London Grammar - Nightcall

One of the most amazing parts of the movie Drive was the soundtrack.  Nightcall by Kavinsky was one of the songs on the soundtrack that just stood out as a phenomenal piece of music.  It fit the movie's tone and overall feeling fantastically.  It was deeply melodic and moody and a bit broken, just like the Driver.  So what happens if you strip the electronica away from it and add Hannah Reid of London Grammar's vocals.  It changes the song into something more than it was.  It becomes even more haunting and melodic.  Hannah has an incredible depth to her vocals that just hit you right in your feels.  I cannot recommend this cover enough.

Doug Repetti - Make the Most

There's a point when music stops being simply music and becomes something more.  Something inspiring, thought provoking, something that makes you stop what you're doing and listen.  It's magic when it comes together and doesn't seem like the artist tried.  When it's effortless and easy is when you know that something great has been created.  If it's laborious and overwrought then you have to wonder who the artist was trying to prove something to.  Doug Repetti is an artist that easily walks the line between musician and artist and he does it with such aplomb that you are simply taken aback by what he's created.  I've watched this video now over and over and each time I watch it, I get a sense of the headspace that he travels in.

The message is simple and elegant.  We are only here for a brief amount of time and in that time, it is our responsibility to make the most with what we're given.  It's our free will and our own individual motivations that drive us to do what we can with what we are given.  I think it sometimes takes someone reminding us of this when we actually look at our lives and say, you know...the small things that I've been sweating so hard...aren't that important after all. Now, I'm not saying that this video has made me reevaluate my life or make broad sweeping statements about how I'm going to change to be better, but it did make me say...hmmm.  Maybe I am stressing out about the wrong things.

Doug Repetti may not have an international following but he is someone that deserves a listen.  It's guys like him that don't take themselves too seriously and create art for the sake of creating art that make this a better place.

Lectrolips - NSA

When I first saw the title, I was thinking about all the controversy in the media lately over all the government meddling in sharing of information over the internet so I assumed the initials were National Security Agency.  It took less than 20 seconds to realize I was wrong.  This song is fantastic.  It's subversive without being sleazy.  It makes me want Lectrolips to tour with Liquid Diet.  It makes me dance. It makes me move. It's built in incredible levels.  If you just close your eyes and let it wash over you, it's a hell of an electro track.  It just makes you move.  If you listen to the lyrics, it's a bit cheeky and a bit camp.  It's expertly crafted, not a note missing or out of place.  Ant and Leo have created another brilliant track.  It's got a feel of a mixed media project with how the vocals are placed against the spoken portion.  I think I hear something new each time I listen to it.

I don't know how popular these guys are in the UK but I want them to be gigantic because they make great music.  It's quality work that makes you want to hear more.  They have a strong point of view and don't shy away from it.  That creates a desire for me to hear more and to want to throw money at them.

Jhameel - Fiesty

I've decided to take this blog in a bit of a different direction.  From now on, my posts aren't going to be about quantity.  It's going to be about inspiration.  I only want to write about artists that inspire me.  That being said, if you've followed this blog for any length of time, you know what a fan of Jhameel I've become.  He just had a successful kickstarter for his next project and I was one of the first backers ponying up my cash to make sure he succeeded.  So as a tease/fantastic marketing move, he's released the first video from the album and it's Jhameel doing what he does best.  Be himself.  It's a fantastic song and it's got a bit more of an urban feel, I mean since he is rapping in it but damn he does a helluva job doing it.  It's sexy and it's easy and you just slip into it and let him do his thing.  He's probably the best artist in the past 5 years that you don't know about.  Trust me.  I know what I'm talking about.  He's amazing.  You're doing yourself a disservice by not being a fan.

Johnny Stimson - Daddy's Money

With Johnny's previous releases there was a bit of a 60s Mod to his sound and it was incredible.  It cultivated a feeling that was missing in the industry.  With this single and his previous track, "Human Man", he has both feet firmly planted in a much funkier place.  There's a bit of disco and a bit of rock and roll and a whole lot of Johnny in these tracks.  "Daddy's Money" just makes you move.  It's got a tremendous breakdown and it is brilliantly produced.  Every subtle nuance of Johnny's voice is carefully cultivated so that it is never lost in the track.  And let's not forget about his range.  The man has an incredible instrument that deserves to be at the top of all the charts.  The track is full and the instrumentation is solid.  If you didn't know any better, you would swear that this is the track of someone that has been doing this for two to three times longer than Johnny has.  I am impressed with what he's offering us right now and I can't wait to see what's next.

Liquid Diet - Writing On The Wall

I love entendre; single, double, none at all. I think that it takes a tremendous amount of intelligence to properly write an entendre. You don't want it to be smutty for the sake of being smutty. It has to be smart and it has to make you go, "Oh you...." after you realize what it is that has just been said. Billy and Georgia are two of the most competent vocalists in the industry today because their chemistry is palpable. It’s got weight and a depth that can’t be faked. You trust the vocals because they allow you to.

This song is full of wit and leaves nothing to be desired. It’s well thought out and brilliantly produced. I think they’ve done a phenomenal song that makes you smile and have a great time. They are one of the most creative and individualistic bands today. I am glad to call myself a fan.