With each passing day, it seems like my admiration for Rihanna seems to extend a bit further. While many panned her latest album, Rated R, I've been reveling in it...rolling around in the dark and emotional tones...much like our dear Riri rolls around in the mud. Say what?


Earlier this afternoon, Rihanna debuted the video for her latest single, Hard. It's a street-stomping, "I'm'a cut you" kind of track that is nowhere near short of heavy hits and insinuating lyrics. With a brand spankin' new video to give your best salute to, Rihanna steps up her sexy and marches to the beat of her own drums.

Watch now!

I love it. Everything about it. If the military is anything like this, then I;m enlisting now.

More importantly, have you jumped on my Rihanna contest? You can see her live in NYC this Saturday, for FREE, courtesy of this beast, by entering here. We're so hard.

mp3: Rihanna - Russian Roulette (Max Methods Remix)

A hotly anticipated album due out the first quarter of 2010, is the 9th studio album from the big beat electronica duo, Groove Armada. Black Light will see a proper release on February 1, and include a handful of tracks that the boys have already dropped...for free.


The third official single from the "wait, it's not even out yet" release, will be Paper Romance, a raging romp with dramatic buildup verses opening into a chorus you'll soon have stuck in your head. The song features tones from the act's newest vocalist, SaintSavior, as well as Ben from Fenech Soler.

You can hear the original track here, which will be released on February 22, with remixes by Doorly, Zombie Disco Squad, Urchins and Softwar.

BONUS!

Fenech Soler have a new jam, Stop and Stare, that is currently rocking my beastly body. Listen now.

stream: Fenech Soler - Stop And Stare

This put a smile, a grin and a huge tooth flasher on my beastly little face this morning. In a Swedish songstress "meeting of the minds", El Perro Del Mar gets the remix treatment from her fellow countrywoman, Robyn.


EPDM has been garnering the utmost praise for her mini-album, Love Is Not Pop, including being nominated for three Swedish Grammis Awards in the following categories: Best Pop, Best Composer, & Best Producer (together w/ Rasmus Hägg, her co-producer).

Additionally, her gut-wrenching tune, Change Of Heart, has been remixed by Robyn, the latter's first official mix for another artist. It serves as her premiere Rakamonie remix.

Grab the track below the upcoming El Perro Del Mar tour dates.

Feb 14 - World Café – Philadelphia, PA
Feb 16 - Le Poisson Rouge – New York, NY
Feb 17 - Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY
Feb 19 - Cambridge Family YMCA – Cambridge, MA
Feb 20 - Il Motore – Montreal, QB
Feb 21 - The Mod Club – Toronto, ON
Feb 22 - Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
Feb 23 - Cedar Cultural Center – Minneapolis, MN
Feb 26 - The Triple Door – Seattle, WA
Feb 27 - Biltmore Cabaret – Vancouver, BC
Feb 28 - Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
Mar 02 - Café du Nord – San Francisco, CA
Mar 03 - Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA

mp3: El Perro Del Mar - Change Of Heart (Robyn's Rakamonie Remix)

Merry Christmas from CJ Milli indeed! Back with a flash of fire to light our yule log, our favorite gal from the lovely land of Richmond, VA, hit us up with a sweet present to gift all up on you festive beasts.


Alcoholic Enema! sounds both like quite an enjoyable time (metaphorically) and in the very literal sense. CJ never ceases to amaze, and this thrilling 40 minute mix proves she got the chops to dominate in the coming year.

Below is the track list...I'm pretty sure you're going to love it! Snag the mix here.

01. Menck & Lissat - Attitude (Kelevra's Freaky Remix)
02. Gooseflesh - Still Wild
03. Sabotage - Column
04. Heavyfeet - One Last Time (Klaus Hill Remix)
05. So Shifty - Nowhere To Run To
06. Foamo - Everything Cool (Original Mix)
07. Kelevra - Herez Another One (Original Mix)
08. Rico Tubbs - Lumberjack (Original Mix)
09. N.E.R.D - Lapdance (Bingo Players Bootleg)
10. Wolfgang Gartner - Flashback
11. Para-Beats - Put the Needle on the Record
12. Squire of Gothos - I Only Wanna Be With Bass
13. Shinichi Osawa - EEAA
14. N.W.A. - A Bitch Iz a Bitch
15. Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill (Freemasons Radio Edit)
16. Mightyfools - Addict (Original Mix)
17. The American Dream Team - My Boo (Ghost Town DJs Cover)
18. Udachi & Jubilee - Smoke Rings (Original Mix)
19. Dolby Anol - Doop (Dolby Anol Hard 90s Re-LOL Edit)
20. Juiceboxxx - 100 MPH (AC Slater Remix)
21. Heads We Dance - Sirens (Gtronic Remix)
22. Cold Blank - Fidgets Live in Small Houses
23. Jason Sundstrom - Dead Calm
24. Kidda - Under the Sun (Hervé Remix)
25. Crissy Criss & Youngman - Kick Snare
26. Ac Slater & The Police - Message in a Bottle: Calm Down (CJ Milli Mix)
27. CJ Milli - Let the Bodies Hit the Dance Floor
28. Reset! - Gasa (Dub Version) / T.I. - Rubberband Man
29. The Videoband - The Forces

BONUS!

Milli jumped on board with another of the same name-ish. Pairing Mille's Crysteena with Blue Foundation's Eyes On Fire, we're listening to quite the rad mix and mash. Get it!

mp3: Mille vs Blue Foundation - Eyes On Crysteena (CJ Milli Mix)

Here in Beastonia, all things funky, fresh and fly are greeted with a generous portion of anticipation and applause. So goes this case anytime a new tune from J*Davey is bestowed upon us....especially in this very moment.


We're writ a fair bit about the pair of Ms. Jack Davey and Brook D'Leau in the past, so a drop of new information set our hearts aflutter this afternoon. This fall, the duo was set to release their first official album, yet a string of delays has left the as-yet-untitled effort at a standstill.

But fear not, fans of the funk! On Christmas Day, J*Davey will release a free mixtape, The Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistape. Presents for everyone!

Included on the disc is the below slice of soul, Outta The Window. I always was THAT kid who couldn't wait til Christmas morning to unwrap their gifts. Ho ho ho!

mp3: J'Davey - Outta The Window

Hey holidays hey! Aqua, they of equal parts being Danish and extremely danceable, are here to bring glad tidings, cheer and a piece of pop to your Christmas preppings.


In traditional Aqua-fashion, Spin Me a Christmas plays on pop sensibilities while egging on the "yep we're cheeky" lyrics. (ie: "get ready to get stuffed like a turkey..."). And good news. There's a video to go with the single, which can actually be found on their greatest hits album released earlier this year.

Watch the video now.

Is it just me, or does Lene look better with age? Maybe it's just the elf costume...either that, or I've had too much nog.

mp3: Aqua – Spin Me Your Christmas

We're not restricted to official releases
This blogger loves whatever she pleases
Thus we played and repeated without being confined
Here we go, turn it up, its' the...


As mentioned, I didn't want to limit myself to only including songs or singles with official releases, on major labels and the like. Instead, each of these were and are still repeatedly played, loved loads more with each listen, and continue to be a staple of my sincerest adorations.

mp3: My Gold Mask - Bitches

Gretta groans while Jack owns...vocals and guitar, respectively. This duo from Chicago wowed us with the hauntingly eerie opening chords of this song, and kept our interest at a pulse-racing peak over the course of this beat-heavy thriller.


mp3: Yuksek (featuring Amanda Blank) - Extraball

Dreamy bending synths introduce what turns out to be a raging romp through boy vs girl vocals, complete with hand clap encouragements. The horn rises? Amazing. The deep bass? Swoon-worthy. Yuksek's debut single? Beastly.


mp3: The Sounds - No One Sleeps When I'm Awake

I actually tried to outplay this to tire of it...only the more I listened, the more I loved. The lead single from the band's third studio album immediately carved a home in my heart with it's pre-chorus build-ups and tweenage angst-ridden desires.


mp3: Sleigh Bells - Ring Ring

Sultry moans and finger snaps anchor this kickback track from this as-yet-unsigned Brooklyn pair. Musical sensibilty at it's best, this song could easily have been crafted anywhere from the roaring twenties through today's modern mayhem, and it would still be the hit it is now.


mp3: MEN - Off Our Backs

This trio hit me like no one else this year, and it all started with a chance stumbling across some demos rooted through social networking. Music with a message, this slice of electropop pie never fails to slap a smile on my face and get the feet a'flyin.


mp3: Major Lazer (featuring Nina Sky and Ricky Blaze) - Keep It Goin' Louder

Easily appealing to mainstream media and dirty dubhall dancers all in the same, it's hard to deny the impact that Major Lazer had this year. This song actually led to a confrontation on the subway between me and another "less energetic" passenger. Try and not move to this track...I dare you.


mp3: The Golden Filter - Thunderbird

A super wet and rubbery bass anchors the second single from this disco-delicious duo. Carefree and whispering vocals float atop some of the funkiest riffing we heard all year. Dramatic drumming and shrieking keys call out as if to say "I'll be stuck in your head for days", and honestly, we'd have it no other way.


mp3: Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets

From that first drum hit, this moving tale of distress buried itself in my heart and vowed never to leave. Goulding's gripping vocal style pairs with the emotional journey through "all the boys before". Something about the innocence of the song spoke so deeply, I actually had to swear off listening to it for some time. It's back for good now.


mp3: Peaches - I Feel Cream

With help from producers Drums of Death and Simian Mobile Disco, Peaches' title track off her 5th studio album is a dark mix of house beats and sexily-sung tones. Just when you think the gal's gone soft, a deep drum bangs and the rapped rapport begins: "Let's get suspect, let's get wet...every little defect gets respect!" Perfection.


mp3: Fever Ray - Seven

I can't even drum up the proper phrasings to verbally applaud this effort. I will say, however, that I've never failed to cry every single time I listen to this gorgeous arrangement. For this year, Seven is the MOST RAD.

Tomorrow, I'll lay out my BE[a]ST Randoms of 2009, for example, those concerts, happenings, songs, artists, etc...that don't particularly fall into one category or another. Stay rad!

Oy, I struggled with how to phrase this Rihanna contest. So rather than try to explain, I'll simply ask you to jump below the image, some of my words, the video, and then get to entering. Sound good? Ok...go!


First and foremost, our beloved "Riri" debuted a 30 second sneak peek of her upcoming video for Hard, featuring Young Jeezy. The track is definitely an album highlight off her latest offering, Rated R.

Catch the preview below, then be on the lookout for the video's official debut tomorrow at 4pm EST on VH1.

Now on to the good stuff. Rihanna is performing in New York City this Saturday, December 19. I, along with a few great blogger buddies, will be in attendance. Seeing as how I've got an extra ticket, I figured, why not make a rad little boy or girl's holiday wishes come true and bring them along for the show! So that's the catch...you'll be hanging out with us, but I promise, we're super fun!

Here's how to enter. And no, its not through twitter this time...shocker!

Whoever leaves me the most hilarious comment on this post, incorporating ANY Rihanna song title, will win the ticket! Discretion is obviously up to this Beast...creativity and puns are always a plus. (Please include your email address, so I can easily contact the winner.)

Contest will be open until noon this Friday, December 18. New York City residents need only apply, although, if in the tri-state area and feel you have the means to travel, dive on in!

For questions regarding this contest, please send word here.

mp3: Rihanna - Umbrella (Vandalism Remix)

Earlier this month, we brought you part one of a special series as brought to Beastonia by Little Boots. Transferring what we have on to you...we're getting all sorts of laser-y and harp-y yet again.


If you made it to last Friday/Saturday's Little Boots' gigs in London/Leeds you may have witnessed the first WORKING performances of our of the laser harp. And if you weren't there, well, you can catch a sneak peek of the beginnings of the construction below.

There will be 2 more episodes of Boots and her harp happenings...and of course, you can catch them all here.

mp3: Little Boots - Remedy (Kaskade Club Remix)

I was slightly "off the gird" per se, since last week. But that doesn't mean good music wasn't filling up the old Beastbox, therefore, we hash...we hash for you.


Yum, yum, gimme some!

#wellijustdiedandwenttoheaventhankschewfulovesheenabeaston
mp3: Rihanna - Russian Roulette (Chew Fu Black Russian Fix)

#discoperfectocourtesyofheadswedanceandjustinfaust
mp3: Heads We Dance - Take My Picture (Justin Faust Remix)

#moregagawithaddedelectrolightzisalwaysaradthing
mp3: Lady Gaga - Telephone (Electrolightz Remix)

#totallyloungeyalapetshopboysalthoughtheyarefromgreece
mp3: Liebe - Drugs and Models (MANSTA Mix)

#bestrackisbackbestrackisbackbestrackisbackbestrackisbackebastrackisback
mp3: Underhall - Digithall (Bestrack Remix)

MEN is the Brooklyn-based band and art/performance collective, focusing on the energy of live performance and an exciting stage show. Oh yeah, and they're our favorite discovery of 2009! The band is fronted by former Le Tigre member JD Samson and is considered one of the icons of the feminist and DIY music movement.


Tonight marks MEN's tv debut on Dinner With The Band, on IFC at 11pm. Below, we have the video for Simultaneously. They will also peform Credit Card Babie$ and Boom Boom Boom tonight, while head hipster chef, Sam Mason, cooks them Boom Boom Boom (duck) Buns and Thai Long Island Ice Tea.

Check out the video below.

Again, that's 11pm tonight only on IFC. Also 2010 is going to be huge for MEN...tours, releases, remixes (including one from buddy Lauren Flax!)

Keep it rad!

mp3: MEN - Simultaneously

Last month, this beast went bananas for the sounds emitted by Coco Sumner, aka I Blame Coco. Mentioning that her song featuring the poploving darlin', Robyn, was in the midst of filming a video, only threw me into a deeper fit of wondering obsession...but today, we wonder no more.


With her husky vocals and "are you sure she's only 18" musical sensibility, Caesar proves Sumner's more than adequate chops and the ensuing song and video is just the beginning for what I promise will be a huge year in 2010 for the gal.

Watch the video for Caesar now.

Here's what Coco has to say about the video:

"Had my first radio play last night! On at 10 with Nick Grimshaw. I'm over the moon! (Cheers Grimmy!). Should be putting up the video of Caesar at some point directed by Hope + Audikana. I think its brilliant I hope you like it. Also Caesar remixes from Miike Snow and Diplo are going to be avalible too! Merry Christmas everyone."

Did you get that all down? The track will be officially released on January 25th via download and a limited edition 10" vinyl featuring an exclusive Miike Snow remix. A Diplo mix also in the works.

Radness.

mp3: I Blame Coco - Bohemian Love

Shuffled and shifted, I've finally cried "enough!"
Listing the greatest albums of the year sure is tough
But on we prevailed, and it came out just fine
So here it is, from 10 to 1, the...


Had to throw another rhyme in there, since I did it yesterday too. All in all, I'm extremely proud of the variety and selections in my top 10. I hope you enjoy.

Major Lazer - Guns Don't Kill People...Lazers Do
June 16, 2009 (Downtown)
mp3: Major Lazer - Hold The Line

Only so much praise can be said for the high quality and production skills of Diplo and Switch without sounding like a broken record. Although, interestingly enough, one of their biggest tunes from this release, sounded just like that. Sing it with me, "oh, oh oh oh ohhh, oh oh oh oh oh oh ohhhhh". Awesome.


HEALTH - Get Color
September 8, 2009 (Lovepump United)
mp3: HEALTH - In Violet

It's noise, it's dissonance and overall a mess...upon first listen. But go back and listen to the LA troupe's second studio offering, and I guarantee you'll be in for a slow death by admiration.


Dizzee Rascal - Tongue N' Cheek
September 21, 2009 (Dirtee Stank)
mp3: Dizzee Rascal - Holiday

The good ol' grime boy broke through his underground audience with a solid offering that verges on the punny yet powerful. Backed by Calvin Harris' stellar production hand, this rascally rapper secured A+ status with fans by asking them to "dance wiv 'im".


Peaches - I Feel Cream
May 5, 2009 (XL Records)
mp3: Peaches - More

Eccentric and energetic, the queen of electroclash's 5th studio output features everything from signature beat drops to the hairy and heart-wrenching notes sung by the indisputible icon. From start to finish, one of the most cohesive albums this year.


Florence + The Machine - Lungs
July 6, 2009 (Island)
mp3: Florence and The Machine - Kiss With A Fist

Sultry vocals backed by endless drummings and soulful strummings, the debut album by the London outfit features many songs about violence and death. It's the most beautiful compilation of dark subject matter you could ever ask for.


Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!
March 9, 2009 (Interscope)
mp3: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dull Life

From the first two singles through the bonus acoustic versions of a handful of tracks, our beloved New Yorkers constructed a sentimental and slamming indierock album. When you're not dancing you're crying, but fear not, for one or the other is ready to pick you up and put you right back down again. Emotionally electrifying.


Micachu and The Shapes - Jewellery
March 9, 2009 (Rough Trade)
mp3: Micachu and The Shapes - Calculator

This progressive art-rock offering cuts through the clutter and, surprisingly, plays off as quite the improbable pop phoenix. Additionally, the use of nontraditional instruments, like broken bottles and cardboard boxes, makes each spin a new and uniquely thrilling journey.


Aceyalone - The Lonely Ones
March 31, 2009 (Deconstruction)
mp3: Aceyalone - Can't Hold Back

Soulfully retro with a modern day sensibility, this longtime "featured guest" broke out of the shadow of his pals, and threw together this solo effort. He does reign his friends in, as well as a slew of new fans, by pairing Motown croonings with mad beats and massive riffs.


Fever Ray - Fever Ray
March 18, 2009 (Rabid Records)
mp3: Fever Ray - When I Grow Up

Making every hair on the back of your neck stand up simultaneously is quite a feat in and of itself. With a handful of keys and notes hit, this debut and final album immediately launched its way into the forefront of notoriety, blog-wide. On a personal note, there's no greater emotionally sound electronica artist that Karin Dreijer Andersson.


The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa
August 25, 2009 (Green Owl)
mp3: The Very Best - Mfumu

Let slide the "all too fitting" band name, strip away the inevitable collaboration with M.I.A. and if you haven't already spun this album, I'd implore you to drop everything you're doing and get on it now. When played as background noise, it's perfect. When used as a dance floor filler, the bodies move nonstop. When played in Beastonia, we can only say one thing: RADDEST OF THE YEAR.

And on we go...prepping our ears for what will surely be anoher rad year of tunes in 2010. In the meantime, tomorrow I'll give you my 10 BE[a]ST Singles of 2009. Are you ready?

Ok, this might just go down as the raddest most excellent contest I've ever hosted. Partially because of the product name, but ALSO because of what exactly this killer piece of technology does. Boys and girls, I present, the Rad Blaster...along with the chance to win one of three [3] that I'm giving away!


Here's the deal. Rad Blasters are the first ever boombox/mp3 player/recorder & flash drive/thumb drive. It allows you to rock out in headphones, bump beats through built-in speakers, spit rhymes into its recorder or safely store files all while it hangs from your neck by a blingin’ chain. YES, not only does it do rad techy stuff, but you can rock it 'round your neck.

The Rad Blaster also includes a 1.1 inch true color LED screen, supports MP3/WMA/WAV audio formats and has 2GB of built-in memory. Count me in!

So here's where we get all sorts of radly charitable. I've got 3 Rad Blasters at my disposal, and to top it off, I'm going to load it up with a TON of exclusively killer tunes, as selected by yours truly. So how do you win?

Let's tweet! Start by following me on twitter, if you're not already. Then simply copy, paste, and hit send so I can see the below message, and you're entered. Easy peasy!

hey @sheenabeaston, you're pretty rad, but i'd be so much more kickass than you if you hooked me up with a rad blaster from @superradtoys

Contest will be open until 5pm on Monday, December 21, so you've got a week to get rad and get entered! And hey, even if you don't win, you can buy a Rad Blaster here...it's a pretty great deal.

mp3: The Aquabats - Super Rad

Spreadsheets sorted: band name, album title, date
A time consuming task to which many can relate
That said, here's half the list of these favorites of mine
Ladies and gentleman, the top 25-11...


Did you get it? It was a rhyme. Anyway, without further ado...

Dragonette - Fixin to Thrill
October 27, 2009 (I Surrender Records)
mp3: Dragonette - Liar

Bear in Heaven - Beast Rest Forth Mouth
November 13, 2009 (Hometapes)
mp3: Bear in Heaven - Casual Goodbye

Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
April 20, 2009 (4AD)
mp3: Camera Obscura - French Navy

Metric - Fantasies
April 7, 2009 (Last Gang Records / Arts & Crafts / Metric Music International)
mp3: Metric - Stadium Love

K'naan - Troubadour
February 24, 2009 (A&M/Octone)
mp3: K'naan - Take A Minute

The XX - The XX
August 17, 2009 (Young Turks)
mp3: The XX - Intro

Röyksopp - Junior
March 23, 2009 (Wall of Sound)
mp3: Royksopp (featuring Robyn) - The Girl And The Robot

Amanda Blank - I Love You
August 4, 2009 (Downtown)
mp3: Amanda Blank - Something Bigger, Something Better

The Bird and The Bee - Ray Guns Are Not Just For the Future
January 27, 2009 (Blue Note Records)
mp3: The Bird And The Bee - Love Letter To Japan

The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love
September 22, 2009 (4AD)
mp3: The Big Pink - Too Young To Love

Electrik Red - How to Be a Lady: Volume 1
May 26, 2009 (Def Jam/Radio Killa)
mp3: Electrik Red - So Good

Miike Snow - Miike Snow
October 23, 2009 (Downtown)
mp3: Miike Snow - Silvia

Wale - Attention Deficit
November 10, 2009 (Allido, Interscope)
mp3: Wale - 90210

Vitalic - Flashmob
September 25, 2009 (Different Records/Pias)
mp3: Vitalic - Poison Lips

Bat For Lashes - Two Suns
April 6, 2009 (Parlophone)
mp3: Bat For Lashes - Sleep Alone

Tomorrow, I'll dish out the remaining albums, from 10 to 1, that I consider the BE[a]ST of 2009...with commentary on each.