It's been a good 5 years. I certainly have enjoyed my time with this blog. However, I think it's time to move on. Say hello to Pop Labyrinth . Brand new place, brand new start. See you there! (Update your bookmarks!)
...The more I wish it was actually a new Lily Allen single. If only someone would make an edit that takes out all of Green's parts, his douchey rapping really grates on me. Her involvement is the sole reason I found this enjoyable. Lily looks great as always in the video, but her styling seems rather self-consciously off, as if to conceal pregnancy or undesired chubbiness! I love that this track turned me on to Beats International's '90s jam "Dub Be Good To Me" , the one it "sampled", much like how Estelle's "Freak" and Big Boi's "Shutterbug" introduced [...]
The other day, I saw "Anna" , a 1967 French musical starring Anna Karina. It's a TV movie, so it's a bit poor, but Anna absolutely radiates with her ear-to-ear grin and her manic eyes. I felt the urge to make a music video out of her scenes. Then I remembered hearing a fantastic, summery remix of Taken By Trees' "Anna" by CFCF a couple weeks ago. I went ahead and mashed the two up. It took me ages to finish, but I think I did alright. So if you want to see [...]
Picking where the last post left off... Sun is down. Here are 5 more songs for springtime in the winding down hours. I tried to evoke a calmer, more relaxing atmosphere with this one. Not overtly chirpy, but not too depressing either. Hope you all are having a great Sunday evening. Joanna Newsom - On A Good Day ( Have One On Me , 2010) I still haven't worked my way through the entire set, [...]
Springtime is finally upon us. Gone are the tedious, brooding moodswings of winter. The return of sunlight is very much welcome indeed, though it was like a furnace outside a few days ago. I guess I shall spend less time wallowing now, and start bringing out brighter shades of music. Here's a quick mix of breezy, light tunes to match the mood of a carefree, jolly spring day. Enjoy your Sunday, folks. Jonna Lee - Lake Chermain ( This Is Jonna Lee , 2009) One [...]
Curiously missing from BBC's "Sound 0f 2010" shortlist last year was 22-year-old singer/songwriter Eliza Doolittle . It seemed odd, as she was quite hotly tipped, signed to Parlophone, and being on the list could've been her much-needed platform to launch. Fast forward to April, and there's still little development and news of an album. I suspect the label's not entirely sure what to do with her now. The music's not the problem, that is certain. She makes breezy, feel-good acoustic pop that is great for sunny days. The hooks are catchy and instant. It's just [...]
Noisettes recently covered Buzzcocks' new wave classic "Ever Fallen In Love" for Dr. Martens' 50th anniversary campaign, and it has finally been put up online today as a free download, along with a pretty glossy music video directed by famed photographer duo Rankin & Chris (whose last work was Kelis' "Acapella" video). Video + the track after the jump. DOWNLOAD: Noisettes - Ever Fallen In Love [...]
Two Door Cinema Club is quickly securing their place as one of my favorite new acts of 2010. Their debut album "Tourist History" supplied me enough super slick Phoenix-lite power pop tunes to last a whole year. While they have no novelty or gimmicks to offer, they've got crunchy riffs and infectious melodies in abundance. The latest single, "Something Good Can Work" , is one of their best tracks to date, and in a utopian world, it would be a certified summer smash. Ted & Francis certainly got the idea as they stepped ahead [...]
I'm not sure what to make of the latest budding major label pop act from the UK, Sunday Girl (Blondie reference?). Her (their?) debut single "Four Floors" is certainly a catchy slice of electro-pop, which I've been playing for the last few days. There's an edge to the production that makes the song seem greater than the sum of its parts, and her voice reminds of Little Boots. And of course, Ellie Goulding comparisons are inevitable. The video makes it clear what sort of audience the label wants to pander to. The [...]
Here is a freshly squeezed remix of Ellie Goulding 's "Under The Sheets" , courtesy of Rod Thomas, under his alias Bright Light Bright Light . Recently made available for free on his website , it's certainly a very listenable reswizzle to these ears. UPDATE: Of course, I received a DMCA takedown notification for this. Link removed guys, but it's still at Rod Thomas's website for anyone still interested. Still not [...]
Here is a freshly squeezed remix of Ellie Goulding 's "Under The Sheets" , courtesy of Rod Thomas, under his alias Bright Light Bright Light . Recently made available for free on his website , it's certainly a very listenable reswizzle to these ears. MP3: Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets (Bright Light Bright Light Boys Remix) Still not tired of this song yet. Ellie's star is shooting up this year, and rightfully so. [...]
These are those. Synchronized dancing overload! Zooey's impossibly pretty hair! And the wink at 2:18! Ain't she puuurdy! The giddy Asian dancing bro! Sunglass-wearing M. Ward looking a bit like Robert Downey Jr! He's just too cool for school! *sorry* Hula hoops!!! Polka-dots!!! Badass fake guitar playing there, Mr. Him. The little walk off Zooey does at the end. It was directed by Bring It On director, who worked previously with Zooey on Yes Man. [...]
Two months ago, I found myself sitting in a cab on the way back to my dorm at 2AM. There I was, still reeling from the overflowing joy of an amazing gig experience. The streets were literally deserted. Trees basked in an ember-colored glow rolled by. Right at that moment, suddenly the lyrics of The Smiths' "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" popped in my head. And it just felt so... right. Finally, I understood it. Now I don't know much about The Smiths, and I think I've only heard about 5 [...]
Snow Patrol has sadly become one of those bands I can no longer get behind. After scoring their biggest hit 'Chasing Cars', they just seemed to get creatively bankrupt, as the subsequent singles just sounded stale and unmemorable to these ears. I know their music's not all that upbeat to begin with, but even the assistance of synthesizers on their latest greatest-hit single 'Just Say Yes' couldn't make them sound any less dull. I believe Gary & co truly peaked with 'Run'. However, their recent visit to Radio 1 spawned a very listenable cover of Madonna's 'Ray [...]
So, daylight saving, huh? It starts to get dark at just about 5 in the afternoon here now. The last winter of the noughties is coming. Oh well, more reasons to stay in and listen to sad music. As promised, here is another batch of rare covers. I believe these are definitely the best picks in recent memory. Joan As Police Woman - Overprotected (Britney Spears) (Cover, 2009) Such a peculiar pick. I mean when you decide to cover a [...]
The latest volume of the BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge series came out in the UK last week. As usual, there are hits and misses, with many of the better covers left out in favor of more established names. The idea of Live Lounge covers don't excite me that much anymore, to be honest, most artists just picked a current top hit and performed it acoustically while sounding bored and joyless. It has somewhat become obligatory buzz-generating promo chore. Fortunately, some still try to have fun and bring something new to their renditions. Here are my recent favorites. [...]
Guess who's the next actor to go for the mic? Ryan Gosling. I know, never crossed my mind either. "Dead Man's Bones" is the musical project of him & Zach Shields, with a record coming out soon on Anti. At first, I listened to their track called 'My Body's A Zombie For You' out of curiosity only (with a title like that, who wouldn't?). But it turned out to be a strange, strange delight. It's all novelty, but creepily catchy. There's not much to say about his singing, but man, the children choir killed on this [...]
I first heard of The Perishers via Veronica Mars. The prom dance scene , no less. I suppose to be featured as the prom theme is no small feat. Ask The Sundays . Anyways, that song is 'Sway', from their 2003 album 'Let There Be Morning' , many songs of which still sound lovely to this day. I guess back then, they were like the Swedish answer to Aqualung, which in turn was like the British answer to Coldplay. A lot has happened since 2003. Coldplay went on to become the new "biggest band in [...]
If you've followed my humble blog for a while, chances are you already know of Sally Shapiro and their brand of melancholy, bittersweet italo disco. Johan & Sally's debut, 'Disco Romance' , was undoubtedly one of my favorite albums of 2007, and its follow-up, 'My Guilty Pleasure' , was just released last month. Now there is little I could say that's not been said already, so I will just confirm that yes, it is indeed worth the wait. The new album's a progression from the previous output, but still maintains the catchiness and wistfulness that made [...]
Here's a little synthy ditty for the occasion. Possibly one of the most British things I've heard. Lush accent, wry lyrics, and a children choir sample on loop. Brilliance. Black Box Recorder - The School Song Black Box Recorder is one of those great long-lost Britpop bands, and if you like Saint Etienne, you should definitely check them out.
Zeon's Music Blog
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)
Miike Snow – Paddling Out (Jacques Lu Cont Remix)
Beyonce Introduces Blue Ivy Carter On Tumblr (Photos)
