Song of the Summer #8: "Live in this City (Heren v. MAJR edit)" - Dragonette

Dragonette, how I love thee.  I cannot wait to see you in a few weeks, and then to hear your new album the following week.  It's going to be an indie pop eargasm all autumn.  Woot.  This is also basically my theme song for my graduate tenure in Tucson.

IMPATIENT BITCHES CLICK HERE

In any case, a remix was released that was pretty great, but needed to be beefed up a bit, while cutting the fat, and that's what I did here... so, instead of boring you with some nonsensical shit... here's a good weekenditty:

Below is the original version of this track.  It isn't too different, just less mixable.  It really is making me, as previously stated, anticipate the new LP.  So excited.  Thanks to Heren for making a hell of a remix, by the way.

Song of the Summer #7: "The Riot's Gone" - Santigold

As I've stated a few times, my favorite 2012 album so far is Santigold's sophomore LP (suck it, slump) Master of My Make-Believe.  Within this album there are no less than FIVE superb tracks, and three in particular I consider to be in the top 10 best songs of the year, thus far.

Here's a little taste of this brilliance:

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Santigold really puts herself on an incredibly vulnerable stage here.  She speaks from a place of inner turmoil turned vanquished soul, yet always potently self-aware.  To me, at least, it is a song about being trapped within oneself, and how one relates to the world - yet oddly comfortable in one's self-made bed of nails.  A song that can easily be related to relationships, as well as the psychological storms that often beget a lush creation.

This is definitely my reflective song of the summer.

I've been looking for a fight
All the trouble that I know
Trying to lose the world inside
But, it's got no place to go

Oh, I'm only dangerous at the whim of my command
I've been searching for an angle
For a cause I can defend

Oh, take me home
Let me go all day
Just be here 'til I know
The riot's gone, the riot's gone away

Song of the Summer #6: "Breathing Underwater" - Metric

Metric's latest album, Synthetica, is definitely a different direction for the Canadian kings (or queens) of indie pop.  It is somber, cerebral, and completely a different direction from the pop-sensitive (see also: catchy as fuck) Fantasies.  The highlight of this album is easily one of my favorite songs of the summer, Breathing Underwater.  

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Just give a second to marinate, and I dare you to not love this song:

song of the summer #5 - "Dance" - Rye Rye

First of all, BUY THIS ALBUM!  Secondly,...
This song is definitely my go-to energy song of the summer.  Rye Rye (a.k.a. Ryeisha Berrain) is from my hometown of Baltimore, and is a wonderfully talented 21 year old with a bright future.  Taken under the wings of both M.I.A. (on whose label she exists) and Robyn, she has been provided an excellent boost by artists respected for defying the lines of contrived pop- yet remaining respected throughout the pop world.  One of the other reasons I have grown to love this girl is that she consistently has supported great acts, as an opener, such as Scissor Sisters & The Gossip - something you rarely see from a hip-hop artist.

The sad part about her debut album, Go! Pop! Bang!, is that it was supposed to be released in 2009.  The parent company to M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. label, Interscope Records, persistently delayed it- which probably had a lot to do with her having an ill-timed (career-wise) baby that year.  So, the LP was polished more and more until finally they gave the go-ahead.  

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I think she is a nice alternative to the COMPLETELY plastic aspect of Nicki Minaj.  She's self-made Baltimore Grime to Nicki's diorama of a career, and is set to take over the world's speakers.  It's just a matter of time until the shallowness of Ms. Minaj's career annoys its market; making room for talented artists like Ms. Berrain to assume the proper throne.  

So go get the record, or download this track....it is pure ... well... DANCE!

Here are some other Go! Pop! Bang! tracks worth having: 

song of the summer #4: ELVIS LIVES!

So, this is not exactly new (came out in late 2010), but I recently discovered it, and it is ruling my world (not to mention workouts).  This JXL take on Elvis's A Little Less Conversation is the kind of dance song that makes me immediately cut it loose.  Everything about this take on The King is stupendous, especially how the swagger of the remix complements the lyrical content.

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A little less bark | A little more BITE

Song of the Summer #3: "Rocket Ship" - Dragonette

I really enjoy the direction Dragonette is going with this new record.  The tracks and teasers I've heard seem like a nice balance between their first and second records, Galore and Fixin' to Thrill.  

This track, release not too long ago, was divulged as what one would assume is a "we're so sorry our album was pushed back to September, here's a free song."  So, check it out, and enjoy your holiday.  

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Song of the Summer #2: "Tomorrow (Kat Krazy remix)" - Niki & the Dove

This is the best remix I have heard in a long time, and hence is my SONG OF THE SUMMER #2 (#1 was 'Somewhere' by Scissor Sisters) It makes me want to jump around like a flailing idiot.    Not only that, but this song is the rare combination of emotional and danceable, and that makes little homosexual butterflies (redundant) flap around in my heart.  

Niki and the Dove, you are the perfect balance of Lykke Li and Goldfrapp.  Kat Krazy, you fucking rock.

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Original version (video): 

Song of the Summer: "Somewhere" - Scissor Sisters

This is the song of June for me.  Scissor Sisters have really put their shit together for this album (FINALLY).  Hands-down.  If you don't have it... get it.  I couldn't find an audio of this, so you'll just have to trust me.

So excited to see them for the 4th time next weekend!

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Extraordinary lives 

Keep crashing and tumbling by 

Somewhere there’s a sky for only me 

Diamonds in disguise 

Hiding like forgotten days