Lady Gaga

Oh.My.Gaga. Her new album has dance-tron written all over it. I swear, its on the cover. Well maybe that much isnt true, but she does win my heart over again with this album. Its nothing short of 80s, electronic infused, dance tune after dance tune with tons of bad assness in her lyrics.

This is what you can expect:
Bad Kids, for one, makes me want to go around on a motorcycle and kick things, and Highway Unicorn was clearly written with me in mind - "With blonde hair and a gun smoking under her toes". Thanks for thinking of me Gaga, you're a real gem. Edge of Glory has already been megaly compared to the She-Ra opening. Again, thanks for this love of a throw back, love me a good she ra inspiration. She also has a lot of religious undertones.. yes folks, it didnt stop at Judas..it continues with Black Jesus + Amen Fashion and Bloody Mary... which I'm curious to see if there is any backlash from.

Then there's this song - You and I. Its has a total country flare and to me is disconnected from the rest of the album, but for some reason it has me hooked.
Its been filling up my ears all day and is starting to beat this black heart red.

My paws are certainly up and praising the mother monster.

Friendly Fires

I was so ready to put some fire back into my step. Honestly, if you havent gotten hooked on these guys yet, you need to. Not only are their songs dancy and upbeat, but they boast for one of the most fun live gigs I've been to in awhile. (think Mic Jagger dance styles) They're swinging back through town to Toronto in a couple of weeks. Get on that.

Take a listen to their latest album before it drops:

MGMT

We've all heard Congratulations by now. I still can't wrap my head around my opinion on it so I'm going to leave it at that for now. Bah, maybe thats because I want to like it so much, but am just not biting yet...I sure hope not. A few more run-throughs and I'll have a better idea.

Listen Here

MIA

I wanted some more bucky dun gun MIA in my life and I was super excited to see that she has a new album due this summer. Get this, one of the songs to look forward to is called "I'm Down Like Your Internet Connection" and she actually recorded it with a group of Filipino Verizon workers via the phone."I was having issues with my cable and wireless, and I was on the phone [with tech support] for three hours, and I thought, 'Maybe this needs to be part of my music, could you just learn these lyrics and sing it down the phone to me?' 10 phone calls later, I have Internet that sticks and a song." (Via Pitchfork) You never know whats up her sleeve. Cant wait for some fresh summer tunes.

In the mean time, here is Rihanna's latest, Rude Boy, with a very inspired MIA video. Ch-ch-check it:

Jay Malinowski

Obsessions can be healthy, right? Maybe don’t answer that question… the latest that my ears can’t get enough of is the first solo output from Bedouin Soundclash’s Jay Malinoswki. He takes a much different angle than Bedouin’s upbeat, uplifting feel and brings it down for a more heart-pouring, somber (and somewhat folkish) album. A completely different side of Jay is exposed on this album as he taps into his struggles the past few years and dug into when he stepped away from personal evils and toward a fresh beginning, as he puts it he was reflecting on, ‘things he lost along the way’ – evidence in which is in his beautifully crafted lyrics. My favorite is a stunning and haunting ballad, Theres A Light, that I have been listening to on repeat since I first laid ears to it. Expect the video soon, following his first release, Santa Monica, as he's rumored to be fresh off the set in Iceland.

Bright Lights & Bruises is being released Feb 16 and Jay will also be stopping by MOD Club for Canadian Music Week on March 12 as part of his tour (he’s in Van March 18th). Expect big things.

Listen to some of the tracks on Bright Lights & Bruises here

Spin Magazine: 10 Artists to Watch in 2010

I'll make this easy for you:
1. Go here
2. Download album.
3. Press Play
4. Once finished, repeat number 3

Vampire Weekend

Here is really all you need to know to put a smile on your face for the next while:

Vampire Weekend.
New Album:Contra
Stream now on myspace here

Also, as a bonus, they stopped my our ever favorite Juan's basement. Still waiting on our invite to chill there, but this will have to do in the mean time:

Local Natives

Remember the Local Natives - the guys that sang Ceclia outside using a tree as a drumset, that I posted as my "Thursday Morning pick me up" not too long ago?

Well, they are set to release their debut album, Gorilla Manor, over here in North America in February. You can check out 30 second clips of the tracks here, Although the :30s isnt enough to get you into it, at least you get a feel for the songs and what they're about.

Twilight

Speaking as someone who has never glanced at a Twilight book or seen a frame of the movie, [I have stood beside the prince himself, RPattz, & Kristen Stewart though] I can't say I totally understand the obsession, but good on you if you do... especially because New Moon has a killer soundtrack. What's with that? P.S. see how I did that - 'killer' soundtrack? Gosh, I crack myself up sometimes. Honestly though, its like whoever compiled this soundtrack has been reading my blog/raiding my ipod.

1. DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE – MEET ME ON THE EQUINOX
2. BAND OF SKULLS – FRIENDS
3. THOM YORKE – HEARING DAMAGE
4. LYKKE LI – POSSIBILITY
5. THE KILLERS – A WHITE DEMON LOVE SONG
6. ANYA MARINA – SATELLITE HEART
7. MUSE – I BELONG TO YOU (NEW MOON REMIX)
8. BON IVER & ST. VINCENT – ROSYLN
9. BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB – DONE ALL WRONG
10. HURRICANE BELLS – MONSTERS
11. SEA WOLF – THE VIOLET HOUR
12. OK GO – SHOOTING THE MOON
13. GRIZZLY BEAR WITH VICTORIA LEGRAND – SLOW LIFE
14. EDITORS – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7aMfB6nwQw
15. ALEXANDRE DESPLAT – NEW MOON (THE MEADOW)

Autotune Glory

and so it continues...

"If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch you must first invent the universe"



Oh, did I mention that Jack White is releasing this as a 7" on his own record label? Werd.

Rihanna

I really hate to say it, and maybe I'm saying this pre-maturely and the song will grow on me, but I could have waited a bit longer for this. I thought she was going to blow it out of the water with this being the first single off her first album since 2007...and this song is just a touch on the boring side. Someone needs to step in and remix this shiz. Maybe throw some Drake in there, that seems to be working for people?

Her album is still on my 'to do' list though, because I can't deny my love for RiRi and I have faith she'll have some great new hits. It drops Nov 23.
Rihanna Russian Roulette

Vampire Weekend

Sa-weeeeeet! You can download Vampire Weekend's first release, Horchata, off their sophomore album, Contra [to be released Jan '10] all for FAH-REE!!Its a great tune too, Vampire Weekend never seem to disappoint. The only thing you have to sacrafice is your email to their mailing list, I say that's quite a deal.

Look how easy I've made this for you. You're welcome.

Hockey

Hockey's [yes, I know, its super confusing, especially as a Canadian that the band's name is Hockey] first single "Too Fake" has been the fourth song on my running playlist for a few months now. I don't know why but I have never followed up on any of their other releases because I love the song. So today was the day I decided to make a change in my life and fill it with Hockey [band]...mainly because the release of their album, Mind Chaos, reminded me to do so today.

The Hockey guys come from Portland, Oregan and their sound has been described as Stroke-ish. They were actually discovered by my fav BBC Radio 1 announcer, Zane Lowe.

Here's their library:



This next one, is a bit Kooks-ish to me:


Too Fake Music Video

Editors

The latest from the Editors from their 3rd album that’s coming your way next month, titled ‘In This Light And On This Evening’. The guys have said you can look forward to inspiration by ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Terminator’ and have described it as “synthetic, raw and anthemic’. All these promises deem true in their first single, Papillon, where the guys ditch the geee-tahs and pick up a synth.

Jay-Z

A first listen to Hov's latest: Blueprint III

Whatcha think? Although Jay-Z only appears solo in three songs, I'm loving the all star cast: from Luke Steele from Empire of the Sun, to Alicia Keys, Swiss Beatz, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, and of course Drake.

Kayne took the front seat in directing the album, with Timbaland pitching for three.

Band of Skulls

Lets just continue the free release previews today with the Band of Skulls debut: Baby Darling Doll Face Honey. Its only up this week before the cd release, so be sure to sample! Also, check out my earlier post with their single 'I Know What I Am'.

Guetta

Get your glowsticks out, kids. Guetta is back and ready to infiltrate dance halls near you. Seriously, I’ve been listening to the cd all day at work and call me crazy for a Tuesday but all I’m thinking about is being all sweaty on a dance floor, strobe lights and all. He’s got some awesome guest stars on the album – from Akon to Estelle and even Will.I.Am, Apl de Ap and Kelly Rowland (all double times) My fav after the first listen is by far the Kid Cudi collabo.


Featuring Kid Cudi - Memories

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson

The first song off Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson’s compilation cd, ‘the breakup’, is finally here! I know that she’s gotten a ton of criticism for her singing (as most actresses do when they try to delve into the music world to make their mark) but I’m loving this tune. It’s surprisingly upbeat for something that falls under that album name and already has a spot of my driving/summer playlist.

So how’d this whole thing come about? Scarlett was approached by Pete because he wanted to do a duet cd with inspiration from Brigitte Bardot.

‘After I kind of dozed off one afternoon for a few minutes, I just woke up and my heart was racing and I had this thing in my head ... 'I have to do a duets album, a guy-girl album,'" Yorn told Billboard.com. "I was really into Bonnie and Clyde at the time, by Serge and Brigitte, and I thought, 'Brigitte ... Scarlett! She's Brigitte!' It was a really manic thought pattern that was going on. Within 10 minutes, I was texting Scarlett, 'We have to make a record!'"

Also known as: maximizing his time spent with a super hot chick. Smart guy. The album was actually recorded back in 2006 but I’m not sure of the holdup…maybe because her solo career was a complete flop? But apparently this was recorded before her Tom Waits cover album released a few years ago…

I honestly really tried and really wanted to love her solo stuff, because Scar-Jo is my absolute fav actress but I was just never fully convinced she could pull it off. This, on the other hand has gotten me really excited because I now will allow myself to keep that female-crush I have on her and lets me fall in love with Pete Yorn all over again.

So, to summarize:
• Pete got to work closely with Scarlett
• Scarlett gets to prove herself as a singer
• We get a great tune
• My heart will go on and on….
• It’s a win all around.

Album is due September 15.


Relator - Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson>

Pearl Jam

They're baaackk and hitting a radio near you! Pearl Jam dropped their first single, The Fixer, from their upcoming album Backspacer. The release date isnt until September so all you Jammers will just have to sit pretty until then. For now we have this toe-tappin' single that is like music to your ears...er...I mean...