Author Archives: Chris Foster

[Fresh] Lykke Li – Paris Blue + Get Some

Visualize a slow, creepy start, like walking down the dark hall in a horror movie. Enter Li’s sultry voice, almost whispering in your ear. She sings, “So I didn’t kiss you like I should. Didn’t grace you like I meant.” and seems to beg the listener to lean in a bit closer and please just hear what she has to say.

“Paris Blue” is a scary, sad waltz that really shows off Li’s incredible and unique voice (almost Feist-y, but finer). Lykke Li‘s apology letter to the city she once loved shows a sensitivity that was completely absent in the accompanying single “Get Some”.

Both songs should be listened to in tandem to get the full scope of Li’s personality. “Get Some” makes me think she is nasssty, while “Paris Blue” just makes me feel sorry for her.

Though Li flicks on the light during the chorus, the spookiness of the instrumentals is tough to escape–I swear I can almost hear creaking stairs in the final seconds of the song…

Lykke Li – Get Some

’Lykke Li – Get Some’

Lykke Li – Paris Blue

’Lykke Li – Paris Blue’
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[Chiddy Bang] Young Blood (Remix) + Bad Day (Feat. Darwin Deez)

Power up the synths, switch on the echo, dump the guitars, and insert Chidera “Chiddy” Anamege to spit red hot fire. This is not one of those “slightly sped up remixes”–Chiddy Bang‘s recent redo of The Naked & Famous‘ already tight “Young Blood” retains the lyrics and the tune, but is less anthem and more dance party.

The Naked & Famous – Young Blood (Chiddy Bang Remix)

’The Naked & Famous – Young Blood (Chiddy Bang Remix)’

As TN&F hail from New Zealand, it’s no surprise that a bit of Kiwi influence crept into Chiddy Bang’s ears while on tour earlier this month in Australia. Fortunately for us, the result is a big-speaker worthy track. Sounding like a conference call between MGMT, Passion Pit and a rhyme machine, this jam is worth “accidentally” blasting through the office at 5pm on Friday.

“Young Blood (Remix)” was recently released as a pre-hype track for Chiddy Bang’s new EP “The Preview” from EMI that hit the US on October 12. Just in case you missed it earlier this summer, be sure to check out TN&F’s original version below off their September release “Passive Me, Aggressive You” from Somewhat Damaged.

Original: The Naked & Famous – Young Blood

’The
Naked


It’s rare that a track about breaking up can sound so fun, but in “Bad Day” Chiddy Bang keep the emotional heavy lifting light enough to let you dance. With enough of a beat and bright synths to keep us swaying and not crying, Chiddy Bang twists the classic “I hate my ex” track into something way more reasonable.

Awk-rockers Darwin Deez (of “Radar Detector” fame) roll out the catchy chorus and launch some hate at the ex with lines like, “Well, I hope you get locked out of that apartment…and have to call Jenny.” Pretty good burn, Darwin.

This track is worth a few listens as it comes out a bit awkward at first, but after a couple plays “Bad Day” will definitely find a place in your head to get stuck.

Chiddy Bang – Bad Day (Feat. Darwin Deez)

’Chiddy Bang – Bad Day (Feat. Darwin Deez)’

Originally a track from Darwin Deez, “Bad Day” gets a tight makeover by Chiddy Bang’s Xaphoon Jones and Philly-based buddy Theodore Grams. The adaptation serves as a fine single on Chiddy Bang’s new October 12 release “The Preview” from EMI.

Here’s the problem, music blogs post a ton of Chiddy Bang tracks, and the only solution is for the duo to stop putting out such good music. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening any time soon.

Bonus: Darwin Deez – Up In The Clouds (Jake Bullit Remix)

’up
in
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Sean Kingston – Letting Go ft. Nicki Minaj (Kingdom Dub)

There is a good chance a song is going to be ridiculous when there are two air horn drops in the first 30 seconds–but don’t be scared, Nicki Minaj will be your savior as strong dub bass hits will deliver you from evil. Though the original “Letting Go” from Sean Kingston ft. Nicki Minaj is standard auto-tuned, radio fare, this mix by Kingdom ditches the repetitive chorus, slows it down to dubspeed, and makes the beat count. More fire from Nicki Minaj, less Sean Kingston–a very nice upgrade.

Brooklyn-based Kingdom, whose “That Mystic” EP was released in July by Night Slugs, has been pumping out originals and clean remixes like “Letting Go” (Kingdom Dub) since 2006. His newest remix of Sleigh Bells’ “Tell ‘Em” further proves that he’s not afraid to sometimes “fix what ain’t broke” and achieve great results.

Kingdom’s Dub version of “Letting Go” is clearly a massive upgrade to the original and will definitely leave you swaying–even with the air horns.

Sean Kingston – Letting Go ft. Nicki Minaj (Kingdom Dub)

’sean
kingston
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[Indie/Pop] The Hundred In The Hands – Pigeons

While definitely not a Friday night psych-up song, the catchy chorus “Pigeons” from Brooklyn-based duo The Hundred In The Hands will definitely glue itself into the inside of your brain. Pigeons is full of 80s synths, slow background strings, and a steady backbeat that invokes images of electropop quartet Ladytron.

The pop shininess of this Richard X-produced track tricks the listener into believing THITH have delivered something upbeat and playful, but instead Eleanore Everdell’s haunting multitrack vocals remind you that “Saturday comes, Sunday comes, we go.” It’s like she delivering you the bad news, but with a beautiful voice and a smile on her face.

Recently signed by WARP Records, and just releasing their self-titled debut in September, The Hundred In The Hands has broken away from the crowd of New York-based bands by grinding up ska, dub, pop, electronic, and a tiny bit of goth-mopery.

The Hundred In The Hands – Pigeons

’The
Hundred

With just enough bass and fun to make the track danceable, the chorus from “Pigeons” will stay stuck with you through the weekend.

Bonus: The Hundred in the Hands – Dressed in Dresden

’The Hundred in the Hands – Dressed in Dresden’
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