MNDR - #1 In Heaven

"You can tell them, I'm smiling"

I, along with everyone else, was first introduced to MNDR when she collaborated with Mark Ronson on his excellent Bang Bang Bang. I loved that song, and filed her name away for future reference. Now, after an EP and some singles, she's gearing up to release her first album. #1 In Heaven was the first single, released several months ago, and it represents exactly why I'm excited for the album. I love the electro sound coupled with the off-kilter vocals and pop melody. The song title recalls the excellent Sparks track, #1 Song In Heaven, and the subject matter is pretty much the same. I like to think that MNDR's version is a bit of an ode to Sparks, but that may just be wishful thinking. Either way, it's damn good.



(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Buy the song here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

MNDR - Fade To Black

"Afraid to act, we fade to black"

Still obsessed with that Bang Bang Bang song over here, which led me to investigate MNDR, the American singer/artist that features prominently on the track. It turns out that MNDR (aka: Amanda Warner) has self-released an exciting EP of quirky electronica that's from the Santigold school of pop. Fade To Black is one of the poppier tracks, with a big chorus and a healthy dose of funk. The whole EP definitely has a DIY feel, but there's enough there to suggest that when she inks a big deal and works with some experienced producers, the sky's the limit. She totally owns the Mark Ronson video, and in an era of Lady Gagas, she's got more than enough charisma and style to stand out.

MNDR - Fade To Black by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Listen to more here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.

Mark Ronson - Bang Bang Bang (ft. Q-Tip & MNDR)

"Je te plumerai la, tete"

Okay, it's not as though this song isn't well-known already (in fact, it's been flirting with the UK top five for a couple of weeks now). But, when a single is this good, I feel a certain responsibility to spread it around to any who may not have heard it. And the truth is, I was somewhat of a late-comer to Bang Bang Bang. I was not a huge fan of Mark Ronson's first album so I was expecting more of the same from his new work. I was totally wrong, as he's ditched the retro sounds in favor of something brighter, weirder and far more current. Once I heard BBB, I was completely hooked. I'd actually go as far as saying that this is the most addictive (best?) pop/hip-hop hybrid since Outkast's Hey Ya! back in 2003. Like that track, this one's built on a simple (yet mind-bendingly catchy) hook and decorated with a bunch of funky, quirky gobbledygook (it's really the best descriptor I can use!). And also like that track, I predict that this will become a global hit and Mark Ronson's American breakthrough, if they choose to release it here. Be sure to search out the music video, too. It's one of the year's best.

Mark Ronson - Bang Bang Bang (ft. Q-Tip & MNDR) by alienhits

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists. Preorder the album here. Follow me on twitter and facebook.