Remember the band with the song that Natalie Portman said would change your life? After 5 years, they’re finally back. And they’re as good as before, if not better, with this lovely, pop-rock jam called The Simple Song. It simply is great. And it gets better with every listen (at least for me). I can totally imagine jamming to this in a big arena-like place with my cringeworthy air-guitar skills. Speaking of, the guitar riffs here are sick! Welcome back Mr Mercer and gang. Check The Simple Song out below.

The Simple Song is from their forthcoming album Port of Morrow, out March 20 2012.

So with this, I’ll begin my posting a song from an album that I haven’t really stopped listening to since I got a hold of it – Caveman’s Coco Beware. I remember absolutely dying to get a hold of their album after watching what has now become my favourite Yours Truly sessions. And when I saw the album at Rasputin record store when I was in San Francisco, I shrieked so loud, my sister thought I had seen one of the boys from Take That (I was going through a phase then…)

In a somewhat reverse trend in the music scene as of late, Caveman goes back to hushed levels with harmonised vocals and beautifully controlled (yet, not at all dull) percussions taking centre stage here. Bearing a slight resemblance to Grizzly Bear (albeit a little bit more uplifting), I adore the subtle folk layers that come through in their songs. Check out the Yours Truly session for Great Life here, and an mp3 of December 28th below.

Caveman – December 28th mp3

The hipster within (deep deep within me) is secretly attracted to hipster guy in singlet walking with a sense of purpose, down the streets and onto the railway tracks. Romantic fantasy of course ends near the end of the video where they’re ripping apart and eating something bloody. I’m just gonna pretend it’s cooked pork belly cause I keep thinking of it…

Anyway, the song’s pretty cool as well. Good to chill to at 2.30am and maybe even at 2.30pm. Check Supreme Cuts out. They have a lot of rad (hipster within me using hipster language) tracks.

It’s been a VERY long while since I’ve filled this space. I blame the lethal combination of laziness and a journalism internship.

But anyway, as I was walking home today, feeling as though my uterus was about to drop for some reason (too much info I know but I have to vent somewhere, and laziness is preventing me from doing on my 5 other social media outlets), I wanted desperately to listen to a band I haven’t listened to in a while, The Chairs.

I remember when I first got a hold of their November EP back in 2008, kI fell in love with lead singer Alex Schaff’s voice and their ability to write and arrange such beautiful melodies.

And miraculously, when I got back home I saw sessions that Yellow Ostrich (which is another project by Alex Schaff)  did with KEPX radio on my youtube subscription list.

I remember giving a listen to Yellow Ostrich a while back but I think I dismissed it at the time because it felt too lo-fi- something, which The Chairs wasn’t.

But after watching the videos, the sound of Yellow Ostrich, at least in my opinion, has really developed. It still has that lo-fi sound but it does not dominate. AND I still love Alex Schaff’s vocals. Still resonates in a way that it did with The Chairs.

The song Whales is awesome. With the lovely guitar and the percussion that provide a very strong accompaniment to the song. The melody, especially, is awesome.

Fail whale, it is not. (Lame, I know).

Yellow Ostrich – Whale mp3

Go over to Yellow Ostrich’s Bandcamp and download all/most of his albums for free if you want. (or you can pay).

I absolutely can’t get enough Sun of a Gun by Danish artist, Oh Land!! The 24-year old Øland Fabricius has just recently released her self-titled EP and a very impressive video to the first single, Sun of a Gun.

The dance-dream-pop track is super super infectious. I absolutely love that this song has a right balance to it. Her strong vocals perfectly complement and balances the dance elements and is not at all underwhelming. Check it out!

Oh Land- Sun of a Gun mp3

And a cute, stripped down version!

I’m absolutely digging this track by Young the Giant. I remember listening to this the first time when I was still in the US and then I realised that they were heading down to San Francisco the day I was leaving!! (randomfact101).

Anyway My Body is just an awesome rock track. It’s one of them tracks that I would love to listen to in a arena/stadium and just sing along like I’m the biggest fan girl in the world. I’m not always a fan of the big, ambitious, anthemic rock track but this one I can’t help but love.

I Got on the other hand is a less upbeat but equally feel good song. This one you want to put on repeat all night and while the hours away in your room.

Young the Giant- My Body:

Young the Giant- I Got:

Young the Giant – My Body mp3

Young the Giant – I Got mp3

Also, check out this cool take away video session of I Got!

Young the Giant is set to release their self-titled debut album digitally October 26 via Roadrunner Records.

I’m really loving Sunset’s Moonlight, especially tonight because it perfectly complements the cool, breezy weather tonight. Its hazy, dream-pop mellow feel and fuzzy melody is so appealing because it makes me want to lay in bed, put on my headphones, listen to this song and stare at the random glow-in-the-dark stars on my ceiling. Hopefully, I’ll finish my work and this will be a reality soon (the bed seems so inviting right now)!

Sunset- Moonlight mp3

Moonlight is off Sunset’s upcoming LP, Loveshines but the Moon is Shining Too (LOVELY album title!!). It’s out digitally September 7 via Autobus Records and physically October 12.

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!

I’m seriously dreading Valentine’s Day this year but for some reason I find myself enjoying love songs more than ever. One song that I absolutely love is M. Ward’s Never Had Nobody Like You.  And for She & Him fans, the song features Zooey Deschanel so you know it’s gonna sound sweet, quirky and especially charming. Oh, and it’s just so wonderfully… quaint! The song’s from Hold Time, the album which is out 17th February. So do look out for it, I’m pretty excited about it.

M. Ward- Never Had Nobody Like You (Feat. Zooey Deschanel) mp3

M. Ward- Rave On (Feat. Zooey Deschanel) mp3

She & Him- Why Do You Let Me Stay Here mp3

Also, since I’m on the topic of love songs, Starbucks have released the second volume of their love songs covers compilation, Sweetheart and I’m really loving what I’ve heard already. Definite highlights Rogue Wave’s cover of Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Maps and especially Jem’s beautiful beautiful take on Coldplay’s Yellow, arguably my favourite Coldplay song to date.

So anyways, whether you’re gonna be alone on Saturday evening or having a great dinner with a ferrero rocher bouquet(Such a cliche, but I would totally love one!), I guarantee you’ll love the tunes, yo! ENJOY!

Jem- Yellow (Coldplay Cover) mp3

Rogue Wave- Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs Cover) mp3

Death Cab for Cutie- Love Song (The Cure Cover) mp3

So, I’m finally at the time in my life where I’ve only come to realise that one can’t simply lose weight by wishing to eat less and by thinking that running for the bus every morning should be suffice enough to call it exercise. I look at myself and I immediately know that I can’t put of exercising any further and have thus decided to run at least once every week. But running is such a pain in the (fat) ass such that only a perfect playlist can keep me going and also the fact that my sister has said on more than one occasion that I actually might look a little attractive(!!) after I run. So this is for those who have to really force themselves to run and just good music for others.

Chester French- She Loves Everybody (Neptunes Remix) mp3

Weird Tapes- Glorious mp3

Chromatic Flights- Warmer Morning Storms mp3

Cut Copy- Lights And Music mp3

Blind Man\’s Colour- Jimmy Dove mp3

Chad VanGaalen- TMNT Mask mp3

Let\’s Call It Off (Girl Talk Remix) – Peter Bjorn & John

Max Vernon- I Kissed A Girl (Katy Perry cover) mp3

Beach House- Gila mp3

Chairlift- Evident Utensil (MGMT Remix) mp3

Friendly Fires Feat. Au Revoir Simone- Paris (Aeroplanes Remix) mp3

M.I.A. – Boyz mp3

Matt & Kim- Good Ol\’ Fashion Nightmare mp3

Also, if you want to download all the songs in one go, click HERE!