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6
Nov 09

Spoon – The Mystery Zone

Spoon The Mystery Zone listenNew Spoon! “The Mystery Zone” is another taste of Spoon’s forthcoming album, Transference. Indie superstar and Spoon ringleader, Britt Daniel, has announced that Transference is a “pure” Spoon album, being the first album the band self produced.

“The Mystery Zone” will be third track found on the hotly anticipated LP. “Got Nuffin’,” the lead track off the band’s last release, the Got Nuffin’ EP, will also appear on Transference (track 10).

Using “The Mystery Zone” and “Got Nuffin’” as judging points, the likelihood of Transference besting Spoon’s last three LPs is quickly diminishing. But Spoon is known for throwing us curve balls, and with numerous modern classics under their wings, who am I to doubt them?

Transference will be out January 26th via Merge. Another January release to put on your calendar. Listen to “The Mystery Zone” here: Continue reading →

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6
Nov 09

Wolf Gang – The King And All Of His Men

Wolf Gang The King And All Of His Men listenI’ve been listening to a lot of happy music this month. That’s a trend I don’t want to end just yet, and it’s a trend that Wolf Gang perpetuates with excellent single “The King And All Of His Men.”

Think the glitzy pop of The Killers without the self-seriousness, or MGMT minus the heavy beats (maybe even a little bit of Empire of the Sun?),  “King And All Of His Men” rocks out with pounding piano chords, swirling synths, and epic “oohs.”  The sound is unique, catchy, and just BIG.

This is full, expansive, music, building towards an ending complete with tribal drums, hand-claps, choral harmonies, and layers and layers of sound. “King” will surely be filling arenas, and should be filling your iPod headphones for the rest of the day, if not the year.

Wolf Gang – The King And All Of His Men

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5
Nov 09

Kelley McRae – Highrises In Brooklyn

Kelley McRae Highrises In Brooklyn listen“Highrises In Brooklyn” is a nice coffeehouse lounger that will surely please those disappointed with Regina Spektor’s latest album- or at least fill the gap until her next. Up-and-comer Kelley McRae is one of those likable, smart pop-folksters who is easy on the ears and makes for a very pleasant listen. She played at Barnes and Noble the other night in New York City, and I can’t think of a more perfect environment for her kind of music.

Sit back, relax, and let McRae’s calm voice and soothing melodies chill you out. And if “Highrises In Brooklyn” isn’t chill enough, head over to McRae’s MySpace and listen to the brilliant “Johnny Cash,” in many ways a superior song, a perfect addition to your bedtime playlist.

Kelley McRae – Highrises In Brooklyn

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5
Nov 09

Basement Jaxx – My Turn (ft. Lightspeed Champion)

Basement Jaxx My Turn (ft. Lightspeed Champion) listenBasement Jaxx make quirky house music, and the bass bumping throughout new track “My Turn” certainly won’t challenge the assumption. That said, “My Turn” isn’t just a banger to drop on the late night. Although Basement Jaxx tracks can sometimes feel like the guest vocalist is there just to be there, Devonte Hynes (a.k.a. Lightspeed Champion) really touches the heart strings with his vocals, and they never feel extraneous or cheesy.

Straightforward pop song structure, catchy hooks, 4/4 beat, and vocal harmonies make this about as radio friendly as house gets; I bet your girlfriend will like this one. Notwithstanding, it is still a Basement Jaxx track, so there is the aforementioned banging bass, the acoustic guitar, the weird little sample snippets, squeaks and squawks running through the track.Compared to previous Jaxx pop-boppers like “Romeo” and “Hot N Cold,” “My Turn” sounds a bit calmer, smoothed out almost.

Ultimately, “My Turn” may sacrifice some of Basement Jaxx’s idiosyncratic groove-making ways for the sake of broader appeal (it’s not obvious that this is a Jaxx track on first, or even second listen), but if you like well crafted pop you can dance to, you won’t be disappointed. Check out the video below: Continue reading →

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5
Nov 09

Fred – Damn You Hollywood

Fred Damn You Hollywood listenYou know that we at PMA love almost any grandiose, orchestral, too-fun-for-its-own-good pop song. Especially if that song has an “ooo” or an “ahh” in it somewhere.

That said, it’s pretty obvious that we love Fred’s “Damn You Hollywood,” a dynamic, epic track from a band that seems to have quietly garnered tons of attention and acclaim over the past year. Most of this praise has come from the band’s homeland of Ireland, as the album Go God Go has been named best album of 2008 by multiple Irish publications.

But with tracks like “Damn You Hollywood,” it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Fred blew up in the US.

The song, which soundtracked a few minutes of Gossip Girl this week, is filled with the best stuff on earth: not Snapple, but instead blaring horns, soulful piano, clever lyrics, and of course, a memorable, hummable “ooo” as a wordless chorus of sorts. Its Broadway flair recalls the flamboyance of Fun., its hooks and melodies recall the joy of the Wombats, and its thrilling horn section recall “big bands” of another era.

“Damn You Hollywood” is an exceptional song, and the band’s other offerings on its MySpace page (check out the fantastic “Running”) suggest that Fred has nowhere to go but up.

Fred – Damn You Hollywood

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4
Nov 09

Rihanna – Wait Your Turn (Wait Is Ova)

I’ve had about a week or so to let the shock of “Russian Roulette” to settle, and you know what? I bought it on iTunes just yesterday. Why the sudden change of heart? Letting go of dreams of more Umbrella’s and Disturbia’s, I listened to this new side of Rihanna. Muumuse coins it best, “Rihan-noir.”

Rihan-noir sounds exactly how you imaged it would. It’s dark, moody, dramatic and a lot more fierce than Beyonce’s last album. In a sense, Rated R is going to be Rihanna’s 808s and Heartbreak. I’m officially on board.

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4
Nov 09

Fyfe Dangerfield – When You Walk In The Room

Fyfe Dangerfield When You Walk In The Room listen

The first thing I am going to say to you is, just listen to this song now. That is a clear demand, and if you do not do, so you are completely missing out on one of the best songs of the year.

“When You Walk In The Room” is a clear anthem for love that just explodes. It’s a passionate song that has you wailing with the talented Fyfe Dangerfield — best known as founding member of Guillemots — who is coming out with his solo album Fly Yellow Moon sometime in January 2010.

January is shaping up to be quite a month for new releases. Fyfe Dangerfield’s irresistible form of indie pop surely to be found on Fly Yellow Moon is now joining Vampire Weekend’s Conta and Free Energy’s debut Stuck On Nothin’ on my lists of albums to watch out for right after the Holidays.

Fyfe Dangerfield – When You Walk In The Room

[via]

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4
Nov 09

My Gold Mask – Violet Eyes

My Gold Mask Violet Eyes listenMy Gold Mask, comprised of drummer/vocalist Gretta Rochelle and guitarist Jack Armondo, are going to be the hot new thing. They’ve got that BRKLYN hipster style, and two person bands are all the rage now (No Age, Japandroids, etc.). That said, if My Gold Mask blows up, it won’t be undeserved.

The track “Violet Eyes” is haunting, soulful rock/post-punk/pop/whatever, stripped down rhythms and jangling guitars setting up a bleak yet catchy stage on which Rochelle’s voice can dance. With throaty-white-girl pipes reminiscent of Karen O., Rochelle dances across “Violet Eyes,” staying tight through the verse, and gradually opening up, till her voice skys and slinks through the chorus.

“Violet Eyes” sounds terribly nostalgic, pining for rock played in smoky rooms by badass dames in leather jackets, and that sentiment translates. I wish I could be more critical of a band so ripe for overhyping, but every time I listen to this song I find my toe tapping and my mind drifting. They may not be groundbreaking in any way, but that’s not the point – like a perfect steak dinner, your favorite jeans, or an old flame’s kiss, My Gold Mask infuses some heart into the mundane, and makes it beautiful.

My Gold Mask – Violet Eyes

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3
Nov 09

Dirty Projectors – Ascending Melody

Dirty Projectors Ascending Melody listen

Dirty Projectors just released an EP for their track “Temecula Sunrise” that will also include another Bitte Orca track “Cannibal Resource”. From the EP, we do receive two exclusive tracks that did not make it on their album release. Unfortunately for those Stateside, the EP is only being released in the UK, but we do have “Ascending Melody” available for you  and we think that it is just amazing.

It’s a jam session where the vocals harmonize sweetly and the guitars are complicated and add a nice flair to a vocally driven track. By the end you’re clapping along as if you were there for the session. Listen to the track below and just enjoy the experience of “Ascending Melody”. Continue reading →

Covers / Listen / Live Performances / Music — 4 Comments
3
Nov 09

VV Brown – Crazy In Love (Beyonce Cover), PMA Premiere

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VV Brown transforms Beyonce’s Pitchfork-adored “Crazy In Love” into a pumped-up, folksy flurry of energy. It’s the latest track in her series of live covers. Past covers include Kid Cudi’s “Day N Nite” and Drake’s “Best I’ve Ever Had.” Her frantic rendition of “Crazy In Love” is easily the best of the bunch and has a killer chance of becoming my favorite cover of the year.

Make sure to check out VV Brown’s latest release, The Attic EP on iTunes. You can now download VV Brown’s “Crazy In Love” cover on MP3! Continue reading →

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