Arts & Crafts, the Canadian label best known for signing indie darlings like Broken Social Scene, Stars, and Feist, has begun a new era with their newest signing of darkwave synth-pop group Trust. The duo hails from our hometown of Toronto which is about all they have in common with their label mates.

Their sound is reminiscent of Crystal Castles (another Toronto group) but with male vocals. In the last year they’ve performed with DFA1979, Crystal Castles, Balam Acab, Glass Candy, and Hercules and Love Affair. Don’t expect to see this on an iPod commercial anytime soon.

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DOWNLOAD: Trust – Bulbform (Trust Mix)

For those looking to start or enhance their collection of comfortable, casual sneakers, the New Balance M577 is an excellent option. The 577 shoe was launched in 1989 as a technical running shoe and over the decades has socially evolved into a casual sneaker. The model is still Made in the UK and is one of the few casual options to offer a ventilated construction and high stability sole.

Another indicator that it is a great shoe is the fact that both Oki-Ni and Tres Bien Shop picked up the model for AW11.

Available at Oki-Ni.

“Expensive Looks, the pseudonym for New York-based psych-pop producer Alec Feld, melds tropical garage breaks, shimmering visceral chants, and disco-edged house to kick back to the displays of natural forces and days of unparalleled euphoric ecstasy. Akin to creations of early garage titans and wonders transfused with codeine-soaked acid jams, the smoothly ethereal yet grimy sounds reveal the inner-workings of towering, crashing polar shifts.”

It’s an apt description. Really loving these sounds. Below are our favorites from his Soundcloud.

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DOWNLOAD: Expensive Looks – Nothing More

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DOWNLOAD: Grizzly Bear – Knife (Expensive Looks Break)

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DOWNLOAD: DOM – Living In America (Expensive Looks Remix)

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DOWNLOAD: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Universally Speaking (Expensive Looks Rerub)

We’ve been keeping a close eye on Grimes for a long while now. We always knew Ms. Claire Boucher had the talent to become a force but we’re waiting for that one song to tip us over the edge to become fully convinced. Today is the day as she has released a supreme piece of pop by the name of Genesis off her upcoming album Visions. If you don’t like this, your girlfriend will love it.

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DOWNLOAD: Grimes – Genesis

This year, instead of creating their usual radio like show for their their annual Music Blog Zeitgeist, Hype Machine had the clever idea of enlisting some blog favorite artists to create a mix of the most blogged and favorited tracks of 2011. Download RAC’s mix of upbeat feel good music below (featuring songs from Phantogram, Theophilus London, M83, Neon Indian, Justice) and go here to listen/download mixes from OFWGKTA’s The Internet and The Go! Team.

Listen and reflect on 2011. Full tracklist after the jump.

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DOWNLOAD: RAC vs The Hype Machine – 2011 Music Blog Zeitgeist Mix

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It was only a matter of time before the remixes of The Weeknd’s latest mixtape Echoes of Silence started to be released. Our favorite so far is this Kid Khaos remix of the title track. Kid adds an airy drum beat while pushing the vocals into the background to create a swirling haze of sounds that mimics the confusion, and even the beauty, of a late night of drinking/drugs/heartbreak.

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DOWNLOAD: The Weeknd – Echoes Of Silence (Kid Khaos Remix)

Major Lazer have kickstarted the new year with a brand new mix that premiered on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show last night. In typical Major Lazer fashion, the mix jumps from genre to genre and often veers into uncharted territory (example: Busta Rhymes’ verse from “Look At Me Now” mixed with Rustie’s “After Light”). It’s refreshing to hear some proper feel-good party tunes again.

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DOWNLOAD: Major Lazer – New Years Eve Mix for Annie Mac BBC Radio 1

We recently visited Roden Gray and one of our favourite brands from their well curated collection is Chauncey. The staff at the Gas Town boutique educated us on the Brussels-based brand. Lead designer, Nathalie Bouhana, started the brand after creating knitwear for several luxury labels including Hermes, Ferragamo and Jean-Paul Gaultier.

One of our favourite pieces from Chauncey’s Knitwear collection is the Dots Crewneck. The piece is simple and true to Chauncey’s minimalist aesthetic and high quality production.

Available in store and online at Roden Gray.

1. KANYE WEST & JAY-Z

Being able to witness Jay-Z and Kanye West share a stage on their Watch The Throne tour seemed to transcend our understanding of time. Watching the colossal pair in action reminded us of just how impressive their resumes are from the past 10+ years. We daydreamed ten years into the future, boasting to our peers about how we were there in person for the historic Watch The Throne tour. Hip Hop history is truly unfolding in-front of us. This will be looked at as the equivalent of Biggie and Tupac sharing stages (once a little time and nostalgia are added to the mix). Unfortunately when Kanye or Jay-Z share this revelation it is not appreciated so I will go ahead and make the prediction for them.

2. DRAKE’S OVO FEST

Guest appearances included The Weeknd, J Cole, Nas, Stevie Wonder, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. Wayne is a true entertainer. Drake, Rick Ross and Wayne shared the stage for a few final numbers. The excitement became so dangerous, I looked to my neighbour to share the moment only to see him silent, clutching his heart with teary eyes. This one exception aside, Wayne had the crowd roaring to Miss Me and A Millie.

3. KID CUDI

From the moment Kid Cudi took the stage to belt out Rev of Ev it was clear he was going to dominate the show. His voice sounded amazing, combined with his energy, his tracks were pure enjoyment. His singing was impeccable, raps were articulate, energy and was high and his love for the crowd was abundant. Cudi as the evening’s maestro, let the crowd in on the plan for the evening. He would lead us through tracks from Man on the Moon, Man on the Moon Pt. II and then take it back to the mixtapes for his long-term fans.

4. PAUL SIMON

The audience stood captivated by the presence of Mr. Simon, his calm, confident manner transcending the room as he gave a smile and began singing in his trademark clear and mellow voice. To say that Paul Simon is a legend of rock would be an understatement. It is a genre in many ways that he helped to define in the ‘60s with Art Garfunkel with classic songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “The Sound of Silence,” and his innovative songwriting spirit continued with his solo work on albums like “Still Crazy After All These Years” and “Graceland.”

5. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM

The show provided a great 19,000 person dance party, positive energy and an emotional set. By playing All My Friends early on in the set, the band set themselves up for a slow-paced and emotional encore. They wrapped up the show with New York I Love You accompanied with pauses that seemed to have Murphy near tears. The band slowly closed down the show, hugging it out on stage while the fans processed that LCD Soundsystem has just played their final live song (for a while at least).

Dose has continued to release soulful and nostalgic beatscapes via his soundcloud. His latest, “Is That You?”, follows suit with some classic R&B vocals mixed with a smoothed out beat that washes over you like an ocean full of margaritas.

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DOWNLOAD: Dose – Is That You?