It is Happening

Apparently to James Murphy's dismay the new LCD Soundsystem album has leaked and hipsters everywhere have run rampant file sharing.

I am so sorry James, but I couldn't resist and its difficult to feel guilty when your album is so good!

LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening [streamed from LCD's website]

David Guetta's Milkshake

David Guetta has produced Kelis's new album and if this track is any indication...

Kelis - Acapella [zshare]

Kelis - Acapella [youtube]

The XX in 2010

The XX hit East London in the fall of '09 like a ton of trendy bricks. I am not sure why I waited so long to rave about them but now that their debut album is smeared across the top ten lists of '09, its about time I posted...

Crystalised - the XX [zshare]

Triangle Walks

Photo Source

View slide show here

I knew that I could get my hopes up for last nights Fever Ray gig in Kentish Town, when her music video made its way onto The Moment last week. Like the video suggests, the performance was haunting and unique. When I heard the album, I did not know what to expect, but I found the show fascinating.

The stage was speckled with old fashioned lamp shades which blinked with the music while lasers and mirrors attempted to take away from the headdresses adorning every member of the band. The entire space smelled of incense, the haze of smoke never lifted and the music is hugely sensational in its own right.

I will admit that my primary reason for going to see Fever Ray was because I am terrified The Knife will never tour again, but that is not giving Fever Ray enough credit, if you have an opportunity see them live, don't miss it.

Fever Ray - If I had a Heart [mp3]

Fever Ray- Triangle Walks (Tiga remix) [mp3]

The Knife- Hearbeats [zshare]

Please note: If anyone does not own the song hearbeats, it is a must download.

Dirty Songs for Sad Lovers

I bought the new The National album the week it came out, and I highly recommended it for anyone who is a fan of the indie group and/or Matt Berninger beautiful voice. While it is more dynamic than their previous albums, I still do not love Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers the way I love Boxer. However it should noted, that it may be my favorite album title of all time.

Start with this track and see it goes:

90 Mile Water Wall - The National [zshare]

She Wolf vs. She Wolf

A latino goddess and an indie white boy, both are worth a download:

Shakira - She Wolf [zshare]

She Wolf- The Violet Hour [zshare]

Been Waiting a Long Time for Bye Bye

There are few bands I follow as closely as LCD Soundsystem, and there are few bands who have had so little activity in the last few years to follow. Thankfully, the new album is out in November, and in the mean time an amuse bouche:

LCD Soundsystem - Bye Bye Bayou [zshare]

The Chicken or the Egg

I found this picture on PMA and the song a few weeks ago on a different blog; its hard to say which is responsible for this post. Although Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is ancient history in blogosphere years, this remix is not to be missed:

Rome (Neighbors remix feat. Devendra Banhart) - Phoenix [zshare]

Old School for September

Both Pretty Much Amazing and Pitchfork published their best songs of the decade in August, a little prematurely, but its a lazy month and reading best of lists is always surprisingly satisfying. These rankings were primarily a reminder of old friends but also ideal for discovering a few tracks from years past.

My new (old) favorites for fall:

Roisin Murphy – Ramalama (Bang Bang) [mp3]

Sufjan Stevens - Chicago [mp3]

A few from the Edinburgh Festival

Looking up the royal Mile

Upside-down on Princes Street

Bubblegum busking: Jakil [MySpace]

When I moved to Scotland, it was in September and Edinburgh was just coming down from its festival high. I have been meaning to go the festival for the last five years, and it did not disappoint. Although it had been described to me many times, the magnitude of the event was still a surprise.

Anyone who is interested in the performing arts or counts the Avant-garde amongst their guilty pleasures, should make an effort to experience the festival.

Official Sites: Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival

New Justin (or is it Jesus?) Vernon

Download: Volcano Choir- Island, IS. [zshare]

Listen: Volcano Choir-Island, IS. [hypem]

Deep Thought: Can Justin Vernon do no wrong?

Something Old and Something New

A new take on an old song is a difficult thing to pull off, but here a few tracks that make it look effortless:

Sharam - She Came Along (feat. Kid Cudi) [zshare]

Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Marvin L.A. (Sacha Di Manolo edit) [zshare]

Nina Simone- Sinnerman (Felix De Housecat Mix) [hypem]

note: I am not at all implying that the FDH remix of Sinnerman is better than the original, but it's noteworthy.

Better Together

My IPOD at the moment is full of music love children all of whom are worth sharing. Discovery, which is a side project of Ra Ra Riot's lead vocalist Wes Miles and the keyboardist from Vampire Weekend Rostam Batmanglij is dominating my songs of summer. I've also included a few other one offs like Simian's new song featuring Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip, and St Vincent the National's crooked fingers cover. Enjoy.

Discovery - So Insane [RapidShare]

Simian Mobile Disco- Bad Blood (ft. Alexis Taylor) [RapidShare]

St Vincent and The National- Sleep All Summer (Crooked Fingers Cover) [RapidShare]

Love is No Excuse for Bad Art

I kind of love this song, but I really love that line.

Esser - I Love You

There in Spirit

Tiga's album launch is this evening in London, and I will be celebrating officially from somewhere in the American midwest.

So wherever you find yourself this evening be sure to enjoy these Tiga tracks new and old:

Shoes - Tiga
Tribulations (Tiga Remix) - LCD Soundsystem

Welsh and Worthwhile

If everyday is a present, yesterday I got Marina and the Diamonds. Fans of Kate Bush and Regina Spektor should definitely be able to appreciate this track:

Marina and the Diamonds - Obsessions [rapidshare]

Pop Music Bipolar

Lady Gaga has effortlessly has found her way onto center stage with her upbeat dance tracks, particularly with one of my favorite radio songs Just Dance; however, when I found this track No Floods, I was pleasantly surprised by the Lady's change of character. Check out both sides of Ms. Gaga:

Just Dance - Lady Gaga [rapidshare]
No Floods - Lady Gaga [rapidshare]

Notable Minimal

Homme speaks for itself, but these two tracks are a must download:

Black Pepper -Homme [rapidshare]
Hitch Hiker- Homme [rapidshare]

Random for Jan II

A few more tunes to get you through the last week of Jan:

Furr- Blitzen Trapper [rapidshare]
The Fear (Christian Vorbau Remix)- Lily Allen [rapidshare]
Tick of Time- The Kooks [rapidshare]
Lovers Day- TV on the Radio [rapidshare]

NOTE: I know that if I wanted to be taken seriously (?) as a music blogger, I would leave TV on the radio's Dear Science, on its pedestal in 2008. Unfortunately for you all, I still have not overplayed it, and this track happens to be one of my favorites.

Random for Jan I

Because even the worst of the months deserves a good soundtrack:

For Emma - Bon Iver [rapidshare]
Cuddle Fuddle - Passion Pit [rapidshare]
Walking on a Dream - Empire of the Sun [rapidshare]
Let the Spirit (Hot Chip remix) - Roots Manuva [rapidshare]