The Black Keys launch a world tour in May that includes dates with Pearl Jam, The Morning Benders, The Whigs, Kings of Leon and The Flaming Lips. The Ohio duo travel through the U.S., Canada and Europe through September with stops at Bonnaroo, Oxegen Festival, Central Park Summerstage and more.

The Black Keys’ new album, Brothers, is out May 18 via Nonesuch, and you can preview songs here. Check out the video for “Next Girl” below.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are probably the best rump-shaking, eardrum tingling thing to happen to indie rock (sorry White Stripes) and one of the best genre-imploding things to happen to music in general (right up there with Beethoven? Wild overstatement? Perhaps.)

Similarly, ghee is probably the best palate-pampering, moan-inducing thing to happen to butter, like, ever (sorry Julia Child). There are so many magically good things in Indian cuisine it’s kind of hard to rank them in order, and probably bad for my karma to even attempt to mount such a proto-Western un-yoga activity.

Appropriately, these two street-cred sporting, nutrient-packed, life-transforming powerhouses are already intimately acquainted. As it happens, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs don’t need anyone’s help–they’re already quite the culinary maestros.

(CHECK OUT THE YEAH YEAH YEAHS IN THE KITCHEN)

Four quadruple vodkas for breakfast? Popping 60 Valium while going for a swim? Puking in your sleep after a night out on the town? The stuff of legend, and now, perhaps, the past.

Gone are the days when rock stars blatantly bragged about their drug use, nodded off during shows and interviews or recalled crazy, drug-fueled adventures (and misadventures) with public nonchalance. Sure, people will always pop pills, get plastered and a whole lot more, but clearly, excess is out.

Whether the decision to go straight is a result of economics, close calls or the knowledge that some drugs are flat out dangerous, the once-hedonistic rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle is slowly cleaning up its act. Courtney Love, Julian Casablancas, Joe Perry, Ozzy Osbourne and more have all reportedly gone on the wagon in recent years.

(MORE HEALTH IS THE NEW HEROIN)

You’ve probably heard her songs “Shark in the Water” and “Everybody” in the backdrop of shows like Desperate Housewives, The Hills, The City and Ugly Betty. Her voice and songwriting stamps can also be found supporting some of the biggest pop stars out there. And then there are her part-time gigs as a writer and model.

We sat down with renaissance woman VV Brown during SXSW earlier this year, where she told us about breakup albums, video games and graphic novels.

Known for flipping her seemingly eclectic influences (Elvis, Stravinsky, Sex Pistols) into a high energy, poppy soul fusion, Brown is finally stepping into the American spotlight with the release of Travelling Like the Light, released April 20 on Capitol in the U.S.

(MORE on VV BROWN)

Author Nick Hornby wasn’t lying when he said “The Replacements were superheroes: They rescued a whole planet from ’80s music.” That’s how many felt after the band launched in 1979 and progressed through the next decade, often tripping over themselves despite critical acclaim. Drugs, disorderly conduct, crappy gigs, major label success–they’ve been through it all.

Josh Neas of Aquarium Drunkard sits down with host Courtney Smith in this Uncensored Discussion to give you the scoop on the influential band that for many saved the decade.

Download Podcast | Subscribe to podcast feed

Want free music? We’ve rounded up the best songs from the interwebz so you can download all in one place, guilt free. Hear jams from The National, Anni Rossi, Tobacco and more.

1. Tobacco “Sweatmother”
Sounds exactly like a Tobacco song should, from the producer’s upcoming Maniac Meat. You can also download a remix of HEALTH’s “Die Slow.”
Download tracks via 20 Watts

2. The National “Afraid of Everyone”
The second single from their upcoming album, High Violet, is heavy and mellow, but not in a depressing way. And given the band’s political interests, perhaps it’s social commentary on the way we interact these days?
Download track via Pitchfork

3. Big Boi “Shutterbug”
Produced by Scott Storch, this is a reminder that Big Boi is still better than half the rappers half his age.
Download track via Refined Hype

4. Jake One “Town Biz”
The hip-hop producer with credits like Freeway, MF Doom, De La Soul and more drops a nostalgic mixtape of the best of Seattle–old and new. (And no, Sir Mix-A-Lot not included).
Download mixtape via the Seattle Times

5. Theophilus London “I Want You” mixtape
Worth it for the cover of Tweet and Missy Elliot’s “Oops” alone.
Download mixtape via The FADER

(MORE GOODNESS AFTER THE JUMP)

In less than 24 hours the fiercely debated video for the singer’s new single “Born Free” was pulled from YouTube due to excessive violent imagery. The Romain Gavras-directed video depicts military personnel rounding up redhead men and leading them to a desert-style execution. The video is still available at M.I.A.’s website, where nearly a million viewers have watched it.

Music fans had another bone to pick, as the song relies heavily on Suicide’s 1977 song “Ghost Rider.” The singer’s last big release “Paper Planes” also leaned on the Clash’s “Straight to Hell” for its catchy fame. Both were produced by Diplo and Switch.

M.I.A.’s political intentions have also been questioned as promotional. The Minneapolis City Pages called her latest work “Like an episode of ’24,’” while the New York Times examined her connection to the Tamil Tiger rebels last year.

The singer revealed the track list for her as-yet untitled album yesterday via Twitter.