Fall Music 2 The Golden Filter / Other Lives / Sia / Icona Pop / Sunday Girl

The Golden Filter - Mother



Holy Moly I cannot say enough good things about The Golden Filters recently released EP for the short film 'SYNDROMS.' Not only is this short film so aesthetically entertaining, but having music that matches the already perfect cinematography is so rare. This song in particular is my favorite from the soundtrack, due to the eerie airy female voice and the shocking lyrics. I honestly feel like I just found a bunch of never before heard Massive Attack tracks...THAT'S how good this soundtrack is. The song 'Shake' is also incredible. It has a silent buildup and a rush of musical adrenaline that gets your heart going like no other song would be able to do.

Other Lives - Tamer Animals



Clearly the piano caught my ear when I first heard this song. When I came across this song, I was actually in search for music to match my approaching seasonal depression, and this song was absolutely perfect for it. So pretty, so distant, so perfect for autumn. His voice is perfectly fitting as well.

David Guetta feat. Sia - Titanium



I'm sorry I keep posting songs from David Guetta's new album. I know I berated his lack of passion a couple weeks ago, so it seems kind of hypocritical that I keep posting him...but it's Siaaaaa. Her voice is so unreal. She is one of those artists that when she comes out with a new song, even if it doesn't strike you immediately, you listen anyway just because you want to hear what she has to say. And her voice...and this beat!? Oh yes yes yes!

Icona Pop - Nights Like This



How much fun is this song. It was such a random find! The chorus is one of the best singalong chorus's I've heard in quite some time. It reminds of the Naked & Famous song 'Young Bloods.' It just has that super feel good feeling to it, that forces you to smile and think of something happy even though you totally do not want to.


Sunday Girl - Love U More



Yayyyy Sunday Girl! I originally had heard the RAC remix to this, and those remixes are so hit or miss for me, and for this song it was a complete miss. I was really disappointed too, until I saw the video that was released and heard the original. Total winner. Awesome video, awesome song, awesome beat. Although it seems somewhat uptempo, her voice is intrinsically mysterious, which automatically adds a different sound to all of her songs.

Check out the video here!!

On Writing.

As I've said before, I have one goal in my life; and that is to write a book that I have wanted to write for about a year now. I know exactly where I want to direct it, what characters I want to use, what I want to get out of it,  so why is it that I am having the hardest time just writing it?
I was freaking out the other day as I was trying to write this mess. I didn't know where to start, and when I started, I wanted to make sure I remembered everyone I was writing about correctly, so I started to drown myself in the music of the time I want to recreate, I looked at old pictures, and if that wasn't enough, I even took out an old perfume I wore at that time to try to get some sense memories. For some reason though, I still couldn't get myself to write. I was thinking that I wasn't inspired enough, so I was playing with the idea of striking up forbidden conversations with those who shared memories with me at that time. But I caught myself.
What would make me a great writer, and what makes great writers already, is the ability to recreate by past experience. One shouldn't have to resurrect the past in order to write in the present.
The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. My memories of these times are some of the most important memories and thoughts of my life. My memory and imagination are what should drive me. If I were to dive back into the past and reconnect with these people who had such a strong influence on me, then how can I write based on memory? I can't.
I suppose I realized that the past is a past for a reason. To try to resurrect old memories by bringing the past into the present would do nothing but confuse me, along with losing the memory I've done so much thinking about.
If I let this certain past become the present, then this past that has taken such a toll on me loses any credibility.

If I can just allow myself to recall past experience, then the present mindset can place it all into the correct categories. It's like looking at something from outside of the box. You can't really judge anything, any relationship, and situation that you are in, until you are able to stand outside and look in. There is no way for me to do that if I allow these memories to become present day thoughts.
I think I also become afraid of articulating these memories. What if I don't get them across in the way I remember them and see them in my head? This fear of writing is suffocating me.
How the hell did Waugh do it so well......

It's a season meant for sadness.

Weekend Jams // Kaskade / Rihanna & Calvin Harris / Buraka Som Sistema / Florence & The Machine Benny Benassi / KRADDY / Jasper Forks

Kaskade - Raining (Minnesota Remix)

This is my most absolute favorite song right now. The feeling I get from this song is the exact feeling you receive when you listen to 'Only You' by Tiesto and Kaskade, that feeling where you want to be depressed in the prettiest way possible. At first the dub was too much for me in this song, but as I listened over and over and over again, I learned to love. It's only right because after the heavy dub catches your attention, that light and higher pitched synth they throw in there softens the song right up and evokes that pull for tears right out of you. Not to mention listening to this and looking at Kaskade at the same time isn't too bad either. 

Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris - We Found Love (Alessio Silvestro Remix)

Okay so when I first heard the original of this song, I liked it, but it bothered me SO MUCH that Calvin Harris didn't tamper with the beat at all. He left it in the same tempo throughout the song, where I personally think it would have sounded much better if he scaled the beat occasionally. ...But what do I know.
What I do know is that this Alessio Silvestro mix made me feel so much better because they play with the beat so the song continues to excite you. At 2:20 they single out her voice and then they add in this hard beat to string you along to a wonderful drop. Job well done.

Buraka Som Sistema - (We Stay) Up All Night (feat. Blaya & Roses Gabor)

Now if you're friends with me on facebook then you may remember when I posted the APC link to this mp3. Loved it when I first heard it, love it even more after the video came out. Especially because Diplo makes a super random appearance in it, I swear that man is everywhere now a days. Listening to it now, dancing in my seat. This may come in a close second for favorite song of the week. AHH do you hear that sneaky little drowned out beat creeping it's way up!? Brilliant. Check the vid HERE

Florence & The Machine - Shake it Out (Benny Benassi Remix)

Oh Florence Welch. She marvels me every time she opens up her mouth. And what is better than having an incredible singer being matched by an even better DJ? I think it is completely safe to say that F&TM remixes are by far the most exciting for me, going by the base artist standard. Benassi is on a freaking role.
PS: Please disregard the obnoxious announcer who thought it was smart to add her opinion in here towards the end. 

KRADDY - Operation Prometheus

Immediately caught my eye because of the remotely intelligent title. The beginning tune is so pretty and light, but then as soon as one minute hits, HOLY DROP. That is one powerful freaking blowup if I have ever heard one. Dirty, dark and angry, just how I like my music. Oh and then he throws in this 2006 sounding keyboard beat that you don't expect but just works oh so so well. THEN a ripping guitar towards the end? My oh my, this is certainly unlike anything I have heard in a good while. And it feels way too good to listen to, also. 

Jasper Forks - River Flows in You (Alessio Remix)

Okay so if I ever had to like go be a detective through the streets of a creepy town/city in the middle of the night, this is the song I would want to have playing in the background. I love love love every single EDM musician who adds in the classical music, and this one has the piano and violin strewed throughout. Beautiful.

Nero - Crush on You

For some reason, this video makes me so nostalgic for the northern fall. I love finding video's around this time that take place in fall. Last year around this time I put up the Wild Fox Couture promo vid for their Fall line 'Witchcraft' which still takes place for best Autumn video. I've also been watching Teen Witch and Hocus Pocus and living vicariously through the actors when they are outside in the cold air. OH FALL.
ANYWAY, this video is hilariously disturbing. Total mashup of The Virgin Suicides and The Craft.
So awesome.

And here is the Knife Party Remix just to add a little kick to the already kickin' beat.

Nero - Crush on You (Knife Party Remix)

Wise words from wise writers.

"The writer is one who uses words in such a way that they may become habitations of the logos, the Word. Obviously, that’s a tall order. Waugh said that in his novel he wanted his words to show “the operation of divine grace on a group of diverse but closely connected characters.” He admitted that such an aim was perhaps presumptuous, but for the writer of faith this is a presumption that we must risk. Anything less would involve an attempt to escape from our vocation."


This is one of many incredible excerpts from an article written by Gregory Wolfe on the work of Grace through characters in TS Eliot's Four Quartets and Waugh's Brideshead Revisited. One of the most refreshing articles I've read in a while about the real purpose of writing. Read it in full HERE. 

Coeur de Pirate - Adieu

Coeur de pirate || Adieu [Vidéoclip officiel] from Dare To Care Records on Vimeo.


Since I'm on my second Unit of Rosetta Stone French, I figured it fitting for me to put this adorable video by the one and only Coeur de Pirate.

Lauren Bacall

I watched The Big Sleep by Howard Hawks in film class the other day, and Bacall looks absolutely stunning in that movie. So I let my obsession get the best of me, and found the best of her. Those eyes.

Monarchy feat. Britt Love - You Don't Want to Dance with Me

I heard the Bondax remix yesterday, and I didn't love it. But then I found the original and it is absolutely perfect.

The Ragers

Dada Life - Happy Violence

For some reason as soon as I saw the video of this song, I thought of my wonderful time I had at the Mad Decent Block Party in New York City last year. I was going to put up the video to this song so long ago, but I am so sorry...it must have slipped my mind. Love the title of this song, something about it that is so happy though, right? I miss dancing in large crowds.


Laidback Luke - Timebomb



Okay so yes I know this is semi old, but I heard it the other day and re-fell in love with it. It's been some time since I've found a good set of crazy electro beats that make me want to rage, and listening to this song got me back on the bandwagon of music that makes me want to go insane.
I still reminisce about when Laidback Luke yelled at me on twitter for making fun of him dressing like a pilot in the Turbulence video with Steve Aoki.............

Pretty Lights - I Know the Truth



HAVE MERCY ON ME. What in the heck is this. It's like Derek got mad one night and took all of his anger and put in into one KILLER freaking song. I feel as though this is very un-Pretty Lights of him, no? I'm not complaining at all though, it's dirty as all hell. Remember when I used to talk about listening to music that makes me want to light shit on fire? This would be one of those songs.

David Guetta - The Alphabeat (Original Mix)



I will give him major credit for the creative title. ...And the kickin beat. And everything else that has to do with this song. It has my favored classical piano in the beginning that just RIPS into a killer electric guitar sound and then it's over from there. This is another song that sounds very unlike the artist. When I first listened to this I was half expecting to hear Justin Beiber or someone of that nature to pop up, considering Guetta has turned into a hip hop producer....but he didn't, and I love what I hear.

David Guetta - Little Bad Girl (Instrumental Version)



Majorly long intro, feel free to skip through. But then o0o0o0oo...you hear that beat? That is the sound of the beginning of a major dance tune. I'm partial to the instrumental version because I can picture it being blasted at some kind of festival with people going insane to just the music without Taio Cruz's electronic auto-tuned voice over (murdering) the beat.

And then with Taio Cruz and Luda..

David Guetta - Little Bad Girl feat. Taio Cruz & Ludacris



Just because I felt like being nice. It's not that bad, and the video is good except for Guetta's attempt at being an actor............just stay behind the turn tables, please.

Sensory Pleasers

Lana Del Rey - Kinda Outta Luck



I don't like to be the bearer of bad news, but, I will be. Miss Lana Del Rey is not who we thought. I'm not big into ripping celebrities (indielebrities) apart, but this deserves a statement. She's a fakey. Originally known as Lizzie Grant, she was a cute little bubbly blonde with a innocent smile, but, she got no hits. So, she and Hollywood changed her image into something remarkable. Her lips are full of collagen, her hair is not her own, and this tough image she bleeds is just that; an image. Unfortunate really, but I must say this is a wonderful example of being a product of fame. Do what you gotta do, right? Yup.
Songs good though, her voice really is something else. Can't hate for too long.

Mr. Little Jeans - The Suburbs



This is a cover of an Arcade Fire song, and it is just so dreamy. Laying in my bed attempting a nap with this song going on above me was one of the best things I did for myself this week. She has such a gorgeous voice, and every breathy lyric she sings heightens all of my senses. Beautiful, really.

Kito & Reija Lee - Run For Cover



As soon as I heard 'MAD DECENT,' I downloaded it. I had heard these girls a little less than a year ago and I remember not liking anything they put out. But this is just perfect. It has the same sensory pull as the Mr. Little Jeans song, airy, soft...but this song takes another turn during the chorus. A romantic dub slaps the lyrics in the chorus and it creates this unusually sexy sound.
Don't run for cover.


Korallreven - As Young as Yesterday



I was hesitant to put this up at first because I wasn't how sure I was about loving it. Then I let my iTunes go as I was getting ready for the day, and this came on and put a massive smile on my face. This Swedish duo created just a happy hearted song with a whimsical sound. Smile, friends, it's a good day.

Tomorrowland

\

What is this magical place that's so filled with wonder....?
I've already conquered Ultra Fest, so now let's conquer Tomorrowland, shall we? Trip to Belgium this time around? OK!

LANA DEL REY

Once again, APC hooks it up. I came across this video bored one day searching for my usual suspects of musical pleasure, and I found one hell of a gem. WHERE THE HELL DID THIS GIRL COME FROM? Lana Del Rey has a shamelessly beautiful and innocent voice, but her lyrics are nothing less than proud bad ass-ness. She is absolutely gorgeous, perfect face, lips, hair and skinny as a rail. She has a classic 60's Bardot type of look about her, contradicted with an interestingly classy ghetto style. I don't want to speak too soon, but I think I have found my new favorite femme artist...

Absolute perfection.



I love image based music videos. It causes you to think, it's like a psychology test. And the lyrics to this song are beautiful, in a gangster sort of way... But the chorus speaks wonders. I have been listening to it over and over again, because she's singing everything I want to say.

Lana Del Rey - Video Games



Lana Del Rey - Diet Mtn. Dew



Lana Del Rey - Kill Kill



Lana Del Rey - Raise Me Up (Mississippi South)

Christina Ricci x NYLON

She's come a long way from Wednesday Adams. 

Clubfeet - Broken Hearted

Clubfeet - Broken Hearted (Official Clip) from Clubfeet on Vimeo.


Obsessing over this song for the past week or so. Let's all obsess together.

Autumnal Isolation

There is a certain longing for sadness and solitude when the fall rolls in. The crisp grey air, the trees taking their last breath as their final leaves fall down to say goodbye and a fresh inhale of maple scented crisp air filling into the nostrils. Desolate streets lined with orange and yellow dustings, skies of morbid bleakness that beg the question of your purpose in this world.

How is it that weather can evoke such a severe longing for isolation?

There is a strange nostalgia pouring from my senses for a brisk walk through L5 in the fall, Central Park, or the Bird Sanctuary, where the family used to hike, followed by a pumpkin picking extravaganza. This of course led to a trip to get pumpkin spice lattes and a later request for a fire in our cozy den. Just the thought of running into a warm house from the cold weather right into a hot bath lined filled to the brim with bubbles lined with scented cranberry candles, then wrapping oneself into warm sweater stolen from mothers closet that still smells of her lotion and perfume. A bite of pumpkin pie and a sip of hot tea, a fire growling from the depths of the stone that cradles it, sitting on the dark couch rereading Brideshead for the fourth time with a single warm lamp offering a tender glow…

A day of Autumnal isolation. A day to be alone, to reflect, and to enjoy God’s remarkable masterpiece of mother nature in the season of all seasons. 

Fall Music

Florence and the Machine - What the Water Gave Me



Dark, haunting, beautiful, autumn-esque, and absolutely perfect. Apparently this song is about the suicide of Virginia Woolf, but the title comes from a painting by Frida Khalo...two of the world's most influential and deep women. The power of this song is unbelievable, the choir of voices that creep up so beautifully ads the perfect amount of chills to anyone who listens to this.

Royksopp - In This Shirt



Anytime Royksopp has a new single, it's pretty much guaranteed that it will be fantastic. They have such a way about them that is so similar to Sigur Ros, this overwhelming emotional pull that you feel towards the song. One that evokes a deeply penetrating thought process within you. Funny how music can do that to you. The violin in this is absolutely beautiful, and then all the classical modernism that is throughout the song drops into a hefty beat that is still soft enough to sleep to. Undeniably wonderful.

Lil Wayne - Dear Anne (Produced by Swizz Beatz)



This is very much unlike me, and I am fully aware, and slightly apologetic, HOWEVER, the only reason I was attracted to this song in the first place is because of the Tatu sounding female voice and the continuous piano that is all throughout the song. It has a beautiful melody to it, and the subject of the song is strangely dark, which automatically attracts me to it.

Bon Iver - Wash



Bon Iver's entire 'Calgary' album is nothing short of brilliant. 'Wash' jumped out at me over all of them though, due to the piano and violin with that slight synth throughout that makes me want to just fall asleep and dream forever. This song more than ever makes me want to be home in the chilled air with the leaves all around me, inhaling the scent of dying evergreens and sad maple trees.



Above & Beyond pres. OceanLab - On A Good Day (acoustic version)





The lyrics are what are key to the beauty of this song. But then the beat comes in and it sweeps you away to an emotional roller coaster of melody. It would be a killer song to do a lyrical dance number to, it would be so emotional and strong. Ahhh...the glory of depressing music.

YOU GIVE ME SHIVERS WHEN YOU TAKE CONTROL.