Happy Halloween! Here’s a quick little mix of tracks I was listening to last night.
Posts Tagged: Air
30
Oct 09
Air – African Velvet
The thing about AIR is that you never have a “Oh, That’s definitely AIR” moment. Their albums aren’t filled with indecisive tracks but when played as a single they’re eclectic nonetheless. Even if it’s a track that is reminiscent of a previous AIR song, I always find it forgivable because each track always seems to be brimming with soul. I haven’t had a track come my way where it just went unnoticed or didn’t ignite some sort of emotion.
For their song “African Velvet” any sort of resemblance to electronica is gone and you are presented with guitar riff that charms you instantly and then the bass line that has you flying from there on. When the song is becoming repetitive the Sax breezes in with nothing flashy but just as a smooth compliment to the melody.
“African Velvet” is the album closer for their album Love 2 and doesn’t appear to be your average closer to an album but more of a humble exit. It’s reserved and just a nice finishing touch to an album, your day, your drive or your playlist. Continue reading →
14
Sep 09
Air – So Light is Her FootFall
My love for AIR started years and years ago when I heard “Playground Love” from The Virgin Suicides and ever since then AIR has always had a soft spot in my heart. They can do no wrong. When their single “Sing Sang Sung” hit the net, I immediately downloaded it and have listened to it on repeat ever since then. So yes, You can say I can be a little bias with them.
“So Light is Her FootFall” is the epitome of AIR. There’s the hushed vocals and angelic piano which we’ve heard before from them but the moody guitar is not only seductive but it cuts right through you and is probably what saves this track to stand out. The song could have easily been on Talkie Walkie or Moon Safari, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s not a great thing to say either.
If this is their 5th studio album, and “So Light is her FootFall” is already being known as a “highlight” of the album (Love 2 which is out October 6th as previously mentioned) it makes me think that we’re probably not going to get anything groundbreaking, experimental, or new with them. That, of course, is totally fine with me because AIR has always been known to lure me in and keep me within their trance and this track definitely sucks me in the way their previous albums did. I will take them as they are (beautiful, dreamy, and pure) and will wait for the new album before I make any assumptions.
Listen to the new track here: Continue reading →
1
Sep 09
Air – Sing, Sang, Sung
“Do the Joy” was virally released July 7 and now AIR (French acronym translated Love, Imagination, Dream) releases their new album’s official single. “Sing, Sang, Sung” is the latest from the French electronic pop duo consisting of Nicolas Fodin and Jean-Benoit Duckel. In their proper single, they master a Euro-esque electronica ambience with a few simple down-tempo beats. “Sing, Sand, Song,” is mildly up lifting, almost cheery, with a spacey, air (no pun intended) type sound to it. The only thing I have kind of against this track is the semi-robotic chorus – it gets dull.
On their newest album, Love 2, Godin and Dunckel take care of all the vocals themselves, but team up with L.A. drummer, Joey Waronke to get that suave-groove beat. Their sixth studio album is due for release mid October. This is the first album the duo recorded in the comfort of their very own Atlas Studio. Listen to it here Continue reading →
30
Nov 07
Mashups You Shouldn’t Live Without!
Well hello there my lovelies. I feel kind of blurgh getting out of bed today (though it’s well into the afternoon). Gotta love those lazy days. I need to down some Cinnamon Dolce Latte from down the street before I try to dent this massive paper I have due in oh, 3 hours.
Before I hit my responsibilities, I need some relax time. Out of habit, mostly, I automatically opened up iTunes. I was in the mood for some mashups. Here’s a collection of a few that will make your lives a lot more enjoyable.
Mixer master Icky lays it smooth with Ms. Alicia Keys, Biggie Smalls, Marvin Gaye, and to top it off our favorite beehive yielding whack-off, Amy Winehouse.
Listen to Alicia Keys vs Biggie Smalls vs Marvin Gaye vs Amy Winehouse – No Tears Dry On Their Own (YSI)
The next mashup is one of the best of the year, if not of this century. Parisian DJ Moule proves he deserves the status given to Mark Ronson, and Justice with his star-studded gem.
Listen to CSS vs Velvet Underground vs LCD Soundsystem vs Chemical Brothers – Can’t Stand Dance (YSI)
Is everyone ready for Alive 2007? It’s out in early December. In honor if Daft Punk’s nonstop sonic high, LA’s own DJ Shyboy mashes the duo up with pop’s biggest star, at the moment, Justin Timberlake. Woo hoo.
Listen to Daft Punk vs Justin Timberlake – What Goes Around The World (YSI)
To be honest, I haven’t seen or heard a better all-female mashup like the captivating track taken from Wax Audio’s Mashopolis collection.
Listen to Tori Amos vs Bjork vs PJ Harvey vs Massive Attack – Dissolved By The Water All These Years (YSI)
This next one gives me goosebumps! Such a perfect ambient cut ready for the creeping winter. Arty Fufkin gorgeously offers this tribute to France’s Air, with chilling vocals from the ever-surprising Lily Allen.
Listen to Air vs Lily Allen – All I Need’s A Smile (YSI)
To wrap things up, lets mix the indie rock sounds of PrettyMuchAmazing!’s band of the moment, Bloc Party with the scintillating Fergie. Bloc Party’s most vital track, “Banquet” is a mixer’s dream, it sounds heavenly with just about anything smeared over it, under it, beside it… you get it, right? It is most interesting to hear Fergie’s whiny ‘Fergalicious’ spread over Bloc Party’s undeniably catchy, edgy dance-riffs and slick drums. Courtesy of DJ Schmolli.
Listen to Bloc Party vs Fergie – Blocalicious (YSI)
21
Oct 07
Proving Electronic Music Makes You Happy (vol. 1)
Happiness is just a chemical balance somewhere in your brain, right? Right. Well I am completely convinced that Electronica creates a chemical imbalance in your brain, causing extreme happiness — a state of ecstasy even. This new series is closely related to my “Proving That Pop-Punk Makes You Happy” series, if you fail to see that, well frankly, you’re an idiot.
My mission here is to prove to you — via massive amounts of MP3s — that Electronica indeed makes you happy. Here are the first set of MP3s, many will follow before I rest my case.
MP3 | Shiny Toy Guns – You Are The One
MP3 | Daft Punk – One More Time
MP3 | Peaches – Boys Wanna Be Her (Who Made Who Remix)
MP3 | Boards Of Canada – Dayvan Cowboy
MP3 | The Killers – Mr. Brightside (Thin White Duke Mix)
MP3 | Air – Cherry Blossom Girl
MP3 | Massive Attack – Teardrop
MP3 | !!! – Must Be The Moon
MP3 | The Prodigy – Android
MP3 | The Rapture – Who! Alright-Yeah (Goonies Remix)
