This week is all about surprises. In addition to new music from Menomena, Blood Diamonds, and Marie Minerva, there are unexpected but exciting collaborations between rappers and producers/electronic artists. These specific songs are great pairings and highlight each's unique talents and style well. Meanwhile, established act, Menomena, who I originally thought had broken up some time ago, returns as a duo with an incredibly powerful new song. Blood Diamonds and Marie Minerva continue a year of consistently great electronic music filled with newcomers. Please take some time and close out your week with a new Listener's Digest.

Menomena - "Heavy Is As Heavy Does:" When reports of the band not getting along surfaced a few years ago, I had, sadly, assumed that Menomena was over. However, now a duo, they are back with powerful new single. "Heavy Is As Heavy Does" begins simply, with vocals and piano, and then builds into a powerful dirge by the end with overpowering feedback laden guitars and drums. The crescendo is classic Menomena and only enhances the emotion evident in the song's beginning. Menomena seems to have lost none of their power in the shift in lineup and the time  between releases.



Danny Brown & AraabMuzik - "Molly Ringwald:" One of two excellent collaborations between a rapper and popular producer this week. This track features the hyped up and over the top qualities of both parties. Brown raps fiercely over AraabMuzik's tightly wound beats, which seem on the brink of exploding at every point. They do not and the track has a overall tense feeling to it. A great coming together of two very talented individuals.




Blood Diamonds - "Ritual:" This is partially my own self imposed attempt at penance for forgetting to post the amazing single from Blood Diamonds and Grimes, "Phone Sex," a few weeks ago. If you have a few moments, please also check that single out. This is the B-side and no less worth your time. A bright mid tempo dance track featuring a chopped and alternating slowed down female vocal sample, "Ritual" is extremely infectious. The single comes out next week, featuring artwork, resembling the packaging to some sort of recently rediscovered Sega Genesis game, by Elite Gymnastics.

Toro Y Moi and Tyler the Creator - "Hey You:" The Odd Future camp had a rather productive week with new music from DomoGenesis, MellowHype, and Tyler the Creator as well as the announcement of a full tour (making a stop in Buffalo). A surprising and exciting collaboration that was accidently leaked before being finished, this track combines the strengths of both artists into something that seems like a natural fit. A smooth nocturnal track, Toro Y Moi's production is evident throughout. Tyler's own voice, more even than normal, sounds natural and well placed.

Marie Minerva - "The Sound:" A spacey dance track from the Not Not Fun artist, with an effectively used sample of a talk on transcendental meditation that sets the tone for the rest of the song. This hazy and entrancing song will be on her new album, to be released September 4.