Clean Bandit

Mid 2013 during one of my random expeditions traversing the vast expanses of the internet, I discovered something that was so new and so refreshing, that I had a hard time believing that this particular British electronic group had been around since 2009. Clean Bandit are an exceptional experimental band that meld classical elements within electronic music, producing something clean and unique to today’s contemporary music. The first track I heard from these guys was a tune called Dust Clears; a solemn and beautiful song (the violin sent shivers down my spine). They've come a long way since, now with the release of their new single "Rather Be" featuring Jess Glynne, a captivating song that has sent the electronic group’s popularity skyrocketing. I strongly recommend that you listen to their other stuff, like Mozart’s House and Rihanna (feat. Noonie Bao).

Rather Be
Rihanna
Mozart's House

The XX - Intro Cover

The XX

Listening to the music of indie electronic trio, The XX, is one of the most calming, mellow and ethereal experiences one could ever have. As Mercury Prize winners, they have remixed the classic song You’ve Got the Love, originally by ‘The Source’, but also covered by Florence + the Machine, and have also had their iconic song Crystalised covered by the Gorillaz. Just listening to the opening tracks from their albums, XX and Coexist (Intro and Angels respectively), you’re instantly transported to a world of pure serenity and mental repose.

Intro
Angels
Crystalised

The Ting Tings - We Walk Cover

A cover by me on piano and bass of the Ting Tings' "We Walk"

One of my favourite things to do

Seeing these guys live was, as my friend so astutely put it, "a spiritually enlightening experience".

Saw these guys at Groovin' and they were amazing

A shout out to a close plumber mate of mine who made this sweet little mix :3

Catchy tune

Music Is Life

Sweet little mix

Quite a different take to the original, but epic nonetheless.

Tame Impala - Elephant

Something about these guys reminds me of the Beatles...

One of my favourite songs from Boy & Bear

Great new Art vs Science single

Foals

Oxford, England Indie rock band, Foals, have long been a UK favourite since their formation in 2005, and with the releases of their debut album Antidotes in 2008 and their second album Total Life Forever in 2010, they have had great international commercial success over the years. As another personal favourite, Foals have a bunch of great tracks like Inhaler, Miami, Bad Habit and My Number.

My Number
Spanish Sahara
Miami

Incredible little band I've just found. Highly recommend you check out their other stuff.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

New York, indie/post-punk band, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, have unusual blends of music, with lead singer, Karen O, often seductively screaming in her songs which is complemented by her energetic stage presence and colourful costumes. Great songs to check from these guys include Gold Lion, Zero, Soft Shock, Sacrilege and the famous Heads Will Roll. 

Heads Will Roll

Gold Lion

Sacrilege

Zero

Foals playing Inhaler live at Reading Festival

An amazing performance by Foals. If you haven't heard these guys before, watch this video!

Wild Child (not the movie)

Portugal. The Man

Experimental indie rock four-piece band, Portugal. The Man (yes, the full stop is deliberate), have some innovative and loveable tunes as well as some of the coolest album art that reminds me of Where the Wild Things Are illustrations. Their every single song in their latest album, “Evil Friends”, has a great, upbeat and playful feel. Some great songs to check by these guys are Purple Yellow Red and Blue, Someday Believers and Creep in a T-Shirt.

Evil Friends

Purple Yellow Red and Blue

Creep in a T-Shirt

Vampire Weekend

When I watch the British comedy t.v. series “The Inbetweeners”, one of the most memorable, quirky songs featured on the show was Vampire Weekend’s A-Punk. Since discovering them, their positive and playful music has brightened many days. Some great tracks of theirs you need to listen to right now include Diane Young, Oxford Comma and Unbelievers.

A-Punk

Diane Young

Oxford Comma

Unbelievers

Heard this on the radio recently and I am addicted

Snakadaktal - Air

Architecture In Helsinki - Escapee

Amen

Phoenix

French band, Phoenix, are one of the long-standing names of modern alternative rock. Their whimsical, catchy, upbeat music has been featured in films such as “Shallow Hal” and “Lost In Translation”. Every play of one of their songs, from Lasso, 1901, Fences to Entertainment, evokes a youthful spirit that makes me want to get out and run down the street, very much like what they're doing below.

1901

Lisztomania

Lasso (Live on Letterman)

Heavenly little remix

Northeast House Party - Youth Allowance

Dis is my jam :p

Bloc Party

One of the UK’s most critically acclaimed contemporary rock bands, Bloc Party (formerly named ‘Union’) have plenty of great tunes within their four studio albums Silent Alarm, A Weekend in the City, Intimacy, and most recently, Four. Lead vocalist, Kele Okereke has also built himself a name as a solo artist (check out his song Everything You Wanted). Having seen them live, their performances and stage presence are filled with energy and power, and crowds erupt when they play their most beloved and classic songs like Banquet, Helicopter and Hunting for Witches. Their newest single Ratchet is another captivating tune.

Banquet
Helicopter
Hunting for Witches

Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know (CHVRCHES Cover)

Acoustic cover of such a great song :3

Boy & Bear

I couldn’t help but make one of my first posts about a certain Australian band that I have deeply adored since first hearing one of their songs in high school. Boy and Bear, who I deem to be Australia’s version of Mumford and Sons, are a unique, dreamy and top-class indie/folk rock band. Upon listening to one of their early works Rabbit Song from their debut album Moonfire, I instantly fell in love with 

They began to gather popularity as one of their tracks “The Storm” became a feature on Triple J Unearthed during February 2009 and eventually winning that year’s Unearthed competition, and have since become one Australia’s most successful and distinguishable bands, having had numerous national and international tours. They have won various ARIA Awards ranging from Breakthrough Artists to Album of the Year and have also been awarded the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) Award in 2012. With such huge successes within a span of 5 years, Boy and Bear have very good reason to be one of my personal favourites. 

Having seen them live as well as owning their various works, I highly recommend listening to both their albums Moonfire and Harlequin Dream, also with particular praises to their songs Feeding Line, Mexican Mavis, Arrow Flight and Southern Sun.

Rabbit Song
Feeding Line
Southern Sun
Arrow Flight

A relaxing little mix to sleep to tonight :)

Music: One of Life Greatest Joys in Life

They say music is a universal language, something that can be enjoyed, shared and loved. It makes you feel good, it can speak your feelings better than any way you can think of putting it, and it speaks about the kind of person you are. And like a good book, movie or game, it’s a means of escape from our world and reality.

Anyway, enough with the philosophical definition of music. Fellow music-lovers (anyone who has ears), I hope this blog provides pleasure and comfort as I share with you various songs, albums and artists that I hold very close to my iPod’s playlist. I will provide reviews and recommendations on new music circulating the radio as well as paying tribute to the classics within the last 20 years. All in all, I hope that you enjoy my personal musical tastes and maybe even discover something new you like.