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.
Lykke Li has released the music video for “Sadness is a Blessing” off her incredibly amazing record Wounded Rhymes. In it, she plays the role of a woman on the verge of a breakdown of some sort. After demanding drink after drink in a quiet restaurant, she dances around her table where fellow Swede Stellan Skarsgård playing a fatherly role watches in sadness. It's actually kind of touching.
Washington natives Modest Mouse are currently working on their sixth album and who is in the studio with them? The correct answer would be Big Boi. That's right, OutKast rapper Big Boi. Who ever saw that coming? According to Pitchfork and Big Boi's twitter, he and the band are working on the new record in Portland. No other details have popped up online yet, but I'm sure some will be floating around soon enough. Big Boi and Modest Mouse?! How will that even sound?! Interesting...
Word on the street (if there was a street in the music blogsphere) is that Incubus are returning. According to Spin, the alternative rock quintet is planning a spring tour and will be unleashing If Not Now, When?, on July 12. It's been five years since we heard anything from these Californians and to be quite honest, the last we heard of them wasn't all that great. Their new album is apparently the “most restrained, slow, and lush record ” they have ever written. So, I'm assuming we won't have another Morning View coming our way, but we will have the resurgence of Brandon Boyd to ogle at.
Oh yeah. Does anyone else remember this highly contrasted work of art? I remember having it as my desktop background many, many years ago.
So for weeks now, everyone has been dying for the release of the epic Beastie Boys' short-film, Fight For Your Right Revisited. Well our prayers have been answered. The MCA directed 30-minute mini movie is available for your viewing pleasure. It's highly entertaining. Well, all but for one strange scene that the real Beastie Boys come to put to an end. The only thing I can't figure out is... who won that insane dance battle?!
The Beastie news doesn't stop there! The boys have also streamed their entire new album Hot Sauce Committee Part Two via soundcloud. It will be officially released on May 3. I'm still working my way through it, but I'm definitely loving the previously released “Make Some Noise,” as well as “Say It” and “Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win” featuring Santigold. If you're a fan of the trio, I'm sure you'll be pleased. Listen below!
The four-piece instrumental act Explosions in the Sky of Austin, Texas will be releasing their sixth effort, Take Care, Take Care, Take Care tomorrow. However, you can head over to their official website where they have streamed their newest record in its entirety. It's very pretty sounding and brings us back to EITS basics; beautiful guitar and drum patterns and minimal bass.
Seattle folk band, Fleet Foxes have also streamed their latest record online. Click here to listen to Helplessness Blues, their sophomore album which will be released physically on May 3. It has already received tons of praise and from what I've heard of it so far, all those positive reviews are true. If you're in the mood for sweet sounding folk tunes, stream this album.
A couple weeks ago, YouTube recommended I watch a video by a musical duo who call themselves Karmin. I watched it, was quite amused but due to lack of time, moved on to what I originally went to the site for. Then while watching Ellen last week, they appeared on the show and performed a cover of Chris Brown's “Look At Me Now.” I was immediately impressed and decided to look them up. They have dozens of covers on their YouTube channel, along with some original songs. Amy, the female half of this group not only has a great singing voice, but can rap like nobody's business and gives me a clean Amanda Blank vibe. Her musical partner and finance Nick helps out with a drum box, a keyboard some additional vocals too. They are definitely worth checking out, so please do so!
The awesome trio that is the Beastie Boys have released their video for “Make Some Noise.” A few weeks ago, we saw the preview for the MCA directed piece Fight For Your Right Revisited. The video, which was taken from the short-film,features the acting chops of Seth Rogan, Danny McBride and Elijah Wood among many, many others. It's pretty entertaining and a very good use of your time. Head over HERE to watch it.
Both Lil Wayne and Arctic Monkeys have unveiled their newest album covers. One is awesome and one just sucks. The pimped out baby on Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III has graduated into a pierced and neck-tattooed young boy on Tha Carter IV. I give it an A+ for consistency and a gold star for it's entertainment value. Arctic Monkeys on the other hand dropped the ball on this one. Were they trying to reintroduce The Beatles White Album? It's been done. I was expecting something really cool now that they have matured into an edgier, classic rock sound. I guess not.
Speaking of Lil Wayne, watch his video for “John (If I Die Today)” which features flashing lights, piles of tires, upside down camera shots and Rick Ross chillin' in a wheelchair.
A few days ago, Lady Gaga tweeted the album cover of her highly anticipated record Born This Way, which will finally be released next month. I thought it was a joke, as did many others, but then over the weekend, she tweeted a photo of her holding a copy as proof that it really does exist. My first thought was: WTF?! I can kind of understand where she was coming from, trying to be really bold and bizarre. Born as a motorcycle will definitely get you bizarre. It's giving me an 80's Spinal Tap vibe. Ironically, the band was really a joke.
In other Gaga news, she also unveiled her second single off Born This Way, just in time for Easter (Ha!). “Judas” is a synth heavy electronic number complete with fake accents and biblical references. I strongly disliked it upon my first listen and thought, how the hell can you go from “Poker Face” and “Bad Romance” to this...? I forced myself to give it another chance and wouldn't you know it? I caved. I don't think it's her absolute best work, but it's not completely horrible. Listen below.
Death Cab For Cutie will soon release their seventh effort, Codes and Keys and have given us another taste of the album. “Some Boys” is a catchy track that has more electronic undertones then are usually found in Death Cab songs. I'm diggin' it.
Saturday was Record Store Day and here in the Great White North, well, at least in Toronto, it was raining, windy and miserable. However, you couldn't tell from the inside of some of the cities well known record shops. Excited shoppers bustled around, on the hunt for limited edition vinyls and other gems to add to their collections.
I don't actually own a record player; the few records I own really belong to my mom and they're at my grandparents' house, trapped in a box somewhere in their garage. They own a record player though, so kudos to them! Anyway, I like Record Store Day simply because it embraces the idea of purchasing the music you listen to. Which I did. I snatched up albums from Diamond Rings, Peter Bjorn & John and Albert Hammond Jr. Plus I got a ton of free samplers which have been quite enjoyable so far.
After a full day of searching through record stores, my dear friend Val and I made our final stop at Sonic Boom, the music mega store on Bathurst and Bloor. We caught local indie rock foursome Zeus, who performed a highly energetic set for a large crowd of shoppers and fans. The boys played a slew of new songs, including “Love in a Game” which they mentioned would be released on their sophomore effort, due in October. Not only did they prove they're extremely talented, what with having three different vocalists who rotate instruments, but they also demonstrated that they're also pretty entertaining; Carlin Nicholson jumped on an amp mid-song and placed his head in between floor boards, and later on the boys jokingly sampled a Huey Lewis bit. Their setlist included “The Renegade,” “River By The Garden,” and “Marching Through Your Head” off their excellent debut, Say Us.They closed with the out of control “You Gotta Tell'er” and left everyone wishing there was more. Overall, it was an awesome way to end my Record Store Day 2011 experience.
Zeus - "Kindergarten"
Find anything extra special on Record Store Day? Please share!
& Photos courtesy of myself...
I recently discovered Slowdance, an indie-pop five-piece from Brooklyn, New York. I am really loving their sound and have had their track “Slashed Tires” on repeat for a while. Their enchanting new wave mixes guitar, keyboards and drums with the dramatic vocals of Quay Quinn-Settel. They're relevantly new on the scene, only having played a handful of shows, according to Stereogum. A record seems to be in the works. How far in the future? No one knows, but, I'll definitely be keeping tabs on them. “Spell” and “Sweetness” are also worthy listens. Head over here to grab some free downloads.
Epic collaborations only happen every so often. When I read that Santigold and Yeah Yeah Yeah's Karen O had worked on a track together, I almost lost my mind. “Go” is a declaration of sorts, a statement about the “American dream” (the hunt for fame and fortune). The sound is reminiscent of what was heard on her awesome self-titled album. Karen's partner in crime, Nick Zinner is on guitar, while the song was produced by Switch, Q-Tip and the lady herself, Santigold. Its got a synth-heavy beat with a slight punk edge, what's not to love?!
Santigold - “Go” (Feat. Karen O)
Brazilian dance-rockers CSS are finally returning with their third effort La Liberación, slated for release on August 29. My god, that seems like such a long time away! All we know so far is that the record will feature collaborations with Ratatat. The band has also started touring again, so I can only assume it won't be too much longer til we have some of their new material floating online.
Keep on the lookout!
Swedish trio Peter, Bjorn and John have put together a seven part documentary about the making of their recently released album, Gimme Some. The doc features interviews with each band member and producer Per Sunding. Since Wednesday, the group has been posting one clip a day on their blog. So if you're a fan, make your way over here.
A couple days ago, I reported that Arctic Monkeys released the first single off their upcoming album Suck It And See. They heavy track “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair” now has a music video. It's psychedelic and gives off somewhat of an old school rock vibe. Watch below.
Indie folk sensation Beirut has covered Caetano Veloso's Brazilian beauty “O Leãozinho” (Little Lion). The song is being contributed to Red Hot + Rio 2, a benefit compilation by Red Hot Organization which raises AIDS/HIV awareness. The album will feature Gogol Bordello, Of Montreal, Beck, Dirty Projectors, John Legend, Cults and Jose Gonzalez, just to name a few. Beirut's cover in particular sounds like something the band could have created themselves, but instead cover very well. Frontman Zach Condon even sings in Portuguese, which is very impressive. Listen below!
Beirut - "O Leãozinho”
Last month, the music blogsphere was buzzing about Arctic Monkeys' “Brick by Brick,” a track that left many wondering in which direction the Sheffield boys were heading. It all seems so much clearer now with the release of the first single off their upcoming album Suck It and See, out June 7. “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair” is a heavier, brooding track that begs for more than one listen. Where “Brick by Brick” left me mildly satisfied, “Don’t Sit Down...” indulges my musical hunger. Listen below.
Arctic Monkeys - “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair”
It's been nearly 10 years since The Strokes hit the scene with their garage rock edge and their punk-like attitude. Now after an almost five-year long hiatus, the New York quintet has resurfaced with their fourth effort, Angles.
The news of their return sent devoted fans into a frenzied panic, myself included. What will they sound like?! Will they follow in the shadow of their third and least satisfying record First Impressions of Earth? Or will they channel their original sound from their Is This It days? Will it be as upbeat as Room On Fire? Or will their solo projects have a strong influence? Whatever the case, expectations were definitely high.
The album's first single, “Under Cover of Darkness,” brought many relief. It featured their classic Strokes sound, albeit showed some maturity with the inclusion of harmonies and the obvious fancier production work. Yet when “You're So Right” leaked online, it left some confused. What would the record have in store for their cult following of fans? For starters, Angles is the first Strokes album the group wrote collaboratively as a band. Frontman Julian Casablancas loosened his tight grip and let the rest of the boys have a say. That seems fair right? During the weeks prior to the record's release, there was a constant flow of articles and interviews claiming that the band had a difficult time putting it together; tons of inner-band feuding, firing their producer, having 4/5 of the group record their instrumental work while Julian emailed them lyrics and recorded vocals on his own. Unfortunately, it shows. At times, Angles seems quite disjointed; songs suddenly changing rhythms and instrumental patterns. Such is the case in “Call Me Back” and “Metabolism.” Not to say these are bad songs, because they really aren't. They just seem to create a small issue with the flow of the album. Yet on the other hand, some tracks seem so well crafted, had the album been done any other way, we probably wouldn't have “Taken For A Fool” or “Life Is Simple In The Moonlight” in their current form.
At the end of the day, it's nice to see The Strokes evolve. Although there is definitely a Strokesy feel to the album, if fans are hoping to hear the New Yorkers circa 2002, they won't find it on Angles. Whether that is refreshing or disheartening is a matter of taste.
I've had this song stuck in my head for weeks, so I figure it's only fair to finally post it as one of my song picks. It doesn't help that it's being used in a Lexus ad that always pops up on TV and drills the unbelievably catchy beat back into my brain. Canadian indie-electro solo act Caribou returned last year with this gem of a song. It's definitely one of his best songs I've heard in a while and arguably the best track on his most recent release, Swim. Listen for yourself.
