you look like you've been for breakfast at the heartbreak hotel

Photo from s909109.


Alex Turner - Piledriver Waltz
Part of a 6 track EP entitled "Submarine", which was done for a movie of the same name. A really gorgeous song with a curious title. An earnest, tender and heartfelt serenade, it's a completely pared down acoustic number compared to the rahrah of Arctic Monkeys. Very genteel and affecting, the wispy feel of nostalgia definitely makes its mark on the song. It's really hard to believe it's Alex Turner, but damn right it is.

Cults - You Know What I Mean
Sigh, what a beautiful piece. Whatever cut the song is set to is very apt, B&W love. Mixing wistful and intimate vocals with the larger than life chorus. Alas, sweet things last only this long.

James Blake - Limit To Your Love
I was wondering why it sounded so damn familiar, took me a while to recall that it was a track from Feist's "The Reminder". Both versions are fantastic; while Blake's version is pensive and brooding, Feist's original seems more personal and of course her vocals bring life to the song. But anyway, I love the soulful ponderous instrumentation, and of course, that deep pounding piano.

how your fire grows hermosa caldera glistening

The Strokes - Under Cover Of Darkness
The Strokes are back with another album "Angles", with the last one in 2006. And they herald their return with much aplomb, spilling delightful riffs in the gleeful intro. And Mr Casablancas seems like he never left, partly due to his solo outing in 2009. Utterly infectious and bouncy, this is one tight number that's bound to keep you on your feet.

TV on the Radio - Will Do
Fancy video about virtual reality. Really like how the melody plays second fiddle to Adebimpe's strong vocals. The arrangements are pretty sweet, but it's the lyrics that are clearly about love that stand out. There's a particular verse that even verges on poetic. Beautiful.

Niva - Boy From The Sun
This is a really affecting beauty. Christian Niva from Stockholm wields his wand and in a flourish, conjures a wonderful foggy dreamscape where we'd like to nestle ourselves in. Supremely exquisite dreampop that really swept me off my feet on first listen; more people should be listening to his stuff. Check out the rest of his entire brilliant EP here.

in the parking lots of these endless nights

TWO MORE FUCKING DAYS! I'M GOING CRAZY WAITING FOR SATURDAY! I never dreamed I'd see them in Singapore, much less in the same day.

Beach House - Silver Soul
Their brand of hazy dreampop already imprinted in us as their signature, they deliver it with the usual panache. Pouring their entire soul into this one, the syncopated keyboards dovetailing nicely with Legrand's ethereal vocals.

Lotus Plaza - A Threaded Needle
With a persistent rhythm and tinkly sounds, how can I not be hooked into the song? The rhythm subsequently forms the backing of the song, over and above the barely heard vocals. Elegiac in a rough way, the entire song feels hazy amidst a microcosm of intimate sounds, and it runs out amidst a dishevelled blast of intense repetitive sounds.

Deerhunter - Agoraphobia
A thoroughly enjoyable listen; comforting and warm. A slow tender piece that takes delight in its measured pace, preferring to let the music speak for itself.

Deerhunter - Desire Lines
Accompanied by a fat reverby guitar line, Cox reminisces about the nostalgia of youth, awash in careless freedom. And just when you thought what could get better than the first 2 minutes of awesomeness, a good 4 minutes of instrumental takes over. It's ponderous yet urgent, slowly seeping into your consciousness. Going on and on, you're sinking deeper and deeper, only for you to be jostled out as it gradually ends.

each day takes you some place i can't find

Ducktails - Killin' The Vibe
Oh so chill. A sweet laconic vibe with a backing piano? that sounds a little like Bibio's Lover's Carvings. I totally agree with the comments on the video that it's a great driving song. I can picture myself in a old Dodge, just clunking and cruising down the countryside roads.

Azure Ray - Don't Leave My Mind
Damn, I missed out on this release last year, which would have definitely made my 2010 list. A seven year hiatus as a duo clearly did nothing to diminish their fantastic chemistry. Testament to their craft, the two best friends have given us an exquisitely gorgeous song to savour. The electronic beat and lush melody provide a lovely complement to Orenda's? spectral vocals - stunning.

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.

i'm not the best you could have attained

Two Door Cinema Club - Undercover Martyn
Two Door Cinema Club are Alex Trimble, Kevin Baird and Sam Halliday. The Irish trio are the new found purveyors of electropop. Some say their songs lack depth, but with a song as catchy as this which hooks you line and sinker, I say we give them time to hone their craft, and soon we might get some catchy and meaningful stuff from them. Trust me when I say it's extremely catchy - cause it really is, good for the bright warm days of summer.

Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know
Catchy riffs and synths go rampant as they let loose with another similar sounding song, but I'm not complaining. I'm involuntarily bopping my head to the beat. Tourist History sounds like it's gonna be another remix galore.

The Morning Benders - Excuses
Sweet shiny strumming guitar that makes this a really lovely wake up song on a good summer morning. In a bright breezy mood right now, all cause of this song.