Now for a selection of the musics I’ve been listening to over the past few weeks/days! This post’s theme is lo-fi dance music!

♫ Magic Wands – Black Magic and Black Magic (L’amour La Morgue Edition) (MP3)

Electropop with guitars, and obviously being part-goth, I can’t deny that I’m completely in love with the repetitive chanting of ‘Black Magic’. The guy has that MGMT/Of Montreal/Hot Chip style higher ladyman voice down that’s very NOW.

BUT why have you posted two tracks you ask? Well put simply it’s because I can’t actually decide which version I like better. I know indie purists will be flinching at the mere suggestion that a remix might be better then the original to which I say ‘DIE’! It’s weird because the original sounds almost a bit too slow making it a bit like you’re egging the turtle on, whereas the remix is a bit like the hare with glowsticks… almost too flashy! Now if they could do some kind of hare-turtle version, that’d be PERFECT.

♫ Beni – Maximus (MP3)

The intro and effeminated vocoder ‘UH’s are totally Spank Rock but then that stops and is replaced by understated whispered vocals over a simple dance backing. The repetitive chorus sounds eventually like a monk’s chant (especially with it being pronounced Maximoose), begging Maximus to dance. Makes me want to dance with Maximus! (Please forget that the vocals are Sam Sparro which I didn’t realise until AFTER I liked it – TOO LATE!)

♫ The Glass – Wanna Be Dancin’ (MP3)

And following on as if it were part two of Maximus comes Wanna be Dancin! The backing has all the trimmings of a 90s dance classic while maintaining a real alternative feel. The guy singing sounds totally depressed and pleading which is not far from being comedy and I think that’s what makes this song so charming… maybe it’s Maximus – he wants to dance but he’s too sad! That explains it!!

♫ Dizzee Rascal – Holiday (MP3)

The new Dizzee is again, like part two of ‘Dance wiv me’ – we danced too much and need a holiday – which isn’t really the worst thing. In fact it’s actually good! Nothing really more to say!

♫ Memory Tapes – Bicycle (MP3)

Yet another seemingly dance-esque track with lo-fi leanings and a whispy male vocal. You think it’s going to be all quiet and tranquil to begin with but then it suddenly explodes in full on disco time, grounded by wailing and quiet interludes. There’s even what sounds to me like a nod to The Cure towards the end. Is this type of music all Hot Chip’s fault? Never the less, the kids don’t have all Hot Chip’s polish and so shrug off the clinical element and come off sounding sincere and heart-felt. There’s a common sound running through all these tracks but I’m not adept enough in my descriptions to give you what it is! Ha!

♫ Girls Generation – Boyfriend (MP3)

OH MY GAH! Now for something completely different. I’m embarrassingly obsessed with Girls Generation at the moment. I know that it’s completely derivative of ALL POLISHED POP and they’re probably Korea’s answer to The Pussycat Dolls but I can’t stop myself loving to this song! So much so that I can’t stop singing the frankly HILARIOUS intro to myself ‘So many boys wanna give it to me, but I want you boy, give it to me, cos I’m so ready boy give it to me!’ HAHA! I don’t care if you judge me for this one – it brings me JOY! In fact, their hit, Gee is ALSO amazing… Check out the frankly amazing video here! Actually Gee might even be better than Boyfriend but it hasn’t got the comedy smuttiness!

Promise to have a post with ONLY GUITARS next time! HEARTZ!