Guilty Pleasures...

I love me some pop. I'm not going to even lie about that. I have my favourite pop artists too. They're more to the soul side of pop, to be sure, but they're definitely pop - or RnB? I get confused where one ends and another begins most of the time.

I will post some of my all time favourite pop-style RnB songs in a little minute. But I thought I should mention that Ledisi's new album 'Pieces of Me' just came out (in the US - as if we ever get anything on time... bitter). I'm super pumped to hear it - but ZOMG, the video for the first single is beyond cheese! I love me some Ledisi, but this is some next-level ish that had me embarrassed to watch it, quite frankly. Ugh. You'll see.

Back to awesome pop RnB! I'm dancing around my living room right now! (If only in my mind) The actual lyrics to this song are somewhat disturbing... I can imagine a 1950's housewife singing these kind of lyrics, but not really applicable to life in 2011. But how infectious is it?!

I love this a capella version of Jazmine Sullivan's 'Love You Long Time'! Why she didn't put this track out as the lead single, I will never know. It's so much better than 'Holding You Down' or whatever.

Anyway. On another note. I saw Bridesmaid's the other day, so I'm in the mood to listen to this song, and maybe act out all the lyrics. Happy HUMP DAY!

MACULA explained...

So, I know I only write entries in this blog about every 6th blue moon, but I thought I should write one now. Spurred on in entirety by getting a comment on one of my previous blog entries (Blogger emails me about that stuff). You know, it's amazing because I still get notifications that people are 'previewing' interviews I did ages ago with various people... I wonder if it's just some person who works at 'internet' checking to see if the audio still works. General 'internet' maintenance and all that...

Anyway, speaking of audio, my boy, Romy Handley (AKA Whisper) and I recently recorded a track together. Our duo name is MACULA (the part of your eye that picks up colour. Neat, huh?) It will soon be available for download - when we have more tracks to put with it, in some kind of EP/single format. Anyway, if you feel like giving feedback, that is always welcome. It's a pretty simple melody and the vocals are less 'acrobatic' in nature and more chilllin' out, maxing and relaxing all cool. Lyrics are below, if you dig that kind of stuff. For now, I bid you adieu.

Hold Back (Never Hold Back) Rough Mix by mcwhisper

Verse 1

I hope you get to the places you want to

I hope you get through the struggle

And you still smile

If only all the words that were spoken were true

Even if they run away, run away, I'll still run to you

Chorus

Hold back, never hold back

There's only one place to go

Hold life, hold on so tight

There's still so much to know

Verse 2

So let go of all that would set out to harm you, walk light

show that beaming face to the masses on the way out

And I hope you know happiness, every single day

I hope that with every breath we can learn to say what really matters

(Chorus)

Bridge

How many time we wish we'd never fallen

But it seems we learn best when we fall

It's not always true that when we're down we get up stronger

Though we're lucky to get up at all

(Chorus)

Will Smith's tiny daughter is a pop star!

I actually think this is listenable! I was gonna hate, but have you seen how adorable this 9 year old munchkin is?! There's just no need for negativity here.

She also has a cool Jack Davey-inspired 'do, which makes me love the little one even more! Go on, listen...

Things I love

Here are a couple of lil' snippets of things that I think are pretty cool...

New video from Ms Dynamite (produced by DJ Zinc)

Erykah Badu's latest single, 'Window Seat', off her upcoming album

New Amerykah pt.2: Return of the Ankh

download 'Window Seat'

now you can listen to the show anytime, via mixcloud.com

My profile on mixcloud.com can be found by searching for GINGERmix. I'll be uploading (hopefully) a new playlist every week. Yay! I'm so excited to share all the amazing music that delights my eardrums on the regular. Thank you, Mixcloud.com, thank you very much!

Jess Harlen's video for her 2nd single, 'I Go', off her upcoming March release, 'Neon Heartache'. It's an interesting clip, and I like elements of it. I dig this song and clip more than 'Watch the Water'. Fo' sho'. See what you think...

Girly is Good Presents: GINGERmix VOLUME ONE

Well, it's been a couple of months between drinks, but I've finally managed to put together a little nugget of goodness for y'all to enjoy! It's a bit of a special one really, because it's the first of many compilations that I plan on putting out into the world over the next little while [read: until I get over it]. These special compilations that I am speaking of will include some of my most favourite tracks of the past month. Thusly, there will be a NEW GINGERmix each month! Hazaah! So, I thought January would be a great time to start!

I should say that these compilations will be a pretty much strictly X chromosome affair. The odd Y chromosome might pop up every now and then, but they're merely token ;-)

Alright, less talking - more tunes! Who features on this, the first compilation, you may or may not ask?! Read on, my good friend, read on...

PLAYLIST:

1. The Uncomfortable Truth - Nneka

2. Buck Ya Like a Billionaire - Shunda K Ft. Peaches

3. The World is a Beat - N'Dambi

4. Call Me - Tweet [TOKiMONSTA remix]

5. Drop Your Guard - Metals

6. God Bless Me - Natalie Storm

7. Letter to Left-Eye - Nina B

8. Summer - Muhsinah

9. Moonlight Delight - Nikko Gray ft. Gustavo Alfonzo

10. No Going Back (Acoustic) - Rox

11. Ten Strikes - O'Spada

12. Skanking in the way of Control - The Gossip [Nice Up remix]

13. So Bad - Class A Ft. Rachael Berry

...DOWNLOAD GINGERmix VOLUME ONE...

Class A - Fitzroy ~ PLUS ~ Polo Club

Class A has finally released her latest clip, 'Fitzroy'. Just wait till that breakdown... That's my shit!! She's got an EP in the works, so stay tuned. You'll be hearing more from this one. Apparently, this track was played on Triple J - snap!

The calibre of clips that are coming out of Aus at the moment is straight fire! Whisper, Jess Harlen (see those two below), as well as Polo Club (just beneath these words), and keep your eyes peeled for KillaQueenz new clip, which is yet to be released. These are the kind of clips that are fit to compete for air-time on an international level. I really hope this trend for quality continues.

Quadron: On Like Tron!

I want to move to any one of these countries: Denmark, Sweden, or Norway. I'm telling you, the soulful electronic music coming out of these parts is insane! This point is proven (again) by Danish duo, Quadron. I only learned about them today, but I feel like I should've always known - and I feel a little embarrassed that I didn't... At least I'm not alone in my feelings of inadequacy, it seems like every blog article I've read about Quadron, the author apologises for having slept on them! Well, let's start making up for our ignorance, shall we?

Check out their clip for 'Pressure', and why don't you cop a freebie of 'Horses'?! Other great tracks for me are 'Day' and 'Jeans' (Google ahoy!)

Oh, and have you heard Little Dragon's new album, 'Machine Dreams', yet? What are you waiting for??

Quadron on iTunes

Gør det!