Discover: The Xx

A group of 19 year old south west londoners have quickly swept me in sound. They are called The Xx and I am beyond impressed. I've been floored by their debut, which is available on August 17th, via the Young Turks label. Their sound is very dark with a minimalist approach. At times, I wonder why this band needs 4 musicians. But the more I listen, the more I don't care. The sound is mature and the lyrics are thoughtful. The album is to be enjoyed on headphones as the sun sets or at night for a brilliant effect. A great friend of mine recently stopped by and she talked about the "push and pull" of certain songs. That one song that seems to have been written for you at that very crucial point in your life. A song that hits you at the core and never lets go. EVERY song on this cd, for me, maintains that tug and tension through and through. Easily, this is my favourite album of the year...thus far.

The Xx - Islands

The Xx - Basic Space

Discover: Kesha

I'm not usually one to hype the next big pop artist. Especially one that got her big break accompanying FloRida on one of the most irritating and unimaginative singles of the year. However, I am willing to give credit where credit is due. Kesha deserves the attention. Her electro beats are so accessible it's ridiculous. With simple and crass lyrics, high-schoolers will be eating up every song. She sounds like Avril Lavigne, if she stopped shopping at Hot Topic and grew up past the angsty age of 16. Not sure what her plans are for a future album, but when it drops you can count on hearing her everywhere.

Kesha - Backstabber

Kesha - Boots and Boys

Visualize

BEST!VIDEO!EVER!

Coldplay - Strawberry Swing Video

Verbatim

"...One day the the storm will roll away, and soon you'll see...

Far away from home but never far away from me,

and that's all for the best..."

Thom Yorke - All For The Best*

*For more info via Stereogum regarding this beautiful, heartwrenching song, click here.

Music is Art...Photography is Truth...

Florence and the Machine - Falling

Stars - Look Up

Rachael Yamagata - Duet ft. Ray Lamontagne

Photos: Ryan McGinley: I Know Where The Summer Goes

Take It All: Noah and the Whale

Noah and the Whale - The First Days of Spring

01. The First Days Of Spring

02. Our Window

03. I Have Nothing

04. My Broken Heart

05. Instrumental I

06. Love Of An Orchestra

07. Instrumental II

08. Stranger

09. Blue Skies

10. Slow Glass

11. My Door Is Always Open

Take It On: Julian Casablancas

The last (or first?) Take It On was ironically about side projects. And here I return with another. Julian Casablancas is the last of The Strokes to be taking his lone adventure in the music world. I haven't heard much about his forthcoming album Phrazes for the Young, so I've had my doubts. Doubts that I ironically shared with fellow friend and talented writer/blogger Cellar Door. The album title alone conjured about half of the images in the new promotional video below. But honestly, now that I think about it, I've been impressed with everything he's associated himself with, especially his recent collaboration with N.E.R.D. and Santigold. Not to mention his feature in Little Girl with Sparklehorse. It's all shaping up quite nicely too. Look for the album to drop this fall and a tour soon after. Check out his video below or on his new website that just launched today!

Let's POP some bottles!

Mr Hudson

Mr Hudson has a A LOT going for him. First off, he's sexy with a great sense of fashion. Also, his voice is autotuned which, whether you like it or not, has become a must for a #1 hit. Last but not least, his first single, Supernova, features none other than the voice of our generation WTFYEAHRIGHT, Kanye "GET OVER YOURSELF" West. It doesn't hurt that the song is infectious and begging to be played everywhere. The single's official release date is on July 21st, which still leaves plenty of room for play at those summer parties. As for his first solo album, Straight No Chaser, it drops on October 5th.

Mr Hudson ft. Kanye West: Supernova

Dan Black Dan Black's debut album ((Un)) has landed in the U.K. just this week. With the aid of a free iTunes single that I posted not too long ago, U + Me =, he's made a significant splash across the pond. His voice doesn't complement his music as much as I would want it to, but his album is certainly his own. The same can be said for his fun videos. Some really talented people, such as Fred Falke or Passion Pit could spin some of these tracks into some great remixes.

Dan Black: Alone

Little Boots

As you can see from her picture, Little Boots needs no introduction. She caused quite a stir last year with a couple of underground singles. With the unbelievable amount of hype generated, bloggers were expecting a masterpiece of a debut album. Her new album Hands was no such thing and critics were just as quick to disregard her, which is unfortunate because it is a unique, solid album that's easily of better quality than both Madonna and Kylie Minogue's recent efforts...put together. Already released in the U.K., she still has yet to conquer the states in 2010. Her EP entitled Illuminations is ready for purchase now.

Little Boots: Hearts Collide

Music is Art...Photography is Truth...

Zoot Woman: Saturation

Photo: Mario Testino

Discover: Phantogram

Phantogram is an American electro duo of guitarist Josh Carter and keyboardist Sarah Barthel. It's not the most life changing music, but I can definitely see the potential for an incredible first album, which is on the horizon. Describing their music as "a culmination of unique street beat rhythms, and psychedelic melodies, with combined technology and organic textures." I'm not entirely sure what that means, even after listening to them all day, but I do know that for just a pair, they know how to create songs that are full and lush. They're, by far, making the best new sounds I've heard in quite a bit. I can't wait to hear what's next for them. Just signed this year to the British record label BBE, you can purchase their self-titled album on their myspace.

Phantogram: Mouthful Of Diamonds

Take It All: La Roux

La Roux - La Roux

01. In For The Kill
02. Tigerlily
03. Quicksand
04. Bulletproof
05. Colourless Colour
06. I'm Not Your Toy
07. Cover Your Eyes
08. As If By Magic
09. Fascination
10. Reflections Are Protections
11. Armour Love

Take It On: Side Projects

Let's face it, side projects are rarely successful. They ultimately wind up long forgotten and scrutinized. It's not really that the artist is making bad music per se, but it's just that people who are familiar "fans" of the artist want what they already know. They wind up hearing only bits and pieces of a whole they appreciate and long for. Which is a shame, because I love side projects. Reasons:

• It's refreshing to hear an artist(s) in a different way.

• It's usually genre bending music because they try and seperate themselves from their more popular image.


• It occasionally allows you to understand what influences them and how they incorporate it into their original band's music.

I already noted Discovery's LP, which was released this past Tuesday (go get it before your opportunity for a new perfect summer album slips away). And now the incredibly talented Jón “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson, vocalist/guitarist for Sigur Rós, has branched out with long time boyfriend/bandmate Alex Somers to create Riceboy Sleeps. Beautifully crafted instrumental sounds creating dense and mellow atmospheres. You can click their link above for a free download of "Boy 1904". However, don't hesitate to snatch up my gift to you below. Happiness is the first song and highlight off their upcoming self-titled release due out July 21st.

Riceboy Sleeps - Happiness

Hey to the FOLKs!

Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For The Others
Bowerbirds - Northern Lights
Viva Voce - Octavio

Anticipation: July 2009

Summer always has a way of creeping up out of nowhere. Caught off guard, I wonder how it's possible that six months have past. Especially with the end of this year arriving soon, along with the end of a decade. It should be interesting to see how the '00s will be perceived and what new fads and styles of music develop in the the 2010s. But before it ends we still have plenty of new developments, discoveries, and sounds to address.

Bowerbirds - Upper Air

Florence and the Machine - Lungs

Yacht - See Mystery Lights

Must Haves: June 2009

Every season, I'm always looking through my closet and wishing for that one article of clothing that would pull it all together. Eventually, my search leads me to about 3 -4 more articles to give some variation. More than anything, I want a slim fit navy blue blazer. It's preppy, nautical, and versatile for those long summer nights.

Further down, I have some more fun summer jams from so up and comers. Dan Black is definitely an artist to watch this year. This song is free in the UK and I am jealous, because The States can be slow. Leighton Meester, a.k.a. Blair Waldorf, is featured in this sure to blow up rock/pop anthem. She IS the best part of the song and I'm looking forward to her CD later this year.

1. Red Plaid Shorts

2. Assorted Knit Ties (industrial, muted colors)

3. Simple, sharp black dress shoes

4. Fun Boat Shoes

MP3: Dan Black - U + ME =

MP3: Cobra Starship - Good Girs Go Bad ft. Leighton Meester

Discover: Discovery

I am no fan of autotune. It's not atrocious, but by all means, I wish it never penetrated my ears. That being said Discovery is, well...pretty fun. It makes me so so happy and ready for summer.

June Bloom

June has never been a good month for me. It's always been a month of instability and massive change for me. I'm all for change, but I like to take it gradually. In my own time and way. So it goes without saying that as of late, I've been glad to see the sun set.
On the bright side of things, June has brought me a tremendous amount of good music. Grizzly Bear's Veckatimest is one the most poetic I've heard in quite some time (seriously, listen to While You Wait For The Others). Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, which officially came out this month, has kept me dancing for days and days. But no has floored me more than the Brit Awards' Critics Choice recipient Florence and the Machine. Her voice calls for your immediate attention. Her music is direct and thoughtful. Her CD, entitled Lungs, comes out in the UK on July 7th and I can't wait. Cosmic Love is gem. An elegant melody with a charging chorus that could easily overwhelm, yet she stands strong. Determined to break through the darkness.

DL: Florence and the Machine - Dog Days Are Over

The Beautiful Sounds

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~Berthold Auerbach

Let me begin by expressing my immediate deep affection for my blog. I couldn't be more thrilled really. There are a plethora of reasons for this...a lot having to do with finding my voice. But also, I love the freedom of expression. It's hard to find the optimism in this world. For me, the positive is the truth. The more sincere, the more satisfaction. I laugh the hardest at the most brutally honest remarks. I learn more from my mistakes when it's brought clearly to my attention. Some people call my positivity wishful thinking and unrealistic, which I can't argue with. On the other hand, I can add that it feels a lot better to see the fullness and light in it all. Especially during a time when everything seems to be a variable. But even with all the changes in the world, there is so much to find. A new style...a new species...a new genre...a new technology... and more often than not, I want to share my new dicoveries with everyone.

Without a doubt, this blog/site/what-have-you is a place for everyone. A music blog for all shapes and sizes. Because music is for everyone, and I love music. There's nothing like listening to a good beat at the end of a great day...or a seductive synth in the dark hours of the morning...or swooning to a smooth symphony rising with the chorus of a ballad. I'll include some fashion and photography along the way too. I can't think of a better way to release my positivity.