"Right through you, like a brand new soulful music"
This month has been exceptional for music. Music for me, I suppose. If you're not into my kind of musical groove, then perhaps you would disagree when it comes to this month. Maybe you're having a musical dry spell? In which case, I can't really sympathize, because I've been having a musical dry spell for well over a year. Sure, I've bought some new music; Goldfrapp's new album, Seventh Tree, is amazing to say the least, and proves once again why they are one of my favorite bands ever. They expand their sound, whilst still at the same time stay true to their base foundation that makes all of their fans sit back, relax and slip into their happy place.
But this month in particular, I have purchased so many good albums that have been released, and the music notes make my ears smile; and it all coincides perfectly with this sunny weather that has recently been blessed upon London Town.
I first discovered French Kicks on the first of April. This band has been around for a while, however, they have transformed so much over the years, first coming out with a grainy, garage/punk sound. I'm not a big fan of it, but everybody has to start somewhere I suppose. These days, though, the band is chilled out, relaxed and it feels like I'm sitting in a jacuzzi with the bubbles wrapped all around me. I have listened to their newest album, Swimming, on repeat ever since; on the walk up to uni, on the walk back to uni, when I'm sitting in the kitchen, when I'm sitting in my room, when I'm smoking, when I'm getting ready....you get the point. And for some reason, they remind me of driving in my car back in VA during the fall. I'm not sure why, but I get vivid images of the colors brown, red, orange and gold.
On the same day, I discovered The Apples In Stereo. They are a bit more bouncy than French Kicks, but still have the occasional relaxed track. They're so funny and quirky and make me feel like I'm in a 50's television program, even with the random French song "Avril en Mai" (which is quite possibly the cutest song I've ever heard in another language). They make me happy and their sound is so catchy, you can't help but want to dance on the sidewalk whenever you stick in your earbuds and step outside. Their band has also been around for a while, but I've yet to purchase any of their previous albums...yet. I'll give my American Express a break before I go and abuse iTunes again.
The Submarines were next on my list, and I quickly bought both of their albums. They're from California, and maybe it's something in the air, but most bands that I hear from California, I love. They kind of remind me of The Hush Sound (who have also recently released another album), but unlike The Hush Sound, The Submarines are a lot less theatrical without the main presence of a piano. You can take The Submarines out in your back garden, sit quietly on a bench and just wait for all of the butterflies and ladybugs to come out and dance around the flowers. It's not just the sound either, but the actual lyrics that I love as well. There's not enough good things to say about them.
My next two albums, I'm completely over the moon about, because the first one, Shine, I've been waiting on for OVER A YEAR. I randomly discovered them on myspace before I discovered facebook. They are French and are absolutely mesmerizing. I obsessed over their songs that they had posted on their myspace, and have been waiting oh so impatiently for their album, The Common Station, to be released. Yesterday, when I was roaming the internet, I remembered about them and was pleasantly surprised that their album was available worldwide and I could purchase it from the comfort of my living room via iTunes (as always).
They're in London for one night only (tonight), and unfortunately, since I am poor and lame, I am unable to go. But that doesn't mean that I don't love every single song on their album. It was completely worth the wait, and for some reason all of the songs that are in French, I *heart* even more, just because they sound so heartbreakingly sweet. I can tell that this album is going to be one of the albums that everyone in the flat screams at me to "PLEASE TURN OFF. NO MORE FRENCH SONGS." But I won't. Why? BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST TOO DAMN GOOD.
And last, but certainly not least in the slightest, is The Weepies new album Hideaway. They're back from tour, married and have a wee little baby in tow. So many changes which means, so much new material to write and sing about! It is unmistakably The Weepies sound, and it only makes me want to listen to all of their albums back-to-back staring at a never ending sunset. I haven't had time to sit down and properly listen to it (I mean, the album did just come out today), but I can already tell that it's going to be one of my main albums that I relate back to summer in London, just like their previous two albums.
Needless to say, I'm going to be busy getting lost in a swimming pool of musical notes. I'll be surrounded by saxophones, violins, guitars, pianos, drums, keyboards and the sweet, soft, serenading voices of all of the above mentioned bands. I have a smorgasbord of new music and I'm not complaining in the slightest.