GIVE THIS VERSION THE XMAS #1: ed sheeran & andrea bocelli - perfect symphony

ed sheeran & andrea bocelli - perfect symphony
ed has said that he plans on doing various duets for his uber ballad 'perfect' since the very beginning. so after getting queen bey for his 1st collab, he's gone and recorded this symphonic duet with opera singer andrea bocelli and its well... kind of perfect! i can only imagine who else he has up his sleeve! but regarding this version, just hearing andrea go into his sotto voice is enough to get lovely goosebumps!

IN ANTICIPATION OF THE OSCARS: PLAYS with Nadia: David Lang feat Sumi Jo - Simple Song #3 (Youth Soundtrack)

PLAYS with Nadia: David Lang feat Sumi Jo - Simple Song #3 (Youth Soundtrack)
nadia is back again with her PLAYS for the week and this time she looks at one of the nominees from the Oscar nominated best original song category "Simple Song #3" from the paolo sorrentino film 'Youth'.

though you can hear us pontificate about our personal thoughts about the movie (and also get a glimpse of what we talk about during our day jobs as film journalists), we are both in agreement that director sorrentino loves music and art as much as we do, hence our appreciation for a song like this.

the song is up against some heavy hitters, but it sure does make us swoon the easiest!

like what you hear? check out the song in full below and remember to keep checking in on fridays for our weekly PLAYS session!

david lang feat sumi jo - simple song #3

NEW CLEAN BANDIT!: clean bandit - stronger

clean bandit - stronger
oh clean bandit... with a grammy win and a worldwide hit in their pocket, they aren't straying too far from their successful sound these days. the new single (taken off the re-issue of 'new eyes') is kind of twee in it's house-y ways. all good. smiles all around!

CATCH UP MIX: clean bandit feat stylo g - come over

clean bandit feat stylo g - come over
shot between svalbard (norway) and marrakech, single number 5 from clean bandit is actually a surprising take on the jamaican sound filtered through the classical pop sounds of the quartet. it's a fun romp that isn't my fave off their 'new eyes' debut, but it's a harmless summer jam nonetheless.

WONGIE SONG OF THE WEEK: clean bandit feat sharna bass - extraodinary

clean bandit feat sharna bass - extraodinary
whoa! with the audio premiere buzzing the internet just two days ago, clean bandit continue their hot streak with this beautiful video shot entirely in cuba AND a brand new lusher mix of their new single that is so much better than the original! will this follow up to clean bandit's MASSIVE smash 'rather be' do just as well? i think so! btw, all you fans in the states (including me) they've also announced two US dates (NY and LA) in june, which go on sale this friday!

WONGIE INDIE DANCE SONG OF THE WEEK: clean bandit feat jess glynne - rather be

clean bandit feat jess glynne - rather be
what a classy house affair! throw in the signature strings and electro quirkiness that clean bandit are known for and we have something just wonderful. awesome last minute addition to our songs of the week list!

WONGIE INDIE DANCE SONG OF THE WEEK: clean bandit - dust clears

clean bandit - dust clears
i just love the clean bandit collective. one part art school dorks (they directed the video themselves based on a painting they love), one part classical nerds (every song they've ever released has a string section) and one part hipster dance fans (they blend house and electronic together with ease). put everything together and you've got the wonderfully quirky cool clean bandit! easily one of my fave new bands of 2013!

LIVE WONGIE: iggy azalea - work (stripped)

iggy azalea - work (stripped)
you gotta give it up for the brainchild behind this classy interpretation while iggy raps about blowjobs and louboutins. pretty darn awesome if you ask me!

AWESOME CONCERT: the xx & the BBC philharmonic orchestra

the xx & the BBC philharmonic orchestra
performed last week at the bridlington spa, the music of xx gets a massive symphonic enhancement with the bbc philharmonic. epic!

tracklisting
The xx — Angels
The xx — Heart Skipped A Beat
The xx — Missing
The xx — Fiction
The xx — Reunion
The xx — Sunset
The xx — Tides
The xx — Infinity
The xx — Stars

WONGIE DISCOVERY: mara carlyle - the devil and me

oh this is a great find for the week, singer/composer/arranger mara carlyle comes from a classical background and infuses the lot into a more modern popular structure. working with dan carey (hot chip, la roux) and featuring the royal philharmonic orchestra, mara's album 'floreat' is definitely one of the most beautiful albums of the year; and nothing showcases that beauty than with her current single 'the devil and me'. don't believe me, just check out the examples of her talent below:
mara carlyle - the devil and me


mara carlyle - i blame you not

want more? check out mara tapping into her classical training with this lovely rendition of 'du bist die ruh' during radio 3's season of schubert below:

mara carlyle - du bist die ruh