Friday I'm In Love - 30/8/13

Friday I'm In Love is a weekly feature.

Highlights of what I loved over the past week.

Week = Friday to Friday.

May include things of a non-musical variety.

Friday I'm In Love - 23/8/13

Friday I'm In Love is a weekly feature.

Highlights of what I loved over the past week.

Week = Friday to Friday.

May include things of a non-musical variety.

Friday I'm In Love - 16/8/13

Friday I'm In Love is a weekly feature.

Highlights of what I loved over the past week.

Week = Friday to Friday.

May include things of a non-musical variety.

Pet Shop Boys - Electric

When this album came out last month, it sat on my "to listen" list for quite a while until I eventually forgot about it.  I must admit that this is partially due to their last album, Elysium.  It wasn't a bad release, but something about it failed to thrill me.  Still, whenever I say "you're a winner", it must be in that Neil Tennant "winnah" voice.  So that's something.

Earlier this week, a promo copy of Electric arrived in the mail and you can imagine my surprise after giving it a spin.  This record is amazing in more than one way.  First, the energy that Elysium seemed to lack is in full power this time around.  Secondly, those Pet Shop Boys have been experimenting. The album's production, thanks to the wonderful Stuart Price, gives the heaviest and most trendy electronic artists a run for their money.  You have tracks like "Love Is A Bourgeois Construct", which is practically a tribute to the classic PSB sound, and then "Thursday" with Example or "Shouting In The Evening", a massive electro club hit if I ever did hear one.

The Pet Shop Boys have still got it and Electric will surely stand the test of time against their legendary catalog.  Definitely check it out if you need some fantastic electronic music.  I know it'll be on my rotation for a long time to come.  You can buy a copy of the record here and listen to a few songs below.

Betty Who - The Movement

Over the past few weeks, one album in particular has been glued to my brain. This album, or EP to be more specific, contains some of the most exciting pop music I've heard in quite some time.  I know I'm always ranting about the big names like Robyn or Gaga, but this record is something to be recognized.

Betty Who's The Movement actually came out earlier this year, but I've recently found it.  It consists of four spectacular and infectious pop singles.  I say "singles" instead of "songs", because every track on the debut could be a hit on some level.  The opening single, "Somebody Loves You", is an eighties tinged dance piece and probably packs the most power upon first listen.  Actually, the entire album sounds eighties inspired to a certain extent, whether immediately obvious or not.  "You're In Love" falls into the mid-tempo range and reminds me of something Katy Perry would pounce on if given the chance.

My current favorite song on The Movement is "Right Here".  It's more reserved, approaching with a method of simplicity by placing the focus on a powerful vocal.  The instrumental is also mellowed out when compared to the rest of the album, but it's true that less can really be more.  The album's closer is "High Society".  I find myself singing this one throughout the day without notice.  A line like "We'll drink Chardonnay through the day cause we say so..." has never been more contagious.

Another great detail about The Movement is the fact that it's completely free. That's right.  Betty Who has all four songs posted on her website free of charge to download as you please.  You can also use the Soundcloud player below to grab the songs.  Check out the music video for "Somebody Loves You" while you're at it.  If you're really enjoying the music, then head this way to buy a Betty Who shirt perfect for wearing while dancing.

Lady Gaga - Applause

Lady Gaga just rush released her new single "Applause" a full week early "due to hackers" and "an abundance of low/high quality leaks".  You can read her entire caps locked announcement as she tweeted about this pop emergency about an hour ago, here.  It's being sent out to radio at this very moment and we can only assume iTunes is to follow.

The song is definitely not Born This Way, both musically and lyrically.  It starts with a jagged synth, until a heavy dance beat comes in with the vocals.  Gaga's vocals in the verses are a new method and sound like pretty much nothing that she's done before. It's somewhat reminiscent of a deep 80's dance howl.  Before the chorus even hits, there's already a hook, "I live for the applause applause...".  As far as production goes, I'm not quite sure who's on this track, but I wouldn't necessarily guess that it's Zedd.  So that leaves either Madeon or DJ White Shadow.  (Update: DJ White Shadow was confirmed as the producer, along with Gaga)

"Applause" has a 99.9 percent chance of being a radio success and through the next week we'll get to see whether Katy Perry's "Roar" or Gaga will take the top spot on the charts.  The two pop stars recently denounced fanbase rivalries deeming them wrong, which is great, but come on.  When you release two massively anticipated lead singles on basically the same day, a competition is bound to happen.  You can stream Lady Gaga's new single "Applause" below and look for her fourth record, ARTPOP, on November 11.

Friday I'm In Love - 9/8/13

Friday I'm In Love is a weekly feature.

Includes highlights of what I loved over the past week.

Week = Friday to Friday.

May include things of a non-musical variety.

Astralwerks "Music In 20/20" Box Set

To celebrate their 20th anniversary as a record label, Astralwerks released a limited edition box set for Record Store Day back in April.  After searching numerous record stores, I unfortunately couldn't manage to find a single one of the 1,250 sets for myself.  But the musical Gods believe in second chances.  Twenty years after the exact date of Astralwerks formation, the label collaborated with Insound to offer the remaining few copies to the public. I jumped on that opportunity like you wouldn't believe.  My copy just arrived in the mail a few days ago (#465!!!) and it's an amazing anthology of Astralwerks massive catalog.

There are twenty flexi discs printed on a rainbow of colors.  Each one is a song by a different artist and includes the original artwork.  Some are hit singles, while others are unreleased rarities.  The artists range from veterans such as The Chemical Brothers to the recent big names like Diamond Rings and David Guetta.

Hopefully some of you were able to snatch a copy, either on RSD or through Insound.  As far as box sets go, Music In 20/20 is visually and sonically fantastic.  Check out some more pics of the box set below.

Marina And The Diamonds - Electra Heart

Exactly two years ago, Marina And The Diamonds uploaded a video titled "Part 1: Fear & Loathing".  That was the first taste of her second album and would also serve as the start to her Electra Heart persona.  Since then, she's released the album and toured for it, all while continuing to post each part of the Electra Heart story.  Today she closed the era with "Part 11: Electra Heart".

Prior to this video, the self-titled song had been an unreleased track.  It's a huge dance number filled with bass dropping dubstep breakdowns.  The music video features a blend of her past ten videos, including "Primadonna", "How To Be A Heartbreaker", and "Radioactive".  It actually feels quite impressive.  I wasn't completely aware of how properly planned and connected the persona idea really was until now.  You can watch the final video below.  Farewell, Electra Heart!

Download: Marina And The Diamonds - "Electra Heart"

Porcelain Raft - The Way Out

Porcelain Raft's upcoming sophomore album, Permanent Signal, is shaping up to be one of the year's most anticipated albums.  The lead single just received a video treatment today and is accompanied by the simple summary line, "a strip club patron violates the "no hands" policy".  Directed by Michael Lawrence, the single shot video is a cinematic and dark glimpse into confrontation.  Watch "The Way Out" below.

Permanent Signal will be released on August 20, via Secretly Canadian.  Go this way to pre-order a copy.

Friday I'm In Love - 2/8/13

Friday I'm In Love is a weekly feature.

Includes highlights of what I loved over the past week.

Week = Friday to Friday.

May include things of a non-musical variety.

1. Lady Gaga's "Applause" artwork

"Applause" is the first single from Gaga's upcoming album, ARTPOP. Earlier this week she tweeted out the artwork to go along with the highly anticipated song, which is due on August 19.  It's a completely different direction from her Born This Way image, which sat on the edge of tacky at times.  I'm officially ready for whatever she has planned.

2. The Virgin Mobile FreeFest line-up

Last year's Virgin Mobile FreeFest was beyond incredible, featuring a variety of artists such as M83, Santigold, Alabama Shakes, and Zedd. This year looks equally stunning, with Vampire Weekend, Icona Pop, and Sky Ferreira joining the line-up.  Tickets go "on sale" August 9 and the festival takes place on September 21.  I'll see you there.

3. Andy Warhol's Brillo Box Pouf by Quinze & Milan

I was lucky enough to be selected to receive an Andy Warhol Brillo Box Pouf created by Quinze & Milan in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation and Fab.  Honestly, it's the most amazing thing ever.  I never knew how much my life needed an oversized Brillo Box until now.  The screen-printed box can technically be used as a chair or table if you wish, but I'll just be hugging displaying it proudly.

4. The Wolverine

The Wolverine has been out for a little while now, but I just got around to seeing it on Wednesday.  Despite the somewhat underwhelming box office performance, I think it's quite possibly the best Marvel film to date.  James Mangold did such a great job when it comes to capturing the essence of the comics.  Hugh Jackman doesn't just play the character, he is Wolverine. The climax towards the end of the film leans on the cheesy side a little more than desired, but it still manages to surpass every other X-related film.  Go see it!