Category Archives: music

[anticipation] Youth Lagoon//Wondrous Bughouse

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“Trevor Powers, whose stage name is Youth Lagoon, began writing his debut album The Year of Hibernation in 2010.  Based around the idea of psychological dysphoria, Powers tried to document the trails of his mind through songs of minimalism and hypnotic ambiance.  Powers later described his writing process as ‘my mind communicating with me, not the other way around…it can take me to scary places but I’ve realized those bizarre thoughts I have don’t define me.’  After signing with Mississippi-based label Fat Possum Records in 2011, he toured much of the following year before going back into solitude to write.

Wondrous Bughouse, Powers’ sophomore album (due March 5 worldwide via Fat Possum), was spawned from what he describes as ‘becoming more fascinated with the human psyche and where the spiritual meets the physical world.’  During the time he wrote, Powers became intrigued with the metaphysical universe and blending those ideas with pop music.

‘Youth Lagoon is something so personal to me because writing music is how I sort my thoughts, as well as where I transfer my fears,’ explains Powers.  ‘My mental state is usually pretty sporadic… a lot of this record was influenced by a fear of mortality but embracing it at the same time.  Realizing that human life is only great because it is temporary.  Experimenting with ideas about dimensions.  I’m not a gifted spear, so explaining things is difficult for me.  But music always makes sense.'” [source: Fat Possum]

Track list:
01. Through Mind and Back
02. Mute
03. Attic Doctor
04. The Bath
05. Pelican Man
06. Dropla
07. Sleep Paralysis
08. Third Dystopia
09. Raspberry Cane
10. Daisyphobia

♩Youth Lagoon – July [from The Year of Hibernation]

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[on repeat] Phosphorescent//Song for Zula

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I know we’re only three days into the new year, but this is my favorite song of 2013 (for now at least).  Had Johnny Cash ever collaborated with Enigma, I imagine it would’ve sounded a bit like this.  “Song for Zula” from the forthcoming album Muchacho, which will be available March 16th on Dead Oceans.

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(31) Days of Good: 12.31.12

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(31) Days of Good: 2012 has come to an end.  Between the huge amount of good music this year and a much needed vacation, I have once again failed to recognize everything 2012 had to offer.  Thanks to Spotify though, you can at least take a look at the 500+ tracks I believe to be the year’s best.  But before I close things out, I still need to talk about one more artist and track.  Frank Ocean’s channel Orange was my biggest surprise of the year.  I hate most RnB, but Ocean isn’t your typical RnB artist.  His lyrics are smart and his production is top notch.  He really is a one-of-a-kind artist, with huge crossover appeal.  Heck, even my wife like’s him, and she hates RnB more than I do.  So without further ado, my biggest surprise of 2012, followed by the (31) Days of Good: 2012 Spotify playlist.  Enjoy and Happy New Year.

 

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♩Frank Ocean – Lost [from channel Ocean]

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(31) Days of Good: 2012

(31) Days of Good: 12.30.12

Since i’ll be in the car for the long trek home after another great holiday, today’s good is a bit different.  I can’t drive without listening to something.  I love talk radio in the morning and music on the way home from work in the afternoon is the best.  A little bit of both on long drives is my favorite.  So without further ado, I’d like to give a little shout out to my favorite podcasts that make those long drives bearable (and help me discover new music on regular basis).

 

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All Songs Considered

 

 

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The Hype Machine Radio Show

 

 

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The Dinner Party Download

 

 

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Nialler9

 

 

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The Noise Pop Podcast

 

 

(31) Days of Good: 12.29.12

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“‘Dreams So Real,’ which is one of the darkest, greatest things Metric has ever created. It’s one of the boldest musical choices on the album, fit with stripped down instrumentals and deceptively complex composition. This stripped down background works so well because Haines’s words are so honest. ‘Have I ever really helped anyone but myself?’ she asks.” (via Surviving the Golden Age)

Metric – Dreams So Real [from Synthetica] (stream on soundcloud)
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“‘Now that you’ve grown so wise / Use that head and stop to think a little / Just cause you’re crazy doesn’t mean you’re free,” sings frontman Torquil Campbell on the opening track and first single, “The Theory of Relativity.’ The track, which bumps and throbs to an ‘80s bass line and synth, creates a separation between the watered-down radio hits that have become synonymous with recent pop.” (via Paste)

Stars – The Theory of Relativity [from The North]
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