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Ana Tijoux: La BalaListen to “La Bala” here BUY HERE Ana Tijoux‘s follow up album to her 2010 Grammy-nominated breakthrough debut, 1977 is a marching band of sounds. The twin-titled track, “La Bala” showcases that spry tongue of the Chilean rapper,
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Tourist: Placid AcidListen to “Placid Acid” here BUY HERE A song can sing a thousand words, but Tourist‘s “Placid Acid” has to sing for itself. Not one lyric reaped could sow such a stammeringly psychedelic vibe:
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M.I.A.: Bad GirlsListen to “Bad Girls” here BUY HERE Live fast. Die young. That’s M.I.A.‘s motto. For the small percent of Americans who missed the bad girl’s middle finger to the FCC during yesterday’s NFL Super Bowl, this babe does not mind stirring up mass-televised controversy.
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Amadou & Mariam: Dougou Badia ft. SantigoldListen to “Dougo Badia” here BUY HERE Fall in love with this energetic Afro-rock by Malian couple, Amadou & Mariam. In love at first clap-choir chant combination.
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Butch Walker and the Black Widows: SynthesizersListen to “Synthesizers” here BUY HERE Butch Walker leaves the producer seat for songwriter once again alongside the Black Widows for the release of their 6th album, The Spade now out on Dangerbird Records. After producing hits for Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry,
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King Charles: Ivory RoadListen to “Ivory Road” here BUY HERE King Charles is the Weird Al of silly-sweet lyrics. His poet’s pen is trenching through our heads defeating every piece of love-doubting skepticism with each verbal stroke. Perhaps its the supposed wisdom shining off that royal mustache, but it seems that sentimental prose could be written in his sleep.
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Marvin Gaye: Sunny (Mercury Edit II)Listen to “Sunny (Mercury Edit II) here BUY HERE The dark days were through with Bobby Hebb’s love-a-thon, one of the most soul-driven songs ever written and loved. “Sunny” is a transformation of love itself now topped with a modern cherry by Swiss producer, Mercury. Doubtful was any fan of this heartful Motown hit that [...]
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Zongo Junction: Madoff Made OffListen to “Madoff Made Off” Here BUY HERE Brooklyn’s Afrobeat band, Zongo Junction enliven a whole new meaning of the a world-wide scandal with “Madoff Made Off.” The transglobal soundscapes confuse the senses with Kings of Leon guitar riffs moving into congas and
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Nneka: My HomeListen to “My Home” here BUY HERE Nneka‘s “My Home” rides in on a classical piano intro taking turns at an unexpected reggae avenue to end at a fearless 60′s rendition of modern Motown rock. Enters the horns, and the sedated reggae beats again. The African folk-soul
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WhoMadeWho: Inside WorldListen to “Inside World” here BUY HERE WhoMadeWho. The Danish trio inquire by title even before we can ask the question hanging on our lips: Who makes WhoMadeWho?
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Robin Thicke: Pretty Lil’ Heart (Lil Wayne)Listen to “Pretty Lil’ Heart (Ft. Lil Wayne)” here BUY HERE Once in a while a guilty piece of butter-smooth pleasure comes along, and time to time Lil Wayne may or may not have his unexpectedly charming and slime slick words written all over it. Mixed with Robin Thicke‘s sensual R&B vocals, “Pretty Lil’ Heart” [...]
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Aloe Blacc: Tonight DowntownListen to “Tonight Downtown” here Easily mistaken for a fashionisto, even British socialite, Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III is center stage on a revamped after work era of beats, as Aloe Blacc. A compilation of genres, all with a smokey jukebox resonance, suavester Blacc has buckled down a Tanqueray crowd of sippers with his hit single “Tonight [...]