Rugged yet enticing, Charli XCX’s latest single, “Gold Coins,” is another slam dunk for the pop diva.
Released today via the London Queen’s YouTube channel, the video confirms that Charli is sticking to this theme of punk rock/pop-ish music on her upcoming album, Sucker.
Charli’s album is due to release Dec. 16 (US) and Jan. 26 (UK). You can pre-order “Sucker” here. In the meantime, check out “Gold Coins” below and tell us what you think!
Father John Misty has released the first single off of his new album.
“Bored in The USA” is a slow, piano-based satire, backed with Josh Tillman’s powerful vocals and even more powerful lyrics.
As a play off the 1984 Bruce Springsteen hit “Born in The USA”, Father John Misty strikes the same political chord 30 years later. Lines like “they gave me a useless education” and “keep my prescriptions filled” are echoed with corny laughter typical of a game show from the sixties.
In a sea of singles about shaking your assets and self-centered love, it is, at the least, refreshing. This beautifully written melody matched with a well-informed perspective of American culture is more of a twin to Springsteen than a rip-off.
Father John Misty is the newest side project of singer-songwriter J. Tillman, former Fleet Foxes drummer. “Bored in The USA” is the introduction to the second Father John album, “I Love You Honeybear”, set for release in February 2015.
According to SubPop, “I Love You, Honeybear is a concept album about a guy named Josh Tillman who spends quite a bit of time banging his head against walls, cultivating weak ties with strangers and generally avoiding intimacy at all costs”.
The highly anticipated album will be available in four different formats that include 11 songs total – hopefully all as wonderfully mastered as this release.
4/5
After an eight-year hiatus from the studio, Damien Rice has released his third album, My Favourite Faded Fantasy.
Since his last studio release, 9, in 2006, Rice has been touring and working on collaborations with a multitude of artists, including Ray LaMontagne and David Gray. Rice’s last individual release was a live album in 2007, Live at Fingerprints: Warts and All.
Although it’s been almost a decade, fans of Rice don’t have to worry about this album being a complete re-vamp of his soft style.
My Favourite Faded Fantasy is a collection of rainy day music, complete with piano, guitar, violin, and Rice’s signature raspy, soothing vocals.
The album begins with the title track, a mysteriously dark and high-pitched melody. As the song builds, layers of different instruments and distorted sounds metabolize into a grander picture that defines the album, then ends abruptly.
The second song, “It Take A Lot To Know A Man”, introduces Rice’s familiar use of violin and catchy yet profound lyrics. However, from there, the album seems to ride a steady stream of a lot of the same.
Golden tracks include “I Don’t Want to Change You” and the beautiful eight-minute long “Trusty And True”, which oddly, holds a slight reminiscent feel you could compare to that of The Decemberists.
The album rounds out with a token Rice tune, “Long Long Way”, featuring slow, repetitive lyrics that are supported by ghostly female backing vocals and a plethora of soft instruments, including a clarinet that helps the album fade out.
Whereas many of Rice’s most popular slow ballads provide an array of technical instrumental solos or surprise monk-like vocals, the majority of My Favourite Faded Fantasy has a simpler feel.
For die-hard fans, the album would be considered a great and long-awaited response to 9; for long-time listeners and more surface level fans, the album has a couple of solid, interesting tracks that uniquely fit with Rice’s previous work. However, for virgins of Rice’s music, this album is not suggested for your first listen.
Compared to 9 and the album that shot him to success, O, My Favourite Faded Fantasy is, for the most part, a mundane compilation. The album is far from “bad” and still holds a couple of great songs, but the album as a whole doesn’t rise to the same of level of Rice’s previous masterpieces.
Although the Ireland native’s newest album has skyrocketed to number one in his home country, I’m not sure it will do the same outside of the U.K.
While My Favourite Faded Fantasy is a good album to flip through on a drizzly day, refer back to O to soak up the true brilliance of Damien Rice.
3/5
The perfect song can elevate your mood to a whole new level. There is a reason Zumba and other dance aerobics classes are successful. Music has the effect of reducing how much you think about exercising and the ability to increase your endurance. For those who don’t exactly enjoy making a trip to the gym, music can offer some assistance. While there are different genres better suited for specific exercise methods, this playlist offers a collection suited for anyone. Listen below!
15. Fall Out Boy – “Centuries”
Fall Out Boy’s latest release, “Centuries,” has to be included in any workout. The beat is driving, and the lyrics are inspiring.
14. Bleachers – “I Wanna Get Better”
Newcomers to the alternative scene, Bleachers released one of the best songs of the year called “I Wanna Get Better.” It’s incredibly motivating without being slow or boring.
13. New Politics – “Harlem”
“Harlem” is one of New Politics biggest hits. It must have been made specifically for gym-goers (probably not).
12. The Beastie Boys – “Sabotage”
The Beastie Boys created some of the best rap music of all time. “Sabotage” is one of their most iconic and definite to increase your motivation.
11. M.I.A. – “Paper Planes”
“Paper Planes” by M.I.A. is one of the best hip-hop songs of all time and definitely fun to exercise to. Just be careful not to make the hand signals while working out, as to avoid falling off a machine.
10. The White Stripes – “Icky Thump” and “Seven Nation Army”
The White Stripes are famous for their rocking guitar riffs and thumping drum kicks, so it’s no secret their music is perfect for exercise. I would recommend their entire discography, but ultimately, their hit singles like “Seven Nation Army” and “Icky Thump” are ideal.
9. The Ting Tings – “Shut Up and Let Me Go”
A forgotten gem from years past is “Shut Up and Let Me Go” by The Ting Tings. If listened to one too many times, it can be extremely obnoxious. But just the right amount and you’ll fall in love.
8. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – “Can’t Hold Us”
“Can’t Hold Us” is one of the many hits by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. I would recommend the entire Heist album to exercise to, but if you don’t have the patience, this is the best.
7. Eminem – “Till I Collapse”
Eminem is notorious for his powerful and mostly inspirational lyrics. “’Till I Collapse” is one of many that can be used for motivation.
6. Drake – “0-100”
Although Drake’s latest single “0-100/The Catch-Up” was released in July, it’s now beginning to climb up the charts. The single contains the classic elements of a rap song and offers a less emotional feel, as opposed to many of the artist’s songs.
5. OneRepublic – “Love Runs Out”
OneRepublic is making a comeback with their pop-infused alternative. Their latest release “Love Runs Out” is catchy and fun, providing a nice break from their breakthrough slower hits.
4. Queen – “Don’t Stop Me Now”
Another classic that can’t be forgotten is “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. Really any song by Queen is motivation to exercise, but this hit is perfect for a workout playlist.
3. Bruce Springsteen – “Born to Run”
“Born to Run” is a classic, guaranteed to induce nostalgia and distract from the effort put into your workout. With the heavy instrumentals, the song is incredibly powerful and inspiring.
2. Imagine Dragons – “Radioactive – Grouplove and Captain Cuts Remix”
The remix for Imagine Dragon’s most popular song “Radioactive” offers a change of pace for those tired of the original. The remix features an enthusiastic verse by Kendrick Lamar, which is sure to transform your most likely unenthusiastic attitude.
1. Taylor Swift – “Shake It Off”
“Shake It Off” is essential to a good workout. One of the biggest songs of the year, it contains a sick. beat. that can make anyone get up off the couch and onto the treadmill.
Approaching the box office at Terminal West on Tuesday night, I could hear what sounded like an acoustic version of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.‘s “Beautiful Dream” and I had to check my watch. Doors at 8pm. Music at 9pm. And there’s an opener, right? It’s not even 9:30. How can this be? Am I really missing the show? And one of my favorite songs at that? Sh*t.
I walk inside and indeed, it is true. Detroit boys Daniel Zott and Joshua Epstein are on stage, instruments in hand, singing away. It was only after the next song (which they explained was written for the first album but didn’t make the cut) that I learned what was happening here. The opening act didn’t show. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. was opening for themselves. Sort of awkward. Sort of awesome. They continued with a couple covers, admitting they were killing time, ended with The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” and let the crowd know they’d be back out in a bit.
Returning to the stage after the typical 20ish minute break, the duo are now joined by a live drummer and multi-instrumentalist in the backstage to fill out that bigger sound we were missing in their stripped-down opening set and clad in different outfits (Daniel even dropped the blanket he had wrapped himself in and wrestled his guitar strap over). Like a whole new band, right?
Beginning the “real” set with “Morning Thought,” the first song off their 2011 album It’s a Corporate World, they cruised through a handful of familiar favorites employing the energy and explosiveness we’ve come to love from these guys, with Joshua wasting no time hopping off stage and getting down into the crowd only three songs into the set.
Their newest single, “James Dean” was prefaced with an anecdote explaining that they released the track without the knowledge or consent of their record label, and albeit lacking label support, it’s gone on to be the most successful song they’ve ever put out. Personally, it’s not a favorite. But the crowd most certainly had a more palpable reaction than to any other song so far in the evening, which included some great ones… (“Don’t Tell Me”, “Simple Girl”, “Vocal Chords”…)
Following the new with the old, next up was “When I Open My Eyes” trailed by one of my favorite songs of the evening “Run” off their 2013 release The Speed of Things. This one was a close second to the super-melodic “War Zone” which came up after they played another new one, titled “In the Middle.” This new song was much more promising than “James Dean”… I kept thinking of “Burning Down the House” every time they went into the chorus. Not a bad thing at all.
The telephone mic Josh had been using on and off throughout the show gets called into action to mic his sax for “War Zone,” and they closed the main set out with the anthemic “Almost Lost Detroit” before returning with “A Haunting” to open up the encore. Complete with bubbles galore and the most wild light show we had seen thus far in the evening, they continued with arguably their biggest hit and certainly most dance-inducing song “If You Didn’t See Me [Then You Weren’t On The Dancefloor]”.
The evening closed on a make-you-want-to-hold-hands-with-the-person-next-to-you note with “Nothing But Our Love” and both Joshua and Daniel immediately bolted from the stage to the merch booth, embracing clamoring fans and happily signing countless autographs.
If opening for themselves wasn’t already a fairly big hint, this was a true sign that this couple of Detroit boys, despite their success, haven’t lost their humility and gratitude for their supporters. A good reason to keep on loving Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and coming out to enjoy their rowdy and shamelessly enjoyable live shows.
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James Franco and his art school classmate, Tim O’Keefe, make up the band Daddy, and Thursday, they showed everyone exactly who their daddy was when they released the video for their new single, “This Charming Man.”
The video – debuted via VICE – is more than a music video, though. Cast through an assortment of colors, shades, hues and shadows, it is evident the artistic angle in which the video was filmed. The song itself is reported to be based on a ten-poem sequence written by Franco that was inspired by The Smiths songs, including “This Charming Man.” Daddy even got The Smith’s bassist, Andy Rourke, to play on the album.
The band’s Smith-inspired album, Let Me Get What I Want, comes out in 2015. Check out “This Charming Man” below!
Azealia Banks has come a longgg way from her “Licorice” days, but that’s not a bad thing at all.
Today, the New York rapper released the video for her single “Chasing Time,” a single off of her highly anticipated and recently released Broke With Expensive Taste. The single, which is upbeat and a little refreshing for Banks, has a sort of ’90s club anthem feel to it. The video is definitely one of Azealia’s best, channeling what looks like a little TLC, Lil’ Kim, and maybe some Missy Elliot with the semi- trashbag look.
The simplistic design of the video, with its monochromatic color scheme, also kind of reminds viewers of the “Single Ladies” video. Too bad Beyonce doesn’t have the rapping abilities of Azealia, though. The song, the video, Azealia. I’m a fan of all of the components that make up “Chasing Time.”
Check out the video below, and go out and grab Broke With Expensive Taste!
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This is the sound you need.
The Brooklyn-based quartet, MOTHXR, released a new single for fans Wednesday by the name of “Stranger.” However, strangers we are not to this dark and suave band led by frontman Penn Badgley – yes, the dude from Gossip Girl.
Along with the other members of MOTHXR – Simon Oscroft, Jimmy Giannopoulos, and Darren Will – “Stranger” is has an amazing slow and steady beat whose origins I can’t really pinpoint.
The song comes off as having some R&B influences, causing those listening along to end up rocking like Stevie Wonder playing the keyboard. The beat has this ’70s funk-a-delic feel to it and makes you imagine driving along in a big city like Atlanta or L.A. at night when all the lights are glowing. The vocals are like a mix of Robin Thicke with the edgy style of soul and Sam Smith with the smooth runs on certain words. The repetition of “I don’t give a f**k at all” just adds that something special to the song that makes you want to play it over and over again.
Music from the band before “Stranger” includes their three prior songs: “Easy,” “Victim” and “Centerfold.” These songs are also huge hits among fans of MOTHXR (ahem, “Victim”) and are very telling of the future of the band.
Check out “Stranger” for yourself below. Forget Gossip Girl, MOTHXR is where it’s at.
As I’m sure you all have heard about and/or seen, Taylor Swift’s video for her 1989 track “Blank Space” was released earlier this week (twice, actually, counting that awkward time that Yahoo completely effed up and leaked it prematurely).
In the video – which some are claiming to be Swift’s best yet – T.Swift starts off in this extravagant relationship in this extravagant mansion doing all the extravagant things that wealthy people do – painting portraits of her lover, eating at ridiculously long dinner tables, and riding white horses through her impressive acreage. The relationship is all great until Swift cathches the guy texting another girl, and she goes completely batsh*t crazy.
Nowhere near the insanity of the movie “Misery” or Pink’s “Please Don’t Leave Me” video, Swift still manages to pull of the “overly attached girlfriend” look with mascara running down her wide-eyed face and slashing the portrait of her former beau. She also completely destroys his cars, smashing the hood and headlights with a golf club. Who’s the mean one now, Taylor?
Check out the video below to see the craziness yourself. But, in my opinion, forget Taylor. Who’s the hottie?
Angels and Airwaves (AVA) may have had a few changes in the band’s roster, but that still doesn’t stop them from dishing out new tunes for their fans.
Wednesday, the rock band – consisting of guitarist and vocalist, Tom DeLonge (blink-182) and drummer, Illan Rubin- released the new music video for their single, “The Wolfpack.” The video and track both revolve around a guy trying persistently to find an unforgettable girl that he just can’t seem to get off his mind, seeing her in dreams and hearing her voice when she isn’t there.
The weird part of the video is that the people the guy believes to be the girl all turn out to be women wearing plastic animal masks. It’s like a scene out of M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village.”
“The Wolfpack” song is itself captivating, as it’s one of those tunes where you think “…meh” after hearing it for the first time and then end up listening to it forty times in a row afterwards. The song, like the girl, will end up consuming your mind.
Check out “The Wolfpack” below!