Your Ad Here

Friday, March 21, 2008

Video Premiere: Delays - Hooray

Delays, Delays, Delays. They can do no wrong. Besides having my most anticipated record of the year, they've just released this brilliant can't-stop-watching-it new video for their single Hooray. Out of all their singles thus far, I was the least sold on this one at first, but since hearing it a few weeks ago, it's grown on me immensely, and the verses are pure heaven.

Cut Copy - Out There On The Ice

"Yes, no, maybe is all I need to hear from you"

It seems like everyone's talking about the new Cut Copy album, and I'm going to be no different. It's really quite good, and the reason (for me at least) is because they've expanded their sound and started to write real pop songs, rather than the kind of repetitive dance music that was more the norm on their first record. Of all the songs on the new album, Out There On The Ice is the one that I find replaying in my head over and over, so that's what I'll post today. It's one of the dancier (and more 80's influenced) of the tracks on the new record and I could definitely see it as being a future single. I can't wait until I can actually go and buy the album in April.

Cut Copy - Out There On The Ice (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Preorder the album here.)

Thursday, March 20, 2008

M83 - Kim & Jessie

"They are crazy about romance and illusion"

I've always known about M83, but never paid much attention to his music because I was under the impression that it was mostly instrumental and, being a fan of the perfect pop melody, I didn't think it would be my thing. Turns out I was somewhat wrong. A lot of the tracks do feature vocals, although they're still definitely more of the "ambient" genre. The soundscapes are gorgeous, though, and I was drawn into the new album after hearing that it was influenced by some of my favorite bands of the 80's (Tears For Fears being one of them). The new album Saturdays = Youth is more song oriented and my favorite tracks are the ones that sound a bit more like traditional pop. Of all these, Kim & Jessie is the best. It's simply massive in sound, with a stately melody to match. It gets more beautiful each time you hear it. Also, if you like this, check out Up!, from the new album as well, which sounds very much like Goldfrapp meeting Kate Bush.

M83 - Kim & Jessie (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Preorder the album here.)

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Kite - My Girl And I


"My baby set the night on fire"

In yet another of my Nicko Stenemo posts, I've got to give some love to his new project, Kite. While I really hope it doesn't stear him away from the great pop music he was starting to make on his own, I am liking the more experimental sound he's going for with Christian Berg (of Swedish band Strip Music). I especially love My Girl And I. It's so simple and, in that simplicity, extremely beautiful. I love how the vocals sound kind of distorted and echoed, even though it's a bit jarring at first. Definitely not what I'm used to with Nicko, but I've grown to really love it.

Kite - My Girl And I (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! No album yet, but I'll let you know as soon as there is.)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Mr. G. - Naughty Girl (Jessica's Addiction Remix)

"She's a naughty girl with a bad habit"

I finally got ahold of Australia's hit comedy Summer Heights High a few weeks ago and I've already watched the show two times. For those of you unfamiliar with the show, it's the creation of comedian Chris Lilley, who plays the three main characters (drama teacher, troubled student, & exchange student) at the high school. It's a satire, and one of the funniest (and oddly sort of moving) depictions of school life that I've ever seen. In short, I'm obsessed with it. One of the most popular characters is Mr. G., the flamboyant and vain drama teacher who spends the series creating his own over the top production, complete with fantastically hilarious songs. One of the songs, Naughty Girl, is now a valid hit in Australia. I struggled with whether to post the original or a remix today, but went with a remix since I like the beat better and I don't really want to be posting something that's actually doing well in the charts today. This remix actually turns the song into something that could be taken somewhat serious (in a highly ironic way) by someone who hasn't seen the show. The only thing I don't like about it is that it skips the wonderful melodic breakdown that the original has. Still, in any form this is a really fun dance track. My recommendation to you: seek out the single version after listening to this and watch the show, because it is so freaking funny.

Mr. G. - Naughty Girl (Jessica's Addiction Remix) (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! Buy the single here and the dvd here!)

Monday, March 17, 2008

Iglu & Hartly - In This City

"I won't disappear in this city"

Sometimes you just know when you've heard something special, when you've heard a hit. I am certain that this track today (and this group) is going to be massive in this coming year. Iglu & Hartly came out of seemingly nowhere and ended up being one of the buzziest bands at last week's SXSW music festival in Texas. Their sound is pure anthematic pop with a strange mix of hip hop as well. This track, their best so far, opens slowly until the full chorus comes in and then changes into a full on rap verse. But this isn't the kind of depressingly boring rap found on most radios. It's over the top, sorta campy old school rap. Trust me, you just need to hear it to understand how great and bizarre this track is. But, it all comes back to the chorus in the end, which is so immediately catchy that it'll take the jaws of life to pry it from your head. I predict blogger love from every corner of the internet with this one.

Iglu & Hartly - In This City (zshare)

(Music posted for evaluation purposes only. If you like what you hear, support the artists! No album yet, but buy a different song here!)

Maia Hirasawa - The Worrying Kind

First off, congratulations to Charlotte Perelli on her Melodifestivalen win. Well deserved, though I would have been happy with any of the top six, honestly. As a wrap up to the show, I've gotta post thsi cover of The Ark's winning song from last year because I thought it was brilliant and very, very striking. Maia did such a great job changing the arrangement and really highlighted Ola's great lyrics in doing so. You can buy a studio version of this track here if you're interested. It's definitely worth it. On another note, did you see Ola's Jesus beard? I guess he's prepping for his upcoming role in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Will this be the best album of 2008?

Only time will tell, but just look at that tracklist. Four singles already and the album's not even out yet!

Juvelen - 1
(out April 16th)

01: Don't Mess
02: Hanna
03: Baby When You're Gone
04: They Don't Love You
05: Everytime
06: Watch Your Step
07: Money Don't Talk
08: Facts Of Life
09: A Dream
10: Summer - Spring