Absofacto is one of our favorites here at The Music Ninja. This Michigan musician is known for his calm, electronic style of indie-pop, free EPs, and his intriguing album covers. After posting a few of his tracks, we realized that not only is he a talented musician but based on his style, he has an ethereal view on music. Which is why we had to ask, what are your top five favorite songs right now and why? His choices and answers are below.

Gaslamp Killer – MonsterfromtheundergroundDownload audio file (05 Monsterfromtheunderground.mp3)

This track is so frustrating. The first minute is so amazing, just a seriously filthy grind, and then it dissolves into this long noise part that closes out the EP. The noise part is great too, but I’d give anything for the beat come back in at about 1:38 and keep developing for another couple minutes. Thankfully, if you listen to it on repeat, it kind of has that effect. I’ll just have to do that until his new LP comes out this year.

Panthu du Prince – A Nomad’s RetreatDownload audio file (05 Pantha Du Prince – A Nomads Retreat.mp3)

The whole album, not just a single song. Though if I had to pick just one, “A Nomads Retreat” is a prime candidate. I don’t think I could ever get sick of this record. What is there to get sick of? It’s paced and constructed exactly as I hope life can be. A simple, clean pulse steadily driving you forward and though you pass through clouds of beauty, mystery, and intrigue, you never lose your path. On it’s own terms, it’s as close to perfect as I’ve ever heard.

Fiona Apple – Tymps (The Sick In The Head Song)Download audio file (Fiona Apple – Tymps.mp3)

I hadn’t ever heard Extraordinary Machine until recently, and it’s completely brilliant all the way through… but this song stands out to me as something special. The exact combination of elements is just unlike anything else I’ve come across. I love the dry, thick vocal sound, and the way the emotional tone changes from cynical to wistful and back from line to line just on the movement of the chords.

Gorillaz – Empire AntsDownload audio file (empire-ants-gorillaz1.mp3)

It’s no secret I have a lifelong admiration of pretty much everything Damon Albarn has done with music, and the first part of the song is nice and all… but it’s the second half with Yukimi Nagano from Little Dragon that is the reason I’ve listened to this a million times instead of only a hundred. That bassline! That melody!

St. Vincent – Year of the TigerDownload audio file (amgsua4x1n2kledxpdu6.mp3)

The only track from 2011 that I immediately thought of for this list. I can’t listen to St. Vincent unless I’m going to sit there and just stare at the speakers. Her music too absorbing and fascinating (and occasionally jarring and confusing) to safely or effectively do anything else while listening. If I ever wreck my car, I’m sending Annie Clark a bill.

Alex Meric, the Uk producers that brought us the amazing remixes of Gorillaz’s “Stylo” and Sabotage from the Beastie Boys has been hard at work, soon to release his new album any second. This weekend he gave us a sensational high in dance remix of the new single from Miike Snow. The first of many remixes of “Devil’s Work” yet we think it will remain as one of the best. Enjoy!

Miike Snow – Devil’s Work (Alex Metric Remix) by alexmetric

French whizzkid Madeon first surprised us with his Yelle remix of ‘Que Veux Tu’ we posted a while back, and what he just uploaded to his youtube channel completely blew our brains out. Sampling a total of 39 of his favorite songs, Madeon shows of his complete domination of the Novation Launchpad, as if he fathered it himself. It was all live and in one seamless take, just completely nuts.

Madeon – Pop Culture (live mashup)Download audio file (Madeon – Pop Culture (live mashup).mp3)

Tracklist:
Alphabeat – Boyfriend
Alphabeat – Fascination
Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars
Black Eyed Peas – Gotta Feeling
Britney Spears – …Baby One More Time
Capsule – Can I Have A Word
Chromeo – Momma’s Boy
Coldplay – Viva La Vida
Daft Punk – Aerodynamic
Daft Punk – Around The World
Deadmau5 – Raise Your Weapon (Madeon Remix)
Deadmau5 – Right This Second
Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed
ELO – Mr. Blue Sky
Girls Aloud – Biology
Gorillaz – Dare
Gossip – Heavy Cross (Fred Falke Remix)
Gwen Stefani – What You Waitin For (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)
Housse de Racket – Oh Yeah
Justice – DVNO
Justice – Phantom Part II
Katy Perry – One Of The Boys
Ke$ha – Take It Off
Kylie Minogue – Wow
Lady Gaga – Alejandro
Linkin Park – Crawling
Madonna – Hung Up
Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette – Boys and Girls
Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
Nero – Me and You
One Republic – All The Right Moves (Danger Remix)
One-T – Magic Key
Ratatat – Shempi
Solange – I Decided (Freemasons Remix)
Stardust – Music Sounds Better With You
The Buggles – Video Killed The Radio Star
The Killers – Losing Touch
The Who – Baba O’Riley (SebastiAn Remix)

Gorillaz – Crystalised (The XX Cover)Download audio file (Crystalised (the XX Cover).mp3)

The xx made an incredible impression last year with the release of their debut album, and the adoration heaped on the band has clearly spread far and wide. First, Shakira and electro-pop legends OMD covered the band’s songs, and now Damon Albarn and his Gorillaz have taken a stab at “Crystalised” for a recently recorded BBC session. It’s a simple, beat-less, vibraphone and piano led take on the track, which perfectly suits Albarn’s gravel-y vocals. – prefixmag.com

Not much to say here. Alex Metric = Awesome DJ/Producer.. and Beastie Boys are awesome^infinity.

Sabotage (Alex Metric Re-Edit)Download audio file (Sabotage (Alex Metric Re-Edit).mp3)

William Fitzsimmons – So This Is Goodbye (Pink Ganter Remix) Download audio file (so-this-is-goodbye-pink-ganter-remix.mp3)

The National – England[removed by request]

Gorillaz – On Melancholy HillDownload audio file (Gorillaz-OnMelancholyHill.mp3)

The Cardigans – Lovefool (Barletta Edit)Download audio file (The Cardigans – Lovefool (Barletta Edit).mp3)

I.
LOVE.
THE.
NEW.
GORILLAZ.
ALBUM.

GO.
BUY.
PLASTIC.
BEACH.
ON
ITUNES
OR
AMAZON.
NOW!

YOU.
WONT.
REGRET.
IT.

AWESOME.
SONG.
BELOW.

Gorillaz – Empire Ants (featuring Little Dragon)Download audio file (goril-emp.mp3)

OR CLICK HERE

Gorillaz – Plastic Beach Review

Gorillaz latest LP is as dynamic as their previous efforts, but much more conceptual and cohesive. This thing leafs through hip hop, new wave, soul, and trip hop without batting an eye; plus, there’s a ton of fantastic guest collaborators: Snoop Dogg, Mick Jones, Lou Reed, and De La Soul to name a few! There were a few bumps along the way, but this thing is a journey from beginning to end. There are some real 10/10s along the way, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to any pop fan.

Make sure you subscribe to The Needle Drop’s youtube for daily video music reviews.
http://theneedledrop.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/theneedledrop

Gorillaz – Rhinestone EyesDownload audio file (04 Rhinestone Eyes.mp3)

Gorillaz – Glitter FreezeDownload audio file (Glitter Freeze .mp3)

If you missed our previous Gorillaz posts/remixes, click here!

I’ve said many times that I wasn’t (and still debating if I am) a fan of the the Gorillaz new single Stylo…having said that, THIS VIDEO IS NUTS!! Bruce Willis!??! What?!?! No more 2D Gorillaz, its 2010 and seems like the Gorillaz are stepping things up and getting with the times. The video has made me rethink my appreciation for Stylo and although I still do not consider it as one of the best songs of this year so far, it is definitely far from the worse. What do you guys think of the video?

Never intended to post Stylo but since the video is so awesome, I am forced to share the song. Here is Stylo from Gorillaz upcoming LP Plastic Beach dropping March 9th.

Gorillaz – Stylo (Feat. Bobby Womack & Mos Def)
Download audio file (01-Stylo-Feat.-Bobby-Womack-Mos.mp3)

The band’s third studio album, titled Plastic Beach, will be released on 3 March 2010 in Japan, 8 March 2010 in the United Kingdom and 9 March 2010 in the United States

Gorillaz – Superfast Jellyfish (Feat. Gruff Rhys And De La Soul) (Radio Rip)Download audio file (vrk5d7s7jp.mp3)

[via]