Kick-Ass Females of 2011

As other blogs have been posting their "Best of" lists for 2011, I've been wondering how to contribute to the music recaps of the year. Instead of a full-fledged list, I thought I would compile some tracks from this year that I've enjoyed featuring female vocals. As a member of the female tribe, I suppose I also feel an urge to represent my singing sisters, and these gals absolutely brought it musically. Whether they wrote and composed or simply added their lovely voices, these songs are the better for it. Let's hear it, ladies.

(In no particular order)

1. Little Dragon-Please Turn 

2. Wye Oak-Civilian

3. Friends-I'm His Girl

4. St. Vincent-Surgeon


5. Purity Ring-Ungirthed

6. Austra-Lose It

7. tUnE-yArDs-Gangsta

8. Kimbra-Cameo Lover


9. Yelle-Comme Un Enfant (Oxford Remix)
Yelle - Comme un enfant (Oxford remix) by Oxfordsounds

10.  The Braids-Lammicken

11. Summer Camp-Better Off Without You

12. Lykke Li-I Follow Rivers

13. Class Actress-Keep You

14. Rihanna-We Found Love (Star Slinger Remix)

15. Twin Sister-Bad Street

16. Polica-Wandering Star
Wandering Star by POLIÇA

17. Cults-You Know What I Mean

18. Laura Marling-Sophia

19. Mr. Little Jeans-Rescue Song (RAC Remix)

20. Alright...this is a guilty pleasure. Artistic value? Not much. Deciding factor for inclusion in this post? "I got the swag and it's pumping out my ovaries". Enjoy (or not).
Kreayshawn-Gucci Gucci

Austra

It takes a delicate balance of concentration and ignorance to sit down and actively listen to music, especially when you're expanding your repertoire and looking for some new tunes. It's a fight of wanting to dissect and analyze while letting it take over the brain reigns at the same time. Hopefully, every so often you'll come across something that makes the time and effort worth it. Coming across Austra has currently made up for this whole last week of sifting through crappy tracks. The Toronto-based band released their debut album in May of this year "Feel It Break". It's an electronic and vocally driven project, harmony and synth-heavy. Katie Stelmanis heads the vocals with a heroic tone (the girl could lead an army with her voice). Check out the video for "Lose It" below, along with "The Beat And The Pulse, both from Feel It Break.



Austra-The Beat And The Pulse

Finals Mix

Early December is about the time I start wishing I went to Hogwarts (yes, still). If you're taking part in the university system, then chances are the cruel, cruel event that is finals week is upon you. Here are some tunes on the mellow, minimalist, and instrumental sides to make the studying just a little bit easier.

1. Four Tet-Sing
2. Damien Jurado-Nothing Is The News
3. Röyksopp-Eple
4. MOTHS-blisters
5. MOTHS-Summer
6. Volcano Choir-Island, IS
7. Yppah-I'll Hit The Breaks
8. Toro Y Moi-Talamak
9. Andrew Bird-Hot Math
10. Explosions In The Sky-Human Qualities

Video: Yelle-Comme Un Enfant

French electro-pop princess, Yelle, released her video for "Comme Un Enfant" out into the wild yesterday. What do you know-she's doing choreography with funky costumes in a studio setting...again. I was really hoping to see something different from her, but it seems to be what she does best. Maybe I just miss the "Ce Jeu" french fry glasses...
Nevertheless, here's "Comme Un Enfant"

Poliça

Channy Casselle (of Gayngs) is making ripples in the music world with her new project "Poliça". All I really needed were the two tracks up on their site to pique my interest. Channy's vocals resemble a darker Ellie Goulding with a thick texture of synths and drums laid out underneath-a hint of funk coming through. Check them out in LA on the 18th at The Satellite if you're a Southern California native.
Here's "Dark Star"
Polica - Dark Star by Alcyoneslight

Happy Halloween

Some tunes for your sugar-consuming festivities...it's all in the titles.

1. Wolf Parade-Ghost Pressure

2. Tobacco-Hairy Candy

3. Magnetic Man-Box Of Ghosts

4. Crystal Castles-Black Panther

5. Holy Ghost!-Some Children

6. !!!-Must Be The Moon

7. Okkervil River-Black

8. Royksopp-The Fear

9. Karen Elson-The Ghost Who Walks

10. Apparat-Black Water

11. Don Diablo-Teen Scream Machine (Nightriders Remix)

12. Nosaj Thing-Night Crawler

13. Michael Jackson-Smooth Criminal (What Halloween would be complete without some MJ?)

Robyn/Royksopp Recap

The Hollywood Bowl got it's euro-pop fix last night for the dual performance of Robyn and Royksopp. Ever since Robyn took the stage at Coachella this past spring, she's been the number one artist on my to-see list. The woman is absolutely nuts in the best way possible, and her dance moves are in a league of their own. In a performance including 3 encores and wicked visuals, Robyn won the hearts of the stadium. Peaks included "Love Kills", "Dancing On My Own", and her second encore-for which Royksopp was wheeled back onstage for "None Of Dem" and "The Girl And The Robot"

All in all: great night, great music. Check out some tunes below.

Robyn-We Dance To The Beat

Robyn (feat. Royksopp)-None of Dem

Royksopp (feat. Robyn)-The Girl And The Robot

October Playlist

No, not that October...I'm talking about the month of pumpkins, leaves and of the only time you'll get to see Darth Vaders, pirates, and scantily clad cats dancing to the Party Rock Anthem together. Today, Orange County experienced the first hint of fall weather and let me tell you, it was glorious. So, for those stormy days when you'd prefer a hot toddy and a comfy chair to Scream 2 and cheap liquor, here's some musical accompaniment. Enjoy.

1. Glasser-Home

2. Pepper Rabbit-Older Brother

3. Mr. Little Jeans-Rescue Me (RAC Remix)

4. Wye Oak-Siamese

5. Active Child-Hanging On

6. Damian Jurado-Cloudy Shoes

7. Fever Ray-Keep The Streets Empty For Me

8. First Aid Kit-Josefin

9. The Morning Benders-Sleeping In

10. Johnny Flynn (feat. Laura Marling)-The Water

11.Black Light Dinner Party-Older Together

12. El Perro del Mar-Change Of Heart

13. Teebs-Arthur's Birds

14. White Hinterland-Icarus

15. Bombay Bicycle Club-Dust On The Ground

Young Montana?

Is it just me, or are these electronic artists that keep popping out of the abyss ridiculously, ridiculously talented?
Young Montana? is among that number-he hasn't been in the blogosphere for even a year yet. Consequently, there's still an air of mystery about him and not much info to share, but here's hoping he does a North American tour soon. He just dropped a new track "BONSOIR" on his soundcloud Wednesday. I hope he keeps them coming.

Young Montana?
BONSOIR by Young Montana?

Star Slinger

Darren Williams a.k.a. Star Slinger, is a Manchester based remix scientist and mastermind (if I do say so myself). His mixes are fuzzy delights for the ear, and it's hard to believe he was completely off the charts a year ago. He's worked with the music of two of my personal faves-The Morning Benders, Washed Out-and he just keeps pulling out goodies from his sleeves. His recently released track, Dumbin' feat. Reggie B, packs some misty bass and makes for a nice listen. Check it out below, along with some others. Seriously can't get enough of this guy...

Star Slinger-Dumbin' feat. Reggie B


Washed Out-Eyes Be Closed (Star Slinger Remix)
Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed (Star Slinger Remix) by Star Slinger

The Morning Benders-Cold War (Star Slinger Remix)
The Morning Benders - Cold War (Star Slinger Remix) buy & support japan by Star Slinger

Gold Panda-Marriage (Star Slinger Remix)

Gold Panda - Marriage (Star Slinger Remix) OFFICIAL from How Do I Computer on Vimeo.

Envious...

...of everyone at the Hollywood Bowl tonight for TV On The Radio, Arctic Monkeys, Panda Bear, Warpaint and Smith Westerns. Studying some Gregorian chant instead-juxtaposing the very beginnings of music with that of today is a strange experience.
Here's what probably went down:

Warpaint-Billie Holiday


Smith Westerns-Still New


Panda Bear-Last Night at the Jetty


Arctic Monkeys-The Hellcat Spangled Shalala


TV on the Radio-Caffeinated Consciousness

SBTRKT

Not much time to write these days, but time enough to listen, and this one is worth it. Thanks Jonk Music.

SBTRKT-Trials of the Past

A Mixing of Genres: Aphex Twin, Radiohead, and...Penderecki.

I love when things like this happen. Check out this article from Pitchfork for details, but the gist is: Aphex twin is remixing and reworking Penderecki (pictured above), as well as playing some Steve Reich with members of Television, Portishead, and Goldfrapp, and more in Poland this month. Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood is also premiering music he wrote in response to Penderecki's "Polymorphia". Classical music lives.

The Kooks

In spite of their petty feuds with a few other bands (hem hem..Arctic Monkeys..),  I can't bring myself to not like these guys. If it puts a smile on my face and a lilt in my step I'm sold, and dammit I love me some English accent. The Kooks, ladies and gentleman. New (third) album "Junk Of The Heart" out Sept. 13.

Oh look at that, the title song:
The Kooks - Junk of the Heart (Happy) by MMMusic


Can't write about The Kooks without throwing this one in too.

The Kooks-Naive

FYF Highlights

 Los Angeles State Historic Park seriously got down for FYF fest this past Saturday. Bigger names like Simian Mobile Disco, Cold War Kids, Death From Above 1979, and the Descendants drew the larger crowds, but it was truly a victory day for the smaller acts.
(Disclaimer: y'all are getting the iphone quality photos-the legit camera USB cord is missing in action...)

_____________________________________________________________

Purity Ring

Purity Ring blew the roof off of the small-ass tent they performed in, and they were cute as a button all the while. Megan James sported a humbled, imaginative countenance, sharing an embrace with a fellow curly-haired fan up front mid-"Lofticries". Their sound was recording quality, and they even constructed a pipe-maze instrument ("The Binary") to add visual effect to a rather sample-heavy performance. They don't have a large enough repertoire for a full concert yet, but I have faith in these guys. I can't wait to see what they'll  bring to the table in the next year or so.

Purity Ring-Lofticries

_____________________________________________________________


Four Tet

Four Tet was another set that absolutely captured the crowd. The shifting melodies of Kieran Hebden's music drew the audience deeper and deeper into the sound as the set went on. Those who began standing ended dancing; Hebden's live set is much more dance friendly and bass heavy than his albums, perfect for larger venues and beat-hungry crowds. Drawback? Not much to look at. It's a good thing he was wearing bright yellow. However, the simplicity of show complements the somewhat minimalist style of the music, not to mention the beauty of the sunset that was happening in the background as Kieran did his thang.

Locked (TEXT011) by Four Tet
(Hint: Turn that volume up)
____________________________________________________________

YACHT

Now, I've never been a huge fan of YACHT's music until I got the chance to see them on Saturday. Let's just say their music sounds 357679384 times better live. Brainchild of Jona Bechtolt and Claire L. Evans, YACHT is a power punching, spectacle kind of duo that tore it up for the crowd. Evans does whatever the hell she wants to whilst performing (pretty sure she climbed on top of everything there was to climb at one point or another). They rocked it, crowd loved it. Bonus points for their cover of Mesopotamia by the B-52's.

YACHT-Utopia

Magnetic Man

Skream + Benga + Artwork = the group we like to call Magnetic Man. They make electronic magic, and that's all I'm going to say. Check out the tracks below, the rest of the album slams as well.

Magnetic Man-Crossover (feat. Katy B)


Magnetic Man-I Need Air

WEEKEND BLEND #1

Roman statesman and philosopher Cicero once proclaimed "No sane man will dance". Clearly, old Cissy missed out. For all the insane out there, here are a few tracks to start the mental breakdown. I expect Robyn-worthy moves from each and every one of you.


Bag Raiders-Shooting Stars


La Roux-Bulletproof (Glasnost Remix)


Foster The People-Pumped Up Kicks (Gigamesh Remix)


Treasure Fingers-What Am I Supposed To Do


Daft Punk-Digital Love (ALGERONICS Remix)

Album: You Are All I See

There is some ridiculously beautiful stuff happening in Active Child's upcoming debut album "You Are All I See". It's an ambient treat, full of airy vocals and harp-adorned passages courtesy of Pat Grossi-Active Child's creator and sole member. Grossi has stated in an interview with LA weekly "I put more of myself in this next album. There is more of my personality in it than the EPs" and you can hear it. There's a genuine and clear quality to the album, in spite of it's dreamy instrumentation.  Stream the album on his site before it releases, or see him live at the Echo's Monday Night Residency in LA this month.

Active Child-You Are All I See

Artist: tUnE-yArDs

Front runner of tUnE-yArDs, Merrill Garbus, has a voice in a category all it's own; folks, it's huge. She loops it's raspy power to create a sound unique to tUnE-yArDs. Tracks from their latest album "w h o k i l l " out last April exemplify these voice and beat loops in repeating patterns as Merrill sings over with a demanding and soulful flavor. I came across them not too long ago and I'm hooked, namely to the two tracks "Bizness" and "Gangsta". They're seriously rad, and I don't even use that word. Check out the video for "Bizness" below

Washed Out: Within and Without

In an effort to cling to the remains that mid-summer feeling, that heart flutter when the sun hits your face just right, I've been skimming my music for a resemblance of such. It has surfaced out of Washed Out's newest album Within and Without so appropriately released in July. The down-tempo, meditative tracks of Within and Without have captured and enraptured my ears this week. Although the album as a whole doesn't offer tremendously diverse sounds, it is (what I imagine to be) the soundtrack to a dream about a trip to the beach. And there you have it.

Thanks to Sarah Lee (www.vivantvie.com) for the header of the post and background to this site.

Here's the opening track "Eyes Be Closed"