SETTLE DOWN

Kimbra is a Kiwi, that is to say she is from Hamilton, New Zealand. Having recorded and made videos for her singles Simply On My Lips and Deep For You some years back, she is now set to release her debut album in 2010... Staytuned!

Here's her video for Settle Down, she looks like one of those creepy dolls in the background:

MILKBOT

MILKBOT

Just came across this mix. It's a mashup of new Robyn (Fembot) and old Kelis (Milkshake), but we'll never forget her Milkshake days despite her new dance-oriented tracks. The mashup is fun and fitting seeing how the two artists will be touring North America later this month (July 23 - Aug 5) All Hearts Tour:

07-23: Los Angeles, CA – The Music Box
07-24: San Francisco, CA – Mezzanine
07-27: Boston, MA – House of Blues
08-02: Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
08-03: Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
08-05: New York, NY – Webster Hall

Robyn's solo dates:

07-16 Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Music Festival
07-17 Detroit, MI – Crofoot Ballroom
07-22 Solana Beach – Belly Up Tavern
07-30 Toronto, Ontario – Disco Lemonade: Summer Mashup Festival
07-31 Montreal, Quebec – Osheaga Festival

(image via Cream Team)

FIVE GHOSTS

Toronto band, Star's latest (5th) album, The Five Ghosts, was released on June 22, 2010. It's very stars, except more... subdued. Most of the other 4 full albums are made up of some hits and other forgettable tunes. While some hail this album as being the most consistent throughout, others feel the whole things a bit dull. Like most of their other albums, the more I listen to the whole album, the more I enjoy it, especially during down time at the end of the day. There are more energetic standouts to me such as Fixed, How Much More, and though glib, We Don't Want Your Body is too catchy to ignore. After a decade, still going...

Favs: Changes, Fixed, We Don't Want Your Body, How Much More, I Died So I Could Haunt You

We Don't Want Your Body


How Much More

SVENSKA LOVE

After returning from Argentina, I immediately took off again to NYC before settling back down in Toronto. After an earthquake, G20 nonsense, and tornado warnings, maybe things are finally returning to normal? Between relaxing and watching the World Cup, I am slowly unpacking still! Yikes, it's been 2 weeks and there are still things in my suitcase... ew.

While doing so, I've been listening to everybody's favourite Swedish-pop artist, Robyn's new album Body Talk Pt 1. Seeing how she leaked almost the entire album prior to the release, it's no surprise to anyone. What I like about Robyn is her conviction when she sings, and you can feel genuine emotion (like in Every Heartbeat from prev. album).

Favs: Dancing On My Own, Fembot




Based on MS' recommendation, I've also been listening to another Swedish band, Little Dragon and their 2009 release called Machine Dreams. More atmospheric, and more upbeat than their previous album, my attempts at unpacking are interrupted by sporadic bouts of dancing in my room...

Favs: My Step, Looking Glass, Blinking Pigs, Never Never, Runabout

My Step

Looking Glass

Flo // VV

Had the amazing chance to see Florence & The Machine Live @ Koolhaus on April 10th. WOW. Just fucking amazing. So much energy and her voice is even better in person. I have no idea how she maintains her voice when she's jumping around all over the place on stage. That's all for Flo, because you have to see her LIVE for yourself!!! Loves.

Flo shares the same label as another great artist, VV Brown, and they're both from UK, so I thought I'd include her too.

They're both styled meticulously which is just visually appealing, but they both have undeniable talent. I like VV because a) she's a model too! wow. b) although personally i think she has the same affinity in vocals to other UK artists as the likes of Duffy, Adele, Winehouse etc. she has her unique Caribbean parentage, 50's vibe and electro twist which I totally adore.

Soundwalk

This iPhone app was a one-year undertaking by Soundwalk, a bespoke 24-hour mix as a gift to Philippe Starck. A good mood setter for any given time of day. The app will start to play at the corresponding time in your timezone when launched. (via Designboom)

La Roux: LIVE!

LA ROUX @ ELMO, TORONTO. AMAZING SHOW. LOVES.

Elly wooing the crowd

Elly Jackson, front woman of La Roux

Bye, Elly. Come back soon!

Opopo from Toronto opened... not really my thing.

La Roux

Being an 80's child, many retro 80's or reborn 80's (some good, some bad) things tickle my fancy. I still stand by the fact the best cartoons came from the 80's. Many current fashion trends are revisiting the 80's (tights, shoulder pads, neon, disco dollies, boyfriend jackets, asymmetrical hair, acid-wash, harem pants... etc). In music, 80's synth pop's influence is evident today as well (Junior Boys, Ladyhawke, Cut Copy just to name a few). My nostalgia and excitement for revamped 80's things with an updated edge explains my love for La Roux.

The London-based electro-pop duo, Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, make up La Roux which means the red-haired one in French (properly La Rousse). Not only is their music super catchy and the synths irresistible, the MV's are eye-catching, and Elly's red hair is too hot to handle. Love her androgynous style and the whole look and feel of the music just makes me happy. :D LOVES IT.

Their self-titled album comes out June 29, 2009. On tour in Europe starting June 27! Toronto July 31!!! Montreal August 1! NYC August 2!
Favourites: In For The Kill, Quicksand, Bulletproof, Reflections are Protections, I'm Not Your Toy, Fascination, Armour Love... (basically, everything!!!)

Michael

I would like to dedicate a little bit of time out of this busy day (I'm still at work :-( at 10pm...) to acknowledge the passing of Michael Jackson this afternoon on Thursday, June 25th. From being the King of Pop to being the butt of jokes, Michael's life has been full of ups and downs. Riddled with rumours, scandals, personal troubles and legal travails, the latter part of Michael's life has taken off the sheen of his glory days. Being born just after the Thriller era and into the Bad and Dangerous eras (I think it's safe to say those were the heights of his career), Michael's music has been a big part of my childhood. With so many fans looking forward to Michael's final farewell tour that was coming up, this unfortunate news comes as a shock to all. At 50 years young, I think it's pretty safe to say, there's no artist quite like Mike. One way or the other, by adorers and critics alike, he will be missed. RIP.

Kitsune Maison Compilation 7

Kitsune Maison Compilation 7. Nuff Said. From the more obscure, up-and-comers to the more well-known, this compilation is packed with talent. Can't get enough! (Out June 1st, 2009) Here's the Teaser Video for the album:



Favourites: Everything on this album!!! (But mainly La Roux, Phoenix, Two Doors Cinema Cub, Chew Lips, and Autokratz...)

Mr. Wolf

Patrick Wolf is a flamboyant, futuristic, and extremely talented musician who defied and overcame his bullies and set out to do his own thing since he was 14. He changes hair styles as often as he explores musical styles (not to mention his unique garments). Using a harp, a clavinet, a harpsichord, a guitar, piano, auotoharp, organ, mountain dulcimer, clavichord, harmonium, accordion, theremin, ukulele, harmonica, mandolin, violin, viola and some spoons to create his sounds. His 4th album, The Bachelor (June 1, 2009), is part of a 2-part release with The Conqueror dated for a 2010 release. This album explores the various styles previously seen on his other albums, from textured electro-pop to resonant love songs, some folk melodies and even some death-metal-like tracks. Definitely very experimental. I prefer the more melodic ballads and the electro-poppy tunes (see the video of his first released single Vulture, complete with S&M). Complex instrumentals, there's no fluff here. Overall a very intriguing album that keeps growing on you.

Favourites: Hard Times, Damaris, Blackdown, Theseus, Who Will?, Vulture.

SOULWAX = HITS

Ciao! Tiga


Montreal's Tiga Sontag follows his 2006 Sexor album with Ciao! A diverse album that gives you a full range of what electro-pop can be.The album features collaborations with Soulwax, Gonzales, and DFA's James Murphy. The single Shoes is the most trendy and supposedly features Madonna (who wanted to remain anonymous), at least that's what all the blogs are saying. Could just be Tiga's pitched vocals. Plenty of dancy tunes on the album. Worth a listen. (Due out April 27th, 2009)
Favourites: Shoes, Beep-Beep-Beep, Luxury, Sex O'Clock, Turn The Night On

Peaches, I Feel Cream



Peaches also collaborated with Soulwax to produce her oh-so catchy new single Talk to Me. In fact for this album she ditches the guitar heavy backgrounds of previous albums for synth-driven settings. She also collaborates with Simian Mobile Disco and for the first time I think her beat-driven music on the album matches her ability with salacious and clever rhymes. Possibly her best album to date? (Due out May 4th, 2009)
Favourites: Talk To Me, Lose You (listen below), I Feel Cream, Billionaire

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

What a great album! It comes out MAY 25th 2009. As we've come to expect from Phoenix who constantly delivers, this album is full of awesomeness in the form of Thomas Mars' distinctive voice, falsetto arches, catchy funk/rock beats, soft synth organs... Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (along with their previous albums) is a sound you can go back to constantly and find joy! :D

Favourites: Lisztomania, 1901 (listen below), Fences, Rome

Part I: John Shade, Your Fortune's Made

With none of the members' identities revealed, Fol Chen is shrouded in mystery. Their complex and eccentric pop music is layered with the richness of their synth, guitars, clavinet, electronic beats and falsettos. The result is bitter sweet musically and lyrically, mixing dense psychedelia with bubbly danceability and a tinge of unsettling noise. The music is infectious and their videos are odd yet captivating. Here's a quote describing their sound,

We sound like Prince with Amon Duul II and a children's religious revival, not to mention Hot Chip, Pink Floyd, Gwen Stefani, Pere Ubu, Danielson Famile, Scritti Politti, Boards of Canada, The Blow, and Pulp. (Mostly.)

Favourites: Cable TV, No Wedding Cake, Winter That's All, The Longer U Wait

Yuksek

French electro artist Yuksek is most known for his remixes.
His latest album, Away From the Sea, is a little bit eclectic as an electro-pop album which features collaborations with Amanda Blank, The Bewitched, Shit Disco, and Chromeo resulting in some clear standouts on the album while others fall pretty flat...
I also wonder if the Extraball video is meant to be watched with 3D glasses! haha.

Favourites: Tonight, Extraball, So Down, Break Ya

PB & J

Loaded with beats and the winsome tunes they're known for, Peter, Björn and John return with their 5th album, Living Thing (March 31, 2009). I like this beat-driven album much more than their previous releases, particularly their feisty tunes like Lay It Down. :)

Favourites: Lay It Down, The Feeling, Nothing To Worry About (listen below), It Don't Move Me

STOP. DROP. & ROLL!

The debut Does You Inspire You of Brooklyn-based trio, Chairlift was released in 2008.
I love their '80s synth-goth kitsch inspired tunes particularly Planet Health.
Plus Caroline Polachek is great on vocals.

Favourites: Planet Health, Bruises, Make You Mind Up (listen below)

Röyksopp

My Spring Playlist "Sprung" with a mix of upbeat songs and romantic songs,
(my Fall Playlist was "Fallen", naturally, has more sombre and heavier tunes)
included a few songs off Röyksopp's latest album Junior.

Favourites: The Girl and the Robot (listen below), Happy Up Here, and Tricky Tricky