Pop Culture Buzz

Hercules and Love Affair is a musical project from New York based DJ Andy Butler. Members include Nomi, Kim Ann Foxman and Antony Hegarty (lead vocalist in Antony & The Johnsons). Hercules And Love Affair continue their disco revolution with the release of the brand new single “You Belong” taken from their critically acclaimed debut album.

This album has all ready cemented itself as one of 2008’s stand out achievements in dance and pop music. I plan on seeing them perform this July in San Francisco so please keep your eyes peeled on this site for a review later this month. Until then check out the fabulous new music video for “You Belong” below.

Madonna’s latest CD “Hard Candy” has slowly been growing on me, but this track is the stand out song on the album. Madonna has always been an innovator when it comes to sharp artistic music videos with high production values, this video is no exception. Once again Madonna has her hand on the pulse of modern pop music, check out the fabulous music video for “Give It 2 Me” below:

BELLE AND SEBASTIAN - “THE BLUES ARE STILL BLUE” (2006)

THE FLAMING LIPS - “DO YOU REALIZE?” (2002)

GOLDFRAPP - “STRICT MACHINE” (2003)

TRAVIS - “WHY DOES IT ALWAYS RAIN ON ME?” (1999)

“Caravan Girl” is the third single from Goldfrapp’s goreous fourth studio album “Seventh Tree”. This track is especially awesome when Alison Goldfrapp performs it live in concert. After seein them at Coachella I am excited to see Goldfrapp again at this August’s Treasure Island Music Festival in the San Francisco Bay Area.

WATCH THE “CARAVAN GIRL” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

“The Sun & The Neon Light” is the third studio album by Berlin-based electronic band Booka Shade, released on 26 May, 2008 on Get Physical Music. The album features 14 tracks, including new, shortened versions of “Karma Car” and “Planetary”, both of which had been previously released as EPs. Their previous album titled “Movements” spawned two massive club hits called “Mandarine Girl” and “Body Language”.

By the look and sound of “The Sun & The Neon Light” in the video below, it is very obviously the creation of two men still in love with the dancefloor. After watching them spin a terrific set at Coachella this year I am excited to hear their new album as soon as I can! Check out the promo video for their new CD below.

“Warwick Avenue” is the third single from the debut album Rockferry by Duffy. Aimee Anne Duffy (born 23 June 1984 in Gwynedd, Wales), known professionally as Duffy, is a Welsh singer-songwriter. Her album “Rockferry” is currently a critical and top 10 chart hit in both the UK and USA.

This second single is a breezy romantic throw back that was the perfect cool down song when I saw Duffy perform at Coachella. Duffy’s warm familiar sound has a softer edge than her neo-soul counterpart Amy Winehouse. Her album has already made a spot in my top albums of 2008 list and it makes for great driving music.

WATCH THE “WARWICK AVENUE” MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

“Narrow Stairs” is the seventh studio album by rock band Death Cab for Cutie, I will be reviewing it next week. Here is the music video for the first single off of the album titled “I Will Possess Your Heart”, released on March 18, 2008. This building and dark single is Death Cab For Cutie at it’s best, I’m excited to hear the full length album!

“Violet Hill” is the new single from Coldplay’s forthcoming studio album titled “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.” This song was released as the first single from the album just last week and it already is climbing the charts.

“Violet Hill” was downloaded for nothing by over 600,000 people in the 24 hours since it was made available at 12:15pm on 29 April. In the subsequent week, the single was downloaded 2 million times from the Coldplay website.

MORRISSEY - “SING YOUR LIFE” (1991)

JESUS JONES - “REAL, REAL, REAL” (1991)

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS - “BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL” (1990)

MAZZY STAR - “HALAH” (1991)

Robyn’s breakthrough pop CD “Robyn” has finally been released in the U.S. and the publicity machine is in full gear. One of her first singles “Who’s That Girl?” is a stand out track amongst a list of other sparkling gems. The song itself was written by fellow Swedes, The Knife.

A few years ago while making this CD Robyn looked at the way in which The Knife were releasing their music and was impressed. As owners of Rabid Records, siblings Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer (The Knife) have complete creative control over their music and are able to license it to territories and labels as they see fit. Robyn eventually created her own label Konichiwa Records based on their influence.

Robyn wrote this track and then recorded it with the duo around the time they were putting out their second album “Deep Cuts”, the song has a blend of Robyn’s pop shine and the duo’s dark moody electro music combined.

Check out the video for “Who’s That Girl?” below:

Sam Sparro (born Sam Falso) is a producer, songwriter and performer, and former child actor. He is signed to UK-based record label, Island Records. After hearing Sparro’s singing, Chaka Khan became one of his early admirers….add me to the list of his new fans as well!

Sparro performed this song with Mark Ronson at this year’s Coachella Music Festival and it instantly won me over and now I am a huge Sam Sparro fan. This fun summer jam is currently rising up the UK music charts.

Check out Sam Sparro’s catchy brand of dance music below:

I just purchased a copy of the Midnight Juggernauts debut CD “Dystopia” and my review will be coming next week, but let me just say it is already my favorite dance/electronic album of 2008. I will be seeing this Australian dance threesome at the Coachella Music Festival this week (I can’t wait).

Their futuristic space age rave sound sounds a lot like electro pioneers Daft Punk. The music video below for “Shadows” is sleak and sexy as hell. Here is just a taste of what may be the biggest breakthrough band of 2008 below:

THE MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS

DEEE-LITE “POWER OF LOVE” (1990)

COLOR ME BADD - “I ADORE MI AMORE” (1991)

MICHAEL PENN - “NO MYTH” (1989)

ROXETTE - “JOYRIDE” (1991)

DIGITAL UNDERGROUND - “THE HUMPTY DANCE” (1990)

JANE CHILD - “DON’T WANT TO FALL IN LOVE” (1990)

LIVE - “SELLING THE DRAMA” (1994)

MR. BIG - “TO BE WITH YOU” (1992)

TATU - “ALL THE THINGS SHE SAID” (2002)

“Happiness” is Goldfrapp’s second single off of their brilliant 4th CD titled “Seventh Tree.” This single is one of thier more infectious and radio friendly tunes to come out in a while. I am a huge fan if you couldn’t tell. Enjoy the creative and sweet music video below: