Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - DOWNTOWN

A: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
S: DOWNTOWN
C: DOWNTOWN - Single

A little musical broadway-ish extravaganza never hurt no Monday to get the week going. On first listen I thought this was a moped commercial. I'm still not entirely convinced it isn't. Still, it is kinda grooving in the right direction.

... you don't want no beef, boy.

Dear Strange - The Unicorn

A: Dear Strange
S: The Unicorn
C: Lonely Heroes

You know what they say. Always be yourself. Unless you can be an unicorn. Then always be an unicorn. Anyway, this French-German duo revives the spirit of New Wave with modern Electronica in a most captivating way on the debut album “Lonely Heroes.”

...

The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You So

A: The Hives
S: Hate To Say I Told You So
C:

Tonight! For free! At least for me. In Berlin! The Hives! If you look up the term The Hives in the dictionary it basically means that your ears can have an orgasm when penetrated with this sound for more than three minutes.

... ask me once I'll answer twice cause.

Beach House​ - Sparks

A: Beach House​
S: Sparks
C: Depression Cherry

Here we go: Straight outta Baltimore! Depression Cherry is out today, Beach House's fifth studio album. In general, it shows a return to simplicity, with songs structured around a melody and a few instruments. 

... and then it's dark again.

Rihanna Feat. Kanye West & Paul McCartney - FourFiveSeconds

A: Rihanna Feat. Kanye West & Paul McCartney
S: FourFiveSeconds
C: FourFiveSeconds - Single

What the world needs now is more songs like this beauty, and love sweet love, of course. I'd settle for the songs but there is no harm in hoping. After all, this is music blog and now a beauty pageant.

... my kindness is taken for weakness.

FKA Twigs -­ Glass & Patron

A: FKA Twigs
S: Glass & Patron
C: M3LL155X

M3LL155X, la Twigs' third EP, is pronounced "Melissa" - and Melissa is the name of her personal female energy (the reason why she appear pregnant in this vid) which should not be mistaken as an alter ego but as a way of separating it from herself. 

... do you have a lighter.

The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face

A: The Weeknd
S: Can't Feel My Face
C: Can't Feel My Face - Single

Ever since Tom Cruise named this the song of this summer, I can feel a smile on my face when I hear The Weeknd. Not that I would take song advice from a Hollywood star, but it's funny picturing Tom listening to the same record some of us mortals do.

... we both know we can't go without it.

Leal - Disco Ball

A: Leal
S: Disco Ball
C: Reflections

Ready, steady, disco. You might have thought that the start into this new week will be lower, but it's actually a boner. Here to help you get into that vertical position is Swiss multitalent Carlos Leal, with his solo debut Reflections.

... vers le ciel, vers la reine.

Monarchy - The Beautiful Ones

A: Monarchy
S: The Beautiful Ones
C: Abnocto
 A couple defending their love by travelling in a dreamlike universe, illustrating the strength of their passion through different other couples. Allying surrealist images and overprint, the graphic work juggles with several materials. This is The Beautiful Ones.

... your body’s a shelter.

Barbarossa - Imager

A: Barbarossa
S: Imager
C: Imager

Minimalism is bliss - I have said that many times before and I will say it again and again. Here to prove me right this time is Londoner Barbarossa with the title track of his sophomore album. Nothing but pure.

... if I've ruled my eyes from a dice.

Peaches Feat. Kim Gordon - Close Up

A: Peaches Feat. Kim Gordon
S: Close Up
C: Close Up - Single

Answering the question 'how are you?' has never been my thing. So one day I just stated the actual day as reply. I think that sums things up pretty neatly. Also it demonstrates my inability and displeasure to small talk. - How are you? - Well, Friday. Enough said.

... romance the phone.

Darkside - Heart

A: Darkside
S: Heart
C: Psychic

The dark side is always a good idea. The same goes for Darkside. As for Heart, it has a raggedy marching guitar part and high vocals - it could have been on an indie record from the ’00s. But it's not so get on with your Day already.

... can't you see behind this love?

Gillette - Rusty Bottoms

A: Gillette
S: Rusty Bottoms
C: Rusty Bottoms - Single

Howdy music lovers. Whats' happening? is what you might be thinking. Isn't this a commercial? On a music blog? Or is it a song and not a commercial? Well, it is both, rolled into one. Happy shaving, cowboys.

... ain’t many troubles that I been facin’.

Joanna Newsom - Sapokanikan

A: Joanna Newsom
S: Sapokanikan
C: Divers

Well, this is pretty different. Maybe not modern, but contemporary. Imagine Kate Bush and Regina Spektor getting married and raising a daughter - enter Joanna Newsom, an American harpist, keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter and actress (Portlandia, y'all!). 

... the records they left are cryptic at best.

Future Elevators​ - Modern World

A: Future Elevators​
S: Modern World
C: Modern World - Single

Living in an ancient world would be more my kind of deal, but this isn't about me. Meet Future Elevators​, here with their first single and the perfect start into a new week, fighting that Monday feeling like a king.

... live like there's no tomorrow.

Lorn - Acid Rain

A: Lorn
S: Acid Rain
C: THE MAZE TO NOWHERE / PART 2

To say Acid Rain sounds like a bunch of different acts colliding is no bad thing at all, as the Flying Lotus protégé has great taste. And the woozy video – a post-pep rally undead-cheerleader diner dance-off – is somehow the perfect accompaniment. Good work, team.

... daylight, in bad dreams.

RayLand Baxter - Driveway Melody

A: Rayland Baxter
S: Driveway Melody
C: Ashkelon

It's time to get back from yesterday's chill trip with Lana at the beach and take a short road trip to Nashville. Why? Rayland Baxter just released his second album Imaginary Man, which is gorgeous as can be and you can hear that he soaked up the music of Nashville in the best way possible.

... take me away cuz I don't wanna stay.

Lana Del Rey - High By The Beach

A: Lana Del Rey
S: High By The Beach
C: Honeymoon (out September 2015)

Funny how La Rey went from opulent tiger palace mansion to a nearly empty and abandoned squat place in just two albums. The fact that both work perfectly well says a lot about her artistic vision, and her as an artist. In short: The bitch is here to stay!

... loving you is hard, being here is harder.

Heat - This Life

A: Heat
S: This Life
C: This Life - Single

The sound of Heat is all at once fresh and familiar. This Montreal 4-piece calls to arms to the tune of weaving guitars and baritone crooning, a tribute to 1970s proto-punk of New York City and sprawling psychedelia of 90s UK shoe gaze.

... I met myself in a dream.

V V Brown - Shift

V V - Shift von maxiocio

A: V V Brown
S: Shift
C: Shift - Single

British indie-pop goddess V V is back with a captivating new single and album (due for release later this year). Shift is as electrifying as her previous musical treasures and the video is one of the best yet. Enjoy this gal defining the future of pop music.

... this is what we're fighting for.

Prefab Sprout - When Love Breaks Down

A: Prefab Sprout
S: When Love Breaks Down
C: Steve McQueen

Start raping that repeat button! British rock group Prefab Sprout released this in 1984, as the first single taken from their album of that year, Steve McQueen. Or as one Youtube user describes it: Unpretencious middle class in punk times. Nice bike.

... absence makes the heart loose weight.

Kelela - The High

A: Kelela
S: The High
C: The High - Single

Since Monday always is the lowest low of the week, and today totally coincidentally is a low day, I thought we should all start things with a High. Make sure you keep an eye open for this genre-blurring pop/R&B songstress.

... I'd do anything for the high.

Bag Raiders - Waterfalls

A: Bag Raiders
S: Waterfalls
C: Waterfalls - EP

The kings of sundrenched beats are finally back. It's been four years since the release of their stunning debut, so some new material was long overdue, and Waterfalls is everything you need to make it through this sunny Sunday.

... friends are turning strangers in a blinking of an eye.

Of Monsters And Men - Empire

A: Of Monsters And Men
S: Empire
C: Beneath The Skin

If life is what's happening to you while you're busy making other plans, summer is what's happening to you while you're searching for your swim trunks. Here's the perfect soundtrack to that, or to any other search you're currently stuck in.

... and I paint your body black.

Madonna - True Blue

A: Madonna
S: True Blue

Here, take this song and let's be done with this blog for today. It's way too hot for anything than some retrovagannza. This is as sassy as a tropical beach breeze can get and it goes perfectly with any fruity cocktail of your liking.

...  I never knew love before.

Kourosh Yaghmaei - Saraabe Toe

A: Kourosh Yaghmaei
S: Saraabe Toe
C: Back from the Brink

Alright then, let's broaden your horizon. Kourosh Yaghmaei is an Iranian rock star from the 70s. Not just any Iranian rock star, but one of the first. Then came the revolution, so I guess there weren't many following him. Shame, really.

... 

Vaults - Poison

A: Vaults
S: Poison
C: Poison - Single

Listening to Vaults, fall can't come quickly enough. And let me point out that you might want to start watching Rectify as soon as Indian Summer hits your front yard. Just an idea. But for now, let's enjoy the heat.

... won't you let me poison your heart?

Exile - Kiss You All Over

A: Exile
S: Kiss You All Over
C: Kiss You All Over - Single

If winter was made for loving, summer is for kissing. Here to prove my point and provide you with the soundtrack you'll need for that extra kissing session is seventies country combo Exile.

... you do the things you do.

Chet Faker Feat. Banks - 1998

A: Chet Faker Feat. Banks
S: 1998
C: 1998  - Single

Take this! It's the second single by Australian recording artist Chet Faker, fresh off his debut album Built on Glass. It is also the perfect start into this new week, not too dramatic for a Monday, smooth as can be, or candy.

... take my good word, turn it backwards.

Years & Years - Foundation

A: Years & Years
S: Foundation
C: Communion

Album of the year! Album of the year! Album of the year! Album of the year! Album of the year! Album of the year! Album of the year! Album of the year! Album of the year! Album of the year!

... all the things I want I really shouldn't get.

GLORIA - Geister

A: GLORIA
S: Geister
C: Geister

Love.

... es beginnt vor deinen Füßen.