Quarterly Roundup - Lovely Ladies

The first three months of 2011 have been incredible. There is so much out there that I'm still getting into some bands who released music in January. In order to manage the onslaught of music, I'll be doing quarterly roundups breaking them up between a few posts to provide reminders of what has passed us by. This first post is just a taste of what is to come next week where I'll be stuffing your faces with some of the best music I've heard over the past three months.

One of the things I loved so much about these early months were the outrageously strong and wonderful albums from indie/dance/pop ladies. I would never usually segregate lists by the sexes, I am just doing this to point out some terrific albums that happen to fall into one genre, all of which are worth owning.

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes [BUY]

Perhaps the most anticipated of all the ones on this list, it was no let down. It was haunting, dark, and a solid album start to finish.

Lykke Li - Love Out of Lust

Oh Land - Oh Land [BUY]

This album is the perfect contrast to Lykke Li. If Lykke Li is dark, Oh Land is light. This album wasn't as much pop as I expected it to be, it's wavering on that line of breaking out into mainstream or being destined to be remixed hundreds of times as club songs. But it was still inviting, fun, and made me want to dance.

Oh Land - Perfection

Yelle - Safari Disco Club [BUY]

Yelle continues to put out infectious french electro-pop. I ate this one right up, loving every moment. (Out March 29th)

Yelle - Que Veux Tu (Madeon Remix)

Those Dancing Days - Daydreams & Nightmares [BUY]

This one was released with much less fan fare than the previously mentioned albums and while it's not quite as good as their last album, there are still quite a few songs of theirs that I'm putting on my playlists.

Those Dancing Days - I'll Be Yours (Visions of Trees Remix)
Those Dancing Days - Keep Me In Your Pocket

Alex Winston - Sister Wife (mini LP) [BUY]

Between the 6 songs on this and the 4 covers she gave away for free, Alex Winston made an impressive start for herself with her unique voice. I love this Locomotive song.
Alex Winston - Locomotive 
Alex Winston - Locomotive (Jaybird remix)








Links have been removed due to DMCA notice, since they didn't tell me what song was a violation (I had legit permission for each song however) I had to remove them all, sorry. You can stream the post here.

White Winter Hymnal covered by Oh Land

This is a perfect sunday treat of a song and I've been saving it all week for you. This Fleet Foxes' song is one of my favorites of theirs, but I like how Oh Land's voice seems more cheerful and then there are the spastic drums that change the song too. The video is a good one as well, be sure to check it out.

Oh Land - White Winter Hymnal (Fleet Foxes Cover)

Oh Land - Sun of a Gun

Official | Myspace | Buy

          Here is some wonderful new music from this danish beauty (is there any other kind?), Oh Land, otherwise known as Nanna Øland Fabricius.  This song is about as catchy as it gets, full of sing-a-along-ability and perfect for a friday. If you like Marina and the Diamonds or Lenka you will like Oh Land too.
       Part of what makes this track such a stand out from all the other dancey poppy songs out there is that the 23 year old programs and arranges all the music herself. Her record label, Fake Diamond, includes this in her bio: "It is nonetheless awe inspiring that Nanna not only sings on Fauna (her album), but also programmes her own beats, plays the piano, guitar and violin and samples everything from pots and pans to buzzing flies and her own voice. In this fashion, Nanna’s personal imprint is solidly embedded in all aspects of her ambitious soundscapes." Rather impressive for someone whose first career path was a ballerina.
      There are already two stellar remixes out but I remain a fan of the original. While everyone is making a fuss over "Sun of a Gun" I want to remind you that the rest of the album is equally fantastic. Be sure to check it out. Happy Listening.

Oh Land - Sun Of A Gun 

Oh Land - Sun Of A Gun (Savage Skulls Remix) 

Oh Land - Sun Of A Gun (Yusek Remix)