My Favorite Music Videos

This Christmas, I got a Roku, which is basically this thing that you can hook up to your TV and stream internet from.  It's pretty sweet.  I've been watching VEVO like crazy, and I've come across some pretty sweet (as well as wacky) music videos.  I'll post a few of my favorites bellow. Enjoy! If you know any other great music videos, comment bellow!

The xx - Islands

(I really suggest watching this video twice to notice all the little details and secrets it has)

The Naked and Famous - No Way


Thick As Thieves - Dashboard Confessional


Forward - Messe Kopp

The Weirdest Music Video I've Ever Seen:
Amanaemonesia - Chairlift

I... I don't even know.....

New Upcoming Album - Vampire Weekend

Hi guys! Just wanted to give you a quick update and let you know that one of my favorite bands, Vampire Weekend, has just announced that they are releasing their 3rd LP on May 7th (If you haven't read my previous article on Vampire Weekend, I suggest you do so by clicking here).  In a recent interview, lead singer Ezra Koeing described the new album as both "Dark" and "Organic".  So, mark your calendars, pre-order on iTunes, and watch their new song "Unbelievers" Live on Jimmy Kemmel bellow. Check back soon for more news, updates, and reviews!

New Release: Factory Floor

Want an alternative to the overproduced club / dance music you find everywhere today? May I suggest Factory Floor, a "post-industrial" band that's perfect for a party or an iPod.  One of their best tracks yet, "Fall Back", is being released on January 15th, and I can promise you it is definitely worth a listen or ten.

     The song starts out with a bouncy synth, but slowly evolves into a electronic, noisy, and slightly sinister track.  It sounds like something that might arise if Grimes and The Naked and Famous had a collaboration.  The slightly resembles synth dance music, but the unsettling noises in the ambiance and the hushed, seducing vocals create a sense of depth not usually found in music of the same type.  The song progresses slowly, but still keeps the listener hypnotized by the intimate sound and the strange electronic noises.  And all the while, the synth in the background is evolving, changing, but never leaving, haunting the listener and keeping them hooked until the track ends.  Want to experience it for yourself? Listen bellow, pre-order, and keep listening for more from Factory Floor.

Click here to listen. 
(Sorry I couldn't embed it, my blogger doesn't seem to work well with SoundCloud.)

2012 In Review: My Top 10 Tracks

I know that this post is a bit overdue, but before we put 2012 completely behind us, I wanted to share my top tracks of 2012 with you guys.  These are the songs that I've played on my iPod so many times that I know them by heart. ;) I hope you guys enjoy them as much as I did!  Make sure to check back later for some new bands to watch in 2013!

In no particular order,

Passion Pit - Constant Conversations
Passion Pit - I'll Be Alright
Fiona Apple - Werewolf
Frank Ocean - Bad Religion
The XX - Angels
Imagine Dragons - Radioactive
Grimes - Genesis
Grimes - Be A Body
AlunaGeorge - Your Drums, Your Love
Florence + The Machine - Breath of Life

Like Dubstep? You'll Love This

OK, I'm going to be frank. I'm not a very big fan of Dubstep. I just personaly prefer it on a TV car ad, and not on my iPod.  However, that doesn't mean that some good music can spring from it.  "Radioactive", a great new track from Imagine Dragons, is a prime example.  It starts with an inoccently-enough, with an ever-slight medieval vibe; A guitar strumming, some "whoa oh ohs" in the background.  In the distance, you hear a siren gradually getting louder.
Then time stops.
A bomb drops. Suddenly, your in an entire different song.  The bass pounds, the dubstep-inspired synths wail, and Dan Reynolds practically screams Welcome to the new age / To the new age. I'm Radioactive / Radioactive.  I know, the lyrics aren't particularly deep, but the music creates an illusion of depth that keeps you hypnotized until the track ends.  I'm not usually one to enjoy club music  or dubstep, but this song is a perfect exception.  You know how when you hear a good song, you get goosebumps? I can almost guarantee that this song will give you them.  So why not give it a listen?  Click bellow, and watch for more from Imagine Dragons in 2013.

          

Band To Watch In 2013: Twigs

So now that we survived the apocalypse, everyone is trying to predict which new bands are going to get big in 2013.  One of my personal favorites is Twigs, which just came out with their first self-released EP of the same name.  Their songs slightly like quiet, slow-tempo (and far more lyrically deep) Rihanna single.  It comes with four tracks; Weak Spot, Ache, Breathe, and Hide.  Their frayed yet smooth electro-pop sound is beautiful, but has an underlying sinister feel.  "Breathe" sounds something like a ghost possessing your NES; it is electronic, intriguing and amazing, but is still slightly creepy none the less.  When watching the music video (which is black and white footage of a woman vandalizing a car), it distracts you from the melodic soundtrack and makes you wonder about the underlying darkness within the show.  "Weak Spot" is also equally noteworthy.  It's starts out sweet and seducing, but the lyrics send a message and a warning. I heard he's got a weak spot for you / He's gonna come. Gonna come running. "Ache" is slightly less dark, the lead singer lamenting her love for a man. I ache for you. 

Download Twigs here, or for you fancy schmancy hipsters, buy it on vinyl here.

The xx: "Last Christmas" Cover

I know what you must be thinking.  The xx? With a CHRISTMAS cover? It kind blew my mind at first.  Anyways, it's actually an enjoyable cover.  The xx's minimalistic and hushed style fits the song better, and (in my personal opinion) makes the song a bit more tolerable.  I mean, let's be honest.  "Last Christmas" is one of the cheesies and most annoying Christmas songs out there.  But the xx really nurtures and embraces the inner meaning of the song.  The tender, emotional tone really comes out with the xx cover.  Check it out and download bellow.

What other unlikely bands do you think should make Christmas covers?  My personal favorites would be Passion Pit and Dashboard Confessional. : )  Let me know your favorite in the comments bellow!