Saturday Night

Song: Saturday Night

Artist: Natalia Kills
Album: Trouble




Natalia Kills falls into the totally-up-my-alley, why-don't-I-dig-this-more category.  But this could be changing.  I skipped her debut, 2011's The Perfectionist, and initial single "Problem" from her recently released sophomore set Trouble didn't change things... but I'm starting to think that I'm just not quite ready for her.

I'm prepping...

U.K. born/raised, Natalia Kills is a riches-to-rags and I guess back to riches story that got her entertainment start by acting in a TV sitcom at the age of nine and started writing songs at fourteen.  The Perfectionist was mostly produced by Fernando Garibay, who most famously has worked with Lady Gaga.

Despite not really connecting with her, I took a listen to Trouble and surprised myself with how much I was enjoying it.  Second single "Saturday Night" came out in June which I liked, but in listening to the album sounded amazing.  I've been listening to it a LOT now, what a tune.

Trouble is a mix of guitar rock, beats, and pop.  It's got an 80s vibe at times, I hear Cyndi Lauper a bit.  It goes "hard" in a radio-friendly kind of way, she's not your typical popstar.  Loving "Boys Don't Cry," the title track, and "Outta Time."

Check her out.



Enjoy.

Saturday Night

Boys Don't Cry

Problem

Reflektor

Song: Reflektor

Artist: Arcade Fire
Album: Reflecktor




Thank you Luis!

I'd always thought that if they had come out about decade before, I would have been all over Arcade Fire, which is ridiculous, but the truth is they never really grabbed me like they had other music fans.  I like them though.

Well friend and reader Luis, whose opinion I highly respect, insisted I check out their new track.  After a couple spins, and watching/experiencing their two videos for it... I'm sold.

Here's what you need to know; fourth and double-album from the band.  Title track is first, epic single, with a seven+ minute length.  It's produced by James Murphy (DFA/LCD Soundsystem) and features David Bowie.

There are two videos that have been released simultaneously for the track, one is an interactive experience that is best viewed with a webcam and a smartphone/tablet and written, produced, and directed by Vincent Morisset.  The other is a gorgeously odd black and white nightmarescape directed by famed photographer Anton Corbijn. (see below)

Check out the amazing interactive video HERE.

It's one of the coolest things I've ever seen on the internet.

In other news; the album comes out at the end of October.  The band is performing on Saturday Night Live on September 28th.  They have recorded a cover of "Games Without Frontiers" for a Peter Gabriel tribute.  They are also scoring the new Spike Jonze film Her.

I'm digging this song despite feeling it's not as tight as an LCD track.  But this is a situation where the visuals really help draw you into the song.  Watch/experience both.

Enjoy.

Reflektor

Benediction

Song: Benediction

Artist: Hot Natured
Album: Different Sides of the Sun




House music is making a pop comeback... if you liked recent output by the UK's Disclosure, check out British-American duo Hot Natured, who recently released their debut album Different Sides of the Sun.

Jamie Jones and Lee Foss formed the band/collective after starting their record label, Hot Creations.  They have since added Ali Love (whom I've been waiting for another album from) and Luca C from Infinity Ink.  The album also contains vocals from a slew of guests including Anabel Englund, Kenny Glasgow, The Egyptian Lover, and Róisín Murphy.

Different Sides of the Sun is a bit less pop than Disclosure, yet poppier than a lot of house records... a middle ground between groovy background music and something more radio-friendly.  It's best to just take a listen.

I really like the mood of this.



Enjoy.

Benediction

Alternate State (feat. Róisín Murphy)

Isis (feat. The Egyptian Lover)

Pyromaniac

Song: Pyromaniac

Artist: Oh Land
Album: Wish Bone





Danish singer-songwriter and Brooklyn resident Oh Land is returning with her third album Wish Bone this month.  The new album comes after getting a bit of exposure from the HBO show Girls that used her track "White Nights" last season.

First single "Renaissance Girls" came out in early August which honestly didn't grab me, but second single "Pyromaniac" has thrilled me instantly.  A groovy slice of indie-disco, "Pyromaniac" shows a bit of new Daft Punk impact with an irresistible old school vibe.  Love it.

Wish Bone is out September 24th.

Enjoy.

Pyromaniac

Renaissance Girls

Wrecking Ball

Song: Wrecking Ball

Artist: Miley Cyrus
Album: Bangerz




I suppose I can't have a music blog without saying something about Miley Cyrus right? (even if it's two weeks late.)

So... huge Summer hit, cultural appropriation, VMA's, "WTF is twerking?", Robin Thicke, THAT tongue, her poor father, talentless, disgusting, blah blah blah.

I like the brashness of Miley Cyrus, I like her tunes.  I like how Rock 'n' Roll the VMA performance was, I just wish it had more of a point (beyond the delicious shock which it nailed) and was better.  And for the record, the only culture she appropriated was internet culture, which no race owns.  We are ALL the internet.  We're all a little Miley.

I never wrote about "We Can't Stop," the killer mid-tempo track she released and rode a wave of publicity with all Summer.  The video (see below) was filled with Tumblr-riffic visuals, yes she twerked, and yes this whole thing is her "I'm now twenty years old and this is what I want to do" moment.  Outrage.  Disgust.  Weep for the future... yawn.

WHEN WILL WE AS A CULTURE GET OVER THE FACT THAT YOUNG GIRLS GROW INTO WOMEN?

Whatever, I don't have anything more to say that you haven't heard or want to hear so I'll just say her recently released ballad "Wrecking Ball" is so absolutely perfect for her right now.  It's a nice antidote musically to everything that was "We Can't Stop," and is a metaphorical home-run for everything she's doing right now.  I typically hate ballads but I like this song.

Miley has come in like a wrecking ball indeed, the only thing she could do in my book that would be even better would be to release a huge anti-religion track next.  THAT would be amazing, but I think that might be for the next Miley to take on.

Enjoy.

Wrecking Ball

We Can't Stop

Come Walk With Me

Song: Come Walk With Me

Artist: M.I.A.
Album: Matangi




Whoa.

It's been now more than a year and a half since M.I.A. released "Bad Girls," purported to be the first single off of her fourth album.  The album got a title, Matangi, and another just-okay single, "Bring the Noize" came out in June... but where is this album?

Well apparently there has been some issues with her label Interscope that partly involve a documentary being made about her, and changes they've asked for the album.  Just recently M.I.A. publicly threatened to leak the album if Interscope continued to drag their feet, which lead to the announcement of a November 5th... so it's coming?

Regardless, a new track has come out as possible third single and it's a stunner.

"Come Walk With Me" has a distinctive M.I.A.-take on the 60s Girl Group sound, mixed with off-kilter beats and world music influences (duh).  It starts off slow and builds towards it's insane kitchen-sink finale.  It's got spacey, clean-guitar picking, marching band big beats... and then it gets weird.  Is it too strange to be a hit?  Dunno... but it's growing on me by leaps and bounds.

Best thing since Kala?

Enjoy.

Come Walk With Me

Bring the Noize

Bad Girls

A Rose By Any Name

Song: A Rose By Any Name

Artist: Blondie (feat. Beth Ditto)
Album: Ghosts of Download




Pretty soon after 2011's Panic for Girls, late 70s/80s New York City heroes Blondie return with their eleventh studio album, Ghosts of Download in November.  The first single, "A Rose By Any Name" featuring Gossip's Beth Ditto was released in late June.

Ghosts is rumoured to continue their rock/disco/electronic sound, with production work by Steve Lillywhite, Jeff Saltzman, and Matt Katz-Bohen.  Katz-Bohen, whom has played keyboard with Blondie since the last tour as well as written tracks for Panic of Girls co-wrote/produced "A Rose By Any Name."

The song is a shimmery disco/rock track that's pretty infectious.  Ditto is a great addition, and nice to be worked into the Blondie universe, a natural fit.  Nice work.

Excited about the album.  Thought Panic of Girls was just okay after the excellent but really underrated Curse of Blondie from 2003.  I'm glad they're not taking so long between albums.

Enjoy.

A Rose By Any Name

Your Love

Song: Your Love (feat./The Outfield)

Artist: Morgan Page
Album: Your Love




Summer is officially over y'all.  (tears) But let's ease the pain with something unmistakably fun.

Morgan Page is a great pop remixer, and I loved his clubby take on 80s classic "Stand Back" by Stevie Nicks, as well as reworks of contemporary tracks like Coldplay's "White Shadows" and Tegan & Sara's "Walking with the Ghost" and "Back in Your Head."

Page has had a pretty successful run with his last release, 2012's In the Air, though he's yet to have his "Guetta moment."  "Your Love" doesn't seem to be slated for any upcoming release, just a one-off between albums and something killer to play during this Summer's sets.

The track features new vocals by the Outfield's Tony Lewis.

If you don't know Morgan very well, check out some of his stuff with this playlist:



Enjoy.

Your Love

Body Work

The Longest Road

Daylight

Song: Daylight

Artist: Sweet Coffee
Album: Face to Face

Continuing on my Summertime House playlist are production duo Sweet Coffee.  (Patrick Bruyndonx & Raffaele Brescia) They've been around for some ten years now, and I've had their 2010 album Face to Face since it came out... but only just now am getting into it.
Prior to Face to Face the duo relied on a single female vocalist, Bibi Diabokua, who left the band prior to the recording of the album.  It changed their approach to making albums, and decided to go with several different vocalist for Face to Face.  The album has a pop-loungy vibe that incorporates soulful melodies, a little hip-hop, and Summery house beats.  It's an entirely inoffensive blend of vocally-driven tracks that put mood at the forefront.  There's also a little fusion-jazz in there... it's entirely possible you may find this cheesy.

Face to Face is three years old, so once again I'm a little behind the times on this, but it's been an essential part of my Summer soundtrack.  The duo actually have a new album that came out earlier this year, Our Moods but doesn't seem to be on Spotify, and I can't find much info on it.  I haven't listened to it as much, but it didn't feel as perfect as Face to Face to me.

Enjoy.

Daylight

Survive

Where Do We Go?

It's You, It's Me

Song: It's You, It's Me

Artist: Kaskade
Album: It's You, It's Me




Talk about arriving late...

An essential part of my blissed-out Summer playlist this year has been It's You, It's Me by Kaskade, a record I got early in the season thinking it was new.  I have a slew of Kaskade remixes and a couple singles, but never listened to a full album from the American DJ.  Color me surprised when I immediately LOVED this record, only to find out it was a re-release commemorating it's tenth anniversary.  Yup, this puppy came out in 2003.  Where have I been?

It's You, It's Me is such a perfect slice of Summertime House; chilled out beats, sublime, soothing vocals... it's like the absolute perfect breeze hitting you on an otherwise scorching day.  But also, it works as the perfect sunset/cocktail hour soundtrack.  It may be ten years old, but this sounds very current to me.

This was Kaskade's debut, and I have since gone back and listened to his other output, kicking myself that it's taken me this long to have a good listen.  But then again, music comes to you at the right time... and this was my Summer for it. A new album, Atmosphere is set for release early next month, which I look forward to hearing.  It's his tenth album!

Like Lone's Lemurian, It's You, It's Me isn't really a singles album, just one you play from start to finish.  I've been meaning to make a Summer-y house mix for a while so here is the start.  I'll be adding to this in the coming months, but here's a start:



Enjoy!

It's You, It's Me

Seeing Julia

What I Say (Soft Shuffle Mix)

Borea

Song: Borea

Artist: Lone
Album: Lemurian




This Summer I've fallen for some background-ish sunny house records that lend themselves as perfect soundtracks to lazy times at the pool, a day at the beach, or even a beautiful AM when you've got to go to work... but you transcend your situation via a cup of coffee and some music to get you through.

These wants have led me to a couple records I really got a lot of play out of, despite them being not all that new.  U.K.-based musician Lone is probably best known for his track "Pineapple Crush," which became the backplate for Azealia Banks' excellent "Liquorice."  She's apparently working with him on a new track for her endlessly delayed debut album, but the man has a lot of prior work that is certainly worth your time.

I've really fallen for the sun-drenched semi-experimental Lemurian from 2008.  Forty-minutes of soothing, stuttered beats, wave-crashing/rain falling sound effects, and dawn-broke synths that wash over you like a blanket of light.

It's certainly not a singles record, and hard to pick a particular song because it's all made to create a mood, but let's go arbitrarily with a track called "Borea," which exemplifies the stuttered-electro sound f the album.  But better yet, take a listen to the whole record below... grab the sunscreen, your favorite trashy magazine and a frozen drink... bliss awaits.



Enjoy.

Borea

Sea Spray

Interview at Honolulu

The Apple

Song: The Apple

Artist: VV Brown
Album: Samson & Delilah




British singer, model, producer VV Brown brings us the second single off her forthcoming sophomore album Samson & Delilah.  "The Apple" is pulsating, dark track that gives me a bit Florence, a little Grace Jones, and something else I'm blanking on right now.  It's got a dark, dramatic 80s feel, yet very modern.  I'm quite liking it.

"The Apple" comes after the very odd first single "Samson," which also has an odd video. (see below.)

Samson & Delilah comes interestingly after a full other sophomore album, Lollipops & Politics was recorded and intended for release last year but pulled after the release of it's first single, "Children."

Both "Samson" and "The Apple" are a distinct departure from the sunny pop of her first notable track, "Shark in the Water" from her debut album, which I remember hearing first from a rather amazing TeenNick Degrassi promo.

Samson & Delilah is due next month.  She could be one to watch towards the end of this year.

Enjoy.

The Apple

Samson

Count on Me

Song: Count on Me (Feat. Moko)

Artist: Chase & Status
Album: Brand New Machine




Really digging this short-but-sweet little slice of Drum & Bass meets 90s style house from U.K. production duo Chase & Status.  The duo are probably best known for their productions for Rihanna, but they've released two full-length albums, a slew of singles, and are working on their third album, Brand New Machine which is set for release sometime later this year.

Their latest single "Lost and Not Found" is much more drum & bass, but I also like it.  I'm delving into some of their previous work to see if I like anything else.  "Count on Me" is a winner though.

Enjoy.

Count on Me

Lost and Not Found

Applause

Song: Applause

Artist: Lady Gaga
Album: ARTPOP




And here we go...

Declaring a "pop emergency," Lady Gaga has decided to release her big new single a full week early due to the leaks that started this past weekend.  And just so happens to throw her into a real head-to-head competition with Katy Perry.  (coincidence?)

I'm reluctant to gush about "Applause" in the way I initially did with "Born This Way," but I'm also at about a dozen listens and it has finally all clicked with me... I think it's just sort of perfect.  It's less weird and abrasive, yet totally Gaga.  It's very very catchy but in a way that grows... starting with loving the pre-chorus "applause, applause, applause..." and then fully realizing the impact of the chorus.  Looking forward to hearing this in a club or somewhere with people that know it.

It honestly didn't hit me as instantly as the leaked demo of new, possible ARTPOP track "Aura/Burqa" (see below) did, which might seem odd for a big comeback single, but that might also help it's longevity.  Really interested to hear how the rest of the general public responds to this.

Love this as well:



So surprises here... WeCast is in love again.

Put your hands up, make them touch.

Enjoy.

Applause

Aura/Burqa

Roar

Song: Roar

Artist: Katy Perry
Album: Prism




Katy Perry returns after the mind-boggling five straight number one singles from her sophomore album Teenage Dream with the first single from her upcoming third album Prism.  She announced the album with a big gold truck:

Which unfortunately had an accident on the way to New York.

She released a couple videos that made it clear that the Katy we knew was making way for a new Katy.

Even one with a funeral of her peppermint breasts.

Well, "Roar" the single sounds... just like the Katy Perry we know.  Infectious, shouty chorus, self-esteem lyrical content... I don't really hear growth, but it's good.  Should be a big big hit.

Media is putting a little friendly competition between her and Lady Gaga, who has her big new single "Applause" set for release next Monday.  Katy smokes Gaga with successful singles, but Gaga has the album sales by a mile.  Soon after "Roar" was announced, a new Gaga demo called "Aura/Burqa" leaked, becoming the most Googled search of the year behind "royal baby."  "Roar" leaked this weekend, and almost immediately small snippets of Gaga's song started to leak.  Is it on purpose?  Who knows.  We'll just have to see how it all pans out.

Katy may be mirroring Gaga's past a way she might not want to though.  First, take a listen to the sweetly stirring "Roar,"and then take a listen to this:



Yikes.

Not sure if this will have the impact that "Express Yourself/Born This Way"-gate had on Gaga.

Enjoy.

Automatic

Song: Automatic

Artist: Ronika
Album: FDRHD EP




Recently discovered Ronika, AKA Veronica Sampson, a singer-DJ from Nottingham who produces her own music, and is slowly making waves with her own brand of 80s RnB-meets-pulsing electro-meets-disco.  Good stuff.

I realize now that I first heard of Ronika with her excellent remix of Little Boot's should-have-been-huge "Headphones."  Ronika has supported Boots earlier this year, as well as made collaborations with the likes of Mylo and British DJ Herve.

I recently obtained the excellent FDRHD EP which contains four tracks of groovy, retro-tinged awesomeness that I highly recommend you check out.  Standout "Automatic" is absolutely infectious.  It's as if the Pointer Sisters became one person, visited Detroit in the mid-80s and turned. shit. out. 

She doesn't have all that much on Spotify right now but you can listen to what she has below.  I'm assuming we'll be hearing more from this girl soon.



Enjoy.

Automatic

Only You

I Love It

Song: I Love It

Artist: Robin Thicke
Album: BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge




Since we're discussing Robin and songs of the Summer....

So, remember back early last year, when I was hyping Icona Pop's "I Love It" as a possible song of the Summer?  Well I was a Summer too early, and while I think Robin's "Blurred Lines" eclipsed it this year, why not a marriage of the two?  Robin thought the same.

So Mr. #THICKE has performed a loungy version of the Brat-Pop mega-smash "I Love It" as part of the BBC's Radio 1 Live Lounge.  It's slowed down, sultry, very Robin Thicke.  A nice flip on the shouty track.

I don't care... I kind of love it.

Enjoy.

I Love It (Robin Thicke)

Blurred Lines

Song: Blurred Lines

Artist: Nylo
Album: Indigo Summer




Chicago-born, Texas raised, L.A. living RNB singer Nylo gives us a chilled-out, electronic take on the song of the Summer.  Nice.

Nylo, who is quite a beauty, released her debut EP Memories Speak last year.  That, along with a handful of singles can be found on Spotify.

Facebook Page.

"Blurred Lines" is part of the Indigo Summer mixtape, which you can stream here:



Enjoy.

Blurred Lines

Wake Me Up

Song: Wake Me Up

Artist: Avicii
Album: Wake Me Up (single)




Reader Sidney tipped me to this... a July single from Swedish DJ/Remixer/Producer Avicii, someone I haven't followed all that much.  "Wake Me Up" is noted as a change of pace for the producer, working with vocalist Aloe Black on a granola-meets-euphoria acoustic-guitar and driving beat track that's very "Rusted Root-tries-Molly."  It's kind of amazing.

The song immediately gave me "One Day/The Reckoning" vibes, and a bit of Bob Sinclar's Western Dream-era hits.

It's already gone #1 in the UK.

Enjoy and Happy Friday.

Wake Me Up

Every Little Thing (Ziggy and Stephen Marley Remix)

Song: Every Little Thing (Ziggy and Stephen Marley Remix)

Artist: Eric Clapton
Album: Every Little Thing




Last Friday I highlighted the pretty excellent Legend: Remixed album which was helmed by Bob's sons' Ziggy and Stephen Marley whom also provided a brunt of the remixes contained within.  This week I stumbled upon another new remix of theirs that works so well with that album...

I'm not a Clapton fan and haven't really followed him, but he released his twenty-first (!!) album Old Sock back in March.  Sock mainly consists of covers of Clapton's favorite songs but also contains two originals, including "Every Little Thing."  The Marley brothers give it their reggae-meets-electronics rework and it's quite sublime.

I actually haven't even heard the original, but this is enough to make me think they could do a mixed artist remix record with this vibe.  I'd pick it up.

Perfect for lazy days in the sun.

Enjoy.

Every Little Thing (Ziggy and Stephen Marley Remix)

Dance Your Pain Away

Song: Dance Your Pain Away

Artist: Agnetha Fältskog
Album: A




Here's some straight-up Nu Disco that sounds a bit retro for your hump day.  And it comes courtesy from none-other than ABBA legend Agnetha Fältskog, who returns after a nine-year break with her fifth English-language album A.  Fältskog spent eleven extremely successful years with ABBA, and worked on solo career throughout the 80s.  She took a break from music throughout the 90s into the new millenium and has released an odd record here and there since.

Friend and reader Harley points us toward "Dance Your Pain Away," a pretty infectious, if goofy, disco-tinged dance track that I really love.  And when the "Nothing he got nothing he got nothing he got nothing on yooooooouuuuu, on you!" part comes in toward the end, you're unmistakably taken to the wonderful world of inescapable ABBA-esque hooks.  Sublime.  The biggest of it's kind since the very end of Gaga's "Americano," with the "Don't you try to catch me, don't you try to catch me" bit.

Unfortunately, "Dance Your Pain Away" is an anomaly on A, which is comprised almost solely of drippy, Adult Contemporary-with-modern-production ballads, that admittedly are part of Fältskog bread and butter.  I get it, but the thought of a former ABBA member bringing a full album of "Dance Your Pain Away's" in her early 60s would be quite noteworthy... and straight up enjoyable.  Oh well, this one will just be on repeat.

Enjoy.

Dance Your Pain Away

Drew

Song: Drew

Artist: Goldfrapp
Album: Tales of Us




With each new album, Goldfrapp expand what will be their legacy; a string of cohesive albums that each have their own unique sound and mood, all within the range of really pretty good to jaw-drop amazing.  From the trip-hop of their debut Felt Mountain, to the hard electro of Supernature, onto the psychedelic folk-tronica of Seventh Tree and the 80s revivalism of Head First.  But what to make of their latest, sixth album Tales of Us... it's certainly cohesive like their past work, but also their most downbeat... making Seventh Tree feel like Supernature in tempo.  Seriously, that's how slow it is.

Like Bjork's Vespertine, Tales of Us comes after mostly beat-driven works as a bit of a WTF? girl.  I'm still in the WTF stage at this point, but my hope is that the charms of Tales of Us begin to shine through the haze of unmet expectations and confusion the way they did with Vespertine, which I consider one of Bjork's best records.

Truth be told though, Tales of Us is even more of a departure, an album for early winter mornings, piano-based ballads and light acoustic guitar accompany story-songs, each named as a single name ("Drew," "Anabel," "Thea," etc. except track eight, which is simply "Stranger.")   Their trademark electronic production really only comes into play with middle track "Thea."  Who are these people?  What "tales" are being told here?  This begs for true sit-down lyrics-in-hand listen.  I haven't done that yet, and I'm currently just a couple clicks above "meh" at this point.  Things can change.

But Goldfrapp have given me too much joy not to spend the time with this.  It's a mood record, but they are songwriters at heart, and I have a feeling these songs have more layers to reveal.  There's a lot of things Tales of Us is not... but it is gorgeous.  Something Goldfrapp have never stopped being.

Enjoy.

Drew

Tales of Us Preview

Ralph Macchio

Song: Ralph Macchio

Artist: Annie
Album: The A&R EP




Just a couple months ago we got a new Annie single out of nowhere, with rumours of a possible new album, or a new EP in the future.  Well, after the Xenomania-produced stand-alone single, Annie has teamed up with one of her best collaborators Richard X... and they've made a full five-track EP called The A&R EP. (get it?)

And, it's really really bloody fantastic.

I've been enjoying new track "Hold On" for a couple weeks now, but the full EP was just released on iTunes in the UK (Avail in US on Aug. 4th) early this AM and it boasts five absolutely killer songs.  My only complaint is that it's not a full album... but I'll stop complaining, because this is that good.

"Back Together" and "Hold On" remind me of material from her debut Anniemal, hovering around the space of her crowning achievement "Heartbeat."  "Ralph Macchio" is goofy, bubbly brilliance with a cute 80s reference that might help the song, and Annie, get some much-needed extra attention.  Finally "Invisible" and "Mixed Emotions" push things a bit further musically... all I want it more.

None of these tracks are on Spotify yet, but in the meantime you can check out the below WeCast Annie Playlist, the new tracks will be added when available.



Enjoy.  I certainly am.

Ralph Macchio

Hold On

Invisible

Could You Be Loved (RAC Remix)

Song: Could You Be Loved (RAC Remix)

Artist: Bob Marley & The Wailers
Album: Legend Remixed




A remix album can go very wrong, very very quickly, and when it comes to remixing a "legend's" songs, and especially their biggest songs, it's bound to go South... but in a nice turn of events, the new Bob Marley compilation Legend Remixed get's it right for the most part.  Rejoice!

Produced by Ziggy Marley, Stephen Marley, and Jason Bentley, the album takes a slew of top-quality remixers and gives them Bob's biggest material to re-work in their style.  It's mostly cohesive, and feels like a lot of thought, and love, was put into the end result.

WeCast remix favorites found here include RAC, Thievery Corporation, Photek, and Beats Antique.  Z-Trip, Bright Lights, and Jim James also appear, but it's the Ziggy Marley & Stephen Marley mixes that make the majority, along with Bentley, that also adds to its cohesive nature.  I marvel how easily it could have gone off the rails.

The secret no doubt is that there aren't any way left field reworks here.  The originals are highly respected, so if you're a Bob fan, and enjoy remixes, this has the possibility of being a home run for ya.

Mostly though... when you're taking some of the best songs that have ever been written as your base, it's hard to really fuck it up.  That said, there are some unfortunate uses of Dubstep, (Stephen!) and Roni Size, who is given "I Shot the Sheriff," uses his trademark drum and bass style that sounds as dated as it did... ten years ago.

All in all though, this is a solid collection of good remixes to amazing, classic song.



Enjoy.

Could You Be Loved (RAC Remix)

Buffalo Soldier (Stephen Marley Remix)

Album Preview

The Throw

Song: The Throw

Artist: Jagwar Ma
Album: Howlin




Friend and reader Melanie introduced me to this AMAZING new album you need to hear at once.

Jagwar Ma are a rock three-piece from Sydney, Australia and Howlin is their debut that was released earlier this year.  It's a mix of Girl Group-ish/Beach Boys harmonies, electronic beats, irresistible grooves, and a slight Brit "Madchester"sound.  It's a touch psychedelic, and balances an old-and-new sound rather remarkably.  Listen to this!

This record, like yesterday's highlighted album Pollen by Wave Machines, was one that slowly creeped into my consciousness.  The record sounded good, and I was putting it in the day's playlist day-after-day for a while.  The melodies grabbed hold, the transcendental grooves washed over me... sold.  I realize though that I don't know these tracks by song names just yet.

Listen!



The Throw

Come Save Me

Man I Need

Ill Fit

Song: Ill Fit

Artist: Wave Machines
Album: Pollen




While there isn't anything as attention-grabbing and pop as "I Go I Go I Go" from their debut album, I've been digging Wave Machines' follow-up, Pollen that was released earlier this year quite a bit.  It's been a slow build for me, an odd, experimental record that has the band experimenting with many layers, spacy sounds, etc. Pollen gives me a little of Yeasayer.

Nothing jumps out initially, but this was one I just kept putting on and listening to, and its charms slowly revealed themselves.  First single "Ill Fit" is probably the catchiest, and yet also fits in (irony!) with the rest of the album.  Give it a chance.



Enjoy.

Ill Fit

I Hold Loneliness

Counting Birds

I Won't Be Long

Song: I Won't Be Long

Artist: Beck
Album: I Won't Be Long




I didn't realize it had already been over five years since our last Beck record, '08's Modern Guilt, which is incidentally, the longest he's waited in-between albums.  But it was also the end of his contract with Geffen, and his first time he was out of being under a contract since he was 20... some seventeen years.  So I suppose the break was totally deserved.  Regardless, the man is back... and I'm quite excited.

Beck plans to release two album sometime this year, a One Foot in the Grave-style "self-contained" acoustic record, as well as true follow-up to Modern Guilt.  In the meantime, he's dropped two stand-alone singles.  "Defriended," a vaguely psychedelic, experimental track came out in mid-June, and earlier this month saw the release of "I Won't Be Long," a more straight-forward, groovy, and airy track.

"Defriended" didn't do much for me to be honest, but "I Won't Be Long" quickly got under my skin, and I was reminded just how much I loved this man's music... and missed it.  And then he released a fourteen-plus minute "extended" version of the song... epic.  SOLD.

No news about these albums or if these tracks fit anywhere in them.  So we'll have to wait.  In the meantime, check out this Beck playlist of WeCast's favorite tracks:



Enjoy!

I Won't Be Long

Defriended

Right Action

Song: Right Action

Artist: Franz Ferdinand
Album: Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions




One of my favorite bands returns, after quite a long break in between records!

Scotland's Franz Ferdinand have just announced the release of their upcoming fourth album; Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions on August 27th.  They've just released two tracks from the album as promo; "Right Action" and "Love Illumination."

Both new tracks pop with that good 'ol Franz charm, and while neither join the heights of "Take Me Out" or "Do You Want To?," having them back just sounds so right.  I think I need a bit more time with them.

Enjoy.

Right Action

Love Illumination

It's You

Song: It's You

Artist: Duck Sauce
Album: It's You (single)




Another infectious track from the NYC-based DJ duo Duck Sauce, AKA Armand Van Helden & A-Trak.  They're three-for-three with their last A-Sides, "Barbara Streisand," "Big Bad Wolf," and now this.

"Wolf" was best known for its outrageous music video. (see below) The video for the bouncy "It's You" goes less outrageous and more "fun."  You could almost describe it as "cute."

I've read of no plans for a full-length album, but it seems unlikely or at least a long way off given their non-prolific single-release history.  No matter... they keep breaking these fun little gems out they'll be all good in my book.

Enjoy.

It's You

Big Bad Wolf

Barbara Streisand