it sounds like we would have had a great deal to say to each other

Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger
The pioneers of french house/electro movement, they bring one of their most popular songs. Solid house beat that's catchy - what's not to love about this song? And which ever lady did the video, must have went through a hell lot of practice. That is one sick video.

Daft Punk - One More Time
Another of their 'classics', I'd say LET'S BOOGIIEEEE! The video is a cut of Interstella 5555, a japanese animated film that is a visual realisation of "Discovery", the album from which both these songs are from.

Local Natives - Airplanes
Recently released music video for the song. Love the stop motion utilised in the video.

From "I did not know you as well,as my father knew you" it seems that they are singing about "their" grandfather, and wanting him back. Very beautifully crafted song with affecting lyrics.

Efterklang - Modern Drift
Extremely beautiful video that perfectly suits the song. They make use of various instruments that each member is prolific at, melding the piano and drums wonderfully to create that intense mood at the opening. Building up the whole atmosphere with the short and interspersed thumping of the bass drum, it is one fantastic song.

The Saturday Mix #34

The Temper Trap - Fader
Third single of their album "Conditions", and riding on the success of Sweet Disposition and Science of Fear, I think they decided to release this. Personally, it's not bad, good rock stuff with pretty solid riffs, but nothing spectacular - the previous two were definitely better.

The Temper Trap - Fader (Adam Freeland Remix)
Nice electro twist to this song, but at certain points, it becomes a bit of an overkill.

Phoenix - Fences (Delphic Remix)
Danceable remix by Mancunians Delphic, but a tad too long don't you think? But I doubt that when you're high on booze (and maybe drugs), you'd really be nitpicking about the length of the song.

The Raveonettes - Last Dance (Kap10kurt Dream Mix)
Nice and groovvvvy. This remix is tight, and adds more bounce to an already bouncey track. There's a Sound of Arrows feel don't you think so? Collab please!

Delphic - Doubt (MXWL Remix)
Pretty decent dubstep remix, but not the rock-your-socks-and-clothes-off-and-I-need-to-get-moving-right-now kind.

Wolf Gang - The King and All His Men (Joe Goddard Remix)

Miike Snow - Silvia (Sinden Remix)
Wow, finally Silvia gets it's turn at a remix. From total electro-ballad to dance-floor dope.

don't i know you better than the rest

Echo & the Bunnymen - The Idolness of Gods
Such cathartic singing, with lyrics like "If I’m just half the man I was, I’d say that’s just because I must have gotten lazy." This song wouldn't have showed their post punk roots in any manner. And when McCulloch sings "idolness of gods", it sounds so damn like "idleness of gods". Personally, I think The Idolness of Gods is an excellent piece, reflecting how much McCulloch has grown as a musician and aged, like literally.

Echo & the Bunnymen - Drivetime

Beach House - Zebra
Check out this review (but more the debate going on in the comments section) by The Guardian on Beach House's latest album "Teen Dream" here. Pretty interesting - what they're all saying. And yes, like what many others in the comments, I don't understand how Beach House brings to mind The Antlers, Real Estate and Girls. Ok, a summary is that the reviewer didn't like the album much so it didn't stick with him, so he gave it 2/5 stars. While each person is entitled to his opinion, especially since music is subjective, I really wonder how he could have drawn comparisons to those 3 bands mentioned. They totally sound different! Leaving Beach House out, even the 3 bands aren't of that ilk, their sound is miles apart. So yes, I understand where most commenters are coming from. Meanwhile, I've yet to fully listen to "Teen Dream" but if it is anything like Norway, I would think it's one hell of an album. Meanwhile, check out Zebra with it's gentle guitar picking, as they go on vaguely about being an oasis child, and deception of a black and white horse. Nevertheless, they use the same recipe as they did with "Devotion", not tweaking much of what has earned them countless fans.

no one thinks they are to blame

The Killers were supposed to have performed here on 24 Jan (last Sunday) but unfortunately, they cancelled the concert just 2(?) days before the date of performance. Concerts at Manila, Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul have been cancelled as well. Disappointment and anger were abound, especially those flying in from neighbouring countries Malaysia and Indonesia, maybe some from a bit further. They are getting a ticket refund, but not on their booked accomodation or plane/bus/whatever tickets here. Woe to them. Also, the concert was pretty much sold out about 3-4 weeks before the show, which shows how many fans they have here and in the region. (I didn't buy tickets to the concert if you were wondering.) I certainly hope this won't be repeated for the upcoming gigs (which I'll be attending I must add). Muse for Big Night Out 2010 is next Weds while Florence + the Machine and The xx are up next Sunday. Indie is coming to the masses, I'm pretty sure of that. The xx was interviewed by 8 Days no less!!!! Like what? Florence + the Machine has been getting regular airplay. Well, Muse too. Like, I swear I've never heard (much?) of Muse on radio until recently. Also, there's Juice magazine which has quite the readership, based on how fast the free copies run out. The friday album reviews on Life! have started featuring indie albums too. How's that for wider reach? Neat.

Muse - Map of the Problematique
Love the piano/keyboard infused intro. Suitably used in building up the atmosphere - definitely hoping this will be part of the setlist. Plus Bellamy squeezing every inch of his soul out of himself, Dominic's hands moving at lightspeed plus Christopher's wicked bass playing.

Muse - Uprising
Of epic proportions, it's pretty much self explanatory. Obviously political lyrically as with quite a number of their other songs. But, who's to stop them when they sound this good singing about such stuff?

They will not force us,
They will stop degrading us,
They will not control us,
And we will be victorious!


An aside, I would love to interview them when they come here, but that would be quite hard no? Almost impossible in fact.

Muse - Time Is Running Out
Muse classic. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Time Is Running Out signalled to the world that they were here. It's more epic than epic, building up to a crescendo with some buzz, Bellamy sings of breaking the spell that "you" who is something beautiful created. The urgency is conveyed as they move into the chorus and right before the minute mark, it explodes like fireworks in the sky, as "our time is running out" streaks across the sky (heralding their arrival). Shortly after, it graduates into a medley of guitar and drums, just like how the streaks of fireworks disappear after their beautiful display. However, this song would not be complete without the ooh ooh ooh yeah yeah yeahs of Bellamy which he belts out with such oomph. A complete operatic display of everything Muse is, certainly a classic.

Muse - Thoughts of a Dying Atheist

the stars could only get brighter

Hercules and Love Affair - Blind
Ooooh, this is love. Can't believe I didn't hear this before. It's a project by DJ Andy Butler. The song is lush and full-bodied, the beats and various other instrumentation (such as the horn, you can hear it) do not overwhelm the vocals, which is unique sounding. The closest I'm reminded of is The Polyamorous Affair, but even that doesn't come so close. I'm totally awestruck by this song. It's positively infectious and let's not start on instant gratification.

"Because I feel blind, because I feel blind."

Hercules and Love Affair - Hercules' Theme
Old school disco never sounded this good. Why is it that the old stuff become in vogue only after the time has passed? Well, I guess that's why retro never goes out. Check out his love for horns and trumpets. Man, they're already in two songs.

Lindstrøm & Christabelle - Lovesick
Oh my, good stuff from Norwegian duo Lindstrøm & Christabelle, as they drop their new LP(?) "Real Life Is No Cool" next month. It's deep and slow, marauding into your brain as the rhythm sets in while the sultry vocals of Christabelle complements the hypnotic beats.

got nothing to lose but loneliness and patterns

Spoon - Got Nuffin
Spanking kick ass new track hot off their latest album "Transference". For all the fans of Spoon, who think "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" can't topped, I think "Transference" could give it a run for it's money. The solid riffs a contrast to the forlorn longing of love, but somehow it seems right as Britt Daniel lets his emotions loose in a controlled manner.

Sam Isaac - Bears
And all along the front of this stage there will be fairy lights/as bright as any city night.

Very nice synth rock? song, hear the synth in the background if you take a close listen. Almost cathartic if not for the title. Bears, what?

Barcelona - Please Don't Go
This trio of Brian Fennell, Chris Bristol and Rhett Stonelake make absolutely (coincidentally, "Absolutes" is the title of the album this song is from) the most beautiful piano-infused rock (mostly). When there's no piano involved, it's pretty much good awesome rock. There's elements of Keane and Coldplay, only that they're not even 1% as well known as their counterparts. Their songs are gems just waiting to be uncovered, and it's been taking a while.

it was worth it just to learn some sleight of hand

TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun

The Field - Yesterday and Today
Why am I not surprised that they hail from Sweden? And gee, their band name totally doesn't reflect the kind of music I was expecting. I was expecting pretty gentle music but out came groovey stuff. Interesting.

Broken Social Scene - KC Accidental

Modest Mouse - Float On
Modest Mouse classic. Sweet.

The Saturday Mix #33 - on buses that move through the night

Delphic - Doubt (Riton Re-Rub)
Triple R treatment. Now this is one sick remix. It makes you move, like really move. Right off the bat, the ahh ahh eee eee ehh ehh's set the whole mood before plunging in some slow groove and suddenly it explodes around the minute mark. This is such an awesome remix of one of my favourite songs at the moment.

Au Revoir Simone - Sad Song (Pacific Remix)

MEN - Simultaneously
MEN is a Brooklyn-based band and art/performance collective that focuses on the energy of live performance and radical potential of dance music. Very interesting stuff they have.

MEN - Simultaneously (Lauren Flax Remix)
Long remix, but good.

Matthew Dear - Don & Sherri (Hot Chip Remix)

The xx - VCR (Matthew Dear Remix)
I love this! And I can't wait for The xx and Florence + the Machine to come, in about 2 weeks time. MUCH LOVE!

Au Revoir Simone - Another Likely Story (Neon Indian Remix)
Neon Indian's psychedelia is very present here.

look, there are tears in our lies

Soft Cell - Tainted Love
Check out this song by Soft Cell. It's real 80s shizz, harkening from the era of synth pop. And this song came out in Agathe Clery, a movie I watched today. Pretty cool, go check it out.

Radiohead - Harry Patch (In Memory of)
One of the songs that Radiohead dropped, despite claiming that they weren't gonna produce any more albums or songs. It's been on the grapevine that a new album is in the works. Meanwhile, just let yourself go and listen to this marvelous song.

We Are Wolves - Holding Hands
Oooh, rambunctious fun, this is what it is. I like music videos that indie bands make, they're are all so damn interesting. Not that mainstream vids aren't cool, they're mostly CGI stuff nowadays.

Taken By Trees - Anna

but the world has got him down on his knees

Best Coast - When I'm With You
Yahoooo to lo-fi! Isn't the song brimming with innocence and retro cool?

Julianna Barwick - Anjos
Hmms, this kinda blurs the lines between classical and indie, but whatever. It's nice, soothing and beautiful - so what's not to love?

HURTS - Wonderful Life
It's almost like a boy band ballad if not for the electronic elements. It's nice though and oddly unique sound I might add. Just in case anyone was wondering, the woman dancing is not part of HURTS, this is (yet) another electronic duo. Can they stand out? It remains to be seen.

Cepia - Ithaca

we’re dreaming as we move

Efterklang - Mirador
Lovely orchestration of a song, coupled with a neat video.

The Clientele - I Can't Seem To Make You Mine
This mellow track featured in the movie "The Lake House" starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. While I haven't watched the movie, having read the synopsis, I can say that this song is very fitting for the movie.

The Clientele - I Wonder Who We Are
Chirpy and upbeat "ba ba badahs" sprinkle this light pop song. Very subtle jazz feel to this song as well. This song is totally lovely, I'm mesmerised by it's lightness and how it seems so carefree - like a butterfly flitting from flower to flower.

well your dreams will become part of the future

Justin Vernon - Hazelton
For those who don't know, Justin Vernon is also known as Bon Iver. Yet another beautiful song from this wonderfully talented man. The Antlers should do a collaboration with him, i think it would turn out just sweet. Is this song about killing someone and regretting?

Shearwater - Castaways
Pretty impressive song, but I find the previous stuff better, as the orchestration kinda drowns out Meiburg's vocals, but good nonetheless. However, it remains to be seen what would the new album "The Golden Archipelago" would be like.

This was said of the album "'The Golden Archipelago' is the third album in a triptych of mindblowingly beautiful, dense and ambitious excursions about man’s impact on the natural world from Austin’s SHEARWATER.

This time singer-songwriter Jonathan Meiburg turns his attention to life on islands – a world of lushness and austerity, silence and sudden cataclysms. From rising sea levels to displaced populations, Meiburg travels from the Falklands to Madgascar, from the Bikini Atoll to the Tierra Del Fuego."

Check out the free download of this song here.

Fanfarlo - Harold T. Wilkins
An absolute joy to listen to.

you're sitting on the dock playing for an audience of one

Cold War Kids - Audience
Nice song! I like the whole slow rock thing.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Runaway
Run, run, run away
Lost, lost, lost my mind

This song is goooood. Love the keyboard backing the vocals, nice touch.

Delphic - Remain
This is a good change from their electro-dance stuff. Let me go so far as to call it an electronic ballad - the synths don't go overboard, it's subtly there in the background while James Cook's vocals take centre stage after an extended soft melodic intro. I really like it. Listen to this song if you have only have time for one song.

Hot Chip - Take It In
I feel you Hot Chip. This song while not like their hits Ready For The Floor or One Pure Thought, it shines in it's own understated way.

The Saturday Mix #32 - love is all we are, the rest amounts to nothing

Rob - Femme et Enfant (feat. Sebastien Tellier)
I don't know what genre is this, but I can hear the piano/keyboard, bass drums and what not. But whatever it is, this song is really really good.

Owl City - Fireflies
The first thing I noticed about him was that he (Owl City = Adam Young) sounded a hell lot like someone, and a few moments later, The Postal Service popped right into my head. This was corroborated with some googling and wiki-ing of Owl City, which yielded many references to him ripping The Postal Service off. I'm not one for mudslinging really, but well, he's selling the goods and making the money (off someone's coattails, most might add). Anyhow, check out this scathing review by Pitchfork. I'm surprised they even gave him a 1, with a "review" like that, I was expecting a -100.

Owl City - Fireflies (Marlow Remix)
Ok, I actually didn't wanto give Owl City a run here. Let me tell you the whole thing. When I first heard of Owl City, I immediately went meh. I mean, Owl City? It sounds retarded. And I put off listening to anything by him. Then first came this remix via RCRD LBL, and so I just had to listen it (it's the itch, curiosity kills the cat). The remix didn't change much of the original, just taking the synth pop and adding the touch of bass and groove to make it dance floor ready. And it brought me to the original and voila, I opened up a can of worms for myself. I just had to bring this out for discussion.

So what do you think of Owl City - young chap that got a lucky break from posting his stuff on myspace or virtual rip-off who deserves nothing?

Primary 1 & Riton - Radiates

Primary 1 & Riton - Radiates (Riton Rerub)
I'm getting LAZY!

Kaskade & deadmau5 - I Remember (Strobelite Edit)

Vibrasphere - Tierra Azul
Check out this semi-ambient down-tempo track. One word - nice. One guess where they're from.


Yeahh, SWEDEN! Pure gold.

ashes of a secret heart

Ok, as most of you should know by now, Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., better known as Jay Reatard has died. He was found dead in his sleep and the cause of death is still unknown. While by no means as earth shaking as the King of Pop's death, this is still a definite loss to the music world.


Also, get Beach House's beautiful and brilliant single Norway from their upcoming album "Teen Dreams" for free at iTunes' Free Single of the Week.


Great Lake Swimmers - Everything Is Moving So Fast
Slow and gentle, it's a song that nudges you along this beautiful path lined with tall lustrous trees with leaves swaying tentatively in the wind and fresh blooming flowers in their full glory adorning the ground around the trees. Pensieve and thought-provoking, this song does well in all aspects.

Laura Veirs - July Flame(mp3)
Before this, we had Laura Marling. Now, another Laura has come trooping along breezily with this lovely track July Flame. Mellow lyrics and a yearning voice completes this song as she sings of "calling you mine".

Get it and another track, I Can See Your Tracks for free here. Follow the instructions as it is not a direct download link.

Wild Beasts - All The King's Men
Title is very similar to Wolf Gang's The King and All Of His Men.

in time i'd find a little way to your heart

Imogen Heap - Wait It Out
Yet another song from her album "Ellipse". Her usual beautiful music and there's no denying her excellent voice and talent, but is it me or is her music starting to sound the same?

Blind Pilot - # Rounds and a Sound
Very good song. Brilliantly crafted lyrics set to a neat beat, it doesn't plod, nor does it rush, taking just the right amount of time to walk, searching before finding it's place. While I certainly don't want to spoil your interpretations of what the lyrics could mean, I definitely can tell there's loss, love and change involved. Taking "soil and six feet under" at face value, there's death as well - but whatever it is, just appreciate this fabulous song.

Band of Horses - The General Specific
Hailing from Seattle, this rock band gained attention after opening for Iron & Wine. Also a little trivia - their new album "Night Rainbows" should be released sometime this year and Cigarettes, Wedding Bands is featured on Guitar Hero 5.

it whistles and it whispers, and sometimes it howls

Casper Bangs - Queen Of Hearts

Best Coast - Sun Was High (So Was I)
Lovely hazy lo-fi. My favourite.

Great Lake Swimmers - Pulling On A Line
I just fell in love with them all over again. Wonderful band hailing from Canada with their brand of melodic folk rock. See what Tony Dekker had to say, "Music is interesting because it brings people together, and the more that I do this the more I realize the importance to that." Now that's just awesome.

The Whitest Boy Alive - 1517

the spinning top made a sound like a train across the valley

Alright, let's see what's up in the coming 3 months in concerts here.
12 Jan - Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Esplanade Concert Hall
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Soft Shock
13 Jan - Cat Power @ Esplanade Concert Hall
Cat Power - The Greatest
23 Jan - James Ingram @ Esplanade Concert Hall
James Ingram - Just Once
24 Jan - The Killers @ Singapore Indoor Stadium
The Killers - Mr. Brightside
26 Jan - Andrew Bird @ Esplanade Concert Hall
Andrew Bird - Oh No

3 Feb - Big Night Out 2010 (Muse, Saosin & Rise Against) @ Singapore Indoor Stadium
Muse - Time Is Running Out
7 Feb - Florence + the Machine and The xx @ Esplanade Theatre
Florence + the Machine - You've Got the Love
The xx - Islands
8 Feb - Echo & The Bunnymen @ Esplanade Theatre
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon

7 Mar - Paramore @ Singapore Indoor Stadium
Paramore - Misery Business
13 Mar - Mosaic Music Festival 2010: 65daysofstatic @ Esplanade Theatre Studio
65daysofstatic - Radio Protector
14 Mar - Mosaic Music Festival 2010: Au Revoir Simone @ Esplanade Theatre Studio
Au Revoir Simone - Sad Song
15 Mar - Mosaic Music Festival 2010: St. Vincent @ Esplanade Recital Studio
St. Vincent - The Strangers
17 & 18 Mar - Mosaic Music Festival 2010: The Go! Team @ Esplanade Theatre Studio
The Go! Team - Huddle Formation
19 Mar - Mosaic Music Festival 2010: Kings of Convenience @ Esplanade Concert Hall
Kings of Convenience - The Build Up (feat. Feist)
19 Mar - Mosaic Music Festival 2010: Shugo Tokumaru @ Esplanade Recital Studio
Shugo Tokumaru - Metrion
19 Mar - Mosaic Music Festival 2010: Vashti Bunyan @ Esplanade Concert Hall
Vashti Bunyan - Train Song
29 Mar - Imogen Heap @ Esplanade Concert Hall
Imogen Heap - First Train Home

February is a pretty quiet month. But March would have been quiet too, if not for the Mosaic Music Festival. I'm pretty excited about all the upcoming concerts, but being the extremely poor person that I am, I have to ration my cash and be selective in the bands I wanna see. So, I'm watching Muse at Big Night Out 2010, Florence + the Machine and The xx, Au Revoir Simone, St. Vincent and Kings of Convenience. Still deciding about Shugo Tokumaru though.

The Saturday Mix #31

We're well into the 9th day of the new year, and boy does the hype machine not stop. First up is obviously Vampire Weekend's new album "Contra".

Vampire Weekend - Cousins
Fun. Unadulterated fun. Uproarious unadulterated fun. I'm still stuck on the fact that I can't find any remixes (or good ones amongst the handful out there for that matter). So, we'll settle for a remix of a track from their fantastic debut album. But will they reuse those tricks that made "Vampire Weekend" such an awesome album? Looks like we'll know in 2 days time (but I heard it's available on iTunes. lazy to check though).

Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand a Chance (Miike Snow Remix)
Elements so familiar to all Miike Snow listeners are present in this remix, which might explain why the short synth intro sounded so familiar. I like this remix, well, not surprising. Anything with a good deep bass beat is generally good to me, the rest is how the remixer makes of it.

Vampire Weekend - The Kids Don't Stand a Chance (Chromeo Remix)
A Chromeo remix.

Delphic - Doubt (Joey Silver Remix)
Also hitting the racks on 11 Jan is Delphic's much hyped "Acolyte". Hype works two ways, they could "make it or break it". When hype builds, expectations increase. What if someone (esp those major reviewers) pan it, then does it all go to waste as the hype becomes backlash? But I've got much confidence in their debut album. With singles such as This Momentary, Counterpoint and Doubt already circulating for quite a while, "Acolyte" will certainly do well in my opinion. And I guess the hype stems from the fact that these tracks have been around for a while, and people totally dig it. Oh well. That's hype for you.

This is what Richard Boardman said: "The word backlash has more realness than the word hype for us. There’s a danger and there’s nothing we can do about it. We are just who we are. We’ve already written these songs and we’re still learning how to play some of them live so, to be hyped and then to be backlashed is just one of those crazy things that can happen, but hopefully we can just live up to it and be better." Also, Delphic came in third in BBC's Sound of 2010 list. In the very same list, Ellie Goulding came out tops. Hype indeed.

Yeasayer - O.N.E

Yeasayer - O.N.E (MMMathias Remix)
Well, I kinda like the song as a song. But as a remix of O.N.E, I'm lost. I can't hear the original at all!

Vitalic - Poison Lips (Captain Flash Remix)

but you don't lock when you're fleeing

Alela Diane - White As Diamonds
The moment I saw the video, I'm immediately reminded of Pocahontas. They look so alike! That said, her unique voice will not be liked by all. For sure. Initially, I almost wrote her off straight away, but into the 1st minute, I kinda warmed up to her unusual folksy sound. She's been described as another Vashti Bunyan (who by the way is coming down to Singapore for the Mosaic Festival). With a particular string instrument I can't put my finger to (blame my music instrument disinclination) and classic folk strumming of the guitar intersperse those drawn out woh-oh-ohs. Well, for me, this song's a thumbs up.

Bon Iver - Beach Baby
Another track from his fantastic "Blood Bank EP". Does he ever cease to be so amazing? Or are there even instances where he's less amazing? I would totally love him to come down.

Loch Lomond - Blue Lead Fence
Everything is as SXSW describes Loch Lomond on the side. "Loch Lomond stuns. Effortlessly combining symphonic chamber pop with the most raw, visceral and expert melodic acrobatics, the co-ed sextet employs the distinct use of harmonic vocals, mandolin, theremin, bass clarinet, and all manner of exclamatory percussion minutia to foil the even more distinct and arresting voice of lead singer/multi-instrumentalist Ritchie Young."

Midlake - Acts of Man
Simply stunning. Hailing from Texas, this folk-rock band will be releaseing new album "The Courage Of Others" on 2 Feb 2010. They're gonna be 2010's Fleet Foxes.

i'd fly away and become a bird of song

Little Dragon - Blinking Pigs(mp3)
From their marketing company's site. Interesting song. Going into the song, I heard "Phantom legs and blinking pigs haunting me" and I was piqued. Plus there was this really cool beat going on, very evenly paced and semi ambient.

Marissa Nadler - Heart Paper Lover
This song is so ridiculously beautiful and poignant. And he haunting voice. I'm suddenly finding out about all these female singers with such beautiful and affecting voices.

And all of the things that I had were songs again
Weaving the scent of the loss of your heart

Marissa Nadler - River of Dirt
Another song from her latest album "Little Hells". Much love for the video shot with the vintage look. I don't think much needs to be said of yet another brilliant song, singing of returning to her hometown (i think) and of being painfully alone.


I think the blog is becoming a little boring. Any suggestions on how to improve it? That's if anyone is willing to drop me the rare comment or email. LOL

i look outside the sky's painted the floor

The Willowz - Repetition
Yeahhhh, one comment summed it up pretty much - sounds like the old Whites Stripes. Love the fuzzy guitaring.

One Night Only - It's Alright
Well, I chanced upon this song when I chanced upon the Burberry SS10 Campaign: Behind the Scenes video. What fortuitous turn of events. Really good song. Good mix of piano and drums plus poppy lyrics. How did they get their name? Well, very simple. It came about when they were asked to play a gig. They did not have a name at the time and came up with One Night Only, intending the title to, literally, last for only one night, however the name stuck to this day. Could this end up on the Gossip Girl show? Sounds suited for a moment when Nate and Serena get back together. Or maybe Chuck being all sweet and lovey to Blair after shit happens.

Sharon Van Etten - For You
So beautiful and nuanced. Acoustic guitar playing female soloists are far too many, and she stands her grounds against her peers with that expressive voice and folk-inspired song.

drifting along all the time

Oh sweet lord. Au Revoir Simone is coming down to Singapore too!!!! This is (*^*&@*&)&@$ awesome! So happy like a 4 year old kid getting lots of sweets.

VEGA - No Reasons
Check out this hot track by VEGA aka Mr. Palomo aka Neon Indian. What a gem.

Aska - There Are Many Of Us
Ok, she was a little bit obscure, so it was pretty hard to find information about her. But the wonders of the internet is such that, you just need time. Fortunately for me, just a little more digging yielded some info. Like her myspace site, which is the above link where you click for her song. She's actually Aska Matsumiya, helming Moonrats, as well as writing and playing in the conceptual art band, The Sads. She sounds so wistful and melancholic, it's almost as if she's squeezing every inch of her soul out of her. So wonderfully affecting, and complemented by the sparse but effective plucking of the guitar to create the entire sphere of mood that slowly slips over you.

Aska - 25
Since you're at Aska, check out her other track as well. Simple but brilliant piano based song that really wowed me. The sudden change of pace and staccato that broke out at about 3:05 pleasantly surprised me. Lasting for about 50seconds, it shows her skills as a classical pianist before yielding to very gentle playing of the piano. Absolutely one to listen.

Kevin Barker - You & Me
Yet another gem. He's the guitarist of Vetiver, which explains why there's a slightly similar sound.

under the pull of this high tide

Vitalic - Allan Dellon
I think "Flashmob" was a pretty darn good album. I mean Vitalic probably still has some stuff up his sleeve.

Maps - Turning The Mind
Quite unlike Everything Is Shattering and intriguing song too. Took me a good 4 listens for the entire song to soak in. Copious use of the synthesiser lend a mythical air to the song, not helped (for better or for worse) by his semi-muffled voice. After the fourth listen, it reaffirmed my initial feel of this song, that it's pretty laid back and good for a lazy day.

Real Estate - Snow Days
Quaint song led by Martin Courtney's lulling vocals which sound absolutely lovely. But a little niggling point with me was the end, where they just dragged it on with the instrumentation. Cutting it short to about 3:30 would have been so much better, as they could have done the instrumentation part without over-doing it - it was more or less repeating the same thing over and over for about 3-4 times.

The Saturday Mix #30

Bibio - Lover's Carvings (Leatherette Remix)
Peculiar and interesting. I'm still on the fence on this one, but leaning towards the good side.

The Sound of Arrows - Into the Clouds (Fear of Tigers Remix)
Sounds so slick. Keep moving to the beat, just keep moving! It should sit right in a Peter Pan soundtrack! The song is set to the 1985 film Explorers starring Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix.

Small Black - Despicable Dogs
This the the lo-fi that's been all the rage of late - hazy and nostalgic, and yeah, it's soooooo gooooooood.

Small Black - Despicable Dogs (Washed Out Remix)

Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets (Pariah Remix)
Enjoy the bleeps and bloops. And the pretty cool video.

Lindstrøm & Christabelle - Baby Can't Stop (Idjut Boys Remix)
Pretty 60s jazzy feel.

Lindstrøm & Christabelle - Baby Can't Stop (Aeroplane Remix)

i can't help this feeling

Chew Lips - Rising Tide
Very lovely electronic ballad. But what a feature on Guardian said is true, there's no lack of electro bands out there right now, and how is she(Tigs and for that matter Chew Lips as a band) gonna differentiate themselves? My money is on them to stand out this year though. Look out for their release of "Unicorn" on 25 Jan.

Chew Lips - Solo
Check out this blasting awesome single of theirs as well!

Discovery - So Insane
Well, clearly they have polarised opinion just like Dirty Projector's "Bitte Orca", many have lauded "Bitte Orca" but some have panned it, simply put as sounding like crap (for the record, i think DP's are really really good). Discovery's apparently down the same lane, but well, I love this song! While it's not insane, the beats are pretty catchy and Rostam's (of Vampire Weekend) vocals kinda work. He's teamed up with Ra Ra Riot's Wes Miles. Ohh, and it's fitting that Angel Deradoorian of Dirty Projectors features in one of the track's in their LP.

Princeton - Calypso Gold(mp3)
From the band's own site.