Recently I've noticed something about myself: whenever I'm listening to a song that just blows my mind, I unconsciously bite my lower lip and wrinkle my nose. It looks much akin to this. This physical reaction is my ultimate measure of a song's awesomeness, and so I've decided to start classifying songs that garner this type of reaction as 'lip-biters.' Lip-Biters are gold star, two thumbs up, blue ribbon type tunes. The bi-continental collaborative group Ride The Universe (made up of Germany's Digitalfoxglove and LA's Fiero) ring in this new classification system with their remix of Chromeo's Hot Mess. It's a winner, all right. Just wait until the beat drops a minute in, and chances are it'll get a physical reaction out of you, too.
Some people have a natural ability when it comes to songwriting, and even though he's had a lot of time to perfect it - Jonah Matranga is definitely one of those. The Massachusetts-born musician moved to California in '87 and has been there cranking out kick-ass tunes ever since. More recently, he's dropped his Onelinedrawing moniker and has embraced some pretty innovated practices in making music. He'll take requests for covers, craft a personal song for you if you want, or even make a whole album with you - for the right price. Jonah's latest album, You're All Those Things And Then You're None, was recorded as two versions. The first time through was a super minimalistic approach - just Jonah and an acoustic guitar. It's the second version, though, that really puts a smile on my face. The songs are the same, but completely fleshed out with the help of over 50 people from around the world. Did I mention Jonah has never even met most of these people?
Secret World is nothing out of the ordinary for the singer-songwriter; it’s witty, fun and super catchy. I love all of Jonah’s work, but it’s the songs that are easy relate to that I listen to over and over. This time it’s a jam about love, and thankfully Jonah keeps it super poppy and positive. Everyone knows what it’s like to share a private world with someone and how fragile it can be. Secret World shows that even at 41, Jonah can still craft songs with the same vigor and message as he did when he first hit the scene. Listen to Secret World and make sure to check out Jonah Matranga’s expansive online store, which he runs himself. You can buy either version of You’re All Those Things… or even request any version of any song Jonah has ever recorded through the years.
Finally, after months of waiting, today marks the release of Peter & The Magician's (the nu-disco power duo comprised of Yuksek and The Magician) Twist. If you want a memory refresher, I said a few words on the collaboration and the song back here. It's out on Kitsuné Maison Compilaition 11: The Indie-Dance Issue. I'm not sure this disco tune is quite 'Indie Dance,' but you can be sure it's amazing, whatever genre it is. Dance track of the summer? Perhaps of the year.
A month ago I posted up the first-ever LOOSE L!PS M!X with the promise that there would be more to come. Well, here's the second! While last months was all about 'Spring Music,' this one is all for summer. Specifically, my favorite summertime activity: being completely and utterly useless while lounging by the pool. As far as I'm concerned, it isn't really summer until I'm propped up with a book by the side of that crystal-clear chlorinated water, smelling like tanning oil and without a care in the world. Here's a playlist for those moments. At just under an hour long and filled with breezy, dreamy electro. It's perfect, uplifting background music while also being chill enough to allow you to nod off for a mid-day nap. This mix is tested and true (though certainly not tired) : Though a few of these songs are new, the majority are from last summer, where they faithfully served as my daily playlist.
// You can preview/stream/listen-to-on-your-iPhone the entire mix via 8tracks. The player is embedded above. get it on your iPhone via the 8tracks App.
// You can download the entire playlist (minus the Moullinex track--you'll have to buy that on Beatport here) below in a Zip Folder.
// Or, if you're the type that doesn't like to commit to 12 new songs at once, you can download a choice handful by clicking on the track names in blue below.
LOOSE L!PS M!X 02: Take It To The Pool
An hour's worth of easy breezy dreamy music,
meant to accompany every poolside bronzing session of summer.
Tracklist:
1. Sometimes (G.L.O.V.E.S. Remix) - Miami Horror 2. Heatwave - Fabian
3. Cruisin' - Zimmer
4. Tear Club - Moullinex
5. Keep On Shining - CSLSX 6. Hot Girlz In Love - FM Attack
7. Unspoken (Anoraak Remix) - Pacific!
8. Proof - Banxter
9. I Think I Like U 2 - Jamaica
10. Hammock - Million Young 11. Destination Pt. 1 - Damn Arms
12. In Love With You - The Paradise
*If you like this mix, be sure to check out the blogs Binary and Kiyoshi. At least 50% of these songs of from one of those blogs. They're both fantastic. Binary also provided me with the sexy picture, so if you're into hot girls in minimal clothing to accompany your music, it is the blog for you.
Now, take it to the pool!
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Junior Boys are a Canadian electronc duo who have been around forever (well, since the early 2000s), and released 3 albums to varying degrees of brilliance. Their latest album, It's All True is due June 14th on Domino Records. Banana Ripple is the first single off the album, and marks a slight departure from the norm for the group because…it isn't overwhelming melancholy. In fact, it's almost bouncy. Turns out melody can be deceiving though, as Junior Boys pointed out on their Twitter with the statement: "very pleased that people are enjoying 'banana ripple'….our 'summerjam' about emotional meltdown"
Is this what emotional meltdown is supposed to sound like? If so, sign me up.
And just in case you're missing that melancholy, download the classic In The Morning. It is quite possibly the sexiest song of all time, off their 2006 album So This Is Goodbye, which is probably the sexiest album of all time.
I have to say, I don't listen to a lot of hip hop - I really wish I did. Regardless, I'm a big fan of all things Anticon Records. And I don't know how it slipped past me, but there's a big release coming from the Oakland-based, hip-hop centric label. Finally, there's a new 13 & God record on the way, and it's coming out next week. It's only been six years since we've heard anything from the electronic/hip hop supergroup. The collaboration continues between Themselves' underground hip hop and the electronic, indie-rock crooners from Germany - The Notwist. Old Age is the first single from new record Own Your Ghost, and it's a great indication of how the finished product will sound. It may be a little lighter than the heavy atmosphere of the 2005 release. The track is more or less like a Notwist song on steroids - the beats more refined and prominent, and Markus Acher's vocals definitely revitalized since The Notwist's 2008 release. The Devil, You + Me. Old Age is another great addition to the incoming slew of summertime songs. It's warm, upbeat and I can't get enough. It's an absolutely refreshing feeling to hear material from either side of 13 & God's coin. I'm just glad to be hearing it like this.
Guys, something wonderful has happened. Every band that I truly loved in 2007 has made a return to the scene this year. First there was the Strokes, then Justice, then Death From Above 1979, then Beiruit announced album plans, Daft Punk's tour is imminent, and now, Matt Pond PA is back! You'd think I'd want to move on to fresh and shiny young things, but I cannot get enough of my old guard. And this Matt Pond PA? Oh it is perfect. I've been looking for upbeat, non-electronic spring music for the past month, and Love To Get Used is the answer. It's not that I don't like electronic music (obviously), but when I'm looking for something to accompany sunny skies and walks in the park, I tend to look for songs that feel a little more organic. This song is exactly what I'm looking for: big and bright, with a strong kick, dancing guitars, and collaborative vocals from Austin's Ariel Abshire (look at that alliteration; heaven). One of Pond's greatest singles to date, I honestly can't listen to this song without beaming. It makes me want to be in love. Or I guess, just give love to get used.
Love To Get Used is a single off of Pond's new EP, Spring Fools. Buy the EP here, and look out for Pond's summer tour, hopefully coming to a city near you!
