in broad daylight, hulot is dancing

I just have to share this gem which I unearthed in a random shop in Seoul. Made up of singer-composer Maya and lyricist Kazuma Yano, Mamerico blew me away with their brilliantly light compositions, like butterflies flitting from flower to flower in the warm sunshine. But apparently, full recognition should be given to their producer - Johan Christher Schutz from Sweden. Nonetheless, it doesn't matter who makes up Mamerico or who produces the album, just give me more of the damn good music please.

Mamerico - Waltz for Hulot
The first 30 seconds into this track - gentle coaxing of the piano, wistful vocals wrapped around and all, was sufficient to tell me that the album would be stealing the attention of both of my ears for a while. Absolutely no regrets. Said to be a tribute to Jacques Tati, the delectable mishmash of English, French and Japanese adds to the charm of a waltz that I can't tire of.

Mamerico - A Border
Unhurried and unfettered, just like a walk through the rock gardens of Kyoto. But it belies the slow Brazilian (or South American?) vibe evident in the beat; the barely discernible maracas coming through. How they manage to blend the two distinct styles so seamlessly and intricately is probably a mystery, but one that I would gladly welcome.

we are under control from forces impossibly remote

Apparat - Black Water(mp3)
Definitely something very different from his trance/techno roots. Vocals bordering on ethereal along with a thick goosebump-inducing electronic soundscape, it's a magnificent and subtle song at the same time. It's got me hooked.

Mates of State - Maracas
A quirky infectious sample of their new album "Mountaintops" which will be released in September. The husband and wife duo seem to have taken a time machine back in time, what with bouncy synths lending a bubblegum vibe, reminding me of colourful 2D cartoons of yesteryear.

Handsome Furs - What About Us
Again, a new track from yet other husband and wife duo, from their soon to drop album "Sound Kapital". Yes, you saw that right, with a kapital K. Taking inspiration from the electronic and industrial music of 1980s Eastern Europe (pitchfork), it pulls no punches with the bass and it's got the gritty punk feel right down to a T.

all that you want from me you can take it away

Lusine - Double Vision
With a track so ridiculously chill, I just might get double vision once I get high on this drug called good music. A distant beat that palpitates in the quiet of the night, lingering for a while and drifting away just as you think it has settled. Fantastic for a late night jaunt.

André Obin - Soft Rain
It has a intro very similar to another song but I just can't put my finger to it. Whatever it is, sparkling lux synths dominate this outstanding track, along with whispered lyrics that you can't quite decipher its meaning. Multi-layered electronic sounds draw you magnetically into its glorious procession, providing a sort of secret warmth that you'd like to embrace.

Susumu Yokota - Tobiume
This is like dope from the land of the rising sun. I think one can vaguely sense the progression towards the end amidst the constant repetition of hollow synths.

the way you move is a mystery

Benny Benassi - Spaceship (feat. Kelis, apl.de.ap, & Jean-Baptiste)
Really lush and sexy vocals from Kelis here, with fantastic electro work by Benny Benassi. I would like to avoid using this, but it's quite out of this world.

Breakbot - Fantasy (feat. Ruckazoid)
I actually thought the girl in orange was as pretty as the "model". Loving this retro disco number, totally sensual and hip-swaying inducing.

Justice - D.A.N.C.E
As huge fans of the King of Pop, they did this as a tribute to him, sampling various songs such as P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing), Black or White, Workin' Day and Night, and Whatever Happens along with the Jackson Five song ABC (from wiki).

The Saturday Mix #47

And it is back, after a long hiatus.

Monarchy - I Won't Let Go (Bag Raiders Remix)
Really digging this nice tweak by Bag Raiders.

Bag Raiders - Sunlight (GLOVES Remix)
Sexy as hell.

Bag Raiders - Sunlight (Armand Van Helden Remix)

Jamie Woon - Lady Luck (Royce Wood Junior Remix)
Some oomph and funk in a sensual soulful original.

Metronomy - The Look

Metronomy - The Look (Fred Falke Remix)

silence speaks for you

A post of curious listens that would definitely polarise opinions.


James Blake - Lindisfarne
Eerily poetic and thought provoking.

Austra - Beat and the Pulse
Dark macabre beats with operatic singing makes for goosebumps. Feels ritualistic and gives me the feeling of a cross between Fever Ray and White Lies.

Austra - Shoot The Water
The quirky staccato piano lends a noir movie vibe, not least helped by her good vocal control.

jj - No One Can Touch Us Tonight

we gonna celebrate one more time

Here's to a trip down memory lane.

Benjamin Diamond - In Your Arms
Good ol' house music from 2000. I have heard this song quite a number of times when I was younger, but didn't know what the title was. Really love this.

Daft Punk - One More Time
One of the many Daft Punk classics.

Modjo - Lady (Hear Me Tonight)
No need for introductions I think.

when i see your face it's like sunlight dripping

Tricky - Murder Weapon
Super funky song by Tricky. Interesting to know that he was part of Massive Attack back in the 90s for a while. Somehow the entire gloom and doom is given an upbeat twist; and the beat and lyrics unconsciously catch on.

Eskmo - Cloudlight
I featured this on my tumblr sometime back but somehow forgot to mention it here. I mean this is one psychedelic trip that way is off the charts, so how could I forgot? That aside, hair-raising tribal-esque beats, vocals that seem to have been run through a vocoder and random samples adding to the soundscape, all add up to one hell of a wicked song.

Eskmo - We Got More
Yet another one by Brendan Angelides, replete with an even trippier video. This Cyriak dude, the guy who does the video animation, is super ace. Big bass beats that match to the changing of animation plus the same glitchy sound makes for a delectable listen.

Bag Raiders - Sunlight
They are a house duo from Sydney that my friend asked me to give a listen to. Gotta say it's a good recommendation. Really love the freshness of the pop imbued into this club number. And we have yet another interesting albeit quirky video today, which a youtube user sums it up quite aptly as "act like monkey = get hot chick". Super groove-worthy.

you want the moon but you've got the sun

I miss HK, it was a blast over there.

Pulseprogramming - First They Fire
Loving the synthy beats and vocals awash in 80s nostalgia. The song just latches onto your subconscious, be it the gentle cooing or how it invokes foggy memories of yesteryear.

Jatoma - Little Houseboat
Fancy little song here that's quite trippy, a generous helping of electronic bleeps and bloops before evolving into gorgeous deep bass beats. Sexyyyyy.

Digitalism - 2 Hearts
Electronic married to pop-bliss.

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.

do i choose to be weighed down by gravity

Mr Jamie Woon is absolutely phenomenal. Just released two days ago, the album consists a spectrum of soulful sounds influenced by the dub production of Burial, the R&B vocals of John Legend and the like. Throw in a little house beats and synths into the mix, some computer mixes which play second fiddle no doubt, and you get "Mirrorwriting". We've had a preview of a few of the songs previously, which were a definite indication of his excellent vocal talent.

Jamie Woon - Spirals
A very down-tempo number that borders on chill if not for the amplified guitar strumming, very soothing vocals.

Jamie Woon - Shoulda
A very tight mix of R&B and electronic plus deep bass beats. Sensual and slick.

Jamie Woon - Gravity
He lets loose his John Legend-ish vocals here. Lovely.

Jamie Woon - Night Air (Normski Remix)
Thrown in a new remix of Night Air for good measure.

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.

we will sink and be quiet as mice

Been neglecting the blog yet again due to school, but here's a post I managed to squeeze in during this break week.

Radiohead - Lotus Flower
Geniuses at work. It's been a while since Radiohead's last opus "In Rainbows" in 2007, and now they've finally released another album, "The King of Limbs", which clocks in at just over 37 minutes. This particular track features Thom Yorke dancing/moving awkwardly/spasming/insert-what-you-think-is-appropriate. It's nothing overt, a really ordinary beat in the background, such that you won't think much of it. However, Thom's almost permanent falsetto brings a sort of emotive counterbalance to the normalcy of the backing rhythm. Don't expect something massive that would blow you away when listening to this track, more a gentle prod in between ebbs and flows, against your conscious. The first listen is good, but give it a few more listens, it'll warrant infinite repeats.

Peter Bjorn and John - Second Chance
Really fetching track from the guys most famous for their iconic tune Young Folks. Some elements of pop catchy-ness as well as rock riffs abound, it seems right up their alley. And as many have said, the cowbell is a neat touch.

Jamie Woon - Lady Luck
Dedicated an entire post on him a while back, and he's just released a single of his debut album which drops in April. Lady Luck is a downright wicked tune - slick and sensual. Echo-ed and on a loop as the words 'lady luck' rolls of his tongue, the bass beats intertwined with his extremely soulful voice, this is one tune that will make people go all over each other on the dancefloor. I expect some remixes to roll in soon. Pity he didn't win BBC's Sound of 2011 poll. Check out his Al Fresco version here. It's basically him and his vocals while he's on a sampan in a swamp in Cambodia. Exquisite.

when i look around i can feel it spinning

Simon Hinter - Take Care
What a myriad of sounds this track presents - a certain eye, or ear-opener for that matter. A winding road, tall firs looming. Blinding white light. Streets of nowhere, a dull thud. Mesmerising blinking light, in the distance.

Deerhunter - Fountain Stairs
Super swell and loving it. Warm fuzzy guitar lines and warbly vocals from Lockett Pundt.

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.

no pockets full of grain and crumbs

Flying Lotus - MmmHmm (feat. Thundercat)
Aural pleasure with a soundscape put together with such panache. Flying Lotus is Steven Ellison, and he has carefully arranged a wonderfully crafted piece with influences I can't put a finger to. Almost balladic, the electronic nature of this tune does not really settle in entirely as the vocals serve as an elegant distraction.

Flying Lotus - Zodiac Shit
Trippy stuff filled with psychedelic imagery that would just blow your mind into the stratosphere in the first half, before abruptly going into electro-funk stuff that juxtapose nicely against the first half. Amazing shit.

Jenny Wilson - Like A Fading Rainbow

together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail

Broken Social Scene - All to All
Exquisite gem led by Lisa Lobsinger. It lost to Sweetest Kill by just a handful of listens. The intro is a soft delight, with a short and deft touch of trance. Led by the wonderful Lisa Lobsinger, her lush voice graces our ears, complemented by a back drop of electronic elements which seem in an urgent rush to somewhere. The strings are a neat touch as well. Very similar to RSR's stuff, but it's prolly due to her voice.

Broken Social Scene - Puff, the Magic Dragon
I've known the original version by Peter, Paul & Mary for quite a while, but only chanced upon this version by BSS recently. What an awesome find. Heavily slowed down, with more purposeful enunciation of the words, they infuse a whole lot more mood here, no doubt trying to elicit a reference to the "subtle drug referencing" many people speculate that is present in the original.

Tennis - Marathon
What summer bliss. A little hazy nostalgia here, a bit of hooky hooky there, a perfect recipe for a fabulous song. Don't count out the soft oooohs as well. As she coos so wistfully, I wonder if I could be the one on that yacht out yonder on the sapphire sea instead of being buried in my books.

i've acquired a taste for silence

Jamie Woon - Wayfaring Stranger
I'm pleased to have chanced upon him as I was clicking through on youtube. Then as I was looking at Warpaint and checking them up on BBC's Sound of 2011, I find out he is longlisted as well! Coincidence or not, I'm beating myself up over finding out about him now. He's got a damn fine voice - so soulful and exuding such strong emotions, some say angelic even. But no quibbles here, he deserves the Sound of 2011 nomination.

Jamie Woon - Wayfaring Stranger (Burial Remix)
I had no idea you could remix such a song. And I had no idea you could make such an excellent song sound as good, or even better, which I thought was gonna be hard to top. It's not over the top dubstep, more appropriate dubs to convey a suitable brooding mood. Unbelievable stuff.

Jamie Woon - Spirits
Check this out. You've really got to. He beatboxes and gets it down on the loop. Man, he sure is a box of surprises. As he croons "Watching our spirits dance on the
on the backs of our lives", you might just be convinced that our spirits are literally dancing. It feels nice watching and hearing art at it's best. With his debut album in the 2011 horizon, it just makes us want more.

Jamie Woon - Night Air
Oh my, marrying subtle electronic with soul, he surprises us yet again. The deep bassline is ponderous and contrasting - it lends a strong powerful stroke to this painting, versus fluidity conveyed by Jamie's vocals. Breathtaking music from this South Londoner and we expect much much more.

Jamie Woon - Night Air (Ramadanman Refix)
Oh yes, it's Ramadanman with his refixes. Sweet.

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.

i've known never known what's good for me

Kele - Everything You Wanted
Seems like a love song through and through. Might refer to a break up he had, which he channeled the feelings into this very personal solo debut album of his, "The Boxer". Also, I think his solo album draws a lot of similar comparisons to "Intimacy" with its electronic elements and maybe lyrics wise as well.

Bloc Party - This Modern Love
Never really did listen to the stuff from "Silent Alarm", not sure why. It's never too late but I'm appreciating it. Kele's vocals sound much rawer here, unpolished, which suits this song to a T. The lyrics reflect something many of us can prolly relate to. And for all acoustic lovers, take a gander at this awesome up close and personal performance by Kele and Russell outside what I think is a pub.

Bloc Party - Biko

Bloc Party - So Here We Are
So tender; the soft rock + jangly guitar just gets at the odd nooks inside your body so wonderfully. I definitely must give "Silent Alarm" the proper many over.