Sweetnlowdown 23.01.10 by Bisousbelle

TRACK 1

Thanatos // Soap&Skin

Great new singer out of Austria.

RIYL: Regina Spektor & Florence and the Machine

TRACK 2

Blessa // Toro Y Moi

Refer to this type of music as “chillwave or glo-fi” in conversation as that’s the way acts such as Toro Y Moi, Memory Tapes, Washed Out and Neon Indian are being labeled. Also, most of these acts all share the distinction of being one-man shows (at least in the recording process, if i’m not mistaken)

RIYL: Animal Collective and the aforementioned acts.

TRACK 3

Blackberry Song // Kurt Vile

Expect to hear a lot more from this young man as he just signed to Matador Records late in 2009.

RIYL: Devendra Banhart, Real Estate, Woods

TRACK 4

Measure // Field Music

Great band featuring a revolving door of members including musicians from The Futureheads, Maximo Park, School of Language, and more. Field Music is underrated most likely by their own choice (they took a 3 year hiatus to work on solo projects), but with this song I have a feeling that these guys will be making a mark in 2010.

RIYL: The Week That Was, Broken Bells, Maccabees

TRACK 5 

You Make Me Feel Good // Yo La Tengo

Although I don’t really go to Starbucks anymore since I learned the art of making espresso based lattes, americanos and cappuccinos courtesy of Caffe Nero, I must admit that when I did patronize the establishment I would occasionally use my Sodexho lunch card to buy cds. Sadly, I no longer have a Sodexho lunch card, and even if I did, last I checked Starbucks no longer permits one to spend their money on CDs, water bottles, mugs and the like. The point is, Sodexho card or not, I am recommending that you check out Sweetheart 2010 the 2nd installment in the Sweetheart series, which features popular “indie” acts covering popular love songs. The comp includes tracks by Spoon, Jose Gonzalez, Ceu, Mates of State and more covering everything from ZZ Top to Tom Waits and Jacques Brel. Oh, and you don’t even have to go to Starbucks to buy the album…you can get it on iTunes, just as I did!

TRACK 6 

My Heart (Radio Edit) // Wildbirds & Peacedrums

Sadly I missed their gig in Istanbul (ugh!)…but I love this Swedish duo and I think this song is just so beautiful, as is the video for it which you can view on the band’s myspace page…it’s like listening to the track while looking through a kaleidoscope.

RIYL: Micachu, Little Dragon, Panda Bear

TRACK 7

Elevate Me Later // Pavement

I just didn’t get Pavement when I was 12…I started to enjoy Pavement when I was 16 in a lukewarm kind of way, and now at 26 it sounds just right. Lucky for me they are on tour this summer so that late-bloomers like myself can get a chance to see them play live for the the first time in over a decade. OLEY!

TRACK 8

Dear God, I Hate Myself // Xiu Xiu

Consistently releasing interesting and wholly original music, Xiu Xiu is a band that is long-overdue for a gig in Istanbul mainly because thanks to Bant’s concert series which has featured artists such as Deerhoof, Gang Gang Dance, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, and many many amazing more names, I think that Xiu Xiu clearly has an audience. I know that there have been efforts made to try and bring the act to Istanbul by a few players in the music industry….let’s hope that they’ll make it here in 2010!

RIYL: Patrick Wolf, Liars, Parenthetical Girls

TRACK 9

Yours Truly, 2095 (Memory Tapes Version) // The Silent League

Don’t know that much about The Silent League…just love Memory Tapes in general and remixes in particular and so played this ELO cover by The Silent League….while writing this I hit up their myspace and started listening, it’s very pleasant, take a listen. http://www.myspace.com/thesilentleague

TRACK 10

Stylo // Gorillaz feat. Bobby Womack & Mos Def

When referring to Plastic Beach, the title of Gorillaz’s upcoming album, Damon Albarn reportedly said “I’m making this one the most pop record I’ve ever made in many ways, but with all my experience to try and at least present something that has got depth.” The album will feature vocals by talents such as Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Little Dragon, De La Soul, and Mark E. Smith, among others. The album has a release date set for March 9th…no word on tour dates for this summer yet, but this is one act that I have on my MUST SEE list!

TRACK 11 

Momma’s Place // Róisín Murphy

Another dance-tastic track from ice pop queen Murphy. It has a very old school 90s dance club sound to it especially around the 45 second mark! I recommend adding this track to your work out playlist…cardio will become oh so much more fun.

TRACK 12

I Can Make The Pain Disappear // Fear of Tigers

The dance party continues with this track which I found courtesy of one of my favorite filters, Neon Gold. When researching the young man behind this remix I found that (lucky for us) he decided to release his entire album for free as selling a few albums wasn’t going to afford him a lifestyle of “savile row suits and champagne”.

RIYL: Monarchy, Classixx, The Twelves

TRACK 13 

Shameless (feat. Bryan Ferry) // Groove Armada

Radar Live 2007. I’m standing against the barriers in front of the Miller stage to watch CSS live… my boyfriend and all his friends are at the main arena waiting for Groove Armada to take the stage and perform fully live. After a few songs by CSS I decided to venture over to the other stage. I started walking, then jogging, then RUNNING to the main stage as this powerful, thumping amazing energy suffused the entire festival site. Groove Armada was one of the best live acts I have ever had the opportunity to see live. I danced like crazy with a huge smile plastered on my face… Their new album Black Light is said to be a departure because it is more sinister and as the title suggests…darker. Hit up http://www.groovearmada.com/#news to sample tracks such as I Won’t Kneel and Warsaw from the forthcoming album. And, my suggestion to you is, if you ever get the chance to see Groove Armada play fully live (with vocalists and band) then make sure to do so!

TRACK 14 

Daniel (Death Metal Disco Scene Remix)  // Bat For Lashes

I can’t go more than a few weeks without playing Natasha Khan on this show…she’s probably one of the artists I just love to love on the show.

RIYL: Kate Bush, St. Vincent, Florence and the Machine

TRACK 15 

Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour) – Version 1.0 // Jay-Z, Bono, The Edge & Rihanna

Donate to the cause & disseminate information about the horrific earthquake that left Haiti in ruins just a few weeks ago. Check out the Hope for Haiti compilation which is donating 100% of proceeds from the songs sold to various worthy causes such as UNICEF, Red Cross, Oxfam and more.