Blog: The Lonely Note

Toro y Moi is a Columbia, South Carolina native who has a knack for polishing the disco beats of yesteryear and transforming them into meaningful chillwave tracks. 'New Beat' is no exception. Stream 'New Beat' below: Toro Y Moi - New Beat .mp3

The Swedish trio of Peter, Bjorn and John are back with a peppy single known as 'Breaker Breaker.' Watch the video for the tune below:

The members of Grafitti6 describe their sound as "psychedelic northern soul." That sound is more than evident in 'Stare into the Sun." Stream the track below: Graffiti6 - 'Stare Into The Sun'

Oasis without Noel is Beady Eye . Watch the video to 'The Roller' below, and let us know if you think the new band is better than the former:

Infective piano flows all throughout 'Young Blood,' a track by New Zealand outfit, The Naked and Famous . Stream it below: The Naked And Famous - Young Blood

So, I've been on a Freedy Johnston kick for a while now. In particular, his 1994 album, This Perfect World , has found its way back into my regular rotation. If you're unfamiliar with Freedy, he's the songwriter behind such bittersweet '90s gems as "Bad Reputation" , "The Lucky One" and "This Perfect World." Some might argue that Johnston is one of the most under-appreciated songwriters of his generation. Johnston's songs are often dark, evocative stories nestled neatly into short packages of lovely folk-pop. [...]

'Buzzin'' draws most of its energy from a gratuitous sample of Nu Shooz ' 'I Can't Wait.' The song serves its purpose as guilty pleasure of the moment. Listen to the single below:

Congratulations to Arcade Fire for winning the Grammy for Album of the Year. Here is but one of The Suburbs ' fantastic tracks (live):

If you're one of the other kids dancing to Foster the People with your "Pumped-Up Kicks", then you should definitely check out the band's latest song, "Helena Beat." It might be even poppier than its predecessor, if that's possible. The group's debut EP dropped this Tuesday, January 25th. Check it out: Foster the People - "Helena Beat" via Pretty Much Amazing blog

Danish rockers New Politics have taken some flack for their blatant hijacking of every nineties rock trope imaginable. For a complete list, read the album review for the band's self-titled album. Nevertheless, I've taken quite a liking to the group's sing-rap single, 'Dignity.' Watch it below:

Sprinkle a little neo-soul here with add some 1970s atmospherics there, and you have yourselves a modern day booty shaker. Stream 'Moneygrabber' by Fitz & the Tantrums below: Fitz & the Tantrums - Moneygrabber .mp3

An assembly of electric guitar infiltrates 'Mona Lisa,' a track that can trace its genesis to Foo Fighters , Nirvana , and Matthew Sweet . Despite the song's grungy origins, 'Mona Lisa' presents a contemporary sound that is populated with thrash and disorder amidst an undertone of cognizant pop sensibility. Stream 'Mona Lisa' by the band Dinosaur Pile-Up below: Dinosaur Pile-Up - 'Mona Lisa'

If you've never seen the 1993 film, Deadfall, allow me to say you are missing out. Don't get me wrong - Deadfall is by no means a great movie. In fact, it's not even a very good movie. So what is it that's gotten this film so ingrained in my brain? Is it the exhilarating narration from Michael Biehn's leading role? Is it James Coburn's double performance as twin brothers? Could it be the plot twist at the [...]

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• Beach House - Norway

Matt & Kim 's 'Cameras' took a long time before it finally grew on me. Today, I'm totally hooked on the tune. Stream the irreverant 'Cameras' below: Matt & Kim - Cameras .mp3

Despite her breathtaking chops, American Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino , has never fully enjoyed the level of success that her reality t.v. counterparts, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson , have experienced in the pop music world. In August 2010, Fantasia released Back to Me , a contemporary, but rootsy, foray into rhythm and blues. 'I'm Doin' Me' is an infectious, yet substantive, single from the album. Watch the video for 'I'm Doin' Me'-- spontaneous diner dance scenes and all, below:

Adele is back with a powerful, ardent track that pulls at the heartstrings as well as the soul. Watch the video to this moving R&B anthem below:

A boombox can change the world. Watch the cautionary tale below (as sung by The Lonely Island and The Strokes lead singer, Julian Casablancas ):

Like many children of the '80s, I grew up idolizing Michael Jackson . In fact, some of the earliest surviving VHS footage from my youth showcases my attempts at the moonwalk. Despite many of his later accusations and odd behaviors, Jackson's early influence on my own musical upbringing always remained, so I was taken aback when I heard of his passing. To his fans, it was the end of an era. Naturally, I was a bit hesitant to embrace [...]