memory tells me that these times are worth working for

Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong.

- Oscar Wilde


Violens - Already Over
Psychedelic pop running riot.

Super Desserts - Ibiza
Kooky mid-western charm.

Stars - Fixed
The bliss of synth.

Local Natives - Camera Talk
Pure infectious hooks.

50 Favourite Songs of 2009: Part IV

YACHT - Psychic City (Voodoo City)
Ever felt that a song worms it's way into your head and stays there? Well, Psychic City is a classic example. Bubbly and fun, the handclaps and the guitar make up this song. They sing of the tale of three cities, Psychic, Voodoo and Heartbeat. What's the link? It's for you to listen and find out. Nevertheless, I totally love the chorus, in that it's both different (lyrically) and same (beat and rhythm wise). One thing to note though, throw all logic out of the window when you listen to this song, or YACHT for that matter, and just enjoy their music.

official, myspace, last.fm


Neon Indian - Terminally Chill
Right off, you're plunged into a world of 80s psychedelia, a hodgepodge of synths, haziness, nostalgia and what not. Do you hear those birds chirping in the background? Like who incorporates that into their music - Alan Palomo it seems (and it even sounds appropriate for the song). Whatever the case, let loose your inhibitions and and get "caught in the tide" (of Neon Indian). Meanwhile, I'm just drifting in and out of this woozy, intoxicating and echo-ey dope track.

myspace, last.fm


Tycho - Coastal Brake(mp3)
Pure ambient bliss. The idyllic feel, the reverie one could be almost put in. Such beautiful music, I feel inspired to create such music (if I could). Oh well.

official, myspace, last.fm


Animal Collective - Bluish
A little ghostly as he sings of getting lost in a girl's curls. It's not as "over the top" as the other tracks, more understated. I honestly tried, but I really can't put my finger to what makes this song one of my favourites, as a song and amongst MPP. Maybe it's that after all that electronic and synths, I just want something more subtle and simple. And to call an AC track simple is really hard to do so because if you listen to their stuff, you'll realise simple isn't a word used to describe their music.

I like your looks when you get mean
I know I shouldn't say so
But when you claw me like a cat, I'm beaming

It's lovely and sweet but yet positively funny at the same time. And check out this piano cover. It's damn good.

official, myspace, last.fm


Handsome Furs - Radio Kaliningrad
Myspace -> Click song. Youtube provided a shitty recorded version of their live performance. Personally I thought they were pretty under-listened for the year. They cut a pretty good album "Face Control" and Radio Kaliningrad's a frenetic blast that I love. Tight with cool synths and powerful drum machine, while Dan Boeckner's guitar does not let down too.

official, myspace, last.fm


The Decemberists - The Rake's Song
As usual, it's lyrical creativity with The Decemberists. The "narrator" speaks of entering a marriage and how he's saddled with three pests as his wife dies on delivery of the fourth kid. He sings with maniacal glee as he recounts how he kills his three kids and chants "alright, alright, alright".

official, myspace, last.fm


Little Dragon - My Step
Slick disco-esque chorus that certainly reminds me a little of Vitalic's Poison Lips which incidentally is also on this feature. Also the sensual vibe + vocals and the deep groovy beat. Doesn't it already make you wanna move to it? Yukimi Nagano reminds me a little of Yuki Chikudate (Asobi Seksu), both of mixed descent.

official, last.fm


Violens - Doomed
The song has a bit of that choir sound to it, only that you don't have millions of other vocals backing it, but catchy drumbeats and awesome bassline. They dive right in from the get go, immersing you in whimsical and dreamy pop. They never let up throughout the song, giving this good vibe that resonates deep within you. This has to be a must listen for today (coupled with the fact they have a fantastically directed video by Mateo Ramirez). And when they quote influences such as seashells, dreadlocks, gems, sand, veins, ribbons and steel, I know I'm gonna like them.

official, myspace, last.fm


Fanfarlo - I'm A Pilot
Lush orchestration and well crafted coupled with beautiful melodies. That's what I'm A Pilot is about. Deft piano playing at the beginning as the song builds slowly whilst the string-laden crescendo makes it feel grandiose yet affectionate at the same time. Infectious and compelling, they truly sound like a less angsty Arcade Fire and I'll definitely be listening to their brand of chamber indie folk for a while to come.

official, myspace, last.fm


Noah and The Whale - Blue Skies
This is a song for anyone with a broken heart
This is a song for anyone who can't get out of bed

Well, Charlie Fink has explicitly stated who this song is for. But NO! This song is so awesometastic, wonderbulous, not only for the emotion he's portraying, musically I think it's brilliant.

official, myspace, last.fm

Note: My brain and literary skills have been milked to the max trying to give apt descriptions for each track (and even then, a couple were quoted or reused from older posts). I don't think i'll do a write up for 2010's music. Look out for the final 10 tracks for this feature of the year.

The Saturday Mix #23 - what’s the use of keeping all the good things that you’ve found to yourself

Delorean - Seasun
Carrots in the sky. LOL! Very beach party song that I'm pretty sure would have everyone grooving to. It's very euphoric in its beats, quite heavy and sets the mood fast. The guys at Delorean said this, Delorean is an unheard of scenario in popular music: 4 guys from the Basque country currently based in Barcelona, free as air, high on O2, who have gradually moved away fromthe punk scene, and are now ready to embrace the kind of club music that a pop band would play. Also, they are currently working on their full length album, which I'm anticipating.

Delorean - Seasun (John Talabot's Kids and Drums Remix

Delorean - Deli (Acid Girls Remix)
It is indeed a deli-cious song. It's not too bad actually, but I much prefer the original to it.

Violens - Doomed (MGMT Remix)
Pretty sweet remix here, given treatment by MGMT of Kids and Time To Pretend fame. I am so in love with this song. There's a lot of unadulterated

Gotye - Learnalilgivinanlovin
One of the most feel good songs I've heard in a while. Guess where he's from.(Yes, Gotye is a one man show named Wally De Backer who's apparently born in Belgium but based Down Under.) He says
"Aussies should pronounced Gotye as “gore-ti-yeah”, using that inimitably dry and elongated sound they call an “accent”!

Wally can say that because he was born in Belgium (and he speaks English good).

Parties from overseas wishing to “name-check” Wally’s musical moniker should employ a complex system of pops and clicks, or alternatively, engage in a series of hand symbols that represent the following character: §." I'm starting to like this guy, and his music.

Anyhow, following this, is a Passion Pit remix of the above song.

Gotye - Learnalilgivinanlovin (Passion Pit Remix)
As Gotye says, gotta learnalilgivinanlovin. Hence Passion Pit has given us this pretty dope remix.

The Temper Trap - Science of Fear (Hervé Remix)



Note: I can't think of what to feature for the usual end of month post. Ran out of ideas. If anyone can suggest something to feature, please do so in the comments or drop me a mail! Any suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated! Meanwhile, enjoy The Saturday Mix.

oh your angelic mind

Micachu (& The Shapes) - Golden Phone
Micachu is actually Mica Levi, and she got together with her band The Shapes comprising of Raisa Khan on keyboards and electronics, and Marc Pell playing the percussion and drums. I believe her stage name is derived from a combination of her name and her own modified guitar called the 'chu'. Her music is very experimental and unique pop, which has been lauded by The Guardian for combining "hard experimentation with soft introspection, her scrappy, lo-fi production wrapped in warmth." She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, during which she was commissioned to write an orchestral piece for the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Not bad huh? Interestingly, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama has quite a number of notable alumni, including Daniel Craig, Joseph Fiennes, Ewan McGregor and Orlando Bloom.

The Mary Onettes - Lost(mp3)
and you say you have to be there/cause you feel so ordinary/but you know how much you need me/when the sadness comes for you

For a name such as The Mary Onettes (hailing from Sweden), one couldn't be faulted for thinking there's a female or two in the band. But that's unfortunately a mistake for they are Philip Ekström (vocals, guitar), Henrik Ekström (drums), Petter Agurén (guitar) and Simon Fransson (bass).

The Mary Onettes - Puzzles(mp3)

The Radio Dept. - The Worst Taste In Music(mp3)
Something from another small Swedish outfit who are slated to released their new album next year. Looking forward to it!

Violens - Doomed
The Big Apple aren't only known for producing people like Woody Allen, Michael Jordan and Robert de Niro. They have Violens a small indie quartet comprising Iddo Arad (synths/vocals), Ben Brantley (bass), Jorge Elbrecht (lead vocals/guitar) and Kris King (drums). They quote influences such as seashells, dreadlocks, gems, sand, veins, ribbons, steel. Hah, I like that.

The song has a bit of that choir sound to it, only that you don't have millions of other vocals backing it, but catchy drumbeats and awesome bassline. They dive right in from the get go, immersing you in whimsical and dreamy pop. They never let up throughout the song, giving this good vibe that resonates deep within you. This has to be a must listen for today (coupled with the fact they have a fantastically directed video by Mateo Ramirez).