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• October 30, 2008
• Music

This Week in Soundtracking: Kanye, Deerhunter, and a Free Hot Chip Remix

By William Rauscher

This week, we've got some new dance music, hard-hitting psych-pop, good old-fashioned hip-hop for you. First off, Kanye West's (above) new album drops on November 25, and judging by the pre-release leaks, he's got the post-graduation blues. The title, 808's and Heartbreak says it all: Stark robot beats and searing vocals add up to the most gorgeously melancholic vision of the future. The first single "Love Lockdown"—chilling, plaintive mecha-pop with killer tribal taiko-drum explosions— is easily his best single since "Jesus Walks." Check out the bright-white video, which he premiered on, of places, Ellen. Meanwhile, Atlanta psych-pop quintet Deerhunter (below) is in New York on November 8 to support their new Microcastle. The LP is a much more reigned-in hook-laden affair compared to the dense, trippy sprawl of their breakthrough Cryptograms. Expect a forceful live show from a road-tested group that's got the live-jam mind-meld thing down to a science. Hit up band mastermind Bradford Cox's blog for all manner of bonus beats, including mixes and solo jams as Atlas Sound. And catch them in the studio on Pitchfork TV. Gang Gang Dance is on a touring tear following their explosive beat-down at CMJ. Their live show weaves together Siouxsie-inflected '80s glam-pop with avant-noise, managing even to put their solid new album, Saint Dymphna, to shame. Lucky enough for those who skipped the Social Registry showcase, they're back in NYC at the end of November for two shows. A single for "House Jam" is on its way, go to their Myspace page for a free remix by Hot Chip. Enjoy the noise.

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