Author Archives: Fiona Chiu

[Indie] Leo Stannard – Why Don’t We

Posted by Fiona Chiu - August 18, 2014

Leo Stannard
Why Don't We

That moment during your coffee shop session when you allow yourself to be distracted from your smartphone, and crooned to by the tune of a classical guitar and the husky voice of its owner instead – That’s the moment I have every time I hear Leo Stannard’s, “Why Don’t We”. With hints of Landon Pigg x John Mayer, the Leicester native brings out the light and shade in his vocals, putting listeners at sheer ease. It’s a challenging decision to determine which version of the track we like more, so we’ve supplied both acoustic and studio versions to remedy any possible remnants of stress you might have before the weekend.

The 18 year young, acoustic and indie singer/songwriter is currently unsigned, but rest assured that his status is merely temporary. Leo Stannard’s second EP Notions, featuring “Why Don’t We” drops on the 1st of October. Don’t miss it.

[Electronic] Hopium – Dreamers ft. Phoebe Lou

Posted by Fiona Chiu - July 20, 2014

•◊ Hopium ◊•
Dreamers ft Phoebe Lou

Soundcloud

The indefinite and beguiling Australian electro-double act, Hopium, first compelled listeners four months ago with their doleful debut song, “Cut.” This week, they follow with their second single, “Dreamers,” graced by the unearthly vocals of former Snakadaktal, Phoebe Lou. With a vaporous intro, swelling synths, and soft spoken outro, the track lends both a hopeful, yet bleak soundscape.

It’s said that when you’re strung out and high on hopium, you’re clinging on the hope that what you’ve invested in will be in your favor, even when all the odds are stacked against you; and that’s exactly how this track feels. Take a listen. Maybe you can relate, along with thousands of new fans.

[NEW] Lana Del Rey – West Coast

Posted by Fiona Chiu - April 16, 2014

Lana Del Rey
West Coast

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The music video for “West Coast” made its debut shortly after Lana Del Rey indulged thousands of fans at Coachella with her live premiere of the leading single off her forthcoming album, Ultraviolence. The track takes on a tantalizing sound, and offers a different turn from the leak of her unreleased number, “Meet Me in the Pale Moonlight.” Best of all, it winds down in tempo for a chorus, which is reminiscent of 80’s track, “Edge of Seventeen” by Fleetwood Mac‘s Stevie Nicks.

If you are as drawn to the track as we initially were, maybe it will take you a full minute before you realize that the music video loops. Not that it matters anyways. We’re pretty sure you’ll keep this track on replay for the majority of the day.

The anticipated release date of Ultraviolence is expected on May 1st, 2014.

Alternative/Rock

Lana Del Rey – Meet Me in The Pale Moonlight

Posted by Fiona Chiu - April 4, 2014

Lana Del Rey
Meet Me In The Pale Moonlight

Soundcloud

If you’re feeling trepidation at the possibility of enduring summertime sadness next season, we have some timely good news for you. A late 70s-inspired number written by the “Young & Beautiful” artist, Lana Del Rey, was released yesterday. According to her tweet to Prefix Magazine, “Meet Me in the Pale Moonlight” was written 4 years ago, which suggests that it won’t be featured on her forthcoming album, Ultraviolence. However, in her reply, she also reveals the title of her next single, named “West Coast”.

There’s less than a month before her album release -set to come out May 1st. So why not sway a little, and allow the moonlit night set in with the picturesque lyrics of the tune below.

[Indie Pop] Lykke Li – No Rest for the Wicked

Posted by Fiona Chiu - March 21, 2014

Lykke Li
No Rest For The Wicked

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“… I, I follow, I follow you, deep sea baby, I follow you…”

Sound familiar? With the innumerable remixes and covers for “I Follow Rivers” these past few years, it’s hard to remember that it’s been a long 36 months since we were enthralled by a honey of an artist, Lykke Li. The 28 year old Swedish beauty and singer introduced the first piece of her three-part work in 2008 with Youth Novels, followed by her second album, Wounded Rhymes back in 2011. She now returns with the new-fangled single, “No Rest for the Wicked” off her upcoming third studio album, I Never Learn. The track induces a deep cinematic vibe, leaving us to wonder and yearn for the story she will croon to conclude her trilogy, which began with her first two albums nearly six years ago.

We’ll learn the ending to her tale when I Never Learn drops in North America this coming May 6th. Meanwhile, we can piece together 2 of the 9 fragments.

Watch the release of the painstakingly exquisite video, “Love Me Like I’m Not Made of Stone”, and follow up with the lead single “No Rest for the Wicked.”

Dog in the Snow – Factory

Posted by Fiona Chiu - February 26, 2014

Dog In The Snow
Factory

Soundcloud

Black pepper on watermelon, and Sriracha on mangoes. Who would have ever thought that many of us would have a palette for combinations like that? Sometimes the coming together of unconventional things can create something new and frankly, quite pleasant – And that’s exactly how I felt about “Factory” after my first listen. The track immediately kicks off with an unusual introduction of eclectic sounds, which carry on in a nomadic fashion. Mildly outlandish? Yes. But it is exactly this eccentric composition that encouraged me to listen further, and made me a fan of “Factory”.

Dog In The Snow is UK native Helen Ganya Brown, with the support from Marie-Eve de Gaultier.

Grab a copy of Factory, out on Tidal Wave on March 3^rd. And if you fancy their distinctive sound as I do, you’ll be happy to know we have linked you to their music video below.

Alternative/Rock

[Alternative] White Sea – Prague

Posted by Fiona Chiu - January 24, 2014

’White Sea – Prague’

Soundcloud

’White Sea – They Don’t Know’

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That feeling you get when you hear a track that makes you think about how much you’d enjoy immersing in it at a concert – that’s the feeling I had during my first listen to “Prague“.

LA native White Sea, also known as Morgan Kibby, may not be new to the music scene, but her recent releases have definitely put her back in the blogosphere. In addition to singing and playing keys in indie band, The Romanovs, she shares production credits on two of M83′s albums, and most notably co-wrote “Midnight City,” “Intro,” and “Reunion.” The unification of Morgan’s lofty vocals and mixed alternative sounds in her solo project, White Sea, shares the same type of grandiose soundscape captured in M83’s tracks – the kind that can undoubtedly fill an entire stadium.

We can’t wait to hear what she releases next, but in the mean time, if you haven’t heard “They Don’t Know” yet, you should get on it.