(DON’T) STOP YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.
Four years after releasing her oft-delayed, endlessly amazing Don’t Stop, the Almighty Annie has finally returned to us.
Earlier today, Norway’s NRK Radio premiered the brand new single from Norwegian producer Ralph Myerz‘s upcoming album SuperSonic Pulse called “Take A Look At The World,” featuring none other than the Queen of Norway herself on vocals—and it’s already a favorite of 2013.
And, to make amazing matters even more amazing, it’s co-produced by Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge—otherwise known as Röyksopp.
‘Tis a beautiful thing when an electronic producer finds an unusual pop voice for the perfect electro-pop pairing.
And perhaps no one does it more magically than Röyksopp, the supremely talented Norwegian electronica duo responsible for roughly a billion amazing collaborations–from their Robyn-assisted 2009 smash “The Girl And The Robot,” to “What Else Is There?” with The Knife‘s Karin Dreijer Andersson, to one of my very favorite songs of all time: “Only This Moment” with Kate Havnevik.
Earlier this week, the band teamed up with acclaimed Norwegian songstress Susanne Sundfør to perform a brand new track on the final anniversary show of NRK’s Lydverket. (I don’t know…it’s something Norwegian.)
There’s no way around it: 2011 was an astoundingly good year in pop music.
Not since the 2007 reign of Kylie‘s X, Britney‘s Blackout, Rihanna‘s Good Girl Gone Bad and Girl’s Aloud‘s Tangled Up has there been such a strong showing in pop: We found love in the most hopeless of places, hung onto a moment and danced to the beat of our drums ’til the world ended (well, until next year anyway.)
As per usual, I’ve hemmed and hawed over a final ranking for my favorite records released over the past year. Although I wasn’t initially going to rank them numerically (YAY–everybody wins!), I ultimately realized that was just a cop-out.
Nonetheless, every album featured on this list deserves to be on included on everyone’s iPods and Spotify/iTunes libraries (or, dare I say it, in your CD players), because they’re all beautiful in their way.
Now, I present my Top 25 Albums of 2011. And if you’re not satisfied with the ranking? Please…don’t hold it against me.
Margaret Berger is feeling the love.
Earlier today, the Nordic pop songstress tweeted a link to a SoundCloud stream of “4-E.V.E.R.L.O.V.E,” the delightfully lush B-side featured on the limited 7″ vinyl release of her latest single, “In A Box.” (Check out her gender-bending video for “In A Box” now.)
Just like the bulk of her back catalog, “4-E.V.E.R.L.O.V.E.” is nothing short of pop perfection, littered with robo-speak and cool disco-tronica grooves. Berger bounces along a Tomas Nerbø Smågesjø-produced (don’t ask me to pronounce it) beat with all the Scandinavian electro-swagger of Robyn–not to mention the spelling lust of a one Miss Nicola Roberts!
“4-E.V.E.R.L.O.V.E” is a hypnotic little disco-glazed tune perfectly fit for a mid-summer stroll–just enough to tide us over until the next single arrives (which is rumored to appear later this summer.)
4-E.V.E.R L.O.V.E by Margaret Berger
And speaking of, MuuMuse would like to send all of our love to Norway. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
It’s time for a brand new MuuCast!
Fair warning: This isn’t a collection of juicy booty bangers or sizzling electro stompers–instead, it’s the stuff of dreams.
Inspired by my recent longing to travel, plenty of downtime and perhaps a touch of the holiday blues, I now present MuuCast Episode 7: Miles Away, a sampling of songs with one idea in mind: To take you far, far away.
Music’s always been an escape for me, but the following collection inspires an especially strong sense of wanderlust. It’s the music I listen to when I’m looking for inspiration, feeling emotional, or–most often of all–when I’m preparing to drift into slumberville.
The playlist begins with El Perro Del Mar‘s “Change Of Heart,” my definitive come-down anthem for dulling the sound of loud drunks and creepy scumbags while riding the last train home out of Grand Central at 2 A.M., and closes with one of my all time favorites, Duke B‘s “Hey You (feat. Angela McCluskey),” which is one of the most haunting and beautiful songs I’ve ever heard. (It also makes an appearance on MuuCast Episode Three!)
Regardless, it’s yours to keep. I hope you enjoy the escape!
…And the semi-awkward spoken word introduction.
DL: MuuCast Episode 7: Miles Away
Oh, and apologies for no actual Utada on the tracklisting–I just thought her cover for Single Collection Volume 2 made a perfect match for the MuuCast’s mood!
To see the full tracklisting, click “Read More”!
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