A look at what's happening right now: "National Anthem", the latest track off Lana Del Rey 's debut album Born To Die , just leaked online [ link ]. Zooey Deschanel Files for Divorce From Ben Gibbard -- and she has no balance on her three credit cards [ link ].
Here we are again. Before 2011 comes to a close, I'd like to present 10 of my favourite albums this year. As an added bonus, skip to the end for my favourite EP. Happy New Year everyone! 10. Wild Flag - Wild Flag Here's one record that psyched me up before its release because of the pedigree of the band members. Bringing together [...]
Video roundup for the week: Florence + The Machine: "No Light, No Light" "No Light, No Light" is easily one of the best tracks on Florence Welch's second album, Ceremonials . Now it has this stunning, epic and haunting video to boot. I get the chills just watching it. Feist: "How Come You Never Go There" Leslie Feist gets hair extensions and [...]
Sorry for the intermittent updates as I've been overworking myself lately, but I absolutely had to share this new song from Little Boots . Produced by James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco fame, "Shake" is the lead single from Victoria Hesketh's as-yet-untitled new album. This booming, thumping house-pop number sure is a great contender for anthem of the year. We ain't seeing any sophomore slump here.
A look at what's happening right now: Interesting finds in the inbox. Here's one that's bound to make your heart ache. Canadian singer-songwriter Drew Smith's "Love Teeth" is a story of love and loss. The animated video, a gorgeous accompaniment to the song, was created by one of his former ESL students. His new album The Secret Languages will be released in 2012. Definitely one to look out for. Mancunians [...]
Mark your calendars for February 12, kids! Yeah that's right, Laneway Festival is returning to Singapore. It's happening at Fort Canning again, and we have 14 acts this time, running the gamut from rock to folk to pop and shoegaze. Here's the full line-up: Anna Calvi Austra Cults Feist Girls Laura Marling M83 The Drums The Horrors The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Toro Y Moi Twin Shadow Wu Lyf Yuck Public sales start [...]
Let's go back in time: Lykke Li: "I Follow Rivers" Is it love, lust or infatuation? Lykke Li goes on a relentless pursuit of a man in this video, running in her bare feet through the snow while the dark tune looms in the background. Amazing song, kick-ass video. I love the part where she shoots an icy, cold glare at the viewer. Feist: "1234" [...]
A look at what's happening right now: Labrador's latest signing is a precocious talent from Stockholm, Sweden. Amanda Mair, all of 16, was picked up by the label when they discovered her by chance in 2010. Her second single "Doubt" just popped today, and I am absolutely smitten by the song, and really impressed by her level of maturity. "Doubt" is a smart tune, achingly modern with a dose of girlish charm mixed into the fold. Her debut [...]
This is a guest post by Lauri Kranz of Snow & Voices , the dreamy LA-based duo who released their third album Anything That Moves in 2010. Lauri talks about the song that has inspired her the most. In her own words: "It's just one song but, a killer." "Famous Blue Raincoat" By Leonard Cohen [...]
I love nothing better than watching Florence Welch dance. So it's great to see the epic new video for "Shake It Out" in all its Technicolor glory. "Shake It Out" is the first single off Florence and the Machine's new album Ceremonials , which will be released in the UK at the end of October. Here's the very brilliant "What The Water Gave Me" for comparison.
A look at what's happening right now: Interesting finds in the inbox. Drum In Your Chest from BIGkidsmusic on Vimeo . New act from London. Helluva catchy sound. Stream: BIGkids - Drum In Your Chest Last winter, Canadian band The Rest were a few weeks away from completing their album [...]
The stage was set. Black drapes hung from the ceiling. Strobe lights flickered wildly. When Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson - better known as Lykke Li - finally took to the stage, she threw the audience into a frenzy. Clad head-to-toe in black, the Swedish singer mesmerised the crowd at her Singapore show last Wednesday. She opened the set with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of "Jerome". Throughout the course of 1½ hours, she brought her critically-lauded sophomore album Wounded Rhymes to life. Lykke Li [...]
Arctic Monkeys just dished out a naughty video for "Suck It and See", the title track off their latest album . The Sheffield band's very own drummer Matt Helders features in this one, where he gets it on with a young lass. The single will be released on 7" and MP3 digital download at the end of October, and will be backed by their new song "Evil Twin".
Mimi Murmur , a young band out of UK, pedal a mix of indie, pop and folk music. Citing influences such as Florence and The Machine, Kate Nash, Laura Marling and Marina and The Diamonds, the duo just doled out a bunch of piano-driven demos, which you can stream via SoundCloud. Stream: Mimi Murmur
Here's the Chuckie Remix of "Radioactive", the new single from Marina And The Diamonds . I can't decide if I like this or the original better.
Homegrown singer-songwriter Seyra's self-titled debut EP has an easy charm about it: Pleasant and soothing, the acoustic folk-pop songs are a breeze to listen to. It's a commendable effort for a fledging young band made up of Seyra, Khidir (Guitar), Rupak (Bass/Guitar) and Zack (Percussion/Guitar). In fact, the band has garnered a couple of positive reviews since they played at Baybeats last month. Their sound is fairly reminiscent of Zee Avi and Feist. "You Make Me Go" opens the EP in a jaunty, twinkly manner. The remaining tracks glide along before getting a proper closing [...]
When Brazilian band CSS emerged in 2006, their infectious melodies and provocative lyrics made people sit up and listen. By cleverly merging indie, rock and dance music with a whole lot of quirkiness, they created a fresh new sound that set them apart from their contemporaries. Unfortunately, they suffered a sophomore slump in 2008. While it wasn't a devastatingly bad LP, Donkey essentially stripped away all the brashness and quirkiness of their first, leaving an album that was more meh than marvellous. It seems like they [...]
A look at what's happening right now: Music producer Mark Ronson weds model-actress Josephine de la Baume. Congratulations to the happy couple [ link ]! Sinead O'Connor is in desperate need of sex [ link ]. The eponymous debut from Wild Flag, featuring Sleater-Kinney's Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss, Helium's Mary Timony and the Minders' Rebecca Cole is streaming on NPR. Go here to listen to [...]
The Swedes have a knack for making great music. Swedish/Icelandic singer-songwriter Edda Magnason is one of their latest exports, a talented young woman who's going to charm the pants off you with her brand of orchestral pixie pop. Check out "Blondie" to see what I mean. "Blondie" is taken off her soon-to-be-released second album Goods . Edda Magnason - Blondie from Adrian Recordings on Vimeo . Download: Edda Magnason - Blondie [buy [...]
I'm thrilled to share a little gem with you today: Here's a brand new London band called Anothers Blood , a band 'born out of an aspiration to create pop songs' and a 'desire to create something timeless'. I love the intimate setting and dreamy sounds on "Lost Communication": The song will be available as a free download from the band's website for 24 hours on October 3.
I Know That I'm Right
The Shins: “September” (b-side of “Simple Song” 7”)
St. Vincent - 'Cheerleader'
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Ni**as In Paris (Explicit)
OK Go - Needing/Getting - Official Video
M.I.A. - Bad Girls (Official Video)
Lana Del Rey - Without You (Kill Paris Remix) [Dubstep]
Download: James Blake Live Album (Unofficial)
Miike Snow - “Paddling Out” Jacques Lu Cont Remix (MP3 Stream)
Iron & Wine and Patty Griffin
New single from Gemini Club
