Mayer Hawthorne- I Wish It Would Rain

I’m not sure if it’s me or the crazy (always fluctuating) weather, but I’m pretty much sitting at my table wishing it would rain so I’d stop sweating like a pig. So thought Mayer Hawthorne’s I Wish it Would Rain might be pretty appropriate.

And really, even if it is already raining, this would still be perfect! From the laidback, motown vibe to the bittersweet lyrics, it’s the one you listen to as you’re all snuggled up in bed trying to enjoy the cool weather while deciding if all that should be cut short to go for that blasted morning lecture.

Get Mayer Hawthorne’s fabulous debut ‘A Strange Arrangement‘ now!

click to download!

Mayer Hawthorne- I Wish it Would Rain mp3

Vampire Weekend- Horchata

Honestly, the first single from Vampire Weekend’s sophomore album, Contra turned out to be pretty underwhelming. But I suppose that’s inevitable especially for a band who enjoyed massive success with their self-title debut album.

That doesn’t mean  that I don’t enjoy the song. But really, what this song has achieved is the need for me to try and include words like Horchata, Balaclava (or the bar at Suntec), Aranciata and Masada because they make it sound so cool, and rich actually.

So while I try to find appropriate ways in which I can incorporate those words, enjoy the track.

Although, I do seriously believe that the rest of their sophomore album (out January 11th) would be much more than Horchata which really does feel like a substandard extension of their debut album.

Click to download

Vampire Weekend- Horchata mp3

Islands- Tender Torture

Ever since its release a while back, I’ve been listening to this album on a daily basis. Islands‘ Vapours is essentially my get-ready-in-the-morning record! Gets me in the greatest possible mood with its very accessible, short pop songs with great hooks.

My favourite is definitely the super sweet Tender Torture. It leaves me with that fuzzy feeling and as I listen to the lyrics, there’s a permanent smile stuck on my face (even if I try to hide it because people in the bus tend to stare at people smiling a lovesick fool). And after the song’s over, I’d be all ‘Awwwwwww, I so want to be in love so I can quote the lyrics and dedicate it to my love on my livejournal.’ Haha, such simple dreams I have eh.

‘And if your ribs are peeking through your fur,
I’ll feed you some more’

What more can you ask from a guy?

Click to download!

Islands- Tender Torture mp3

Vapours is now out! Check it out!

The Balconies

The Balconies have been occupying a fair bit of my iPod time recently and I’ve been absolutely lappin’ it up. While The Balconies came across as a straight up power-pop trio at first, I’ve come to realise that they do shift within different genres. From slow jams, to dancefloor tracks to experimental-grunge-rock; and they manage to be effortlessly successful in shifting within the genres.

The trio consists of Jacquie Neville, her brother Steve and Liam Jaeger. Their tracks boast wonderful guitar licks, powerful drumming, catchy pop hooks and just a whole lot of energy. All three of them trade vocal duty and Jacquie impresses the most with her vocal range in most of the tracks. Jacquie’s voice remains dynamic and is able to hold your attention.

Smells Like Secrets is a track is one of the more pop songs and this one never fails to put me in a good mood. With a bass line to keep your toes tapping, the vocals and the accompanying harmonies that just draw you in and a subtle yet memorable hook, this one will definitely warrant multiple listens-on loop.

Rest Up is another track that I absolutely love. It’s more toward the rock  side and the trio trade vocals really nicely on this one boasting powerful guitar looks and hard-thumping bass line as well.

Check it out:

The Balconies- Rest Up mp3

The Balconies- Smells LIke Secrets mp3

The one to control your murderous tendencies while on public transport.

I seriously think public transport, especially at peak hours, brings out the worst in people. For me, those murderous instincts tend to take over. The sweaty arms brushing against mine, or people charging past me to make sure they get that empty seat they’re eyeing from a distance, everyone just leaning against you, people staring at you unnecessarily- it really irks me. Also doesn’t help when a couple is engaging in some PDA, releasing endorphins-being happy and what not, and I’m here barely breathing.

It scares me though that I sometimes have thoughts of killing the person next to me so that I have a little bit more breathing space.

It’s good then that I rely on buses for transport more than I do for trains. I usually get wonderful seats on buses and have a little bit more time to sleep. However my sleeping on buses would most probably instigate those aforementioned murderous tendencies in others around me. My head constantly rolling around ( I think my head head must have hit at least 3 people around me today) and sometimes I get the feeling I snore too (although I don’t really snore- I think)

So anyways, listening to some tuneage (look at how cool I am using this term) usually calms me down- right until the next person accidentally pushes me or knocks into me. So I’ve made a playlist of sorts that brings you into your own little world- helping you to create a much needed force-field (Serious, whaaat!). Nevertheless, enjoy this one. (:

Miike Snow- Animal (Fake Blood Remix)

Atlas Sound- Walkabout feat. Panda Bear

Arsenal- Estupendo mp3

The Very Best- Warm Heart of Africa feat. Ezra Koenig

The xx- Heart Skipped a Beat mp3

Still Flyin\’- Follow the Itinerary mp3

Deerhunter- Agoraphobia mp3

The Magic Kids- Hey Boy mp3

Blue Roses- I am Leaving mp3

Logan Lynn- Feed Me to the Wolves mp3

Jack Penate- Tonight\’s Today mp3

Animal Collective- Taste mp3

An Horse- Horizons mp3

Dirty Projectors- Stillness is the Move mp3

Fun. – At Least I\’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be). mp3

Or alternatively download the whole playlist here!

Islands- Vapours mp3

Despite an early morning lecture and a long day ahead, this title-track from Islands’ upcoming album managed to put  me in such an unbelievably good mood at 730AM. Lovely 60s-pop melody perfectly complemented with a catchy bassline. But more than the bassline, it’s the brass section that impresses me the most. The horns are bloody fantastic with its syncopated rhythms and all that. I’m obsessed!

I’m entertained, I’ve got dancing feet, liking the beat, and I’m definitely not complaining.

Click to download:

Islands-Vapours mp3

Islands’ Vapours is out 22nd September via Anti-

(Fan-made) Video for Grizzly Bear’s Two Weeks

I loved the official video for the song although I did admit it kind of creeped me out at first. But like the album, Veckatimest, it grew on me. And before I knew it, I’m emulating the whole blinking-one-eye-at-a-time. FAIL.This fan made video however is different but I think it absolutely captures the mood and the feel of the song perfectly!! Love it!

more about “(Fan-made) Video fro Grizzly Bear’s T…“, posted with vodpod

jj- n° 2

I first heard of jj only last night when some random person twittered about their super wonderful track, ‘masterplan’. I wish I could find that person twitter feed but damn @johncmayer and others for clogging up my feed (yet I can’t bring myself to un-follow them). I then woke up this morning and happened to read i’m waking up to where they featured another jj song, the free download via the label ‘from africa to málaga’

I don’t really know much about jj and with a name like jj- it’s not google friendly either. All I know is that they’re from Sweden and they’re signed to swedish label Sincerely Yours. Their sound essentially borrows various elements from many different genres from across the borders. From ambient pop to a little hip hop beat to reggae and some electronica. Yet, they do not come off as overly layered and complexed, in fact it’s pretty much accessible. Dreamy and breezy; light and uplifting. Perfect to round up the summer as we all prepare to get ready for school in two weeks time.

Click to download!

jj- from africa to málaga mp3

jj- masterplan mp3

Twin Sister- Vampires With Dreaming Kids EP

I only heard of Twin Sister last week. It was one of those nights where I was basically going from blog to blog and then I happened to be directed to their website and so began a sort of love affair with their Amazing 4-track EP Vampires With Dreaming Kids. I have to admit though the name of their EP definitely caught my attention. And you know what, I seriously think this is one of the most appropriate, aptly named EP’s out there. The 4 tracks does sound something Vampires with Dreamig Kids would listen to. Well, I wouldn’t know given my experience with vampires extends to True Blood. Listening to their EP is a wonderful experience. It transports me to a whole different world altogether. Dreamy pop meets Shoegaze except that it undertakes this very subtle structure not seen in other shoegaze-y sort of bands. The EP is definitely becoming one of my favourite 2009 releases thus far!

You know going back to my vampire/ True Blood reference, you know that scene where Jason Stackhouse and his girlfriend Amy do Vampire Blood, and they get higheverything is just really slowed down kind of like in a perfect dream sequence? Yeah it sort of feels like that. It really does take me to another world completely.

Do check out the EP because they’re giving it out for free! Along with a couple of other demo tracks as well.

Right click-save as to download:

Twin Sister- Ginger mp3

Twin Sister- I Want a House mp3

Neon Indian- Terminally Chill mp3

I think for this one the title says it all. Perfect chillout song. Makes me want to wear bright coloured clothes, bring out the disco lights (if I had some) and start pulling some fancy moves in my rollerskates circa 1980s. Absolutely wonderful.

Neon Indian’s debut LP Psychic Chasms is out October 13!

Click to download:

Neon Indian- Terminally Chill mp3