Ke$ha - Die Young

I reviewed Cannibal, Ke$ha's second album, back when it first came out.  At the time, I gave the record an incredibly brutal rating.  It's probably one of the very few posts for The Soundtrack Of My Life where, after reading it back now, I wish I could just redo it completely.  But hey, opinions change and that's exactly what happened.  Just don't go looking for that review.

In the near two years that have passed since the album's release, my thoughts about Ke$ha have drastically reformed.  I actually think her music is great, if you're looking for for some top notch party tracks.  I stopped caring about the fact that her songwriting can be mindless, because there have indeed been moments when all I want to hear is mindless music.  Ke$ha's other projects outside of the pop world are fascinating.  Just listen to her cover of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right".  It's fantastic. She may not be the savior of music, but she's definitely one of the most interesting mainstream pop stars of today.

Today, Ke$ha released the lead single to her upcoming third album, Warrior.  "Die Young" is her highly anticipated return to the scene after being out of the spotlight for quite a while.  I actually heard the song a last night when it leaked, before being pulled off of Soundcloud and various other sites. However, due to my refusal to promote leaks, this post is going up today.

"Die Young" is very Ke$ha.  It's not exactly the rock song that she teased, literally or in attitude, but it's a definite contender for radio play.  I somewhat wish "Die Young" had a little more of what I criticized Ke$ha for in the previously mentioned Cannibal review, more attitude, whether it be hilariously ridiculous or not.  I admit, after all of this Iggy Pop talk and hanging out with The Flaming Lips, I expected something a little different. Maybe she's saving the heavy hitters for later, we'll just have to wait and see.  In the meantime, we have a massive dance-pop track, which isn't bad, just safe.  What gets in the way is the fact that she's capable of so much more.

Watch the official lyric video for "Die Young".

Tegan And Sara - Closer

Tegan and Sara have debuted the lead single from their upcoming seventh studio album.  While further details about this untitled record are still behind closed doors, the single may be an unusual sign of what's to come.  "Closer" takes Tegan and Sara further into the realm of dance pop music.  After collaborations with Morgan Page, Tiësto, and David Guetta, this shouldn't come as a complete surprise.  But still, I wonder if the entire record will take on this sound or if "Closer" is simply the odd track from a set of less electronic songs.  Either way, I'm always eager to hear new material from Tegan and Sara and "Closer" doesn't disappoint.

"Closer" will be available to download on September 25th and their new album is scheduled for early 2013.

Kimbra - Come Into My Head

Okay, this is getting out of control now.  Seriously, 2012 is the year of amazing music videos.  It was crazy enough when David Byrne and St. Vincent were dancing down a black and white street or when Grimes was traveling around in her gang of sword wielding friends, but then out of nowhere, along comes Kimbra.  Actually, it wasn't out of nowhere, as she's been pumping up this release on her twitter for a little while.  Plus, Kimbra isn't exactly a beginner when it comes to videos.  She already has quite a few under her belt and they're often full of quirky and bright imagery.

Her most recent video is for "Come Into My Head", from her debut album Vows.  This one is literally insane. There's a twisted mental hospital setting and spastic dancing.  Check it out...

Kimbra's stellar debut album, Vows, is available now.  You can purchase a copy here.

Lana Del Rey - Blue Velvet

Lana Del Rey has a lot on her plate.  Not only has she become the face of H&M and gained a partnership with Jaguar, but she also plans to re-release Born To Die as a Paradise Edition of the record.  However, Lana recently spoke to Vogue Australia stating that she would prefer to work in the film industry, partially due to her crippling stage fright.  She told the magazine, "Hopefully I will branch into film work and stay there. That will be my happy place. I'd like to stay in one place for a long time... I love to take care of the songs – that's my natural place – then, when I get on stage that's not my element-".  No confirmation on whether she's simply referring to composing or intends to try acting as well.

A clip of H&M's Autumn ad campaign, which you can watch in what looks like a choppy television rip above, features Lana modeling their merchandise while singing Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet".  The song, which may be included on the Born To Die re-release, will be available as a promo single on September 20th.  To hear the full cover, head this way.  The full length H&M ad will be out tomorrow and Born To Die: Paradise Edition is scheduled for November.

UPDATE:

Here's the full commercial, which features more of the song.

VISITOR - COMING HOME // RNB

I wrote about VISITOR back in July, when they released a massive tune called "RNB".  That track is part of their new EP, COMING HOME / / RNB, which came out this week.  The album features the two title songs and four remixes.  The remixing is done by names such as Lifelike, FM Attack, Viceroy, and Bestrack.  Don't tell the others, but the Lifelike remix is my favorite.  The duo have labeled this EP under the genre title of "Pure Sex", so if you want to know what that sounds like then I suggest you give it a listen.

Download VISITOR "COMING HOME // RNB" on iTunes

Bat For Lashes - Marilyn

You know it'll be a good day when Bat For Lashes releases a new track from her upcoming album.  "Marilyn" is the eighth song on Natasha Khan's third record, The Haunted Man.  While the lead single, "Laura", was a stripped down piano ballad, "Marilyn" is more similar to what you heard on Two Suns.  Think strong beats, bigger instrumental arrangements, and electronic elements.

The Haunted Man will be available October 15 on Parlophone/Capitol.  To pre-order the record, you can visit Bat For Lashes' website.

Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra - The Killing Type

Just in case you've been living under a rock without internet access since May, I'll give you a quick recap.  To keep it short and to the point, Amanda Palmer has become the Queen Of Kickstarter.  On April 30 she created a Kickstarter project with a goal to fund the development of her next album. When the thirty day funding period ended, AFP had accumulated a total of $1,192,793.  That sets a Kickstarter record and just barely exceeds her original goal of $100,000.  Skip forward to now.  Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra are finally releasing Theatre Is Evil, a community driven art project and a serious AOTY contestant.  The fan participation is so deep that Amanda changed the spelling of "Theater" to "Theatre", upon audience request.

Prior to the album's September 11 release date (you may already have the album if you're a Kickstarter backer) several singles were released.  Promo material, one might say.  One of them is "The Killing Type", which recently received the music video treatment.  Directed by Tim Pope, the video features lots and lots of blood.  But it's so incredible.  Seriously, watch the video and then continue reading.

I told you it was incredible.

If you missed the opportunity to fund the band's Kickstarter, fear not!  You can still acquire the album.  Theatre Is Evil will be available everywhere tomorrow.  You can order a variety of formats directly from Amanda's website or you can get it from Amazon, because everyone loves Amazon.  If you want a copy signed by Amanda herself, then go here.  You can still buy music in retail stores, too.  Get it at a discount with this coupon!

Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra are also touring across the globe.  If you'd like to experience what will surely be a night to remember, then go buy a ticket.

It's pretty amazing what the internet can do, isn't it?

David Byrne & St. Vincent - Who

Best music video of the year?  Possibly.  David Byrne and St. Vincent's black and white clip for "Who" is one of the most brilliant videos I've seen in a long time.  Remember Thom Yorke dancing in Radiohead's "Lotus Flower" video from last year?  Everyone wanted to dance like that.  Sorry, Thom. David and Annie have upped the standard for alternative musicians and their dance stylings.  They managed all of that without the meme factor.

Watch "Who", directed by Martin de Thurah.

David Byrne and St. Vincent's collaborative album, Love This Giant, is out on September 11, via 4AD.  The full record is available for streaming over at NPR right now.  You can pre-order Love This Giant on David and St. Vincent's website, or Amazon if you prefer.

Baio - The Silent / New You

Chris Baio isn't just Vampire Weekend's bassist, he's also a DJ.  Baio released his debut solo EP, Sunburn, earlier this year.  The set of tropical-tinted dub tracks confirmed that he has more on his mind than Vampire Weekend.  Yesterday, Baio released two new songs as a short follow-up to the Sunburn EP.  Whether you call it a single or an EP, "The Silent / New You" picks up right where Sunburn left off.

You can stream and download "The Silent / New You" for free, via Soundcloud.  Just don't go in expecting to hear anything remotely similar to Vampire Weekend.