Hola! I have returned from my amazing stay in the Dominican. And what did I learn while I was there? Not only do roads have no streetlights or stop signs, the beach is wavy and always warm, but most importantly, they absolutely love Don Omar's “Danza Kuduro” featuring the song's Portuguese originator Lucenzo. I swear I heard it at least 10 times a day. Anyway, I will be returning to my regular posts very shortly, so stay tuned!
I'll be off to the Caribbean in the morning, but I thought I'd leave you guys with this treat. I cannot get enough of this remix, Jamie XX's mix of Adele's “Rolling in the Deep.” Please pray for worldwide sunshine and I'll see you guys next week. Til then!
The Weeknd - “House of Balloons – Glass Table Girls”
I recently discovered Toronto's own, The Weeknd. Abel Tesfaye is a 20 year-old singer-songwriter whose rock inspired R&B music is simply awesome. Every song features electronic synths and most are laced with hip-hop references. He also samples lines from The-Dream, Drake and even Aaliyah. You can grab his mixtape debut House of Balloons over at his official website for free. If you are into sexy R&B tunes (and when I say sexy, I mean it. This is bedroom music) then do yourself a favor and download it. I personally love “House of Balloons – Glass Table Girls” and have played it repeatedly for a while now, but I'm also loving “The Morning” and “The Party & The After Party.” Enjoy!
I saw a post on Stereogum the other day I thought was interesting. I Hate Young Peoplehit the streets and asked a bunch of random teenagers to name a Beatles song, or just one of The Beatles. As you can probably guess, it was a fail of epic proportions. How sad is it that so many people know nothing about one of the bands that literally played a massive role in changing the face of music. I really don't understand. Watch the clip below; if anything, it's pretty entertaining.
Treats was an insanely awesome, boombastic, noisy party-album that left your ears ringing for days. Well now, Brooklyn's dance-punk duo, Sleigh Bells are preparing to do it again. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Derek Miller and Alexis Krauss say that they are planning to record new material in June and have a new record out in early 2012. They promise stronger arrangements, more emotional content and tons of volume. So if your speakers didn't fuzz out completely from listening to their debut, you still have some time to grab a new set. Watch the interview below.
Gritty guitar isn't something you would often associate with Dallas Green's solo project, City and Colour. His music is usually so calm and acoustic. A slight departure from his folk sound, “Fragile Bird” has an upbeat, fuzzy guitar-rhythm that has me swaying in my seat, bobbing my head, etc, etc. I think I've mentioned my once serious obsession with Dallas. I couldn't help it; his beautiful crooning skills captivated my heart! Mind you, I was very young and into tattooed guitarists. Yet, that doesn't take away from his very obvious talent. “Fragile Bird” will be featured on his next album, Little Hell, out June 7.
My favourite experimental indie darlings took to their facebook page earlier this week to deliver this message: “Towards the end of this month we head to Texas and continue writing new songs and begin recording new album!” This news brought an incredibly massive smile to my face. Grizzly Bear's gorgeous third album, Veckatimest was released nearly two years ago. Surely it's time for more! No other details are available just yet.
Here's some older Grizzly Bear to tantalize your musical taste-buds!
Watch Death Cab For Cutie's latest video for “Home is a Fire.” The track will be included on the band's forthcoming album, Codes and Keys, out May 31. It's an interesting video; shots of an urban city with lyrics on signs and posters plastered around the town. The song itself is pretty awesome and has an underlying electronic vibe.
We have been give yet another taste from the Arctic Monkeys upcoming release Suck It And See, out June 7. In “Reckless Serenade” shaggy-haired Alex Turner sings about a pretty girl. We're talking really pretty. The track's opening lyric: “Topless models doing semaphore wave their flags as she walks by and get ignored.” Now you get the idea. It's a little happier then “Brick By Brick” and “Don't Sit Down” and sounds like it'll be the uplifting, lovestruck track on the album.
Friendly Fires will be releasing their second effort Pala, on May 24. However, you can get a full taste of the record right here. As a huge fan of their debut, I was quite apprehensive about listening to their new work. Yet, I can truthfully say I am not disappointed in the least. I'm currently loving “Running Away” and the previously released “Hawaiian Air.” Listen below!
A new track off Lady Gaga's forthcoming album, Born This Way is now available on iTunes. “The Edge of Glory” has a catchy power balled chorus and follows the mold of a basic pop song, much like her "Just Dance" days.Many are already calling it our summer's pop anthem. I see how big it could get, but I'm not completely convinced. It features a saxophone solo by Clarence Clemons of the E Street Band which gives the song an older sounding pop vibe. Actually, if you get rid of the glittering synth beat, it could have been released in the 80's. Listen below.
Lady Gaga - "The Edge of Glory"
Speaking of Gaga, last week the video for “Judas” was released and is as bizarre as everyone assumed it would be. In it we see the unfolding of a love triangle; Gaga is in love with Jesus (leader of a biker gang and wears a golden crown of thorns over his golden corn rows). Yet she also has a thing for one of his biker disciples, Judas. The video includes tons of religious imagery; the washing of the feet, the stoning of Mary Magdalene, etc, etc. I'm surprised there hasn't been a massive religious uproar about the video, besides ridiculous comments via YouTube. Gaga herself is a Catholic and is using religion as a metaphor. But if you think that would somehow offend you, then do not watch the video below.
In other news, late rapper Tupac Shakur had written a screenplay before his passing that will soon hit the big screen. During his 11-month stay in prison for weapons possession, he wrote a script about a teenage drug lord who attempts to correct his life. Currently titled “Live 2 Tell,” it is set to go into production in early 2012. For more details, click here.
Sorry I've been MIA. Thursday was my birthday (YEAH!) and I've been busy partying and recovering.
Yesterday, my favourite British trio, Friendly Fires released their newest single off their forthcoming album Pala. "Hawaiian Air" is a gorgeous synth-heavy track with somewhat of a tribal vibe. It's incredibly catchy and makes me even more excited for the release of the record (May 24th). Enjoy!
If you are a frequent reader of my blog, it's no surprise to you that I absolutely love Metronomy. I personally feel like they can do no wrong, which is why I'm warning you, while all reviews are biased opinion pieces, expect more of the same. Metronomy is known for their quirky, electronic sound. It's one of the reasons I fell head over heels when I discovered Nights Out and listened to their remixes. Simply put, they are fantastic and addictive. And their third effort, The English Riviera is no different.
The album takes us straight to the English Riviera; seagulls wailing, the sound of the water, all while violins gently play in the background. This introduction merges into “We Broke Free” which acquaints us with the band's new sound; a groovier, sexier Metronomy then we have come to know. The funky synth and bassline show us how much the group has matured, incorporating less of a frantic tinge to their music. It may have something to do with the departure of bassist Gabriel Stebbing and the addition of Anna Prior and Gbenga Adelekan. Is Metronomy finally complete? Have they found their sound?
Metronomy - "The Bay"
Most songs on the record are set to a slower pace then their sophomore release Nights Out. Yet, a majority of the tracks still make you want to dance. “The Bay,” which is the most reminiscent of their older work, has me dancing in my seat every time I hear it. Other highlights include singles “The Look” and “She Wants” as well as “Corinne” and the cute and bubbly “Everything Goes My Way.” I've also found myself singing “Trouble” in my head on a regular basis. This album has such a beautiful, continuous flow throughout, it's best heard in a complete serving. If you haven't, you owe it to yourself to do so.
While I might have been expecting something a little quicker, something a little more electronic, I am not about to complain. This is definitely one of my favourite albums that have been released thus far this year. If someone could please throw the anchor into the water and park boat Metronomy right where it sits, that would be great. I could use some more of this.
On the opening night of her “Gypsy Heart Tour” in Ecuador, teen pop-tart Miley Cyrus covered Nirvana's “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Somewhere out there, Kurt Cobain is rolling in his grave.
Neon Hitch is an electro-pop artist whose name is actually Neon Hitch. She attributes it to having hippie parents. She grabbed my attention with her mix of Two Door Cinema Club's “What You Know” and Ellie Goulding's “Starry Eyed” and well, I needed to hear more. She's co-written music with chart-poppers Ke$ha and 3OH!3 among others (including Bruno Mars and Rivers Coumo!) and is currently working on her debut album. Visit her MySpace to hear some pretty unique covers of “Drop It Like It's Hot” and “Cooler Than Me.” And watch the music video below for her original song “Get Over U.” (When I saw the letter U replacing “you” I was skeptical, but it's catchy...)
Neon Hitch - "What Starry Eyes Know" (Two Door Cinema Club vs. Ellie Goulding)
Sorry I've been slacking with the week's song pick. It shan't happen again!
Anyway, I've been loving the new Beastie Boys record, Hot Sauce Committee Pt. II. If you haven't heard it yet, you can stream the whole album on this post over here. One track I continuously replay is “Too Many Rappers” featuring Nas. The beat is undeniably awesome. Plus, the combination of the Beasties and Nas makes for some amazing linguistic artistry which they drip in heavy bass to make it that much more sweet. It's a good time, listen below.
