25, female, trigger lacking

My first time, swoon, with the Dirty Projectors was actually in a boutique that I frequent here in town (I heart Beehive). Stillness is the Move exploded through the racks of knit tops and maxi dresses and I was instantly hooked. The Dirty Projectors sound was totally foreign to me but utterly enthralling. I have to say I was a little disappointed that the rest of their album, Bitte Orca, was slightly awkward (despite the radness that exploded on Stillness is the Move) but that folks is sometimes just how the cookie crumbles.

That being said, the new effort from the Dirty Projectors, Swing Lo Magellan, is new territory. It’s clear to me that the DP’s focused more acutely on the song writing and less on just being weird and quirky. I would say this new album has 6-7 solid tracks and several that I have listened to multiple times in one sitting. Gun Has No Trigger is the most recent single released off the album, this song is two parts melancholy, one parts chorus and three parts David Longstreth. The track’s simple arrangement remains interesting and dynamic for all 3 minutes and 24 seconds. I hate when I find myself going on and on about a song, so let’s just call a spade a spade and a sick track a sick track. Take a listen and please post and let me know what you think.

I would also highly recommend listening to Knotty Pine a DP collaboration with David Byrne. Enough Said.

xoxo
TrackStar

I love it and waffle house.

I believe this post should act as proof of what a huge fan I am of Icona Pop. I think it’s safe to say that I heart this Swedish pop power duo. They are beautiful, talented and they don’t really seem to give a f*ck. I love it. I am slightly type A and sometimes it’s a great escape from my ridge schedule and planned activities and just dance a little around my living room. This song doesn’t try and do too much, it’s fun, carefree, has a rad baseline and is under 3 minutes. F*ck it, I love it.

Icona Pop, I Love It

 

xoxo

 

TrackStar and 90s Bitch

 

Caught A Ghost isn’t as hard as you might think…

I watch some bad TV. I would like to be perfectly honest about that from the beginning. That being said, I was recently watching episode 202 of Suits, a USA original, and during the final scene of the episode where the love of my life, Gabriel Macht (see below!), is having a heart to heart with his boss, Jessica, I heard this really cool and interesting song in the background. I fancy myself a music enthusiast so I usually pay attention to music I hear in movies and on TV, but this one really caught my attention and to my utter dismay, SOUNDHOUND was unable to recognize the tune that was floating through my tele speakers. Obviously, I didn’t let that setback prevent me from finding what artist was successfully combining soul, dub step, sampling, and synths in one swoop -  So I ventured out on to the internet and there I discovered Caught A Ghost.

LA songwriter and producer Jesse Nolan created Caught A Ghost with band mates Stephen Edelstein and Tessa Thompson. Nolan explains Caught A Ghost as an expression for when you’re possessed by the spirit, used in the past by blues singers when they’d hear a good performance…I can definitely get on board with that. This particular track, Time Go, represents Nolan’s creative homage to Motown Stacks and James Blake. Caught A Ghost is about paying tribute to La La Land and the musical ghosts that roam the Hollywood hills. I hope you enjoy this track and oh yeah…I am glad to be back.

CAUGHT A GHOST – Time Go

xoxo

TrackStar

Directions for Life. Music Go Music.

There’s a record label by the name of Secretly Canadian and I have to say I am very passionate about several of their artists, War on Drugs, Gardens and Villa and Yeasayer. That being said, I was browsing their web page yesterday and I found this band by the name of Music Go Music. I wasn’t necessarily expecting much from a band with such a bossy name, but I was very taken with this trio’s vintage dance-y feel. MGM has an entirely unpredictable sound, it’s almost a mix between Best Coast and ABBA. This particular track, Light of Love, appears to be going down one road and then takes a drastic left turn across a multiple lane highway, and I love it. I am not Don Draper and I really love a good surprise. MGM isn’t for everybody, but most really creative ideas aren’t.

Music Go Music, Light of Love

It’s not personal, it’s heavy metal.

There’s just something about bands from Brooklyn, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is definitely something about Brooklyn bands, it could be the swagger, the image, the slightly mysterious back story, the fact that there always seem to be more band members each time they release an album. Yes, there is DEFINITELY something about Brooklyn. White Rabbits are no exception to the rule. White Rabbit’s most recent album release Milk Famous commands a darker sound than their freshman effort Fort Nightly, there newest effort is synthy and sneaky and I love it. My favorite track from Milk Famous is Heavy Metal, but I Had It Coming is a close second, with it’s haunting/Johnny Cash lyrical presence. I don’t know much else about these 6 Brooklyn band mates, but there is definitely something there to look at and listen to.

White Rabbits, Heavy Metal

White Rabbits, I Had It Coming

 

 

Would you love you more?

No matter who you are in this mad mad world, it’s important to ask yourself at one point or another, “Can I enjoy a pop song without guilt?” My answer today is a definitive “YES!” because in my mind good pop music removes thought from the equation and no matter what that equation totals it is perfect in it’s innocence. Today’s track is just that, a sugary, bubbly, perfect pop song.  “Love U More” is a nod to both the sweet and sassy and it makes my list as an instant repeater in 2012. Sunday Girl (who could definitely find side work as a hair model) has a sweet, breathy croon and Andre of RAC works his magic with a pulsating beat that feels half little mermaid and half Diplo. It’s not brain surgery, it’s WAY better than that, it’s pop music.

Monday Musing

1. Easy High is the single from Swimwear’s 2012 EP and I dig it. It’s electro-pop but it has an eerie 80s cult film slow motion vignette element. This song makes me want to walk slow, close my eyes and try not to run into anything (snagging my sequined blazer on a dresser would be tragic).

2. I forgot how much I love MNDR. Recently I came across a pretty slick remix of FTP’s Pumped Up Kicks by Amanda and Peter and it brought me back to their classic I Go Away - I never get sick of this one. I am posting both below.

Foster The People, Pumped Up Kicks (MNDR 4 Remix)

3. Tennis is my band to watch in 2012. Their sophomore album, Young & Old, shows growth but an appreciation of their freshman Marathon roots. Their single from the album, Origins, is more up tempo than most of Cape Dory, but still  has me floating like a buoy through the crisp waters of the Atlantic.

Tennis Tour Dates through May 2012

04/24 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
04/26 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
04/27 – Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Caberet
04/28 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
04/30 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
05/01 – Santa Ana, CA @ Constellation Room
05/02 – Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour
05/03 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
05/04 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
05/05 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress
05/08 – Austin, TX @ The Parish

4. I was lucky enough to catch the men of Gardens & Villa (pronounced Via – I royally embarrassed myself here) at the Warby Parker showcase on the first day of SXSW. It might have been the amazing weather or kettle corn I was munching on, but I would rate their show an 8.5/10. I love these guys for their ingenuity, and any band that can flawlessly incorporate Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams into their own track is a winner in my book. Listen to Thorn Castle below.

I’m back! SXSW excites and inspires.

I spent the entire week of SXSW, which lucky for me takes place in my home town, bouncing from venue to venue listening to some of the most amazing and inspiring musicians this country/world has to offer.  As you all know (and if you didn’t know this then welcome!) I took a break from this blog over the past 6 months. A lot in my life has changed over the past 6 months, but I can tell you what has not changed, one single iota, is my passion for music and my desire to share this love of tunes with anyone who’ll take time to hear/read about my auditory interests.

I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be back in the saddle and this time around I will be working my tail feather off for TrackStar readers. Additionally, I am committed to seeing as much live music as possible this year and hopefully exposing my readers to what’s out there on the perimeter. I have also added a new feature to my site, MIXTAPES (See above header), to expose my readers to my vast portfolio of musical mixes, an underrated artistry in my opinion.

Happy Sunday!

xoxo,
TrackStar

Cudi and Gaga. Make her say…Anything I guess.

Creative magic happens when you combine the talents of two artists like Kid Cudi and Lady Gaga. Obviously, the Gag and Cudi stand alone in greatness, but together their sounds intermingle, play and build on one another. AND when you add Kanye and Common into the mix, forget it, musical synergy. This particular track, Make Her Say, doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but combines lyrical and melodic components that carry an unexpected swagger. I wouldn’t say I know much about Hip Hop, but I know what I like and as always I will continue to share it with my dedicated listeners. I do it for the love like Ray J.

Make Her Say, Kid Cudi (Feat. Common and Kanye)

 

 

 

xoxo
Trackstar

Look Up Up Up! I spot a Ceiling of Plankton!

The Givers should officially be on your radar, if they aren’t already. Releasing their first fill length album this past June, the Givers understand that just because music is a labor of love does not mean it can’t be f*cking fun too.

The Givers present both an airy and energetic sound. It’s hard to imagine to imagine this Louisiana crew not jumping and smiling and having the best time of their life while performing their songs, a breed I believe they refer to as “Dancey pants, indie pop love music.” How can you argue with that? Their sound throughout In Light is far from dull or static, the crowd favorite, Up Up Up, swells with a joyous confidence, while my personal go-to track, Ceiling of Plankton, is a little bit more reserved in its infectious wistfulness. I won’t do anyone a disservice today by posting one song over the other, so enjoy both!

Up Up Up, In Light, Givers

Ceiling of Plankton, In Light, Givers

Happy Monday!

xoxo

TrackStar