Keepin’ It Classy: $90 Off Lisa Curran’s Chic (Not Skimpy) Swimwear
Just because it’s swimsuit season doesn’t mean you have to resort to a barely-there bikini. Don’t get us wrong — you…Read More
Shop It NowThis Is Our Jam: How To Dress Well, "Ocean Floor For Everything"
Over the past few years, Tom Krell, under his How to Dress Well moniker, has taken an obsession with ‘90s R&B and morphed it into his own decayed pop universe. “Ocean Floor For Everything,” the first single from his upcoming new record, Total Loss, sees How to Dress Well streamlining his songwriting and taking a step closer to the music that inspired the project in the first place. Using synths that sound uncannily similar to the MIDI tones of Mario 64’s water worlds, How to Dress Well creates his own spectral aquatic landscape where shadowy vocals get lost in the tides. It’s romantic in a removed, lovelorn sort of way, and makes us think of what a mer-couple might put on the radio in their most intimate of moments, or a Boys II Men slow jam beamed to the bottom of the sea.
How To Dress Well—Total Loss
"Ocean Floor For Everything"
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This Is Our Jam: MS MR, "Hurricane"
MS MR is the sort of Internet-age pop project that begs to be blogged about, (proof positive: this post). It has all the key narrative ingredients — anonymity, sexuality (their name may well refer to the duo’s male and female halves), and the compelling imagery to back up their sound. And the new video for “Hurricane,” which has been splattering the web with its rapid-fire visuals, plays like A Clockwork Orange’s brainwashing machine with the dial flipped to “NOSTALGIA.”
However, MS MR has a soul that transcends the sensory assault and curated presentation that Tumblr perpetuates — and also, good songs. “Hurricane” is their best release yet, with its Florence and the Machine-like power and militant drum backing, but tracks like “Bones” also hint at the depth of the project. If we take “Hurricane” as an analogy for the Internet's hype machine, the most important takeaway isn’t the schizophrenic video, but rather, the lyrics: “Welcome to the inner workings of my mind” the Ms half of the band sings, which is quite the human commentary on all this digital ephemera.
MS MR
"Hurricane"
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Kreayshawn Serves Up Breakfast And Kreay-Kreay Antics In This New Vid
We’re not going to lie: We kinda-sorta expected Kreayshawn to join the ranks of the one-hit-wonder club. Hey, can you blame us? Sure, her tunes are catchy, but staying power? We're not so sure.
Well, Kreayshawn’s attempting to prove us wrong on that note. The Oakland native is back at it with a brand-spankin’-new single and a sophomore album slated for August 14. The video for her new jam, titled "Breakfast," is executed in true Kreayshawn form: Mildly toe-tapping beats, a wardrobe courtesy of Party City, and zany lyrics.
While we’re not counting down the days to the LP's release date, we will admit that "Breakfast" is a tad more grown-up than the Kreay we’re used to seeing. She’s swapped out the Minnie Mouse ears for an apron. So...that’s something, right? Check out Kreayshawn’s new diddy above and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Video: Via Kreayshawn
This Is Our Jam Premieres: Listen To Lemonade's Entire Sophomore Album, Diver, Here
When we got our first taste of Lemonade’s sophomore record, Diver, it was the R&B-infused synthpop of “Neptune,” a steelpan slow jam that hinted at new depth (no pun intended) for the Brooklyn trio. Now, we (along with Hype Machine) exclusively have our hands on the rest of the album, and it offers a further-expanded take on Lemonade’s island-pop sound, incorporating tastes of Balearic house, new wave, and Prince-indebted pop. “Softkiss” has an ‘80s prom vibe that Molly Ringwald would have happily twirled to, while “Vivid” glides with ominous synths that melt into a darker Mediterranean melody. If Diver sounds like an album tailor-made for upcoming beach parties, that's because Lemonade seem to draw from faded memories of Ibiza trips past to set the mood. It's the soundtrack to that perfect summer that you've already experienced, and want to relive again. Stream Diver in its entirely below, and pick it when it hits stores May 29, on True Panther.
This Is Our Jam: HEALTH, "Tears"
When HEALTH toured with Nine Inch Nails a few years ago, there was a lot of talk about how Trent Reznor’s industrial project might influence the L.A. noisemakers. As it turns out, the parallels between the groups have been greater than expected, with HEALTH following Reznor into the world of soundtrack composition. While Max Payne 3 isn’t exactly The Social Network, Rockstar’s videogame still gives HEALTH a palate to expand their music, both toward extended textural pieces and industrial rockers.
The first single from the soundtrack is “Tears,” a throbbing loop-driven piece of noise-pop that behaves something like a starker, less dancey version of “USA Boys,” the band’s original contribution to the DISCO2 remix album. The track’s tightly mechanical rhythm is offset by droning, groaning synths, while trademark ghostly vocals hang like a cool mist above the fray. It’s a great track without the videogame tie-in, but given the context it was written for, “Tears” fortunately works well for watching computer-generated heads explode in slow motion. Then again, so does pretty much everything else they've recorded.
HEALTH—Max Payne 3 Soundtrack
"Tears"
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Photo: Courtesy of HEALTH
RIP Donna Summer: The Disco Diva Has Left The Building
Last week, we were blown away by Adam Yauch's passing, and now we are truly saddened at the loss of another musical icon, Donna Summer. The diva (who practically invented the "D" word) lost her struggle to cancer this morning in Florida, leaving behind a rich legacy — we credit her with defining disco style, modern dance music, and what it means to be a fierce vocal performer. Donna, no one left your cake out in the rain, and you will live on in clubs, our iPods, and hearts for time immemorial. (TMZ)
This Faux (And Completely Spot-On) Coachella Lineup Is A Hoot!
Yes, our brows have been beyond furrowed by tomorrow's sure-to-be mad dash for passes to next year's Coachella, sans even a hint of who will be headlining. But, we're glad to see someone can poke some fun at the organizers' hubris with this recently leaked phony poster. We have been LOLing all morning over the fictitious festival call-out, and had to share.
We'd have to say from last year's (err, this year's) shenanigans, our top headliners would have to be No Cell Service, Being Broke For The Rest Of April, Forgetting Where You Parked (oh the stories we could tell!), and yes...despite it all, Fond Memories.
What are your can't-miss acts on this oh-so-true satirical lineup? Please do share your polo-field woes below! (Laughing Squid)
Photo: Via Laughing Squid
This Is Our Jam: Tomas Barfod, "Broken Glass"
Rarely does a song’s title so literally describe its sound, but Tomas Barfod’s “Broken Glass” does indeed sound like exactly that. Barfod is the drummer for WhoMadeWho, who’ve been making danceable Danish indie for nearly a decade. For his solo work, Barfod turns inward, leaving behind the maximal sounds of that group for intricately programmed synths and thoughtful techno. “Broken Glass” features singing contributed by WhoMadeWho bandmate Jeppe Kjellberg, made unrecognizable as it melts in the same way an image might when refracted by a warped window. Barford even samples actual breaking glass, as if to illustrate that a human voice can only be bent so far. The track is paired with a nicely shot video starring a young woman lazing about a warmly lit room, before things take a turn for the extreme.
Tomas Barfod—Salton Sea
"Broken Glass"
All music is for sampling purposes only. Please go out and buy the artists' records. If you would like for us to remove a track, please email us at feedback@refinery29.com.
Pretty-Girl Rock: 5 Female-Fronted Bands That Bring The Jams & Glam
If you ask us, 2012 is shaping up to be a stellar year for female-fronted bands. The OG of pretty-girl punk, Shirley Manson and her band, Garbage, are slated to release a new record (so major!). On top of that, the perpetually stunning Gwen Stefani announced that No Doubt would be dropping a new album, too. Are you catching our drift? So many exciting things happening for our fave singing sisters.
These ladies, and countless others before them, prove that women are on top of their game (duh), can jam out with the best of them, and tend to look damn good doing so. Who said you can’t wear pumps and pretty dresses while headbanging, or shred the guitar without smearing your lipstick? Here are five bands (including a few local stars) that bring the beats and sport some serious style — get ready to blare these acts on the reg. They're that good!
These ladies, and countless others before them, prove that women are on top of their game (duh), can jam out with the best of them, and tend to look damn good doing so. Who said you can’t wear pumps and pretty dresses while headbanging, or shred the guitar without smearing your lipstick? Here are five bands (including a few local stars) that bring the beats and sport some serious style — get ready to blare these acts on the reg. They're that good!
This Is Our Jam: Amalie Bruun "Siren"
You’re likely aware of New York via Copenhagen musician Amalie Bruun, even if you don’t know you know her. For starters, she plays in indie pop band Minks, who toured with Dum Dum Girls, and released last year’s quite-good, By the Hedge. She’s also an actress who was featured in the SNL Lonely Island parody video “Jack Sparrow” (you know, the one with Michael Bolton), where she played “Jenny” to “Forrest Gump.” Oh, and Bruun starred in a Chanel commercial that Martin Scorsese directed. Not bad. Yet it wouldn’t be nearly as impressive résumé if Bruun’s solo music wasn’t so good in itself. Fortunately, Amalie Bruun’s latest single, “Siren,” from the upcoming CRUSH EP, is a great addition to her oeuvre. The track mixes ‘90s alt rock guitars with dream pop vocals, and manages to sprinkle in just a hint of goth. Seeing how prolific Bruun has been thus far, we imagine that we’ll be hearing more from her quite soon. Check out the darkly beautiful video below.
Amalie Bruun—CRUSH EP
"Siren"
All music is for sampling purposes only. Please go out and buy the artists' records. If you would like for us to remove a track, please email us at feedback@refinery29.com.
Photo: Manolo Campion/Amalie Bruun
Florence Rocks A.C., Is Just As Theatrical As You Think...But More So
We wouldn't expect Florence + The Machine and Atlantic City to have much in common beyond their love of sequins, but after seeing Flo' shake it out on stage at the Borgata this past weekend, we stand corrected.
Not only was the impressive yet intimate casino stage an awesome setting for her emotive performance, but the A.C. crowd was just as cool and dedicated as any other, hanging on every note and begging for an encore (she obliged).
And what better way for Florence to end the American leg of her tour than by twirling dramatically across the stage in a sparkly black cape over a floor-length ball gown... barefoot? Of course we were mesmerized by her performance-art-meets-opera-meets-rock-meets-dream-sequence set and have all the up-close pics you'll need to feel like you were there, too. Click through, play your favorite Florence tune, and fall in (Cosmic) Love.
Photos: Courtesy of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Photos: Courtesy of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Crazy Early: Coachella 2013 Tickets Go On Sale THIS Thursday
We’re sure many of you are still staggering around in a post-Coachella haze (we know we are). Do you feel like it was just yesterday that you were jamming out in Indio to the beats of your fave bands (and one Tupac hologram)? Um, that’s probably because it practically was (more accurately, it was a little over a month ago). And as quickly as the mega-music fest came and went — it’s back again (kind of).
Next year’s dates have already been announced (April 12-14 and April 19-24), and tickets go on sale this Thursday. Wowza! They didn’t waste any time there, now did they? Early birds get on it, ‘cause we’re sure the tix are bound to sell out in flash — even though no word of a lineup has been uttered. We’re seriously still unpacking and detoxing from last month’s mayhem, and not sure we can wrap our minds around this insanely ahead-of-time announcement. Will you be snatching up your wristbands this Thursday? Tell us in the comments. (LAist)
Photo: Via LAist
Next year’s dates have already been announced (April 12-14 and April 19-24), and tickets go on sale this Thursday. Wowza! They didn’t waste any time there, now did they? Early birds get on it, ‘cause we’re sure the tix are bound to sell out in flash — even though no word of a lineup has been uttered. We’re seriously still unpacking and detoxing from last month’s mayhem, and not sure we can wrap our minds around this insanely ahead-of-time announcement. Will you be snatching up your wristbands this Thursday? Tell us in the comments. (LAist)
Photo: Via LAist
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