Label SpotlightsNews

Yeasayer, Minus the Bear, and More Secretly Canadian Artists Arrive to Rdio

Secretly Canadian

During your audio explorations of Rdio you may have noticed new and recent offerings from the likes of Diplo’s party project Major Lazer, Brooklyn’s psychedelic pop stars Yeasayer, or stately Detroit singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens. These and many more albums new to Rdio hail from Secretly Canadian, a record label and distributor not-so-obviously based in Bloomington, Indiana. The label has been home to such diverse acts as experimentalists The Books, rock group Explosions In The Sky, indie darlings Dirty Projectors, Swedish pop act Jens Lekman, and the late Jason Molina’s alt-country project Songs: Ohia.

The Secretly Canadian catalog has grown to almost 800 titles since its inception in 1996. The company has even branched out to include sister labels Jagjaguwar, best known for the success of indie folk band Bon Iver, and Dead Oceans, the latter a recent addition boasting luminaries like John Vanderslice. Secretly Canadian includes its own distribution arm, SC Distribution, which was founded in 1997 and now distributes labels like Cloud Recordings, FatCat Records, K Records, The Social Registry, and Western Vinyl, to name just a few.

We suggest beginning what could be an epic journey of discovery with a couple cult classic albums from otherworldly singer slash modern goth princess Zola Jesus and Seattle’s hyper-catchy prog pop indie rock band Minus The Bear, two releases which instantly captivate open ears and also wonderfully hint at the wide spectrum of Secretly Canadian.

∞  April 22, 2013 — 9:00AM

Posted by Rdio at 9:00AM in Label Spotlights, News |

New FeaturesNews

Rdio and Twitter Make #music Together

Twitter Music

A little birdie might have told you that Twitter #music launched today. We’re thrilled to be part of the new Twitter #music experience — it’s built for music discovery, just like Rdio.

With the Twitter #music app for the web and iOS, you’ll be able to see what tunes are trending, discover emerging talent, get recommendations based on your taste, and follow what people are listening to. Everyone gets to hear a 30 second preview but when you connect with Rdio, you can play the full track.

Don’t have an Rdio account yet? Sign up for free now and try the Rdio Unlimited mobile app for 14 days without pulling out the plastic.

Tweet at @Rdio and tell us how well we play with Twitter.

∞  April 18, 2013 — 6:09AM

Posted by Rdio at 6:09AM in New Features, News |

MusicNew Music Weekly

New Music Weekly - April 16, 2013

Yeah Yeah YeahsSean KingstonMajor Lazer

This is one of those weeks where you might find yourself wishing that you had more than one pair of ears to take in all the new music at once. There are many anticipated albums that have finally emerged today, including album number six from both respected New York rapper Styles P and Portland lo-fi masters The Thermals, the hit full-length from British singer-songwriter Olly Murs, and a Nashville recording from Swedish metal act Ghost B.C..

The New Music Weekly playlist is a careful curation of the very best of this week’s offerings for your listening pleasure. After listening, don’t forget you can also choose to dive into the whole catalog of fresh cuts in the Rdio New Releases section.


PLAYLIST NOTES

  • Major Lazer - Free The Universe
    Diplo’s party-heavy second album under the multi-faceted Major Lazer guise features collaborations with Wyclef Jean, Bruno Mars, Vampire Weekend’s Ezra Koenig, Shaggy, and more.

  • Kid Cudi - Indicud
    The rapper slash actor’s third album (and the last for Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music label) features guest spots by hip-hop luminaries RZA and Too $hort as well as improbable pals Father John Misty and Michael Bolton.

  • Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mosquito (Deluxe)
    Karen O and company return for an exceptionally raw fourth album that exposes a darker and moodier side to the band.

  • Jessie Ware - Devotion
    This debut from the soulful British pop singer who just crushed it at Coachella has already gone top five in the U.K.

  • Sean Kingston featuring Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa - “Beat It”
    The Jamaican-American singer bounces back from a near-death jet skiing accident in 2011 to deliver a taste of his forthcoming album Back 2 Life.

∞  April 16, 2013 — 10:00AM

Posted by Rdio at 10:00AM in Music, New Music Weekly |

Music

Celebrate 45 Years of Julio Iglesias

Julio Iglesias

Music legend and ladies’ man Julio Iglesias has sold more than 300 million albums worldwide in his 45-year career by singing about the international language of love. What’s more, he’s even recorded songs in six different languages (Spanish, English, French, German, Portuguese, and Italian) and gave the world the gift of musical children, most notably Julio Iglesias Jr. and Enrique Iglesias. Besides his kids, his other Greatest Hits are his songs that captivate romantic hearts in any continent. Excuse us while we swoon.

∞  April 12, 2013 — 9:00AM

Posted by Rdio at 9:00AM in Music |

Events

Party With Free People’s Coachella Playlist


The annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is set to take Southern California (and, with the help of online streaming, the world) on two consecutive weekends, April 12-14 and April 19-21.

Our stylish friends at Free People are helping us to get ready for the hot event with this cool Coachella playlist. Whether you’re actually going to be on the polo fields or plan on enjoying Coachella through its YouTube channel (a pastime we like to call “Couchella”), press play to start feeling the spirit now with the help of artists like Grimes, The Stone Roses, The xx, Blur, New Order, and Grizzly Bear.

∞  April 11, 2013 — 10:00AM

Posted by Rdio at 10:00AM in Events |

Exclusives

An Rdio Exclusive: Jim James’ First Live Recording Goes To Charity

Jim James

The multi-talented Jim James is many things: My Morning Jacket's singer and guitarist, wildly inspiring solo artist, and now philanthropist.

Earlier this year, James dropped his stunning debut solo album Regions of Light and Sound of God. James teamed up with Rdio to put on an an intimate and truly one-of-a kind concert at Manhattan’s McKittrick Hotel. We're now very proud to exclusively present that night’s set to you in the first-ever solo recording of Jim James live, Sleep No More: Live at the McKittrick Hotel.

James will donate all proceeds from his participation in the Rdio Artist Program to the life-saving MusiCares charity, the GRAMMY®-affiliated non-profit dedicated to providing critical assistance for music people in times of need.

Once you’ve finished the live experience here, follow Jim James on Rdio to discover his plethora of playlists including a mix of his favorite songs.

∞  April 9, 2013 — 1:00PM

Posted by Rdio at 1:00PM in Exclusives |

MusicNew Music Weekly

New Music Tuesday - April 9, 2013

ParamoreTygaJake Bugg

This week is a particularly good one for fresh and distinctive voices in music, including the debut from young French dance producer Breakbot, Swedish electro duo The Knife’s first album in seven years, the fifth solo album by indie rock star Kurt Vile, and M83’s thrilling soundtrack to Tom Cruise’s new film Oblivion.

Don’t be intimidated by the volume of what’s out there (or the volume you choose to play it at); the New Music Tuesday playlist, assisted by the Playlist Notes below, will get you up to speed with the best of the new bunch right away. And there’s even more to consider over in the Rdio New Releases.


PLAYLIST NOTES

  • Paramore - Paramore
    Rdio, we’re happy to say, is the only place where you can hear the band’s genre-breaking fourth album (and first in four years) in its entirety for free. As a special bonus, Rdio listeners get the chance to hear two unreleased songs, "Escape Route" and "Native Tongue," that are only on Rdio.

  • Brad Paisley - Wheelhouse (Deluxe)
    The handsome country star’s ninth album is receiving praise for its mission to earn the genre a wider audience.

  • Tyga - Hotel California
    The L.A. rapper tries flying like Eagles with his third album, which features collaborations with label boss Lil Wayne, Game, and 2 Chainz.

  • Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg
    The British singer-songwriter has stolen critics’ hearts with his debut album, which has already gone to the top of the U.K. charts.

  • The Postal Service - Give Up (Deluxe 10th Anniversary Edition)
    It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since Ben Gibbard, Jimmy Tamborello, and Jenny Lewis first got us swooning to their electronic pop on this platinum-selling debut.

∞  April 9, 2013 — 10:00AM

Posted by Rdio at 10:00AM in Music, New Music Weekly |

Exclusives

Fall in Love With Paramore All Over Again

Paramore

Paramore’s long-awaited fourth album is self-titled and aims to show a reinvention of the band. Hayley, Jeremy, and Taylor last dropped an album in 2009 with Brand New Eyes, so to say this album is hotly anticipated is an understatement. Luckily, Rdio is the only place where you can listen to the entirety of Paramore for free. As a special bonus, Rdio listeners get the chance to hear two unreleased songs, "Escape Route" and "Native Tongue," that are exclusively on Rdio.

“These tracks are both songs we adore, but we felt they deserved to live in their own space compared to the rest of the record," says Hayley. "I’m happy everyone will have a deeper look into who we were as people when these songs originated in the beginning stages of the album.”

Turn up Paramore and catch both Paramore commercials on the small screen all week long. You’ll be reminded why you fell in love with the quintessentially American rock band all over again.

Follow Hayley on Rdio to see what's spinning in her Heavy Rotation.

∞  April 9, 2013 — 9:00AM

Posted by Rdio at 9:00AM in Exclusives |

Music

The Black Angels Reveal The Current Soundtrack To Their Lives

The Black Angels

Austin band The Black Angels recently released the fourth studio album Indigo Meadow to the delight of a growing legion of fans of their honest psychedelic rock sound. The members of the group, which was named after Velvet Underground’s song “The Black Angel’s Death Song,” are voracious listeners and fans of other artists. They have been cool enough to reveal some personal favorites in this exclusive playlist, which includes artists like Ty Segall, Deerhunter, Silver Apples, and even legendary throat singers Huun-Huur-Tu. Alex Maas, Christian Bland, and Kyle Hunt also share some thoughts about the wide array of tunes in the Playlist Notes below.


PLAYLIST NOTES

  • Silver Apples - "Oscillations” and “I Have Known Love”
    Way to create something that is 100 years before your time. Way to go. Yes, I’m kind of jealous...

  • Huun-huur Tu - "Taraan-Taraam"
    A taste of Mongolia. Great groove, beautiful melodies. I want them to play for me in my home or at Austin Psych Fest 7.

  • Tricky - "Christiansands"
    Dark, honest, brooding, amazing in depth sonically. It’s Tricky's Mona Lisa.

  • Juan Trip - "Acid Cat"
    Put this on when you get home with your partner. The rest is history.

  • Billy Nicholls - “Feeling Easy”
    Lost album from 1968’s Would You Believe — a good tune to listen to after a hard day’s work is behind you.

  • Holy Wave - “Golden Truth”
    Latest release on The Reverberation Appreciation Society. A new band from Austin, Texas with hints of Crystal Stilts and early Pink Floyd.

  • Clinic - “See Saw”
    Off their 2012 album Free Reign. These guys have been a big influence on the Black Angels’ sound since the beginning.

  • Deerhunter - "Revival" and "Coronado"
    I have been digging the Dearhunter album Halcyon Digest lately. They are playing Psych fest this year. I love the instrumentation, pianos, acoustics, sax, and synth bass all working well together, sometimes sounding lo-fi and gritty as well as lush and vibrant — reminiscent of Pet Sounds. Just good songs!

∞  April 5, 2013 — 10:00AM

Posted by Rdio at 10:00AM in Music |

EventsMusic

Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan and Other Country Stars Vie for ACM

ACM

Hosted by country stars Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, The Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM) will take place this Sunday, April 7. Our Academy of Country Music Awards: The 2013 Nominees playlist gathers up highlights from the recently-announced group of hopefuls. The television broadcast on CBS will provide at least one can’t-miss highlight as the two handsome hosts go head-to-head for the honor of being crowned the Male Vocalist of the Year.

To decide for yourself who should emerge victorious and to hear more of this year’s nominees, just press play.

∞  April 4, 2013 — 10:00AM

Posted by Rdio at 10:00AM in Events, Music |