Róisín Murphy - "You Knew"

The latest teaser from Murphy's upcoming record Hit Parade is, in her words, "the story of my life. I’m an open book, I put myself on the line and I make my motivations obvious. Many times, I have bravely loved and not been loved in return, and I’m proud of that. That phrase “You Knew” just sums it all up, in fact you could put it on my headstone, except I’ve already decided it’ll say.. You Had Your Chance!" 

Róisín Murphy - "The Universe"

"The Universe" is the second single from Róisín Murphy's upcoming record Hit Parade, produced by DJ Kose. It's a jazzy number with lots of strange touches like processed vocals and a bizarre spoken word section. Pure Róisín Murphy. 

Róisín Murphy - "CooCool (Produced by DJ Koze)"

The incomparably kooky and quirky Róisín Murphy returns with a new collaboration with German producer DJ Koze on the enchanting downtempo disco track "CooCool." It's quite delightful. 

Little Boots - "Want You Back?"

Little Boots' excellent new record Tomorrow's Yesterdays is a frothy, fun disco/electro-pop fantasia. If you loved the last records from Jessie Ware, Dua Lipa, and Roisin Murphy, you will dig this record. "Want You Back?" is a song about the push and pull between staying in a rut or following your own path.

Róisín Murphy - "Shellfish Mademoiselle (Paul Woolford Remix)"

Paul Woolford brings dramatic house flourishes to this excellent song from Róisín Murphy. It's a great song about knowing your self-worth and choosing your own happiness. I love these lyrics:

"When will it ever be a good time?
When is it ever gonna be the right time?
How dare you sentence me
To a lifetime without dancing
When I'm already lost in the groove (I'm already lost in the groove)
I'm long gone, long gone
I'm long gone, life's too short"

Róisín Murphy - "We Got Together"

 

Róisín Murphy returns with her majestic new dance record Róisín Machine.  It's another great dance album this year where I could literally post every song from it.  I love the chugging rhythms of "We Got Together" that makes you just want to get hot and sweaty on the dance floor. 

Róisín Murphy - "Something More"

It's becoming an amazing year for women in music. Róisín Murphy announced the September 25 release date of her upcoming disco album called Róisín Machine. You can hear the slow-burning track "Something More" below.

Róisín Murphy - "Murphy's Law"

Róisín Murphy is an international treasure. Her latest single "Murphy's Law" is a straight-up disco classic, Murphy's velvety vocals buoyed by a sleek groove. It is pure heaven.

2019 Favorite Songs (20-11)

Almost to the end of my list:

20. Hatchie - "Stay With Me"

If Robyn, Cocteau Twins, and The Sundays got together and wrote a "crying alone in the club" song, they would probably sound like this excellent track from Aussie singer-songwriter Hatchie.



19. Art School Girlfriend - "Diving"

Dreamy single from Art School Girlfriend that touches on desire and anxiety. I love the way the synths quietly build to a dynamic conclusion.



18. Róisín Murphy - "Incapable"

Hypnotic deep house track from the incomparable Róisín Murphy.



17. HÆLOS - "Empty Skies"

British band HÆLOS builds upon their initial trip-hop sound, making things more dense and organic. "Empty Skies" is a standout track with its drum patterns recalling Massive Attack's masterful song "Unfinished Sympathy." The band brings in their excellent use of harmonies all, of course, anchored by Lotti Benardout’s Valkyrie-like voice.



16. Rhi - "Swagger"

I read a description of London-based singer-songwriter Rhi that seemed fairly apt; that she is the lovechild of James Blake and Lana Del Rey. With dreamy, hazy tracks like "Swagger," you can easily hear it.



15. Lana Del Ray - "The Greatest"

"The Greatest" lives up to its title; being probably Lana Del Rey's best song. It's a haunting meditation on love and loss, and the sad state of the world.



14. The Twilight Sad - "VTr"

On their breathtakingly good new album It Won/t Be Like This All The Time, The Twilight Sad expertly marry their shoegaze beginnings with the thunderous rush of their goth fore bearers The Cure. Honestly, I could put all the songs here as there is not a weak song on the album. Right now though "VTr" keeps popping up in my head. Its propulsive drums, roaring guitars, and synth flourishes are intoxicating.



13. Zayn - "Flight of the Stars"

This year, the former One Direction member released his second solo album, the 27 track opus Icarus Falls. It's a pretty brilliant pop record, showing more maturity and willingness to try new genres and sounds. "Flight of the Stars" is a haunting ballad that focuses on his lush voice and minimal production.



12. Apparat - "OUTLIER (Solomun Remix)"

Solomun takes the pastoral electronica of the original version of Apparat's "OUTLIER" and creates a chilled out, deep house version. The spoken word portion at the end is haunting.



11. Billie Elish - "Bad Guy"

Teenage phenomenon Billie Ellish broke through with this single that for all its energy is strangely restrained. The tension it builds through the use of sonic dynamics is breathtaking.

Jam of the Day: Róisín Murphy - "Incapable"

Róisín Murphy teams up again with DJ Parrot on this slinky, disco house charmer.

Jam of the Day: Róisín Murphy - "The Rumble"

Róisín Murphy's final 12" collaboration with Maurice Fulton is this jazzy house track that is super-infectious.

Jam of the Day: Róisín Murphy - "Can't Hang On"

Róisín Murphy, along with house music legend Maurice Fulton, has released another 12" in an on-going series. "Can't Hang On" is a funky dance track that focuses on Murphy's luscious voice.

Jam of the Day: Roisin Murphy - "Plaything"

It is completely criminal that Ms. Murphy isn't more of a household name. Granted, she does tend to fall towards the more experimental side of dance music, but when she sets her sights on more pop oriented fair, she never fails to hit it out of the park. "Plaything," her collaboration with Maurice Fulton is a massive dance floor banger.

2016 Favorite Albums (Numbers 30-21)

Halfway there:

30.

Broods - Conscious

The Aussie duo Broods builds from their debut and crafts a hook-ridden collection of melodic synth pop.

29.

The Avalanches - Wildflower

First things first, Wildflower is not Since I Left You. That it comes anywhere close to that masterpiece is itself a miracle. No one out there does sample based dance music quite like The Avalanches, and Wildflower, though 16 years in the making, doesn't disappoint at all. We just hope it is not another 16 before we hear from them again.

28.

Rihanna - Anti

Anti is the first Rihanna album that doesn't sound like it was made in a vacuum. Most of her records are three or four killer singles surrounded by aimless filler while this is 13 songs that Rihanna wanted to record and fits her personality. She doesn't have to care what anyone thinks, and it shows. These tracks are loose and free, and perfectly Rihanna.

27.

AlunaGeorge - I Remember

Perfect mix of club bangers, future R&B, and deep house tracks.

26.

Boxed In - Melt

Boxed In's second record Melt was my go-to dance record this year. It always gets me moving.

25.

Psychic Twin - Strange Diary

For a breakup album, Strange Diary is wonderfully warm, basking in the glow of its 80s synth pop sheen.

23.

White Lung - Paradise

Blistering guitars take the driver's seat in this fascinating hardcore record. Less ragged than their previous records, White Lung's Paradise is sleeker, but that doesn't eclipse the fury that lurks beneath it.

22.

Drake - Views

Full admission, even I think this album is a total mess; but what a fascinating mess. Tracks like "Controlla," "Hotline Bling," and the ever present "One Dance," keep this album from going completely off the rails.

21.

Róisín Murphy - Take Her Up to Monto

Avant garde pop songstress Róisín Murphy continues her string of lovely oddities with this collection of striking tracks; her wit and grace intact.

2016 Favorite Songs (Numbers 20-11)

Getting closer to the top:

20. Frank Ocean - "Nights"

I am not a huge fan of his album Blond, and I think I must be one of the few that was immune to it. With that said, this song was what I wanted the album to be, emotionally grounded and yet experimental. This track can be listened to here on Spotify.

19. A Tribe Called Quest - "We the People..."



So glad these guys are back. And this song speaks to the times we live in.

18. Ariana Grande - "Thinking About You"



I went with this song because it showcases her amazing vocal range and, also, it is a fucking killer ballad.

17. Beacon - "Escapements"



Icy synth pop that still has a human heart beating underneath.

16. Totemo - "Prime"



Totemo has a way of making her songs feel like inhabitable dwellings. You feel the creak of floors, the shutting of doors. This song feels like a journey from dark corners into the light of day.

15. Róisín Murphy - "Thoughts Wasted"



Amazingly quirky pop song from the incomparable Ms. Murphy. The spoken word interlude is devastating.

14. The Weeknd - "Secrets"

This track can be listened to here on Spotify.

One of the best pop tracks of the year. I love how he keeps his voice in a lower register. And the sample of Tears for Fears' "Pale Shelter" is killer.

13. Local Natives - "Fountain of Youth"



This song gives me goosebumps every time.

12. Warpaint - "New Song"



"Because of you/I am where I belong."

11. Alicia Keys - "In Common"



Alicia Keys definitely makes a dysfunctional relationship sound sexy.

Jam of the Day: Róisín Murphy - "Thoughts Wasted"

Quirky highlight of Róisín Murphy's brilliant record Take Her Up To Monto. The spoken word piece at the end is mesmerizing.

2015 Albums of the Year (Numbers 30-21)

Continuing the list:

30. Torres - Sprinter

When I first heard Sprinter, I was immediately brought back to the first time I heard PJ Harvey. Torres is a brutally honest songwriter, and these songs leave you emotionally wrecked.

29. Roisin Murphy - Hairless Toys

The Grand Dame of quirky pop, Roisin Murphy unleashed another batch of challenging, yet still accessible songs.

28. Deafheaven - New Bermuda

Deafheaven continue their brilliant exploration of black metal and shoegaze on their latest record.

27. ON AN ON - And the Wave Has Two Sides

ON AN ON keeps getting better and better with each release. Their songs quietly encroach on one's inner peace; the emotional impact not felt until much later, leaving one gasping for breath.

26. Purity Ring - Another Eternity

Another Eternity finds Purity Ring making a bold leap into technicolor. While Shrines was creepy and gothic, this record paints in bold, bright strokes. Many decried that they had "sold out," but for me it's a logical progression.

25. The Weeknd - Beauty Behind the Madness

Like Purity Ring, The Weeknd made a monster leap into the pop world. While he still sings on the same subjects of sex, drugs, and more sex and more drugs, there is less of a nihilistic slant to his viewpoint, and more of a tongue in cheek stance.

24. Major Lazer - Peace is the Mission

EDM, hip-hop, dancehall, R&B, and pop all crash together into a breathlessly inventive and fun record.

23. Arca - Mutant

Taking off from where his record Xen left off, Mutant is another stunner. Longer, yet more concise, Mutant unfolds with more purpose, the angular production weaving themes in and out of the 20 blisteringly inventive tracks.

22. VV Brown - Glitch

Armed with a commanding voice whose deep tones with make your inners rumble, VV Brown matches it up to some dark electronica in a record that gets deep under the skin.

21. Deerhunter - Fading Frontier

Deerhunter will never put out a boring record, that is for sure. For the most part, Fading Frontier could almost be considered their "pop" record, albeit a very off-kilter one. Aside from a couple of meandering tracks, Bradford Cox and Co. have really tightened their sound and focus on some killer hooks.

Jam of the Day: Little Boots - "Working Girl"

Sleek electro-pop track from Little Boots. It is the title track from her upcoming record which is being released on her own label. Her sound sort of positions herself midway between artists like Kylie Minogue and Roisin Murphy. It's a pretty amazing track.

Non-Sequiturs

I'd stay for the view.

Cutie.

Woof.

Yum.

So handsome.

Cute couple.

Damn gorgeous.

Wow.

Damn.

Grrrrr.

Smoldering.

Sexy.

Big boy.

Yes.

I wish I was that lean and tight.

Sexy belly.

Andrew and I spent last weekend down in Ft. Lauderdale for Beach Bear Weekend. Here are some of my musings:

It was a very nice and relaxing weekend, and an event I would definitely consider doing again.

I always have so much fun with Andrew. He makes traveling worthwhile.

I like Ft. Lauderdale, but don't think I could live there.

The beaches are gorgeous.

When you are in the water for an extended period of time, make sure your wedding ring is on securely. Mine slid right off my finger into the sand below. Thankfully, it was a clear day and I was able to see it shining and retrieved it.

Uber is the way to go. Parking for a rental car is pricey at the hotels, and nonexistent when you go the clubs and bars.

The Ramrod is fun, but damn it is a small bar.

Buying the run passes was a mistake.

We met a lot of great guys. The muscle douche bears were, once again, muscle douche bears.

You can't really plan plan to do stuff with people because there are too many distractions.

We had fun dancing at Hunters, but damn it was so loud my ears were ringing the next day.

If we go again, we need to do the Inn Leather Sunday pool party.

Always give people a second chance.

Humpy's Pizza is really good, although they will likely never let us back in after the conversations we were having with our friends.

It is amazing how cheap it is to drink in Ft. Lauderdale. The $3 Long Island Ice Teas at Georgie's Alibi were quite tasty, and quite lethal.

As with most big events, you really can't make "plans" with people as 9 times out of 10 they are never going to come to fruition.

What is with all the clubs/bars in Ft. Lauderdale having bathroom attendants?

I have no desire to parasail.

Jimmy John's is a lifesaver.

It's been 30 years since New Order's album Low Life came out. I feel old.

Andrew and I met with a financial adviser the other day, and the most eye opening thing about it was getting all my financial information together and seeing that I had a lot more assets than I thought.

Atlanta drivers really are a bunch of cunts.

I'm very glad we have a do-nothing weekend coming up, and also that we are not going anywhere for Memorial Day weekend.

For the most part.

Flying has become such a chore. On our flight back from Ft. Lauderdale it felt like we were in a trailer park.

If you are going to be in the visiting attorney office across from me and are going to have a conference call on speaker phone then you need to close your fucking door.

I've never understood why people re-press an elevator button that is already lit up.

I cannot wait for the new Tame Impala record to come out.

Yes, I believe they do.

Bear Week in Provincetown is finally, slowly coming together. We have our house and ferry booked, just need to figure out flights. Thankfully we have companion tickets on Delta so they shouldn't be too expensive.

Whatever is blooming this week is making my eyes burn like hell fire.

My peace and quiet in the office is about to end. The two empty offices next to me have been filled with summer associates.

Here are some examples of why I will always give a fuck about an Oxford comma.

I am ready for all the pollen in Atlanta to go away.

The more I think I understand people, the less I actually do.

I just can't buy tickets for an event that is more than 6 months away.

Your cute for the day.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Brain

"If you'd lend me your ear
This is a so-called true story
We had the time of our lives
Stirring up clouds of scandal
Freedom, the ultimate freedom
Then the bomb shall hit
A fiasco

Who, who's exploiting who?
I just don't know who, who, who
Who's exploiting who?

Never underestimate
Creative people and the depths that they will go
Loneliness
Cruising at high speed
Ain't that a feeling you and I know well
So let the sparks fly
You and I glide
Ticking like a time bomb 'til I receive your reply

Who, who's exploiting who?
Won't you tell me who, who, who
Who's exploiting who?
I just don't know who
Who's exploiting who?
Won't you tell me who, who, who
Who's exploiting who?

You're losing your aura of invincibility
And your self-effacing modesty
Should we leave the money and run?
You son of a gun
Or we could go down fighting
Who's exploiting who?

Who, who's exploiting who?
Won't you tell me who, who
Who's exploiting who?
I just don't know who
Who's exploiting who?
I just don't know who, who, who
Who's exploiting who?

Who, who's exploiting who?
I just don't know who, who
Who's exploiting who?
I just don't know who
Who's exploiting who?
Won't you tell me who, who
Who's exploiting who?

Who?"

Roisin Murphy
"Exploitation"

"I turned up with my cap on back to front
Trying to be someone I saw on TV once
You were sitting by the window looking out for me
We were trying to find a way to say Hi
That didn’t seem strange but it didn’t work out
Maybe that was just the way that it felt to me

It’s taken me so long
Maybe I’m just too shy to say it
We could be more than friends
But maybe I’m just too shy

Walking home down the Uxbridge Road
Headphones on I got a cigarette rolled
I know I shouldn’t light it cause I haven’t smoked one for weeks
Conversations running through my head
Till I get stuck on one thing you should not have said but you said
And now it’s all that I can think about

It’s taken me so long
Maybe I’m just too shy to say it
We could be more than friends
But maybe I’m just too shy

Let’s go find a corner we can sit in
And talk about that film instead of us
Even though throughout it I was thinking
I was gonna say I love you afterwards

It’s taken me so long
Maybe I’m just too shy to say it
We could be more than friends
But maybe I’m just too shy."

Shura
"2 Shy"

Appealing Things

Finally having a tan
3 more car payments
The Humans by Matt Haig
The return of HEALTH
Trivia at Woofs
Sleeping in our own bed

Annoying Things

Being impatient
Missing Shaky Knees Festival
Inconsistent work projects
Social climbers