But for me this is not an EP or a lesser version of an album. It’s an album, but it’s maybe not the normal length, so I can go back to the studio again and release these songs while they’re actually fresh, and go back to the studio and work on more stuff while touring.

So she’s saying less music more often, which I support. And it lends itself to the tracks being more current, not to mention more aligned with the hyper-speed of info and song leaks in the blogosphere.

Watch the clip and get a (somewhat guesstimated) preview of track names and producers, c/o YouTuber r8ght, after the cut.

Song #1. “Looking for Love” (?) Produced by Savage Skulls
Song #2. “None of Them” Produced by Röyksopp
Song #3. “Dancing On My Own” Producer unknown [sounds like Kleerup to me]
Song #4. “Don’t Fucking Tell Me What To Do” Produced by Klas Åhlund

This may go without saying, but I fucking love “Dancing On My Own” and cannot wait for these albums to drop!

Of all the Swedish music I’ve been obsessing over lately, the group Kent takes the cake – and most of the forks. Three days ago, the group released a video for “Idioter,” the third single off of the new album, Röd, and, in my opinion, a third win!

As soon as I can justify dropping several hundred dollars on foreign CDs, I will be ordering the full Kent experience from Amazon. Until that day, I live with YouTube. Like commuting, it’s not ideal, but gets the job done.

The first two singles off of Röd, “Töntarna” and “Hjärta,” respectively, were both amazing as well, and you can watch all three videos after the jump.

Note: The picture for this post was taken from Swedish Music for Dummies, which may now be my new favorite Web site EVER.

So why the sudden change of heart? Two words. Nicki Minaj. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, is there anyone chick in the rap game who’s working harder than Nicki Minaj?! I think not. Now, Ms. Minaj has spit some crazy-ass-fire on the already “catchy” (by Forest’s definition) song “In My Head.”

But don’t take my word for it – listen for yourself below.  Sickest verse? “Smash more clubs than Tiger Woods wifey/Ha! I am the biiitch…./Hit up JR and tell him to call Jason/Do a pop song and stack more Caucasians.”

In-My-Head-Remix-Ft.-Nicki-Minaj

Past Nicki Minaj Coverage:
Music Video: Ludacris ft. Nicki Minaj “My Chick Bad”
Music Video: Mariah Carey “Up Out My Face” Featuring Nicki Minaj

How, you may wonder? Well, shape-shifting, colorful prog-y instruments and hyper-neon parachute-pantsed dancers might have something to do with it… Okay, they definitely have something to do with it. Essentially, this video is everything I see in my head when I listen to this song –which makes me kind of insane and I’m okay with that.

Check it out for yrself after the cut.

The name Kimberly Caldwell might ring a bell, that is, if you got sucked into American Idol when it was still considered a novel idea rather than what it’s become today. Even though Caldwell made it into the Top 10 finalists during season 2 of American Idol, her path to music stardom hasn’t followed the prototypical AI formula (read: rush an album to distribution to capitalize on ratings). Rather, it’s been a slow build for Caldwell, who is finally set to release her debut album Without Regret (April 6th).

Check out the music video of her lead single “Mess of You” after the jump. Honestly, I forgot how much I enjoyed her powerful, raspy vocals – which sound like a mix between Kelly Clarkson (strained) and Melissa Etheridge. If you like what you hear, you should definitely check out Caldwell’s official site for a free download of “Say Love” off the upcoming album.

Kimberly Caldwell “Mess of You” Official Music Video from Kimberly Caldwell on Vimeo.

This feature documentary was directed by Christopher Pomerenke, produced by the makers of 2006’s Moog, and features Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips), Jason Schwartzman, Elijah Wood, Andrew VanWyngarden (MGMT), Britt Daniel (Spoon), Juliette Lewis, John Frusciante and more. The Flaming Lips’ Steven Drozd also wrote and performed the film’s original score and covered Elton John’s “Rocket Man” with Maynard James Keenan on vocals.

The DVD is out today (March 9th) and will be available On Demand starting April 1st. For you Netflixers, you can add it to your queue now! Check out the film trailer after the jump – and stay tuned – we hope to have more on The Heart is a Drum Machine very very very soon.

Aziz Ansari (of “Scrubs” and “Parks and Recreation” fame) has a singing/rapping alter ego named Raaaaaaandy, who is a little pissed off that the Bieb came to the studio and allegedly stole the idea for “Baby” from his song “Baby Baby”. This is only the latest in a series of hilarious musical skits Ansari has blessed us recently, with the help of TV on the Radio producer Dave Sitek.

If you’re having a rough day, play this skit…it’ll definitely give you a chuckle.

I’ve racked my mind trying to draw lines between the disparate odds and ends present in the iamamiwhoami video series. If you’re reading this, then you probably have too. Between the animals, strawberries and vague Scandinavian references, it’s been confusing, sometimes rewarding and pretty much insane.

We’re expecting another video, or two, but I agree with ReMyky22 that this is probably going to end soon – if only because people are going to start losing interest. When the new video drops, I’ll be all over it.

However, until then, I’m interested in what all of you think.

I’ve combed through the iamamwhoami posts and pulled your ideas on who this might be. Below, I’ve created a massive poll, where you can vote for your top choice. Below that, I’ve included a video – or song – from each of the artists mentioned.

If you’re not as familiar with the iamamiwhoami lore, see this past posts:

Unraveling “iamamiwhoami” (with videos)
New iamamiwhoami Video Defines the Species
iamamiwhoami: Huldra + Mandragora
Welcome to iamamiwhoami (The Fifth Video)

I’d love to say we have a prize for those who guess correctly (unless we’re all wrong and it IS a Coca-cola ad …), but I’m afraid the only prize is sanity – hopefully in time.

Christina Aguilera (better video ReMyky22?)

Little Boots

Ladyhawke

Lady Gaga (Jayvee’s pick)

Goldfrapp

Karin Dreijer

Lykke Li

Royksopp, with Karin Dreijer

Aphex Twin

Heather Marlatt (S4lem)

Golden Filther

Margaret Berger

Robyn

Sia

Anneli Drecker

Stephanie Dosen

Instead of sending out advance copies, leaving USB drives in concert venue restrooms or doing just about anything tried and true, or unique, but still sane – MGMT is coming to your city, in a van, to take you for a ride.

But there’s a catch.

An hour before departure time, in each of the six cities chosen, MGMT will release a clue regarding the van’s location, as well as a password. When you get to the van, you’ll see someone with an MGMT flag.

Give him, or her, the password.

The first six fans to figure out the clue, arrive at the designated location and give the password will be treated to a ride, featuring [Insert unannounced features here.].

Confused yet? I can’t say for sure whether things will be less confusing once you’re in the van.

The first city has been revealed and, unsurprisingly, it’s New York. The clue will be distributed on the Where is MGMT site at 4:00 p.m. EST, March 10. So at about 3:50 on Wednesday, glue yourself to a computer and get your Hardy Boy on. (That means you, Jayvee.)

More cities to come soon … come on Minneapolis!

And sometimes, if you are completely honest with yourself, you have to step back and simply ask — “Why?”

Why did the suits allow the 90s to get off to such a horrible start with the release of Right Said Fred’s I’m Too Sexy?

Why (or rather how) was this song so popular that it made its way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100?

Why, even when it wasn’t at No. 1, was it still tolerated to the point of spending six weeks at No. 2 behind a respectable artist like Bryan Adams?

Why was Right Said Fred allowed the distinction of being the first UK artist since The Beatles to have a song reach No. 1 in the United States with a debut single?

And why is a horrible act like Right Said Fred able to run free with ruining the core foundation of a song like “Third Stone from the Sun” while disrespecting a legend like Jimi Hendrix?

In fairness to the idea of spending valuable time focusing on quality music, there is not much more that can be said — while keeping a straight face — about this week’s pick for Bad Music Monday.