleeve.  Just look at it.  Ugh, it's beautiful.

That's just the standard version, which you can buy here.  Urban Outfitters had a limited red marble pressing and BANKS' store has some signed copies available.  Don't even get me started on the actual music, it's equally beautiful.  Congrats to BANKS on such an amazing release.  Love live physical media!  Keep reading for more pictures...

Unicorn Kid Is Retiring The "Unicorn Kid" Name

Electronic artist Unicorn Kid has announced the end of his "Unicorn Kid" moniker.  After disappearing from all social media outlets over the last year, he went to Twitter this week to make the announcement.  Apparently, he was recently cut free from his recording contract and wants to head in a different direction, which may or may not have something to do with the extremely low-key album release. 

I've finally been released from my record contract, so I'm now able to let you guys know I'm calling it quits with Unicorn Kid

— UNICORN KID (@UNICORNKID) September 7, 2014

But that's not to say he's retiring from music completely, as he then went on to reveal that he's since relocated to New York and will release new material under another name later this year.  So while we wait for new music, let's take this moment to revisit some of Unicorn Kid's work one more time.