The Pass - "Without Warning"

The Pass is one of those bands that will forever be linked, in my memory at least, with We Listen For You. Perhaps because I first discovered them while attending We Listen For You's CMJ showcase or maybe because I then saw them again as the headliners of WLFY's Northside Festival showcase. One thing is clear though: Each time I saw them is pretty high up there with one of the most fun shows I've been to.

The Louisville foursome play the sort of music that everyone with even the slightest pop inklings should take note of. It's catchy, dance-inducing pop rock at its finest. They band are tight and their musical ideas are interesting. All in all, The Pass have certainly managed to earn their  place as one of my favorite live bands but with the release of their sophomore record Melt, they just might steal a slot in my favorite records of the year. At least judging from first single "Without Warning". 

"Without Warning" is a fun track that doesn't trade any musicianship to be so. There's a clarity of ideas that allows of easy consumption but it's by no means basic. It's an upbeat dance-pop jam where every part works toward making it one of catchiest, can't-put-down tracks in The Pass' catalog. If the rest of Melt is anything like "Without Warning" we should all be a little worried because it's all we'll be listening to. 

   Without Warning by The Pass 

Crystal Fighters release new video for "Champion Sound"

British folktronic dance band Crystal Fighters have certainly come a long way from the plotless "I Love London" with their brand new video for "Champion Sound". Though the premise is pretty standard: Boy meets girl; girl whisks boy away on a whimsical adventure - the way it's done is pretty nice to look at. As the boy sets up shop on a street to play for money, he's picked by a carload of colorful gypsy folk and sits next to the girl of his dreams. From there he's brought back to the gypsy den where the members of Crystal Fighters make up the house band for a sort of wacky gypsy dance party. And then the lines between fictional realities blur and you're not exactly sure what's actually happening. I won't spoil the ending for you, just watch the video to find out what I mean.

Lykke Li releases "Sadness is a Blessing" video

Lykke Li is no stranger to theatricality, as fans most likely saw in her Solarium and "Untitled" videos. And Lykke Li has some rather talented friends: Remember Swedish/Lebanese actor Fares Fares in "I Follow Rivers" video? Well in her latest video for "Sadness is a Blessing" she combines the two - her first music video to actually feature parts sans music features Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard as her father. Lykke Li plays Skarsgard's attention-grabbing rebel daughter who manages to shock a roomful of affluent dinner patron with her vodka guzzling and dancing. The video was directed by previous collaborator Tarik Saleh.

Enjoy the video for "Sadness is a Blessing":

Lykke Li - Sadness is a Blessing (Director Tarik Saleh) from Lykke Li on Vimeo.

Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes (2011)

Lykke Li hinted at a darker, edgier sound with the initial release of "Get Some", and the rest of her sophomore album Wounded Rhymes does not disappoint. The new album isn't just packed with dance-y pop tracks but throws in the occasional ballad ("Love Out of Lust") and even 60s doo-wop inspiration ("Unrequited Love", "Sadness is a Blessing"). As you listen, one thing remains clear: Lykke Li's new album is an album where she remains fully in control. Her lovelorn claims aren't insincere, rather it becomes apparent that she will love on her terms or not at all.

With Wounded Rhymes, Lykke Li makes it abundantly clear she's no pushover and come a long way from the cutesy crooning of "Dance, Dance, Dance". She's no longer too shy to speak her feelings but has harnessed the power of both her voice and her sexuality. Though there are some similarities between her first and second album in terms of format. At no point does her album become stale, instead when you think you know what to expect: she changes it up in a way that's boldly different and doesn't sound like it belongs on another album.

You can currently listen to the new album stream in full on Soundcloud and pre-order the new album at her website here. Wounded Rhymes hits shelves March 1st on her own LL Recordings.

Now Streaming: Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes

Almost a full week before its official release, Swedish siren Lykke Li is offering up her new album Wounded Rhymes for listening in full on Hype Machine and Soundcloud. What's most surprising about her decision to do so is that it happened at just about the same time she made her third track "Love Out of Lust" available for listening and download. Give Lykke Li's new album a listen:
Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes (Hype Machine Album Exclusive) by LykkeLi

Sleigh Bells release video for "Rill Rill"

Brooklyn noise pop duo Sleigh Bells recently released their latest video for "Rill Rill" and similarly to the video for "Infinity Guitars" is full of awesomeness. Despite "Rill Rill" basically being a slow jam, the duo still find a way to stuff some testosterone-fueled epicness. In the video, Alexis Krauss asserts her badassery by throwing partner Derek Miller, who's suffering from some head trauma, and his guitar out of her awesome car. Cut to scenes of Krauss in a classroom, and a bleeding telephone, and you've got a surprisingly interesting video. Enjoy the video for Sleigh Bell's "Rill Rill":

Crystal Fighters present new video

Turns out my discovery of Crystal Fighters was excellent timing because no less than 24 hours after, they released their brand new video for "At Home". The video has a plot which finds several of the band members meeting up after what appears to be a lengthy time period. There's different reactions from each member from eagerness, to anger, to grim acceptance. The plot is reminiscent of your standard summer blockbuster where the young group is bonded by a secret in this case eventually all gathering together to unearth a box they buried awhile ago.

Watch the video for Crystal Fighter's "At Home":

Pitstop: Crystal Fighters

Crystal Fighters might very well be the most unique band I've ever heard. The London-based Spanish invoking quintet combines Basque folk instruments with synthesizers to create folk-tronic dance-pop. It's a mash-up of so many genres it' almost hard to believe but Crystal Fighters does it very well. Whether the vocals are chanted, sung, or spoken, their melodies are as undeniable as the beats they create. Normally one who avoids club music there's something intriguing about them that compels you to listen. It's no wonder the group has played numerous musical festivals.

I'm not exactly sure what made Crystal Fighters request to follow me on Twitter (leading me to discover them) but I'm glad they did. Their music is refreshing in its newness and charming in its delivery. The band released their debut album Star of Love in October, you can listen to the full album stream here.

Get a peek at their distinct sound with "Plage":
Plage by Crystal Fighters

Watch: Lykke Li - "I Follow Rivers"

When she's not selling out shows worldwide, Swedish siren Lykke Li is creating art. After an untitled video where Lykke Li gets in touch with her primal side and savagely attacking the sand on a beach. The video for her second single from upcoming sophomore album Wounded Rhymes "I Follow Rivers", finds Lykke Li traversing the snowy plains of Gotland with Swedish Lebanese actor Fares Fares. Well more like chasing after him. Even going barefoot in the freezing snow to catch up to him. And when she catches up with him there's like a minute of kissing. After the super fem-powered "Get Some", it shows a softer side to the take no prisoners persona established in her past couple videos. And yet, even when she's comforting a man, barefoot in the snow, a steely glance at the camera reminds you that she's still no pushover. Enjoy the video for "I Follow Rivers":

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (Director: Tarik Saleh) from Lykke Li on Vimeo.

Lykke Li announces new album

Fresh off the release of her sultry "Get Some" single and video, Lykke Li offered up some album details. The new album entitled Wounded Rhymes will be out in early March (the end of February if you're one of those lucky devils in the UK) and promises to be much darker than her sweetly innocent 2008 debut Youth Novels. Sure, the album had the Swedish singer declaring her fiery passion and work ethic on "I'm Good, I'm Gone" and banishing a lovelorn lover in "Breaking It Up" but they were done in kind of a cutesy way and Lykke Li is over that. Her sophomore album, produced by Peter, Bjorn, and John's Bjorn Yttling and released on her own LL Recordings, will see a more grown up but still remarkably independent Lykke Li. Not surprising with lyrics like "I'm your prostitute and you gon' get some" off the single. In an interview with Pitchfork, Lykke Li expresses her desire to be de-categorized as a cute Swedish female singer and instead for people to focus on her lyrics and what she has to say, instead of her looks. Here's hoping, Lykke Li.

Check out the tracklist for Wounded Rhymes out Febuary 28th in the UK, March 1st in the US, March 2nd in Swedish, and worldwide the first week of March:

1. Youth Knows No Pain
2. I Follow Rivers
3. Love Out of Lust
4. Unrequited Love
5. Get Some
6. Rich Kid Blues
7. Sadness Is a Blessing
8. I Know Places
9. Ladies Love
10. Jerome
11. Silent My Song

She's also heading out on another worldwide tour (after playing the last of her sold out shows in December) in March. See if Lykke Li will be in a city near you here.

Sufjan Stevens releases dazzling "Too Much" video

When I first heard Sufjan Stevens' "Too Much" off his recent release The Age of Adz, I thought it sounded dancier than his standard compositions. In his video for the track, Stevens and some friends team up for some wacky dancing in the pseudo stop motion animated video. The video features some shapeshifting, eccentric fashion choices, and demon and Ronald Regan masks all thrown into a club like atmosphere with psychedelic colors and geometric shapes. Did I mention the eccentric fashion choices? Because there are a lot of them. But also wacky choreographed dancing. And everyone loves wacky choreographed dancing.

Watch Sufjan Stevens music video for "Too Much":

Lykki Li releases "Get Some" video

Following the recent free digital release of "Get Some", Swedish lovely Lykke Li is already serving up a video for it. The video for the steamy single features some footage from girl-power sci-fi black and white B-movies and Lykke Li dressed as an alien strangely remiscent of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" while performing some scary witchcraft.

Enjoy the eerie yet somehow sexy video of "Get Some":

Lykke Li - "Get Some"

Lykke Li makes good on her promises of new songs by releasing a brand spanking new single "Get Some". The song with its hypnotizing drum beat and burlesque swagger is a sexier Lykke Li than her debut Youth Novels might have lead listeners to believe but also seems a natural progression. Lykke Li focuses her drive and passion established in "I'm Good, I'm Gone" and "Breaking It Up" into a sultry, come hither display of power.

The single along with B-side "Paris Blue" are available for free download at Lykke Li's website here.

Listen to "Get Some":
Lykke Li - Get Some by radarmaker

Lykke Li releases short film and announces select shows

Sometimes artist do just that: make art. Swedish indie-pop artist Lykke Li starred in a recently released short film by Moses Berkson called Solarium shot in the desert. The film has Lykke Li being all lovely and doe-eyed dancing in a multitude of outfits, in addition to playing with mirrors and digging with shovels. The film is silent except for a primal soundtrack created by Lykke Li and Bjorn Yttling. Of the film Lykke Li says:

A major heart break and a post tour depression drove a very delusional LL out to the desert with some friends and a super 8 camera.

A major sun burn later, some shattered mirrors, I found myself, my ego, my thoughts, my expectations and my image to be a burden, hard to get rid of, if ever possible?

Silence my dear, let the images speak and listen to the sound of my broken drum.

How can one just be?

To celebrate, Lykke Li is playing a small number of tour dates where she promises to play a bunch of new songs:
Nov 1 Berlin, Germany - Heimathafen
Nov 2 Paris, France - La Maroquinerie
Nov 4 London, England - Heaven
Nov 8 Stockholm, Sweden - Kagelbanan
Dec 1 New York City, USA - Le Poisson Rouge

And proving that Americans love their quirky Swedish artists, her NYC tickets have already sold out within about a week of her announcing it. Damn.

Watch the short film here:

Watch - Sleigh Bells - "Infinity Guitars"

Some bands release music videos along with their singles before the actual album release but not Sleigh Bells and when you see their debut music video for "Infinity Guitars" you'll probably find yourself totally ok with the fact that their debut music video comes months after the album. The video, features a uniformed Alexis Krauss sporting a letterman jacket, fancy new car, and swinging a fear-inspiring bat. Combine that with Derek Miller's entrance playing the guitar, cheerleaders, and a pile of guitars on fire and you've got one awesomely badass video. They even throw in a street credible dog for extra measure. Enjoy Sleigh Bells' debut music video for "Infinity Guitars":

Sleigh Bells - Treats (2010)

A couple months ago I don't think I would've given Brooklyn duoSleigh Bells a chance. Being described as noise pop, electro-pop, even dance-punk would've been enough to keep me away but curiosity led to give them a listen. Sleigh bells for many denote that time of Christmas cheer of silence accompanied by the far-away tinkling of those characteristic yuletide bells that signify the coming of the red-suited jolly fellow. Well Sleigh Bells channels some of that cheer and also focuses on what happens when those bells aren't so far away and can be heard all year round. The genre names hardly do Sleigh Bells a service so I'll attempt to what it is they do exactly: Take equal parts of hip hop beats mixed with some hard-rock guitar and add Alexis Krauss' ethereal voice floating over and you have Sleigh Bells or their debut album Treats in particular. Clocking in at about 30 and some change minutes, it's a nonstop hit fest. There's so few albums nowadays where each song is as engaging, energetic, and done as the one that preceding it. "Tell 'Em", "Kids", and "Riot Rhythm" form this perfect album starting trifecta maintaining this arc of high energy and clustered sound before "Infinity Guitars" kind of comes down (but only a little bit) and there's suddenly a vacuum of space where you hear silence. "Run The Heart" continues to strip things down to their bare essentials allowing Krauss' voice unencumbered travel while some drums and effects tie it to the rest of the album's crash-bang sound. "Rachel" resembles at its core some sort of old school beach-pop song or lovelorn 60s girl group ballad. "Rill Rill", which samples Funkadelic's "Can You Get To That" is another balladic track; a sort of ode to high school days long passed. "Crown on the Ground" combines the smooth lyrical melodies that you could hear in the past couple of sounds with the busy banging-on-a-can effects that you heard in the album's first couple tracks. "Straight As", the shortest track on the album, is punky in both sound and energy and would fit seamless into a fight scene in a movie. "A/B Machines" is one of those tracks that if you started playing it randomly somewhere would have people turning there heads, start head bobbing, and break out dancing if they were truly adventurous. "Treats" closes the album with this epic end-of-the-video-game like foreboding complimented by Krauss' siren-like vocals.

Sleigh Bells is definitely one of those bands that defy explanation, the genre labels people have attached to them conjures of visions of poorly done dance music when in fact, Treats is dance-y while also remaining musical and interesting. I'm glad I was able to suspend disbelief long enough to find them and hope to hear much more from them. No official music videos exist for the band so instead enjoy this live video of Sleigh Bells performing "Crown on the Ground" at SXSW.