Much A Doodle About Nothing

EARGASM OF THE DAY: Usher - Climax

These are my confessions:  

- I have loved Usher ever since he swooped me off my prepubescent feet with My Way back in ‘97. Nice & Slow still makes me wanna “put my hand in places I never seen, girl you know what I mean” (Usher was never one for subtlety…)  
-DJ’s Got Us Fallin’ In Love will always hold a special place in my heart (minus the Pitbull factor).  Now before you go projectile vomit on your computer screen i’ll have you know it’s only because Oprah was tenderly holding my hand whilst Guy Sebastian was serenading us with it; but that’s a story for another time..

Yes, Usher shat on the world with Beiber. Yes, he damn near ruined MJ’s funeral with his douche baggery.  Yes, he made baby Jesus cry with his god awful Guetta collab.  YES, his ex wife looks like is Wayne Brady…  

Fatal flaws aside, his latest album Looking 4 Myself is undeniably dope as fuck.  After falling into the trap of overproducing his tracks into oblivion, one of the core forces that killed pop music in the 21st century, his latest single, Climax, effortlessly swirls his creamy R&B tones with a tasteful electronic sensibility.  I’m taking Usher’s new wave slow jams as a sign that mainstream pop music is not dead.  Finally we have middle ground!!  Now if you’ll excuse me I need to get my U-Turn on in celebration! 

EARGASM OF THE DAY: CocoRosie - Tearz For Animals (feat. Antony Hegarty)

After a particularly unfruitful blog trawl, stumbling upon french sisters, CocoRosie’s Tearz For Animals was like a breath of fresh air.  Unraveling with the simple plea, “do you have love for human kind?” riding on rhythmic percussion’s, the track really comes to fruition with the addition of a shimmering piano and the haunting vocal talents of Antony Hegarty from Antony and the Johnson’s.  Ordinarily I find CocoRosie’s quirky experimental folk a little too left of center for my personal taste, however the addition of Hegarty’s soulful tones really grounds their sound and the overall effect is lovely.  My only complaint is I find the background chatter from the 1:10 mark a little distracting and completely unnecessary for what is a stunningly simple song.  

EARGASM OF THE DAY: Ellie Goulding - High For This (The Weeknd Cover produced by Xaphoon Jones)

It’s got to be said.  Ellie Goulding has the worst taste in men ever.  I liken fucking Skrillex to pinching your nose with disgust when forced to swallow the worst thing in the world - like octopus period.  Apologies for my crassness, only Skrillex can inspire me to say something so heinously wrong…  

Questionable relationship decisions aside, girl sure knows how to belt out a cover.  Having taken on the likes of Bon Iver,Rihanna and Passion Pit, Miss. Goulding’s smooth renditions excite me a hell of a lot more than her snoring originals.  Her latest venture is a dazzling interpretation of The Weeknd’s High For This mixed by the one and only Xaphoon Jones aka Chiddy Bang’s personal production genie.  Among many things, it has me projectile jizzing like a fireman’s hose. Apologies again, I tend to get graphically inappropriate with my faux lady penis when I really dig something…

Whilst the original is injected with dubby flare, set off by pounding percussion’s and The Weeknd’s lush vocals echoing through a minimal landscape; Goulding’s version oozes pop flavour with her sultry voice melting over snazzy clicks and crafty synth work.  What Xaphoon Jones has cleverly done here is maintain the original’s vibe yet tweaked it enough for it to stand tall in it’s own right.  

Many producers seem to fall into the trap of overproducing, with the mentality that showcasing all of their skills simultaneously is the only way to get to the top.  But it’s true what they say, less is more.  Jones’ level of constraint is what really makes this cover shine.  From his sampling brilliance with Chiddy Bang to his deliciously inventive mash-up mixtapes, one thing’s for sure - XAPHOON YOU CRAZY!

EARGASMS OF THE WEEK:

I’ve been really lazy on the Eargasms for the last week.  In my defence Uni has been ruining my life.  But i’m not here to bore you with my excuses! To make up for my apathy here a bunch of tunes that have been saving my student life.

Yeasayer - Henrietta:  First and foremost, my my music husbands, Yeasayer are back with a brand new track Henrietta.  Just like everything they do, it has me happy dancing up a storm. Taking it down a notch from their poppier numbers such as O.N.E, this new track really lets their psychedelic funk side shine.  I love everything about this beat and am seriously considering changing my name to Henrietta.  Check it out above!

Lemonade - Softkiss:  Brooklyn natives Lemonade satisfy with their latest indie pop concoction, Softkiss. Cruising on a synth dream, the addition of peppy vocals and hand claps results in much head bopping and toe tapping goodness to be had. Their sophomore album is set to drop next week and I am frothing in anticipation.

Azelia Banks - Jumanji:  It’s no secret that i’m not the biggest Azelia Banks fan.  No doubt 212 is a killer tune, however I just can’t get on board with her filthy lyrics. The word cunt makes my skin crawl.  It’s nasty and cheapens the song.  New number Jumanji Is much more my cuppa.  Produced by Hudson Mohawke, tribal vibes infiltrate the track enhancing her speedy rhyme flow, creating the perfect soundtrack for jungle mayhem. Also Jumanji was a dope ass movie so props for that. 

Blood Orange - Sutphin Boulevard:  Blood Orange, formally known as Dev Hynes, has been floating around the tuneiverse for a while under a number of aliases.  Working under the guise of Lightspeed Champion from 2008-2010, he has written for heavyweights Florence And The Machine and The Chemical Brothers as well as produced The Bleeding Knees Club’s debut album closer to home.  His latest offering, Coastal Grooves dominated my ipod much of last year, and having recently seen him live supporting Florence And The Machine on her Australian tour, it is once again commanding my playlist.  Sutphin Boulevard is one of those undeniably awesome tracks that perfectly combines R&B, psychadelic rock and sexy black hipster.  And sexy black hipsters are clearly the flavour of the month.

Catcall - The World Is Ours:I really love being an Australian and am damn proud of the amazing music that our island home harvests!  Catcall is one such artist that makes my heart swell with national pride.  She gives it all she’s got with new single, The World Is Ours and the effect is good ol’ fashioned fun!  Reviving elements of 80’s power pop, I can’t help but picture a dancing Molly Ringwald getting foot loose. 

Lianne La Havas - Is Your Love Big Enough?:This track is straight up funk.  Clearly her jam sessions with Prince have rubbed off on her!  From the playful handclaps to the cheery guitar plucks, every aspect of this track perfectly falls into place.  Not to mention her soulful tones and general adorableness are so damn charming.  Also the fact that she sings about Ice Cream makes me want to be her BFF.

Brick + Mortar - Bangs: A more recent addition to my playlist, I stumbled across this track during my regular stroll down the bloggerhood courtesy of Ear Milk.  The eerie intro is extremely deceptive, overcome by an onslaught of trembling guitar riffs, heavy percussion’s and hazy vocals.  Despite the instrument invasion, every detail works harmoniously. Crank it up and let your feet do the talking!

EARGASM OF THE DAY: Dub Pistols - Back To Daylight (feat. Ashley Slater)

Today’s Eargam is one of my favourites.  A very awesome cousin of mine introduced me to uk reggae-dub heroes, Dub Pistols a few years ago and Back To Daylight has been on high rotation in my life ever since.   The best way I can describe this track is sunshine captured in a song and with winter just around the corner, Back To Daylight is the perfect remedy to warm the senses.  

Awakening with the fresh chime of a piano rolling over some crafty beat boxing, the song really takes off with the addition of a bouncy bass line and Ashley Slater’s creamy tones.  The video clip is also dope and plays very nicely into my love for black hipster skateboarders. 

EARGASM OF THE DAY: The Neighborhood -Wires

Another band touched by Zane Lowe’s midas touch, Californian troupe, The Neighbourhood have set the international airways alight with their ear-melting tunes.  Their debut EP, I’m Sorry dropped on Monday and one thing I’m NOT feeling is apologetic.  In an age where genre bending is the way of the future, this five tracker is oozing with lazy hip-hop beats crawling through a thick indie-pop jungle.  

Latest single, Wires, is the perfect Sunday afternoon puff-puff-pass jam.  It almost reminds me of an Outkast/Tame Impala love child; the result is hypnotizing.  This is one bandwagon you want to jump on.

EARGASM OF THE DAY: Valar - Hocus Pocus

I have been quite lazy on the eargasm front for the past few days… My bad.  But I assure you this little number by Sydney based quartet, Valar, more than makes up for my lethargy.  I caught Valar at Paddington Uniting Church last week, where they successfully mesmerised the crowd with their haunting jams.  By the time they played final song, Anoesis, I had goosebumps sprouting out of places  I didn’t even know I had.  They were that amazing.

Hocus Pocus actually wasn’t on the bill for the evening but its been one of my favourites for a while.  There’s no other term to describe it than simply beautiful.  Just shy of two minutes, this song manages to pack quite the emotional punch.  James Blackwood’s pitch perfect vocals pleading over the simple tune of a piano and the somber cries of trumpet is tear jerking in the best possible way.  I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, this band is Radiohead good; a comparison I do not make lightly.  Do your ears a favour and LISTEN. 

EARGASM OF THE DAY: Py - Lungs

I would fill this space with my love filled embellishments for this amazing tune, however my buddy over at Far land articulates my thoughts better than I ever could.  Check out his review:

http://www.thefarland.tv/lungs-py/

NOTE:  Every music lover should list Far land among the top of their musical sources.  The guy used to be a resident drummer on Jools Holland.  Enough said. 

EARGASM OF THE DAY: Polica - Happy Be Fine

I knew Listening to Minneapolis natives, Polica was going to be amazing when Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver declared to Rolling Stone that they were the best band he’d ever heard.  Granted his opinion is slightly biased as Polica consists of his old Gayngs alum; producer Ryan Olson and the vocal talents of Channy Leaneagh.  Nevertheless, their debut album, Give You The Ghost, has garnered much critical praise, including a shout out from up and coming indie music authority, Jay-Z and his sheep Kanye (just playin! You know I love Yeezy).  

To add my two rocks to the Mount Everest of love they have been receiving, I found Give You The Ghost to be an aural pleasure in the highest sense of the term and can’t recommend it enough.  Although I can’t agree with Mr Vernon’s bold statement 100%, I will say that their impeccably produced auto-tuned vibes, perfectly blended with sparse synths and electrifying percussion’s commands silence, as even the slightest sound can impede the wonderful flow of music.  It’s that good.  

Whilst Lay Your Cards Out seems to be the general favourite, I can’t look past ninth track Happy Be Fine.  The mysterious synths and mellow drums unfolding with Leneagh’s haunting anthem, “I need some time, to think about my life without you” is so profound in it’s simplicity.  It stimulates the raw emotion at the heart of all of us - selfishness.  A term that unjustly elicit’s negative connotations, yet is ingrained in our human psyche.  The selfishness I am referring to has nothing to do with capitalising on others misfortune for personal gain.  It is a testament to the fact that we are ultimately wired to take care of number one.  Personally I find it a beautiful thing.  Anyways enough of my spiritual ramblings…  

In an age where defining genre’s has becoming obsolete or hipster inspired elaborations (dubby-lo-fi-trip-hop-experimental-electronica), many comparisons have been floating about for Polica’s sound.  If I had to describe them on the “comparative band scale”, the 90’s child in me wants to scream out, “the glorious love child of Everything But The Girl and Massive Attack!”  Whether you agree with my assessment or not, one thing’s for sure, Polica’s music is awesome.  

Take note Kanye, THIS is how you do auto-tune. Subtlety mother fucker! 

NOTE:  I really do love Kanye. 

EARGASM OF THE DAY: Steezy Ray Vibes - Empty City (demo)

I’m not really sure who Steezy Ray Vibes is or where he comes from.  In fact I don’t understand out of the wealth of band names in the world he’s gone for something as hipster-lame as “Steezy Ray Vibes”.  The only reason that makes sense, is that it is a homage to tragic blues guitarist, Stevie Ray Vaughn; albeit not a very good one.  Luckily his stunning demo, Empty City, more than makes up for his namesake.  

The beauty of this demo shines in it’s simplicity.  Unraveling with the innocent strum of a guitar, Steezy’s delicate vocals stir feelings of love lost.  The addition of smooth percussion’s, hand claps and a moody bassline form the perfect soundtrack for a midnight stroll through an Empty City.  Steezy Ray Vibes is definitely a name I could get used to.