Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches) - "Something In The Air"

Chvrches lead singer Lauren Mayberry has been teasing solo material for over a year, and even going on tour with solo songs, but an album has yet to be forthcoming. Her latest single is the stadium-ready "Something In The Air." It will apparently feature on an album called Vicious Creature. No release date has been given but it is slated for some time by year's end.

Lauren Mayberry (Chvrches) - "Change Shapes"

Chvrches's lead singer Lauren Mayberry has slowly been releasing solo material over the past few months (and even headlining a fun solo tour in the process). Her latest single "Change Shapes" is a 90's electro-pop showcase that is super catchy and fun. 

Chvrches - "Violent Delights"

Chvrches are back on top of their game with their brilliant new record Screen Violence. The biggest highlight is the towering "Violent Delights," with its soaring synths, killer chorus, and skittering percussion that the band says is an homage to The Prodigy. This is definitely one of their best songs ever.  

CHVRCHES ft. Robert Smith - "How Not To Drown"

CHVRCHES teams up with The Cure's Robert Smith for the propulsive track "How Not to Drown" from their upcoming record Screen Violence. It sounds exactly like what you'd expect from a collaboration from the bands; i.e., pretty darn perfect.

CHVRCHES - "He Said She Said"

CHVRCHES returns with their first new music since 2018. "He Said She Said" is a pounding synthpop track that tackles the stupidity of mansplaining. It's a killer return.

 

Jam of the Day: Rumours - "Distance"

Belgian electronic quartet Rumours has recently released their EP How Many Roses. "Distance" sounds like if Chvrches decided to go in a very goth-pop route. It is super dramatic and cinematic.

2018 Favorite Albums (25-21)

This week I countdown my top albums of 2018. Here are numbers 25-21:

25. Snail Mail - Lush

Lindsey Jordan, who writes and records under the moniker Snail Mail, writes pristine indie rock songs that shine and shimmer.



24. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Sex & Food

If Prince had been in Tame Impala, he likely would have come up with a record as magical as Sex & Food. Going from psychedelic rave-ups, funk work outs, and intimate acoustic ballads with ease, Unknown Mortal Orchestra has crafted this years most compellingly odd pop record.



23. Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks - Sparkle Hard

There isn't a weak track on this record, which finds Malkmus finding the right balance between his ironic self musings and his gift for raucous experimentation. You can listen to the album here.

22. Chvrches - Love is Dead

While Chvrches may have buffed their sound to a high gloss sheen, they have not lost their ability to throw down some evocative lyrics along with earworm hooks.



21. Helena Deland - From the Series of Songs "Altogether Unaccompanied" Vols. I-IV

This group of EPs was astonishing in its breadth, moving effortlessly between singer-song writer confessional tracks to moody, atmospheric trip-hop inspired musings.

2018 Favorite Songs (30-21)

And now we reach the halfway point of my review of favorite songs of 2018:

30. Jon Hopkins - "Emerald Rush"



Always be sure to listen to the full version of this song. Hopkins provides a master class in how to properly build an electronic track. The emotions and energy of this one are palpable.

29. Lauren Auder - "for those that patiently endure"



Recalling the experimental pop of Scott Walker, Lauren Auder's music is both hauntingly intimate and grandiosely epic.

28. LO ft. Elouiz - "Last Call"



Producer LO had a great year with different collaborations. "Last Call," featuring the vocals of Elouiz, is a thumping dance track that is all about having fun at the club until the last song plays.

27. Georgia - "Started Out"



UK producer/singer Georgia beguiles with this throbbing, sinuous confection.

26. A$AP Rocky ft. FKA Twigs - "Fukk Sleep"



Killer collaboration between A$AP Rocky and FKA twigs makes you ask why it took so long for them to work together.

25. Chvrches - "Graves"



Chvrches went technicolor pop on their latest record Love is Dead, but they thankfully didn't lose their identity in the process. "Graves" is hook-ridden gold.

24. Beach House - "Black Car"



Just when I thought Beach House had done everything they could do with their sound, they slap me across the face with the brilliant reinvention of 7. "Black Car" takes their sound to an even more hypnotic place.

23. The Carters - "APESHIT"



Jeep-rattling collaboration between Jay-Z and Beyonce.

22. Half Waif - "Silt"



This song haunted me all year long. Her voice is achingly tender and gorgeous.

21. Sophie - "Faceshopping"



Epic bass-heavy track that will melt your face.

Jam of the Day: Chvrches - "Graves"

Yes, on Chvrches' new record Love is Dead, they have gone full on pop, stripping a lot of their quirkiness for stadium ready anthems. However, they still know how to right some catchy as hell tracks. I am digging the driving track "Graves" a lot. You can hear it here on Spotify.

Jam of the Day: Pinkshinyultrablast - "Eray"

Throw in Chvrches' synthpop drive, add some Cocteau Twins-like layering of guitars, and a touch of Eno-esque ambientness for texture, and you will come up with Russia's Pinkshinyultrablast. The only collusion here is some great influences that merge together flawlessly. From their record Miserable Miracles, "Eray" is a tightly constructed synthpop gem.

Jam of the Day: Wild Ones - "Standing In The Back At Your Show"

Portland's Wild Ones create some pretty amazing, dreamy electro-pop; think Chvrches or Purity Ring. I love this forlorn ballad off their wonderful new record Mirror Touch.

Jam of the Day: Chvrches ft. Matt Berninger - "My Enemy"

Slick ballad from Chvrches' upcoming third record Love Is Dead. The verses on the track are sung by The National's Matt Berninger, with lead singer Lauren Mayberry coming in on the chorus.

Jam of the Day: Allie X - "Old Habits Die Hard"

Fans of Robyn and Chvrches will love Allie X. Her latest record Collxtion II is a fun synthpop record, and single "Old Habits Die Hard" is a good way to fall under her spell.

Jam of the Day: Cathedrals - "Try to Fight"

Fans of Chvrches will really dig this sparkling, synth driven number from San Francisco duo Cathedrals.

Jam of the Day: Chvrches ft. Hayley Williams of Paramore - "Bury It"

Awesome track made even more awesome with the addition of Hayley Williams from Paramore.

2015 Albums of the Year (Numbers 10-1)

And last but not least, here are my top ten Albums:

10. Blur - The Magic Whip

Most bands coming off a lengthy hiatus from recording come back to middling results. Blur, taking advantage of a cancelled festival appearance, holed up in the studio and quickly banged out a killer set of tracks. The Magic Whip stands solidly alongside their best works.

9. Chvrches - Every Open Eye

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

8. Empress Of - Me

Confident set of tracks that keep revealing more and more layers with each listen.

7. Tame Impala -  Currents

Meticulously recorded and emotionally heartfelt, Tame Impala burst forth into the upper echelons of indie alt-rock with this trippy collection of songs.

6. Bjork - Vulnicura

Bjork returns to form with this painfully intimate set of tracks documenting the dissolution of her marriage. Challenging yet essential listening.

5. Selena Gomez - Revival

Simply put: the best pop record of the year.

4. Sufjan Stevens - Carrie & Lowell

A song cycle as tribute to his deceased mother, Carrie and Lowell is Sufjan's elegant attempt to come to terms with death and mortality. By turns universal and painfully intimate, these songs touch one in many ways.

3. Braids - Deep in the Iris

Braids' first two records are a dichotomy, the first was a quirky set of guitar-based pop songs and the second an impressionistic whirl of electronic musings. Both had their charms but there just seemed to be something missing from each. Deep in the Iris merges their two sensibilities into a potent mix that always satisfies.

2. HEALTH - DEATH MAGIC

Like Braids, HEALTH finally made a record that bridged the gap between their two competing sides. A perfect mix of noise experimentation and pop smarts.

1. Grimes - Art Angels

Until Art Angels, I will have to admit I was only a marginal Grimes fan. With this record I was completely blown away with its stylistic breadth and its willingness to just be balls out weird. This was the one album of the year I just couldn't stop playing.

Top 50 Songs of 2015 (Numbers 10-1)

And my Top Ten:

10. Blackbear - "IDFC"



Gut wrenching track about wanting to be with someone, regardless of their feelings for you.

9. Wolf Alice - "Bros"



Some songs just sound like instant classics. This is one of them.

8. Braids - "Taste"



"We experience the love we think we deserve."

7. Little Boots - "Working Girl"



Icy, cold, and perfectly delicious, the title track from Little Boots' album was a standout track on a brilliant record. The bass line alone makes me ache.

6. CHVRCHES - "Clearest Blue"



When everything kicks into full gear at the 2:13 mark, I dare you, no, I double dare you, not to shake your ass.

5. Selena Gomez - "Perfect"



The best ballad of the year. Lives up to its title.

4. Sufjan Stevens - "Fourth of July"



This song completely breaks my heart.

3. V V Brown - "Lazarus"



One of the weirdest singles I heard all year, but one I couldn't get out of my head. That voice on the chorus. Stunning.

2. Grimes - "California"



Grimes' album Art Angels has so many brilliant singles, I could almost just put the entire record on here and would be happy with my choices. "California" is probably the simplest track on the record, but just seemed to resonate the most for me. I moved to California this year, and it has been a great experience so far, but has also been a very challenging move for a variety of reasons. While "California, you only like me when I am looking sad," I take on your challenge and will be moving forward.

1. HEALTH - "Dark Enough"



HEALTH perfectly merged their experimental side with their pop leanings on their record Death Magic. "Dark Enough" is their shining moment, and my favorite song of the year.

Non-Sequiturs

Daddy!

Yum.

Awesome chest.

Thick and beefy.

Damn.

Love a crisp white tshirt on a man.

Haaaaay, call me.

Silver daddy.

Amazing eyes.

Beefy bear.

Handsome.

Sweaty.

Nice and lean.

Hot muscle belly.

Damn.

Love his arms.

So. Fucking. Hot.

Wow.

Sexy bear belly.

Damn damn damn.

Sexy back.

Sexy front.

These days at work, I only look forward to when I can go home and not deal with it. I am starting to feel less like a person and more like a number.

I was recently told by my boss that I needed to be "on call" for this one client and project, and that this, going forward, would likely be how projects were staffed. I had to shake my head. I've been doing this work for over 7 years now and have never been on a project like this.

I have "liked" the new Chvrches tracks off their new record Every Open Eye, but have not "loved" them. I was worried what the actual record would sound like, however, it has turned out to be quite a fun, sparkly pop record.

Always.

Last week was one of those weeks the Universe reminded me that I am its bitch.

The pizza at Delfina was excellent.

Andrew and I had our first beach excursion in San Francisco at Marshall beach, which sits picturesquely next to the Golden Gate Bridge. Aside from it taking forever to get down to the beach itself, it was a lovely day and we had a lot of fun with some friends.

The bad news is BarBri, the bar review course I plan on taking, does not offer evening classes for the February bar exam. The good news, however, is that they offer the classes online and I can structure the lectures anytime I like, and can get started two weeks before the actual in-class lectures start.

Yes.

Folsom weekend starts tomorrow!!!

As an attorney, I have never had anyone truly mentor me. It has been quite frustrating over my career.

It always fascinates me how someone who is basically a 40 year old mean girl can still hold so much sway over so many people.

I know it would be wrong, but there is a partner in my firm I really want to call them an idiot to their face.

I have finally gotten back into a workout routine. I am still going early in the morning, which I like. The only bad thing is that it can be a little weird walking to the gym at that hour.

Your cute for the day.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Brain

"Light is all over us
Like it always was
Like it always was
Shaped, by the clearest blue
But it's not enough
It's not enough, not enough

Just another time I'm caught inside
Every open eye
Holding on tightly to the sides
Never quite learning why
You'll meet me, you'll meet me
You'll meet me halfway

Whenever I feel it coming on
You can be well aware
If ever I try to push away
You can just keep me there
So please say you'll meet me
Meet me halfway

Tied, to the shifting ground
Like it always was
Like it always was
You, were the perfect storm
But it's not enough, it's not enough
Not enough, not enough

Just another time that I go down
But you are keeping up
Holding to a hope you'll undermine
Never to be reversed

Just another time I'm caught inside
Every open eye
Holding on tightly to the sides
Never quite learning why

Whenever I feel it coming on
You can be well aware
If ever I try to push away
You can just keep me, tell me

Tell me tell me, you'll meet me
Tell me tell me, you'll keep me
Tell me tell me, you'll meet me
Will you meet me more than halfway up?

Shaped by, clearest blue
Shaped by, clearest blue

Shaped (will you keep it half-a-way)
By, clearest blue (will you keep it half-a-way)
Shaped (will you keep it half-a-way)
By, clearest blue (will you keep it half-a-way)."

Chvrches
"The Clearest Blue"

Appealing Things

Chvrches' Every Open Eye
Lana Del Rey's Honeymoon
Folsom hijinks
The cute little ginger bartender at Last Call
Looking forward and knowing what you want

Annoying Things

Washing your hands while wearing khaki pants and it spritzing all over them
Crazies on MUNI
Not being listened to