POST #700!!!... "Wish It Away" - Pepper

Introducing: Pepper

This track makes me so goddamned happy - you've no idea. For fans of Lily Allen, Kate Nash, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and even Adele, Pepper is a young, gloriously likable Brit with a lot of cheeky attitude. She has teamed up with Dizzee Rascal for this track (and shouts him out during it), and the result is an adorable number that makes me dance around the shower on the regular. I have repeatedly forgotten to post this, so if it's not so 'fresh' to you, you can hush your noise. She's worth a second enjoyment. Get on it!

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essential: "Breakneck Speed" - Tokyo Police Club

Now, here's a tune that instantaneously brings a smile to my face. The first chord of this song is recognizable for any fan, and the song itself is nothing but solid. For unfamiliar (with TPC) fans of melodic rock with an indie edge, this is right up your alley.

Tokyo Police Club is a band with quite the cult following. Made up of Canadian gentlemen between the ages of 25-27, they put on a decent show, as well (even if Two Door Cinema Club blew them off the stage when I saw them.. but that's TDCC...). They've made their name by playing basically every major festival in the world, as well as getting a big break opening for Weezer in 2008.

They are, indeed, a hoot. And, this song is highly essential in my book.

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"I Like It (Buffetlibre remix)" - Plushgun

Plushgun is a synth-pop band that is highly underrated. In the long line of Postal Service-influenced acts (isn't it amazing how much a band/duo with only ONE album can influence so many others?), Plushgun produces beautiful little pop tracks that are nothing short of delightful. They really are my kind of easy-listening, if such a thing exists, and I am in love with the original and stellar remix by the reliable Barcelona beasts, Buffetlibre. This is the second time Buffetlibre has worked magic with a track of Plushgun's. The first, Mixtapes, was pretty fantastic, as well. Check'em out:

Oh, and a fantastic line in this track: "They call it lust. We call it trust, yeah, we call it love." Awwww....

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"So Sleepy" - Fiona Apple

Though this song isn't necessarily new (it was released on a promo Chickens In Love CD last year.. which I believe was a charity for children), my girl Fiona Apple is using it on her new album. Thanks to my Tucson friend, and artist, Jaime J. Soto for pointing out this song to me, again. I forgot about it and how happy it makes me feel. (Yes, Fiona Apple can make you feel happy.)

Oh,...

IT IS FUCKING PHENOMENAL. That is all, thank you.

Actually, no that is not all. Fiona Apple shares top billing with Robyn as my favorite female artist(s). I cannot wait until the new album drops! She is still the only female artist to whom I've ever listened who has 32 released songs that are all good. ALL - zero filler. She is a genius, and if you disagree, you deserve to have your headphones crushed while they're inside of your ears.

I love her. I want to defy science and have her angry little chagrin-ridden babies. Hooray!

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fresh: "Bad Girls" - M.I.A.

In the wake of similar artist Santigold dropping her above-par recent (very M.I.A.-esque) single Big Mouth, fellow urban pop/indie-loved princess Nicki Minaj's new tune Stupid Hoe, and being named on the most anticipated single in over a year (Madonna's Give Me All Your Luvin', which is to be dropped in the next 3 days), it is no surprise that M.I.A. is debuting some new material.

So, here you go! Enjoy this juicy little nugget and let me know what you think:

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essential: "I'm a Lady" - Santigold

This song has made a smashing return to my playlists recently. It makes me so happy. It's introspective, relaxed, and self-indulgent in all the healthiest ways. It's kind of like a recovery Sunday morning after a night that may have got a little bit too crazy.

I'm really excited for new Santigold. She's pretty damned talented, and deserves to rise to the top on her own merits. Anyway, if you don't have this, here's your chance...

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"We Are The Drums (Fear of Tigers remix)" - Le Kid

As someone of Swedish lineage (have you read my last name?), I always get excited when I hear something good come from IKEA Proper. Of course, everyone knows my long-past-borderline obsession with Robyn, as well as my great appreciations for Lykke Li, The Hives, The Knife, Teddybears, The Sounds, Caesars, Fever Ray, Miike Snow, Kleerup, Shout Out Louds, Millencolin, Peter Bjorn & John, ABBA, The Cardigans, and (lest we forget) Roxette! Can Sweden get any better, musically?

In any case, the constitutional kingdom of meatballs and allen wrenches produced Le Kid, a dual-female led synth rock band with a lot of spandex and sass. This Fear of Tigers remix has been out a few months, but is new to me, and that's all that matters. Hopefully you dig at as much as I do. Hooray!

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Here's a lovely video of them performing the album version live.

"Stupid Hoe (Aylen remix)" - Nicki Minaj

LISTEN HERE

Nicki Minaj is... special. (Thanks to my friends at KickKickSnare for posting this, originally.) I'm not a huge fan, but this bitch has some balls. And, honestly, if Madonna loves her, I'm fickle enough to agree to a degree (says McGee in a tree). In any case, I'm not high, don't worry. But, I do dig this track enough to post it. So, get on some quality remixed Nicki Minaj and enjoy some big bass.

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I'm pretty excited for this...

Rodney Jenkins and Nelly Furtado talk about the energy behind her upcoming album!

"Don't Hurt It" - Dev ft. Timbaland

This song screams of both Dev's and Timbaland's style. You can hear touches of the latter's old production of Missy Elliot tracks. The only draw back here is that this song gives an uneasy feeling that Dev's new album is going to feel a little too homogenous. Hopefully I am wrong, as I think she has a great chance to be a big deal, and probably deserves it, as she's yet to sell out like a talentless sex kitten (I'll let you fill in that blank).

I do love the breakdown here, but only because it doesn't quite fit with the song, but then blends seamlessly back into it. She manages to sound understated and sexy, simultaneously, and I heart that.

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