you're drifting like a fire

as my love for all things indietronica, electro-pop and synth-pop continues to grow so does my obsession with Passion Pit. This five member electronic group is pretty well known for their awesome remixes throughout the music world, but they make some excellent music of their own. Their first full length album, Manners, is set to be released on May 18th and is already getting great reviews. Catchy, fun, synth-pop....check it out.

"One of the best songs I've heard in a long time. It sounds like the hope I have for the Summer ahead. I love hearing inspiring new music while I'm writing and recording." - John Mayer

we are all embers from the same fire

Just Jack was a popular artist in the UK in 2007 and is back with a new album this year called All Night Cinema, to be released in April. He's probably best known for his big hit "Starz In Their Eyes," which was a catchy tune with elements of pop, electronica, hip-hop, and rap. He's back with a new single called Embers, which is likely to be another hit for the talented Jack Allsop. He's had some comparisons to The Streets along the way, and while I can see the similarities, he's a got style all his own.

pick apart the pieces of your heart

probably one of my favorite tracks, ever. Goyte - Heart's A Mess. I almost forgot how gorgeous this song is. almost.

revolving and spinning in space

just came across this excellent track by High Places. I haven't been able to find their album, or much about them yet....but I'm digging what I hear so far. I love me some electronica these days. Pitchfork gave their self-titled album 8/10.

One of many boy/girl indie electro duos formed in 2006, Rob Barber and Mary Pearson of Brooklyn's High Places approach recording with creative abandon, experimenting with offbeat production techniques like random microphone positioning, pitch shifting, delays, and saturated blankets of reverb to create danceable layers of sound.

we are always running for the thrill of it

Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream -

How can I explain
Talking to myself
Will I see again

We are always running for the thrill of it thrill of it
Always pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of it
On and on and on we are calling out and out again
Never looking down I’m just in awe of what’s in front of me

Is it real now
When two people become one
I can feel it
When two people become one

Thought I’d never see
The love you found in me
Now it’s changing all the time
Living in a rhythm where the minutes working overtime

Catch me I’m falling down
Catch me I’m falling down

Don’t stop just keep going on
I’m your shoulder lean upon
So come on deliver from inside
All we got is tonight that is right till first light

and every night we'll watch the stars

Friendly Fires are a band from the UK who released their self-titled debut album in September of last year. These guys have gained some popularity over the last few months for some catchy indie rock. They've been a constant on my playlist for some time now and wanted to share with all you beautiful people. A little bit rock, a little bit electronica, a lot of goodness.

Paris - Friendly Fires

In The Hospital - Friendly Fir...

there's something in the air tonight

Cut Copy was one of my favorite new groups to listen to in 2008. Their awesomely delicious electronica album, In Ghost Colours, has been on non-stop for the last month or so. Their CD was also on a number of "Best of 2008" lists across the internet and print. If you haven't taken a listen yet, now is your chance. While they have a little flavor of 80's synthesized goodness, they've created a style of electronica all their own. Take a listen...and boogie.

Hearts On Fire - Cut Copy

Out There On The Ice - Cut Cop...

will the clouds carry my tears to you?

While I haven't listened to much experimental music in the past, 2009 is the year of new genres. I just came across the Gang Gang Dance album entitled Saint Dymphna and they have gained a new fan. Apparently this trio has been popular within the indie scene throughout Manhattan and is now getting some larger exposure with their newest CD. With 3 other albums under their belt, I have a lot of catching up to do.

Gang Gang Dance - House Jam

electromechanical

2009 may just be the year full of electronica, for me at least. After being obsessed with the Cut Copy CD the last few months, I've started to explore the various artists of this genre a hell of a lot more than I ever have; and having a lot of fun doing so. While I've always been aware that there are a million different kinds of electronica music out there, I'm still finding my niche. I'm still a newbie, so I'm open to any and all suggestions. For now, I'll share a few tracks I've been listening to during these cold winter days.
*don't you love how the original song is never enough, and there always seems to be at least 10 different remixes?

Booka Shade - Outskirts (Trentemoller Mix)

Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire (Build Remix)

Cassius - Toop Toop (Streetlab remix)

Crystal Castles - Courtship Dating

M83 - We Own The Sky (Maps Remix)

Ratatat - Falcon Jab

sort of like a dream, isn't it? no, better.

So as I've been reading a plethora of lists for favorite albums/songs of the year, I came across Air France multiple times. I now see what I was missing. After listening to their song "Collapsing At Your Doorstep," it is clear what the hype was about. The single is a beautiful journey and locked me in from the start. It's a perfect Sunday night tune.

Collapsing At Your Doorstep

it's coming now

listen. and enjoy.

lonely no more

One of my absolute favorites, Magnet, has just released his 3rd album entitled The Simple Life in Norway this week! The man behind Magnet is Even Johansen, an amazing and humble musician. His previous 2 CDs have been constant rotation since I discovered him back in 2004. Even's gorgeous and soft voice combined with a little rock and some electronic beats make fantastic and catchy melodies. While I enjoyed his previous 2 albums a little better, I'm always going to love everything Magnet puts out, he's a favorite forever.

Tracks from The Simple Life:

The Gospel Song

You Got Me

life and love and music

I just discovered Just Jack yesterday but I've already listened to his soon to be released CD Overtones a few times and it's blast! Just Jack is a combination of a little hip-hop, electronic and simple beats coming together to make some tunes that make you want to boogie. (Yes, I went there.) Apparently this guy is pretty popular over in the UK...but anyhow, it's some fun stuff....hope you dig.

Starz In Their Eyes

Disco Friends


and the video for "Writers Block":

love ain't fair

I just got on my hands on the Gotye CD and while I haven't even given it a listen all the way through, I'm already loving it. It really isn't like many other CDs I have heard this year. He has a beautiful voice along with some fun electronic, eclectic beats. Heart's A Mess is a truly amazing song. Just give it a listen, you won't be sorry.

Pick apart
The pieces of your heart
And let me peer inside
Let me in
Where only your thoughts have been
Let me occupy your mind
As you do mine


Heart's A Mess

hope won't weigh you down

Even though it's a little after October 31st, I thought I would share a little Halloween, Alaska with you all out in blogging land. While they might have an interesting band name, their music does not disappoint. These are another group of guys who would fall under the "Electronic Rock/Pop" category, kind of similar to Milosh who I have posted about before. When I put together my top ten CD's of 2005, these guys were honorable mentions, but I now I wish they could have made the list. Anyhow, these group of 4 musicians make some beautiful electronic pop. Spooooky....

Call It Clear

Drowned

Bad News Sticks

it's over

Even since the lovely Tia introduced me to Magnet (who will get his own entry very soon, because he is the best) I have found a few more electronic-type artists I enjoy. One of which is Milosh. He currently has one of the Top 10 Electronic CD's on Itunes, and has opened for Imogen Heap.

While his music is mostly categorized under the Electronic genre, it has much more than that. He has this soft beautiful voice that's perfectly placed within the music. Definitely a relaxing album, it's great music for a chill night at home.

Sensual, dreamlike, jazz-inflected and ever so slightly unreachable, this second album from Toronto-based lap-topper Milosh charts the aftermath of a romantic break-up in gorgeously soft-focus style.

This album takes on the sadder side of relationships: the endings. But also shows how we all eventually move on.

Cheers Milosh.

Milosh - It's Over

Milosh - Couldn't Sleep

oh, you're too young

Let's funk it up a bit, shall we? The Junior Boys are an electronic-pop duo from Canada. A little bit of synth-pop, a dash of techno, and maybe even some 80's remnants. I heard the song "In The Morning" on KEXP's song of the day Podcast and found myself doing a little dance in my chair. Ok, maybe not, but it makes for a good story, right? (or a scary one).

A few fellow music whores have deemed The Junior Boys newest release "So This is Goodbye" the album of the year but while it's a fun one....don't know if I can make that claim. Either way, it's different and exciting, and while it's not for everyone....I think most people would enjoy "In The Morning."

You may even do a little dance too, who knows.

The Junior Boys - In The Morning