Quite possibly my favorite female artist & most definitely my spirit animal, she made a powerful, honest and lifting album. Sticking with her style, but adding new elements and energy, this piece is different from her debut, reflecting intimately (as always) her mental state. She's growing in so many ways, and, thanks to her, so am I.
2) 'Friends' by White Lies
I'd like to say that this is their best album yet, but the fact is that all their albums are equally good. Each of them is different, instrumentally, lyrically and atmospherically, but somehow they've managed to keep the same band story, a unique signature in every song they ever made. This one is 80s sinth inspired, more dance - less dark. Lyrics are catchy but clever. Basically, something you can listen to a million times and never get board of.
3) 'Not To Disappear' by Daughter
Daughter made a groundbreaking album. Their earlier work was more dreamy, atmospheric and slow (though not easy). On 'Not To Disappear' they decided to speed up a pace a bit, add more color and variety,while staying true to vulnerability they've always shown in lyrics. I can hear a lot of passion while listening to this album, maybe that's why I believe them so much and keep coming back.
Do you have any faves to recommend? You can write them down in the comment section!
I'm seriously wowed by the amount of great new bands in Croatia. So I present you Side Project. This very young graveyard pop duo already plays on our main music festivals and you should definitely check them out. They started with great covers of bands like Depeche Mode, Muse and Arctic Monkeys, and released their first album 'Things Which No One Else Should Know About' in September last year. And new material is on the way!
People compare them with Depeche Mode and The XX, but I always say - good bands are not copies, you can just hear their influences. If you like those two bands, you'll definitely like Side Project. The music is awesome, every song is different (and I seriously don't have a favorite, their all sooo good and unique), I very much like the lyrics (in English) and both Luka and Anja sing out-of-this-world.
I saw them live and they are amazing. More intense vibes than on the record (which is always a plus for me). They had guitar+drums peaks on most of the songs and singing was more open and virtuosic. Love.
You can follow them and download their music on bandcamp and see their gigs on some of the summer festivals in Croatia.
This album is everything! Def one of the best albums ever (by one of the best bands ever). I could listen to it over and over again and never get sick of the songs. Every track is amazing, it's long enough (trend being that albums these days contain 10 normal-lenght tracks), it's catchy, it's groovy, it's insightful. Turn it on and enjoy!
2) 'Getting Closer Is Keeping Us Apart' by Jonathan
This LP makes me so proud of our boys from the band Jonathan. Seriously, some of the best songs in Croatian history. They will conquer worlds one day. (Sry about the video, it is the only I can choose.)
3) 'Kintsugi' by Death Cab For Cutie
I looove this band, and was not dissapointed with this album. It's very beautiful, ear-catching, brezzy and typical for them.
4) 'Tongue In Cheek' by Plastic Knives
I randomly started listening to this band which led to a whole phase of listening exclusively to them. They are also Croatians, and play interesting instrumental electro-rock.
5) 'Both Sides Of The Atlantic' by Plastic Knives
Yup, they released two short albums last year.
6) 'Lucid Dreaming' by Say Lou Lou
Very excited about finally being able to listen to the full-lenght album by these two. It's a dreamy pop-electronic world, just perfect for different kinds of emotional states.
7) 'MTV Unplugged' by Placebo
I was so excitet about this since I'm a fan of acoustic performances (especially when they include interesting instruments and strings). Well, I'm not dissapointed. It contains 17 tracks, among which are all my favorites (and some of them they are not performing live any more so I was super happy to hear them), and they are all well arranged, well performed (I liked the both guest singers also) and well recorded (you have to take a look at the video below, the screen visuals were too cool).
8) 'Depression Cherry' by Beach House
This is a great atmospheric album for dark winter evenings. Beach House always do it that way, and this time better than ever.
9) 'Tell Me I'm Pretty' by Cage The Elephant
Their previous album was a bomb so I didn't know what to expect. But this one nicely followes its ancestor. It continues to develop the same sound. It's not better, but it's decent. I like it.
10) 'Zmajevi Na Vjetru' by Vatra
Another Croatian band. I thought this one wouldn't make it to the list coz they became huge in Croatia thanks to a pop-rock single I consider a step back in their creative career. But, I wanted to give it a chance. And I think the album isn't bad at all. Yes, there are some tracks that are unnecessary, but some of them are actually nicely fresh. And, I think they made a high-quality radio-frendly pop-rock album, which is hard to find in this country.
There are also some albums I listen to a lot but do not delight me entirely with the production, like 'Pagans in Vegas' by Metric, 'Surrender' by Hurts or 'Wiped Out!' by The Neighbourhood. Things are getting too electro and indie-rock. Mainly too electro. Calm down, music industry. Have a measure.
Oh just a boring post about what I've been listening to this summer.
London Grammar - If You Wait (2013)
Something to feed your soul. It's all about her voice. I even tried to sing it out loud but I failed miserably. Though, the feeling IS more intense like that.
Vatra - Anđeo s Greškom (2002)
This Croatian band sounds so 2000s on this album. And I love it, innocent and unpretentious.
Say Lou Lou - Lucid Dreaming (2015)
Been waiting for this album for sooo long. And it's finally here. And it's very contagious. Sweet and deep at the same time.
deep house and tropical house - You Tube mix
Perfect for chilling on the beach. I admit, I kinda got obsessed trying to find the best remixes on You Tube. It was a long but satisfying process.
Daughter - If You Leave (2013)
For relaxing. Their music is in fact NOT relaxing, it's quite disturbing. But her voice is calming so I convinced myself that it's relaxing.
Temples - Sun Structures (2014)
Oh, what a heavenly music! I can hear mix of Tame Impala and 'A.M.' era Arctic Monkeys. Probably the most ear-catching psychedelic band I know.
Interpol - Turn On The Bright Lights (2002)
Instrumentals on this debut album remind me ofearly Placebo so I feel nostalgic. Though the songs actually sound like R.E.M. or The Killers. Weird.
The 70s are back in fashion. I'm glad they are coz I can finally find some items I've been craving for some time, like bell bottom jeans, thanks to these two.
Miranda and Elektra a.k.a. Say Lou Lou. They were 70s before it came in fashion. They carry the soul of it. And they are so good, I think they should become official fashion icons like, idk, Rihanna. I call them divas.
(Please click to enlarge)
Things I like on them: high wasted pants, jeans, shirts, long dresses, gold, rings, shoes, sunglasses,jumpsuits, cropped tops.
They are twins. And yeah they have the same style but are never identically dressed. Rather than that, everything comes in pairs.
Tons of pics coz I'm speechless.
They sing lovely too. Check them out. (Wow I should really just stop writing and start only posting pictures, I'm terrible.)
Oh wow, it's been a while since I wrote about perspective Croatian bands. I'm referring to this post about The Bambi Molesters. Actually, that was the ONLY post about perspective Croatian bands. And we have more than one.
This is the second post! :-)
Jonathan is a band from Rijeka. They exist since 2013 and have released one LP 'Bliss' and one maxi single 'Getting Closer Is Keeping Us Apart' since. They became an instant hit among indie music lovers, which is not very common in Croatia. Their touring schedule is getting more and more full. Why are they so interesting?
First of all, they sing in English. They sound like a British indie band (though the accent discloses them). And in case you don't know anything about the band and their members, it's not likely you'll automatically assume they're from this country. So when you find that out, you're astonished and proud.
Then, their songs and the whole actual concept are wonderful. Different song structures, layering, energy, sarcastic lyrics. Also, everything they do has a meaning (that's my weakness, I admit it). The name, the cover art... :
"The band's name reflects this
idea of unity, Jonathan being a metaphorical single person with a blend
of character traits and whimsies from each." (www.jonathanband.com)
"The album artwork is purposely “human” hand-painted (...). It represents our refusal to conform, or to believe that the
way of living, thinking, and feeling about ourselves and the world, the
one that’s served to us everywhere and everyday (presented by Microsoft,
the global giant and dogma of our times) is the only truth and the best
way to live. In fact it is far from it. Many times it’s the
worst path you can choose. The X in the corner is saying that there is a
way out, there is a right and a power to refuse, the right to shut it
down." (scuzz.co)
To see the cover go listen to their awesome album!
Carlotta Manaigo is a wonderful fashion photographer who I discovered through these photos. It's a fashion shooting featuring guys from the band Hurts. Enjoy!
(Click to enlarge)
See my previous post for more photos by Manaigo ;-)
Pop these days and all the shit on the radio... Yeah, yeah. Well stop complaining, turn off the radio and listen to what you like!
Here are some great artists I love. Modern pop saviours. Tasteful electronic music with original lyrics, not trying under all circumstances to be mainstream. I really wish they become big (some of them already did).
1) Lorde
Thank god, she made it.
2) Banks
So obsessed with her lately. Godess.
3) John Grant
One of the most unique artist ever.
4) Say Lou Lou
Their first album is on the way... Icons.
5) The Neighbourhood
Quite known outside, sadly not in my country.
6) Bipolar Sunshine
I don't know why's he waiting with an album?!?
7) Hurts
For the end, coz I think their first album was a masterpiece, second is nothing special (still better than most).
Do you have any other suggestions? As you can see, I prefer darker pop, nothing "Because I'm happyyyyy...", with good rythm and nice vocals also. I'm demanding.
Three beautiful little videos for today. They are very cinemtic. I don't know what the songs are about (just discovered this band M83 through these videos) but they are great.
"Beginning with 'Midnight City', we meet a group of children with special telekinetic powers imprisoned in an asylum from which they escape and, for a few fleeting moments, live like regular kids. That is, until they discover they are being pursued by the faceless authorities, who no doubt aim to place the kids back in captivity, in 'Reunion'. In the final episode 'Wait', (...) we enter an entirely new level of epic." (thecreatorsproject.vice.com)
Part I:
Part II:
Part III:
Looks to me like the end of the modern humanity and the creation of a new world order, pure and connected with nature.
The videos are the result of collaboration between M83 and Fleur & Manu.
I just watched videos form Sziget Festival I attended this summer. It made me think about photographers who are good at documenting concerts. Joseph Llanes. He photographed Placebo (I watched their Sziget gig) for Rolling Stone not that long ago.
Joseph Llanes is a genious who works with top stars (name a musician he hasn't photographed, I dare you). He is also interested in music itself, what makes him more suitable for this job. Everything started with Placebo, so they are one of his favourites to this day. He shot album and promo materials for their last few records, behind-the-scenes etc.
It's time for another fun (uselles) post! My lectures started this week but I have a very nice schedule, which means plenty of free time aka boredom. So yesterday I decided to arrange my mp3 music collection.
I deleted a lot of songs, basically those I always skip when my iTunes is on random. And oh how they reminded me of my teen music taste! So, this playlist is not for you. I wouldn't listen to this now just as I wouldn't go back to high school (traumatic period for me). I just find it fun to make a "reminder".
1) Simple Plan
'Welcome To My Life' was a teen anthem, so I ultimately loved it too. I was in my emo phase (no I was not a part of that subculture, then as popular as hypsters today, I was just opsessed with black, blood, loneliness, drama-drama, cemeteries and other morbid things) and that's why those heartbreaking songs about martyrdom and fights and misfortune were so cool.
2) Hoobastank
Another similar band. More punk maybe but very similar in general. What music style are these bands? Noisy pop? Anyway, you remember one of the greatest love songs-'The Reason'?
3) Story Of The Year
Ohoho, they were real emo s**t! Cutting veins and stuff. I can't believe how I managed to become such an optimist, growing up with bands like these X)
4) Billy Talent
Onother noisy pop band (starting to love this term). I remember that even those friends who listend to pop and r&b loved their songs for some reason. And they tried to sound so heavy. I'd be asheamed.
5) Fall Out Boy
As you can assume, I was in love with Pete. Also, I think their lyrics (and videos) were at the higher level compared to the previous bands. But let's talk about those nosy pop looks. Take a look at the previously posted images. Similar haircuts, anyone?
6) Avril Lavigne
Oh wow, it's not a band! Avril. Avril was the queen. A true female ruler of noisy pop. 'Sk8er Boy' is a classic but I also worshiped 'My Happy Ending' and it's video clip. And I loveeed her outfits (when she turned all girly, in 'Hot' or 'Girlfriend' videos).
7) Green Day
(Source: Google)
And what is a punk party without Green Day. I saved them for the end coz I still like their songs though I never listen to them purposely. 'American Idiot' was the first punk song I liked. I listened to some of their newest songs but I got board very soon. Those older are still the best.
Sooo... This took me more than an hour. Great. Feeling traumatized? I swear I'll be back on normal from the next post on.
