I'm In Love I'm In Love I'M IN LOVE

...with Oh Land's new self-titled album; oh my god is this shit extraordinary. Danish singer Nanna Oland Fabricius, aka Oh Land, has been at it for a while now, but this album has absolutely placed her at the top of my favorites. Both playful in its experimental instrumentation and wholly representative of what is good about modern-day indie music, this record places somewhere in between Glasser and Ladyhawke with a dash of Fever Ray.... which, if you don't know my taste in music, is a very high compliment in my book. Her most famous song off the album, "Son of a Gun", who's accompanying video has rightfully gone viral on youtube since being posted in October, is, to say the least, extremely catchy and creative. I personally would put "White Nights" and "Human" on the same level as "Son of a Gun"; they have a similar vibe and yet are both quite original, and will undoubtedly be stuck in my head for weeks. "Helicopter" is somewhat mellow compared to the other aforementioned songs, but it is calmingly beautiful and just so well done. Ugh I cannot say enough about this girl, this album is a must-buy. I was absolutely heartbroken to find out she is playing in LA at the Music Box DAYS after I leave, but here's hoping she will play more live shows over summer. Watch the visually stunning video for "Son of a Gun" below, and trust me when I say you will not regret buying this record.

You Are My Native Speaker

I went to see Baths play at the Troubadour a week or so ago, and as much as I was impressed with him I was absolutely blown away by Braids' live show. The foursome from Canada has been on a very lengthy tour with Baths in the US/ Canada since early February, LA being their last stop. I had never heard of the group before seeing them play, but I was so absolutely impressed with their incredible vocal effects, harmonies, and amazing production technique that I went home and immediately bought the record after the show, and have been listening to it non-stop since. Songs like "Native Speaker" and "Glass Deers" are such a brain-envelopingly amazing combination of trippy and serene that they make you want to lie down in the middle of a forest and never leave. If you don't yet have their debut album, Native Speaker, yet, you're sorely missing out. Listen to "Glass Deers" below:

Love Out Of Lust For Lykke

I should have written this post two or so weeks ago when Lykke Li released her sophomore album, Wounded Rhymes, but to say I have fallen madly in love with every single track on this record is an understatement. I have been a Lykke fan from the beginning, who initially drew me in with tracks like "I'm Good, I'm Gone", "Complaint Department", and "Dance, Dance Dance" and with her unbelievable theatrical live performances. But I have to say, although I truly loved a lot of the songs off of Youth Novels, she has come quite a long way musically since her earlier days. The creative drum beats and dynamic melodies of "I Follow Rivers" and "Youth Knows No Pain" are what make these two songs absolute stand-outs for me, however I am almost equally obsessed with songs like "Rich Kids Blues" and "Love Out Of Lust", and of course with the hilariously abrasive "Get Some". I really can't say enough about this album, her work on this record really makes it hard to believe she's only 24 years old. And seeing as her live shows are probably my favorite part about her, I absolutely cannot wait to see her this summer at the Wiltern in LA. And for you New Yorkers, it was just announced today that she will be playing at Central Park Summerstage in August! I highly recommend buying Wounded Rhymes in full, it's definitely going to be on everyone's top albums of 2011 lists. And if you get the chance, see her live. It is truly a worthwhile experience. Listen to the album HERE.