Some Highlights for 2011 Part 4 (in no order)

12. Lykke Li - "I Follow Rivers"
A beautiful film clip for the second single from Li's Wounded Rhymes album. I love this - the video is amazingly stark and emotive, and showcases the sophisticated electronic/pop aesthetic that permeates her 2011 release. Li balances highly accessible melodies and danceable rhythms on this album, with a darker sound that at times references the American South and spiritual music (Hammond organs, handclaps, fast tremolo guitars, tribal drums - see: Get Some, Youth Knows No Pain). Equally a softer side is exposed with reaching ballads like Love Out of Lust and Sadness is a Blessing.

Gig Bite: Andrew Keoghan

Wednesday 21st December, 2011

I was invited along by some friends last night to see Andrew Keoghan play at the newly refurbished Q Theatre in the Auckland CBD. Arriving at the gig with fresh ears to his music, I was surprised to find that Keoghan's stunning arrangements and soulful voice gripped me so immediately.

Koeghan makes use of live looping and layering to construct intricate landscapes piece by piece, with an instinctive consideration for timbre and dynamics. He's joined by Chris O'Connor on percussion - a more skillful and apt addition there is not - whose innovative approach results in a broad tapestry of sound to compliment the folky/arty/pop that is Andrew's music.

Fresh: Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire - "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)"

Check out the beautiful new video for Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains). Interactive one here! Gotta get my camera working for the dance bit...

Some Highlights of 2011 Part 3 (in no order)

9. Sparkadia - "The Great Impression" (album)
I remember seeing Sparkadia play at Ric's bar in Brisbane following the release of their 2008 album Postcards. Anyone who has been inside this tiny venue can vouch for the lack of elbow room, and that night was no exception - Triple J had played Sparkadia's single Morning Light quite a bit, and combined with free admission, Ric's was bursting at the seams. The Great Impression is a mature and sophisticated extension of the band's 2008 sound, with Alex Burnett taking full control of the reigns this time around. The singles Talking Like I'm Falling Downstairs and Mary show a deeper, and in many ways, darker turn with haunting bell chimes, staggering rhythms and pleading and insecure lyrics. China is a bit more playful and tickles that summery bone of mine, but still addresses themes of fragility and deep emotion.

Some Highlights for 2011 Part 2 (in no order)

5. New Navy - "Zimbabwe"
Like an old engine just started, the weather in New Zealand is still struggling to warm up but I started looking for summer tunes early this year (probably in June, realistically). I heard New Navy's Zimbabwe on JJJ's online stream and have had it on rotation quite a bit.

Some Highlights of 2011 (in no order)

1. Black Keys - "Lonely Boy"
As a long-time follower of these guys I'm really quite pleased to see the direction they're going. I remember resisting the step-up in production values (what can beat a basement recording of the sweetest blues?), but I am now a happy convert. As a music video: amazing.

Friday Finds: Ben Howard

I came across Ben Howard's Old Pine earlier this year but hadn't dug any deeper into his catalogue until now. His debut album Every Kingdom, released in September, holds some really great tracks - I'm pleased to now be giving it a proper listen. Harking back to the acoustic guitar heroes of the 60s-70s (see John Martyn, Nick Drake, a bit of Bert Sommer), Howard remains rooted in today's folk-rock context by incorporating some impressive production ideas, beautiful harmonies and extended orchestration.

Phantogram - "Don't Move"

There's so much to love about this track: the production, the layered and spacey vocals, that great sample, the handclaps. Suffice to say this rated highly on a recent road-trip mix.

Artist: Lykke Li

Lykke Li - "I Follow Rivers"

Only bloody recorded on the moon!

SBTRKT