February 26, 2014: New Music of the Week

Sky Ferreira-- I Blame Myself

Capitol Records

By college student standards, the October 2013 release of Night Time, My Time is not that new-- but whatevs, "I Blame Myself" is fresh enough for me.  This track is addicting.  It's been in high rotation on my college's indie station lately, and the catchy and smooth beat has been stuck in my head as  I walk around campus, trying to look intriguing and jaded as if I was the star of this song's video. Don't worry, I acted cool....
It's interesting how the peppy beat is juxtaposed with the self-depreciating lyrics.  With a couple listens I started to pick up on the deep tension within the speaker of the song (getting literary over here) and then I was like "OH." That song just Rod Stewart Maggie Mayed me.  If you don't know that reference, 1)What? 2)Brush up on your easy listening radio 3)Prepare to fight your laughter whenever the song is used at family gatherings or in "positive" commercials.
Ferreira's debut has been labelled on-point by a bunch of critics and she was an opener on Miley Cyrus's Bangerz tour, until she cut herself during her performance and had to take a break to let the 60-stitch wound heal.  Hopefully she gets better and continues to produce more "OH" synthpop.

February 25, 2014

Kanye West and A Bunch of People-- All of the Lights

 This track is from Kanye West's 2010 masterpiece, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and features a ton of people, including Rihanna, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Fergie, The-Dream, Elly Jackson, Charlie Wilson, Ryan Leslie, Tony Williams, Elton John..  This video is pretty dope with all the words and the beginning part with the little girl.


Basically, get your stuff together.  

Happy Tuesday.

TheSongWithoutTheCrazyVideo

February 24, 2014

Sparkadia-- The Great Impression

OK! Good Records

Today's song is the title track from Sparkadia's 2009 album The Great Impression.  This song is short and has such an ambiance about it-- a mix between reflective and mysterious-- and goes well with the overcast Monday here in Ithaca. Sparkadia was originally a four-person band, forming in 2004 and releasing Postcards in 2008.  The Great Impression was largely made by Alex Burnett, the last standing member, in collaboration with
Mark Tieku, who is known for his work with Florence and the Machine.

On Another Note: The eyes on the cover, along with the title, reminds me of The Great Gatsby.

February 23, 2014

Hey y'all,

Ra Ra Riot--Beta Love

Barsuk

I start off this little project with a great tune that came out a little over a year ago and really encompasses a lot of what I hear in indie pop these days-- finding grooves that are innovative and have a romantic dance hall feel like in the TV disco shown in the music video.  The video was actually made by a Ra Ra Riot fan, David Dean Burkheart, and the Syracuse-based band liked it so much they made it their official vid.