i will hold on to you like a fool till my hands go blue

Think I'm just gonna do a Monarchy post. They've released tons of songs without actually releasing a full album, but they've finally decided to do so. Their debut album "Around The Sun" which will drop in about 6 days is a chockful of goodness, almost all of which has been released or floating around the interweb already. Pardon my excessive posting of Monarchy stuff (I've posted almost everything they have I think), but I really love their music. Don't think I'll ever tire of it.

Monarchy - You Don't Want to Dance With Me
This track has actually been around for quite some time, I'm surprised I didn't listen to it before. Big fat drumbeats invite you into this council of sound, curated by none other than the two kings of spacey electronic sounds behind their masks. Toss in some snazzy electrowork and scratching, with some cheesy (well, it works all the same) lyrics, you've got a sure fire hit among Monarchy fans.

Monarchy - Call
Heady mix of twinkly samples, fat beats and casual vocals in a part downtempo, part trance-ish dance track.

Monarchy - Floating Cars
I would hazard to say that Monarchy are synonymous with atmospheric spacey sounds incorporated into very catchy dance tracks. They do it with such panache and as much as some might say it gets boring, I'm sure they're getting themselves heard.

you think you'll find yourself out there

Photo from Brian Ferry.

My Morning Jacket - Circuital
Delicious song from old boys MMJ. The first 2 minutes is dedicated to a very delectable synthy bop with an intermittent yet affecting Jim James. Right after, the whole song is caressed into a fine country-rock number. Of course, which rock song is without it's own mad solo riff - cue 5:16. And it rounds up just like how it started, the staccato beat like jumping little elves on your heart.

Monarchy - I Won't Let Go
I wonder if the 8-bit intro that totally reminds you of the games of old is for the video only, or it comes with the studio track. They rocked Coachella (love youtube for that), and now they've released another solid dance number, with the usual starry out-of-this-world beats, toned down here to fit nicely into the background. I'm loving the whole song, and again reaffirms my opinion that Monarchy seems to have the magic touch. Btw, raining cupcakes?

Edwin van Cleef - Lisztomania (feat. Jane Elizabeth Hanley) (Phoenix Cover)
This dance cover, which borders on a total remake, of Phoenix's hot song of 2009 is a heady mix of swirly sexy down-tempo beats and woozy vocals from Ms Hanley. Seems like there's some solid gold here from Edwin van Cleef, an upcoming House DJ based in London.

you arrest my heart, but i knew this from the start

Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
In a very Tron-ish outfit, frontman of The Strokes reels off some uber power packed electronic bingbang that strikes home. Btw, for all Strokes fans out there, they are releasing a new album sometime next March if you already didn't know.

Monarchy - Maybe I'm Crazy
I don't know how these guys do it, but they churn out dance hit after dance hit, impeccable ones at that. I've not found a single song that has let me down yet, and this clearly is no exception. Lush and deep bass that oozes sexiness with a touch of synths that sparkle - proclaiming their place among the stars. It's extremely delectable and remix worthy. I love the groove and of course, catchy lyrics.

Monarchy - Travelling By Ambulance
A more balladic piece which stands out against the rest in that it's a different approach, with decidedly more focus on the lyrics and letting the beats take backstage just for once. I mean, I never expected lines like "you're the sweetest curse" from them. Taking the analogy further, this is definitely more down to earth, more human. If I were an astronaut, I'd definitely take their new album which drops in Jan 2011 with me. Also, I hope their broadcast of their live performance to space gets picked up by extraterrestrials and maybe, just maybe, they start grooving to it.

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)

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 #44

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - Home (RAC Remix)

Local Natives - Wide Eyes (Fool's Gold Remix)
Some R&B elements incorporated by tropical indie band Fool's Gold.

Sunday Girl - Four Floors
Ms Jade Williams Broxbourne, hereby also known as Sunday Girl is super gorgeous. And fittingly, she makes equally awesome music, so liquid and sensuous.

Sunday Girl - Four Floors (Diplo Remix)

Sunday Girl - Self Control

Sunday Girl - Self Control (Fenech-Soler Remix)

Tesla Boy - Electric Lady (Baxter Remix)