Chilly Gonzales - Knight Moves(stream only)
Gonzales is what you might call the Renaissance Man of the music business. A talented pianist, self-taught producer and songwriter, he has recently added acting to his CV. As a companion piece to his latest album Ivory Tower, he has released the same-titled film with fellow Canadians Tiga and Peaches. The story follows a chess game between two brothers (Chilly and Tiga), who are competing over the love interest of the same woman (Peaches). Oh, and just to highlight the ambition of this man once more, as of last year, he is the official Guinness World Record holder for the longest concert by a solo artist. He played 27 hours of music and nearly 200 pieces, ranging from Chopin to the Clash.
NazcarNation - Beeswax (Star Slinger Remix)(stream only)
Have you ever played DJ as a child? You know, by twisting the volume knob up and down to the beat of the song? Well, I can’t help but have Star Slinger remixes remind me of that. Having said that, I simply can’t get enough of this song’s beat, almost coming at the listener in waves. Ever since I’ve heard this mix, it has been on an obsessive repeat.
Humans - Avec Mes Mecs(stream only)
Love the synth, love the lyrics and I'm quite a big fan of humans as well. Enough said.
Oh and the lyrics are great:
"I'm gonna text you,
So I don't do it when I'm high,
I'm gonna sex you,
'Cause I can't do it when I'm high."
Janelle Monae - Cold War(stream only)
Yet another infectious song by the highly energetic and talented Janelle Monae.
Free Energy - I'm Going Down(stream only)
A very straight-forward, true-to-the-original cover of Bruce Springsteen's hit. If anything, it reminds us of how great the oldies are.
The Coward and the Pelican - Let's Dress Up Again(stream only)
The best Halloween song I've ever heard. Your typical story plot line:
- A vampire meets a pirate
- A vampire falls in love with a pirate
- A vampire wants to share candy with the above-mentioned pirate
A Little Nothing - Secret Sayings(stream only)
The closest you can get to sounding like the XX without being the XX.
Dreamend - Magnesium Light(stream only)
Dreamend has an independent sound, able to combine shoegaze with bluegrass and folk.
The Smooth Maria - Abandoned Town(stream only)
A gentle song, that picks up in the middle, accelerating only to come to a gentle denouement.
Sufjan Stevens - All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version)(stream only)
A lot has been said about Sufjan's recent CD The Age of Adz. No, it does not possess the heart-felt self-deprecation or the wonderful, almost mythical stories of Illinois and Michigan. In fact, it's not even a state album. As much as I applaud Sufjan for not being afraid to push himself musically, I can't help but miss the old sound. Melancholy is not as bitter-sweet anymore. The song that did attract my attention was not however from The Age of Adz, but rather from the preceding EP All Delighted People. The so-called "Classic Rock" version is a mere 8:07, a snippet by Sufjan's standards (on the CD, the final song clocks in at 25:34). It comes to an orchestral culmination, but in this new Sufjan reincarnation, the orchestra is accompanied by an electric guitar and a dollop of synth glitches.
Matthew Dear - Slowdance(stream only)
The award for the best "Pum-pum-pum-pa-dum, pum-pa-pa-dum-pum-pum-pa-dum" of the year.
Karkwa - Le Pyromane(stream only)
When Karkwa won this year's Polaris Prize (which, I am sure you all knew, is the most prestigious Canadian indie music award), it took many by surprise. To be completely frank, I haven't heard much of the band until the award, but that now that I have, I'm of a strong opinion that they are one of the best Francophone bands of late.
Trophy Wife - Microlite(stream only)
Self-described by the band as "ambitionless office disco". Really? Really?
FM Belfast - Par Avion(stream only)
A song too summery to be on the October playlist, but we all need a little bit of sunshine.
Mesita - Somewhere Else(stream only)
Continuing with the sunshine feel, I offer the mesmerising strumming of Mesita. If you like what you hear, you can download their EPs from the band's website.
Deerhunter - Helicopter(stream only)
Laden with interweaving layers, Deerhunter's single "Helicopter" from their new album Halcyon Digest is like the rock above Tantalus' head - appearing to teeter on the edge, it threatens to fall down at any moment, yet never does, preserving its delicate balance.
Sharon van Etten - Don't Do It(stream only)
I hope the sheer power of this song explains why Sharon van Etten has been known for "silencing rooms in drunken bars for a long time" (according to TV on the Radio's Kyp Malone, who has discovered her and invited to open for his band.)
Melissa Horn - New York(stream only)
This Swedish songstress reminds me of Celine Dion (don't cringe) with the ease that she uses her expressive voice.
Revolver - Get Around Town(stream only)
Capping off the October playlist is the French band Revolver. Named after the Beatles album, with this song, the band proudly wears its influences on their sleeves.
I didn't listen to any of the music, but the fish are great!
ReplyDelete