Author Archives: michelleg

[TMN PREMIERE] Kid Astray – The Mess (Casiokids Remix)

Posted by michelleg - July 9, 2013

photo by Jon Dahl

All the way from Norway, Kid Astray come bearing gifts of the indie pop kind. The six-piece collective are relative newcomers to the music scene and their name might not ring a bell with readers just yet, but with shimmery and sweet, swoon-worthy singles like “The Mess” (off their debut EP, Easily Led Astray — out today), we’re willing to bet you’ll be hearing a lot of them literally any minute now. In the meantime, we’ve got a cool remix to offer up courtesy of another Norwegian group that knows how to piece together a good ole’ pop song: Casiokids. Though their last album was 2011’s Aabenbaringen over aaskammen (a record worth revisiting, we might add), here they sound fresh as ever, kicking up the energy and plugging in some extra sunny dance vibes for a rework that’s all fun and no filler. Throw it on that beach, BBQ or roadtrip playlist and you’re totally made. Enjoy.

’Kid Astray – The Mess (Casiokids remix)’

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’The Mess’

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[Dream Pop] Young Hunting – Hazel LP

Posted by michelleg - June 6, 2013

Young Hunting [LA]
Maze

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Last year, we introduced you to Young Hunting and their slick, magnetic style of dream pop. Their standout track at the time, “Maze”, commanded our attention immediately, and, ever since then, we’ve made it our business to keep an eye on the West Coast band.

Now, almost a year later that song is still fresh in our minds (yes, it has that kind of staying power), so much so that we’re posting it here again. But the biggest news to come out of the Hunting camp is that they’re gearing up to release a brand new record featuring the aforementioned tune as well as eight other like-minded charmers. Titled Hazel, it’s due out on June 11th via Bay Area label Gold Robot Records, and courtesy of our friends at HypeMachine, is streaming in its entirety right now! Check it out — it’s sure to be an album to soundtrack many of summer’s pool parties and epic hangs.

Listen to Young Hunting’s Hazel album here.

[Acoustic] Disclosure – Latch ft. Sam Smith

Posted by michelleg - May 13, 2013

If you’re like us, you’ve probably looped Disclosure‘s “Latch” track to the point of record-scratching — it’s a stellar jam and one that’s pleasantly led to the UK duo’s generous amount of press coverage as of late. But all the credit can’t go to the production; Sam Smith‘s impassioned vocals are impressive in their own right and with this acoustic version, flushed with beautiful string and piano work, we get to see just how impactive his voice really is. He’s emotional, but so commanding at the same time. Treat yourself below, and be sure to revisit the original, too.

’Latch (Acoustic Live)’

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Original “Latch”:

’Latch ft. Sam Smith’

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[Album Stream] She & Him – Volume 3

Posted by michelleg - May 1, 2013

She & Him
Never Wanted Your Love

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The cutesy, ever-catchy duo She & Him are gearing up to release their brand new album, Volume 3, on May 7th via Merge Records. We gave you a sneak peek of the LP with “Never Wanted Your Love” (above), but if that track’s not enough sweet vintage pop for you, fear not, dear ninja, as the whole record is streaming more than a week before its official release, courtesy of NPR. Enjoy.

Stream She & Him’s Volume 3.

Alternative/Rock

Jhameel x DWNTWN x Giraffage – Move Me

Posted by michelleg - May 1, 2013

Jhameel x DWNTWN x Giraffage
Move Me

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Most of the artists involved in “Move Me” — and it’s a bit of a star-studded bunch — have graced The Music Ninja’s pages in the past, so posting this was a bit of a no brainer. (Plus, the track is part of a compilation put out by well-regarded French label Kitsuné!) Jhameel, DWNTWN and Giraffage come together for a real pleaser, full of cooing vocals and lush, sparkly production. And when the chorus descends upon you, it’s almost like being wrapped up in the many folds of a velvety blanket — its warm charm is nearly inescapable.

Download “Move Me” and the entire Kitsuné AMERICA 2 MiniMix by Jerry Bouthier here.

Electronica

[TMN Premiere] Viceroy & French Horn Rebellion – Friday Nights (Jessie Andrews Remix)

Posted by michelleg - April 30, 2013

Viceroy & French Horn Rebellion
Friday Nights (Jessie Andrews Remix)

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Earlier in the month we hipped you to Viceroy and French Horn Rebellion‘s funky “Friday Nights”, a nu-disco tune so catchy it makes every day feel like a crazed, boozy jumping off point to the weekend. The collaborative pair will soon release a remixes EP, and it’ll include this awesome rework by Jessie Andrews, a Los Angeles DJ and actress. Andrews strips away the funk, instead nicely replacing it with crunchy, spiraling effects that’ll take you on a few dizzying loops and powerful buildups that might leave you more than a little floored. The remix imagines the original as a thrilling house track and gives us yet another reason to scuffle up the dancing shoes. Check it out above.

[Awesome] Daughter – Get Lucky (Daft Punk Cover)

Posted by michelleg - April 28, 2013

Daughter
Get Lucky (Daft Punk Cover)

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This weekend, folk trio Daughter take on “Get Lucky”, the ubiquitous new comeback single by Daft Punk (whose official artwork is above). It’s exactly what you might expect, in the most unexpected way, and a definite “must listen”. Check it out.