Magicianal Lykke Li

Swedish singer-songwriter Lykke Li has two albums to her name: Youth Novels (2008) and Wounded Rhymes (2011). She enjoyed some radio success with the singles Little Bit and I Follow Rivers. The latter, taken from the sophomore album, is currently storming the charts. Undoubtedly with a little help from the Magician, aka electro wiz Stephen Fasano. The former Aeroplane member gone solo turned the Swede Pop bubble into a fine italo dance tune. Press play and get your dancing shoes on. If this one doesn’t make you move dunno what will…

the Big Bad

Duck Sauce scored a mega #1 with their dance anthem Barbra Streisand. The video to their latest Big Bad Wolf is to say the least a little odd. This one will surely raise a couple of eyebrows… No comment.

Kasabian strip down

Kasabian performed their current single Re-Wired in the Live Lounge at the University of Leicester as part of BBC Radio 1’s Student Tour 2011. For the habitual cover version they chose Lana Del Rey’s Video Games. Lana’s first recording took the world by storm recently. Kasabian strip the song down with a simple guitar riff, and harmonies resembling the near perfection of the Beatles. Check their set below, and the original Live on Jools Holland. Pure bliss.

Top of the Pops

Just days after sending the controversial video Countdown round the universe, Beyoncé launches a video for the download favorite Love On Top. Performing in front of a New York skyline, backed by all-male dancers, the choreography is reminiscent of New Edition’s video If It Isn’t Love. Wonder if this clip will cause a stir alike. Halfway through Bey slips into evening wear, including a golden tuxedo suit, transforming the menswear look into pure hotness. So do her back-ups. Enjoy!

Just Geike

Long-time lead singer of Hooverphonic (initially just Hoover) Geike Arnaert left the band around this time 2 years ago, wanting to pursue a solo career, as lead singers often tend to do. Soon after she recorded the theme song for the third edition of StuBru’s benefit Music For Life, together with Tom Helsen, entitled Home. Early 2010 Erik de Jong and Geike formed the band Dorléac, recording the soundtrack to the Belgian film Adem. Now Geike (just Geike) unleashes her first solo effort: the album For The Beauty Of Confusion is in stores as of today. First single Rope Dancer has a visually attractive video to accompany the playfully attractive song.

Hot or Not

British singer/songwriter Luciana’s recent No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Play chart I’m Still Hot gets a rework with rap guest star Betty White. Luciana previously scored a first Club hit featured on the No. 1 single I Like That by Richard Vission & Static Revenger. White’s role as spokeswoman for the Lifeline Program instigated the idea to incorporate her vocals on this remix. The Lifeline Program allows pensioners to sell an existing life insurance policy as an asset while still alive. The 89-year-old Golden Girl rhymes full-heartedly with phrases such as “I will get you sweaty because I’m the big Betty.” Sales’ proceeds will benefit one of White’s favorite charities, the Greater L.A. Zoo Association.

Much ado about …Beyoncé

News travels fast –online– these days. Debate about the originality of the choreography used in Beyoncé’s newest video Countdown has been covered widely by the press. Earlier this year the singer was also accused of plagiarism. Her performance at the Billboard Awards to many seemed very similar to a performance created by Italian artist Lorella Cuccarini, at the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy last year.
Bey issued an official press release in reaction to the recent plagiarism accusations. She claims to have been heavily “inspired” by Rosas: “Clearly, the ballet Rosas danst Rosas was one of many references for my video Countdown. It was one of the inspirations used to bring the feel and look of the song to life. I was also paying tribute to the film Funny Face with the legendary Audrey Hepburn. My biggest inspirations were the 60’s & 70’s, Brigitte Bardot, Andy Warhol, Twiggy and Diana Ross.”
Co-director Adria Petty showed Beyoncé footage of the contemporary ballet. A statement issued by her publicist reads: “It was refreshing, interesting and timeless. I’ve always been fascinated by the way contemporary art uses different elements and references to produce something unique. The video already has close to two million views so hopefully the fans will look at all the tributes and then discover Audrey Hepburn, Warhol, Bardot, Rosas danst Rosas and all the works that inspired me and shaped this video.”
The Belgian dance company were considering legal action, but have now decided not to pursue as long as the video is no longer broadcast. Obviously this will be difficult to obtain, should Beyoncé agree, as the clip already hit the web. Taking legal action will prove difficult for De Keersmaeker’s party. This would have to be done in the US and would incur reasonable costs.

Re:generated

The first new Doors track of the 21st century may turn out to be an odd combination. The remaining members recorded a new song with popular DJ/producer Skrillex (Sonny Moore). The recording session and its music are part of a new documentary film, RE:GENERATION. The project brings together  five popular DJs/producers to work with artists from five different genres of music. Pretty Lights teamed up with country stars Leann Rimes and Ralph Stanley, The Crystal Method worked with Soul sensation Martha Reeves, DJ Premier produced a song for Nas and the Berklee School of Music Orchestra, and members of the Dap Kings got together with Mark Ronson, Erykah Badu and Trombone Shorty on a jazz song. Catch a glimpse of the results in the world premiere of the trailer.

From London to Bombay

Bombay Bicycle Club are an London based English indie band, named after a chain of Indian restaurants in London. Being one of the winners in Virgin Mobile’s Road to V competition on Channel 4 in 2006, they played an opening slot at the 2006 V Festival. On to their 3rd album by now A Different Kind of Fix, the single Shuffle is getting extensive airplay. Deservedly. A frolic little tune, perfect for an Indian …

La Revancha en Cumbia

The remix, you either love ’em or hate ’em. Personally a sucker for them, one to look forward to is the release of he classic Gotan Project album La Revancha Del Tango, remixed by the hottest new artists from the Nueva Cumbia scene. The remix selection will be available from October 17th. You can either opt for the album as such or a 10 year anniversary Deluxe Box. A classic best left alone? Curious to see if the music can be brought to a different level and if the remixes will come with value added .