Robyn - Body Talk, Pt. 1

"Don't fucking tell me what to do"... that's how Robyn starts her new album, and this fact could pretty much sum it up what she's all about. Indeed, her music is pure pop - catchy and mostly fun -, but there's always been something that makes her a kind of outsider, like a feeling of displacement which perhaps comes from her Scandinavian roots. Or maybe the twist is much simpler: she's just too honest and her songs are loaded with so much raw and genuine sentiment that we kind of feel disarmed when dealing with them. Heartbreaking could be the word.
The good news is that, in her new mini-album, she stays true to herself. Doesn't matter if she's taking inspiration in electro, dancehall, synthpop or singing a traditional Swedish ballad, this is Robyn at her purest core, a mixture of candidness with that raw and unique attitude, delivering a collection of immense songs that come from a down-to-earth girl giving out what she does best. And it's telling that the result is actually much more subversive than 99,9% of the conceptual bullshit being thrown at us every minute nowadays.
For further proof of her brilliance, go hear the extreme-goosebumps-inducing Dancing On My Own, a song included in Body Talk Pt. 1, which is basically one of the best songs ever. And some even better news: this is just the first part of a 3-album-project, with parts 2 and 3 still scheduled for this year. Bring it on! (8,5/10)

Robyn - Fembot (mp3 via tram7)



www.robyn.com
www.myspace.com/robynmyspace

Iconic Images # 5

Great artists live forever. Above, a new shot taken by a young French photographer called Arno Bani that is going on auction next December. This was Michael's latest photo shoot and I love it, the result is strikingly beautiful.

You will love each other

HEALTH are ready for a crossover, at least judging by this new track included in their recently-released remix album Disco 2. Their freak-out tendencies are intact, but the news here is that the freaks are now writing dream-pop melodies over digital synths that recall the best side of Timbaland, resulting in what Pitchfork has called "a kind of industrial-erotic jam". And then this official video appeared, and it only further accentuates that description...



www.healthnoise.com
www.myspace.com/healthmusic

MGMT's new video It's Working for me

My god, their videos keep getting better and better, don't they? The second single from Congratulations is the album's opening track, and the video treatment this time around comes to prove that MGMT do put a lot of effort in the band's visuals. The video (directed by artist SO-ME) is their most fun effort to date and can I point out that the boys are looking mighty fine on this one? LOVE all the technicolor effects.

Crystal Castles - Celestica video

When I saw Crystal Castles playing live a couple of months ago, there was this one song in their set that really got me. Not only it was quite different from everything else they did during the insanity that is their live show, it was also really really good. Celestica is the song and it's a cold and beautiful synth-led sound that gives Alice Glass and Ethan Kath a sensitive side (!) and, well, a hell of a great single. The video for Celestica was just released, check it below:

Hot Summer!

Summer has officially started today and His-Royal-Highness Prince has recently put out a new super-fresh and fun song, which incidentally is called Hot Summer. So I guess this post just speaks for itself! Celebrate the new season in style below:

Prince - Hot Summer (mp3)

A dream we're feeling

Friday night, time to put on those dancing shoes and get ready to party... And that's exactly what happens in Human Life's In It Together, a song that mixes icy synths with the warm vibes of pure funk. In its very cool video, the visual translation of this idea is quite literal: just replace the dancing shoes by tribal paintings, make the party in a secret location, load it with people dressed in wicked costumes... and you're ready for the time of your lives.



humanlifemusic.com
www.myspace.com/humanlifedjs

Kele's Tenderoni

I'm impressed! Here is the new song from Kele Okereke, Bloc Party's lead singer. His first solo album will out on June 21st and it's called The Boxer. Total change of direction for him but it works amazingly well. This track was produced by XXXChange of Spank-Rock and the electro-vibe here reminds me of that wonderful Tiga song called Shoes, but only better. Can't wait to hear the album, enjoy the video below:

Stockholm trip soundtrack

There's always one song that marks our travelings, this time around it was The Tough Alliance with Koka Kola Veins (playing everywhere - video below):

Stockholm (Polaroids # 38)

Back from Stockholm! This is indeed a great city to visit, a place where the juxtaposition of water and nature creates one unique (laid-back) way of living. The sun hardly ever sets during this time of the year, here are some snapshots of that amazing view.

Come with me

In a few moments I'll be travelling to Stockholm, and what better way to celebrate it than with a wonderful new video from a project related to one of my favourite Swedish duos ever? ceo is none other than Eric Berglund, a.k.a. one half of The Tough Alliance, and Come With Me is the first single to be taken out of his forthcoming debut album White Magic. Enjoy it below, have a wonderful weekend and see you soon!



www.sincerelyyours.se

Sleigh Bells - Treats

Categories have stopped making sense a long time ago, but damm it if Sleigh Bells aren't taking this fact to a whole new level. With potent electro beats played out LOUD and HEAVY, soaring riffs seemingly borrowed from lost metal records and super catchy sing-a-long girl-vocals, here's a brand new fusion to make all tribes happy.
Treats is the debut album from this Brooklyn duo, and they're already causing big waves, thanks in no small part to their about-to-be-unveiled collaboration with M.I.A. for her new album. But there's much more to Sleigh Bells than just the hype and famous friends, as this record proves: each track is a momentum in itself, destined to soundtrack incendiary and sweaty parties, blasting a ferocious energy that is surely not for the faint-hearted.
Ultimately, it's this energy that becomes addictive: these are 11 tracks to celebrate the joys and pleasures of life, doing so while taking us to limitless extremes, in a pulverizing path. (7/10)

Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em (mp3 via AWmusic.ca)



www.infinitybells.com
www.myspace.com/sleighbellsmusic

Cuz I'm on fire fire fire fire

Judging from what we've heard and seen so far, Kylie's comeback promises to be the pop-story of the year, with an album full of banging tunes produced by none other than Stuart Price. Here's a first taste of it, in the form of super-sexy super-great video for All The Lovers.



www.kylie.com