_Lykke Li – “Sadness Is A Blessing” (Gold Panda Remix)

I’m enamored of Lykke Li’s album, ‘Wounded Rhymes’. Every song is a masterpiece. Gold Panda remixed one of my favorite tunes from the album, “Sadness Is A Blessing“, and made the track into a light and airy version. Gone are the heavy drums and loud instruments, which are being replaced with a daint dance beat.

Lykke Li – “Sadness Is A Blessing” (Gold Panda Remix) by vinylandvodka

_Lady Gaga – “Judas”

4 days before the official release of “Judas”, Lady Gaga decided to rush the release, offering the download yesterday. This was probably due to the low quality leaks that were surfacing the web the day before. “Judas” is a smash pop record with heavy influences from heavy rock, and I can almost even hear melodies that Aqua might have produced. Fact is, Lady Gaga has taken a step forward with her usual dance tracks and ties in cultural references in the tune. The only thing that people might find irritating is her screeching ‘JU DA/ JU DAS’. I feel like this track might be a grower though, I’m loving it more each play.

Judas is hear to stay, so let the cultural baptism begin.

Lady Gaga – JUDAS by igapromotion

_Cults – “Abducted”

I’m excited that Cults is finally putting an album out soon. “Abducted” is taken from their upcoming debut album, being released this summer. The band broke out of their shell and it seemed like they took a risk with “Abducted”, as it is a louder, more fast paced track than all of the others that we’ve heard. Plus their guitarist Brian makes his singing debut in this track as well. This might even be my favorite song by them. I want summer to come already, but it looks like Edmonton’s far from it. (we almost had a blizzard yesterday)

_HURTS – “Better Than Love” (BURNS’ European Sex Version)

I haven’t listened to HURTS in a while, so this remix/version by Burns instantly grabbed my attention. The build up takes a mere 2 minutes to get into but when it does, it is SEXUAL. Props 514blog.

HURTS- BETTER THAN LOVE (BURNS’ EUROPEAN SEX VERSION) by THISISBURNS

_LCD Soundsystem – “Live Alone” (Franz Ferdinand Cover)

James Murphy’s retirement from LCD Soundsystem is still unjust to a lot of us, but at least he got off on the right note. The last and final (I’m pretty sure) tune under LCD Soundsystem that he’s putting out is a cover of Franz Ferdinand’s “Live Alone”, recorded for Record Store day. We’re sure he’ll be releasing more music sans band soon, so he’ll for sure be around for quite some time.

LCD Soundsystem – Live Alone (Franz Ferdinand cover) by DominoRecordCo

_Santigold – “Go” (Feat. Karen O.)

A Santigold and Karen O collaboration makes sense. Santigold is strange and Karen is quirky, so the two is bound to put out something interesting. At least we thought they would. “Go” is probably a track that would either a hit or miss for people; unfortunately, it’s a miss for us. Santigold’s raspy vocals and the melody of the track joined by the constant drumming just gets tired 30 seconds in. The 1st listen was good. The 2nd listen got really annoying. During the 3rd play it sounded reminiscent of M.I.A.’s “Born Free”. Now that’s all we can think about: a lighter, not-so-hardcore version of Born Free.

Let us know what you think.

Santigold – “Go” (Feat. Karen O.) by vinylandvodka

_Rihanna x Britney Spears – “S&M” (Remix)

You know, I’ve always found it ironic that Rihanna made the song “S&M”. Yes, because of the Chris Brown incident. Britney Spears joins Rihanna in the horny, orgy song, whining out ‘chains and whips excite me’ and ‘it’s your turn to hurt me’. Was this recorded when Britney was sick? Because she definitely sounds like a dirty little girl (the autotune doesn’t help too). Or maybe she was just plugging her nose. Whatever, I’m sick of this song of hearing this song on repeat on the radio already.

_Birdy – “Skinny Love” (Bon Iver Cover)

A mysterious 14 year old girl named Birdy has been on repeat on my iPod in the past couple days. She delicately and beautifully covered Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love“, and if you’re not falling in love with her voice right away (which is kind of pedophile-ish, sorry), then something is wrong with you. Covering Bon Iver and pulling it off is hard to do, which she does effortlessly while playing the piano. There’s something very raw and inviting about her vocals that trickles a sense of maturity in her innocent, youthful personality. I want to hear more from her!