Sóley - I'll Drown

Sóley's 'I'll Drown' was one of my favorite songs of 2011. More recently a dramatic and stark, black and white video for the song was released. She's touring with other NMC favorites Of Monsters & Men through Iceland, Canada and the east coast of the US. Be sure to check her out. I still get completely lost in this song.

Sóley - I'll Drown

Meursault - Flittin'

Meursault was first introduced to me through a lovely in studio session on The Waiting Room radio show a few years back. The Waiting Room is responsible for introducing me to the phrase "new music O face" as well as a tremendous amount of songs and bands that I wouldn't have know about otherwise. Right, I'm actually here to talk about Meursault, an Edinburgh based band about to release their third album, Something For The Weakened, out via Song, By Toad Records.

There's an impressive box set available for purchase (limited 12" colored vinyl, 2 7"s, t-shirt, tote, badges, lyric book) as well as an option to order the vinyl or CD. You can stream the album and read a complete track by track guide from Neil Pennycook of Meursault here. "Flittin'" is the single.

However, what I really want to tell you about is my obsession with the fourth song on the album, "Settling". It's a song you want to play as loudly as possible and it'll make you want to sing along with all your might. I love when he emphasizes the swear in the line "So, ha fucking ha" letting the song succumb to a healthy dose of bitterness. Chris of The Waiting Room played this and called it "a cracking tune". I don't think there is a more fitting adjective than that. Listen to it here (I can't embed the album version) and then check out this acoustic rendition.

Neil Pennycook described this song, saying: This is about finding your use in life despite what you may have wished for yourself. It's about keeping an open mind when it comes to your own potential even if said potential is rather underwhelming. Ha fucking ha.

If you like the acoustic version, be sure to check out this live version which really kicks up the chorus, plus there's a violin.

Phone Joan - Damned

Phone Joan, a band from Norway, had this wonderful video done for them by some Norwegian film students. In their email they said, "It portrays a day in a life of this beautiful young woman. From the moment she wakes up from a one night stand until the next day, having repeated the last….a perfect story for the desperate mood in the song." The result is a powerful combination of video and song that drags you into the story of this girl. Both the song and video are really well done so have a look or stream the track below. Their sophomore album is due out March 14th.

 

Delta Rae - Bottom of the River

Delta Rae, an Americana band band from Durham, recently released a really impressive and slightly spooky video that works quite well for getting into the spirit of Halloween. This song has a lot of gospel influences in it as they march to the river in chains while singing a cappella. It really is nothing short of fantastic and is one of those rare videos that actually enhances the song. I'm looking forward to seeing what else this band has to offer. Check them out on facebook too.

MP3: Delta Rae - Bottom of the River (extended version) 

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Shine

This song alone fills my weekly quota of cloying saccharine sweetness. Benjamin Francis Leftwich's voice is what keeps me coming back to the gentle lull of his songs when I can't take anymore of the bitter and heartbroken songs that I usually occupy myself with. Much like his songs, I was unexpectedly surprised by the distraction this video provided.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Shine by Dirty Hit

[Video] The Barr Brothers - Beggar in the Morning

I can never tire of hearing this song. I find myself absent mindedly singing "make it shine so pretty, make it shine so bright" whenever I am making anything. If I'm having a hard day at work I just remind myself "I'm a beggar in the morning and a king at night." This song has calming powers and is one you can easily find yourself immersed in. It's been amazing watching The Barr Brothers gain momentum over the course of the year and I couldn't be happier that they are getting the recognition they deserve. This video is a must watch it's every bit as magical and wonderful as the song itself.

The Ruffled Feathers - Blueprints for our Failed Revolution

I started about writing about this Vancouver based chamber-pop band, The Ruffled Feathers, that I've been following ever since I came across their EP on bandcamp and how I was excited to finally see this video since they have been talking about it for months. I loved the story it told, the imagery felt just right, and everything from the necklace, to the wine at sunset, and especially to the burning piano was spellbinding. It is rare that I enjoy videos and even more rare that I feel like a video enhances a song, and this one certainly does. When I read the note that outlines the video on their website, I realized just how much my words were failing me. The note reads so well that it would be difficult to pick any one excerpt. So have a listen to the song and go on to read the note in full and watch the video after the jump.

The Ruffled Feathers - Blueprints for Our Failed Revolution 

CHAPPO - Come Home [Video]

This video had its hay day last week when it landed on Pitchfork and Spinner's video of the day and is what you hear in that ipod commercial, which is why you are probably thinking "hey this sounds familiar". The video is engaging and fun, filled with sparkles, confetti, and even a unicorn. It's more than enough to get you excited for the weekend.

Young Galaxy - Shapeshifting [Album Review]

Young Galaxy's third LP, Shapeshifting, was released yesterday and it has it's spellbinding moments and others where the spell is broken. Certain aspects and beats become redundant at times making for a few bland songs. But the parts that do captivate like the entirety of "Cover Your Tracks" are like huge arching daydreams, except someone else is writing them for you and sticking it in your head. I keep going back and forth on this album because it seems to only be fitted for a certain mood. When my ipod gets the timing just right and surprises me with a Young Galaxy track that moment suddenly becomes golden, vibrant, and clean. It's up for you to decide on this one, because I clearly can't. Buy here. Make sure to watch the cartoon video for We Have Everything after the jump, it's rather crazy and going viral.

We Have Everything

Cover Your Tracks

Lykke Li - Get Some [video]

A few weeks ago the quirky and absolutely wonderful Lykke Li graced us with her new song "Get Some" and now we have her latest video for the song. It happens to be spreading around the blogosphere like wildfire so be sure to check it out. It can only make you love the song more than you already do. Enjoy.