Girl Power

Today I decided to blog about some great girl singers that I have been listening to lately. First off is the Swedish indie pop artist, Lykke Li. Her new album "Wounded Rhymes" is amazing! I am obsessed with "Love Out of Lust" and "I Know Places," both are slow tracks that I like to listen to when I am reading or doing homework.  

If you haven't already heard of Lykke Li, then you have to also check out her first album, "Youth Novels." Every song on the album is excellent, it's hard to pick a favorite. "Time Flies" is a great slow song and "Breaking It Up" is a good upbeat song.  

My new favorite girl artist is Jessica Lea Mayfield. If the Black Keys support this singer/songwriter then so do I! I first heard about her from the Spin SXSW artists article and then literally a week later she was the free song of the week on iTunes, which was frustrating because I had just purchased the same song! Anyways, she just released a new album, "Tell Me." I love the songs "Kiss Me Again," "Call Me," and "Our Heart Our Wrong." 

Definitely check out Jessica's new album. She is also featured on the Black Keys' song "Things Ain't Like They Used To Be." 

 

Great New Find!

Today I heard this song over the radio that sounded just like Vampire Weekend. I'm so happy I wrote down some of the lyrics to look up online because this was a song by a band I hadn't heard of before.

Foster the People is the great new band! The song I heard on the radio is called "Pumped Up Kicks." I tried to look up some info on these guys but all I got is that they're from LA and they're coming to SXSW! I don't know why I never decide to go to SXSW, it sounds like it was created just for my enjoyment!!! 

Here's their music video, check out their EP on iTunes! 

My most recent playlist

In spirit of my BFF, Liz’s, day of birth,  I created a fabulous CD for her!  I am actually very excited about this one.  It features songs I downloaded free from http://www.spin.com/ and also tracks I read about in Rolling Stone.  I also recently purchased the latest Decemberists album, The King Is Dead. I'm enjoying it thus far and decided to add my two favorites from the new release.

I wish I could somehow put all the songs from the playlist on the blog but instead I will leave you with the list of songs and perhaps a few videos to give you a sample of the masterpiece!

1. Mine is Yours -- Cold War Kids
2. Brick Shoes -- Mona
3. Dancing On My Own -- Robyn
4. Girls with Accents -- Fences
5. Down By the Water -- The Decemberists
6. I Dont Feel Like Dancing -- Scissor Sisters
7. Royal Blue -- Cold War Kids
8. Too Much -- Sufjan Stevens
9. Written in Reverse -- Spoon
10. Living in America -- DOM
11. I Can Change -- LCD Soundsystem
12. Begin Again -- Measure
13. This Is Why We Fight -- The Decemberists
14. Let's Get Out Of Here -- Les Savy Fav
15. Communion -- Maximum Ballon/Karen O
16. Blinking Pigs -- Little Dragon
17. Whirring -- The Joy Formidable
18. Texico Bitches -- Broken Social Scene

"Mine is yours" -- CWK

"Living in America" -- DOM

"Whirring" -- The Joy Formidable

I love "shuffle" on my iPod

As I was driving back to Austin after the long winter break I decided to use the shuffle application on my iPod because, at that point, I had abused my winter playlist songs.  I'm happy I did!  

I was reminded of a Wilco song that I love. "At least that's what you said" starts out pretty slow, at first I thought it was just going to be one of those filler songs on an album that just leads you to the upcoming jam-out song, but that is not the case.  

It's actually the opening track for the "A Ghost Is Born (Tour Edition)" album, which makes sense.  Everyone knows Wilco is a great, popular band and I usually like to blog about songs that aren't as main stream.  However, this is "What I'm Listening To" so I couldn't resist.  

So to add in a song that is new to me (as of this morning), here it is: "After All That, Its Come to This" by Amos the Transparent.  The song is featured on the charming "Plenty of Fish" commercial that talks about finding your other half.  Enjoy! 

My new favorite music to chill to

I recently discovered the band Land of Talk while aimlessly clicking through artists that iTunes says I may “like.” I’m so happy they did!  Land of Talk’s lead singer, Elizabeth Powell, has been featured in songs by Broken Social Scene, which drew me to her music. 

Powell’s voice is soft and almost bluesy and the music ranges from a folk rock to alternative.  If I were to make a playlist with her music, Beach House would be an obvious addition to it because they have the same soft sound. 

I have not listened to all of the albums yet; however, I personally love her song “It’s Okay.” It’s about goodbyes and letting go, a little depressing but I still like it!  All of her songs are great to chill to, check them out!  

What I'm listening to... instead of studying for finals...

I recently found this new song called "All for you" by Dr Meaker.  They are a live dance band from Bristol, UK.  The music has a catchy base and drumming beat while the vocals are deep and raspy like Inara George or  Goldfrapp.

I was not aware of the band until I heard the song on my new guilty pleasure, "Skins,"a BBC show that takes place in Bristol.  They have many decent songs on the show which, unfortunately, my "Shazam" will not trace.

This Ain't A Scene

Currently, my new obsession is with The Henry Clay People's song, "This Ain't a Scene."  I got the song from my ACL iPhone App and haven't stopped listening to it since.  It's pretty much on every playlist I have made lately.

They started out touring with Silversun Pickups and Against Me!, two bands that are decent, the former more so than the latter.  My iTunes Genius seems to compare them to Brand New and Local Natives, which, to me, are on opposite sides of the rock spectrum.  I think of them as more of a soft rock band.

I feel like I am not doing them much justice here.  Just check out the song.  In my opinion it's their best hit. I also enjoy "You Can Be Timeless," from the "For Cheap For Free" Album. There are two versions of "This Ain't a Scene."  I personally prefer the "Somewhere on the Golden Coast" version.