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

Bubble Butt

Song: Bubble Butt

Artist: Major Lazer
Album: Free the Universe




Hadn't given this record much of a chance when it came out, but friend and reader Sean sent me this track, the fourth single and well... what can I say?  Another Friday... another twerk anthem.

I'm sorry.

The song and video are outrageous, there's not really much to say.  My favorite comment on the YouTube clip?  "I've literally lost my faith in music."  Seems about right.  (If you lake a sense of humor.)

Free the Universe, producer Major Laser's sophomore album Exec. Produced by Diplo is a mixed bag of reggae, dancehall, electronic, break, & even a little moombahton.  The guest roster is vast; Santigold, Tyga, Bruno Mars, Shaggy, Wyclef Jean, Peaches, Elephant Man, Laidback Luke, Wynter Gordon... the list goes on.

The album starts with a pretty laid-back vibe and ramps up as the songs click by.  You'll find "Bubble Butt" towards the end.  Take a listen.



Major Laser did a couple tracks on the latest Snoop Lion record, one of which; "Get Away" seems like possible hit material.

Enjoy.

Bubble Butt

American Girl

Song: American Girl

Artist: Bonnie McKee
Album: American Girl




Here's one that has a chance* to be this year's "Call Me Maybe..."

*small chance

You might not have heard of Bonnie McKee, but you know her work.  She's been the writer behind some huge pop hits of the last few years, and now she's getting a push as an artist in her own right.  Here's a list of a couple songs she's co-written:

California Girls, Last Friday Night (TGIF), Teenage Dream, Part of Me, Wide Awake - Katy Perry
C'mon - Ke$ha
Dynamite - Taio Cruz
Hold it Against Me, Oh La La - Britney Spears
Let There Be Love - Christina Aguilera

You can see the full list here.

"American Girl" gives me huge Katy Perry vibes, specifically "Teenage Dream."  Perfect for Summer, but will pop radio bite?  You never really know.

Bonnie released an album, Trouble when she was 14, and since has been focusing on songwriting.  The new album has yet to be titled or given a release date.  A proper video is expected soon, but in the meantime she happened to get all of her famous friends to make a "Call Me Maybe"-esque viral video for her song. (see below)

You can download the song for free here.

Always pulling for a songwriter to make it on their own.

Enjoy.

American Girl (video #2)

American Girl (video #1)

Cookie Thumper

Song: Cookie Thumper

Artist: Die Antwoord
Album: Donker Mag




I was late to the Die Antwoord party, and while I can't say I love them, I do quite like... and just find them so odd, off-kilter, and a touch disgusting that it's impossible not to pay attention.

They last made waves (and honestly got my attention) by slagging Lady Gaga, who had asked them to open for her on her world tour.  This apparently upset them, so they released a music video that made fun of her.  Juvenile is putting it mildly, but what a sure-fire way to get a little publicity...

I missed their one-off single "XP€N$IV $HIT" which came out late last year, but they are now on the first single off their upcoming fourth album, Donker Mag that comes out next February.  They've made one of their now typical videos for the new track, "Cookie Thumper," (see below) which is just as gonzo as their previous material.  So odd.

Die Antwoord draw a lot of their style from the work of Roger Ballen and the Zef counterculture movement.

Here's a primer:


Enjoy.

Cookie Thumper

XP€N$IV $HIT

Don't Let Me Die in Florida

Song: Don't Let Me Die in Florida

Artist: Patty Griffin
Album: American Kid




There was a time when I used to listen to A LOT of female singer-songwriters.  I don't really know what happened, but my interest tempered off over time.  Given the time period I should have really gotten into/loved Maine-born Patty Griffin, who has released critically acclaimed, Americana-style folk/rock/country since the mid-90s.  My good friend Dave was a big fan, and sang her praises quite a bit, I never took the bait.

Griffin has just released her seventh album, a tribute to her father entitled American Kid.  Oddly, I heard the track "Ohio" as part of the theater advertising before an advanced screening of World War Z last week and was struck by it so I picked up the album.  It's really beautiful, and perfect for a slightly melancholy, but beautiful summer day.  I'm feeling it.

Check out the upbeat "Don't Let Me Die in Florida" below, and the full album here on Spotify:



Enjoy.

Don't Let Me Die in Florida

Ohio

Twerk

Song: Twerk

Artist: Lady
Album: Bitch From Around the Way II




Okay, I surrender...

This song is not new, and those plugged in will find this very two-thousand-and-late, but am I wrong in stating that it seems like "twerking" and the very word "twerk" has jumped into (surprise) cultural relevance like never before?  I partly blame Buzzfeed, Miley Cyrus, even this guy.  They be puttin' it out there, and they be eatin' it up.

Ridiculous.  Sad.  Questioning the direction of our culture, etc.

I'm no twerk historian, but my go-to best twerk explanation can be found in one place; the video for Talbotton, GA-born lady rapper Lady's monumental, jaw-dropping, and yes, possibly cultural shifting video for her song "Twerk," found on her second mix tape, Bitch From Around the Way II.  Please see below, but be forewarned... this is NSFW material, this will make you question the abilities of the human body to a level the Olympics can't touch, and there is a chance it will change your life forever from this point onward.

Just watch this...

It's just... you can't right?  Life can be described as B.T. and then A.T. (Before Twerk/After Twerk.)

Can we marvel at the bathing suit fashion?  How kind of bored Lady looks through this whole thing?  How she is never seen actually twerking... And how one of these dancers, as my friend Dave pointed out when introducing; "...is clapping with her ass."  This is some mind-blowing crazy-ass shit. (to put it mildly)

Again, this video already had its viral moment like two years ago, but I feel like we're having a real twerk moment in our culture as of late, and Lady represents a key point of reference in this historical shift.  The song itself is beyond critique, it does not matter if you think it is good or bad... it just is.

I'm listening to Lady's mixtape now and every song sounds like "Twerk."  All contain that nasally, high-pitched voice and kinda-slow, is she bored? flow.  But it's all rather charming... in its way.  Take a listen to "Yankin" and most recent single "Pussy" below.  You can now pick your jaw up off the floor.

Please go to her official website and learn more about this crazy lady.

Yankin

Pussy

A Ton of Love

Song: A Ton of Love

Artist: Editors
Album: The Weight of Your Love




British rockers Editors return with their upcoming fourth album The Weight of Your Love next month, four years after their last.  First single "A Ton of Love" is being released next week... and it's one of the most immediate rock tracks I've heard in some time.

The album is the first after the reportedly amicable split with lead guitarist Chris Urbanowicz, who left stating the old "creative differences."  Which probably explains the length in between releases.  In October of 2011, lead Tom Smith was claiming the album would be "very electronic," which is not evident from "A Ton of Love," which might have been the issue.

Regardless, "A Ton of Love" sounds classic to me... like a long lost track from the Modern Rock 80s or Alternative Nation 90s.  It brims with some of their influences; Echo and the Bunnyman, R.E.M., U2, and The Replacements.  It's so familiar that I almost thought it was a cover, but it's not.

Officially excited for this Editors record, might be a real rock and roll summer moment.

Enjoy.

A Ton of Love

The Sting

Jenny

Song: Jenny

Artist: Studio Killers
Album: Studio Killers




I can't believe it's been two years since I first heard the Studio Killers amazing debut single, "Ode to a Bouncer."  But it has... and they have finally released their self-titled debut album out on Danish label Copenhagen Records.  Studio Killers was just released digitally, with a physical release coming early next month.

Like the Gorillaz, Studio Killers are a "virtual" band represented by animated characters.  Unlike Gorillaz, the Studio Killers are keeping their true identities a secret from the media, though lead singer Cherry is rumored to be Teemu Brunila, lead singer of Turku-based pop group The Crash.  (Cherry the character is female, Teemu is male.)

After "Ode," I heard follow up single "Eros and Apollo" which sounded sooooo much like "Ode," minus a lot of it's charm, and I sort of lost interest.  In the past two months I've really gotten into follow-up's "All Men Are Pigs" as well as the excellent current single "Jenny," which will get the video treatment in August.  Based on these two tracks, I was back on... and now I can say I recommend this album strongly.

Studio Killers is a strong mix of bubbling electro-pop & catchy trance, all with a very whimsical, yet with a wink-wink humour about them.  It stays consistant, and yet despite the extreme similarities of "Ode" and "Eros" (tracks one and two) the other tracks are pretty varied sonically. (Okay, the beat of "In Tokyo" is a little reminiscent of "Ode" as well, but just slightly.)

If you're in the market for some solid dance-pop, look no further than Studio Killers.

Enjoy.

Jenny

All Men Are Pigs

When We Were Lovers

Overdose

Song: Overdose

Artist: Little Daylight
Album: Overdose




Indie-pop trio from New York, Little Daylight got their start remixing artists such as Penguin Prison, Temper Trap, Passion Pit, and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes, but are currently making waves with their own self-composed music including the lush, drum-tastic "Overdose" which I've been digging quite a bit lately.

It's not as attention grabbing, or as odd; but Little Daylight exist somewhere in the middle of the Charli XCX/Icona Pop and then Kate Boy/CHVRCHES sound.

Currently opening for Charli XCX on her tour.

Enjoy.

Overdose

Name in Lights

Black Skinhead

Song: Black Skinhead

Artist: Kanye West
Album: Yeezus




Tomorrow Kanye West drops his fast, loud, dirty, and anti-commercial sixth album Yeezus, and it's quite a doozy.  The album was mainly recorded and produced in Paris, where West worked with a variety of producers including Daft Punk, whom are credited with producing the first four tracks.  Rick Rubin did late production work on the album, taking the snippets West had done and pulling it into a conceptual whole in the last three weeks of production.

This is a big record to wrap your head around, and one I still need time with.  It is abrasive, angry, loud, and not made for the general public to "enjoy."  This alone, from an artist like West, is wildly interesting to me.  In an age of smash singles = relevancy, and even five months out of some kind of spotlight is too long... the fact that West has put out a record without a "single" in the conventional sense is a good one for a true artist, especially one tied to the pop charts to do.  But if you're making a record that touches on the current state of racism, white privilege, blistering takes on celebrity culture, hip-hop boasting, and the like... you can't just throw a "Gold Digger" in there for radio.

As "uncommercial" as Yeezus is, it doesn't fall into actually unlistenable M.I.A.'s MAYA territory.  The four Daft Punk tracks certainly form a starting act for the record, and bold new territory for West.  After, Yeezeus combines the auto-tuned electronics of his last "departure" 808s & Heartbreak, and the pitched soul samples that's become part of what, if anything, we can expect from West.

Again, I'm still listening... and feel that this is one that will unveil new layers, emotions, etc. with repeated listens.  This will not be an easy record, but there's a good chance you'll hear a lot about this record over the next few months and will most likely see it on quite a few year-end best lists.

You might hate him, but you can't fault his commitment.

Enjoy.

Black Skinhead

Blood on the Leaves

Bound

Just One Look

Song: Just One Look

Artist: Doris Troy
Album: Just One Look




I have always loved this song, but based solely on the Linda Ronstadt version.  Which is one of my favorites of hers.  I didn't have the original, and saw Doris Troy mentioned somewhere recently so I got a compilation.  Of course... she's amazing.

I did know the original from a Cindy Crawford starring Pepsi ad from ages ago, and Troy's version (which she co-wrote) bubbles with that girl group sound and charm that was there a bit in Ronstadt's version, though 70s rock-a-fied.  It's obviously a song that's resonated with a lot of musicians and vocalists as it's been covered by a slew and wide range of artists...

Klaus Nomi has got to have the oddest version... I'm not a fan so it sort of borders on a joke for me.  Also altering the structure, but transcending the song vs. reducing it to caricature, is Bryan Ferry's version from his covers album Taxi from 1993.  I wasn't familiar with this version, and while it lacks the bounce of the original, it's got a magical quality to it that I quite dig.  It's soooo Ferry.  Anne Murray has a nice faithful version, and Harry Nilson goes full-on 70s cheesy grandeur with his string-laden version.  The Hollies went to #2 in the U.K. with their version just a year after Troy's, and even the Bee Gee's recorded a version in the mid-60s.  (And there are more.)

Doris Troy grew up in the Bronx, the daughter of a Barbadian Pentecostal Minister.  Her parents were against the "subversive" R&B she was getting involved in, but things started when she was discovered by James Brown as an usherette at the Apollo Theater.  Over her career she worked with such varied artists as The Drifters, Dionne Warwick, The Rolling Stones, Humble Pie, Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, Dusty Springfield, Carly Simon, and George Harrison to name a few.

She'll best be known for "Just One Look," and what a legacy.

Enjoy.

Just One Look

Stormy Weather

I'll Do Anything (He Wants Me To)

Turn it Gold

Song: Turn it Gold

Artist: Hesta Prynn
Album: Turn it Gold

Back in college I was a fan of Northern State, the from Long Island, started-as-a-joke, all-female trio of MC’s who came out with their debut EP Dying in Stereo back in 2002.  My friends and I ate that shit up, and when their debut full length All City came out in 2004 I thought they might really blow up.  They didn’t, and 2007’s Can I Keep This Pen? also didn’t make a dent… but I liked it, especially track “Sucka Mofo” which should have made more impact yet in retrospect with that title… eh.

I’d pretty much forgotten about them until just recently saw a mention of Hesta Prynn, one third of the group and the member with the best name.  Turns out that pretty soon after the band split she started working on solo material, DJ’ing, as well as doing some pop ghostwriting.  She’s released a handful of singles and two EP’s, and I’m totally digging them.

2010’s Can We Go Wrong has a strong Santigold vibe to it, indie rock sounds mixed with hip-hop beats and sung melodies.  She still sounds like she did in Northern State, and hearing her voice again makes me realize she was sort of always the standout.  There are shades of Le Tigre and even The Breeders here, kind of amazing.  Standouts include opener “You Wind Me Up,” "Recall," and the dirty-propulsive title track, but it’s all pretty stellar.

Single “Turn it Gold” is also notable, keeping the sound of Can We Go Wrong, and included a remix from Bright Light Bright Light.  She released a cover of The Butthole Surfer’s single “Pepper” which also contained the sorta-Northern State-sounding “Seven Sisters.”

Just shy of a year ago the We Could Fall in Love EP was released which featured a much more club-ready sound.  The throbbing beats are a stark contrast to the Can We Go Wrong sound, with the title track sounding like it could almost fit comfortably on current pop radio.  It’s still full-on Hesta Prynn though, and makes me wonder whom she’s been ghostwriting for. 

I’m hoping a full length record is in the works at some point, she should certainly have more exposure than she does.  I can’t believe she’s been working along releasing music that’s somehow completely missed me.  (humpf)

She's worthy of the Playlist treatment...

Enjoy.

Turn it Gold

Can We Go Wrong

We Could Fall in Love