freshvibesmonday #8

Happy Monday to all of you reading this! This past weekend was one of the best weekends for live music in the US with the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival held in Manchester, Tennesse and the Electric Daisy Carnival taking place in Las Vegas. One can only imagine how many new tracks were dropped, so until we know - enjoy some fresh tunes!

Lucy Rose "Lines"

Here's a new track from the lovely Lucy Rose. I adore how this track throws me off a bit just like "Red Face" did when I first listened to it. She has such a beautiful voice, and a sweet person when you meet her. Crossing my fingers that Lucy Rose will join Bombay Bicycle Club when they come back to the west coast part of their tour this fall! She opened for BBC earlier this year during their US tour and played a small solo set that was absolutely beautiful. I can only imagine how it will sound with a full band behind her. 

Young Wonder - "LUCKY ONE"

If you've had the chance to read previous posts on my blog, you would know that this isn't the first time i've ranted about them. This duo from Ireland has had my full-attention since they released their self-titled debut EP a couple of months ago. In this particular track, "Lucky One" I admire the CocoRosie flavored vocals that are paired with experimental vibes. 

 

Metric - "LOST KITTEN"

MMMMM ready for new music from Metric? Their upcoming album Synthetica is on the verge of being released, and lovely little leaks made their way onto YouTube. The diversity of this album has me drawn to it in it's entirety. This particular track just amazes me for some reason. Emily Haines is one of the darkest lyricists that are overlooked due to the melodies/instruments played against here. I believe that this is the album were a lot of expressions become more apparent and shit really gets real. 

Seapony - "WHAT YOU WANTED"

If I'm not obsessing over 80's influenced electronic music, then there's a huge chance I'm probably tapping my foot to a track that makes you want to roll down the windows while driving on the 101 southbound. Seapony is a group that is fairly new to my eyes and ears. This trio formed in 2010, and their sophomore album titled Falling will be released in the fall (September) on an independent label "Hardly Art" that was founded by Subpop. If you have the time, check out the website for Hardly Art- lots of underground artists that are worth checking out like La Sera, The Moondoggies, and more!

2:54 - "CREEPING"

This particular track has been around for quite some time, but it was only a week ago when 2:54 released an official music video for the track. The video I featured above is about 2 weeks old, but I feel like it does the track some justice. Let's just say that whenever I include 2:54 in a playlist, you'll find bands like Warpaint, The Horrors, and Still Corners.

Laura Marling "I SPEAK BECAUSE I CAN" (Live at Coachella 2012)

If I had time to make a full-blown Bonnaroo flavored post featuring my picks to see: this lovely lady named Laura Marling would be one of the first few listed. Her talent seriously gives me the chills, therefore almost every song I hear I generally fall prey to. Laura Marling has collaborated on a few tracks with Mumford & Sons, and she's released 3 albums in the last 4 years. Pretty impressive for a 22 year-old folk musician, right? Unfortunately I missed out on her set from Coachella, but she will be making her way to Santa Barbara in the next couple of weeks thankfully. 

Grand Resort - "OCEAN LINER"

Ah Grand Resort, I like you. This is a lo-fi gem that has me dreaming about something beautiful whenever I listen to it. Another summer vibe that makes me wish I'd finish the last of my schoolwork already. Grand Resort consists of Andrés M. Pichardo & promotes the sound of Grand Resort as "tropigaze". I definitely have to agree with you on that. Can't wait to hear more!

L$D - "DON'T SMOKE MY BLUNT BITCH"

If you're feeling a little plain jane these days with your music selection, why not check out Grimes, Kreayshawn, Blood Diamonds....or better yet, L$D which features all of them plus Lady Tragik. They recently released a track titled "DON'T SMOKE MY BLUNT BITCH" and according to a tweet from Grimes herself, the track was recorded in 10 minutes. Check out the video below for the track that took about an hour to make, it's definitely what people would call a good time nowadays (or going apeshit) . If you think about the background of each individual in L$D, this is quite a collaboration. In fact, it's a bit genius. L$D has all of the bases covered to make catchy tracks and shoot hip videos that make you feel like you're missing out on something big...because you are. 

Tunes for Your Thursday.

Here are some tunes for you to enjoy, both new & old. :)

Los Campesinos! - TIPTOE THROUGH THE TOE BITS

As this track appears as a recent release, it actually was one of the tracks that didn't make the cut to be on their 2011 full-length Hello Sadness. I 

Blood Diamonds Ft. Grimes - "PHONE SEX"

Words can't explain how I feel about this song, I'm sure this will show up the next time you visit YouTube narnia.

Family of the Year - "DIVERSITY"

This is a recent stumbling find for me (not from Stumbleupon, I literally stumble when I hunt for music). This track has a bit of a Grouplove / Mates of States sound to be honest, which I really really REALLY like. 

Bear in Heaven - "SINFUL NATURE"

This is a track off the recent full-length April release for Bear in Heaven called I Love You, It's Cool. Other tracks to check out from this group include: "The Reflection of You", "Kiss Me Crazy", and "Cool Light". 

MGMT - "OF MOONS, BIRDS, AND MONSTERS"

A bit of a throwback, but I randomly found myself watching videos of MGMT from 2008-2009. This track is by far one of my favorites, and I chose this particular clip when they performed on KCRW because it's a perfect example of how amazing James Richardson (the lead guitarist) is. I was lucky enough to catch MGMT headline the first day of the 2009 Treasure Island Music Festival. Sadly, I was underage & sober as a bear but still had one hell of a time. 

POP ETC - "KEEP IT FOR YOUR OWN" (Yours Truly Session)

Yes it is true, The Morning Benders are now acknowledged as "POP ETC". I really appreciated the first part of this clip as it definitely answered some questions us MB fans had. If you're not too familiar with The Morning Benders, check out the video below. 

"All Day All Light" from their 2008 debut album "The Big Echo"

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros - "DEAR BELIEVER"

The followup to the LA groups' 2009 debut album is FINALLY OUT! So much folk, so much soul on the new album Here. I've already listened to the entire thing over a handful of times. It's definitely an album that fits perfectly when listening from beginning to end. I highly recommend listening to everything on this album, and besides it's only 9 tracks deep (but honestly I think that's all they needed to do). Jade's vocals are out of this world too (listen to "That's Whats Up" and you'll know what I mean).

Youtube Narnia: It Exists, Believe Me.

I already know what you're thinking, "what the f*ck is she talking about. Youtube Narnia? Has she lost it?" Okay, here's the deal. For someone who mumbles when sober, and speaks in analogies a little more than a 22 year-old should, I've found something that requires your full attention (well, okay 75% of it will do). I discovered this magical wave of sounds randomly one night at home (this is due to the fact that I had to wake up at 5am for work, and my hangovers these days are the equivalent to being in a body cast.) 

It all started when I logged onto Youtube to watch videos of Purity Ring. Actually, it was this exact video^. With over 6 million views, I'm almost positive you've probably heard this track or have seen it pop up on your news feed. After reading nothing but great things from their Pitchfork set at SXSW, you should expect to see/hear more of this "future pop" duo...well, in the future.
So back to my so-called mystical experience. I couldn't help but let my eyes wander to the sidebar where you will find a list of youtube videos that are generally of the same artist, genre, etc. What caught my eye was the fact that the videos happened to be of different artists & groups. Also, each of the visuals for the videos were pretty simple in appearance, but attractively executed so that I would immediately click on them regardless if I was familiar with the song or not..... and this is what I experienced: one click after the other, and the rest is as memorable as the after-party of your senior prom (one hell of a good blur). 

1. Darius - "Maliblue"

2. Star Slinger - "They Like It Rough"

3. Teams vs. Star Slinger - "Say Please"

4. Blood Orange - "Champagne Coast"

5. Caribou - Odessa

6. Tycho - "A Walk"

7. Grimes - Vanessa

8. The XX - "Blood Red Moon"

So what's the significance in why I created this post? Well hopefully by now you've either A.) felt attracted to a song you haven't heard before, B.) recognized a song you already knew & fell in love with it even more, or C.) felt more relaxed then you did before reading this post. This is just a kernel of what I came across, so if you have the time...click on one of these links & let the exploration begin. Finally, don't take the video comments seriously... you don't have to be on drugs to enjoy the music. 

Welp, I hope you enjoyed this brief exploration into "the Narnia of Youtube"... remember, it's more than necessary to let your mind wander for a period of time...or an entire night. Pamper those ears, enjoy xx.