Driving Songs Installment

Telepopmusik- Brighton Beach


Telepopmusik has the overwhelming ability to calm your nerves and transport you into your own little world. That world while albeit being in your car is about as safe and tranquil as you can imagine.

'Brighton Beach' has remained a standout for me among road favorites for some time. It's serenity comes in the form of light crackles from what makes it seem like your listening to an old vinyl you just found. This song and a lonely road at night coupled with some overtaking lyrics is a recipe for driving bliss.

Sometimes Brighton Beach Sometimes half awake

Catch a Chillwave, You'll be Sittin on Top of the World

Toro Y Moi is new to the chillwave scene, but is already making a 'big splash'. K sorry, I'll stop. He's just one guy, 23 year old Chaz Bundick from South Carolina. His music sounds like a beachy sunset or morning to me. The track "Blessa" was released last year by Carpark, the label he recently signed with, but his debut album was just released this month. I really like that his songs aren't too lengthy (usually 2-3 min.) and I can listen to the whole thing without growing bored of it. The same reason why I have always liked the Beach Boys so much. He's currently on tour with The Ruby Suns, who are actually also pretty awesome themselves.

A few of my favourites from his debut album 'Causers of This':

Toro Y Moi- Causers of This
Toro Y Moi- You Hid
Toro Y Moi- Talamak <----- ♥ this one
Toro Y Moi- Fax Shadow

Washed Out is another one-man-band that you've probably already heard of and/or are going to a lot in the future. His name is Ernest Greene, also from South Carolina, and lives with his parents in Georgia. He makes his music from his bedroom. He's been all over the blogs and getting rave reviews from Pitchfork. He released several tracks on cassette only, which actually sold out quickly. Make sure you check out this serene video that Northern Lights created for 'Feel it all Around.' You may even know some of the travelers that star in it because they're from the 407 area code.

Washed Out- Feel it all Around (Toro Y Moi Remix)
Washed Out- Belong
Washed Out- Hold Out
Small Black- Despicable Dogs (Washed Out Remix)

Oh, you said you a gangster? Gotchu covered:

The Hood Internet- Feel it on the Southside (Birdman vs. Washed Out)

Do You Want More?

Does this blog leave you wanting more?

Do we deliver the goods or do you think we suck and/or are ghey? Should we be more hipster in order to get more fans by showing how culturally relevant we really are? Do you think we should sell-out/go mainstream? Should we just keep it real and write about shit that's on our mind. Do people still remember the 90s and how cool we thought we were when we would look back at the previous decade and make fun of how ridiculous everyone was in the 80s? Do alts/tweens think the same thing today when looking back at the 2000's?

Will This look be revived in 2k10?

Recently rediscoverd how much i used to like listening to the pre-techno dance music of the early 90s. Would feel really matture when my older sisters listened to this music and even let me jam out whenever I was in the car. I've been recently jamming out in the car to several of the aforementioned standouts from this era. Really been feeling like it would only be selfish on my part by not sharing with those who were to high on pot or listening to Nirvana to remember these totally rad jamz.

Captain Hollywood Project- More & More

Robin S- Show Me Love

DCUP - Style (HiBeams Remix)

Ok, so this track is not quite what I usually listen to, but goddamn do I love it. It's got a great bassline, chopped vocals, and plenty of open space to allow for mixing. You can find it on DCUP's newest release--a remix suite of their recent single, "Style".

I love producers that exercise restraint with their remixes and HiBeams has done that here. I want more of every element in this song, but realize that if there were more, I wouldn't like it as much. You always want what you can't have.

Producers should always be wary of giving the listener too much of a good thing. It's all about giving just enough to leave us wanting more; to make us return to their song again and again in an effort to get more. For me, HiBeams has done that with this track. And if the horns at 1:45 don't keep you coming back for more, then I'm just gonna give up.

DCUP - Style (HiBeams Remix)

I'm so excited! I'm so scared.

Caffeine pills must have been the Adderall of the 80's. Except in the 80's you popped some pills to stay awake and study for that Geometry test (so that you can get into Stanford). Today you pop some pills so you can ramble on in an unoriginal blog post that probably 2.5 people will even read. Thanks to Jessie Spano, this set is inspired by fem 80's infused sounds . It's a perfect playlist for that time in between 2am to 3am, due to irregular sleep habits, when you dance in front of the mirror half nekkid.... using the wand from the Rainbow Brite costume you wore for Halloween as a microphone...

Le Tigre- I'm so excited
Headman- Dirt (Shazam Remix)
Love and Electrik- Sex Video
O'Spada- Time
Groove Armada- Paper Romance (Classixx Remix)
Annie- Anthonio (Fred Falke Remix)
Sneaky Sound System- It's Not My Problem (Thin White Duke Remix)


*Donkeyboy is a fairly new pop/electronica group from Norway. Their single "Ambitions" is proper fresh and it held the #1 spot on the Norwegian charts for 12 straight weeks last year. Collect all 3:

Donkeyboy- Ambitions (Jaynorth Remix)
Donkeyboy- Ambitions (Cosmic Dawn Remix)
Donkeyboy- Ambitions

Hey Muscles, I Love You, I Wanna Have Your Babies

 

No, not him...this guy:

Not what you were expecting. I know.

The slender, self-proclaimed anti-alcoholic, Muscles, may like handing out fruit, but his talent really lies in producing catchy, feel-good, and at times funny songs, over upbeat, lo-fi melodies with raspy, off-key vocals. 

From Victoria, Australia, Muscles brings a youthful rebelliousness with his lyrics; Each song could be described as random, to say the least. His 2007 album Guns, Babes, Lemonade is a feel-good ride that makes you want to break it down in a Melbourne club and tell your teacher 'puck you miss'. Despite the oft-off key vocals, 'Guns, Babes, Lemonade' was greeted with critical praise, much in part to Muscles' hit single Ice Cream. This awesomely-unique song describes a young, confused Australian caught up in a precarious situation. Not knowing what else to do, Muscles utilizes Ice Cream to mitigate an awkward and potentially dangerous situation. This song will lead to lower tension in awkward situations, likely help you forget any stresses whatsoever, and potentially force you to dance with your shirt off. 

Muscles quickly developed a very strong following after the release of Guns Babes Lemonade. Soon after its release, Muscles announced via his MySpace page that not only was his 2nd album underway, but also an acoustic album would be released featuring acoustic versions of his traditionally lo-fi, electro jamz! But then............................................................................

 

nothing.

Muscles blogged about a possible falling out with his record label, Modular, but aside from a brief appearance on Triple J, nothing finite came out regarding his upcoming (or lack thereof) albums. So today, I bring to you, the best of Muscles, circa 2008, in hopes that we can have some Muscles in 2010. Pull out your four-four, grab your ladies, and sip on the finest lemonade.

Muscles - Ice Cream

Muscles - Hey Muscles I Love You

Muscles - Lauren from Glebe (Damage Edit)

Muscles - Ice Cream (Triple J Acoustic Version) 

(You MUST listen to the original, hammered, at a way-above-average house party, at least 10 times before you can fully appreciate this acoustic gem)

The Late Night Tip

"Do You Ever Get The Feeling Something isnt right"

Here by myself thinking of what to post for you guys as I often do and wondering how many people will this music make its way to(or has already)in this world. Wondering if it's worth staying in on a friday night to listen to above average music on my noise canceling headphones. Wondering If I will still care about these artists the same way in the morning or if we will care about these artists the same in the teen years(I hear thats what they will call this decade).

This night is making me want to post a lot of chillwave. Truthfully, not even sure what genre anything falls into anymore. Thinking we should go back to the 90s when it was so simple, so black & white. Pop/alt/alt-rock/rap it was all so easy then. I suppose I will leave the classifications for you to make. Lets just go to the talent.

"To much to say no one to play"

MillionYoung is the talented young Floridian that has spewing out sounds reminiscent of some of your favorite artists from the 80s(yeah all of em). The new EP "Be So True" is out so head over and check it.

MillionYoung- Cynthia

Thieves Like Us have dropped their new single via myspace. The single is taken off their upcoming album set to release later this year titled "Again & Again".

Thieves Like Us- Never Known Love

This Bent Remix has alluded me until this point. Better late than never implies here.

Bent- Always(DJ Krue Remix)

Swedens' Moto Boy here with with a melodramtic pop-ballad. You probaly saw them last night ifyou were anywhere near Forbrandingen.

Moto Boy- The Heart Is A Rebel

The Golden Filter are back with another taste of their dark dance blend. Here is the 1st single from the album which drops in April.

The Golden Filter- Hide Me

Hot Chip: One Life Stand

After a year spent covering such acts as Vampire Weekend and Joy Division, Hot Chip finally have given us what we've been awaiting. At first listen it would appear that in the time between their last release there had been the obligatory maturation process, well that is to be debated. Yes, 'One Life Stand' is slightly downtempo in spots due to what seems to be some experimentation in a new direction. This may deter those looking for uptempo-electro from open to close, however this album may be their most easily accessible.


There are some electro-pop pulses that show up in the album, for example the opener 'Thieves In The Night' which is a mini-banger dance epic for a full six minutes. One of the more poppier tracks heard is 'I Feel Better' which happens to be one of my favs(go figure),wait for the auto-tune. The 7th track 'Alley Cats' is more of how we have come to know and love Hot Chip. This blissful 5:21is both a wishful and an optimistic expression that will disarm any doubts regarding the album.


Although tracks seem to run together sometimes it is still a very enjoyable listen. It's very easy to sometimes take for granted the eclecticism that Hot Chip brings with each album made. Hot Chip made a great album, and it will be a solid addition to an already impressive collection. I will be anxious to see where they go from here.



Hot Chip- Thieves In The Night

Hot Chip- Alley Cats

Hot Chip- I Feel Better

Lo-Fi-Fnk

 

 So, these guys kinda creep me out. 

The vocal's are pretty bad, they don't have much range, and the Swedish accent is laughable at times.

However, I really enjoy 90% of the songs Lo-Fi-Fnk (pronounced Low Fi Funk) puts out, and you cannot argue that they produce some of the catchiest and most enjoyable electro beats out there.

Here's a new track from the Stockholm duo, and one not so new one I just re-discovered and I'm diggin again:

Lo-Fi-Fnk - Marchin' In

Lo-Fi-Fnk - The End

If you're partying this weekend and need some tunes, make sure to hit up our Party-Recommended!