release the kelis

Kelis is back. From where, I have no idea, nor do I really care, as I never liked her before. I thought Milkshake was curdled and Bossy was poorly executed. Never before did she show any sort of genuine creativity, until now. I guess that's what happens when you divorce your rap-star husband (Nas) when you're seven months pregnant. Nothing like marital demise to get the juices flowing. Her highly anticipated (can you believe it's her 5th album.. and she's only 31) LP Flesh Tone is due to drop July 6th, and I have to say I really look forward to it.

Also check out the vidja at the bottom of her performing Acapella (first single.. yeah, you know it... you've heard it... get over it, it's good) on Jimmy Kimmel, or as I like to call him... formerly Mr. Sarah Silverman.

The term is overused and completely abused, but Kelis truly is fabulous in her delivery and creative direction right now. She really is the about to kick Lady Gaga right in the vagina. Enjoy...

22nd Century

4th of July

Acapella

newsflash: cuttin' it up... new scissor sisters!

The rumors that the terrific tailors of tribadism have returned with a darker, extremely sleek disco sound must be true. Scissor Sisters tribbed their way back into my heart with this new track. I especially love the cameo from Gandalf. I feel like I'm dancing with the Orks of Mordor, but that's really the same thing as going out in DC, anyway.

I hope the rest of the album lives up to this track (and beyond such), because I DID NOT love Ta-Dah. Frankly, I thought it was watered-down and trite. The ladies of labia haven't lived up to their debut LP, Scissor Sisters, since... but there's still hope! Otherwise, YOU SHALL NOT PASS!

Sissor Sisters - Invisible Light by TILTLA

ENJOY!(mp3)

random: ode to otis redding

Few know that Otis Redding is one of my favorite artists. I may be a DJ who plays endless electro/indie dance remixes. I may love the obscure and ridiculous above the modern and cookie-cutter... but in the end it all comes down to what's good and what matters, no matter the genre.

Otis Redding is the voice of God, and the sooner you learn that, the sooner you'll be better off as a being that appreciates music.

Otis is the voice behind all my sad moments, my bittersweet realizations, my happy yet not overly engulfed in bullshit moments, and my chill... relaxed... relevant moments. I love his music so much so that I do not know what to think otherwise, when it comes to music. If you've never heard of this gentleman, please indulge... he's simply... the best...

(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

Try A Little Tenderness - Otis Redding

Cupid - Otis Redding

weekend 04/16-18 preview

This weekend is the beginning of the end, it seems! So much going on, week after week, that I don't know whether to love or hate it. One good thing, and a regular on my schedule, is SHIFT's sister party, MIXTAPE, which takes place this Saturday from 10:30p-2:30a at Rock & Roll Hotel in delightful NE DC. Now, a lot of people dislike going to the public transit-abandoned NE corridor of the District, but I must say that it's quite worth it to go to R&R. It's a great space and Shea and Matt (with special guest Bil Todd of Raw) are going to make good use of it. Expect great music and an awesome dancefloor. Oh, and a stage... upon which I often make a fool of myself. Beware.

For those of you looking to stay in NW, Bliss is kicking off at the great new space, U-Hall. A long running party of U-Hall owner and long-time DJ Will Eastman, Bliss is a time worth having.

Other than that, it's a great weekend to be a tourist and hit the Zoo or National Gallery. I plan on trying to hit one or the other.

newsflash: new kaskade ft. dragonette

So, Kaskade has returned and released a single featuring Dragonette. Like Emily Haines of Metric, I am addicted to Martina Sorbara's vocals. I do not know why, really. Perhaps it's the perfect mixture of sass, vulnerability, and strength. Per chance it's her pitch and generally well written lyrics. Maybe I just like this photo of her that makes me reconsider my orientation. Or, I'm simply a sassy, vulnerable strong tall white woman dying to get out. Who cares, this is decent, take a listen...

Fire In Your New Shoes - Kaskade ft. Dragonette by deadpoetshonour

DOWNLOAD (mp3)

guilty pleasure friday : aly & aj

I am the king of guilty pleasures. Especially with music. From twangy Dwight Yoakam country tunes, to Ol' Dirty Bastard, to terrible cheesy pop (see below)... I have them in spades.

Today's guilty pleasure comes from a pair of sisters with blonde hair and small boobs named Aly & AJ. These Disney douches, now flying under the name 78Violet, are set to release a third album in 2010. God help us. Despite all their shortfalls, they put out one song that is as infectious as the new strand of gonorrhea that is spreading and can't be cure but people still won't talk about it because they're too busy fucking... IT'S THAT GOOD!

Potential Breakup Song - Aly & AJ

DOWNLOAD (mp3)

and don't miss this sparkling gem of a video interpretation...

...ok, after all that, I have to admit I love the song even more. I want to be these girls. There- I said it.

he wants your disease

aren't you going to give it to him? hopefully it's malaria.

three track thursdays 04.15.10 tax day special

In honor of the Federal Government, I am invoking new Operator Please (as I'll be dealing with those bitches on the phone), I Won't Kneel (my tax season motto) and, lastly, for my own indulgence, an original remix by me.

First we have the fairly talented Australian act, Operator Please. Its first hit, Logic, can be seen (vidja) and downloaded from a post from earlier this week. This track, in my opinion, is superior. Like Magic is the final song on their upcoming album (available in the U.S. at the end of the month, I believe), Gloves.

I Won't Kneel is the first single off Groove Armada's latest album (out a little over a month ago), Black Light. This album is 'pure sex,' as my friend Patrick called it. It's dark and completely 80's synth in spots and overtly atmospheric in others. This track, in particular, sounds like it was 'teleported to us from the 80's,' according to SHIFT's dear Lt. Lush.

Lastly, you have ME! Ok, so I made this mash-up/remix for SHIFT New Year's Eve promo-video this past December (photos). I kept having people ask about the background track, so I sent it to multiple 'fans.' Lately, though, it has been popping up in my workout shuffle... and you know, it's not half bad. It's a good kick in the eardrum, I must say, for Kylie fans who seek a bit more 'umph.' My goal when working the track was to make Kylie sound more electro-dance, instead of bubblegum and unicorn farts. It worked, thanks to the amazing undertones of Designer Drugs' Drop Down.

All tracks are downloadable.

'Like Magic' - Operator Please

'I Won't Kneel' - Groove Armada ft. SaintSaviour

Droplighting (Kylie Minogue vs. Designer Drugs) - DJ MAJR

review: xtina - 'not myself tonight'

OK, let me start with saying I was a little excited to hear something new from the girl with perhaps the most powerful vocals of any of the pop bitches. The song has a great beginning, then it just implodes. It's danceable, but beyond that, it's vomit incarnate.

Not Myself Tonight - Christina Aguilera by user7455364

First, it sounds like a checklist of what Xtina's managers/producers thought a pop song should sound like. I bet it goes something like this:

1.) Sensually whisper something seemingly personal to the listener. They have been dying to hear your secrets.

2.) Howl and/or hoot like a creature from the deep in some coital condition.

3.) Give the obligatory and/or literal 'fuck you' ... because you're such a rebel. Look at you in your mom jeans with hips for days. Please tell us more of your Frederick's of Hollywood glamour shots and etch-a-sketch photo editing.

4.) Provoke imagery of reckless and animalistic behavior... because you deserve it, girl, you've worked so hard in the trenches of being un-famous for 5 years. You deserve a break today, so go on and get yourself lazy-susan'd at a coke-clouded club.

5.) Make more sex noises toward the end of the track. We have been waiting for this after such an amazing build-up. Thank god you're still making music.

Secondly, didn't somebody already rub you out of the bottle? Why are you toting a toddler and seemingly singing with one hand double-clicking your mouse?

Lastly, you have talent, but terrible management. Fire them all and start singing again. Or else you will forever be the girl who peaked with a song called "Dirrty." With TWO "R"s! TWO! Fucking christ... Please god, someone remix this song back from the darkside.

xoxo

april showers (apr 2010 SHIFTeaserMix)!

It's finally here. A shitload of new music, a lot of delicious heavy dance/electro. Some pop and clash thrown in there. You see, last month someone criticized my mix in a fashion that galvanized me to knock it out of the park. This mix gives the proverbial 'fuck you' to such sentiments. It's here to rock you off your ass! Oh, and I am not responsible for you embarrassing yourself while dancing at the gym.

This new SHIFTeaserMix was inspired by the season and enhanced by how arduous the process of sifting and editing songs up myself to fit the profile that I wished the TeaserMix to be. A labor of love!

I wanted it to fit the April Showers theme: a temperamental storm in parts and a heavy, drenching deluge of production/sound in others. At the end of all this I wanted it to end on a simple, happy, Spring-like note with a splash of bitchiness. So, come get wet...

And isn't this bitch pretty fabulous?!? -->

DOWNLOAD (mp3)

Pre-Listen:

April Showers (04-2010 SHIFTeaserMix) - DJ MAJR by user7455364

Intro

Song 2 - Trash Yourself & Toxic Avenger (DJ MAJR edit)

Losing Streak - Frankmusik ft. Computer Club

Momma's Place (Speedy Graffiti remix) - Roisin Murphy

Freaking Me Out (Designer Drugs remix) - True Pseudo

Acapella - Kelis

Paper Romance (Urchins remix) - Groove Armada

I Feel Better (Capn Harry & BRB remix w/ DJ MAJR edit) - Hot Chip

She Loves Everybody (Steve Aoki remix) - Chester French

L.E.S. Artistes (Death to the Throne remix) - Santigold

In For the Kill (Le Castle Vania remix) - La Roux

Fembot - Robyn