Brenda Bennett - OK Enough

I don't necessarily think that we settle as much as we think we do, we merely rise to the circumstances of our situation and become fine with the outcomes in life. Sometimes we need a reminder that it's perfectly fine to not get everything in life that we thought we would. It may not be exactly the turnout we expected but that's okay too. Brenda's voice is amazing in this video. Her timeless vocals prove that you don't have to be young and scantily clad to make amazing music. You don't have to shake your ass to be relevant. Music documents different areas and times in our lives so having someone make amazing music at any stage of their life is a gift we should be thankful for. I have always been a fan of Brenda's ever since Vanity asked her how they were going to get to the party.  She makes me very happy and sings the songs that we need to hear on the days when the world isn't going our way.

Leagues - Alone Together Sampler

We are going to call this a sampler of what's to come off their new album, Alone Together, that drops on September 9, 2016 and if this is what we can expect then the whole album is going to be crazy. These 3 songs are full of electro-synthy goodness that just exemplifies the awesome music that Leagues are able to conjure up with ease. The way Thad's vocals seamlessly work in conjunction with the production work done on the tracks is gloriously effortless. You can hear the palpable chemistry these guys have and a love for the music they are creating.

"Lipstick Coffee" kicks off this playlist and it has this "grunge-y, sitting down on your heels, making a stank face" vibe to it. The bass line and the percussion takes the track and pushes it forward in an almost military like precision. The guitar solo is nuts. The progression of the song is just grimy and good. It is one that deserves to be listened to on repeat. It's such a cool fucking song. I am really, really enjoying this more than I have a lot of songs of late.

"Dance With Me" is a little more straight-forward. It's more indie pop and less an experimental dance pop/indie fusion. I think that it's a solid departure from what you had just heard in "Lipstick Coffee". It has a bit of retro new wave how the build up to the first chorus is designed. There is a bit of nostalgia wrapped up in it. You can maybe hear some Tangerine Dream or maybe a little OMD in the DNA of this song. It shows a versatility that still showcases Thad's vocals and Jeremy's production/programming/general all around badassness in a way that is intriguing and pushes you further into wanting to know more about what they have up their sleeve. It makes me close my eyes and just sink into the groove.

"Slow and Steady" is yet another facet of the gift they are trusting us with. Much more melodic and vulnerable, this song seems to work along it's own methodic pacing. It's a bit softer and more introspective. It's less synth heavy and Thad's vocals really shine as you're focusing on what he's saying and really digging deep into how they have power to make you feel different things with each offering.

I honestly can't wait until this album comes out. Their debut album, 'You Belong Here' is one that is never too far out of my own personal rotation. I think these two guys make a helluva team and they make incredible music.  I want to see them do HUGE things because they can. And can we just talk about that cover art for a second. These are two dead sexy dudes with an incredible glint in their eyes for mischief and shenanigans. I applaud the art director for deciding on this for the art.

Also, preorder the album here and get a free download of these three tracks and "New Money"!!

Adore Delano - Dancing on My Own (Robyn Cover)

So Adore took a song that was already heart-wrenching, slowed it down and made it even more mournful. The unrequited feelings of love, loss, and heartbreak are all carefully executed in her version of Robyn's song. The emotion she's able to inject into this cover is ridiculous and to think that she's not a super star is mind boggling. If she were to release a proper cover of this song, I would buy it in a heartbeat. This is truly an amazing performance.

MisterWives - Not Your Way

Generally I don't blog about the bigger acts but I adore MisterWives and this video is just fun. It's got a cute concept and is very well put together. I don't want to distract too much from the video, just know that it's easily one of my favorites that I've seen in a while.

SelloRekT/ LA Dreams - IRIS

Take the intro of  Michael Jackson's 'Bad' turn it on it's side and make it a little more sinister and you've got Iris by SelloRekT / LA Dreams. One of the cooler synth instrumentals I've heard in a while, this track would fit into any 80s noir film or show when the shit was getting ready to hit the fan. It's dark and twisty. It's slow, methodical pacing makes you a bit uneasy and I think that any movie that would have a dark cloak and dagger style plot would definitely benefit from a track like this. It's got an ambivalent ambiance that makes you look over your shoulder a bit to make sure you aren't being followed.  It's a groovy track and another excellent example of what this genre of music can sound like.

Liquid Diet - Luminary

Sexy. Sinister. Seductive. Alliteration aside, the music video for the first track off New York based, electro trio Liquid Diet's new album is one that may make you gasp. The track is a departure from the high camp that we've become accustomed to with Liquid Diet as it tends to have a bit more mainstream appeal while never stepping fully away from what they do best. Georgia's vocal delivery on this song is dreamy and commanding while never being overpowering. She's in control throughout the song and guides you where you need to go. If you close your eyes and just listen to the song, it's an evocative sensual trip from start to finish. The tempo, the build up, the way the synth is laid down, there aren't any mistakes that I hear in this track. It makes you want to go back and listen to it again and I think that's the power of a well written song.  It pulls you in, spins you around and shakes up your ideals for the length of the track and makes you want more. You want the song to stay with you and the way that Georgia's voice leads you through this adventure certainly does the trick. She's mesmerizing and I think it's safe to say that she is one of the more compelling vocalists in the industry. She makes me think of Dale Bozzio or Aimee Mann or Debbie Harry with the choices she makes in her delivery.

"Luminary" is a stunning example of what can be done when you do it on your own. The video is really amazing. It's sexy. It's got a quality to it that makes you feel a bit uneasy. You are concerned for Georgia and in the same breath you want to know more about her and her mystery suitor. Has she escaped some nefarious play for power that would have left her at his mercy or was she in control and held the power the whole time? Is she a disenfranchised socialite trying to see how the other half lives? Is she an Eliza Doolittle character and has been swept away to something grander than she would have otherwise been privy to? What are the ties to the Illuminati? Was she going to be held against her will if she wasn't able to escape? I think this is a great example of storytelling that makes you want to know more about the narrative. The styling and the choice to shoot it in black and white were amazingly well thought out and it is just a great video that they should be very proud of. Jonathan and Georgia are gorgeous in their respective rights. Jonathan has a terrifying seriousness to him that makes him sexily damaged in a very dangerous way. Billy as the chauffer/man servant is executed with a precision only he could pull off and manage to look a bit deranged but stylish and sexy as well.

I am a huge fan of this group because they don't play by any rules other than their own. You like them or you don't. They aren't pandering to the crowd because they can. They are making art and music because it's important and they have something that needs to be said. I'm a bit biased because I am such a fan and want amazing things to happen to these guys. So watch the video, share it on your social media and then get ready to buy their album, "Double Life" when it comes out on September 9th. Then come back here to hear my thoughts on the album when it's released.

The album is available for pre-order -- if you order now, you get to download "Luminary" instantly! https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/double-life/id1144351208