If my memory serves me correctly (it rarely does…lack of sleep is the culprit.) Tune-Yards is one woman. One woman making fantastic music. There’s something quite tribal about her music. It’s just amazing. The new album is brilliant. I’m so close to making my Top 10 albums of the year, so many good albums have come out- and it’s only May. I’d put her album in my Top 10, no doubt. Have some videos to enjoy =) :
These are two clips that I loved the most. Especially the second one. Mind=BLOWN!
There are so many songs that give me this feeling inside my stomach, my heart and cause my brain to just explode. It just blows my mind. I listen to a certain song, and I notice different parts of it. I study the layers of it intensely, to the point where I just annoy myself and think, “Olivia can’t you just listen to a song without wanting to pull it apart and analyse every part of it.” Well, most of the time I am not so obsessive. If I’m out and I hear a song I love, I will have a bit of a dance (by dance I mean my limbs just decide to do what they want.) I don’t stand arms folded thinking about key changes and the way a word is sung. Far from it. But, when I’m on my own listening to music- especially through headphones, I just notice so much. When I close everything off and concentrate, I notice so much. Maybe too much, and this doesn’t just apply to music. However, as this is a music based blog- I will keep it on music.
This song I want to write about is Undertow by Warpaint.
I had been a fan of Warpaint before Undertow. It was Billie Holiday that got me hooked. Heart first. It was like falling in love, but better. Better because there was no hurt. I heard Undertow last year and I have no idea what happened. All I know is that nothing mattered. I felt like I was being thrown into a dreaming state. Warpaint’s music makes you feel like you are constantly floating. It makes you feel so weightless yet at the same time invincible. There’s something about their music that grips you. When you listen to them, you are in this trance. You are in a state that you never want to leave. It is euphoric, it is divine. To feel this is to love Warpaint with all you have- and that I do.
What is it about Undertow that makes me feel this way? I have no idea where to start so I will start with….THE LYRICS! The lyrics when I first heard the song, well they just caused me to stop what I was doing. I thought “Fuck……” I was in awe of such words. How could a band put forward how I felt in such a mindblowing way? Simple really. When a band is THAT good, they can do anything. “Your brown eyes are my blue skies. They light up the rivers that the birds fly over.” That is just so poetically gorgeous. Someones eyes can either make you feel entirely loved or disgustingly broken. “Open your eyes and there was someone else.” We’ve all felt like that. We have all, at some point felt like someone or something other than ourselves. It’s like your reflection just isn’t you anymore, but it is okay. There is one part of the song that, lyrically, I find to be so beautifully stunning. Every time I hear it, I just find a part of me break yet fix itself at the same time: ” I lay on the floor, pressing in my eyes. Seeing little lights. Please light these decisions that only one could make. I wanted to stay home, but I went running running running running from the troubles.” There is something about how Emily sings this line, the words, that just make it feel like a blanket of reassurance covering me. This part just makes me feel, as daft as it sounds, alive. I’m not saying I feel dead or anything- far from it. But there is something about this song that just wakes up a dormant part of me.
Now for how the lyrics are sung. The way Emily and Theresa sing with each other is stunning. It sounds so pure and angelic. I love the clarity in Emily’s voice. I love how certain words are sung. I love how at the end Theresa sings over Emily. It’s just so so beautiful. It is inspiring. Warpaint are inspiring. They make me wish I could play an instrument so I can start a band. A girl can, as ever, dream. The way Emily sings is like something just falling so freely and gracefully. The way she signs the chorus and Theresa’s voices echoes underneath is beyond description. I feel that whatever I write about this song, or anything to do with Warpaint just does not do them justice. I hope dear reader, if anyone actually sees this, you go and listen to the song after you’ve read this. Just so you can see what I mean.
I have so many favourite parts of this song. I’ll try limit it. I bloody love at 2.44 when Emily sings, “Nobody in my mind.” and Stella’s drums really kick in. The drums on this are perfect. You know how sometimes you think, “Oh maybe if it was done that way….” NO. Not here. This song is utter perfection, nothing needs adjusting at all. It is so perfect. Oh god, Jenny’s bass playing. It’s so free. It is like a waterfall. In fact, that’s how I wish to compare Warpaint’s music- like a waterfall. So beautiful, so relaxing. From the 3 minute mark, it just becomes so euphoric. You feel like your head is tripping out. You can’t control yourself. Yet the best way to listen to Warpaint is to just lay in the dark in a room with your headphones in so you can hear everything so clearly. Theresa’s guitar on this is heavenly. It’s astounding. From 4.44, HOLY HELL! Emily’s voice, Stella’s drums, Theresa’s guitars and Jenny’s bass just come alive. They reach a point where you are stunned. Jaw dropping, euphoric and electrifying. I just don’t think a song has done anything like this to me in such a long time. The way the vocals are layered over each other and the music is so, I hate the word, but it is so “dreamy.” It’s a dreaming state. That’s the only way to describe it.
So there you have it, over a thousand words to describe how this one song just stole my heart. How one song has affected me in a way that I’m not sure even I understand. The album has done something to me that I only thought Morrissey and The Kills could. But Warpaint? Oh Warpaint, you have caused a whirlwind in my heart, body, mind and soul. You’ve given me faith in music and maybe in myself.
I will leave you with this version of Undertow that won so many hearts last summer, enjoy!
I’ve had this blog since….2008? I think I should do something like SONGS OF THE WEEK or something? I’d do SONG OF THE DAY but I’d struggle with that.
So, here are a few songs that I’ve been obsessed with recently :
I’ll forever be adamant that I was born in the wrong era. I should have been born in the 60s. Surrounded by the sounds of Jefferson Airplane, sat under a tree watching everything pass me by. I could do that now, but it wouldn’t be the same. The feeling I get from listening to Grace Slick’s eerie voice is different to those who heard her the first time round. Regardless, I still love her and regard her as possessing one of the most distinctive and inspiring voices ever.
I’ve always been drawn to music that makes me feel like I’m in another time or just throws me some place else, some place better. There’s always something better, everyone knows it. This is why I love bands such as Warpaint, The xx, Foals, Kurt Vile, Boards Of Canada, The Kills- they provide escapism for me. I love that. I love feeling part of something that is just me and a piece of music. Some may see this as a bad thing, I don’t. It just fuels my imagination even more.
Tame Impala are my saviour. Okay, okay that could be a bit extreme- but seriously, listen to them. But listen through headphones so you can truly feel it. So that part of you that you’ve ignored comes alive. I’ve been listening to them most of the day, and I swear they have caused me to feel things I haven’t felt in a long time- I think contentment is one of them. Listening to them is an emotional experience. Even if you shut yourself off from the lyrics, the music alone just transports you to this place of solitude.
The album, Innerspeaker opens with the euphoric It Is Not Meant To Be. I think right now, hearing this song made me think. We all waste time on what isn’t right, I think this song made me realise this. “I don’t have a hope in hell, I’m happy just to watch her move.” Everyone has felt this way. The sheer sadness of knowing you do not have a chance with the one person you want. It happens to us all, some more than most.
The band captures the whole psychedelic sound in a way Pink Floyd did when they first started. I’m not really a fan of Pink Floyd, well, not after the psychedelic era anyway. The way the whole sound just causes you to see everything in shapes and colours. It’s just a bloody wonderful experience.
That’s what listening to Tame Impala is- an experience. With a lot of bands, you just listen and you feel the same feelings that you feel towards other bands. Yet with Tame Impala, it’s like an outer-body experience. It takes over.
Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind is beautiful, “Give me a sign! Am I wasting my time? Living in my head. You’ll be sorry when I make up mine instead.” This is perfect to listen to when you are being messed around, well maybe not perfect because it might make shit worse, but you know. You know how you feel, but the other is holding back- always the way isn’t it.
The album needs your undivided attention. Lucidity and Solitude Is Bliss are just mind-blowing. Everything on this album just catapults you freely and you go willingly because you know it is for the best.
If you ever wish, like I do, that you were around in the 60s to be part of the psychedelic era then please listen to and fall in love with Tame Impala. Life can be quite disappointing. People can be disappointing. New music can be disappointing- but let Tame Impala in, and just forget everything around you.
With songs, I always seem to be drawn to ones that will cause me to feel a bit shit or make me cry. Not because I enjoy feeling like shit, far from it. But there is something about the vulnerability a singer projects that makes you feel exactly the same.
There is one band, more specifically one song- Broken Heart by Spiritualized. I never really talk about Spiritualized with my friends because well, I doubt any of them would give a shit. So I keep quiet and enjoy them. I like to keep certain bands for just me, and I think Spiritualized are one of them.
Broken Heart is easily the saddest song I have ever heard. I just played it, and I immediately broke down. Maybe it’s because I can stupidly relate to it right now, maybe it is because the way Jason Pierce sings you can feel his pain. Maybe it is the orchestral sounds that add an element of sadness to it that a voice can’t. It’s all of these reasons and more. It’s so painfully accurate. Next time you have your heart torn out, listen to this song. In fact listen to the entire album, Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space. It’s one of the most gorgeous albums ever created, I’ll say that about all of Spiritualized’s albums, but there is something about this one that does something to you. It breaks you and fixes you at the same time.
“Though I have a broken heart, I’m too busy to be heart broken. There’s a lot of things that need to be done, But I have a broken heart.” You know you have things to do, but you cannot face them because everything just hurts. Getting out of bed seems to be the most difficult thing in the world to do. Everything seems pointless and painful.
“I’ve been told that this will heal given time, but I have a broken heart” You know that deep down you’ll get over it, but your heart is in pieces and no part of you at that specific time feels like you can carry on. You can’t do anything. Nothing and no one can heal you. It’s just too much. Dealing with a broken heart is too much to bear. There’s nothing you can do, it’s when you feel at your most helpless and hopeless. You constantly feel worthless.
“And I’m crying all the time, I have to keep it covered up with a smile. And I’ll keep on moving on for a while, but I have a broken heart.” Just when you think the song could not get any more distressing and heartbreaking, you are hit with this stomach churning line. The whole song is like a kick in the gut, a reminder of the worst pain you have ever (emotionally) felt. If you can pull yourself through heartbreak, you can pull yourself through anything. Although sometimes it is just too much. Sometimes you have to do it alone, sometimes you have to have outburst to anyone who will listen. What do I do? Oh I keep quiet and listen to Spiritualized. I played it earlier for the first time in a long time, and it just caused me to bawl. Everything at once just hit me- not from a personal point of view, but hearing how hurt Jason Pierce sounds, it isn’t right that one person can be made to feel this way from the awful actions of another person.
Heartbreak happens to us all; at the time it feels like the worst thing in the world. Then somehow, you manage to overcome it. You don’t know how, but you just do. Maybe it’s because you have no choice.
I am told it gets better, I’m still waiting.
There is something about a band that only has two members. There’s something about two people creating so much noise and chaos (The Kills) or something so utterly tranquil and beautiful (Beach House) that just leaves me in awe.
Beach House and The Kills are examples of bands only needing two members to create something so wonderful. When you listen to Teen Dream or Keep On Your Mean Side, you can’t help but be amazed that just two people created these works of art.
For me, I’m more likely to be drawn to a band with two members than four or five. Not because they are better, it’s all personal taste isn’t it. But because you know they have to work extra hard to prove themselves and more effort probably goes in.
The White Stripes for instance, probably one of the most influential bands of their time. There is no denying the genius of Jack White, and yes Meg may have a simplistic way of playing the drums- but it worked. With her drumming and Jack’s mind blowing guitar abilities, it was a perfect combination.
Just like The Kills, Jamie’s aggressive guitar sound with Alison’s beautiful, pure voice over it is just brilliant. You don’t need everything to be in depth nor do you need everything to be simple- combine the two and you create something glorious.
Some of the greatest bands ever only had two members such as: Tears For Fears, Eurythmics, Sam & Dave, Gang Starr, Röyksopp. They say three is the magic number, I doubt it. Two is all you need. These are artists that have inspired so many and still do. Their art is sampled by other artists. Their work is still used in adverts, films, television shows- it still exists. What they have produced is highly influential and will not fade out any time soon. That’s what makes it so good. A really shit film could sample a song by Tears For Fears- but it wouldn’t matter, because Tears For Fears are still a band that are important to so many. I remember my mum owing one of their albums on cassette. CASSETTE! They need bringing back!
If you listen to She & Him you feel you’re back in the 60s with the Wall Of Sound era, instead it’s just two wonderful musicians creating beautiful music. The same applies to The Raveonettes- a brilliant duo who I feel are highly underrated. Every album is like a step back, but in a good way. When music can make you feel like you are in some other time and place, that’s when you know it’s good.
You can’t mention duos without mentioning the fabulously weird and brilliant The Knife. Heartbeats is one of the most gorgeous songs I have ever heard, the lyrics are so beautiful. The Knife’s sound is so distinctive, strange and rare. Something I fully admire in a band or singer.
Boards Of Canada are a brother duo from Scotland; they just reinforce my belief that most bands from Scotland are bloody amazing. They have created music that is perfect to lose your mind to. I don’t mean going bat shit crazy, but by sitting on a hill in the summer with their music blaring into your ears as you just lay there taking all the delightful sounds in. Nothing matters apart from the music. The music that you are allowing every part of you to become free. The music takes over. You’re no longer a person; you are part of this sound travelling freely. That’s what Boards Of Canada do. Don’t believe me? Then I suggest you lay down and listen to them. Do nothing, just listen.
Hip Hop is a genre that has some of the best duos. EPMD, Eric B & Rakim, Gangstarr, Mobb Deep, Black Star, Method Man & Redman…I could go on and on about Hip Hop. After Punk, it’s one of types of music that just means a lot. I get pretty defensive about it. Especially now, the more mainstream side of it is highly degrading. Artists such as Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco- modern day poets who actually teach you something are the kind I love. Black On Both Sides by Mos Def is an album I hold very dear to me. Everything about is just goes back to what Hip Hop, for me, is about- the lyrics. Lyrics are important to me. Hip Hop, in its truest form is like poetry. Tupac for instance, he was a poet. There used to be passion in this genre, it needs pulling out again.
There’s this whole myth that there is power in numbers, bullshit. There’s power in your art. Within you. Take Morrissey for instance- he could easily take on a band of five members with his lyrics alone. One man alone versus a five member band, he’d come out on top. Then you’ve got a band like The Kills who create such a wonderful riot sound that would make a band with more than two members worry. That’s what amazes me about The Kills every time. It is their ability to create such an aggressive sound that is so big. You imagine them to have some insane drummer and at least two guitarists with the sound they create. But no, it’s just two amazingly talented individuals.
I am fully aware that I could have mentioned so many more duos here, but I’ve mentioned ones that mean something to me. I’m just fascinated by the creation a duo can create. It impresses me more than a four or five member group. There’s just something about it. You can feel the hard work they put into it. The blood, sweat and tears. I am not dismissing a band that has more than two members at all, far from it. We live in a world where we constantly feel like we have to prove ourselves to get somewhere. It’s almost as if a duo is the “underdog” of the music industry. Well sometimes, the underdog has its day.
Hardly anyone knows this, but one of my favourite bands ever are Deftones. One of my favourite albums ever is Around The Fur. I think it’s just a perfect album to escape to.
One song in particular that means so much to be is Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away). It just makes me want to throw all my stuff into a bag, headphones in and just leave. But seeing as I am low on funds, I just play it over and over, and dream about leaving. Leaving for something better. Because let’s face it, there is always something better than what you currently have. You may not think it, but when taken out of the situation you are in- you will look back and think, “Why didn’t I do something?”
The way Chino sings on this song just breaks you. The desperation and frustration that comes through in his voice is astounding, it makes you feel his frustration. It makes you want to pick shit up and throw it. It makes you want to get in the face of the one person who is causing all these feelings to build up, and tell them exactly how low they make you feel. Yet the sad thing is, you want to get away far- but you probably want it to be with them. It’s just a song that leads you to asses all the things in your life that are causing these frustrations. It is okay to be angry, it is okay to have insecurities. It is okay to feel. Do not let another person tell you otherwise. If you’re mad- be mad. If you want to cry- let the tears fall. If you’re happy- fucking hold onto it. Because people will never want to get rid of your hurt, just your joy.
Back to the song.
“I don’t care where, just FAR!” The way this is sung is just out of this world. The way Chino emphasises “FAR” breaks your heart. It shatters you. There’s only one way to play this song. Alone and loud.
Everything about this song causes your heart beat to increase. You feel things you didn’t think were humanly possible. It’s like being in love but without the pain and disappointment.
Yes it is angsty, but not in a “I hate the world, woe is me” kind of vibe. It’s sheer frustration that sometimes, we struggle to offload.
It just makes you want to forget all that is fucking you over, and just go. And sometimes, in life, it is needed. Real life can be daunting and sometimes dull, so the best thing you can do is escape and create.
Beach House are a band I’d like to sit outside listening to, on a warm summer’s evening watching the sun going down with either a group of close mates or someone special. They give that feeling of just being surrounded by love, even though some of their songs may make you feel a bit sad, the music doesn’t.
Lover Of Mine is beyond gorgeous. I could happily play it over and over. there’s just something about it that is so relaxing. I have it on repeat most days. It’s got psychedelic undertones; this is why I am in love with Beach House.
Listening to them, I don’t feel like I am in this era. I feel like I am in the 1960s, catapulted into a field with the blazing hot sunshine on my back as I wander round aimlessly for hours. Sounds perfect, right?
Teen Dream was easily one of last year’s best albums. Why? Well listen to it and you’ll find out. Tracks such as Lover Of Mine, Zebra, Norway and Real Love just reinforced my love for the band. Beach House are a band to believe in. they are proof that a band does not need 5 members to justify how amazing they are. It’s an album to cuddle to, fall asleep to, wake up…just live really. From start to finish it is perfect. Haunting, wonderful- just everything about it is what you want from an album, from a band. It’s just a mind-blowing album. “In a wide open field we know we can feel
Awake and unreal, off to nowhere.” The way this is sung just feels like a dream, it’s perfect.
Better Times follows after Lover Of Mine, both are equally stunning- lyrically and musically. “Been a fool for weeks. ‘Cause my heart stands for nothing, and your soul’s too weak.” What isn’t there to love about this simply gorgeous line? I could play Teen Dream constantly; it sends me off into another place. It’s just beautiful.
I know this basically seems like I am telling you how wonderful Teen Dream is and ignoring previous albums, but you just need it in your life more than anything. Well, not more than oxygen because that would be silly wouldn’t it.
Moving on from Teen Dream, Beach House are pretty much a band you need to have in your life on an almost daily basis. Your summer will not be the same without them. Road trips to the beach or wherever with Beach House blaring out as you are amongst the company of your favourite people- there is truly nothing more beautiful. Watching the sunset whilst listening to Beach House, is there anything more perfect?
Watching video clips of interviews with Alex and Victoria, you can sense that unlike a lot of bands, they truly care about the music and what it does for them. A lot seem to just do it for money or to be “cool” (“cool” doesn’t exist; it’s just a term to boost the egos of those who don’t deserve it.) There is no pretentiousness with them, they just create beautiful music. Seriously, if you feel there is something missing in your life- it’s Beach House shaped.
The duo has this glorious way of waking up certain feelings you thought you would never have again. They fill you with joy, and yes there is sadness amongst the lyrics, but if you pay attention to the music and the voice of Victoria you will hear something so beautiful that all the pain you are holding inside just seems so irrelevant because your ears are being exposed to this wondrous sound.
So be sensible and brave- and let Beach House inside your heart, and own it.
Beat In My Bones. 