Kanye West Black Skinhead Artwork

A week in music videos... Kanye West has been doing a lot of promotion for his edgy, rock-infused track 'Black Skinhead' (or 'BLKKK SKKKN HEAD' as it's otherwise known'), the lead single from his US and UK number one album 'Yeezus', so his anger when the unfinished video directed by Nick Knight was leaked earlier in July was unsurprising. He described the unauthorised distribution as 'heartbreaking' and no wonder; a video as unique as this was definitely worthy of a grand entrance but, nonetheless, the spoiler has definitely not affected the viewing experience.Watch the video for BLKKK SKKKN HEAD here.

French house star Kavinsky has already become a hit in his home nation with his debut album 'OutRun', released earlier this year, reaching number 2 in the charts and he's certainly turning heads overseas too. Teaming up with Canadian producer The Weeknd on one of his newest singles, Kavinsky delivers a driving dance beat with 'Odd Look' - the single from his new EP of the same name. The track also features on his album as a collaboration with fellow electronic musician SebastiAn. Listen to Odd Look here.

With his charming folk/punk style and uplifting melodies, Frank Turner has captured the hearts of the UK following the release of his fifth album 'Tape Deck Heart'. His anthemic love song 'Recovery' became a radio sensation and it wouldn't be too bold to say that new single 'Losing Days' has the same qualifications. Honest lyrics, spine-tingling harmonies and some of the most beautiful acoustic guitar playing ever appear in his new track making his high-ratings from critics very well-deserved. Watch the video for Losing Days here.

There are a lot of bands favouring the retro video look at the moment but Franz Ferdinand's clip for new single 'Love Illumination' really works. It has an almost '60s rock band feel to the tune, and teamed with the pixelated flashes, geometric patterns and hallucinogenic imagery, makes Franz Ferdinand some of the most convincing would-be retro musicians. They've spent four years being fairly out of the way as they worked on a follow-up to 2009 UK, Europe and US charting album 'Tonight: Franz Ferdinand', and, by the looks of their second single of the year, it was worth the wait. Watch the video for Love Illumination here.

Ghostpoet will release his new single 'Cold Win' on August 26th 2013 and has now premiered a rather confusing (but no doubt symbolic) video to go with it. Like his first single, 'Meltdown', from second album 'Some Say I So I Say Light', the rapper/singer impresses with his use of orchestral sounds and meditative, droning vocals. He almost seems to possess a filmmaker's sensibility to music; it has to provoke the right kind of feelings and, with 'Cold Win', it certainly puts across an eerie, trippy atmosphere. Watch the video for Cold Win here. 

Dawes 2013

Talking to the artists... We chatted with Dawes last week as they support the UK release of their critically acclaimed new album 'Stories Don't End'. They spoke about their experiences working with producer Jacquire King whom they describe as more of an 'objective listener', as well as what it was like to support iconic folk artist Bob Dylan on tour and their work for malaria charity Nothing But Nets in Rwanda. 'The fact we can feel through our music that we've helped to save lives, it's an honour that's even hard to comprehend', they revealed on the latter point. Read the full interview here.

Albums of the week... There's a very good reason why electronic duo Disclosure have managed to top the UK Album Chart with their debut offering 'Settle'. It's a refreshed take on UK garage which, although isn't wildly innovative and doesn't claim to be bringing anything unique to dance music, is still vibrant and enjoyable. According to our critic Andy Peterson, 'Settle has the rare quality of observing its boundaries impeccably, and the result is that what it creates inside them is almost universally wonderful.' Read the review of Settle here.

Letlive. remain particularly difficult to pigeonhole as they unveil their newest album 'Blackest Beautiful'. They have maintained an individual and yet unpredictable sound that easily stands out against the rest of the post-hardcore scene. They're bringing their heavy sound live this summer in a world tour of the US, Europe and the UK. Critic Harry Hawcroft sums them up in his review, 'Let the fresh and unique combination of melodic, screaming vocals, heavy guitars with reggae vibes and inspiring lyrics, live.' Read the review of Blackest Beautiful here.

Taylor Swift Live 2013

In the news... Taylor Swift holds the secret to Carly Simon's infamous hit 'You're So Vain' after the veteran popstar revealed to the young starlet who it was she was singing about. There has been much speculation over the subject matter since it first came out, and most now believe it centres around actor Warren Beatty who also admitted that he was the person in the song. Another person who claims to have a categorical answer as to whom the song is about is radio host Howard Stern. Read the full story here.

Two of the world's biggest singing legends Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson will be revived in the release of some never-before-heard tracks that the duo recorded together in 1983. It was a one-time recording session which saw them finish three tracks, though both, unfortunately, had to shelve the project for the sake of their own work. The tunes have been remastered and will no doubt be genius pieces of art; even if the pair's professional relationship didn't work out too well in the end. Read the full story here.

Following his headlining set at Glastonbury 2013, Sub Focus has unveiled plans to release his second album, 'Torus', on September 23rd. He will also unleash a new single from the album on September 15th entitled 'Turn It Around', featuring the vocals of Bloc Party's Kele Okereke, and will later embark on his October UK tour. Read the full story here.