It's Bigger Than Hip Hop...

Is anything really bigger than hip hop? Probably yes. But anyway, here's two bangin' tracks to get you through those Sunday afternoon blues.

Whoever decided to team Ratatat and MGMT with KiD CuDi is a fukin genius. Killer tune, big chill.
Also, Kanye blogged about it. It must be good. Except he's a douche. Talk about stepping on a kitten....

KiD CuDi ft. MGMT & Ratatat - Pursuit of Happiness

Second, your own personnel double-decker bus ride through New York City.

Mommy took a bus trip and now she got her bust out, everybody ride her, just like a bus route...

Um yeah, about that Jay-Z. Anyway, theme song to my summer.... i'll see you there.

Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind (Featuring Alicia Keys)

B

Introducing Delorean

Well today is that one day of the year you can talk like a pirate and not be classed as a social misfit.

"Ahoy there. Excuse me, madam, would you please be so kind as to bring me a spot of rum? I would like to have a drink.”

Apart from being international talk like a pirate it is also madethegrade's 1st birthday. Happy birthday mtg! I nearly love this place as much as all the liquid children I've rubbed out on a lonely Friday night watching the hot chicks on Two and a Half Men. Just Jokin hahahhaa I don't watch Two and a Half Men (and love this place way more).

On a slightly more serious note I've been very lazy lately and thankfully there has still been some awesome tunes round these parts.

Moving onto more exciting things ever since I heard the Delorean remix of Mystery Jet's Half in Love with Elizabeth I have been wondering when will Delorean's summery take on music grace my ears again. Thankfully they recently released their 4th album entitled Ayrton Senna ep. wankfork have given this a 8.4 and I on this occasion concur. Overall I think Pitchfork keep it real however too often they jump on their musical elitist high horse and go for a ride.

Moving on from winter Delorean are the perfect soundtrack to get you into the summer time vibes. They have the crisp sound of Phoenix but with a more lo-fi dance take on things like Air. Unlike air though they are definitely more dance floor suited and should be getting some some DJ lovin.

You can find some Delorean on Modular's latest offering of Leave them all behind 3. Right here.


Delorean - Deli

Delorean - Big Dipper

Maybe Spanish Beach House is the New French House. Peassssssssssssssssssssss

In Search Of.........Miike Snow

This is by no means any exaggeration, but Miike Snow has been one of the most impressive acts this year. Simply put their sound is as addictive as Pringles coated in crack and there latest track “In search of” continues to do the band justice. Right from the opening piano loop one can’t help but pay attention to these funky European maestros. Just take my word for this. These guys are awesome.

In Search Of - Miike Snow

Masters of the Mix

So it’s been a while since I have made a post, and to all of my avid fans I humbly apologise, but upon hearing this latest mash up by the Hood Internet I decided to dust of my beloved keyboard and set my digits to the motions of what they now call “touch typing”.

It was then that I turned to my trusted Good news Bible and upon reading its teachings sought to characterise myself towards the most noble Good Samaritan “it was declared by the divine that I shall share my treasures for all, to sacrifice selflessness, so that the descendents of Abraham can place their dirty mitts upon the riches within” {Book of Jules 21:3}.

This latest mix cleverly incorporates Boyz Noize’s “Jeffer” with ultra paced American rapper Twista. While the start of the song appears to sound rather soft it doesn’t take long to evolve into a heaving mash of fast paced lyrics and stylised synthetic noises which one of my brothers would eloquently describe as sounding “inorganic” (Thanks can also be attributed to “the cave of Nelson” for this philosophical thought). Till next time……

Weffe and Jeffe (Twista vs Boyz Noize) - The Hood Internet

I'm Exited

Vampire Weekend have finished recording their new album, Contra. It's set to be released early in the new year but keep your ears pricked and your eyes on the interweb as i'm sure we'll be hearing something very soon. In the meantime here's the tracklisting...

1. Horchata

2. White Sky

3. Holiday

4. California English

5. Taxi Cab

6. Run

7. Cousins

8. Giving Up The Gun

9. Diplomat’s Son

10. I Think Ur A Contra

Jizz in my pants... just a little

The Sound Of Arrows

So i've been pretty selfish of late and have been keeping this one close to my chest/i'm too lazy to blog about it. But anyway, it's pretty rad. A big fat slice of widescreen pop perfection.

The Sound of Arrows are a duo from Gävle, Sweeded who were born after trying to make a Christmas song by sampling a Children’s choir from Youtube (pretty indie hey!). Their album, "Puzzles and Wonders" is due out this Spring. Woo, yeah.

Anyway, if you like check out this vid for their latest single - i think you'll understand the widescreen pop reference. And into the clouds...

The Sound of Arrows - Into the Clouds (Music video)

Also, a slight nod to a certain Parisian duo but a fukn bangin' tune nonetheless.

The Sound of Arrows - M.A.G.I.C

Thank you Neon Gold.

Trip down Memory Lane

It seems a while since we were being jumped by ice addicts, having long necks smashed on our craniums and hearing the dull sound of knuckles connecting to cheek bones but all the memories come flooding back upon hearing Jamie T’s newest tune “Chaka Demus”.

Like the majority of Jamie T’s ballads, this one doesn’t disappoint, with his recognisably funky base line and cheeky lyrics this lad is going to blow minds when he tours Australia in the next few weeks, let’s just hope shit doesn’t get as out of hand as his last outing. Cheers Jamie, smash one for us.

Chaka Demus - Jamie T

I Swear It's True!

Do you ever have that guilty pleasure? Something you know that you probably shouldn't like but you probably do?

Anyway i've been listening to this song. It's fukn awesome. But i kinda feel that i shouldn't like it. It's not hip, it's not edgy and it hasn't been ridden by the wave that is the hype machine.

Regardless, it is one helluva tune. One that you jam in the car even though everyone else sitting at the lights thinks that you're some kind of mental patient on Red Bull and Stillnox. More commonly known as a "gimp". As my younger brother would eloquently put it.

But then again when was cool actually cool? Probably not since Weezer have been around.

I hope you enjoy this as much as i do. Because really, isn't that what it's all about?

Weezer - I Want You To

And if you're wondering if i want you to. Yes, i want you to.

Mmm... Humbug

So i bought the new Arctic Monkey's album the other day. Yes, bought it. Rare, i know.

Anyway, i fukn love it. As much as Whatever...? Maybe not quite yet... but time will tell.

I think that the Monkeys are always best when they're not trying too hard to belt out some frantic beast of a song but rather let the charm and wit reveal itself with each additional listen. It's got something lacking in most releases these days... style.

Here's two of my favourites. Slower, moodier but just as clever.

Arctic Monkeys - Secret Door

Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone

Humbug may not make too many new fans but it's definitey worth the effort. Definitely.

Give it a shot.