I’ll admit it: I slept on Vanbot‘s 2011 debut.
Not that there weren’t enough people yelling at me about it–I just never got around to listening! Naturally, it was a dreadful mistake on my part.
The Swedish songstress’ (born Ester Ideskog–wise name change, no doubt!) self-titled record is a thoroughly free of flaw Swede-pop production, channeling the sad disco of Kleerup-ian Robyn, a bit of Lykke Li, and some of Canadian crooner Lights‘ latest album. It’s an absolute must listen, and if I’d actually given it a chance earlier, Vanbot would rank high on my Top Albums of 2011 list. (You can stream much of Vanbot right here.)
But there’s no time to mourn my missing the Vanbot train, because she’s already back with a new groove for 2012: “Got To Get Out,” which just premiered via Nylon Magazine.
From Nylon:
“Got To Get Out” is about my hometown Stockholm and how it’s filled with people experiencing a sense of isolation and separation, how it makes you feel lonely in a crowd,” she explains. “It’s fascinating that people can live so close together without really noticing one another. It’s about exploring the city nightlife and the tendencies people have to chase after the experiences that will cause the best story to tell the next day instead of enjoying the happiness of the moment.”
“The beat will guide us home, and we just got to get out tonight,” Vanbot cries out.
The production on Vanbot’s latest track still channels those Kleerup/Robyn electro-indulgence, but this time around, it’s actually closer to the ethereal, spaced-out synthesizer sound of The Sound of Arrows.
“Got To Get Out” will be released on February 28 as the lead single from Vanbot’s upcoming sophomore record, according to her official website. (And best of all, you can download it for free at Nylon!)
So hop on board now–don’t miss out for a year like I did!
“Got To Get Out” will be released on February 28. (iTunes)
filed under: Adele, Britney Spears, Charli XCX, David Guetta, Katy B, Kesha, Lana Del Rey, Marina And The Diamonds, MuuMuse Excluusive, Nicole Scherzinger, Rihanna, Robyn, Sia, Sky Ferreira, Will Young
Two weeks ago, I presented my Top 25 Albums of 2011. Now…it’s time for the Top 50 Singles of 2011!
If the album list was tough, this was one step short of impossible, Shontelle style. Between rock-solid offerings from my favorite pop princesses, to stunning debut tracks from some of MuuMuse’s Most Anticipated artists, to throbbing dance floor bangers from DJs and producers worldwide–there was simply too much to love in 2011!
As a result, the list took a while. I didn’t sleep. I didn’t eat. I haven’t bathed. I’m literally a disgusting music-minded mess right now.
BUT NOW IT IS COMPLETE!
This is a list of 50 of my favorite offerings of the year (plus one honorable mention which was never actually released as a single.) Since I am giving like the Baby Jesus, I’ve created a full playlist of all my Top 50 tracks on Spotify. You are welcome in advance.
So without further ado, check out the full list below. Remember: If you have a problem with the final ranking, please…don’t hold it against me!
If you happened to be busy having a social life (seriously overrated), you might have missed Robyn performing on Saturday Night Live last night.
The Queen of Swede Pop rocked it out to two stellar tracks off of 2010′s best album of the year, Body Talk: “Call Your Girlfriend” and “Dancing On My Own.” As anyone who’s ever seen her live can attest, the bowl-cut chanteuse tore up the stage as only she can in concert, nailing that backward-roll-to–floor-hump in “Girlfriend” and slamming the machine gun-air-punching frenzy of “Dancing.” OHMYGOD, and that dance breakdown at 2:40 during “Call Your Girlfriend”? I DIE! Get it, get it, GET IT!
It was such a treat to see the ever under-the-radar superstar performing on such a massive American platform as SNL–and oh, how she so thoroughly slayed the stage! As my friend Bryan Byczek so perfectly summed it up last night: “It’s Robyn’s earnestness that gets me every time. She truly believes pop can save the world, or cure a broken heart. I love her for that.”
So proud of you, Robyn!
Oh yes, and someone that looked like Zooey Deschanel but wasn’t Zooey Deschanel was hosting. Not familiar.
Rebecca & Fiona – “Hard”
Haven’t heard of DJ duo Rebecca & Fiona yet? You probably have in some capacity, but sit down and get cozy anyway–you’re going to be glad you did.
The stunning Swedish twosome have been making waves in their homeland for over the past two years, beginning with the release of their debut single: “Luminary Ones.” “It’s been a long time since I’ve had some fun,” the girls chant listlessly above the song’s dark, throbbing pulsations, bringing to mind the electro-pop ferocity of Cat5 (“Stretch & Bend”) and the hypnotic trance beats of Kleerup (Robyn‘s “With Every Heartbeat,” for instance.)
Since then, the girls have only continued to be dominate on their path of reckless amazingness–from “Bullets” (which MuuMuse contributor Sam Lansky spotlighted in his first installment of Amazing Things I’m Listening To From Sweden) to an opening spot on Queen of Swede-Pop Robyn’s European tour.
They even snagged themselves their own reality show at some point based on their lives as DJs/producers (which I haven’t seen quite yet, but I’m going to assume it’s something like a Swedish version of The Hills. Which one’s Heidi?)
Most recently, the duo unleashed their manically delicious “Jane Doe” earlier this month; a song with enough bubbling electronica to have the Pet Shop Boys foaming at the mouth and enough chilly, echoed vocals to keep the ghoulish Halloween feeling alive well past October. It’s incredible–no, it’s absolutely EVERYTHING.
(But if the accompanying video above is anything to go by, you wouldn’t want to have this bickering duo as your new roomies. For God’s sake, learn to share a mirror you two!)
Rebecca & Fiona also made a guest appearance on “Turn It Down,” the searing collaboration found on DJ Kaskade‘s new album Fire & Ice, and arguably one of the best tracks on the entire record.
Oh, and by the way: Rebecca & Fiona released their debut album I Love You Man today in Sweden, and it’s easily one of the best records of 2011. I’m absolutely F-L-O-O-R-E-D. Swedish dance-pop perfection. Track it down now.
I Love You Man was released on November 16. (iTunes)
WORK MAMA!
Robyn made a long, long overdue appearance on mainstream US TV on The Ellen Show yesterday to perform the last single off of 2010′s Body Talk, “Call Your Girlfriend.”
Sporting a rather fly hoodie that has her looking a little Mighty Aphrodite (DO YOU SEE WHAT I DID THERE? SHE HAS WINGS ON HER HEAD), platform shoes and and some super schweet leggings, the Swedish Pop Queen delivered an unsurprisingly incredible rendition of her latest synthesizer smash. Ugh, so good! So punchy! Such energy!
And then, it happens at 1:30: she LITERALLY DOES THE SAME BACK FLIP-TO-FLOOR-HUMP AS IN THE VIDEO. Like, THIS .GIF just happened in REAL LIFE…while she was SINGING LIVE. Could your faves? No, I’m actually quite serious: Could your faves physically even?! I DID NOT THINK SO. Legend.
I’m so happy to see that Ellen’s given our favorite Swede some much deserved recognition. Now we please get her to break into the damn mainstream US market already?!
“Call Your Girlfriend (Remixes) EP” was released in May. (iTunes)
I’ve got some news for you: Fembots have creative input too!
Robyn‘s 3-part Body Talk collection was undoubtedly one the most exciting pop happenings of 2010, from the music, to the endless touring, to the deliciously rich artwork and music videos.
On Tuesday, Style.com posted an exclusive interview from The Creator’s Project between Robyn and Mary Fagot, the creative director behind the Body Talk campaign.
Click above to watch the two artists discuss their personal and collaborative style and while offering some brand new insight into the Body Talk era, including building the interactive viral clips (“Interactive Beat Machine” and “#killingme”), striking the perfect visual balance and choosing the right cover art.
She’s just so adorable…I love hearing her speak about her songs! “It’s like a whining song.”
And finally, a fantastic quote by the Swedish songstress contained in the Style article:
Sometimes, I will catch a little girl’s face and her mouth is gaping open as she wonders what the fuck I’m doing—not everyone gets what I’m about.
‘NANA MUNCHIN’ ROBYN APPROVES OF THIS POST.
For more on Mary Fagot’s work, check out her official website.
Body Talk was released in November 2010. (iTunes)
Earlier this morning, MTV announced the addition of a brand new socially-concious category to the 2011 Video Music Awards: “Best Video With A Message.”
The nominees for the award–from the network that brings you Jersey Shore and 16 and Pregnant–include Lady Gaga‘s “Born This Way,” Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful,” Katy Perry‘s “Firework,” Taylor Swift‘s “Mean,” Eminem‘s “Love the Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna),” P!nk‘s “Fuckin’ Perfect” and Rise Against‘s “Make it Stop (September’s Children).”
As you can tell from the list of candidates, it’s kind of–err, lacking in places. MAJORLY.
To remedy this situation, I’ve gone ahead and spotlighted four of the most glaring snubs. With any luck, I’ll have shed some light on why these four deserving titles should be receiving as much praise and recognition as any other “It Gets Better” PSA–I mean music video.
You’re welcome in advance.
filed under: Bloodshy And Avant, Britney Spears, Danja, Guest Muuse, Kara DioGuardi, Keri Hilson, Klas Åhlund, Pharrell Williams, Robyn, T-Pain, Teddybears, Timbaland
Another day, another drama…
In helping to celebrate Blackout Purchase Week (have you entered the MuuMuse giveaway yet?), MuuMuse is proud to present “Blackout Once Again: A Look Back at Britney Spears’ Greatest Album,” an incredibly comprehensive, in-depth examination of Britney‘s fifth studio album, written by Vertigo Shtick‘s David Salter.
If there’s anything to be said about Blackout, it’s featured here in this extraordinary piece. A must read, Muusers!
Please click “Read More…” to see the full article. (MOAH!)
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