Discodeine featuring Jarvis Cocker, Synchronize

Discodeine is a french electro duo. They are featuring Jarvis Cocker for this excellent track.

Jaqee, Pink Drunken Elephant

I just discovered Jaqee on a french radio. Her music is a mix of RnB, old-school reggae (meaning ska) and soul. And her voice is very near Macy Gray to me. A great mix !

Jaqee was born in Uganda and used to emigrate to Sweden. She realized a first album Blaqalixious in 2005, folllowed by a second Nouvelle d'amour in 2007.

If you don't know her yet, discover her single Moonshine video which is a beautiful creation. This track and Pink Drunken Elephant are from album Kokoo Girl released in 2009.

Jaqee on the Web

Moonshine

Pink Drunken Elephant (live)

General Elektriks, Take Back The Instant

I'm currently discovering again General Elektriks album named Good city for dreamers, made famous with the track Raid the radio. I also like a lot the track Take Back The Instant. Here is the video.

Arcade Fire, The Wilderness Downtown

I want to share a nice project which is largely spread over the internet. I let you discover it.

I really like that. This is a real good example of what music industry should develop to bring a new value to music. And ease the way they share and sell music.

Enjoy!

www.thewildernessdowntown.com

The XX wins Mercury Prize

As you may have seen elsewhere The XX wins the Mercury Prize. Some competitors were Corinne Bailey Ray, Foals, Dizzee Rascal.

As I'm curious I had a look at the past nominees and winners of the prize. They are listed here. First prize was decerned to Primal Scream in '92. U2 and Simply Red were some of their competitors. Lists of past years for nominees are also impressive (Radiohead, PJ Harvey, Coldplay, Bloc Party...).

The XX-Islands

Ting Tings, Hands

Oh, here is a big event : the new single from the Ting Tings ! It's called Hands and is released on october the 11th.

If the other tracks of the album to come named Kunst are on the same line, The Ting Tings are definitely going to more electropop music. Big influence of the 80s in the music, images and also in Katie White's haircut !

Baden Baden, Anyone

I already knew Baden Baden but I have the chance to discover them live few weeks ago. ANd I really liked their music. Which is a mix of pop and folk. The music is well produced and I noticed the singer has a great voice.

Below is their single Anyone. The video was shot by Alexandre Saltiel

Baden Baden on MySpace

Arcade Fire @ Madison Square Garden

As announced on this blog, Arcade Fire did a live in Madison Square Garden live on YouTube and directed by Terry Gilliam himself. All videos are available on YouTube.

Pre-Show video

Wake-Up

Socalled, You Are Never Alone

A good friend made me discover few days ago Socalled. They are giving a live in Paris at Cite de la Musique by beginning of september (i'll be on holidays).

Socalled is Josh Dolgin a canadian rapper. I would describe his music as a mix of hip-hop, folk, jazz and also funk. If you like hip-hop or jazz you'll probably like this.

You Are Never Alone

Midnight Juggernauts, Vital Signs

Dystopia, debut album from the australian band Midnight Juggernauts was a revelation to me : an electro music post french touch & and still using rock rules. They released few weeks ago their second album The Crystal Axis. As a good fan I already got my tickets to see them at Bataclan in october in Paris.

Vital Signs

Road To Recovery (from Dystopia)

Arcade Fire, The Suburbs

As already posted here, Arcade Fire is releasing these days their new album The Suburbs. I am now impressed to see how media write and speak about this new album. Here is a bunch of what I read about this.

First, Arcade Fire will play live from the Madison Square Garden on YouTube on the 5th of august, directed by Terry Gilliam himself ! Read more here.

Dithyrambic french papers articles are here, here, here and here.

Other critics from Pitchfork here & from NME here.

Last but not least, a french article about how they managed original buzz for their new album. This is very instructive (even if i am not ok with the taste of the author). Read more here.

Plan B, She Said

Since few weeks I am listening to Plan B album named The Defamation of Strickland Banks. Plan B is Benjamin Paul Drew, a British singer coming from London. He released a first album in 2006. His second album is a hit, especially She Said which reached top of the charts.

His music is a mix of hip-hop, pop and soul music. The whole album is very well produced, some tracks like She Said or Welcome to Hell more pop, some other like Love Goes Down have roots in soul music. A must !

Plan B on the web

Plan B on Spotify

She Said

Prayin'

Aloe Blacc, I Need A Dollar

I can feel like there is a new wave of artists influenced by soul music coming from the 60s. Especially wth Hip Hop artist : see Raphael Saadiq or Plan B for instance. This is definitely good news !

Aloe Blacc is an american singer. He used to be a part of Emanon a hip hop band. He issued his first album Shine Through in 2006. I Need A Dollar is the track which made him famous. His 2nd album Goods Things is awaited for september.

Aloe Blacc on the web
Aloe Blacc on Spotify

The Coral, 1000 years

I really like the music from The Coral. I used to listen to their previous album for weeks. Now they are releasing their 6th album Butterfly House.
The Coral is a pop band (coming from... Liverpool!). Even if their music can sound like not revolutionnary it remains talented creations and very nice to be listened to. 1000 years is a good example and the video is nice & funny.

The album can listened from here : The Coral – Butterfly House

Interpol, Lights

Before they issue their new album here is the first single Lights from Interpol. The video which is visually nice has been directed by Charlie White. He already performed the video for the track Evil from previous album of the band.

Interpol on the web



Lights




Evil (from the album Antics)

Chromeo, Business Casual

As his website announces Chromeo is about to issue a new album. This is great news and here is the teaser, in fact the track Don't turn the lights on. Enjoy !

Gorillaz, Live

Les inrocks gives access to the full live from Gorillaz done at Glastonbury.

Gorillaz in live really worth it. The previous album generated an excellent DVD in Harlem with all album guests (De la soul, Neneh Cherry, Dennis Hopper...).

The difference is now the member appear for real and not using shadows !

As guests : De La Soul, Bobby Womack, Mark E Smith, Shaun Ryder, Snoop Dogg and Lou Reed !

This is available here

MGMT, It's Working

MGMT is now followed by all as the leading band for the new generation. Their first album Oracular Spectacular received critical approval and public success.

They recently released their second album Congratulations. The first single was Its Working and


MGMT – Congratulations





Before issuing heir new album they also did collaborate with Kid Cudi in a track I really appreciate.

Gotan Project, La Gloria

Gotan Project is an amazing band. They know how to provide me what I am looking for in music ie. emotions.

La Gloria is the first single from their new album Tango 3.0. Their music is still a mix of tango and electro. This track specially featured a famous football specialist giving his famous voice to the track. Nice in those foot times, isnt it ?

The video is really well illustrating emotions of tango music (body espression, face-to-face, men/woman relationship). And it's visually amazing.

Gotan Project – Tango 3.0

OK Go, End Love

These guys are crazy ! OK Go is more famous for their video than their music. And we understand easily when such videos are done.

OK Go is a band coming from Chicago. They find a wide audience in 2005 thanks to the video for One Million Ways. But they become even more famous months after with the track Here It Goes Again. And once again the video helped them a lot.

The video below (End Love & This Too Shall Pass) are from their third album Of the Blue Color Of The Sky. And still, these are amazing videos for those crazy guys.


OK Go on the web
OK Go on MySpace


End Love





This Too Shall Pass

Here It Goes Again

Morcheeba, Even Tough

Morcheeba is back with a new album. This is good news. Morcheeba and Skye Edwards are back with a new album. This is GREAT news ! After two albums (The Antidote and Dive Deep) without their original singer the british band is releasing Blood Like Diamond.

The first single is Even Though. This track sounds like first album edited by the crew and the video is beautiful.

Morcheeba on the web

Morcheeba – Blood Like Lemonade


The single Even Though

Two Door Cinema Club @ La Cigale

I was at La Cigale yesterday to see Two Door Cinema Club.

Even if it was short (they only have one album) I liked their performance. It was dynamic, public was hot.

The Playlist already presented them here.

Yacht, Psychic City (Voodoo City)

I had the chance to discover Yacht live as supporting artist for LCD Soundsystem few weeks ago at Bataclan. It was really nice on stage as they give a lot on stage.

Yacht is Jonathan Warren Bechtolt now with Claire Evans. Their music is made of pop and electronics, hgily inspired by the music from the eighties.


Psychic City (Voodoo City)





The Afterlife

Arcade Fire, Month of May

Arcade Fire just revealed 2 singles The Suburbs & Month of May from their new album The Suburbs. The album shall be available by beginning of august in France. I like that !

The Black Keys, Tighten Up

Do you know The Black Keys ? They are issuing their new album Brothers which can be listened here. Those video have been done to promote this album and are funny.

The Black Keys are a guitar and drum duo. They come from the US & their music is inspired by rock and blues. I really like that, if you like the White Stripes you shall probably appreciate. Their friend Danger Mouse appears on the new album.

The Black Keys on the web
The Black Keys on MySpace


Thighten Up




Next Girl

Massive Attack, Heligoland

No need to introduce Massive Attack anymore. This 5th album Heligoland has been done with long-time Massive Attack collaborator Horace Andy.

On this new album several guests among Tunde Adebimpe (member of TV on the Radio), Damon Albarn, Martina Topley-Bird (who worked with Tricky), Guy Harvey (Elbow).

The single Paradise Circus welcomes Hope Sandoval's pretty voice

Empire Of The Sun, We Are The People

Empire Of The Sun is a duo coming from Australia. They issued their debut album Walking On A Dream in 2008. Since then they have been hitting the charts with their singles especialy Walking On A Dream.

Empire Of The Sun – Walking On A Dream


Empire Of The Sun on the web
Empire Of The Sun on MySpace
Empire of the Sun on Wiki


We Are The People




Walking On A Dream

New Young Pony Club, Chaos

Time has come for New Young Pony Club to issue their second album The Optimist. I really like this band and talk about it here. Their music is a mix of pop music, electro and something coming from the eighties (visually noticable in the video Chaos). Very trendy so, and very nice music.

They already released two singles from this Lost a Girl & Chaos

New Young Pony Club – The Optimist

Chaos

Lost a Girl

Hey Hey My My, Not Fun Anymore

Hey Hey My My is for sure one of the french bands which required a little attention. Their inspiration is coming for folk and rock, reminding the 70s. They already produced a first promising album including the single Too much space and lot of good tracks.

Their second album A Sudden Change Of Mood has just been issued and I had the chance to assist their release party on monday at Bus Palladium. This album is more rock & I really recommend you to listen to it (and buy it!).


Not Fun Anymore (version coming from Soul Kitchen)




Nice video presenting their album

Kate Nash, Do-Wah-Doo

Three years after meeting success with her album Made of Bricks Kate Nash is back with a 2nd production named My best friends is you. The track Foundations from her debut album was a worldwide hit. She got a Brit Award in 2008 as best female artist.


Kate Nash on the web
Kate Nash on MySpace
Kate Nash on wiki


Do-Wah-Doo, first single from My best friends is you




Foundations

Wave Machines, Keep The Lights On

Time has come for sun and blue sky for days now. This is good time to listen to Wave Machines ! Here is a band coming from Liverpool which can be compared to Late of the Pier or Two Door Cinema Club. British electro rock, very easy to listen to. Very talented and served with good video to discover below indeed. I like that. Enjoy !

Wave Machines on wiki

Wave Machines on MySpace

Keep The Lights On

I Go I Go I Go

Kelis, Acapella

I really used to listen to Kelis single in the past like Milshake, Trick Me... So I was quite curious about the new single she released.

This track is good and the video even more, her new album Flesh Tone is signed on the record label will.i.am/InterscopeRecords. She worked with Guetta, Burnz, DJ Ammo, Boys Noize, Diplo/Switch & Free School.

Her first single from this album is Acapella.

Kelis on the web
Kelis on MySpace

Acapella

Beast, Out of control

Beast is a duet created by french people from Canada playing trip-hop music. I just discovered them watching a french TV show. I have been impressed by their music and especially Betty Bonifassi's voice.

They released an album simply named Beast including Out of Control and Mr Hurricane.

Beast on the web
Beast on wiki
Beast on MySpace

Out of control





Mr Hurricane

LCD Soundsystem, Drunk Girls

LCD Soundsystem is about to release their third album called This is happening. After a first single (This is happening) here comes now a second single Drunk Girls. The video is funny and scary & has been directed by Spike Jonze himself.

This new album can be listened from their website here

Wax Tailor Feat Charlie Winston, I Own You

I'm listening to this track 10 times a day for several weeks now. The excellent new album from Wax Tailor is full of great sounds but this, I just love it. And what if the video would also be cool ? Then it make 3'30 of happiness. Cautions, genious inside !

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, I learned the hard way

I discovered Sharon Jones few months ago with her previous album 100 days, 100 nights. I really liked this album. She just released a new album named I Learned The Hard Way.

I only listened to it once and it sounds like it is good. Same sound coming from the 70s, same quality in the music realisation and same amazing voice. I can only recommend you to get it asap !

Sharon Jones on the Web

100 days, 100 nights (from 100 days, 100 nights)

Tell Me (from 100 days, 100 nights)

Yuksek live

I had the chance to see Yuksek yesterday live at l'Alhambra in Paris. I spent great time as his show is really well organized. Nice rock band for opening (Alb), great intro, amazing show including all good tracks from his album Away From The Sea. I especially like Extraball & So Down. And an ending with a featuring (welcoming The Bewitched...) for the track So Far Away From The Sea.

I recommend you to discover this guy live as I think he should became a very trustable value for french electro music (if he is not already) !

The Bewitched Hands On The Top Of Our Heads, Work

The Bewitched Hands On The Top Of Our Heads is a french band coming from Reims. They released a single Work in 2009 and are preparing an album this year.

I would define their music as a mix of pop, rock and something very modern. Very near the new bands like MGMT, Black Kids, Empire of the Sun etc...

The Bewitched... on MySpace


The track Work

MGMT, Congratulations

The new album of MGMT can now be listened to integrally online. This is here.

I listened to it only once & it sounds good to me : different from Oracular Spectacular, maybe more pop centric.

What do you think of it?

Kid Cudi, Pursuit of Happiness

Kid Cudi is an american rapper comng from Ohio.

He already performed on Kanye West's album 808s & Heartbreak. He is also present on latest Jay-Z album, on excellent track Already Home.

Kid Cudi on the web

Kid Cudi on MySpace


Pursuit of Happiness (feat MGMT & Ratatat)




Day'n'Night

Two Door Cinema Club, Undercover Martyn

Two Door Cinema club is a band made of 3 people coming from Ireland. They released with the label Kitsuné their first album Tourist History.

If you like Franz Ferdinand, the Killers or Bloc Party you'll probably like the pop music of Two Door Cinema Club.

Two Door Cinema Club on MySpace

Gorillaz, Stylo Trailers

Following the first pictures, here are the trailers for Gorillaz new album Stylo


Gorillaz - Plastic Beach Orchestral Trailer




Stylo trailer




More can be seen here...

La Roux @ Bataclan

I had the chance to assist La Roux at Bataclan last friday. The show was (too) short (her first album) but this girl is amazing on stage.

She performed a cover of Under My Thumb from Rolling Stones.




Here is Bulletproof (last title performed)

Javelin - Lindsay Brohan

Did you hear about Javelin?

2 cousins from Providence doing electro productions with funk, disco & old-school hip hop roots.

Javeli - Lindsay Brohan



Javelin's Myspace | Javelin's website

Beat Assailant, Spy

Beat Assailant is a personality I discovered on stage at La Bellevilloise. Now I can not stop following this "band". They released by end of 2009 a new album (the 3rd) named Rhyme Space Continuum.

Spy is the new single coming from this album. The track which I had the pleasure to discover live last summer is a featuring with Ben l'Oncle Soul. The video is inspired by old scholl movies as James Bond. Enjoy !

The video Spy

Air, So Light Is Her Footfall

Here is the video new single from Air Love 2 Album. This video has been realised by Edouard Salier who already committed for talented artists (see here and here).

Wax Tailor, Dragon Chasers

This is a new video from Wax Tailor (see previous) illustrating a track from In The Mood For Life. Dragon Chasers is the track featuring Charlotte Savary's pretty voice.

Little Boots, New In Town

Little Boots is a solo project by Victoria Hesketh born in 2007. A first hit was produced by by Joe Goddard from Hot Chip. She released in 2009 a first album Hands.

Little Boots on the web
Little Boots on MySpace


The single New In Town

Ben Howard, Keep Your Head Up

I discovered Ben Howard yesterday in the best music TV program on french TV. He is coming from England and is fan of music and... surf. Great skills for playing guitar, nice voice and pleasant universe. Here are reasons for what i'm listening to his album These Waters right now !

Ben Howard on the web

Ben Howard on MySpace

Keep Your Head Up (official video)

Empty Corridors (live version)

Gorillaz, Stylo

Gorillaz is back ! And this is one of the best news we could get.

They released a new single Stylo and a new album Plastic Beach will come soon. The track is available from here. And more info are given here and here.

The Antlers, Two

Several people -I won't tell who- told me The Antlers deserves to be discovered. Then I did so. And yes it deserves you attention. They are coming from NY and released an album Hospice in 2009.

The Antlers on the web
The Antlers on wiki
The Antlers on MySpace


I let you make your own opinion with this video Two

Alexis HK, Les Affranchis

For several weeks now I am listening to the latest LP from Alexis HK. His music is a smart mix of chanson, pop & even hip-hop vocals. He is really a part in the french music environment. I recommend you to listen to his music.

Alexis HK on the web
Alexis HK on wiki


Les Affranchis

La maison Ronchonchon

Live Music is good for your ears

La musique est la langue des émotions (E. Kant). Thats why I am used to go to see live concert every time I have the opportunity ! Last week was a real marathon for me.

Eveything started with Air on monday evening at Casino de Paris. This was a great especially as the latest album is good.

Cherry Blossom Girl

Then on Friday I went to Le Louvre Carte Blanche à Camille. She invited Yves Colson and his son Leo to play drums on old black and white movies. This was a nice show where she finished dancing on stage with a part of the audience.

To finish this good week I went to Casino de Paris (once again) to see performance from Emilie Simon. This show was great. she has a perfect voice, songs from from album Big Machine are incredible. I really recommend to see her live.

Here is an example of what she gives live.






I found this nice video about making of her latest single video.

Cinnamon Chasers, Luv Deluxe

I discovered this beautiful video clip from this cool blog. This video has been shot by Saman Keshavarz. This is a project of indie electro miusic coming from London.

Cinnamon Chasers on the web
Cinnamon Chasers on MySpace

Alice in Wonderland, Almost Alice

Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton is maybe the most awaited movie of the first part of the year 2010. It looks like Almost Alice will be a nice soundtrack as Robert Smith from The Cure and Franz Ferdinand are announced to be working on it. The other artists on the album are Tokio Hotel, Avril Lavigne

source is here

Tops for 2009

After listing my prefered album of this year here is a list of some bestofs :) I promise this is the end for the bestofs !


Top 100 tracks most listened on Spotify are here

Les inrocks 50 best album are here

NME 50 best album are here - 50 best tracks are here

MusicMe 50 best sells are here

Wormee best singles are here

LastFm Top 10 tracks is here

iTunes bestof is here




What are your best tracks for 09?

Mano Solo

Arnaud Fleurent-Didier, France Culture

Arnaud Fleurent-Didier is a young french musician and singer. He produced a little buzz on the web releasing his single France Culture. The album Reproduction is now available (and can be listened online here).

AFD on the web
AFD on wiki

Vampire Weekend, Contra

Vampire Weekend released their new album Contra. All the tracks can be listened from their MySpace.

Here is a first track coming from the album Cousins.

Vampire Weekend on the web

Vampire Weekend on wiki

My BestOf 2009

New year means resume of past year. As I don't like ranking (especiall in arts) I only want to list the album I liked during the year and which shows where the music goes today. No ranking but the best of Music for the past year.

Happy new musical year !

Jay-Z-The Blueprint 3
I have to confess I really discovered Jay-Z this year with his new album. Then I dirctly listened to the previous ones ;) This Blueprint 3 is a real listing of singles. Lots of good featuring and good vibes with this album.

see here

Emilie Simon-The Big Machine
Emilie Simon has now a dedicated place into the frnech music. Mostly known for the production of soundtrack La Marche de l'Empereur her previous album knew a success. But then for The Big Machine she went one step forward. I like to compare her music to Bowie or Lou Reed with a femal voice.

see here

JP Nataf-Clair
To me obviously the best album of the year for french music.

see here

Pony Pony Run Run-You Need Pony Pony Run Run
Nice french revelation which can be compared to best english modern rock band. PPRR has become a phenomenon in few weeks.

see here

Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
The title was ambitious, the LP is responding this ambition. Phoenix created a (new) buzz with this new release especially in the US.

see here

Wax Tailor-In The Mood For Life

Excellent new album for one of the best Hip-Hop maker in France.

see here

Arctic Monkeys-Humbug
New dimension for Arctic Monkeys. Produced in the US by a member of Queen of the Stone Age this album is definitely a new way for the band. The album is a success as they kept their identity but introducing maturity.

see here

La Roux-La Roux

She is one of the leader of a new branch of music mixing pop and electro. His first album was very well received by the audience and looks like she open a new way in the english rock music.

see here

Yuksek-Away From The Sea

Here is to me the most nice revelation in electro music this year. And he is a part of a new french touch (with others like Chromeo, Data...).

see here

The XX-XX

The XX is the new phenomenon for rock of end of year. Here is a band of young people who released a talented album with dark but modern rock.

see here

Dominique A-La Musique

This french songwriter & singer is an complete artist. La Musique is his 10th album and has his own music style among french chanson. He is inspired by dark romanticism and poetry. Even if he is not mainstream artist he is popular. I like this album for its music and also for the lyrics.

see here

Florence + the Machines-Lungs

This singer released a first album Lungs last summer and met success on the english radios.The music is a mix of indie rock and soul added to an amazing voice.

see here

Piers Faccini-Two Grains of Sand

Piers Faccini is more than a singer. He is a full artist (painting, photo, music...). Two Grains of Sand is a wonderful album made of smart sweet songs.

Noisettes-Wild Young Hearts

Noisettes is an english band which knew success last summer especially with the track Don't Upset The Rythm. A mix of black music and pop made a nice album

see here

Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest

Grizzly Bear is a band coming from the US which plays pop music. Veckatimest their 3rd album received good critical acclaim in may this year.

see here

Gossip-Music for Men

This album is a confirmation of the talent already showed with the first LP of the band. Heavy Cross was a successful single but the rest of the LP worth it. I feel likeGossip succeed in spreding rock (punk?) music over radios especially thanks to Beth Ditto charism.

see here

Yodelice-Tree of Life

Yodelice is a french singer and songwriter which first album Tree of Life met a success in France. Tracks are well composed and produced.

see here

Air-Love2
A new album from Air is always a pleasure. I really appreciate what they do (i will once again see them live this month) and I feel lke they are getting older and even better. Love2 is once again a very good album and includes vibes which sound like old albums.

see here

And now let the music play...

The XX, Crystalised

The XX is a band coming from London. They released an album XX which is full of talent. They did opening for tours of Florence and the machine and Friendly Fires and will do for Hot Chip.

They are becoming more and more famous as NME placed them at rank 6 of Future 50. Here is a version of Crystalised live in Paris.

The XX on the web

The XX on MySpace

The XX on wiki