Artiklar

This week's Hypelist:

1. Rubies - I Feel Electric
   The Swedes are putting out some really nice electronic sounds these days, especially on labels like Songs I Wish I Had Written and Sincerely Yours. This particular track is out on my favorite Norwegian label Tellé Records (first home of Annie and Röyksopp) and features vocals by Feist. Check out the really cool, neon-filled video, too!
   
   
2. The Honeydrips - It Was A Sunny Summer Day
   Fitting for the season!
   
   
3. Maxxfemm - Storm
   Mellow, beautiful new wave. A gem off the self-titled debut E.P. Looking forward to hear what else this artist comes out with. New single expected to be released late summer.
   
4. Chromatics - I'm On Fire
   Bruce Springsteen cover simplified and synthesized. Works really well with female vocals. The original is one of my favorite songs of all time, and absolutely no harm has been done with this remake.
   
   
5. Róisín Murphy - Movie Star
   For the longest time I was pronouncing her name raisin with an o. Then I learned it's pronounced Ro-Sheen. Movie Star is the latest single from the amazing Overpowered-album. The song is glam-pop at it's very best.

Patriotism and nationalism is a big part of Norwegian culture. There's a well-known saying Det er typisk norsk å være god, which directly translates to It's typical Norwegian to be good. Seeing it translated into English almost makes me embarrassed for myself and my countrymen/women. And living abroad for as many years as I have (going on 9 years), puts things in a bit of a perspective. Maybe we're not as good as we think we are?

But today, for just a moment, I would like to put music aside, raise the Norwegian flag and salute the country in which I was born. Today, the Norwegian government has finally recognized that love knows no gender. Today, a new gender neutral marriage law was signed, giving gay and lesbian couples the right to wed. This makes Norway (only) the 6th country in the world to adopt such a law, a huge leap forward for equality.

The law states:

• Gays and lesbians have the same right to marriage as heterosexuals
  
  
• Gay and lesbian married couples has equal rights to be evaluated as potential adoptive parents
  
  
• Lesbian couples shall have the same opportunity for assisted artificial insemination as heterosexual couples
  
  
• The church shall have the right to, but not forced to wed gay and lesbian couples
  
  
• Those who wishes to, may register their same-sex union as a marriage. Those who wishes to stay in a same-sex union may continue to do so. After the law goes into effect you may still have the option of marriage or union
  

So pop the champagne, and lets all celebrate this historic event. With happy tears in my eyes, I raise my glass and say to you in my most joyous voice with great pride: Hurra Norge!

(Forgive me for a rather poor translation of the law, but this is currently breaking news and I could not find an exact English translation at the time of this writing.)

CocoRosie has a new single out, God Has a Voice, She Speaks Through Me. This sibling-duo is far from being saints, but the title of the new track falls in the line of the many other religious-titled songs: Terrible Angels, Jesus Loves Me, Noah's Ark, Madonna, Miracle and Armageddon.

After last year's album release, The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn, it's evident that these gals are ready to explore a different sound. With this tune, their music is heading in a more accessible, less freakish direction, sort of opposite where Björk is going. Despite the long, and perhaps, to some, a turn-offish name, God Has a Voice, She Speaks Through me is an electric gem with slight mainstream appeal.

Run and buy now!

Myspace: CocoRosie
Official website: CocoRosieland

...we got a hot one in the house (no more Randisms, promise!) Raj over at Electroqueer has made a major MySpace discovery with the sizzling hot music of Doe Deere. Sit back and enjoy an incredible tune like One Touch while reminiscing about the days when MTV still played music and Pat Sharp had the coolest mullet in the world.

Yep, seems the days of neon are upon us once again, and it's exciting to hear so much 80s inspired music coming out.

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, answer these questions...

Tegan and Sara

1.) Are you a male or female?
City Girl

2.) Describe yourself:
You Wouldn't Like Me

3.) How do you feel about yourself?
I Take All the Blame

4.) Describe where you currently live?:
Under Water

5.) If you could go anywhere, where would you go?:
Take Me Anywhere

6.) Who is your best friend?:
Rebel Rebel

7.) Your favourite colour is:
Beauty

8.) You know that:
This Is Everything

9.) What's the weather like:
Terrible Storm

10.) If your life was a television show, what would it be called?
The Con

11.) What is life to you?
Knife Going In

12.) What is the best advice you have to give?
Don't Be Cruel

I'm ecstatic. Jumping of joy ecstatic. Got my hands on a copy of Boxette, a 4-album box set compilation of songs by UK indie-electro cult band Saint Etienne, put out by their super fan club, Lovers Unite. Yes, now I finally can enjoy songs like Sushi Rider, We're Coming in Loaded, Fife Coast and Kofi Annan, not to forget fantastic covers of Stranger In Paradise and Puppy Love(!).

Not to brag or anything, but I met Sarah Cracknell at the release party of Sound Of Water in Oslo, 2000 (who am I kidding - that IS bragging). After downing a couple pints of beer, I mustered up enough courage to walk up to her for a chat. It's a shame I can't remember what I said, though, but I'm pretty sure I made an ass of myself.

2008 has been good to my ears thus far. It all kicked off with a new release from Goldfrapp, the brilliant Seventh Tree; a low-key album filled with well-written lyrics and striking melodies. The second covers record from Cat Power, Jukebox, didn’t disappoint either, nor did Hot Chip’s Made in the Dark, with a title track so beautiful it makes me tear up every time I listen to it. But more than anything, 2008 has proven to be a good year for discovering new artists. Valente, Sam Sparro, Caroline, Samantha James, Duffy, Adele, Soviet, Kalle J and diskJokke are all on my watch-list, have all received frequent plays and will continue to do so.

On rare occasions, I discover an artist who stuns me with their talent. Nellie McKay was such a discovery when she released Get Away From Me in 2004. This time around, with a little help from my friend, Dieter, ( hdsander), Brooke Waggoner found her way onto my playlist and quite literally made my jaw drop in amazement. She plays the piano like there is no tomorrow, writes fun lyrics and extremely catchy and memorable melodies. Let there be no doubt; this girl oozes with talent.

I cannot wait for her first full-length album; in the mean time I’m enjoying her EP, Fresh Pair Of Eyes, tremendously.

Fresh Pair of Eyes can be downloaded for free from her official website, http://www.brookewaggonermusic.com/

Part deux of my end-of-the year round-up is a list of my 50 favorite individual tracks.

1. CocoRosie - Rainbowarriors
   
2. Brandi Carlile - The Story
   
3. Sally Shapiro - Anorak Christmas
   
4. M.I.A - Paper Planes
   
5. Frost - Trainstop
   
6. Familjen - Det Snurrar I Min Skalle
   
7. Flunk - Heavenly
   
8. Elsiane - Vaporous
   
9. Peter, Bjorn & John - Young Folks
   
10. Sam Sparro - Black and Gold
    
11. Chromeo - Bonafied Lovin (Tough Guys)
    
12. Sally Shapiro - Jackie Jackie (Spend This Winter With Me)
    
13. M.I.A - $20
    
14. Gentle Touch - Memories
    
15. DJ Shadow - (This Time) I'm Gonna Try It My Way
    
16. Club 8 - Whatever You Want
    
17. Air - HELL OF A PARTY
    
18. Ralph Myerz - My Darling (Feat. Peewee)
    
19. Studio - No Comply
    
20. Superfamily - The Radio Has Expressed Concern About What You Did Last Night
    
21. M.I.A - Jimmy
    
22. Familjen - Det lilla livet
    
23. Klaxons - It's Not Over Yet
    
24. Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining
    
25. Róisín Murphy - Movie Star
    
26. Mark Ronson - Valerie
    
27. Feist - I Feel It All
    
28. Róisín Murphy - Let Me Know
    
29. Bigbang - L.A. Song
    
30. Svoy - I Don't Love
    
31. Amy Winehouse - Love Is a Losing Game
    
32. Achillea - Alas del Aguila
    
33. Slovo - The One
    
34. Justice - D.A.N.C.E
    
35. Sissy Wish - Beauties never Die
    
36. Missy Higgins - Where I Stood
    
37. Cloetta Paris - I Miss You Someone
    
38. Di Johnston - Trite
    
39. New Young Pony Club - Get Go
    
40. K-Os - Sunday Morning
    
41. Britney Spears - Heaven on Earth
    
42. Björk - Wanderlust
    
43. Sarah Nixey - When I'm Here With You
    
44. Jay Jay Johanson - Only for You
    
45. Emilie Simon - Voyage
    
46. Hooverphonic - Circles
    
47. Karmakoda - Endings
    
48. Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction
    
49. Slovo - Many People
    
50. Elvis Presley & Lisa Marie Presley - In the Ghetto