Sunday, December 18, 2016

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Austra - Future Politics

Taking a weekend off from my Year End Countdowns.
Here's the title track from Austra's upcoming new album "Future Politics"!!  Good stuff!!

Friday, December 16, 2016

2016 SONG of the YEAR: Bedrooms by Evripidis and his Tragedies

The first time I heard this song, I immediately knew it was special.  It was one of those tracks that begged an instant rewind/repeat.  I was already well immersed in Evripidis and His Tragedies' excellent "Futile Games in Space and Time" when, towards the end of the album, "Bedrooms" smacked me in the face.  This track is the complete package:  Amazing instrumentation (when the horn kicks in right after the 3:20 mark I completely melt), perfectly poetic lyrics about a lost love and the post-break-up reclusiveness to which anyone who has love & lost can relate, all bundled together into the perfect pop nugget.
2016 may be horrible for a lot of reasons, both globally and personally, but there is always joy to find in music.  This song, even through its rather sad lyrical content, brings me so much happiness EVERY time I hear it.  Evripidis, thank you, I love you!

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Songs of the Year 2016 - Part 7

THE TOP 11!!!

11.  Rainbow Chan - Work
      The second (and my favorite) Rainbow Chan song to make my year end list!  "You've got to work harder, you've got work harder for my love"...YES!!  Awesome lyrics and the need to awesomely dance!!



10.  Gwen Stefani - Make Me Like You
      This is the epitome of what a good POP! song should be.  So infectious!



9.  Ladyhawke - A Love Song
     Not only is this what a love song sounds like, it's also what an amazing POP! song sounds like!!



8.  Kristin Kontrol - X-Communicate
    This is POWERHOUSE POP!!!  That roaring chorus soars.  I love it!



7.  Lush - Out of Control
    Lush made an overdue and very welcome return to the stage this year and gave us one of the years BEST EPs.  Sad to see them vanish again so quickly but a huge thanks for giving us something great in 2016!



6.  Coco Morier - Dreamer
    "I don't care if I'm a dreamer"...a sentiment I've held close to my heart for years.



5.  Sally Shapiro - If You Ever Wanna Change Your Mind
     Sally Shapiro's last song.  Sad, but true.  Sad because this is pure pop perfection.  I'm just glad they gave us such an amazing going away present to cherish for years and years!!  Thank You Sally Shapiro for all the delicious POP you've given us!!



4.  Pet Shop Boys - The Pop Kids
     ANTHEM!!  I AM A POP KID!!!!  Quintessential PSB storytelling at its finest set to the greatest dance music makes for all my pop dreams coming true!!



3.  Röyksopp ft. Susanne Sundfør - Never Ever 
    No more albums?!  It's OK!  Just give me more and more and more singles as amazing as the brilliant "Never Ever"!!  Susanne is the perfect vocal fit.  You know who else is the perfect vocal fit (I think you already know this)...Jonna Lee of iamamiwhoami!!  YES!!!!  Röyksopp, give us Jonna Lee vocals on that next amazing single...YESSSSSSSSS!!!



2.  David Bowie - Dollar Days
    2016 started off terribly.  We lost the great David Bowie.  There isn't a lot more one can say to express how much we'll miss him, but we can always remain thankful for the massive amount of art & beauty he created & shared with us.  "Blackstar" is a monumental final album and this is the track that always hits me most when I listen to it.  Lyrically striking and Bowie's delivery is just gut-wrenching.  Beauty.  Love.  



Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Songs of the Year 2016 - Part 6

21.  Chairlift - Crying in Public
      This track is made magic through the power of Caroline Polachek's amazing voice.  She has a way with emotions.



20.  The Hungry Hearts - In Your Face (Astro Dyke Version)
      While this song may have originated four or five years ago, this specific version was released this year on the fantastic album "Dyke Forever"!  Simply put, chorus of the year.



19.  NZCA Lines - Two Hearts
      Incredibly fun song for dancing, synth pop 'til you drop!!



18.  Nite Jewel - Kiss the Screen
      Nite Jewel gives us a panaderia love affair in this delicious video for this delicious song!!



17.  Nite Fields - Voyeur
      Shadow dance goth pop perfection!



16.  James - Dear John
      James is amazing.  Sadly, I wasn't able to see them this year when they were playing across a field in England.  No matter, this song is ace!



15.  The Radio Dept. - We Got Game
      Brilliant synth pop...Sweden, need I say more?



14.  Rainbow Chan - Last
      The first entry from Rainbow Chan on this list and oh is it GREAT!  The line "and the honey on your lips was starting to drip" is so HOT.



13.  Massive Attack ft Hope Sandoval - The Spoils
      Why can't Massive Attack and Hope Sandoval just make an entire album together?  Wouldn't it all be this amazing??  Just gorgeous.



12.  Pillar Point - Dove
     One of the most gorgeous videos of the year with one of the grooviest songs of the year.  Hit play and VOGUE with me!



Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Songs of the Year 2016 - Part 5

31.  Allie X - All the Rage
      In your face POP with an excellent video featuring Drag Race champ Violet Chachki.



30.  Fujiya & Miyagi - Extended Dance Mix
      Two brilliant EPs this year capped off by this fantastic, self-reflective dance track.  LOVE!



29.  Roosevelt - Colours
      Super pop from his debut self-titled pop master-class!!




28.  Wild Nothing - TV Queen
      The chorus of this song hooks me every time!




27.  Giorgio Tuma ft Laetitia Sadier - Maude Hope
      His whole new album is beautiful but this track stands far above the rest in a cloud of dreamy love.  The magic of Laetitia's voice really elevates the greatness.




26.  T.O.L.D. - Master of the Species
      This song is one of the best tracks this year when it comes to delivering a beautiful message of self-love and understanding.  The back-up chorus brings it all together.




25.  School of Seven Bells - Ablaze
      There are a ton of tracks I could choose from "SVIIB" but I stuck to only one and it is the powerful opening track.



24.  Dinner - Turn Me On
      Dinner really turns me on.  This is HOT synth pop!



23.  Charlie Hilton - Let's Go to a Party
      While I miss Blouse, having Charlie Hilton make brilliant solo tunes like this really does make everything a-okay!



22.  Eliot Sumner - In Real Life
      Sting's daughter really brings it on her album "Information" and this final track really resonates with me!  I love it when a bonus track turns out to be my favorite from an album!!

Monday, December 12, 2016

Songs of the Year 2016 - Part 4

41.  Deerful - Moon Maps
       The cuteness of this track, this video, this is pure delight.




40.  Tegan and Sa ra - Boyfriend
      I never got too into Tegan and Sara but I absolutely adore their new album!  This is my fave track!



39.  Baby Alpaca - Time for Flight
       This track stands out like a sore thumb on Baby Alpaca's excellent debut album.  It's the closing track and it is the most POP track on the album and it is brilliant!!



38.  Pet Shop Boys - Groovy
      PSB delivered greatness with their new album.  Sadly, their new show didn't deliver the same and one of the main reasons is because they didn't play this POP magic!!




37.  Braids - Joni
       Art pop perfection.



36.  Invader Girl - Casio
      POP! Perfection!!



35.  Teddybears - Best You Ever Had
      This is hard-hitting synth pop...SLAP ME!



34.  Mai Lan - Technique
      Every time I hear this track, it gives me all the life I need.  This video is crazy superb.



33.  Papa Topo - Ópalo Negro 
      Not only the Spanish party band of the year, they are THEE party band of the year with THEE party album of the year featuring this title track.



32.  The Jezabels - Pleasure Drive
      Synth pop power pop!!




Sunday, December 11, 2016

Songs of the Year 2016 - Part 3

51.  Patience - The Church
      Catchy as all hell indie pop perfection.  Yes, everything!



50.  Amatorski - Hear Me
      This is the stuff of which my dreams are made.  Melt.



49.  The Hungry Hearts ft Lisa Dillan - Laika
      The only song that mattered at any stage during EUROVISION 2016!!   I don't even think this made it to the finals, and that thought disgusts me to no end!!  See below and let's demand a RECOUNT!!



48.  Humans - Water Water
      Oh my goodness, I just hit play and I need to dance immediately.  Get up and join me, NOW!



47.  Wildhart - Stuck in a Second
      Sweden is a glorious place.  Pop babies are born there everyday.  Here is a gorgeous one.  



46.  Chairlift - Moth to a Flame
      One of the earliest entries into this list, it survived the entire year against an onslaught of pop trying to push its way onto my list!  How did it survive?  It is POP POP POP, MAMA!!



45.  Liste Noire - Time Is Your Crime
      I need more songs like this.  I need more dark synth pop magic perfection to lay its spell upon me and deliver me into witchy dance move passion.  "Brace" is so good!



44.  Memoryhouse - Laney
      A very hard song to post as there's no "video" on the youtube.  Thanks to a little bit of Youtube greatness I can still present it uninterrupted if you click the nice link below!!  Fuck all your dreams Memoryhouse...give me a video for this greatness!

Click here to hear this awesome album closer!

43.  The Blessed Isles - Confession
      Oh my goodness, YES!!!   The synth pop is strong with this one!!



42.  Margaret Berger - Apologize
      It has been a long time since Margaret has delivered us an album.  Here's to hoping 2017 is the year we finally get more greatness from her!  "Apologize" has left me hungry for more!

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Songs of the Year 2016 - Part 2

The magic continues with my 61-52 tracks of 2016...

61.  Sound of Ceres - Dagger Only Run
      This track just sends my mind wandering and I love when that happens.  This track really delivers everything that makes their debut album "Nostalgia for Infinity" so great!



60.  Of Montreal - Let's Relate
      A track for everyone to listen to and hopefully relate to...get it together humans!!  This video is everything!



59.  El Perro del Mar - Breadandbutter
       I love this new El Perro del Mar...so much more oomph, and oomph is very important in the POP I love!

      

58.  Prince Innocence - Polished
      This song is just oozing with sexual energy/tension.  HOT.



57.  IRAH - Into Dimensions
      This song is gorgeous.  Their album is gorgeous.  David Lynch, may I suggest this amazing band for further inspiration and Twin Peaks-soundtracking.  



56.  Keep Shelly in Athens - Blue Rooms
      Released as a "b-side" to a digital single back in May, this amazing track could have easily gone missed.  Not sure why it wasn't the actual single.  So good!



55.  Hante. ft box von düe - Burning
      I promised some goth pop and here's my first offering.  Ohhh, that voice!  Ohhh, that chorus!



54.  Rebeka - Perfect Man
      Now this is synth pop!  Polish music never sounded so good!



53.  Computer Magic - Dimensions
      This year would not have felt right if Computer Magic didn't give us new music and she didn't disappoint!  Here's a dreamy beauty from her most recent EP.



52.  Fear of Men - Island
      I knew their new album "Fall Forever" was going to be great right after hearing the first verse of this beauty.  Love.




Friday, December 9, 2016

Songs of the Year 2016 - Part 1

I have been compiling this list since early January and been whittling it down to a "decent" number in the past few months.  That number stands at 71...71 of my favorite tracks this year!!  Odd numbers are weird, but 2016 has been a very weird year.
For 8 days, I am going to pound you hard with POP!...synth pop, pop-pop, goth pop, indie pop, art pop, dream pop, POP!, all culminating on Dec. 16th with my SONG OF THE YEAR SUPER AWARD WINNER (this award has not actually been determined yet!)!!!
Here are tracks 71-62:

71.  Dylan Mondegreen - Lost in a Song
      This song is really a life anthem, surely for Dylan and definitely for me as well.  As evidenced by my music obsession & this blog, I hope I am "lost in a song" for the rest of my life.  This is twee/indie perfection.



70.  Miike Snow - Genghis Khan
      This song has gotten stuck in my head various times since I first heard it, at extremely random moments and it gets stuck for long periods of time.  POP!



69.  Niki & The Dove - You Stole My Heart Away
      "And I keep dancing, by myself / to make the hurt go away, hurt go away"... YES!

      

68.  Morten ft. Frida Sundemo - Beautiful Heartbeat
      This song makes me want to rip my heart out and DANCE, DANCE, DANCE!!!  Masterful, club ready, pop banger, as they say!



67.  Daughter - To Belong
      ooooh, this song is so full of the feels.  It hit me the first time I heard it and was the immediate stand out track on "Not to Disappear".



66.  VÉRITÉ - Underdressed
      This song makes me want to go to the fucking roof and get underdressed!  YES!!



65.  Brooke Candy - Nasty
      This song is just too fun for me to pass up as a year-end best!!



64.  Michelle Gurevich - Russian Romance
      Formerly known as Chinawoman, Michelle Gurevich is still delivering the goods under her real name!



63.  Clementine and the Galaxy - Paradise
       "Paradise" is the most recent addition to this year end list.  Synth pop deliciousness like this belongs here!



62.  Bogan Via - Can't Go Back
       Inspired by the great "Stranger Things" show, Bogan Via made this standalone slice of synth pop perfection.  Thank you!



Thursday, December 8, 2016

Sistar (feat. Giorgio Moroder) - One More Day

I'll describe this song exactly as I did to my friend Patrick....KPOP LESBIAN MURDER EPIC SET TO A DISCO BEAT!!!  Yes, that is what makes this great!  Thank you Sistar!!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Allo Darlin' - Hymn on the 45

It's always hard to say goodbye.  Allo Darlin' announced their end last month and it's definitely sad.  Such excellent indie pop they have delivered to us through the years.  I've been lucky enough to see them live a few times, so I can't complain there.  Here, they give us their final single and it's a good one.  Be sure to listen to the B-side as well, it's just as lovely!
So long Allo Darlin', we love you.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Henric de la Cour - Two Against One

I missed this one back in August when it was released, but here is a newish single from Henric de la Cour off his upcoming album!  He's also just released another new single, which I can't find to share just yet....

Monday, December 5, 2016

Ronika - Principle

I know I've already shared one Ronika track recently, but I just found this one and it's even better!!  Her new album "Lose My Cool" is out next month!!

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Nouvelle Vague - All Cats Are Grey

Here's a nice cover from Nouvelle Vague off their latest album "I Could Be Happy"!  It's my favorite track from the album, they give it some nice haunting instrumentation all while keeping that "upbeat" and pretty flavor they're known for!



Saturday, December 3, 2016

Friday, December 2, 2016

Soldout - Do It Again

I discovered Soldout this year through the excellent film "Closet Monster"!  Here is their latest single and I'm more in love than before!!

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Lia Pamina - Para los dos

Cuteness overload!  Lia Pamina's new album "Love Is Enough" is a breath of fresh air.  Sweet and full of light & love.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Ronika - Dissolve

Ronika is back!!  She has a new album coming out in January.  It's called "Lose My Cool"!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Friday, November 25, 2016

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Coco Morier - Take Me to Detroit

Coco Morier's "Dreamer" is one of 2016's best albums and here is another video from the album!