The Saturday Mix #47

The xx - Shelter (Tiga Remix)
I think this is single-handedly one of the best The xx remixes out there. Tiga (who by the way will be in Singapore for the Singapore F1 GP entertainment lineup) has run this classic through the dub machine and what's come out is pure aural pleasure. 101% satisfaction guaranteed. The heavy dub beat contrasts starkly with Croft's languid minimalist vocals and it feels spectral as it feels sensual. The bpm remains untempered, and prolly for good reason. It's at a really sweet pace, and now coupled with an out of this world dub beat, it would bring out the sexy of everybody on the dancefloor.

While I'm a bit busy here, hence only posting one song, I honestly think this remix itself could hold it's own. Anywhere.

we'll still be best friends when all turns to dust

Free Energy - Bang Pop
Fluffy whimsical indie pop with the grooves of the electric guitar. You're at a carnival wondering where this awesome melody is emanating from. Digging into a entire cauldron of candy floss, you search and find their beats amidst all that sugary sweet stuff. Surely a feel good song suitable for any summer house party in the garden. And hell, I have to agree with youtube user dickynights, they certainly do sound like early Weezer here. Influence much?

The Morning Benders - Excuses
It's one of my favourite songs for the year so far - a hazy blend of youthful innocence and lost naivete. This is an instrumental/orchestra version of the original where they roped in their friends and San Francisco music found-abouts, trying to recreate the wall of sound. The strings bring about a melancholy that they otherwise couldn't convey, and seems to suit this instrumental take very well. Also at the start and end, listen to what Chris Chu says about the song. Check out the studio version right here.

The Morning Benders - Boarded Doors
What a kitschy and cute video to go with this jaunty song. Singing as if he's skipping along, prodded along by that staccato of a melody, he sings of lost/unreciprocated love and how he doesn't know where else to go, like a lost little boy. Clearly, they were already of lovely music even before "Big Echo", which gave sorta gave them their big break.

stopping you would stifle your enchanting ghost

The Golden Filter - Memorial Day
This was put up by the band themselves on youtube, stating that it was written and recorded in summer '07, pre golden filter. It's chockful of dreamy hazy vibes reminiscent of dreampop, quite unlike the electronic dance stuff they're known for currently. It's interesting to note that they've dabbled a bit in other genres, but I think they might have done just as well if they dove into dreampop. Maybe they might surprise us and release such an album after "Voluspa".

Dent May - Eastover Wives (mp3)
I absolutely love this song. Incorporating that oldies charm into Eastover Wives along with a lovely mix of emotive vocals and jazz elements. It's just like being in front of the warm comfort of the fireplace as the snow plunders everything outside the house, reducing all to just a pristine white.

Sufjan Stevens - Enchanting Ghost
A mercurial singer/songwriter of our time, he's suddenly dropped an entire EP of songs. Coming in just under 60 minutes, this is an EP of epic proportions since it is uncommon to have such lengthy EPs. Additionally, he's priced the EP at USD5 on bandcamp which is supremely value for money considering it's almost 60 minutes of awesome stuff. This is what's said on bandcamp, "All Delighted People is built around two different versions of Sufjan’s long-form epic ballad "All Delighted People," a dramatic homage to the Apocalypse, existential ennui, and Paul Simon’s "Sounds of Silence." Sounds delightful, yes! The song was originally workshopped on Sufjan’s previous tour in the fall of 2009."

Enchanting and pleasant, at times one would also feel for him as his heart-rending delivery on matters of the heart strikes a chord within. The simple plucking of the guitar drives this song, backed occasionally by the sweet staccato of the piano, he delivers us nothing but the best that one can expect from him.

The Saturday Mix #46

Delorean - Real Love (LightsoverLA Remix)

Tame Impala - Solitude Is Bliss (Canyons Remix)

Massive Attack - Pray For Rain (Tim Goldsworthy Remix)

Massive Attack - Paradise Circus (Zeds Dead Remix)
Fucking epic.

Passion Pit - The Reeling (Sammy Bananas Big Choon Mix)
It's rare that a remix can make one feel so euphoric. Above the clouds and high on oxygen.

Au Revoir Simone - Only You Can Make You Happy (PUNCHES Remix)

Annie - Songs Remind Me Of You (The Swiss & Donnie Sloan Remix)

i tell you miserable things after you are asleep

In the wild land around the farm, there is constant change, yet it feels timeless. The beeches and hemlocks along the creek look the same. The ship-rock that always seems to be sinking in the middle pasture hasn’t sunk an inch in all this time. This is a rabbit year, but these look like the identical rabbits I saw a few years ago.

None of this is true in the garden. You can plant for shape, color, scent, whatever you like. But unless you confine yourself completely to annuals, you’re cultivating your consciousness of time. Every garden leaves the traces of its origin in the gardener, which means that it’s hard to look at even the maturest beds and borders without remembering the digging and planting and waiting it took to bring them to this point.

- Garden Time by Verlyn Klinkenborg


Ra Ra Riot - Boy
Ra Ra Riot having laid low for a little, except for Wes Miles who was active with Rostam Batmanglij as Discovery, are back with a new offering simply titled "The Orchard". Apparently the tracks have been out for a little more than a couple of weeks. A real nippy number, it's perky and Wes Miles' vocals drip with earnestness and longing. The hooks are definitely present but their signature strings are pretty much non existent here. Obviously, these guys are back and ready to roll.

Ra Ra Riot - Too Dramatic
You know what they say about the apple not falling too far from it's tree. Well, it's analogous to some extent. It's real rambunctious pop, with lovely interplay between their strings and drums/guitar. It segues real neatly as he croons about over-dramatic girlfriends that is beyond his comprehension.

Yeasayer - Madder Red
Yeasayer are up with their usual unusual stuff. The tribal melodies that permeate is part of the overall package that is an experimental yet folk-ish sound balanced with some slightly vague lyricism. The might seem pretentious and thought of as trying too hard initially, but I actually warmed up to the song after 2 listens. If you strip away the heavy sounds, the song might actually appeal to even more, but this is Yeasayer for you. Here's the official video. But it is really queer and disturbing (in a non gory/grisly manner). Check it out if you want, but it's highly likely to put one off.

The National - Conversation 16
I'm not exactly sure why I'm only posting this song now. Somehow, their new album "High Violet" didn't register with me. I don't know why. But the odd listens here and there, and suddenly I'm taking to most of this album, particularly Conversation 16. I think it's understated brilliance. Introspective and mellow; sombre yet glorious, the drums fill out the very little space left by Matt Berninger's deep and curiously affecting baritone. It resonates within you, and singing about zombies, be it metaphorical or literal, makes you wonder what is going through his mind. It could be an epiphany, but whatever it is, this is utter satisfaction.

make a little room for me tonight

That's because I just made it up. Even you are - maybe not - yes, you are probably a hypervillain. Yojiro, of course, is an extreme example. And you know... ...an interesting variation in her own way. The only hypervillains we needed in the old days were feudal lords and fathers. Now, with equal rights, everyone wants to be one. Not that it's a bad thing, of course. We all know - take the lid off something that stinks and you find a manure bucket. Tear away the pretty formalities and the bad is out in the open. Formalities are just a bother, so everyone economizes and makes do with all the plain stuff. It's actually quite exhilarating, natural ugliness in all it's glory. Of course, when there's too much glory, the hypervillains get a little annoyed with each other. When their discomfort reaches a peak, altruism is resurrected. And when that becomes a mere formality and turns sour, egoism comes back. And so on, ad infinitum. That's how we go on living, you might say. That's how we progress. Look at England. Egoism and altruism have been in perfect balance for centuries. That's why she doesn't move. That's why she doesn't progress. The English are a pitiful lot - they have no Ibsen, no Nietzsche. They're all puffed up like that, but look at them from the outside and you can see them hardening, turning into fossils.

- Professor Hirato in Natsume Sōseki's Sanshirō


Mystery Jets - Flash A Hungry Smile
Serotonin (pronounced /ˌsɛrəˈtəʊnɪn/) or 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter, biochemically derived from tryptophan, that is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and central nervous system of humans and animals. It is a well-known contributor to feelings of well-being. (wiki)

I like this gem from their album "Serotonin". It really does make one feel happy. Light and breezy melodies abound, cheeky whistling coupled with awesome rhyming lyrics make this a joy to listen to.

The Drums - Let's Go Surfing
In the same vein as the the indie poppiness of Flash A Hungry Smile, this quartet comprising of Jonathan Pierce, Jacob Graham, Adam Kessler and Connor Hanwick show they know how to have tonnes of fun. Catchy hooks and beautifully flippant lyrics (one wouldn't be faulted for thinking Jonathan Pierce was singing obama instead of oh mama), it is a real delight and a good wake up song. Oh, and who could forget the beach?

The Drums - Book of Stories
Filled with more hooks yet again, The Drums seem to have perfected their recipe of indie pop. But contrasted to Let's Go Surfing, Book of Stories is eminently about heartbreak as he wails "i thought my life would get easier, instead it's getting harder". He has no qualms about wearing his heart on his sleeve amidst that echo laden guitaring.

don't i know you better than the rest

Simian Mobile Disco - Nerve Salad
A sobering beat that conceals a certain frothing excitement that slowly spills over. SMD are back with a purely electronic piece devoid of vocals; some might say back to their roots as DJs. A delectable delight of snazzy synths and increasingly urgent beats, they suddenly revert back to spacious sounds that fill the space, and then back to those pacey doowops. It's nice to see some action from SMD after their last release, "Temporary Pleasure".

Crystal Castles - Knights
Set to Japanese teens imbibing alcohol and taking drugs, it's pretty much a neat metaphor for this spell-binding song by CC. This would definitely rock the dance floor with its bouncy synths and undulating beats that wouldn't seem out of place amongst a host of grinding bodies.

Beach House - Zebra
Significantly deviating from their dreampop signature as they lean towards a regular indie sound, they nevertheless can depend on Alex Scaly's drawn out mellifluous vocals to give that tinge of haziness I so desire. Again, I like this stripped down version of their usual stuff, banking on the drawing power of Scaly's vocals and thoughtful arrangements that never fail to charm.

The Saturday Mix #45

I've decided to give LightsoverLA a little love for this issue of The Saturday Mix. The first of their remixes I heard was Crystal Castles' Vietnam and I thought it was mind blowing. So I checked out their youtube page and here we are.

Crystal Castles - Suffocation (Memory Tapes Remix)
Haunting.

Wave Machines - Keep The Lights On (Artwork Remix)
Sublimal.

Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know (LightsoverLA Remix)
Thumping!

Crystal Castles - Vietnam (LightsoverLA Remix)
Wickeddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd.

Miike Snow - Billie Holiday (LightsoverLA Remix)
Magnificent.

Local Natives - Wide Eyes (Suckers Remix)
Subdued.

Midnight Juggernauts - Into the Galaxy (Danger Remix)
Over-revved.

playing in the park until the sun goes down

Recently, I was at Ritual Cafe in San Francisco’s Mission District downing quad lattes with my old friend Angus. At one point, he noticed an acquaintance who entered the cafe. Within three seconds of him standing up to greet her, I had pulled out my iPhone and was hitting refresh on my incoming tweets and email. I had nothing important to check. The entire encounter took fewer than two minutes. When the woman looked over to introduce herself, there I was with my sweaty hands gripped around my phone. I suddenly realized, I’ve become that guy.

Of course, I’m not the only one. Everyone alone at a table at Ritual was either typing on a laptop or thumbing a smart phone. When I see a guy alone at a cafe without a device open, I assume that he’s either got the iPhone antenna problem or that he’s a serial killer.

- Dave Pell, Tweetagewasteland


Broken Bells - October
Set to an amorphous world of 3D, this trippy journey into the unknown was realised by Flash developer Richard Lehmann and illustrator Matthew Hollister. The group’s 3-D project allows surfers to navigate, save and share a strange universe of mathematical equations, geometric shapes and evocative illustrations. (wired.com)

In a similar vein to their first single, The High Road, October is atmospheric as it is affecting. The content of the 3D journey is befuddling, what with all the random stuff, but overall, it contributes to the trippiness of this song. The two precocious talents in music making straddle the fine line between insanity and brilliance to produce mellow trip rock. A fine track this is.

Mystery Jets - Dreaming of Another World
From their latest offering "Serotonin", they introduce some pop sensibilities to their rockin' and rollin' stuff that is totally feel good. It's true when I say a smile would break across your face in no time once you start listening to the song.

time shoots on by

Apologies much for the unintentional hiatus. Busy with stuff regarding school, couldn't wait to get back to share some awesome stuff here.

Rue du Soleil - Troya
Loosely translated as Sun Road, this quartet of D. Jakovljevic, Y. Uslu, A. Bianco and C. Montuoriis produce some stunning music. Seemingly, I like ambient stuff with jazz influences.

Morcheeba - The Sea
Lush vocals bloom as a liquid rhythm slides in your eardrum.

Another Fine Day - Lazy Daisy

Passengers - Beach Sequence
Not sure why it's entitled as such but it certainly brooks no images of sand, sea and sun. Nonetheless, lovely stuff by U2 and Brian Eno.



Sunlight squeezing it's way through the fluffy clouds carelessly pasted on blue canvas. Ensconced in the grubby couch. The whir of the fan; the drone of passing trains. The clouds inch east; the chirp of a sparrow. Nestled in the tree. Glass of ice water. A droplet trickles slowly down the glass; without direction. The glare of sunlight. The ring of the postman - breaks the tranquility like a drop of water on the stillness of the lake. Ripples.

it's never quite as it seems

Passion Pit - Dreams (The Cranberries Cover)
A lovely cover by Passion Pit in my opinion. Bringing their trademark synths into play, a spacey and ethereal rendition of the delicate original. Check out the original here.

Trentemøller - Sycamore Feeling
As per the video description, "Sycamore Feeling is a beautifully melancholic downtempo song with haunting vocals courtesy of singer Marie Fisker. Fiskers sensual, intoxicating performance, framed by a lush instrumentation with lots of ambience, make this another great Trentemøller-track." (sic)

Frightened Rabbit - Not Miserable
Quaint ole Scottish indie rock.

Fanfarlo - Comets
Like a streak of comet across the midnight sky, it blazes a trail with it's fantastic orchestral arrangements and slowly disappears into oblivion, but not before impressing itself upon onlookers.