Who IS La Roux?

She's going in for the kill, she's doing it for a thrill.

So La Roux is one of those new up-and-comers you keep hearing about no matter where you turn, having been featured in NME, Q, Blender and on countless blogs across the world. After having seen her face absolutely everywhere I decided to give her music a shot. As it turns out, she's not a she. No - she's not a transexual or anything funky like that - she is actually they. La Roux in fact consists of singer and synth player Elly Jackson and producer Ben Langmaid.

Ever-reliable Wikipedia informs me that their sound is influenced by the Eurythmics, Depeche Mode and The Human League - something that is extraordinarily apparent when you listen to their unusally good tracks. It's official: La Roux put the fun back into electropop.

La Roux - 'Quicksand' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

La Roux - 'In For The Kill' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

La Roux - 'In For The Kill (The Twelves Remix)' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

Damo's rock-a-bility rating: 4 out of 5

Sounds like: Yelle, Little Boots, Lo-Fi-Fnk

Top tracks: Quicksand, In For The Kill, Fascination

Back... kinda

Ello folks, it has certainly been a hell of a long time since I last posted. College life kind of took over and I just didn't have the time to update anymore so I apologize profusely for randomly disappearing on a four month hiatus. I've missed blogging so much that I'm planning to make my comeback to the blogosphere little by little and very soon, though, so watch this space! 

Cheers.

- D

More Ozzie goodness in the form of Sneaky Sound System

Shake it up baby like you own the club, shake it up baby like you need the love.

Yes, I am indeed going through an Ozzie phase at the moment. If I'm not listening to Van She (check them out over here), I'm grooving to the fine tunes of threesome - or possibly fivesome, I can never tell - Sneaky Sound System. If you, like me, are getting ready to go out and partay or just feel like getting low to some funky tracks, you absolutely must check these guys (and girl) out. They'll make you feel good, guaranteed.

If that didn't convince you, this surely will: they won both the Best Dance Release AND Breakthrough Artist award at Australia's 2007 ARIA Awards. Still not totally convinced? Give your ears a helping of the tracks below and they'll thank you for it.

Sneaky Sound System - 'Goodbye (Goodwill Darley St. Remix)' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)
Sneaky Sound System - 'When We Were Young (G.L.O.V.E.S. Remix)' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)
Sneaky Sound System - 'When We Were Young (Breakbot Remix)' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

[NEW] Jay-Z: 'History'

Success is like lust, which is good for the touch.

So I guess Jay-Z isn't planning on retiring any time soon after all. Lucky for us we have at least one more album to enjoy before he disappears off to the south coast of France to enjoy life with Beyonce and the kids. And no, I'm not actually being sarcastic for once: Jay-Z is by far one of the top rappers out there in my humblest of humble opinions.

Here's a brand new leaked track titled 'History' which, along with the rest of his upcoming album 'The Blueprint 3', has been produced by the legendary Mr. Kanye West. It even samples French legend Marc Lavoine's 'Une Nuit sur son épaule' which makes for an, erm, interesting final result.

Jay-Z - 'History' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

Kings of Leon's 'Use Somebody' video premiers

You know that I could use somebody.

When I first listened to the relatively new - and fantastic, might I add - Kings of Leon album 'Only By the Night', 'Use Somebody' was an instant favourite of mine. There was something about the melancholy chords, vulnerable lyrics and nostalgic melody that hit a chord with me straight away. It's now been released as a single along with a spanking new video which is nothing special. Check out the Dolby Anol remix below if you haven't heard it yet though - it's much more exciting. It will quite literally make your ears scream with delight, furrealz.

Kings of Leon - Use Somebody

Kings of Leon - 'Use Somebody' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)
BONUS REMIX: Kings of Leon - 'Use Somebody (Dolby Anol edit)' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

Ima Robot are explosive!

Love's a boombox, turn the fader.

You gotta love Ima Robot. This LA fivesome, formed all the way back in the noughties (the 90's, if you're not in the know), have created some freaking awesome tunes with some equally awesome and unusual lyrics. I stumbled upon them when looking for artists similar to my personal favourite Under the Influence of Giants (more about those guys here) and have been listening to them non-stop since then.

With a sound that mixes certain elements of Hot Hot Heat with beats vaguely reminiscent of The Faint, IMA Robot are a unique band set for great things. All they need is a bit of exposure and I guarantee you'll be hearing/seeing them around A LOT. For now, give the tracks below a listen - they are pure unadulterated satisfaction.

Ima Robot - 'Creeps Me Out' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)
Ima Robot - 'Dynomite' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)
Ima Robot - 'Love is a Boombox' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

[NEW] The Killers: 'Spaceman'

The song maker says "it ain't so bad", the dream maker's gonna make you mad.

'Spaceman' is the second official single to be taken from The Killers' upcoming album 'Day & Age'. First up, what are your thoughts on the album cover art? I'm personally lovin' it like McDonalds (bit of viral brand marketing for you there) but I've heard that quite a few fans are feeling disappointed. In related news, we only have two weeks or so to wait until we can hear it in full (legally) since it's planned for a November 25 release - and a day earlier in the United Kingdom for us lucky UK-based fans.

After the slightly different direction in which 'Human' took us, 'Spaceman' brings us back to what The Killers are all about with a fantastic, sing-along chorus. It could easily be on 'Sam's Town' or even 'Hot Fuss' for that matter. Absolutely can't wait to hear more!

The Killers - 'Spaceman' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

[NEW] T-Pain featuring Justin Timberlake: 'Can't Believe It' Remix

Man you don't understand she make the people say YEAHHH!

As you probably know, I'm definitely not T-Pain's biggest fan. Justin Timberlake, on the other hand, I can just about tolerate (douchey attitude aside). In other words, a combination of the two isn't the kind of sound that gets my ears creaming. I've received about ten e-mails requesting I post this track so I thought why not? I think I shall refrain from giving my opinion so as not to offend any of y'all (not that that ever stopped me before, ouch) but I'll just say this: JT + autotune = bad times. Very bad times.

T-Pain - 'Can't Believe It feat. Justin Timberlake (Remix)' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

[NEW] Britney Spears: 'Kill the Lights'

You wouldn't like her when she's angry.

Shit... Madge just looks too hawt for words in that piccie. Click it for a closer view if you don't believe me. The manly muscles, unusually taut face and sexy face expression just scream "take me now!". Come on guys, you know you can't resist that body. Don't pretend. So yeah, Britney Spears joined her on stage last night at her show in LA for about 20 seconds of awkward "dancing" and a few attempts at singing. It was about as exhilarating as it sounds.

In far more exciting news, the pop cheeto's new track 'Kill the Lights' has leaked out onto teh internetz. It's actually not all that bad and deals with the paparazzi, constant media attention and pretty much all of the things us mere mortals clearly can relate to. The best thing about it is the dramatic, theatrical sound. Her new album 'Circus' is set for release on her birthday, December 2. Anyone actually planning on buying it?

Britney Spears - 'Kill the Lights' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

Do YOU hate Julia too?

Hawt? Y/N?

Although lol-worthy, I usually have a burning hatred towards any site remotely similar to IHateYouJulia.com. However, in this case I'm prepared make a rare exception - mainly because I am completely and utterly intrigued by the site, its creator and of course the lovely (?) Julia. I'm not convinced it's genuine and yet I can't help myself asking friends and even family to visit my personal URL just so I can see more. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME Y'ALL?!

Here's the dealio: basically the site was supposedly created by a very, very angry ex-boyfriend of a girl by the name of Julia who cheated on him and in short fucked him over (and not in a good way). It sounds like a soap opera and yet this is reality. So now for the shameless begging... PLEASE visit my URL. I will return the favour with unlimited supplies of cookies and crack. Or maybe just the cookies. You decide.

Now click on down to the site and enjoy the drama of it all. Sure, it completely invades the privacy and exploits the intimacy of a possibly underrage girl but how is that different to anything I'd usually do on a Saturday night? OH NO HE DI-ENT. Oh yes he did!

http://www.ihateyoujulia.com/?id=6e593e357a5421999300229a2b3a1d6d

[NEW] Chromeo: '100 Percent'

I won't let you go until you say please.

As it turns out Chromeo's '100 Percent' isn't as new a track as I thought (it was on their July-released album) but by web standards remains one that hasn't been talked about in great detail. To be blunt, it's pretty easy to see why: it sounds like a hybrid between a really bad 70's porn movie (not that I watch them or anything... ahem) and GTA Vice City radio. Don't get me wrong, I do love me some Vice City FM and the Chromeo sound but this track just completely falls flat in comparison to their masterpieces 'Fancy Footwork' and 'Needy Girl'. Y/N?

Chromeo - '100 Percent' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

Kanye West's 'Heartless' video premiers

How could you be so heartless?

Eh? EH?! How could you! But in all seriousness y'all everyone's favourite egocentric mofo Kanye West has just released the video for his new single 'Heartless'. I've already told you how I feel about the track (psst - you can get it like it's hawt right HERE in case you missed it) and I've got to say I'm totally enjoying the vid. It's like a cross between Andy Warhol on crack and The Jetsons, both of which are the epitome of awesome. Watch below:

A little bit about Alkaline Trio

You're up there, took the stairs, to the stars all alone.

Have you ever come across Chicagoan (is that even a real word?) band Alkaline Trio? If not, you're seriously missing out my friend. I've had a few of their tracks on my iTunes for ages but never really bothered to give 'em a listen until about two weeks ago. If dark lyrics about alcoholism, depression, love, drugs and death sound like your cup of tea you're in luck. Oh and forget that the dude on the right looks like he's just been released from the state pen... these guys have some absolutely class tracks.

Their sixth and most recent studio album 'Agony & Irony' was released in July '08 and has spawned the anthemic 'Help Me' which you can hear below along with 'Mercy Me'. Want moaaar? Send me your requests, folks.

Alkaline Trio - 'Help Me' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload) ~ mp3 courtesy of Jonny H - thanks buddy!
Alkaline Trio - 'Mercy Me' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

[NEW] Amy Winehouse versus The Killers: 'Mr. Rehabside'

They tried to make him go to rehab but he said no no no.

And now for something completely different - yet surprisingly homely (no, not homey). Someone by the name of Totom has mashed up Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab' with The Killers' legendary 'Mr. Brightside'. Aside from the weird choice of title which I admit put me off a bit, this track is quite simply excellent for the most part. I mean, pretty much everyone I know loves both tracks so it's only natural that they'd love a mash-up of the two right? Give it a listen and let me know what you think. In the mean time, I'll be down the pub...

EDIT: Just found out that Totom is from a town very near to my hometown in France. Touraine represent! YESSIR!

Amy Winehouse versus The Killers - 'Mr. Rehabside (Totom Mash-up)' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)

What I'm loving on Friday

She's running all the time, she's running blind.

Ozzie-based Van She are the absolute shiz and after all, they've been described by their label as being "fresher than Flavor Flav, fresh like coriander, fresher than the Fresh Prince". It really doesn't get better than that. Though I'm not 100% sure what being 'fresh like coriander' entails (and not sure I want to know either), these guys are most definitely one of the best things to emerge out of Australia in a long time.

I could go on describing them for ages but I don't think my attempts will quite do them justice. In short, check out the tracks below if you're a fan of synths, 80's-sounding rock and just plain good ol' melodies, folks. Hawt stuff!

Van She - 'Kelly' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)
Van She - 'Kelly (Cut Copy Remix)' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)
Van She - 'Changes' mp3 (Rapidshare) (Megaupload)