If you haven’t been following the music scene lately – hey, sh*t happens – you might’ve missed the emergence of Sleigh Bells into the national spotlight. The duo killed it on Saturday Night Live last weekend and their newest album “Reign of Terror” released earlier in the week (which you can buy here). Then I come to find out that the two are from Manasquan, NJ (home to GuidoFest) and actually went to my sister’s high school. Turns out Alexis was a year above my sis (Class of 2003) so I asked her to dust off the yearbook and scan some ‘before she was famous’ pics. Check ‘em out.

With ’11 leaving us in couple days, RCRD LBL has released its four-part playlist of their 100 most downloaded songs of the year. Featured artists include Chromeo, Cold War Kids, Lykke Li, Kanye West, Sleigh Bells, Foster The People, Fleet Foxes, Lana Del Rey, and more. Take a listen to the top 10 tracks after the jump then head over to RCRD LBL to see the rest of the list and download all tracks.

What’s good COED Nation!? Are you ready for some footba- oh right. Sorry, Hank Williams Jr. Well, how about some basketba- oh right. Sorry, NBA fans. Don’t get too down, though folks because this edition of Songs of the Week is a real winner. Last week, you showed that you had an itch to ‘Move Like Jagger,’ but it’s time to add a new king to the throne. This time we have songs by Aloe Blacc, Pretty Lights, Feist, Sleigh Bells, and James Blake – check out which ones made the cut and then vote for your favorite after the jump!

It’s that time of year again, when we look back on the year and recount our favorite memories. Our favorite movies, our favorite TV shows, and even our favorite music, and this year, we had a lot of great albums. But don’t worry, I won’t be going on and on about how great the new Kanye album is, nor will try and debate with you Pinkerton loving elitists how great the new Weezer albums were because it’d be like talking to a brick wall. What I will do, however, is tell you about the 30 best albums from this year you need to hear.