Four Songs Your Ears Need to Hear Right Meow

I'll be the first to admit that I've never played Grand Theft Auto, but when my newsfeed was flooded with "GTA V" statuses, links, photos, etc... I had no other choice but to figure out what the hype was about. Before I could get into the game itself, I stumbled across the Soundtrack - which is one amazing compilation of music from artists such as Health, Wavves, Neon Indian, Yeasayer, and Age of Consent. "Colours" is a funky little number that made me quite curious in getting to know about this mysterious duo from across the pond.

"Another Story" is the latest to be released from The Head and The Heart's forthcoming sophomore release Let's Be Still due out October 15th (via Sub Pop.) This track sounded beautiful from the Outside Lands livestream when they performed it this year in San Francisco along with their other new hit "Shake."  Needless to say I'm looking forward to hearing the rest of the album from this talented band from the Pacific Northwest.  

Without a doubt these are three artists I would have never imagined to collaborate together, but am not an ounce surprised that it's one of the best tracks my ears have heard in awhile. This is apart of the Hunger Games Catching Fire Soundtrack, along with new music from The National, Phantogram, Lorde, and more! 

P.S. Last night's post on LYED featured Lorde's debut album along with two other new releases, check it out if you haven't already!

Saint Motel covering Major Lazer, who da thunk it? After catching a show of theirs at Lola's Saloon in Fort Worth, Texas - I am digging this band to a T. This cover is nothing short of delicious, and Click here to listen to their latest single "My Type" which sounds just as amazing live as it does on SoundCloud. 

freshvibesmonday #6

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE! Today is a pretty special day for Americans as it is a day to honor those we may or may not know that are brave soldiers who fought for our country! It's not "just" a holiday, it's much more than that. 

So, have a lovely rest of the day & enjoy these tunes whether you're relaxing, recuperating, or freaking out over finals (like me). Sorry for the draught of posts recently, I promise I'll make up for it with the next couple of ones! :) XX

Loquat - "TIME BENDING"

YAY THEY'RE BACK. Well, only 3 of the original members but still- this is a bit of a surprise to hear that they are back AND with a full-length album to deliver. "Time Bending" is the first track off We Could Be Arsonists, and it's a great way to start off the album. Super-duper catchy, and I ADORE Kylee Swenson's voice. Crossing my fingers this bay-area band will be performing at this years Treasure Island Music Festival, as they played an opening slot during the festival in 2008. 

Lana Del Rey - "NEVER LET ME GO" 

This is an unreleased track from LDR that recently leaked about a week ago or so. Perfect track for summer and especially to tend the blues that come with it. I'm curious to see where this track will go, maybe a new EP or something for her to perform during the three straight days of performing in LA? Who knows. 

Two Wounded Birds - "TO BE YOUNG"

The intro to this song gives off a more accelerated Tennis vibe, but when the vocals start to kick in I immediately think of The Horrors. I really dig their sound as it fits in perfectly with one of my previous posts "Sounds That are Younger Than They Sound". If it says anything, check out on their "Artists We Also Like" tab on Facebook: the first two are Ramones & The Beach Boys. BOOM perfectly describes their sound. Dig it! 

Milo Greene - "DON'T YOU GIVE UP ON ME" 

Discovering Milo Greene must be credited to the 2012 music issue of NYLON. It's by far my favorite magazine, and I'm pretty sure this is the one issue that I literally read from front to back in less than two hours. Thought it was pretty clever to read that Milo Greene came from a pseudonym made up from the band members when they collaborated at shows in 2009. Look out for their debut album out July 17th, and if you dig their sound check out: The Head & The Heart and The Civil Wars! 

Van She - "IDEA OF HAPPINESS"

If you're a Van She fan, you're probably freaking out about their upcoming release since it feels like forever when they released their self-titled EP in 2006. The new album will be released in the US On July 10th, YIPPEE. 

Bobby Womack Ft. Lana Del Rey - "DAYGLO REFLECTION"

If the name Bobby Womack doesn't ring a bell for you, listen to the track and hopefully you'll recognize that soulful rich voice. Or if you're a Gorillaz fan like me, then BAM it should make perfect sense to you who Bobby Womack is (does "Stylo" ring a bell). This beautiful duet will be released on Womack's full-length album The Bravest Man in The Universe on June 12th in the US on XL Recordings. Mmm classic & elegance at its finest.

Introlover's Anonymous

I'd like to imagine the first track on an LP, EP, Mixtape, etc to be the catchiest (that is until you reach whatever their "hit" is). & I've stumbled across a few that have actually become some of my favorite tracks. 

1. The XX - Intro

Album: Self-titled (2009)

This is the kind of song that you can put on repeat........for a few hours.

2. Sharon Van Etten - Warsaw

Album: Tramp (2012)

I had the pleasure of catching SVE at the Avalon earlier week and not only did she open with this addicting track but it's also the first track on her most recent album "Tramp". I recommend you to start from the very beginning with "Warsaw" when you first listen to the album. It's a pleasant ride into her deep dark thoughts that you'll immediately find yourself addicted and relating to.

3. The Shins - The Rifle's Spiral

Album: Port of Morrow (2012)

Fresh out of The Shins' oven is "Port of Morrow" (released March 20th). [You just don't exist. / Your mother must be so proud.] This opener is one of the more exhilarating tracks from The Shins, only to transition into the power of "Simple Song". 

4. The Head & The Heart - Cats & Dogs

What really attracted me to this opener that you can find on their 2011 self-titled album is how well it transitions into the 2nd track "Coeur D'Alene", so I decided to post a video of them performing it live. The Head and the Heart is definitely one of those bands that you MUST see live in order to get the full feel of who they are. It's on my bucket list to catch them play at a house show as they've mentioned in the past as one of their favorite things to do.

5. Atmosphere - The Arrival

(I just went from different ends of the spectrum from the video above, but this is a perfect example of how spread out my taste in music is.) This is the perfect opening to the 2005 album "You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having". Slug knows best, mark my words....."I'm not really supposed to talk about this.....but....". Take a listen & you'll understand what I mean.  

6. Austra - Darken Her Horse

Album: Feel It Break (2011)

I stumbled across Austra last summer when NYLON included their track "Lose It" in a free Summer playlist, and immediately fell in love. The voice that belongs to Katie Stelmanis will captivate you along with the dark synthesizing & electronic sounds that accompany her. I give a lot of credit to the other members of Austra with recently mentioning Maya from TRUST but also Dorian Wolf who was in Spiral Beach, and the Lightman sisters. I strongly dislike comparing artists/bands, but let's just say that I'd love to see Austra & Zola Jesus play on the same bill of a show. A girl can dream, right? 

P.S. I'm a huge fan of watching the KEXP performances found on YouTube, and was stoked to see that Austra was featured back in November. Click on the link below to watch their performance of "Darken Her Horse" on KEXP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3i57LoYwiM&feature=relmfu 

ENJOY! XX