robyn - bum like you (new video) / message in a bottle (cover) / be mine & show me love (aol sessions)

it's been a week since i saw robyn take on the stage of new york's hammerstein ballroom and though it came a few days after the madonna gig, i have to admit that i'm still buzzing over how amazing this swedish gal is live. providing a pimp swagger mixed in with mae west commentary ("i can see that many of you have good taste... that's because you're here to see me"...wink! wink!), the best part of her performance is the fact that girlfriend can really sing.

so in celebration of my continued adoration of robyn, may i present a bucketload of goodies for the day:


robyn - bum like you
[what a random irony free performance recorded when robyn went down to texas for sxsw. the crowd seemed to get into the song and now i think i'll need to learn how to two-step for my next appearance at a club.]

robyn - message in a bottle (police cover)
[part of the b-side for her current single "who's that girl"]


robyn - be mine (aol sessions)
[robyn ended her concert with this same spared down version of this heart on sleeve anthem. this is taken off the wonderful aol sessions that she performed last month. gorgeous!]


robyn - show me love (aol sessions)
[blast from the past! i've always been a fan of robyn's soulful voice and this classic track is a great example of her talents. wish she would do an acoustic version of "do you know (what it takes)" one day. btw, don't you think the opening notes would be a great ringtone?]

she and him - why do you let me stay here (new video)

she and him - why do you let me stay here [link 2]
[though a majority of the zooey deschanal and m ward (aka she and him) album, volume one, was recorded between los angeles and portland, it took a performance in austin texas' sxsw to make them official. paying homage to the music that influenced the duo, she & him are currently touring the US with their retro pop sound. it's taken me awhile to warm up to them (for personal issues against zooey), but i'm now a fan.]

hot remix: solange - i decided pt 2 (freemason radio mix) (new video)

solange - i decided pt 2 (freemason radio mix) [link 2]
[solange knowles (aka beyonce's baby sister) has always had the fortune to run to the beat of her drum. taking baby steps as an actress and releasing under the radar music, it looks like solange is finally ready for her closeup. the 1st single off her album sol-angel and the hadley st. dreams is not only produced by the neptunes, but is a surprising doo-wop soul tune with minimal background music. i wasn't a big fan of the initial mix, which is why i'm so happy that the freemasons brought the kind of chords that the song really needs. now, i love this tune! can't wait to hear what else solange has in store for us!]

pop fix: the saturdays - if this is love (new video)

the saturdays - if this is love [link 2]
[the UK have the corner on fabricated girl groups. somewhere amidst the mediocre choreography and oversinging, there are a few acts that have managed to shine (sugababes and every now and then, girls aloud). well... the saturdays are looking to fill the current void of chart topping girl groups and so far my reaction is kind of 'eh' to their attempt. but then again the fact that they've sampled yazoo (yaz to all you US folks) is reason to showcase just this once.]

naughty naughty: mylene farmer - degeneration (new video)

mylene farmer - degeneration [link 2]
[one of the biggest selling stars of france returns with the 1st single off her upcoming album point de suture. embracing a total electronic sound, mylene continues to prove that her quirky style still remains au courant after 22 years. add to the fact that the video is one literal cluster f**k and you've got a nice return to the french charts.]

gonzales - working together (new video)

gonzales - working together [link 2]
[canadian by way of berlin, then paris, rapper/composer/singer, gonzales returns to our playlists with his latest album soft power. the collection is actually a borderline tribute album to the soft rock tracks gonzales listened to during the 70's and 80's, though i'm not quite sure what this current single should remind me of. nevertheless, it's fun and catchy.]

broken social scene presents kevin drew - safety bricks (new video)

kevin drew - safety bricks [link 2]
[though broken social scene co-founder, kevin drew, got everybody from that band to play on this album, he's definitely still calling spirit if a solo release. interestingly enough, each member of the band will get their chance to release solo albums as the broken social scene presents series will showcase their individual talents over time (brendan canning's album 'something for all of us' will be out later this month). how cool are these canadians? very!]

la blogotheque presents: bon iver - lump sum / skinny love

bon iver - lump sum [link 2]


bon iver - skinny love (live) [link 2]
[as you know, i've been quite the fan of bon iver these past few months. the surprising thing is that i discovered his music as a live artist (via live performances on tv and youtube) as opposed to my usual route of hearing the music via myspace/articles/downloads. it's rare to love an artist live and then go back to listen to the studio versions of songs afterwards. anyway, the blogotheque folks continue to perpetuate my live love of justin vernon and his pals as they perform two sessions (a total of 6 performances!) for the website. awesome!]

on the radar 2008: golden silvers - magic touch

golden silvers - magic touch

(gimmicky) video of the week: pop levi - semi babe (part 1/2) (new videos)

pop levi - semi babe [link 2]
[totally gimmicky but follow the instructions of these two videos and you'll get to hear this cute summer ditty by uk avant pop artist pop levi.

the instuctions are easy:
click on the left video first
quickly pause it
then click play on the right video
pause that too
rewind the right video to the beginning
click play for the left video (you'll see a countdown start)
once the countdown hits midnight (or zero), play the right video
sit back and enjoy

honestly, i'm more fascinated by the cueing of the videos perfectly than the song itself, but heck, at least he got my full attention for 3 min 22 secs whole heartedly!]

on the radar 2008: little jackie - the world should revolve around me

little jackie - the world should revolve around me [link 2]
[remember imaani coppola? about 10 years ago, the kooky neo soul singer had a minor hit with legend of a cowgirl only to be lost in the shuffle of being at a major label soon afterwards. well, it looks like imaani is back and this time she's collaborating with the talents of programmer/producer adam pallin in the form of little jackie. the duo have crafted a fun album filled with motown references filtered through catchy catchy pop. check out their latest single that's just begging to be soundtracked for the summer!]

jay brannan - housewife (new video)

jay brannan - housewife [link 2]
[i am not in the habit of showcasing artists just because he or she is 'out', in fact, i tend to avoid music that blatently caters to the LGBT market (if i never hear a song about 'one day we'll be free...', it won't be soon enough. puke!) so in the case of singer/songwriter/actor jay brannan i have to give it up to him for releasing a strong collection of songs that not only speak to me personally but is broad enough to not paint itself into a corner. do i secretly want to be someone's housewife? you'll never know!
if you like what you hear, go and get his album goddamned now (only $9.99 yo!)]

lil wayne - a milli (video premiere)

lil wayne - a milli [link 2]
[i usually don't pay any attention to boastful rap, but this vocal hook line is HOT! like SCORCHING hot! as his song claims, lil wayne managed to sell a million copies of his highly anticipated album tha carter III in the first week (biggest 1st week sales of 2008) and looks to continue his hot streak with this killer jam. i'll allow the boasting this time around, but luckily the rest of the album is more than that!]

estelle - no substitute love (new video)

estelle - no substitute love [link 2]
[as much as i like this 3rd single (heck it even comes with a george michael "faith" reference!) from the album shine, i'm keeping my fingers crossed for a roots down version with just simple harmonies and guitars on the mix. oh, and somehow project runway christian siriano ended up in the video along with kelly rowland. weird!]

want more, check out another version of this song performed live on my favorite music show on the planet, later with jools holland!