Watch Private "My Secret Lover" (New Video)

I have been writing about Private for years and I'm excited that the trio is finally crossing Danish borders to bring their ferociously infectious pop sound to the rest of Europe.

"My Secret Lover" was the first in a series of chart-topping hits for the group in Denmark, and the song is now slated for a U.K. release in January. With a British release comes a totally fun new video that shows lead man Thomas Troelsen in full fabulosity (loving the bangs!).

The single release is accompanied by remixes from classic LA electro artist Egyptian Lover, new school "dancefloor slayers" Lifelike, Spencer & Hill and and hot man Diplo.Enjoy


Exclusive Review: Alanis Morissette's Bold New 'Flavors'

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A few weeks ago I got a call from one of my producers Guy Sigsworth saying that he’d nearly finished the project he, and his colleague Andy Page, have been working on for the majority of 2007 - the brand new Alanis Morissette album ‘Flavors of Entanglement’. Guy asked if I would pop over to his studio to have an album playback and share my thoughts. I was really excited, partly because I didn’t really know what to expect.

When ‘Jagged Little Pill’ came out in 1995 I was 14, and it swiftly became one of the most important albums for me alongside Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’ and Tori Amos’ ‘Little Earthquakes’. I loved their honesty, their melodies and their strength. Skip forward to Autumn 2006 and I was working with Guy on ‘Winter’s Coming’, the closing song for my debut Temposhark album. Alanis had just approached him to see if he’d be interested in collaborating.

One year on, I arrive at Guy’s studio in West London. He reminds me that by now they’ve produced and co-written well over twenty songs! In this one afternoon I hear 22 songs in total, and as each song went by, it was like falling in love with Alanis all over again.

Four highlights for me were ‘Citizen Of The Planet’ which starts off with intriguing lyrics that twist and turn around a captivating melody before hurtling into one of the best choruses of her career - it’s just MASSIVE and her voice cuts right through you... Another gem called ‘Madness’ is spell binding in its beauty, and actually a really long song at over six minutes if I remember correctly, but unusually it didn’t feel long at all! I could’ve listened to that one over and over again...

‘Straitjacket’ is another powerful track that has stuck in my head, with genius lyrics and great melodic hooks... whilst my favourite of all the songs is called ‘Torch’. It’s just the most touching, almost devastating, dedication to the end of a relationship and the things you miss most about your day-to-day life with a partner.

And it was on hearing ‘Torch’, that I remembered why Alanis is such an important voice. She is so good at channelling her subconscious, those true thoughts most people hide. She can take those deeply private emotions and translate them in a simple, easy-to-relate-to way; putting into words what so many of us feel. This new collection of songs takes you on a serious emotional journey, across many highs and lows, and is possibly her best song writing since ‘Jagged Little Pill’ and 'Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie'. It’s just so easy to connect with – the end of a relationship, the value of childhood friends, complicated family ties and all kinds of emotional ‘entanglements’.

Robert's review of Alanis continues after the jump!

Continue reading "Exclusive Review: Alanis Morissette's Bold New 'Flavors'" »


Exclusive Video Clip: The Killers Live From Abbey Road

Check out an exclusive video fragment of an interview with Brandon Flowers of The Killers that was recorded during the group's live session at London's Abbey Road Studios earlier this year.

The clip is taken from the upcoming episode of the Sundance Channel's 12-part Live From Abbey Road series. Produced by Michael Gleason and Peter Van Hooke, the shows features performances and interviews with musicians filmed at London’s Abbey Road Studios in recognition of the legendary studios’ 75th anniversary. The series was initially produced for Britain's Channel 4.

The entire episode will be broadcast on Thursday, September 6 at 10 p.m. EST on the Sundance Channel. It will also include acoustic sets by Gnarls Barkley and The Feeling.

The Killer's performance is absolutely stunning. Even though, Brandon was beating a cold and fever at the time, their acoustic version of "When You Were Young" is breathtaking. They also play a cover of the cover of Dire Straits' classic "Romeo & Juliet." It's a must-see show.

Enjoy the exclusive clip that shows off Brandon and all his sweet and humble self.

(Thanks to Megan for allowing me to post this clip exclusively.)


Listen to Mika "Big Girls" (Lo-Fi-Fnk Remix)

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I was so darn excited when Lo-Fi-Fnk's August emailed me about their remix of Mika's new single "Big Girls." Most of the Mika remixes I've heard so far are really heavy on the bleeps, beats and fierce house crescendos while completely erasing the frolicky character that defines Mika's music.

But the two Swedes of Lo-Fi-Fnk have kept Mika's merry spirit alive. They added some glistening synths, celestial vocal effects and bubbly riffs to create a totally fun new version of the original.

No official release date for this remix is available. In fact, it might never be formally put out, so enjoy it while you can. (A big thank you to my pals August and Leo for allowing me to share.)

Stream Mike "Big Girls" (Lo-Fi-Fnk Remix):


Exclusive: Temposhark Album Art

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Check out this gorgeous cover artwork for Temposhark's upcoming debut album "The Invisible Line." It pops! As if a swarm of pop bits hit you when you listen to the record.

The disc will hit iTunes worldwide on July 16. The release will include an exclusive downloadable artwork PDF and a bonus track, which will not be on the CD version. Rob is featured on the front of the album and his pal Luke is pictured on the back. I have been listening to the album for a few weeks now and  it is one of the most inspired electro-pop records I have heard in a while. Rob's furious, straight up delivery gets under your skin. You can't hide from the Temposhark.

After corresponding with Rob for over a year, I'm thrilled to finally see the group perform tonight at the Canal Room (supporting Darren Hayes) and meeting up tomorrow.

(Click the images to enlarge.)