The Music Katalyst

The cure for audio ennui Just a girl with an incessant obsession for music and a love of sharing it with the world.

[musickatalyst]

Petite Noir - Chess

And now for something completely different....

Feast your ears on 'noir wave' - the next big genre to hit the musicsphere.  A beautiful compilation of instrumentation and vocals (ranging from ethereal falsetto to arresting baritone) you immediately experience the immense talent of 'noir wave' pioneer and South African artist Yannick Ilunga - aka Petite Noir.

Playing on the concept of 'he said / she said' the song explores that although we'd like to believe that love is simple like checkers, it's far more complicated than that - much like a game of chess....

His next album - The King of Anxiety - officially drops 1/20 in the US.

[musickatalyst]

LA ROUX - SEXOTHEQUE

Following a 5-year hiatus that has felt like a lifetime - my favorite synth-pop ginger has FINALLY whet our insatiable musical appetite with a brand new album - Trouble In Paradise.

The debut single "Sexotheque" is absolutely brilliant and a charmingly seductive track.  A very different offering from her previous album, Trouble In Paradise leans more into Elly's vocals and upbeat ethereal melodies - even the darkest and dramatic lyrics are masked by a buoyant, almost optimistic sound.  Perfection all around and I'm officially obsessed.

He wants to know What it feels like to mess around, mess around She wants to know What it feels like to settle down, settle down He's got the money but, no it's not enough He wants to pounce, he wants to pounce Never knowing if he's given you up Or if you're just not good enough Ooh-ooh-ooh She wants to know why he's not home All that money, money, money I bet He's at the Sexotheque He never answers the phone All that money, money, money I bet He's at the Sexotheque He wants to go Where the red light shines so bright, shines so bright He wants to know Why he feels so cold inside, cold inside He turns and looks around, he doesn't hear a sound No ones around, no ones around Never knowing if he's given you up Or if you're just not good enough Ooh-ooh-ooh He's at the Sexotheque

[musickatalyst]

Lykke Li - No Rest for the Wicked (Ft. A$AP Rocky)

In prep for the release of her new album I NEVER LEARN, Lykke Li enlists a rather unexpected collaborator in A$AP Rocky, to put a spin on her latest single "No Rest for the Wicked".  Anchored by delicate piano chords, the track builds around Lykke Li's vocals into a strapping ballad.  With little warning (but perfect execution) beats drop and A$AP lays down his lyrics as his signature trap beats set in and carry through for an extra punch in the final crescendo.

[musickatalyst]

Exitmusic - The Cold

A highlight of the brilliant music that enveloped last night's episode of "Shameless".  Kudos to the show's music curator who consistently brings to light the fact that music is everything - the finishing touch necessary to transport the audience.

The NY-based husband/wife duo - Exitmusic - are truly a transcendent force in the music realm.  Chills will inevitably pass through your body as you take in the beautifully melodic, yet visceral sound - courtesy of the aching, guttural vocals of Aleksa Palladino.

[musickatalyst]

Hozier - Take Me to Church

A cavernous and hauntingly beautiful track from Irish musician - Hozier.  Using love and ecstasy as a religious metaphor, the song is about asserting oneself and reclaiming your humanity through an act of love and by turning away from the theoretical to instead worship/love something that is tangible and real - that can be experienced.

After releasing the track, Hozier returned with a poignant video that has become a message of human rights; a statement against state/societal oppression and homophobia.

My lover's got humour  She's the giggle at a funeral  Knows everybody's disapproval  I should've worshiped her sooner  If the Heavens ever did speak  She is the last true mouthpiece  Every Sunday's getting more bleak  A fresh poison each week  'We were born sick,' you heard them say it  My church offers no absolutes  She tells me 'worship in the bedroom'  The only heaven I'll be sent to  Is when I'm alone with you  I was born sick, but I love it  Command me to be well  Amen. Amen. Amen  Take me to church  I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies  I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife  Offer me that deathless death  Good God, let me give you my life

[musickatalyst]

Nirvana - Heart Shaped Box (Covered by Kawehi)

Cover perfection from Hawaiian one-woman act - Kawehi.  With a bottle of wine by her side and some incredible musical instincts, the Lawrence, Kansas based artist re-imagines unlikely tracks, like this brilliant cover of "Heart Shaped Box" and her previous work on NIN's "Closer" http://vimeo.com/69575198

With artists like Grimes paving the way for female experimental/electronic musicians, you can expect to see more of Kawehi and her musical peers.

[musickatalyst]

Cherub - Doses & Mimosas

Born into success via true word-of-mouth and the power of the interwebs, this Nashville futuristic funk, electro-pop styling duo have officially made their mark on the music world and are destined for stardom.

With a sound that is both timeless (a la Prince), yet contemporary (think Outkast or Pharrell) their viral hit "Doses & Mimosas" is superbly brilliant in composition, just plain fun AND a perfect anthem when you need to vent/escape.

[musickatalyst]

Peking Duk - High (Ft. Nicole Millar)

Australian DJ and production duo - Peking Duk - are back on the scene with a brand new offering to help you ascend from the mid-week slump. Get “High” with this track’s progressive and melodic builds, wickedly smooth base drops and electronic songstress Nicole Millar's liquid vocals.

[musickatalyst]

Banks - Brain (Prod by Shlohmo)

Brand new track by way of a perfect collaboration between left coast electronic producer Shlohmo and LA’s sultry vocalist, Banks.

In true Shlohmo form, the song begins in the most simplistic fashion - with Banks crooning atop melodic beats and minimal soothing electro elements, setting the stage for an amazing drop at 2:08 that builds from there and carries the track through to the final crescendo.

[musickatalyst]

Benjamin Francis Leftwich & Kanye West - Atlas Hands (Thomas Jack Bootleg)

Australia's emerging talent, Thomas Jack, drops a brilliant interfusion of hip hop and indie acoustic fare.  The real beauty of the track is in the intertwinement of unique instrumentation, which effortlessly swirl around the folk and rap elements. The melding of BFL and Kanye is already unexpected, but the singular style of the 20-year old rising star is what sets this mashup apart from the rest.

[musickatalyst]

Eminem ft. Rihanna - Monster

In prep for his highly anticipated new album - due out 11/5, Eminem drops a HOT new single with Rihanna - "Monster".  On par with the greatness that was "Love the Way You Lie" it's no question this track will be going gangbusters throughout the musicsphere.

[musickatalyst]

Active Child ft. Ellie Goulding - Silhouette

The divine musical talents of Pat Grossi (Active Child) are always a soulful experience but pair that with Ellie Goulding's dreamy vocals and you find yourself within an emotional and captivating soundscape.  Beautiful and romantic in its simplicity.

Giving this world everything I’ve got

Running through the woods, running through these shots

Trying to survive a day

And all I want is that you extend your hand to me

  Sitting outside waiting for the world to calm

Living my life trying to do what’s right, for the hope of a better day

And all those words you wrote me, brought me to my knees

And all I’m saying is…

  You’re home, you’ll never be alone

You’re home, you’ll never be alone

You're home, no need to be alone

Hope you find your way home

  Show me where it hurts and we will make it ok

Show me that you’ll stay, even when we’re far away

Your voice will carry through, until the end it’s me and you

We can make it if we try

  And all that I’m saying is….

You’re home, you’ll never be alone

You’re home, you’ll never be alone

You're home, no need to be alone

When you find your way home

[musickatalyst]

Little May - Hide

Sydney-based indie folk outfit Little May drops the second single off their forthcoming debut EP - set to release in late 2013.  It's a dark and intricate offering with phenomenal guitar work and beautiful harmonization.

[musickatalyst]

Ludovico Einaudi - Walk (Phaeleh remix)

Known for his talents in melding live instrumentation and electronic production, Phaeleh magnifies the beautiful, simplistic nature of the piano.

[musickatalyst]

Lady Gaga - Applause (Purity Ring remix)

Everything Purity Ring touches turns to gold.  The Canadian electronic music duo take a break from developing their next album to spin a little future-pop remix magic on Lady Gaga's "Applause".

[musickatalyst]

Tourist - Together 

Here's a brand new Tourist track with a pure driving force.

  This is the first track to debut off his forthcoming Patterns EP - available 12/3 in the US.

[musickatalyst]

Tom Odell - Another Love (Zwette edit)

German producer Zwette breathes new life into British singer-songwriter Tom Odell's latest love lament "Another Love".  Although two very different artists, there is a beautiful unification of Odell's acoustic/folk style and Zwette's sultry house vibe that evolves through this rendition.  Gorgeous piano chords ground the track against soft undulating beats; the perfect backdrop to Odell's soothing vocals.

I wanna take you somewhere, let you know I care But it's so cold and I don't know where I brought you daffodils in a pretty string But they won't flower like they did last spring And I wanna kiss you, make you feel alright I'm just so tired to share my nights I wanna cry and I wanna love But all my tears have been used up On another love, another love All my tears have been used up On another love, another love All my tears have been used up On another love, another love All my tears have been used up