Rosalía - "CANDY"

Rosalía's stunning third album MOTOMAMI reminds me of Neneh Cherry's classic second record Homebrew which experimented with a variety of music styles but always felt cohesive. "CANDY" finds her voice fluttering over a clicking two-step beat and a melody sample of legendary producer Burial's "Archangel."

Jam of the Day - Charlotte Adigéry - "Cursed and Cussed"

Infectious track from Belgian-Caribbean singer Charlotte Adigéry which recalls the genre-bending work of Neneh Cherry and Santigold.

2018 Favorite Albums (15-11)

More of my countdown of favorite albums of 2018:

15. Drug Church - Cheer

Drug Church draw their sound from bands like Pixies, Jawbreaker, and Fugazi but have fashioned them into their own unique sound. They have also fashioned the best hardcore record of the year, full of massive hooks and serated guitars.



14. Neneh Cherry - Broken Politics

While her sound is now far removed from her sassy, bratty style of Raw Like Sushi, Neneh Cherry is still unmistakably Neneh Cherry. Most of the tracks on Broken Politics are spare and minimal, drawing their power from her commanding voice, however, occasionally she lets loose, as on the jazzy "Natural Skin Deep."



13. How to Dress Well - The Anteroom

Most of Tom Krell's output under the How to Dress Well moniker has been rooting in future R&B, however, he's gone almost full on industrial on the brilliantly experimental album The Anteroom.



12. Skee Mask - Compro

Skee Mask brilliantly combines both analog and digital instrumentation in his dancefloor and ambient techno creations. His work on Compro brings to mind early Autechre and Aphex Twin.



11. Jon Hopkins - Singularity

Hopkins takes you on a journey through uncharted worlds on the masterful Singularity. There are so many textures in these tracks you can practically reach out and touch them.

2018 Favorite Songs (10-1)

And finally, without further ado, my top ten favorite songs of the year:

10. Yves Tumor - "Licking an Orchid"



The dramatic centerpiece to Yves Tumor's masterful record Safe in the Arms of Love. Trip hop beats anchor simple acoustic guitar strains over pillowy synths before descending into oceans of squalling guitars. It's a wonderful exploration of the tension between the beautiful and ugly. It's mirrored in the evocative lyrics which explore a possible S&M relationship, with lines like “Some call it pain/Some call it torture/Baby I enjoy it."

9. Neneh Cherry - "Kong"



Produced by Four Tet and Massive Attack's 3D, Neneh Cherry's "Kong" draws you in closely with its elegant minimalism. Dubby bass, a simple hi-hat, and mournful strings are the simple backdrop to Cherry's aching voice.

8. Ness Nite - "Tightrope"



Ness Nite's tracks effortlessly blur the lines between electronica, R&B, and hip-hop. "Tightrope" is the perfect example.

7. Drake ft. Michael Jackson - "Don't Matter to Me"

A haunting Michael Jackson sample elevates this track to sublime perfection. You can listen to it here.

6. AlunaGeorge ft. Cautious Clay - "Superior Emotion"



This emotionally resonant track from AlunaGeorge will stay with you for days. Aluna Francis' touching vocal hits all the right spots.

5. Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "Hunnybee"



Sexy, slinky, funky, and a little bit goofy, "Hunnybee" was my favorite go-to get a smile on my face song this year. Trust me, you will succumb to its charms.

4. The Amazing - "Benson se Convirtio Completamente Furiosa"



Nine minutes of pure, achingly beautiful guitar soundscapes.

3. Gotts Street Park ft. Celeste - "Both Sides of the Moon (Live)"



You won't find a better vocal performance than this deeply emotional track. It's gut-wrenching.

2. Rosalia - "Malamente"



Rosalia's gorgeous modernization of flamenco is sublime.

1. Rufus Du Sol - "Underwater"



This was a pretty bad year for myself, and this song spoke so specifically to me. Its raw honesty and emotion is difficult to listen to, but impossible to turn away from.

Jam of the Day: Neneh Cherry - "Kong"

The formidable Neneh Cherry returns with this haunting track about Europe's refugee crisis. Co-produced by Four Tet and Massive Attack’s 3D, the song rests on a dubby backdrop, with a loping bass line, twinkling keyboards, rising strings, and Cherry's always commanding voice.

Jam of the Day: Cosha - "Do You Wanna Dance"

From Ireland, 22 year old Cassia O'Reilly released three EPs under the name Bonzai, but has now re-branded herself as Cosha. From her debut album R.I.P Bonzai, comes this Rostam-produced single that is super infectious and fun. If you like eclectic singers like Neneh Cherry, Nelly Furtado, and Janelle Monae, you will love Cosha. She is one to look out for.

My Favorite 25 Albums of 2014: 15-11

15.

Cathedrals - Cathedrals EP

San Francisco duo Cathedrals, consisting of vocalist Brodie Jenkins and musician/producer Johnny Hwin, could be described as the R&B Phantogram, and the comparison is not that far off the mark. Both bands rely on programmed beats, eclectic guitar work, and samples, with Cathedrals falling more towards the R&B side of things with Jenkins' simultaneously earthy and ethereal vocals. The five tracks on this EP show a remarkable range that foretells big things for this band. They do quirky pop (opener "Harlem"), buzzy electronica ("In The Dark"), a wicked combination of both ("OOO AAA"), and delicate ballads ("Want My Love"). And they doubly shine on single "Unbound," a haunting meditation on two lovers who are the worst enablers, who "when you are on the down/I'll nurse you back to pieces." All of this framed with soaring vocals, keyboards, and delicate guitars.

14.

Lemonade - Minus Tide

NYC-via-SF tropical dance act Lemonade have always put forth effervescent singles that make one long for warmer climes but, up until now, their albums as a whole have never seemed to capitalize on those stunning tracks. With their sleek and infectious third record Minus Tide, this early promise has finally been fully realized. Expertly straddling the line between Balearic club play and more atmospheric tracks, Minus Tide is a glossy, shimmering collection that never outstays its welcome. From the pounding beats of tracks like "Stepping," "Clearest," and "Orchid Bloom," to the more introspective songs like "Come Down Softly," "Durutti Shores," and the exquisite title track, Minus Tide is nothing less than a captivating listen.

13.

Neneh Cherry - Blank Project

Only 18 years after the release of her last solo record, Neneh Cherry has come back stronger than ever on her fourth solo album, the blistering Blank Project. Recorded and mixed in a 5-day period, the record was produced by Four Tet (Kieran Hebden) and features work with prior collaborators RocketNumberNine. What is most noticeable right off the top is how Cherry is still doing what she wants to do, without copping to current trends. The record is a lean, minimalist offering, speaking to electronica, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and pop without directly referencing any of them.Blank Project is uncompromising Neneh Cherry at her best. There is almost no filler here, each track building off of and complementing each other. I only hope that it is not another 18 years before we get more new music from this trail-blazing artist. Blank Project is seminal Neneh Cherry.

12.

Tove Lo - Queen of the Clouds

I have been touting 26-year-old Swedish singer/songwriter Tove Lo for well over a year now when I first stumbled across her single "Habits (Stay High)," and even though it has finally become a hit single here in the States it is still a song that makes me stop and listen each time, never losing its impact. I was concerned that when her debut came out it would be that one great song and the rest a bunch of unlistenable filler. Thankfully Ms. Lo has proved me exceedingly wrong. Queen of the Clouds, a concept record about the cycle of a love affair, is a surprisingly smart, witty, and extremely catchy set of tracks that prove Ms. Lo is anything but a one hit wonder. From cheeky tracks like "Like Em Young," sung-so-fast-you-might-miss-it power pop like "Timebomb," to moving tracks like "Got Love" and "Moments," Lo is in complete control, and when the killer chorus for "Habits" hits you again like a ton of bricks, you know this is merely the tip of the iceberg for her.

11.

Aphex Twin - Syro

For his first album under the Aphex Twin moniker in over 13 years, Richard D. James certainly knows how to make a statement. And strangely, that statement is not a change in sound or purpose, instead, Syro is merely James coming back with 12 exquisitely produced and mixed tracks that can only be from the one and only Aphex Twin. The songs draw from his varied career but are not mere rehashes; each track brings something fresh to the proceedings. The most startling thing about the record is how James makes everything seem so easy, and that it seems that everyone else is still trying to play catch up with the master.

Videos of the Week

Here are some of the best videos of the week:



Sensual black and white clip from Hercules and Love Affair.



Slightly bizarre clip from Wye Oak.



A lonely laundromat is the focus of this clip from atmospheric production duo Cloud Boat.



A children's dance class highlights this clip from Elbow.



Riveting clip from Neneh Cherry, which finds her working again with famed fashion photographer/video director Jean-Baptiste Mondino

Video: Neneh Cherry ft. Robyn - "Out of the Black"

Kaleidoscopic video for this sassy collaboration between the legendary Neneh Cherry, and Swedish pop princess Robyn.

Album Review: Neneh Cherry - Blank Project

Neneh Cherry
Blank Project
Rating: Woof Daddy

Swedish artpop/R&B/hip-hop diva Neneh Cherry never follows trends, preferring instead to blaze her own. On her debut album Raw Like Sushi she combined elements of hip-hop, pop, R&B, rave, electronic music, and anything else she fancied, and distilled it into one of the most stunning debut records of all time. Despite hit singles like "Buffalo Stance," "Manchild," and "Kisses on the Wind," radio didn't quite know how to handle her, and her trajectory sort of flat-lined. Even with the brilliant follow up Homebrew, there seemed to be no place to pigeonhole her. Her third record, the underrated Man, was never even released in the United States. So instead of changing her sound to conform with popular conventions, Cherry just kept doing her own thing, collaborating with artists that she fancied (Gorillaz, Youssou N'Dour, Peter Gabriel, The The, Kleerup) and staying out the limelight. Only 18 years after the release of her last solo record, Neneh Cherry has come back stronger than ever on her fourth solo album, the blistering Blank Project. Recorded and mixed in a 5-day period, the record was produced by Four Tet (Kieran Hebden) and features work with prior collaborators RocketNumberNine.

What is most noticeable right off the top is how Cherry is still doing what she wants to do, without copping to current trends. Blank Project is a lean, minimalist offering, speaking to electronica, jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and pop without directly referencing any of them. Starting off with the hypnotically austere "Across the Water," Cherry speak-sings over a quiet drum beat with no other accompaniment, the silences in between creating caverns of loneliness.



Things perk up a little more as the album progresses, however, aside from percussion and simple synth lines and bass buzzes, the focus is mainly on Cherry's voice, which has grown deeper and more mature. Title track "Blank Project" finds Cherry slithering around a pounding drum beat with a undercurrent of deep bass that pulsates and curls around her voice.



On standout track "Naked," Cherry brushes up against a skittering beat, 808 percussion, and simple synth lines. "Spit Three Times" is a slow burning track full of snarl and menace. Most of these tracks could find easy kinship with the best of Massive Attack circa Mezzanine. The tracks know when to explode and know when to hold back, always curled up like a snake ready to attack at a moment's notice. The squeltchy, slinky "Cynical" punches and spars against Cherry's sassy vocal, while Cherry slows things down to a hush on the mantra like "422" which is merely ghostly, atmospheric synths, muted percussion, and chimes.



While the album itself has a very bleak, dark feel to it, there are moments of levity, like on the collaboration with her Swedish compatriot Robyn "Out of the Black," which finds the two singers having a funky, fun lark.



And on closing track "Everything," Cherry mixes up cut and paste snippets of her vocals with her own one take vocal track. Her voice playing up against itself as she scats and sings over the 7+ minutes of art-blasted drone funk. It is a brilliant way to end the record and is Cherry's way of saying, this is me, accept me for who I am, or move on.



Blank Project is uncompromising Neneh Cherry at her best. There is almost no filler here, each track building off of and complementing each other. I only hope that it is not another 18 years before we get more new music from this trail-blazing artist. Blank Project is seminal Neneh Cherry.

Rating Scale:

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and piques one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.

Non-Sequiturs

Double tatted trouble.

Damn hot.

Beautiful abs.

Dark fur.

Too adorable.

Ripped.

UNF.

Post workout hotness.

Grrrr.

Gorgeous.

Cutie.

Amazing body.

Ginger woof.

Yum.

Wow.

Gorgeous eyes, cute belly.

Damn.

 Grrrrr.

Perfect belly.

Handsome.

Yes, please.

Sexy pierced nips.

That chest.

Nothing wrong here.

Lovely fur.

Intense.

Nice gutters.

Xion, our favorite after hours club, moved to a new location this past weekend. Can't say I liked it on the first visit. I will give it a chance, but it is so different from the other more intimate setting.

While I love going on vacation, it is always nice to come back home and sleep in one's own bed.

"Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it." - Lady Macbeth

Steven Holcomb, US bobsledder, is so damn cute.

Later, bitches!

Trying to get my firm to timely reimburse me for CLE classes, which I HAVE to have in order to maintain my license, is like pulling teeth.

I used to love the band Clan of Xymox, but their last few albums have been so by-the-numbers it is painful to listen.

It still amazes me how many people can't return a simple, friendly hello.

We're a long way off from the end of the year, but I think the new Wild Beasts' record Present Tense is going to be my top album of the year.

Pretty much.

"We build statues out of snow, and weep to see them melt." - Walter Scott

Sometimes, nothing is better than drinking a cold glass of ice water.

IT people have bigger egos than most doctors.

It's not my problem if you don't get my sense of humor.

Although it is technically called Emory Midtown Hospital, I will always call it by its original name, Crawford-Long.

LOL.

If I am at your house, I am judging you based on the books you have.

Appearances can be deceiving, especially when it comes to body size with gay men.

Reality can be a major buzz kill.

After canceling/rescheduling his concert about 5 times last year (before ultimately canceling it outright), Morrissey is coming back to Atlanta. If he thinks I am going to go through that crap again, he is sadly mistaken.

"Our heads are round so our thoughts can change direction." - Francis Picabia

Your cute for the day.

Lyrics Rattling Around My Brain

"Oh the sweetest spot
Oh when it's gone, it's gone
Don't make me suffer for that
Just allow me a final dividend

Between the hurt
And the tender song
Between the flash
And the thunder's drop
There is a godless state
Where the real and the dream may consummate

Oh the sweetest spot
Oh when it's gone, it's gone
Don't make me suffer for that
Just allow me a final dividend

Between the womb and end
Between the break and the mend
Between the want and the get
Between bone-dry and the dripping wet

It's in the holy ghost of air
Between two hands held in prayer

There is a godless state
Where the real and the dream may consummate

Oh the sweetest spot
Oh when it's gone, it's gone
Don't make me suffer for that
Just allow me a final dividend."

Wild Beasts
"Sweet Spot"

"On a table lies the crust of what he
Had, and just leaves behind.
As I put bread down on the list of things
That I had to buy.
By the store lays your mountain bike.
You on the floor still looking hardcore.
The colour is red under my shoe,
And the friend is gone who put a hole
In you.

Insensitivity took a hold of me,
And I felt it colour me blue inside,
And I left taking a part of you.
Like red, red paint on the sole
Of my shoe, nothing to do with
Common sense or...

Sensitivity. I'm feeling cold
Like concrete.
Your dignity's reflecting
In the way I feel it.

Open minded. The thoughts are clear
From feeling, regardless.
Heart beats with pain.
You were oh so happy just the other day;
Now heartbeats with pain took it all away.

The cradle did rock for you too.
Looking out from the inside,
While life turns to blue.
Watching all the glass faces
Leave their red, red footprints
On our...

By the store lays your mountain bike.
You on the floor no more hardcore.
The colour was red under my shoe,
And the friend has gone,
Who put a hole in you.

Guided by the blue light that
Takes you away, I'm on my way home.

Guided by the blue light
That takes you away,
I'm on my way home

Guided by the blue light
I'm on my way home..."

Neneh Cherry
"Red Paint"

"Just from fighting
Just one anniversary
So I never thought you'd be the one to up and leave
You said our love was
Written in the stars

But I never paid attention to my charts
But now I see how quick you must want to forget
Cause you left the ring I bought you with your cigarettes
Well I can finish up if you don't want them
And I can take the ring back where I got it from

I can love it, or
I can leave it
You said honey, I
Best believe it
Cause your a novice, and
I'm a taurus, and
I'm not gonna say
I'm not gonna do
I can love it, or
I can leave it
You say honey I
Best believe it
Cause you're a taurus, and
I'm aquarius, and
I'm not gonna say
I'm not gonna do

Never thought about it sentimentally
Never saw just how much you thought I meant to me
Never learned about it at university
Never thought about it cause your the first, you see
And I'm aware of the procedure
But normally it's me that leaves her
I guess I'm finished up. It's time to move on
I'm taking the ring back to where I got it from

I can love it, or
I can leave it
You said honey I, best believe it
Cause your a novice, and
I'm a taurus, and
I'm not gonna say
I'm not gonna do
I can love it, or I can leave it
You said honey, I
Best believe it
Cause your a novice and
I'm a taurus, and
We've had problems. We're
Notorious for them
It's what your friends said. Now
You're inside there. Now
I've seen our stars, and
There's nothing aligning. That's
Cause I'm Aquarius
Yeah I'm Aquarius

I'm Aquarius."

Metronomy
"I'm Aquarius"

Appealing Things

Threes
Wild Beasts
Neneh Cherry
Season 4 of Mad Men
75 degrees in Atlanta in February

Annoying Things

Jet lag
Colds that won't go away
People who eat an entire meal while on their phone