When culture pops, we wipe it up ...
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Fun little factoid here: Metric‘s 2003 release Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? was the first album I ever bought, back when I was 13, and I still consider it as one of my favorites. So it makes me happy that Metric is coming out with their fifth studio album, Synthetica, the follow-up to 2009′s Fantasies. Here’s the first single from the upcoming album, Youth Without Youth, it’s ridiculously awesome.
Despite taking a bit of heat from music reviewers, the web is still in love with Lana Del Rey to the point where there are now more remixes of Lana’s song than there are funny pictures of cats who think they’re people (don’t ask me to back that up with numbers, I’ve got nothing). Anyway, Smims & Belle were commissioned to do a remix of her song, Blue Jeans, and the mix happens to feature the web’s favorite cunnilingus-loving rapper, Azealia Banks. And it’s SO DAMN AWESOME. Listen to it now!
It has been seven long years since we were last graced with new material from (kooky yet brilliant) singer / songwriter Fiona Apple (her last outing was 2005′s Extraordinary Machine), she’s finally back on the music scene gearing up for the release of her fourth studio album out on June 19th via Epic Records. The album’s full (lengthy) title is The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do but we can just refer to it as The Idler Wheel …, below you’ll find a stream of the first single, Every Single Night. The track is a bit on the sparse side but it totally fits her signature tortured ‘sullen girl’ style and definitely leaves me wanting to hear more. Fiona is heading out on tour soon, I cannot wait to see her live again when she swings by Los Angeles on July 29th.
This just in from across the pond … the brand new Cheryl Cole single Call My Name, off her upcoming third studio album A Million Lights out on June 18th in the UK. Listen to the fierce dance track below which was produced by Calvin Harris, who seems to be all over the place right now!
Cheryl is back with her brand new single Call My Name, produced by Calvin Harris.
Single available 10 June | A Million Lights Album available 18 June
Brooklyn singer/songwriter Greg Laswell is best known for his melancholy music. His husky and often Leonard Cohen-esque baritone voice shaking over the delicate strums of an acoustic guitar is a sound vulnerable enough to put a lump in any grown man’s throat (not speaking from personal experience … except for the four times I’ve seen him in concert and that happened to me). There’s a reason he’s the go-to “queue the tear-ducts” guy for music to flatline to on Grey’s Anatomy.
But for the lead single from his upcoming fourth album, Landline, Laswell has taken a hard step on the gas petal to accelerate his signature sound. “Come Back Down” is a soaring and uptempo slice of indie pop/rock with a chorus so addictive it should come with a warning from the Surgeon General.
Featuring guest vocals by the devoid-of-flaw Sara Bareilles, “Come Back Down” is composed of richly textured harmonies and driving percussion to create a powerful song about stopping someone from going down a path of self-destruction. Acting as an intervention of sorts, the track points out how a friend’s irresponsible attitude/behavior is negatively impacting their loved ones and subsequent relationships.
“Look around you, you’re the only one dragging this out/You’ve gotta come back down,” Laswell and Bareilles sing as they serve up a piping hot dish of tough-love. “All of your wallowing is unbecoming/You’ve gotta take it on your own from here/It’s getting pathetic and I’m almost done here.”
This go-for-the-jugular approach is precisely the kick in the ass you expect (or at least should) from your good friends if you’re being unreasonably emo or going through a funk. And the lyrics are so direct and honest that I’m surprised the cover artwork for the single doesn’t come with a literal stamp of approval from Camille Grammer.
(Image courtesy of RealityTVGifs)
So who is this biting track about? “If I’m quite honest, I wrote it to myself,” Laswell confessed in a recent interview with Chicago Pride. “Not to my present self, but to a former version of myself. It was one of the first songs that I wrote for the record, kind of laying to rest a lot of things that were going on in my life.”
Well, Greg, on behalf of your fans – and all the new ones you’re about to recruit when this song blows up (which it rightfully should) – thank you. Thank you for getting your shit together and being brave enough to write about it. And thank you for writing a pop song that’s not only hella catchy but is also both crucial and inspiring.
Bareilles is just one of many female artists Laswell recorded a duet with for Landline. Other songstresses whose voices will be featured on the upcoming record include Sia, Elizabeth Ziman (of Elizabeth and the Catapult), and Laswell’s wife, the incomparable Ingrid Michaelson.
With a roster of featured guest-artists like that and a lead single as perfect as “Come Back Down,” Landline might just be Laswell’s ticket to becoming the next “it” indie act on the mainstream radar. And if that’s the case, then get it, homeboy. It’s about time.
Landline is available for pre-order on iTunes and will be released on April 24th via Vanguard Records.
I’m totally loving this new sassy dance track (produced by Benny Blanco) called Fuck U Betta (yes, the audio located below probably isn’t quite safe for work) from up and coming British pop star, Neon Hitch! She was actually featured here on PopBytes a couple of years ago (when she was Amy Winehouse‘s roommate, how random is that?), since then she has regrouped and is back on the music scene, ready to release her highly-anticipated debut album entitled Beg, Borrow and Steal, which will be out later this year. I got to see her perform this song a couple of months ago in person and I was thoroughly impressed by her performance, Ms. Hitch is someone we definitely need to keep our eyes on!
Towards the end of the year, we always think about those we’ve lost, I still remember my acquaintance Tom Bridegroom, who unexpectedly passed away in May at the tender age of just 29. It’s still hard to comprehend how such a beautiful spirit could be taken from us so suddenly, I guess it’s true that God does indeed work in mysterious ways yet that doesn’t make the loss hurt any less. Back in June I attended his Los Angeles memorial service, although it was an emotionally tough day, I’m glad I was present to honor Tom’s warm spirit and support those he tragically left behind including his friends and life partner Shane Bitney Crone. Just last week Shane emailed me about Tom’s new posthumous release of The Christmas Song (featuring Coleen McMahon), I thought the song was gorgeous and reminded me of Tom’s immense talent, of course I had to feature it here on PopBytes. So this holiday season, please remember to tell all of your friends and family how much you love and appreciate them, nothing is guaranteed in life, so we all have to make each and every day count. Wherever you are Tom, we miss and love you!
LOS ANGELES (December 14, 2011) – Multi-talented and loved by all who knew him, artist Tom Bridegroom’s creative endeavors continue to reach and touch people, even more than seven months after his tragic, sudden death. Continuing to live on through his gift of music, a posthumous Christmas track from Tom has now been released, offering his heartwarming rendition of the classic, The Christmas Song, which features upcoming singing star Coleen McMahon.
At only 29 years old, Tom’s life was tragically cut short, ending his promising career in the entertainment industry. Survived by his family and life partner Shane Bitney Crone, his unexpected death broke the hearts of his numerous loved ones, who treasure the many examples of his natural talent and passions for music and entertainment that he left behind. As a singer, actor and host, he was well loved by all who knew him and renowned for his gracious, generous spirit and unyielding vivacity.
Exceptionally ambitious and dedicated, Tom injected his unique personality and driving passion into his every pursuit and explored all presented opportunities to be creatively expressive. Tom loved learning and finding ways to grow as both an artist and person, and was always motivated to be creatively stimulated and involved. Featuring the beautiful vocals of talented artist Coleen McMahon, Thomas’ newly released recording of, The Christmas Song aptly showcases his solid musical ability and devotion to the emotional experience of creating music. In the track, which Tom and Coleen recorded for the enjoyment of their friends and family, Tom’s strong vocal talent comes through with a graceful, soothing tone, providing the holiday favorite with an air of ease and inviting familiarity.
Although there is nothing that can fill the void left by Tom’s tragic passing, the many people who loved him dearly hold onto the creative gifts he left behind, knowing that Tom’s love for music and vivacious spirit lives on through his numerous projects. With the holidays upon us, it is a privilege to have the beautiful, heartfelt rendition of The Christmas Song from Tom Bridegroom, the beloved artist who is unmatched in his unique talents, compassionate heart, and one of a kind personality.
To visit Tom’s Facebook Memorial Page, click here.
To find out more about Coleen McMahon, click here.
Holy crap! I seriously cannot stop listening to Nicki Minaj‘s new track which dropped earlier today! It’s called Roman In Moscow, off her upcoming sophomore effort, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, due out February 14th aka Valentine’s Day! Nicki’s super sassy lady rhymes are totally off the hook (she was just nominated for three Grammy Awards including Best New Artist), this song kicks ass and marks the return of her alter male ego Roman who has no time for pop music, this is full on filthy rap at its best! All of this makes me wonder what’s up with Lil’ Kim these days? She has tons of catching up to do!
I was recently wondering what ever happened to Willow Smith, she had made a huge splash with her debut single Whip My Hair last fall (followed up by 21st Century Girl) and then she seemed to totally vanish from the scene. But lo and behold, the ten-year-old (she turns eleven on Halloween) is back with a brand new single called Fireball featuring one of my favorites, Nicki Minaj! It’s not nearly as fun as whipping your hair back and forth but it’s decent enough and will probably grow on me after I hear it a couple of times. Have a listen for yourself below, what do you think of Willow’s new single?
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Hot on the heels of her new single, Children featuring Chiddy (available on iTunes), here’s VV Brown‘s new mixtape called The Playground which was just released only hours ago. I’ve been a huge supporter of Ms. Brown since last year when I named her debut album Travelling Like The Light, one of my top favorite albums of 2010. I’ve also been fortunate enough to see her perform twice, both shows were stellar, I’m thrilled she’s back. Keep your eyes out for VV’s sophomore effort is due out early next year!
VV Brown: Making an album is a process of experimenting and a lot of songs get lost, changed, redone or discarded. Touring makes you fall into a bubble, real life doesn’t exist and everything is exciting with a sense of appreciation for the shows and the people that come to see you play, but a plastic experience backstage. When I came of the road, locked in my studio and home again, this was my place of experimenting and finding myself again, but not the old self, a more mature experienced self. Before making a solid album I thought it would be amazing to make a mix-tape. A real window into the process of experimentation and creativity. Its a very low-fi attempt to show you where my head was at and where it was going up to a polished record.
The mixtape is called the Playground, centered around this concept about questioning the youth and where we are at as a generation much in line with what I’m talking about overall in alot of the songs I’m singing. A twisted sense of naivety and innocence with an undertone of cynicism and debate about the mirage that we really need to see what really is going on.
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