I searched through my entire iTunes library for the most played track of 2010 and I discovered it was Robyn‘s “Hang With Me” from Body Talk Pt. 2. So you know I figured I had to do a Beat Boxed post about it because obviously I love it. She’s taking me on many bike rides, rollerblading adventures on the beach, hikes, road trips, commutes, has prepared me for many nights out, helped me see relationships clearly, all while being the most popstradamus pop star of them all. There’s something about her lyrics that although catchy but not a bit kitschy, have the depth that can pull up more emotion in a 4-minute bit than 3-hour chat with your girlfriend. Not to get too deep on you but she has this ability to bring out this strength and pure bliss in you as well. So with this being said check out the video for “Hang With Me” — my most played song of 2010:

Read more

Jónsi, the mastermind behind the Icelandic group Sigur Rós, released his solo album Go earlier this year and I have been absolutely captivated by it. The music explodes deep into you, sprinkles you with fairy dust, ties a little string around your heart, lifts you up and takes you to magical places.

Read more

Six things to know about The Naked and Famous:

Read more

An 80’s-inspired revivalist act, a trendsetter fighting against the trends, the anti-pop star pop star, whatever has been said about La Roux, the uniqueness of their futuristic sounds and Elly Jackson’s empowering lyrics is undeniable. The synth-laden pop has taken over charts in the UK and the US and continues to have an effect on everyone who listens. This appetite for synth pop keeps getting bigger and bigger, taking the once underground act the mainstream way. Although this was not the intention of La Roux (it was actually something they were against) but as it’s happening they are embracing it. Elly is easily recognizable with her signature wild red hair and her distinctive androgynous style and has become the photographer’s easy target. Their new album Sidetracked is now out, which is a snapshot of their biggest musical influences, but features only one of their new songs.

Read more

Were you one of the lucky ones who got to see Theophilus London perform at Hard NYC this past weekend? A couple weekends ago, I stepped into the Purple Lounge at the Standard not knowing what I was about to experience. Next thing I know I’m standing on the couches next to the stage grooving away. I was mesmerized by the performance of Theophilus London. His voice crept inside and soothed me while his beats moved me…literally! I see a lot of live shows and it’s rare that one can unexpectedly captivate me like this. I didn’t even have to hear it to know it…“It’s possible that he’s the arrival of a once-in-a-generation talent: Theophilus London is very much in this moment but not of it,” Hypebeast says. His music is a blend of rap and pop laced with creativity that doesn’t stop and it becomes something for everyone.

Read more

Teen Dream by Beach House is the perfect album for these lazy days of summer. Lying beneath the soft sultry sound is a something a little deeper and slightly darker than what may initially appear at the surface. You might even say it’s something to the likes that of a David Lynch movie. It’s the slower than average tempo and the dreamlike beauty in the voice and instrumentation of Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand that flutters into your mind and dances around like it’s the only thing there. You all should know the rules at the beach house. Relax, Relax, Relax.

Read more

The Bloody Beetroots from Italy, heard of them? No, this is not some band that debuted at the Salon Internationale del Mobile in April, but I thought it seemed fitting since I have not written a Beat Boxed post since before Milan. Many of you may be obsessed with them, a few of you may have heard about them, some of you may have absolutely no idea who they are, but no matter what the Bloody Beetroots are taking the club and electronic music scene to new levels.

Bob Rifo and Tommy Tea are turning the world of electronic music upside down and changing the entire concept. These are not a couple of guys twiddling knobs; this is the DJ set as primal punk rock show. You can expect to find a full drum kit on stage, every keyboard or synth you’d expect to find in a studio, and even guitars; three people playing instruments, being mixed by a fourth person…LIVE. Their shows are about the experience and the insane amounts of energy being shared between the Bloody Beetroots and the fans. This is a show where absolutely everyone will be dancing as the beats are thrown down.

Read more

There are two kinds of Gorillaz. There are the four animated musicians 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs, all animated by the artist Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl) and co-created by Damon Albarn. Then there are the dozens of real-life musicians that bring the music to life, and on the latest album, Plastic Beach, many talented, recognizable and upcoming artists will surprise you with their performances. I was so excited to hear contributions from Little Dragon and Mos Def. As a concept album, Plastic Beach is about an island of junk that has formed in the middle of the ocean. As mastermind Damon Albarn says, “The whole thing of Plastic Beach is that we are perilously close to just overload, generally, in the world.” It is on this island of our waste that the Gorillaz have built their home.

Read more

I have mad respect for these three beautiful female artists and that one badass male drummer. I’ve been lucky enough to see Warpaint perform live many times and have stood front row with hips swaying, head bopping, and jaw dropping. I just let them take me away into this gorgeous ethereal hypnotic state. Their live shows are mesmerizing and when you close your eyes it’s as if you’re laughing and running against the wind through an open field and into a dark forest with bright streams of light filtering in. “They claim to sound like a dichotomous amalgamation of danger and comfort.” –URB. And I agree. After the release of their EP, Exquisite Corpse, they were signed to Rough Trade Records and are currently working on their full length album due out Summer 2010. This is definitely a band to watch for in 2010.

Read more

I’m sure most of you have set some goals for the year and started thinking about what’s to come in the year ahead. In 2010 a few of my goals are to take more baths (rather than showers that is), meditate often, and see The Flaming Lips perform live! Every January I start looking forward to Coachella and the release of the much anticipated lineup. After the success of Flaming Lips latest album Embryonic and the release of their version of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, I am hoping that I can experience their greatness beneath the stars, surrounded by mountains and palms trees, in the gorgeous desert at this year’s festival! The Flaming Lips are deliciously weird, known for their psychedelic arrangements, esoteric lyrics, and have also been named one of the “50 Bands to See Before You Die.” I think I need spend some time meditating on this one in my Flaming Lips-inspired bathroom!

Read more