No word of a lie, Phantogram are fucking brilliant. They have described themselves as being “Psych Pop.” It’s true. That they are. Personally I feel like they have that same euphoric sound that The Knife, Beach House, Burial all have. It takes you some place better than where you are. Let’s face it, anywhere is better than where you are.
Songs such as Don’t Move have this uplifting feel to it that just well and truly hits you right in the gut. For me, that’s what makes a band or singer stand out from others. If they can shake up your soul and make you feel something so deep-that not even a person can make you feel, then you’re onto something.
The intro to their song, When I’m Small draws you in straight away. It just makes you want to pull mental moves. It just makes you feel SO GOOD. If you’re looking for a band to make the early dark evenings feel less grim and to provide that warm Summer vibes onto your bones; then let yourself fall insanely and totally in love with Phantogram.
Oh, and they’re another band that New York should be proud of.
Sometimes you get stuck in a place that you think you cannot get out of. Whether it is a state of mind or an actual place, sometimes it has this disgusting grip on you- and you just cannot escape. I guess that’s why music is one of the best ways to express how one feels. It says the things you cannot say. It says the things you wish you could say. The lyrics, the note changes, every major and minor detail in a piece of music can just sum up any and every feeling you carry around with you on a daily basis.
I live in a place I really cannot stand. I’ve got the guts to leave. I’m leaving on Friday. I’ve been trying to do it for some time now, but now I have a reason. Things did improve in September, but I guess….you just have to do what works for you and what makes you happy. You see, I’m moving back to my mum’s. For a while I was reluctant to do it because I thought I’d be a failure. I’m not. I’m doing something for ME. Something I rarely do. I spent too long thinking about others and what they wanted, I forgot about myself. So, I’m moving home for a bit. Save money from my job and after that, I have no idea. I don’t know where I will go. I’ve got some ideas- but I don’t know. I don’t like planning things. So, with this week’s mix I’m putting songs that can help you escape the dullness and chore of everyday life. Songs to lose yourself in and make you realise what you want- and how you are going to get it.
Don’t ever think you are not worthy of putting yourself first, because you are. You are worth more than you know. It’s totally okay to be happy and to be yourself first. I guess hitting 25 the other week has had a positive impact. Grow up and get out.
I swear to god, this woman has this ability to get inside your head and say EVERYTHING you cannot say. This is SO FUCKING GOOD. To the point where it could possibly shit on everything else she has ever done. Okay, I don’t know. Maybe not. You know how Radioactive was too good for words? Starring Role is on the same level.
Marina is on a totally different level to everything around right now. She says everything you can’t say, and she does it in a way you wish you could. No song she ever does will mean as much to me as Guilty does, but sweet fuckery Starring Role is brilliant.
A lot of fools claim she has sold out. Bullshit. An artist can change their sound- it’s called growing. That’s what they do. You cannot expect an artist to make the same record over and over- what would be the point.
This is going to takeover from me playing Radioactive about 50 times a day.
When mentioning female folk based singers, there’s only a small amount that are worthy of your attention. Joan Baez is one, Sibylle Baier is another. She’s a German folk singer who manages to break your heart with her haunting voice. Her lyrics are full of sadness. When a person does this, they can sound quite self involved and whiney. Nobody wants that. Sibylle Baier does it in a way that makes you want to just hold her away from all the pain and hurt in the world. As sad as some of her songs are, they are truly some of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.
If you love artists such as Cat Power, you should hopefully love Sibylle Baier. Even if you don’t love Cat Power, hopefully you can still appreciate the talent here.
A place can sometimes define a sound, not always- but it is a frequent thing. You listen to bands such as Friends and straight away you feel as if you are in New York in the 80s or 90s. It’s a powerful thing to do, when a band can send you to a specific time and place. Sometimes a band just sends you off in your own little world. Escaping is a truly wonderful thing. Leaving everything behind is one of the greatest forms of freedom.
It’s euphoric dance music with a hint of electro. It sounds like nothing else around, which is why Class Actress deserve to be huge. Alas, the general public are partial to shit music such as….well, you can reel off some names can’t you. You don’t need me to tell you.
Their music makes you feel like you are in New York (where they are from) on some dancefloor having your heartbroken. But! You don’t care because the music just lifts your spirits. When a band can do that, nothing else needs to matter in life, apart from that moment where you let go- and let your mind go some place else.
One of the best artists this year, one of the best albums of the year for sure. Dirty Beaches has that wonderful dark and tormented sound that is found in artists such as Townes Van Zandt and Tom Waits.
Dirty Beaches (or Alex if you prefer) really pulls at your heartstrings and gets to the very core of your emotions. There is such pain and vulnerabilty in his voice, and music. These traits make him easy to relate to, you cling onto every word; you believe in every single word. For me, that’s what makes an artist highly exceptional. His music is instantly timeless. If you want something that is going to make you feel something you never thought you could feel, then get his album.
The video to Lone Runner isn’t exactly uplifting- but why should it be? Music should be frightening. Music should give off dark and menacing vibes- Dirty Beaches does eaxctly that. Yet, when you listen to songs such as Lord Knows Best; it fills you with hope and love. Alex is a fascinating musician, you can’t deny that.
Sometimes you don’t need to say anything about an artist. The music just explains it all. That’s the case with Lianne La Havas. Best new female singer in the UK? No doubt.
A song should always, well, most of the time makes you feel like you are having some crazy outer body experience. It should make you feel so fucking alive, that nothing or no one can bring you down from the high it gives you. This is how I always feel when I listen to Warpaint. It all started with a track off their EP, Exquisite Corpse a few years ago.
When I first heard Elephants I felt like I was in some kind of trance. The intro just made me zone out, I still get like that now when I listen to it. If I’m listening to Warpaint and you want my attention- you’ve got a serious battle on your hands. I’m like that with a lot of bands, but Warpaint is one of the main ones. Their music just does something that, although I struggle so badly to put it into words- I still feel the need to try though.
The guitars on this track just sums up how haunting and magnetic Warpaint’s music is. The intro just launches you into a frenzy. You can lose your mind to this, or you can find a part of you in it. The latter is apt for me. Their music goes beyond being an emotional crutch for me. It’s more than my life. I guess it’s because I’ve sat down with them and talked to them about their music, it just makes it mean even more to me. For so long I’ve been wanting a band to move me in a way that just leaves me speechless but at the same time just makes me feel so bloody alive. That’s exactly what I get from Warpaint.
As soon as Emily sings the line, “I’ll break your heart. To keep you far from where all danger starts….” It just makes me glad I’m not deaf or dead. It is so peaceful, then it really kicks in and smacks you right between the eyes. It wraps itself around your heart. Every chord and every word that is sung is etched upon your heart. It stays with you. You’ll remember the first time you heard it. It just stays with you. The way everything comes together in this song is just mind-blowing.
What I love about Warpaint is that they don’t have to use pretentious wordplay in order to reach your soul. They don’t have to act all mean and moody to be heard. They are so relaxed and you can really feel that they love what they are doing.
Elephants just has this ridiculous grip on you. It’s like you become so enthralled by eveyrthing that is going on. Personally, I find Emily’s voice to be extremely hypnotising on this track. Most would probably throw their limbs about to this and jump around like a loon. Power to you and all that. For me, it just makes me zone out. Their music does that to me, and I’m not sure why. I don’t question it, because if I did- I don’t think I’d be this much in love with their music. The breakdown with Jenny’s bass ALWAYS makes me wish I could play bass. Fuck it though, Warpaint make me wish I could play an instrument. I can’t though. When Emily sings, “I know that you’re not here. I’m wondering where you are.” You can really feel the music taking you down. You can really feel the song spiralling down. It is so bloody powerful.
Warpaint always send me off into another world when I listen to their music. No other has ever managed to do what they do to me. It’s rare. I don’t need to cling onto it with all I have because what I’e been wanting to find in a band, I found in Warpaint a few years ago. It’s just a mesmirising sound that catapults you into a different light. So powerful but also gentle.
Finding ANYTHING out about this band led me to some very odd websites. However, it’s good to know that I can pay for company at any time should I feel the need. However, I don’t mind my own company so it’s not a path I ever need to go down. Thankfully.
Escort come from Brooklyn. They create this 70s disco kind of music that is mixed with something else. I’m not sure what, but it works. It works so bloody well. It makes you want to go to one of those roller discos. Except I probably wouldn’t go. I don’t need to fall over more times that I already do- and on wheels. No. That doesn’t need to happen.
Around 17 band members play during live shows. THAT SHITS ON ARCADE FIRE! They have this amazing sound that makes you think you’re listening to George Clinton or Sly Stone. It’s just insane and the best thing ever. Honestly. If I could get across just how exciting this band well and truly are, I’d do it. But I can’t. You’re just going to have to listen to them and see (well hear) for yourself.
Their music makes you feel like you are in Brooklyn in the 70s. It is so powerful and euphoric. It’ll make you want to dance or just nod your head. I don’t know. All I know is that they make me happy. Their debut album is one of the best ones to have come out this year, no doubt about it.
In 9 days I’m moving back home. I call it home, although it never feels like it. I’ve never felt at home anywhere. I hope that when I leave there after a month or so, I can find a place called home and stop feeling on edge or whatever. I was alright with leaving here, until this evening. I know some truly beautiful and wonderful people. I’ve had a bit of a cry, I suppose I’ll blame the wine for that. Or the fact that I am way too sensitive and sentimental for my own good. Orignally I wanted to make this mixtape post about the songs that helped me grow up and saved my life. I’ve decided to change it, and just put a bunch of songs that remind me of certain people and certain events that have happened. I guess you can call it a thank you or whatever for the people I care about more than I probably show. I’m utterly toss with saying how I feel, so I guess using a song is the best way to do it. Besides, like most I fear rejection so this is my best bet.
I like to think that certain songs are obvious as to who and what they are about. I don’t want to explain because it will take away the meaning and I suppose the sentimental value. This year has been a bit shit, but it’s also been alright. Certain people have made it easier. Again, they should know who they are.
I could honestly ramble on, but I’d just bore you to death.
