Category: new music

And then there was Nina

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Video overload. For a reason beyond great.

I’ve declared my love for Sweden and its culture, landscape and people many times on this blog. Mostly for the music.

Yesterday I mentioned Garbage being one of my all time favourite bands and today I’ll reveal another which is often fairly underrated and misunderstood: The Cardigans!

Apparently they’re playing a couple of gigs in the coming weeks which hopefully means they’re getting back to work as a band but, while that doesn’t happen and nor does A Camp (their website doesn’t exist anymore and it looks like neither does their FB page. That’s sad.), the loveliest Nina Persson has recently announced her upcoming solo release (out 29.01.2014 on Universal) and you can pre-order a signed copy:

here (CD)

here (CD)

here (vinyl)

AND here (vinyl)

Check it out!

 

 

Pre-release streamings of the week

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*WARNING: cliche overload*

I know I should’ve shared this on Monday but better late than never.

Christmas definitely came earlier this year with the most anticipated releases available for streaming a week before release date!

Pearl Jam - Lightning Bolt
Pearl Jam – Lightning Bolt

 

Back to Forever stream
Lissie – Back to Forever

Wrecking critics

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All these unrequested opinions about everyone and everything – much like my own here – are really tiresome and boring.

“Wrecking Ball” is a great song and the video is almost as beautiful, save for that unnecessary licking and attempt at making sexy faces when it should really be more of a so-sad-i’m-borderline-clinically-depressed.

Were it not for that VMAs’ disturbing Gremlin resemblance + the twerking and the sledgehammer licking, there would be far less ready-made criticism between re-tweeted and stated as it was one person’s own opinion rather than just an attempt to sound opinionated by repeating someone’s unthought rant blasts. Not to mention the mass of hypocritical pseudo-political correctness.

I wonder if the world would be a better place if people had hobbies and thoughts of their own.

The underrated artist of the century

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How is this possible??

20130827-004550.jpg

The Lissie people have been paying to keep this post popping up all the time for at least a couple of weeks now and she hasn’t got 500 likes. And her page has only about 157k thumbs up.

HOW? WHY?

She’s one of the best musicians of today! Her music is pretty unique, her voice is stunning, she plays guitar, writes her own songs and she’s not over the top yet still outstanding. Because really, nobody needs over the top. Actually, some artists suit a big show, like Pink, for example. It’s highly entertaining but she’s also an amazing singer and a very peculiar lyricist and makes fun pop music.

Anyway. Another one of life’s many mysteries but good for me as I’ll get to see her at a venue like Koko, not the O2 at the nosebleed section because all the good tickets were gone within the first 3min.

I still wish she was properly recognised though.

Life’s many mysteries: fun. – “Sight of the Sun”

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How does this only have 750k views?

This song cannot be bought alone on iTunes, nor is it available on Spotify and I don’t want the Girls soundtrack – as good as it is! I mean, Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own”. AAAAAND it’s not available for streaming on SoundCloud anymore. So this is basically THE way to listen to it.

And it’s so good.

Music business: artist comeback case study

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How do you promote the new album from an artist who went M.I.A for about a decade?

Take the most famous song from their heyday and record it as a duet with one of today’s cool, hip singers, add an extra beat or so and use it as a single.

That’s when you get Patricia Marx feat Seu Jorge with “Espelhos d’Água”, which, at the time of its original solo release (circa 1998), climbed the charts the fastest way you can take in Brazil: featuring it in a soap opera (preferably but not essentially, at prime time).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not diminishing her work…especially that song, I used to LOVE it!!

I am simply trying to give an example of music marketing + A&R + artist management.

The Truth About Love…

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P!nk – The Truth About Love

is…well, I might have not found that out from it, but Pink’s new album totally makes you forget about that matter anyway!

I was trying to find the words to describe her based on the fact that Alanis is the angry chick music queen, but I think Pink fills those shoes better. (Alanis is amazing too, but a bit too sophisticated nowadays to take that trophe. Pink’s sophisticated too, don’t get me wrong, just in a different way. Her sarcasm and quick-witted lyrics are. Even if a little silly and almost immature sometimes like in Slut Like You and Walk of Shame– one of my ultimate favourites of this album!! SO MUCH FUN and so funny!!! Especially for someone who’s been in those shoes maybe one too many times like moi. It’s a good kind of immature. The kind you just laugh at and have fun with; the kind it doesn’t matter how old you are, you should still have fun regardless.)

Anyway. I actually heard them all last week because Sony kindly posted on Pink’s YouTube channel lyric-videos of the whole album (minus the four deluxe-edition bonus tracks) which also got me ready for her gig at the iTunes Festival which I got tickets for and couldn’t have been more ecstatic! Out of all the gigs I registered for, the first (out of the 3 so far!) I got was hers…fifth time around! But that’s another post with photos, videos, etc.

Back to the album…yeah, instantly my favourite ones were True Love and Just Give Me a Reason. But then today, as I woke up and, first thing, opened Spotify on my phone to add the album to my “mood of the day” playlist,  I caught myself listening to How Come You’re Not Here and Walk of Shame incessantly loudly and singing along for all the neighbourhood to hear. And then I got the bonus tracks…and then listened to My Signature Move…and yeah, it’s been on a loop all day…just listen to it, here you go (need SPOTIFY to listen to the links I post!):

Did I mention it was already #1 in SEVEN COUNTRIES before it was out in the UK and, when I checked this afternoon, it was #1 on iTunes here too?

I know I didn’t say anything about Blow Me, but really, what could I say about it? You’ve all listened to it. And then again. And again and again and again…and I’m sure you sing and dance to it too. And then again. And again and again and again…

but in case you haven’t (you’re welcome):

While You’re Out Looking For Sugar…I’m dancing the Monday away!

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I don’t think this song requires much commentary…the perfect choice of first single to make the album go on to sell thousands (as millions, unfortunately, seems to be a thing of the past. Or anything with random rap in the middle and semi-naked girls on the cover).

Go on, just listen. Seriously. And she’s absolutely gorgeous to watch too. Bitch!

Even Morrissey would cheer up with this tune!

Thanks, Joss.

The XX…slit wrist here ———

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Bloody hell! This new XX album should come with a WARNING sign and a tub of Ben & Jerry’s Choc Fudge Brownie attached to it!

It is very beautiful, even if the songs sound pretty much the same- as each other and the last album, but that doesn’t make it any less great. But seriously, if you’re suffering from matters of the heart- like moi, it can really mess you up! (not quite like moi. Maybe when PMS hits).

Anyway, I’ll leave the link for you to listen and judge for yourselves:

Pardon? You haven’t got Spotify, I hear. Well, then bloody get it, won’t you? How behind are you?!
You’re only forgiven if it is not yet available in your country. In this case, go to iTunes. Or, better yet, go to a proper music shop and B-U-Y T-H-E A-L-B-U-M!

♫ the feeling goes on and on and on

in my head

you tell me things you’ve never said

and I choose to forget

and take the good and leave the rest

oh, the illusion’s getting old

and you don’t answer when I call

I would have given you it all

oh, out of sight out of mind

it doesn’t mean you’re not mine

the feeling goes on and on and on ♫

– Unfold –