ASTRAKHAN 'Turgid Waters'

*Warning: VIVID RADIO presentation*

Having risen up the ranks of Vancouver's metal scene over the course of three EPs released since 2012, the progressive sludge metal quartet known as Astrakhan are finally ready to drop their debut full-length. Reward in Purposeis slated for CD and vinyl release on June 10, care of a collaboration betweenWar on Music/Sunmask Records, and you can get a taste of what to expect via the new video for the album's "Turgid Waters."

Featuring Jerome Brewer on drums and Adam Young on guitar, with bassist Dustan Toth and guitarist Rob Zawistowski splitting vocals, Astrakhan have been working on this album for the past two years. Ensuring its fidelity, Jesse Gander recorded and Stu McKillop mastered Reward in Purpose at Rain City Recorders, while the band looked inward for its theme.

As the press release states, "This album explores the perceptions and experience of the band over the last few years together and culminates with the realization that the true reward for which we search with any passionate endeavour is ultimately a matter of experiencing the highs and lows that come with the pursuit of pure expression. It is simply a matter being occupied with something that matters to you."

All of the band's talent and vision are on display in the video for "Turgid Waters." The visuals are as good as anything the hard end of the rock spectrum came up with in the early '90s: a black-and-white affair with tastefully employed digital and stop-motion effects that frame a murderous, cursed magic tale with traces of Through the Looking-Glass. It's the perfect setting for the group's dual lead guitar attack and overlaid vocals, driving guttural riffs, and anvil-crumbling percussion, a fierce and crisp sonic attack.

Check out the video for "Turgid Waters" below.

CHARLOTTE CORNFIELD 'No Spook'

*Warning: VIVID RADIO presentation*

Charlotte Cornfield gave us a glimpse into her retirement goals with her recent LP Future Snowbird, but for her latest video, the singer-songwriter has enlisted an elderly gentleman who is already embracing the Florida lifestyle.
 
The clip for "No Spook" stars the 82-year-old Brooklyn resident turned Florida snowbird Dave "Pop-Pop" Finchler, who also happens to be the grandfather of directors Adam and Hanna Finchler.
 
The resulting video is charming, nostalgic and will make anyone still shaking off the shackles of winter long for their own trip down south.
 
"The video alters between shots of a present-day Pop-Pop lip-syncing the song by a pool and Super-8 home video footage of him at various stages of his life," Cornfield explained in a statement. "Hamming it up on a horse, wearing goofy costumes, dancing around in a pool full of snow, and sharing tender moments with his children as they grow up."
 
Scroll past the singer's upcoming live shows to check out the brand new video for "No Spook" below.
 
Tour dates:
 
05/12 Toronto, ON – Burdock
05/13 Montreal, QC – Le Cagibi
 

MUTUAL BENEFIT 'Lost Dreamers'

*Warning: VIVID RADIO presentation*

Singer-songwriter Jordan Lee crafts dreamy pop music under his Mutual Benefit moniker, and recently unveiled his latest single "Lost Dreamers."Now, that same song has been given the visual treatment.
 
The whimsy and melancholy of the song is captured in the new clip, depicting the people and places of New York on a gloomy but beautiful day. The surrealist style was influenced by artists like Chris Van Allsburg, Rene Magritte and Beth Hoeckel, and captured to film by director Ethan Samuel Young.
 
A press release describes the end results as a "a glimpse into a fantastical vision of tranquility where elements of New York City and its residents are disconnected from their bustling environment and placed into a serene natural space."
 
The song will appear on Mutual Benefit's upcoming LP Skip a Sinking Stone, which is due out on May 20 through Mom + Pop. Right now, though, check out the video for "Lost Dreamers" in the player below.
 

RUN THE JEWELS "Love Again" (ft. Gangsta Boo)

*THE SYNDICATE DOES NOT EXIST*

This weekend, rap hellraisers Run the Jewels performed at Coachella. They've also now released a video for their lewd sex anthem "Love Again," featuring Gangsta Boo.

The video for this raunchy cut from Run the Jewels 2 is filled with insects and flowers, and we see suggestive images of bees and butterflies pollinating. It's all very evocative of song's oral sex-espousing chorus. For Gangsta Boo's final verse, we see venus fly traps eating the insects in question.

The clip was directed by Ninian Doff. Watch it below.

Meanwhile, RTJ have been working on their third album, and they recently appeared on a track with DJ Shadow.