Artist Spotlight: Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey is a 24 year-old big-lipped, deep-voiced New Yorker with a killer feminine-retro sound. Her first single, “Video Games” is a gloomy yet whimsical ode to unrequited love, and sounds like heartache in its purest form. Seriously, someone give this girl a hug. For more Del Rey, check out the sultry track “Blue Jeans,” in which she longs for a James Dean lookalike who’s “fresh to death and sick as cancer,” as well as the lighter, ultra-catchy “Diet Mountain Dew,” which has been on repeat on my iTunes for a good month now. I’m looking forward to a full-length album so we can see what else Del Rey has in store (and maybe find out if she ever gets the guy.)
To check out “Blue Jeans,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t-I-Lqy06g&feature=channel_video_title
To check out “Video Games,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO1OV5B_JDw
To check out “Diet Mountain Dew,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmHQAV_6vMg
New & Noteworthy Tracks
“Bright Lights” by Gary Clark Jr.
“You gonna know my name by the end of the night,” Clark sings on this guitar-driven, blues-infused track that will leave you with a groove you won’t be able to forget for days. The Austin, TX native has exploded onto the music scene and has proven himself to be a natural as a contemporary bluesman with a soulful, hip-hop voice layered over loud electric guitars. Listen up, because you WILL know his name.
To check out “Bright Lights,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFjMeOnqAPI
“Born Alone” by Wilco
For a band that’s been around for over fifteen years, Wilco has managed to stick with what works for them: alternative rock with hints of country twang set to simple yet mature lyrics (penned by front man Jeff Tweedy). This single, off the band’s newly released eighth studio album, is no exception to those standards; however, it does sound a bit more upbeat than its predecessor songs. Perhaps Tweedy and the gang have given up reflecting on the woes of their young adulthood and have instead come to terms with being the middle-aged veterans on the block.
To check out “Born Alone,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTqEB0MyGdY&feature=channel_video_title
“Wine and Chocolates” by Theophilus London
The video for this catchy tune by Trinidad-born, Brooklyn-raised singer/rapper Theophilus London will have your eyes darting back and forth for four straight minutes, so be prepared to focus. London is often compared to Kid Cudi, and while their voices may sound alike, London’s music tends to borrow from a broader range of styles and is more upbeat compared to Cudi’s often brooding tracks. “Wine and Chocolates,” from London’s debut LP Timez Are Wierd These Days exemplifies London’s smooth, easy-listening style.
To check out “Wine and Chocolates,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U9KIjBuRBM&feature=artist
“The Scientist” by Willie Nelson
I’ve seen Willie Nelson perform live twice in the past three years, and I can tell you that, at 78, the man is still going strong. Rather than resort to relying on his impressive catalogue of country jams for the remainder of his career, Nelson continues to surprise audiences by releasing new and unexpected material, like this hauntingly beautiful cover of Coldplay’s “The Scientist.” Nelson’s rendition is more subdued than the original, but his fragile voice adds a level of maturity and emotion to the song.
To check out “The Scientist,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4wnTD0nBlo
“Shake It Out” by Florence and the Machine
Everyone’s favorite redheaded indie-soul diva is back with this energetic second single off Florence and the Machine’s new album Ceremonials. I prefer this track over the first single, “What the Water Gave Us,” but the real buzz lately has been over Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd’s remix of “Shake It Out,” which morphs the power ballad into a darker, experimental track that strips it of its empowerment and leaves us with something much grittier.
To check out “Shake It Out,” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSLdptE5aFw
To check out “Shake It Out (remix),” visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utZ7ahphZpM
Weirdest Video of the Week: “When the Night Falls” by Chromeo
Club-going chicks get impregnated by electro-funk music in this bizarre video from New Wave Canadian duo Chromeo. I’m not even going to pretend I know what underlying meaning this video tries to get at. Fear of fatherhood? Come on guys, it’s called a condom, not a magical baby-zapping keyboard.
Picture source: http://www.dnjournal.com/
*HC OSU is not responsible for copyright violations as pertaining to the YouTube links.