Wait! Don’t unsubscribe from the feed yet. What I am asking you to do is to give me a chance. GIVE ME A CHANCE TO REDEEM MYSELF.

Now, in my defense, I only came to learn of this song after hearing it relentlessly on an employee’s mix tape at the school bookstore. I didn’t know who was singing, but I knew what the CD was called: Euro-Pop Trash Mix. Needless to say, my interest piqued.

Finally, I decided I simply had to know who sang this. I was almost positive it was a guy. I went to Google, typed the main lyrics to the chorus, and hit Search. After peeling my jaw off the floor and batting away the visions of schoolgirls pointing and laughing (“THEY’RE ALL GONNA LAUGH AT YOU” Exorcist moment), I decided to take it like a man and realize the source of this oh-so-pleasing melody: Cher.

Yes, Cher, damnit. Cher it is. But enough about Cher. More importantly, this song. Which was released in 2001, and sounds relevant enough to be considered “new” in today’s waning pop industry. “The Music’s No Good Without You” is a super-slick, addictive mid-tempo track that almost reminds me of “Only This Moment” by Royksopp. Except not. It’s a builder that starts off insanely low in volume, and then chugs right along into Euro-trance PERFECTION. The sheer amount of vocal effects pumped into this production make it almost impossible not to ignore. It’s truly delicious and all shades of camp, so I suggest that you at least click the link and hear the preview at the download site to get at least a taste. I can’t promise perfection, but I can promise some goat-like Diva warbling by the end of the song that is completely undeniably Cher. And who doesn’t like to lip-synch to that, really?

DL: Cher – The Music’s No Good Without You

You’ll thank me later. I know it.

Now introducing the debut album, Pain Disappears, from electronic musicians Mlle Caro & Franck Garcia. Mlle is the French abbreviation for the word “mademoiselle.” I forget the exact translation of that word, but roughly it means “made in moiselle.” The collaboration produces unquestionably hypnotic music. The typical song off of their upcoming album features complex mash-ups of thumping electronic blips, melancholic guitar strumming, and unadulterated synth-rock. The song production is reminiscent to that of Cut Copy, Royksopp, and New Order. Each track’s echoey vocals are pulled straight from the pages of classic 80′s dark electro-pop. “Dead Souls” offers a dark Junkie XL-ish, thickly-French accented reflection of memories from the past. Give this fresh collaboration a shot…It’s one of those CD’s that can be brought out in the middle of the dance floor, or listened to while drifting into slumber. I found myself really enjoying the diverse tunes on the album. The tracks can be monotonous (they tend to last around six minutes), but the melodies are individually infectious and reflective.

Included in this post is a MuuMuse Excluusive for you all, the Ben Watt radio edit of the track, “Dead Souls.” Dig in!

DL: Mlle Caro & Franck Garcia – Dead Souls (Ben Watt Radio Edit)

Please enjoy, and if you like what you hear, make sure you buy their album, Pain Disappears, on March 4th from BuzzinFly Records.
And you, what do you think?

For my final post of the night, I wanted to introduce one of my most cherished artists, Royksopp. The Norweigan duo, consisting of Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Bergeare are currently working on their third album. Anyone have any news on its production state? Anyway. They are responsible for countless songs you know, love, and hate, depending upon the various commercials they’ve permeated. Most notably, they are responsible for one of the greatest CD’s I’ve ever heard.

For me, it’s a very personal experience to listen to The Understanding, most likely stemming from my own experiences that were interwoven within the initial playing period. The Understanding is terribly beautiful; it fluctuates from majestic, expansive instrumentals to frenetic, soul-searching melodies, yet manages to withhold a deep mystery and lonesomeness that demands to be revisited time and time again.

“Only This Moment” is arguably my favorite track off of the album. It’s completely personal, though the initial beats may deem it as otherwise. The haunting lyrics are encompassing. The layers of sound allow the song to be enshrouded with the longing feeling detailed within the lyrics. Not to mention its the haunting voice of Miss. Kate Havnevik! And, it’s got my favorite lyrics of all time: “Voices within me mix reason with lust / But I’ll try to accept it and not make it worse / ‘Cause I know I might lose it by taking the chance / But love without pain isn’t really romance.” So ethereal and beautiful. It’s an absolute must.

But the album continues to be eclectic. “99 Percent” is a seductive trip-hop rap, while “What Else is There?” featuring The Knife’s lead singer Karin, and so much more. There really are no dull tracks on the album. It is rich in its entirety, and I recommend it to any and all who are looking for a deeper experience through electronica.

DL: Royksopp – Only This Moment
DL: Royksopp – Follow My Ruin
DL: Royksopp – What Else Is There?

PLEASE be sure to buy The Understanding by Royksopp at Amazon.

And you, what do you think?