EAR CANDY | [Stream] Lykke Li’s ‘Wounded Rhymes’
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I know I’m a little late, but I got off the plane from Halifax to a wonderful surprise. I’ve been waiting forever, and it’s finally here: Lykke Li‘s sophomore album, Wounded Rhymes–streaming in its entirety before its Feb. 28, 2011 release date. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving her darker, grittier, and sexier sound.
I haven’t listened to the whole album yet, but I thought I’d share the love first. I’ll post my thoughts later after I’ve gotten a good listen! Enjoy!
EAR CANDY: Karen O – “If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough”
Karen O has gone country, y’all!
Okay, not really. But the Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman has recorded a cover of the surprisingly appropriate Roger Alan Wade track “If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough” for the jackassary that is the upcoming Jackass 3D movie. (Yes, it’s really happening). She’s gotta a slight Southern twang, but somehow, she still ends up sounding like a badass. Guess Karen O took a note from Wade: If she’s gonna go country, she’s gotta be tough.
[via SKOA]
EYE CANDY: I Blame Coco – Live From Stockholm (Webcast)
For all of you that missed it (or if you’re a super fan who wants to re-watch it), here’s I Blame Coco‘s live broadcast earlier today (Oct. 1) from Stockholm in celebration of the release of her debut album, The Constant, in Sweden. Now let’s all thank God for the Internet!
*Audio and performance starts around the 23 minute mark, so fast forward and enjoy!
EAR CANDY: M.I.A. – “Lemme Hump You” (feat. Blaqstarr)
Yep, I was right.
M.I.A has added yet another ridiculous URL to her recent collection to host her track, “Lemme Hump You” (feat. Blaqstarr): http://www.ithinkyoumightgetshitforthat.com/.
Also, what can I say except that this .gif is aaaaaaawwsoome.
You can listen to the latest self-leaked M.I.A. track below, but if I were you I’d go to http://www.ithinkyoumightgetshitforthat.com/ just to see that .gif above.
DON’T MISS: I Blame Coco Live from Stockholm (Webcast!)
Tomorrow night (Friday, Oct. 1), I Blame Coco is performing live in Stockholm, Sweden w/ a special guest, Robyn, to promote the release of her debut record (The Constant), and the show will all be broadcast LIVE at 9pm CET (8pm GMT or 3pm EST, for us in Toronto).
It will be streaming over here: www.iblamecocolive.com
You don’t want to miss this!
UPDATE: If you weren’t able to catch the live broadcast earlier today, you can now watch the recorded Live from Stockholm show on www.iblamecocolive.com. On the video app, click “More” and then “I Blame Coco Live from Stockholm!”. Enjoy!
COVER CLASH: Fever Ray vs. First Aid Kit (“When I Grow Up”)
Fever Ray vs. First Aid Kit
Fever Ray
Karin Dreijer Andersson, was originally one half of Grammi-winning (Swedish equivalent of a Grammy; those tricky, Swedes!) electric duo, the Knife, with her brother. Now performing solo under the moniker, Fever Ray, she is known for her theatricality (often donning masks and face paint), haunting vocals, and creating dark daydreams with synth textures.
“When I Grow Up” is a Fever Ray original and is the perfect song to introduce new listeners to her music. Honestly, on the first listen her multi-tracked vocals sound almost Bjork-like. The bass line is gripping and the sparse percussion is quite satisfying and carries the eerie feeling effectively. The single melody line repeated throughout pushes the track forward with a sense of movement.
And here’s the video, which I think suits the track perfectly and adds to its eerie tone.
First Aid Kit
And we’ve got 2 Swedes on the docket today! These two sisters from Stokholm had humble beginnings. They started off posting acoustic videos on youtube and tracks on Myspace, and clearly, they’re doing something right, because now they’re touring all over the world. They have a show in Toronto coming up on October 15.
Their version of Fever Ray’s “When I Grow Up” is a beautiful folk rendition with the girls’ signature harmonies. Completely different from the original, First Aid Kit’s vocals are in the forefront while subtle guitar instrumentation and muted percussion is buried in the mix (save for the intro).
Which version do you prefer? Fever Ray’s spooky electronic take or First Aid Kit’s classic folk?
P.S. What did you think of Glee’s cover of Paramore’s “Only Exception”? I hated it.
EAR CANDY: Florence + the Machine – “Dog Days Are Over” (Yeasayer Remix)
Florence + the Machine has been making waves in the US with their performance on the MTV VMAs and a track on the recent Twilight soundtrack. And let’s just say Florence Welch has no problem selling out shows over here across the border in Canada. She’s already had 2 sold out shows in Toronto and an upcoming one that has already sold out. Capitalizing on their success, the UK “band,” if you will, will be releasing a remix of one of their hit songs, “Dog Days Are Over” by Yeasayer which you can stream below.
If you haven’t heard of Florence + the Machine, my best guess is that you’ve been living under a rock, because she’s (or they’ve) been everywhere lately. If this is the first time you’ve heard of Florence, you should definitely check out her out. Girl has got a set of lungs, which is quite fitting actually, because her debut album was entitled Lungs. Give it a listen and you won’t be disappointed.
EAR CANDY: Sufjan Stevens – “Age of Adz” (Full Album Stream)
The wait is finally over.
Sufjan Stevens‘ long-awaited Age of Adz if finally available for everyone to stream in its entirety before its October 12 release date. That way, folks can decide whether or not they’re going to purchase it (or if you’ve already pre-ordered it like me, you can listen to it before having the glorious physical copy in your hands). I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, but I thought I’d share the love. Stream Age of Adz below or on NPR.
Welcome back, Sufjan. It’s been far to too long.
EAR CANDY: M.I.A. x Diplo – “4thepeopleontheboat” (Demo)
Trriiiiiippy!
Today, we got a listen of a previously unreleased M.I.A. demo, and we owe it all to producer, Diplo (who recently said some not very nice things about the Brit’s latest effort, /\/\ /\ Y /\). He took to his twitter yesterday to post the little surprise:
a lost/new/crazy song i did with @_M_I_A_ -this is only demo… i might leak the real version if u guys want http://4thepeopleontheboat.com/
Maybe this is a peace offering? Who knows. All I know is that I’m liking what I hear.
[MP3]: M.I.A. x Diplo – “4thepeopleontheboat” (demo)
UPDATED (Sept. 29): So I guess it wasn’t a peace offering then. M.I.A took to her twitter today to tell the world that she released the demo, so undue credit shouldn’t be given to “the white dudes”–ahem, Diplo (her words, not mine).
Oh, and she also released: http://yesthelittlepeoplewillneverwinbuttheycanfuckshitup.com/ and http://facebookgooglemyspaceyoutube.com/
Girl be crazy! She’s gonna buy every ridiculously named site until they are no longer.
