Dog Is Dead - Teenage Daughter

A: Dog Is Dead
S: Teenage Daughter
C: All Our Favourite Stories

I have this thing that whenever I hear the name Dog Is Dead I have this other band in my head. A band that probably doesn't even exists. Anyway, Dog Is Dead is a five piece indie pop band from Nottingham, England - All Our Favourite Stories is their debut album and this is how they sound.

... you'll get used to it - I get used to it.

Retro Stefson - Glow

A: Retro Stefson
S: Glow
C: Glow - EP

With all the rain coming down outside, I thought this would sound like a nice touch of sun. Then I read that the video was shot in Reykjavík, Iceland so there goes my sun theory (never mind, but doesn't it look like South Africa?). Oh yes, and the girl in the ice cream van is Valý Þórsteinsdóttir. Just in case you were wondering.

... let it all, glow.

10,000 Maniacs - These Are Days

A: 10,000 Maniacs
S: These Are Days
C: Our Time In Eden

Monday is just another word for nothing left to lose, to say it with Janis Joplin. Anyway, sometimes it's more fun to steal other people's songs than finding your own. Or my own, for that matter. I caught myself dancing to this in the shower this, this morning. Bit of a slippery matter. I blamed it on Monday.

... you might feel a shaft of light make its way across your face.

Bon Iver - Beth/Rest

A: Bon Iver
S: Beth/Rest
C: Bon Iver

Ah well. Bon Iver needs no introduction, which is probably me calling this a lazy Sunday. Anyway, I saw people doing Halloween yesterday, as in tricking and treating. Bit surprised I was wondering if they celebrate Christmas on the 18th December. It made about as much sense at this post today. Sorry and out.

... it's hocked inside of everything you said to me.

Incan Abraham - Pantheons

A: Incan Abraham
S: Pantheons
C: Pantheons

Sometimes, when you spend a weekend working overtime, you need amazingly gorgeous songs to lift your spirit. Sometimes you just need a song to lift your spirit no matter what. Pantheons could be such a song, I suggest. Having said that, I will leave you to it and head back to work. Uplifted, of course.

... do what I feel and I feel like I do.

Free Energy - Dance All Night

A: Free Energy
S: Dance All Night
C: Dance All Night - EP

As the week slows down and the weekend picks up speed, this might just be the perfect soundtrack for today. Even if your name isn't Haley. Free Energy list nothing but 'earth' is their home town, list 'I love you' as all you need to know about them and summarize 'all good things take time' as their biography. I like.

... I don't need more - when I look into your eye.

Panama - It's Not Over

A: Panama
S: It's Not Over
C: It's Not Over - EP

Can I have that car please? Thanks. Panama, as you might have guesses yourself, are from Australia. It's just that certain look and hook they have going on down there. Having said that, I'd like to point out that I'm no fan of Oz. Personal reasons, is all. Anyway, this is your Thursday funk right here.

... I know it's safe - but won't you take me home.

Kanye West - White Dress

Kanye West - White Dress from Imle Demha on Vimeo.


A: Kanye West
S: White Dress
C: White Dress - Single

If you were waiting for a new Kanye song, one that sounds like Kanye the way we like Kanye most, this might just be it. White Dress is a RZA-produced cut from the soundtrack to the RZA-directed film The Man With The Iron Fists. Just in case you were wondering if Mr. West went all soft on us. Soft yet dirty, I'd say.

... I’m just tryna be inside you before you wake up.

Chromatics - Looking For Love

A: Chromatics
S: Looking For Love
C: Looking For Love - EP

Guess who released this video yesterday while simultaneously cancelling their show in Berlin next week. Guess who already bought tickets and had a date. So not amused. Anyway, Chromatics, still ace as can be, make for a great contribution to the whole beauty versus love versus happiness discussion with this video.

... I'm still looking for love.

Jjamz - Heartbeat

JJAMZ - HEARTBEAT from Eddie O'KEEFE on Vimeo.


A: JJAMZ
S: HEARTBEAT
C: HEARTBEAT - EP

You might recognize the song from the new MySpace ad. They have a new ad because they are preparing a comeback. Anyway, I'm not quite sure what Jjamz mission is or was makin the clip for this song. Guess they wanted to make a point but they kind of failed to connect song and content. If you ask me.

... can you hear my heartbeat still beating strong?

Calvin Harris Feat. Florence Welch - Sweet Nothing

CALVIN HARRIS feat FLORENCE WELCH "SWEET NOTHING" from VINCENT HAYCOCK on Vimeo.


A: Calvin Harris Feat. Florence Welch
S: Sweet Nothing
C: Sweet Nothing - Single

I'm no big Calvin Harris fan. Actually quite the opposite, but let's not go there. Yet this video is so cleverly set up, showing everything I like about that United Kingdom, I have to post it. Plus Miss Welch's vocals always make for a funky track. Especially on a purely golden Sunday like today.

... so I put my faith in something unknown.

Kyla La Grange - Been Better

Kyla La Grange - Been Better from Kyla La Grange on Vimeo.


A: Kyla La Grange
S: Been Better
C: Ashes

Kyla La Grange redid her Been Better video. A bit like Lana Del Rey for Blue Jeans. And she put a wolf in it to show her wild side. A bit like Lana who sat between two tigers in Born To Die. Unfortunately for Kyla, two tigers trump one wolf. Fortunately for us, Kyla shows a variety of animals. And sounds completely different than Lana.

... been better when I took the lead - instead of being led.

Breton - Population Density

A: Breton
S: Population Density
C: Population Density- Single

Here's a thought I had the other day, which is not related to this song at all, but it got me thinking anyway. It's on falling in love. As I said, unrelated to this song. Falling in love isn't about finding exactly what you were looking for, but it is forgetting what you were actually looking for. On that note, have a smashing Friday.

... there's hope for us - stay on top of it.

Saint Saviour - I Call This Home

Saint Saviour - "I Call This Home" from oursaintsaviour on Vimeo.


A: Saint Saviour
S: I Call This Home
C: Union

This gets pretty funky after 1:30 - meaning: it's worth the wait. Anyway, Saint Saviour is a singer and songwriter from Teeside in the North East of England. She started out in electro band The RGBs, then fronted Groove Armada and co-wrote the album Black Light, before releasing her debut album Union.

... but there's still love - and it's intense.

Die Antwoord - Fatty Boom Boom

A: Die Antwoord
S: Fatty Boom Boom
C: Tension

Right, I will keep this one short. For exactly two reasons: First, Die Antwoord is far too cool to get reviewed by my humble self. Second, there is a whole evening of presidential debate  to catch up from last night, and my work mac is the lowest mac on this planet. Or any other planet, really.

... if you haven't got it by now, then you're never gonna get it.

The xx - Chained

A: The xx
S: Chained
C: Coexist

The new The xx video! Not even blocked in Germany - how can this be? Amazing. The fact, and the video too. I never know what to think about The xx anymore. They are a bit like Norah Jones to me. Brilliant for sure, but the fact that they found their way into every living room is a bit creepy.

... we used to be closer than this.

Jake Bugg - Trouble Town

A:  Jake Bugg
S: Trouble Town
C: Jake Bugg

Jake Bugg. They call him the new Bob Dylan. But you can call him Jake. I'm not one to call artists the new, or the old, or the should have been, and stuff. Anyway, I first posted Jake in January this year. Pretty long wait for his debut to come out. It's here now, and if it isn't in your country, it should arrive no later than friday.

... if there's a beating in the rain - there's a little bit of pain.

Frightened Rabbit - State Hospital

FRIGHTENED RABBIT - State hospital from handheldcineclub on Vimeo.

A: Frightened Rabbit
S: State Hospital
C: State Hospital - EP

Give me a Scottish accent and I am happy any day. Still, songs like State Hospital don't come along very often, and when they do, they are quite hard to spot. Because when it comes to songs, we are used to mediocrity. And whe need a second listen to realize how brilliant they actually are. I guess sometimes songs are like people.

... all is not lost.

Lana Del Rey - Ride

Lana Del Rey - Ride (HD) from Del Rey on Vimeo.


A: Lana Del Rey
S: Ride
C: Born To Die - The Paradise Edition

 I think Lana should run for president. And she should sing the next Bond song, while playing a bond girl, of course. Right, the video is just over ten minutes long, and anything more than five gets me seriously excited. So you can imagine what this does to me. Stay tuned for the Paradise Edition. Out on November, 16th.

... I've got a war in my mind - so I just ride.

Breakbot Feat. Irina Dakeva - One Out Of Two

Breakbot / One Out of Two - Irina Dakeva - QUAD from QUAD.


A: Breakbot Feat. Irina Dakeva
S: One Out of Two
C: By Your Side

Remember when I said this kind of sun drenched music can only come from down under? Well the Frenchies can do it too, as proven by Breakbot. Must be that Riviera they got down there. Anyway, I went to Breakbot's By Your Side release party last night and all I got was a DJ set. Now I'm hung over and this sounds like a diary, as in wrong.

... to build my home in your nation - to enter your station.

Marina And The Diamonds - How To Be A Heartbreaker

HOW TO BE A HEARTBREAKER - MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS from Atlantic Records UK on Vimeo.


A: Marina And The Diamonds
S: How To Be A Heartbreaker
C: How To Be A Heartbreaker - EP

Right then, I wonder what the casting for this video looked like. Something between model, athlet, and porn star probably. Nothing wrong with that of course. Anyway, these are some easy steps on how to be a heartbreaker by Marina and her Diamonds. I liked the song until it was all 'Girls, we do'.

... when you're done - you gotta be the first to run.

Peaches - BURST!

A: Peaches
S: BURST!
C: BURST! - EP

Next up, Peaches. A lady who isn't and needs no introduction from my behalf. So here's just some information on the side. After a three year recording break while touring extensively and directing her first film, Peaches is back in the studio with an all new EP and video for "BURST!". Enjoy.

... I’m the first one hit - I’m the burst it hit.

The Vaccines - I Always Knew

A: The Vaccines
S: I Always Knew
C: Come Of Age

It's the brand new The Vaccines video! I found it on some Russian website - yes, don't ask. I never gave the new album a real listen because a friend of mine saw them playing live this summer at some festival and said that all the songs sounded the same. Well if they sound all like this, they are quite brilliant. Then again, this isn't live.

... let's go to bed - before you say something real.

Laing - Neue Liebe

A:  Laing
S: Neue Liebe
C: Neue Liebe - Single

Right, this is Germany calling. So a German song won't hurt nobody. The lyrics are quite clever. They are about - surprise - being in love. But it's the funky fresh onion hair style look that got me most, I hope his will become a world wide trend. And the teary eyes, which don't really match the in love theme of the song. Call it self-irony.

... ich bin so verliebt - ich brauche keine Musik.

Perfume Genius - Take Me Home

A: Perfume Genius
S: Take Me Home
C: Put Your Back N 2 It

Perfume Genius, say Mike Hadreas, has definitely taken a special spot on my artists to watch list this year. Featuring porn star Arpad Miklos in his last video is just one reason for that. The mixture of the highly dramatic yet surprisingly honest songs with over the top campish videos, like this one, another. Simply put, it's nothing but unique.

... babe, you lay me down easy.

Ellie Goulding - Halcyon Album Trailer

A: Ellie Goulding
S: Halcyon Album Trailer
C: Halcyon (out now)

Ellie Goulding released her second album Halcyon yesterday and these are some snippets - so you know what to expect.

Clubfeet Feat. Chela - Heartbreak

A: Clubfeet Feat. Chela
S: Heartbreak
C: Heartbreak - EP

Ever since 'Count Your Lovers', Clubfeet have become one of my favourite dream synth get together. They are, of course, from down under. Why of course? Because this kind of sun drenched melody can only come from there. Or so it seems. Miami Horrors and Bag Raiders prove this point too, just to name a few.

... I don't wanna start again tomorrow.

Adele - Skyfall

A: Adele
S: Skyfall
C: Skyfall - Single

The importance and thrill of a James Bond theme song will probably never be completely fathomed, which makes up for half the excitement. This one makes particular sense though. Who else should have sung it? Plus 19 and 21 are so overplayed, it's nice to get a song by Adele you can actually listen to again.

... you can take my name - but you'll never have my heart.

Sky Ferreira - Everything Is Embarrassing

A: Sky Ferreira
S: Everything Is Embarrassing
C: Everything Is Embarrassing - EP

Sky Ferreira pouts and vogues across the city, says Pitchfork. I think Sky picks up perfectly where Solange left off yesterday. Although I am still in an amazed haze by her song. Anyway, this is about Miss Ferreira. Who I always mix up with Rita Ora. Don't know why this is happening. They probably look the same. Ok, same-ish.

... never was but you would see - maybe if you let me be your lover.

Solange - Losing You

A: Solange
S: Losing You
C: Losing You - Single

Right then. This video was directed by Melina Matsoukas. I figured she deserves pointing out, because I love every single bit of the clip. It's quite rare that a song ties in so neatly with a video, and the video and song match the singer so perfectly as here. It's like falling in love. It almost never happens. Just saying.

... I’m not the one that you should be making your enemy.

Princess Chelsea - The Cigarette Duet

Princess Chelsea - The Cigarette Duet from RadioPangea on Vimeo.


A: Princess Chelsea
S: The Cigarette Duet
C: Lil' Golden Book

You probably shouldn't watch this video or listen to the song if you are currently thinking about quitting smoking. But then why would you want to do that? Anyway, Princess Chelsea is the recording project of Chelsea Nikkel from Auckland, New Zealand and has picked, as much as I like this tune and video, one of the worst album covers. Ever.

... maybe but is it worth it if we fight?

Blake Mills - Hey Lover

Blake Mills - Hey Lover from Nick Darmstaedter on Vimeo.


A: Blake Mills
S: Hey Lover
C: Break Mirrors

Lover is a fantastic word. I mean the word itself, and the person referred to too, of course. Almost as fantastic as this song by Blake Mills. If you don't know Blake, here's a little research: he's some sort of great guitarist, having played for Lucinda Williams, Fiona Apple, and many others. But now, as this song proves, he's off playing just for himself. And you. Lovely, no?

... make the first letters of that first names match - hey lover.