Eli & Fur: "Tonight" + video

Three months ago I posted a tune by Eli & Fur, the popular DJ duo (and college friends) from London who are stepping out from behind the turntables and releasing their own songs. "Tonight" is their latest single out on their own label NYX Records. The girls know exactly what it takes to make memorable, booty-shakin' EDM.

[VIDEO] Jonny Pierce: "I Didn't Realise"

My future husband Jonny Pierce, lead singer of The Drums, is embarking on a solo career while The Drums take a breather. His debut album will be out in early 2013 and he's released the first track and video called "I Didn't Realise." It's an electronica-fused, blipped-out ditty which consists mainly of Jonny singing the refrain "I didn't realise" over and over. Not that it matters; I would do dirty, dirty things to this boy.

The Good Natured: "5-HT"

I was thrilled to see a brand spankin' new track from The Good Natured awaiting me in my email inbox today. TGN are one of my favorite new bands of the decade. To date they've released an excellent EP, Skeleton, and a smattering of equally excellent one-off tracks. A full-length debut is set for summer 2013 and "5-HT" is the first single from that upcoming release. The title refers to the chemical 5-HT also known as serotonin. Like their other tunes this one, produced by Richard X, is drenched is dark synths; it's a slow burner that's accentuated by Sarah McIntosh's riveting vocals.

Cher: "Woman's World"

It's been ten(!) years since Cher's last studio album Living Proof. Proof was her follow-up to 1998's extraordinarily successful Believe which gave the singer her biggest hit in her career. Perhaps you heard it once or twice that year. (She did, technically, release an album in 2000 called Not.Com.mercial which was sold exclusively through her website and was unavailable in stores.) 

After Living Proof, which yielded the minor hit "Song for the Lonely," she did the following: embarked on her never-ending Farewell Tour; released approximately 687 greatest hits collections; became besties with Kathy Griffin; made the dreadful film Burlesque; supported her daughter Chastity's gender reassignment surgery to become Chaz Bono; and played Vegas. Not.Nec.essarily.In.That.Order. 

Finally Cher is getting back to music. "Woman's World" -- a female empowerment anthem to the nth degree -- is the first single from her as-yet-untitled new album set for release in early 2013. The song was co-written by Matt Morris, Paul Oakenfold and Anthony Crawford. Cher can still belt it out but the production is uninspired and the hook is virtually nonexistent or even memorable. Perhaps it wasn't the best choice to reintroduce Cher to the masses but it's still great to have her back.

For the record, 2012 marks Cher's 50th anniversary in the music industry. She'll be 108 next May.

Lovebugs: "Cry Your Heart Out" (feat. Rykka)

Currently on tour in their homeland of Switzerland, Lovebugs can sure put a melody and hook together. They haven't blown up outside of Switzerland despite producing albums since 1994 and achieving enormous success there. Their latest, Life is Today, features "Cry Your Heart Out," a Roxette-esque rocker with vocal contributions by Rykka.

[MP3] Calvin Love: "Magic Hearts"

For better or worse whenever I hear the name Calvin I immediately think of Calvin Harris. You know, the guy who produced Rihanna's big hit where she sings "we found love in a homeless place"? Right. That guy. "We Found Love" by Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris Street Soup Kitchen. Anyway, Calvin Love is not Calvin Harris and thank heavens. C-Love, from Canada, has a punk rock background but there is nary a trace of punk on "Magic Hearts," his debut single from his album New Radar. It's much more infused with dream pop, electronica and sonically engineered vocal tricks. He also lists The Goonies and the zombie apocalypse as two of his other interests so clearly we would get along very well.

Veronica Falls: "Teenage"

"Teenage" is the first single from Veronica Falls' upcoming album Waiting for Something to Happen. It's more of their brand of jangle pop and delicate harmonies which proved irresistible on their first outing last year.

HYENA: "Sweet Lies" and "Never Enough"

Michael Cooper and Bryan Stratman of HYENA. Michael Cooper licked my nipple. True story.

I had an interesting conversation with Michael Cooper, the drummer of indie electro duo HYENA, earlier this month. Without giving too much away it involved a sweat-soaked t-shirt, smelling said t-shirt, pec flexing, nipple licking, dick measuring and ball size. Clearly we have lots in common. 

I wasn't familiar with the San Diego duo but they were opening for San Francisco band Nova Albion here in the city. They impressed me. I picked up their EP, which was being given away, and to my surprise I found that the studio recordings were much more mellow than the live performances. It's hard to say which versions are better. I've only experienced one of their lives performances but have listened to the studio recordings several times. Regardless, these boys are easy on the ears. "Sweet Lies" is moody electronica reminiscent of Royksopp, while "Never Enough" adds a touch of dubstep that even ardent foes of the genre would agree isn't offensive or unpalatable. And both tunes offer big, memorable hooks. 

Building Castles: "Ghost Town"

Mixing elements of rock, electropop and even a little rap, Building Castles has come up something effectively and appropriately (given the title) chilly and haunting. Perhaps it's the blistering air of the Alaskan tundra that's seeping into Building Castles' sound. That's where Orion Satori, the man behind Building Castles, resides. "Ghost Town" comes from Building Castles' debut EP which was released today. You can check out some of the other tunes on his SoundCloud and pick up a copy of the EP here.

[VIDEO] Cyndi Lauper: "Change of Heart"

Because you're never too old to relive your youth. (By the way that's the Bangles on the background harmonies.)

Everything Everything: "Kemosabe"

When Everything Everything's "MY KZ, UR BF" was released in 2010 it was like a revelation. While they had a couple other good songs on their debut album it left me largely unfulfilled. As did their first single "Cough Cough" from their upcoming new album Arc. I had all but given up on the four British lads when I decided to give "Kemosabe" a whirl. It was posted on their SoundCloud last week and in that time I've listened to it probably more than any other song I've encountered recently. It packs the same kind of punch as "MY KZ, UR BF." It's intricate, complex and full of little nuances; it's an aural house of cards and each part fits perfectly together.

[MP3] Mike and Cody: "Who Needs A Pulse?"

twerk like a zombie. that is all.

Edwin van Cleef: "Never Be Alone at Night" (feat. Gemini Club)

Dance.

Bjørn Johan Muri: "Even a Fool"

I got into the music blogging game for one reason and one reason alone: I had broken up with my boyfriend and I wasn't getting laid. Also, I love turning people onto new music. Stuff they would likely never hear. Like Bjørn Johan Muri. I've blogged about the Norwegian pop star, Norwegian Pop Idol contestant and Eurovision finalist before, way back in 2010 when his #1 hit "Yes Man" was popular in Scandinavia. "Even A Fool," his new single, is something that could easily -- and should be -- played on American radio. Will it? Doubtful. It's not complicated by any stretch of the imagination but it's majestic with a soaring chorus.

Be The Bear: "Coffee Kids"

The name Be the Bear sounds something like a 1970s nature-on-a-rampage cheap horror flick, while Coffee Kids is reminiscent of a modern day hipster indie rock band. But Be the Bear is actually a Nordic duo who have been getting quite a bit of buzz in Sweden where they're based. "Coffee Kids" is their newest single. It's a dark electropop gem that sounds like a great, lost one of the best Music-era Madonna songs she never recorded.

Wave Machines: "Counting Birds"

There is a gloomy sense of foreboding that permeates throughout Wave Machines' "Counting Birds," the first single from their upcoming new album Pollen. That's not necessarily a bad thing though it helps to be in the right mood to appreciate its muzzy, melodious splendor. It's a far cry from the funky, soulful pop of previous tunes like 2009's "Keep the Lights On," but the band sounds self-assured on "Counting Birds" and just a wee bit sinister. 

Ciara: "Got Me Good"

Eight years ago Ciara was white hot. She was everywhere, had a #1 hit ("Goodies") and helped to bring crunk to the mainstream (yeah, I still have no idea what it is either.) Then, like so many before, she was saddled with rumors of hermaphroditism and began a downward spiral. Now she's back, all dressed up and ready to begin another downward spiral. In the meantime she has her sights set on the reclaiming some of her former glory. She's releasing a new studio album, her fifth, called One Woman Army in 2013, and a second single from the album (since the first one was obviously a crunk-wide smash) called "Got Me Good." The single, written and produced by Rodney Jerkins, is actually pretty damn catchy. Ciara has never been the best singer but the song is suited for her vocals or vice versa. It's much more pop than R&B with some dance elements. What do you think of it?

Ciara - Got Me Good

The Mowgli's: "San Francisco"

Upon hearing The Mowgli's debut single "San Francisco," it's not that difficult to realize why iTunes recently chose it as their Single of the Week. It's infectious, harmonious, and an all-together feel-good experience. This too describes the city itself. And like all great songs and all great cities, they go through various incarnations. A much more stripped-down version (demo version?), apparently from over three years ago, is available on SoundCloud originally posted by the band's label. It's included below as is the grander-sounding, gregarious re-recorded single version.  

Update: the stripped-down version has been removed.