The Wombats: Techno Fan

If you don't fall in love with this and listen to it on repeat for the next week at all hours of the day...well don't worry, that won't happen, you'll fall in love with it. Pure. Unfiltered. Awesomeness.

Gorillaz: Empire Ants (ft. Little Dragon)

Way back in middle school when songs like Stacy's Mom and bands like Green Day were my daily playlist (it was a dark time, don't judge, you were all right there with me jamming out to Cascada), another one of the big songs was Feel Good Inc. by the Gorillaz. I checked them out and bought the physical CD--remember when that's what you did? Haha, oh the good old days...--of Demon Days and fell in love. They were rap before I knew what rap was, electronic before I found EDM, and cool indie alternative experimental stuff before that was cool. I totally bought that these four cartoon characters made the music, and was utterly enraptured by the wikipedia coined 'extensive fictional universe' that Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett created. I bought all of their other stuff and went on with my happy-go-lucky middle school livelihood, escaping cootie-infested girls and wandering the halls aimlessly on my 'way to find a book in the library'.
Jump ahead to 2010, where my 'oh-so-snobby, high-and-mighty, indie-is-the-only-thing-I-can-be-troubled-to-listen-to' high school self had long ago moved on from all of my mainstream middle school shenanigans. What should resurface from the past? The Gorillaz with a new album! Back were the characters, the epic story lines and animated movies all lurking behind the music, and lo and behold! I still loved the music AND it was just far enough up a side-tributary of hipness that I could be seen listening to it! Plastic Beach (the album) rekindled all that old nostalgia and was damn good as well, seeing the Gorillaz collaborate with different artists on nearly every song. They had also put a lot into the world around the album again, creating games, interactive songs, and numerous videos with the same old cast of band members. Did I mention that it had a climate change theme?
Anyways, long story short, the Gorillaz are pretty sweet (sometimes hit and miss, but their good stuff is really good) and since they came on many times during my two day drive to California and ultimately on to college, it was nice to have some reminders of the old carefree middle school days.

Here's Empire Ants, which features Little Dragon, who absolutely MAKES the album, being featured on another of my favorite songs as well, To Binge. Cool vibe for the first few minutes, and then the song just breaks wide open and takes a turn towards the incredible at around 2:15, where it builds into Little Dragons part. Echo-y, slightly disco-y, and all great-y, the rest of the song is a ride! Enjoy!

Arcade Fire: Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

The extent of my solo driving experience before today was a quick pop over the pass. Oh how times change. After a nine hour day of driving towards my new home in California, the Arcade Fire's lyrics, "Dead shopping malls rise like mountains beyond mountains, and there's no end in sight" hold a new meaning. Well...same meaning, just better understood. After going through 144 songs on my Slow Bliss playlist today, I was wanting to write about each new song that came on, but there's something about Regine Chassagne's vocals and the terrific vibe of the entire Suburbs album, that made Sprawl II stand out. Hope you enjoy! 

Flight of the Conchords: Farewell to Jackson

As I sit writing in the morning of my last full day before embarking to college, I have a decision to make...Post some heart-wrenchingly beautiful song about moving on and embracing what's ahead (of which I have many) or to put up some classic comic brilliance in the shape of New Zealand's self proclaimed 2nd best comedy band, Flight of the Conchords...I think we all know that the choice was clear.
If you've never seen the HBO show Flight of the Conchords, then I feel infinite sorrow for the woefully unfulfilled existence you've been living, or, alternatively, I envy you in the regard that your heart was not torn asunder when they were cancelled after their second season. Either way, whether you're a longtime fan of dry, New Zealand comedy, or a newcomer to the scene, it's impossible to deny that FOTC are some great blokes with some hilarious songs.
As we have so many times before, on one of our last nights together, some friends and I sang many rousing FOTC songs, and we ended with some surprisingly relevant and (deep?) songs.
First up, perfect for goodbyes, I'm Not Crying:

Then to reminisce on all the good times and ensure future ones, just some friends singing Friends:

Here's to past adventures and future endeavors, and maybe, just maybe, a renewed season of Flight of the Conchords. Hey, I can dream!

Random unverified fact of the day: 27 million years ago penguins were five feet tall.

Coldplay: Fix You (Jakob Liedholm's Ibiza Mix) (EDM)

It's been awhile since I've put up any craziness, but I feel like most EDM isn't really high caliber enough to share on a blog alongside the likes of The Decemberists and Ra Ra Riot...There's tons of great stuff, don't get me wrong, but I guess I only really want to share the stuff that really stands out from the typical thumping bass. Generally that means indie remixes or stuff that is so crazy and different and cool that I have to share it. Well this particular remix happens to retain all that nice Coldplay...nostalgia? Saccharine quality? Whatever it contains, I like it! Enjoy!

Princess Chelsea: Cigarette Duet

Princess Chelsea are a hipster looking duet from New Zealand. So pretty much the best kind of couple ever! Their song The Cigarette Duet chronicles a couples trials and travails over the issue of their smoking habits, and was made to raise awareness about how many divorces occur in New Zealand as a result of smoking problems. Some nice la, la, la's at the end, and a nice song overall.
Pretty different music video, these two sitting poker faced in a hot tub...What are you going do with those New Zealanders?!

Blind Pilot

"The cheerful, easygoing music overpowered the crowd, and I was left smiling, singing, and unintentionally dancing."-Hannah Weiner, first time listener to Blind Pilot.

Smiling, singing, and unintentionally dancing have all occurred while listening to Blind Pilot, as have resting, running, and everything in between. They are the perfect soundtrack to any mood, any day, any activity.
First up is one of their most popular tracks, for good reason, Half Moon. Lovely lyrics, and a perfect demonstration of frontman Israel Nebeker's amazing vocals.

Next is my personal favorite of theirs, 3 Rounds and a Sound. Tranquil and filled with luscious harmonies, I put this one on repeat quite often.

Finally, Oviedo, another beautiful song, one of the many Blind Pilot must hears.

If you dig these three, check out their albums, which are both fantastic, and if you just want a few more key tracks, One Red Thread, Paint or Pollen, We Are the Tide, and The Story I Heard.