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NZ youngster Lorde has been making the radio rounds armed with her ultra catchy single "Royals" and her undeniably Felicity hair.
But everything in life could always do with a little extra R&B. So alas (alas!) Portishead-sampler-in-denial The Weeknd turns up the synths and sprinkles a little touch of soul onto the track. Anyone else think that these two should team up to revamp this Babyface classic?
Here are my 20 favourite songs of the year. All were on albums released in 2012. So, as much as I have elbow-grooved to those new Local Natives tracks - almost as much as I've dreamt about sharing bubble tea with Taylor Rice's facial hair - or clutched my heart while iPhone-karaokeing to my new boyfriend Cass McCombs, all that has been taken out of contention.
But lay all your eyebrow-furrowing fret aside! Because 2012 brought us some fantastic music; whether it exploded confetti in your face at a Project X party (Japandroids), danced like your grandpa high on LSD (Father John Misty), or made you hungry for toast (Fiona Apple).
Enjoy! And let us know how much you disagree. We appreciate vehemence.
Here are my 20 favourite songs of the year. All were on albums released in 2012. So, as much as I have elbow-grooved to those new Local Natives tracks - almost as much as I've dreamt about sharing bubble tea with Taylor Rice's facial hair - or clutched my heart while iPhone-karaokeing to my new boyfriend Cass McCombs, all that has been taken out of contention.
But lay all your eyebrow-furrowing fret aside! Because 2012 brought us some fantastic music; whether it exploded confetti in your face at a Project X party (Japandroids), danced like your grandpa high on LSD (Father John Misty), or made you hungry for toast (Fiona Apple).
Enjoy! And let us know how much you disagree. We appreciate vehemence.
10 The Antlers - Drift Dive
9 Father John Misty - Fun Times in Babylon
8 Frank Ocean - Lost
7 Beach House - On the Sea
6 Tame Impala - Elephant
5 Alt-J - Tessellate
4 Exitmusic - Passage
3 Japandroids - The House that Heaven Built
2 DIIV - Doused
1 Menomena - Pique
This track is the perfect representation for what I consider the year's most underrated album. In solid Menomena style,"Pique" is marvelously out of place; always surprising, always new. I was immediately hooked.
The standout from the previously-trio, now-duo band's 2012 Moms, the track is led by relentless guitar grinds and persistent drum beats that mirror the aggressive lyrics, while the beautifully arranged horn section adds even more emotional weight to the disjointed mother-son relationship. It is so catchy, and so musically interesting that I can't get enough of it.
A couple of weeks ago, we attended the launch of local band's Seyra's new singles - "Jauh" and "Send Me On".
As an ensemble, Seyra is strong and dominating when the drums pound, trombone belts and guitars boom, while still demonstrating delicateness and quiet emotion when restrained. It's not a display of a voice, a beat or a melody; but an orchestration that does as much to entertain the audience as to inspire its participation.
Oh, and our friends at Flim directed Seyra's video for "Jauh". Check it out below.
There's no better indication of the holiday season's impending arrival than the rolling in of December. So what better way to kick off the festivities than with a mind-blowing local music lineup at Fred Perry's 60th Anniversary Party this Sunday? If you've been to any of the Fred Perry subculture shows around the island, you know that besides designing a snazzy polo tee, them folks know how to throw a great outdoor gig.
Alex Kapranos-endorsed UK pop band Citizens!leads the charge and our sunny island folk Muon, The Great Spy Experiment and Obedient Wives Club (not to be confused with the actual manual; I was for a while) fill the bill.
There's tonnes of other stuff going on as well, like a "curated street market" (any excuse to shop) and the premiere screening of "The Son Letts Subculture Films", for all you anarchists/skinheads/mod kids/Chelsea FC fans/Kate Middleton groupies/fish & chips loving folk.
Date: Sunday, 2 Dec 2012; Time: 4pm - 11pm; Venue: Tanjong Pagar Railway Station
More info is available at their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fredperrysg/app_110436652369571.
To whet your appetites, here's "True Romance" by Citizens!, in a video that solves all mystery regarding how The Power Rangers would be if they danced the evil space monsters to death.
Do you know that feeling when you watch something unfold; something so awkward and cheesy, yet so earnestly delivered that it hits your sweet spot. You can't help but smile. Your fingers intertwine and your head tilts as eyes widen to soak in more of the sight - the sight you will later replay to stave off all boredom and lost hope forever and ever.
Former Fleet Foxes drummer J. Tillman, now less facially-hairy and performing under the name Father John Misty, showcased his fancy schmancy dance moves and Ariel Pink-lookalike bandmate on Letterman. Let us count the terms of endearment - qtpie, dancemonster, babycakes...
If you wondered why the indie rock outfit sound like the illegitimate child of The Pixies and Beach Fossils, it's because band founder Z. Cole Smith wields the guitar chops in the latter. It's always been difficult for me to make connections between eras of music; the way I see it is that somehow the entire musical timeline works in phases that borrow little bits of earlier phases, sort of like collection raindrops off the edges of an umbrella (decent attempt at imagery, no?) . But with DIIV, it just seemed so apparent to me, and I understood immediately their grunge influences, tied in with the modern lo-fi dream pop movement. It's a beautiful thing eh? To do the math and not come up short.
Here's a live version of my favourite track off Oshin, "Doused" (absolutely obsessed). I seriously can't get enough of the Joy Division-esque bass line and that thumping, circulating guitar line.
DIIV's debut LP, Oshin, is definitely worth a listen. Head over here to stream.
Everyone goes through that awkward phase when we listen to too much emo music, although some of our guilty indulgences were more embarrassing (Simple Plan) than others (Sum 41 were cool before the guy married Avril Lavigne right?).
You guys can forget it if you think I'm going to reveal my closet emo/psuedo-punk faves, but one band that I'm not embarrassed to admit that I listen to is Brand New.
Maybe I'm being a little unfair here, because they are musically and lyrically leagues above the aforementioned guilty parties. But I remember Samuel giving me the side eye once after my wistful confession of being a Brand New fan. Since then, let's just say I'm not about to shout it on the mountaintops.
My Brand New fandom was anchored on three songs, all of which I heard on VH1 radio, back when VH1 wasn't too preoccupied with filming piss of the earth programmes like Keys to the VIP (which I, of course, watched, because I can't help myself).
"The Boy Who Blocked His Own Shot"
Remember how when we used song lyrics as instant messenger names? Those were the days. POP ETC were still The Morning Benders - yeah that wasn't too long ago, but I'm still bitter - and depending on how old you were, Jack White either had zero, one, two or three bands.
Back on point. The mind is really going a-wandering today, eh. That line "you are the smell before rain/ you are the blood in my veins" was always my go-to until a too-inquisitive friend would ask "who? who?" and I'd take it down. Yeah so what if the lyrics are cliche; there's so much delicateness in the setting that is astoundingly heartbreaking for a young heart.
Here's one of those karaoke-style videos in case any of you need inspiration for your Facebook status:
"Sowing Season (Yeah)"
This song reminds me of the older brother of Blur's "Song 2", less meticulous, yet more calculated and much more angry. "Sowing Season" happened somewhere between my transition from Incubus to Alice in Chains, and aided in many a sweaty gym session.
"Soco Amaretto Lime"
Excessively singalong-able - each one of the multiple vocal lines are irresistible - and straightforward lyrics that my tiny 17-year-old heart could manage. I venture that "Soco Amaretto Lime" is one of the best pop songs ever written. It sticks in your head for weeks at a time. My only complaint is the weird rewind sound thing at the end. Hate that. Love everything else. Listen below:
I have photographic proof of Jens Lekman and myself touching heads. He leaned in and his head touched mine. I thought I'd just come right out and tell you, because my love for this man is genuine. It's not because he plays beautiful songs which could turn a cold hearted bastard into a hopeless romantic. Neither is it because he is a gifted storyteller, crafting the most amazingly vivid anecdotes in his songs. I am in love with him because he played "Into Eternity" for me, and then his head touched mine.
Okay but enough with the bragging/public declaration of love. Jens' new LP drops very soon, and the full stream just hit the Internet via The Quietus. Head over here to listen to I Know What Love Isn't in its entirety.
Everything you've come to know and love about Jens is in there. LP #4 is a collection of catchy pop tunes, quirky instrumentation, sing-a-longs and Jens' singing straight to your heart. To cut to the chase, here is the title track and first single:
Wild Nothing's Jack Tatum is back with his sophomore LP, Nocturne. I've been waiting for this one since his debut Gemini blew my mind, defining the era of shoegaze for me, and landing on our favourites of 2010 list.
The same swirling guitar riffs surround Jack's vocals for maximum side body sway potential, but this time, the newly-minted Brooklyn resident takes a tip from the recent rehashing of 80's influence in indie music for a bolder, more danceable sound.
Nocturne doesn't quite make me tingle in my toes like Gemini did, but I reckon the sophomore tracks will sound better live; they sound similar to how the earlier tracks were live, and so I'm guessing they will translate with much more impact when Wild Nothing hits the stage.
Listen to one of the standout tracks, "Paradise", by hitting the snazzy orange play button below, or stream the entire shebang thanks to Dazed Digital.
In somewhat related news, we sunny island folks will have the pleasure of watching Jack's buddy Dustin and his band Beach Fossils - obsessed! - live. This happens 21 October at Home Club. Deets are here (The band's self-titled is also on our 2010 fave list).
Come high five us at the show! We wanna high five you!
Spotlight: Of Monsters and Men, Passion Pit, Milo Greene
After months of listening almost exclusively to music from Youth Lagoon and The National, my music tastes took on the form of one of those black ghost orb things commonly depicted on Celebrity Ghost Stories - a sort of hovering, depressed energy.
So, this week, with a new spring in my step and Hype Machine at my command, I set forth for greener pastures of happier, more carefree music. Here's what I found:
Of Monsters and Men - "Little Talks"
The Icelandic six-piece are the new Edward Sharpe. They sing to your ears and play to your eyes, but dance with you in your heart, holding your hand and playfully nudging your elbow.
Download the track here, via The Muse In Music.
Passion Pit - "Take A Walk"
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about Passion Pit, with 70% of my judgment a result of "Sleepyhead", and the other 30 from what I heard when I saw them a couple of years ago. But man does their lead single off the upcoming album make me want to take a walk in the park (and staying in the park theme: Beach House - "Walk in the Park" Live on Pitchfork TV).
Seeing as how I'm no Passion Pit expert, I was surprised that the theme of the song was so mature - it is about a family doing their best in times of turmoil. Good job guys!
Milo Greene - "1957"
Milo Greene came to my attention through the Deskless performance series, run by the NPR Music interns. They are my favourite new band, and their brand of fuss-free folk pop is immensely inclusive; sing along and you'll feel like part of the gang. They've got such extraordinary pop sensibilities that snippets could pass off as a Backstreet Boys song (oh yes, that's a compliment).
Hot Chip will be hitting our shores real soon, in support for the band's upcoming release, In Our Heads, due out 11/6 via Domino.
Here's the new video for lead single "Night & Day", with the dancing hoodie-clad version of the Dead Poet's Society, a supermodel in a UFO, two hunky fellas grooving next to a giant egg, and a white-haired dude whose name will suddenly come to mind sometime during lunch tomorrow.
Here's "Over and Over", still my favourite Hot Chip song:
And details of the show:
Tuesday, June 26th 2012
Doors at 7.30pm, Stage at 9pm
Avalon, South Crystal Pavilion, Marina Bay Sands
Limited Early Bird at $48; Advance at $65; Doors at $80
On sale at www.ticketbooth.com.sg
For table reservations, email [email protected].
"I'm Losing Myself" by Robin Pecknold ft. Ed Droste
(Download here, via I Guess I'm Floating)
Music rarely makes me want to cry, with the exceptions being Hospice, the random Everly Brothers song and Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks live. But when indie heroes Robin Pecknold and Ed Droste teamed up for "I'm Losing Myself", well, I almost lost myself.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Fleet Foxes/Grizzly Bear members would make inhumanly perfect music together. You can just imagine the two of them sitting in a room listening to "Islands in the Stream" and giving each other high fives while feeding Robin's cat George.
As a gigantic Fleet Foxes fan, I firmly believe that everything Robin touches turns to gold. "I'm Losing Myself" is no exception. The gentle harmonies carry the soft waves of devotion and resignation that are slowly consuming the helpless lover. Golden stuff. And very very heavy.
So, to lighten things up, here's a video of Robin and Joanna Newsom arm-wrestling:
And if you're not already 100% devoted to Robin and his beard, here's the RP tour documentary that'll have you wide-eyed and in love. Enjoy!
Oberhofer is essentially 20-year-old Washington native Brad Oberhofer, whose brand of pop music will make you want to hug all your primary school friends. The music preaches a sort of infectious joy that would make your mom embarrassed to bring you to your Aunt's birthday party. Also, they sound like they could have the entire Human League discography in his iPod, which is in fact very cool indeed.
Here is Oberhofer's "Away Frm U" (I totes h8 the shorthnd title), which oddly reminds me of Bejewelled and croissants (although I am well aware that the dancing thing that looks like said pastry probably isn't so). They also performed their lead single on Letterman. That is here.
And here is "OoOoOoOoOoOoOo" (I'll be honest. I am not sure how long the title is supposed to be). Any song that repeatedly uses oh's in the chorus is a winner in my book. This version is acoustic; download the studio track here (via Indie Rock Cafe).
"That Home" (Instrumental) by The Cinematic Orchestra
We don't know about you, but here at We Talk Music, we love it when science and music work together beautifully and seamlessly. Here is a video obtained from NASA's Cassini and Voyager missions accompanied by a moving instrumental version of Cinematic Orchestra's "That Home". The gyration of Saturn's ring eerily resembles a vinyl spinning on a record player.
This is Ryo. And I miss Pluto.
"Blue Jeans" by Lana Del Rey (RAC Remix)
The kings of indie remixes have done it yet again. This time it is Lana Del Rey's "Blue Jeans" off her much hyped debut album going under the knife. Maybe Lana should learn a thing or two from RAC about remixing songs instead of her face.
This is Ryo. And I like cacti.
