Five things you must listen to!

Somebody Who – Au Revoir Simone

This is the standout track from Au Revoir Simone’s new album. Her girlish, echoic vocals are carried forward by a bold, unapologetic, striding beat and understated synth notes. It’s a very danceable track, but effortlessly cool and casual – the whole time she sings about needing “somebody who . . .” but she sounds tantalisingly, intriguingly indifferent. You get the feeling that you’re the one who’ll end up coming to her.

Golden Light – STRFKR

I have been a huge fan of STRFKR and their bittersweet, driving, lingering melodies for a long time, and their latest album certainly does not disappoint. All of it is great, but Golden Light is particularly striking. Moody, brooding bass slowly marches the song onward, providing the perfect background for very surreal, elegantly timed synth accents. The combined effect of these creeping entrances suddenly breaks into a distant, lost-sounding vocal. It’s the type of song you lose yourself in and want to last forever.

Stand On the Horizon – Franz Ferdinand

Stand On the Horizon, out of Franz Ferdinand’s solid new album, is always stuck in my head lately. Carrying elements of the more glamorous, dance-punk sound of the days of Do You Want To, the song’s slight campiness is balanced out by dark, determined bass riffs and a dreamy, alluring string section that makes its subtle entry towards the end as Kapranos beckons towards the North Sea. It’s dance-y but sulky – Franz Ferdinand always get this combination just right.

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Notorious Insanity (Flight Facilities Mash-Up) – Jamiroquai vs. Notorious B.I.G.

Flight Facilities decided to make a mash-up of two hits from 1996, and the result is a remarkably smooth, modern-sounding number. The piano track from Virtual Insanity works its magic on the aggressive Notorious B.I.G. rap, toning it down and truly updating it. A great, unique tune to chill out to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H8Kcrr4rjQ

Warm Water (Snakehips Remix) – Banks

This is a wonderfully flirty track. Its sound is essentially is an updated, slick, relaxed version of the feel-good effect of the distinctive 1970’s influence on popular music of the 1990’s. London-based duo Snakehips adds a pleasant, summery-sounding organ to compliment Banks’ sultry, alluring vocals, and manipulate the beat so that the final package is something fun, light-hearted, and very danceable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z09EMhsFRuI