The Ting Tings – “Hands”
“Hands” is the title of The Ting Tings’ new debut single from their sophomore album, ‘Massage Kunst’, which just recently premiered on BBC Radio 1. It sounds more like a Ting Tings and Calvin Harris collaboration though, which it basically is because Calvin Harris was the one who produced this track. It’s a very different sound for them – way more disco and synths and not enough of their signature rough drum beats.
I’m not completely loving it but it definitely is catchy. Don’t get me wrong, I love Calvin Harris, but I don’t like the direction this is going for The Ting Tings. Who knows? Maybe their rumored collaborations with Jay-Z and Rihanna might be better.
The Ting Tings – “Hands” by vinylandvodka
of Montreal – “Coquet Coquette” (Music Video)
The vampire hype doesn’t just stop at Twilight, True Blood and Vampire Weekend. of Montreal’s beach freakshow video for “Coquet Coquette” features vampires and naked people fighting and beating each other up. (I thought vampires die when exposed to sunlight?)
Rihanna – “Rude Boy” (Blondes Remix) (feat. Mariah Carey)
Seeing the name Mariah Carey in a remix with Rihanna scared me for a bit when I read the post on Stereogum – but with Blondes remixing the pop track it was bound to be somewhat listenable. Turns out it was – and more than just that. Only the instrumental of “Rude Boy” is what’s left of Rihanna in this remix, leaving only echo-y high pitched screams from the diva Mariah Carey present. Now it’s not as bad as it sounds, because only Blondes can make this type of remix work.
This song is part of a 5 piece bundle that Merok has set up, so download the whole mix if you feel like it here.
Rihanna – “Rude Boy” (Blondes Remix) (feat. Mariah Carey) by vinylandvodka
Ra Ra Riot – “Boy” (RAC Mix)
Last month Ra Ra Riot released the “Boy” EP, a 3 song teaser to get us prepared for their sophomore album ‘The Orchard’ which is being released next week. The band is giving us a freebie remix of the single “Boy”, remixed by RAC, one of my favorite DJ’s/DJ collectives. They didn’t just remix the track, but ‘upped’ and enhanced it.
Ra Ra Riot – “Boy” (RAC Mix) by vinylandvodka
Yeasayer – “Madder Red” (Music Video)
Actress Kristen Bell stars in Yeasayer’s new music video for “Madder Red”. In the video she loses her beloved ‘pet’, a disgusting looking creature that makes the video hilarious and heartbreaking.
M.I.A. – “XXXO” (Music Video)
M.I.A. just launched her new music video to “XXXO” (directed by Hype Williams and herself), a song that I originally disliked but heavily grew on me.
Maya is looking beautiful in this, but it gets contrasted by the 2005 Myspace-looking graphics that centers the whole concept of the video. The signature M.I.A. amateur look is there. If you have heard her new album, you know that one of the concepts and motifs of the album is about the internet and technology, which obviously is present.
My favorite part of the video are the unicorns.
Simian Mobile Disco – “Nerve Salad”
You may or may not know that Simian Mobile Disco is a resident DJ at FIXED – a weekly nightclub party in New York that has had big guests like Basement Jaxx, LCD Soundsystem, Peaches, etc. DJing and playing concerts.
“Nerve Salad” is an original SMD track that you haven’t heard before, and is featured in their ‘Simian Mobile Disco is Fixed’ mixtape which comes out on October 12th. The songs that they like to play the most at FIXED are being included in this mixtape, and it will also include exclusive unheard remixes.
P.S. – I’m going to start using Soundcloud so you can listen to the song first and then you can download it by clicking on the “down” arrow on the right side of the embedded player. Since I’m using a free account it’s limited to 100 downloads for each song, so download quick! If you guys like it and it’s going well I’ll buy a premium account.
Simian Mobile Disco – “Nerve Salad” by vinylandvodka
Kanye West – “Power” (Music Video)
This is almost a week old, but this can’t not be posted. Kanye West delivered us a music video for his new single, “Power”. If you know me well, you probably know that Kanye’s music usually isn’t my favorite but I still respect him as one of the biggest hip-hop artists of our time. In fact, the only song that I love of his other than “Power” is probably “Stronger”.
I love that this is actually considered as more of a piece of art than just of him lip syncing and showing off all of his money, fame, and power (which I thought it would be about). The set-up of the people, costumes, choreography, etc. is beautifully arranged, and i loved the difference of the symmetric and the asymmetric composition.
There’s way more to say but Confusion has already said it. Read his views on this here.
Skream & La Roux – “Finally”
I’m so so so so so so sorry for not blogging for the past couple weeks – life happens. I got a job, my cousin came in town, and we traveled for a bit. But I’m back!
Skream and La Roux collaborated together for a song called “Finally” for Skream’s new album, ‘Outside The Box’. La Roux’s debut album was very vibrant, with all of her songs being very jumpy and dancy. “Finally” starts off dramatically with an animalistic vibe and shows us a slightly different, darker side of Elly Jackson.
Sky Ferreira – “Sex Rules”
I’m so excited to share this with you guys. All of the pop songs nowadays are somewhat related to sex, but in a hidden, dirty lyrical way. Sky Ferreira puts it all out there and just admits that sex rules. “Sex Rules” is Sky’s newest single, and probably my favorite of the 3 yet. It’s produced by Billy Steinberg (who has written for aritsts like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston) and Greg Kurstin (Lily Allen, Kylie Minogue, Sia), and the result is a synth that sounds like it’s borrowed from the 80’s mixed with a modern electric feel.
I mean, who can disagree with Sky on this?
HURTS – “Wonderful Life” (Music Video)
7 months ago I confessed my love to HURTS, and even though they haven’t really released anything, the 2nd and newest video for “Wonderful Life” has reminded me of how much I love them. Even though a 2nd video wasn’t necessary, (watch their first one here) I was happy to see that they didn’t just disappear.
The video is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen. Beautiful people, location, clothes, etc. The cinematography was brilliant as well. Their classic image suits the early 2000’s Dior Homme style when Hedi Slimane was the head designer. This is a beautiful mix of music and fashion.
P.S. Am I the only one that notices a very slight difference of this version of the song and the old version? Something seems different…
