OK Go: All Is Not Lost.

In a music industry that seems to churn out the same old rubbish time, it's nice to have those that are willing to push the boundaries and do something different. It's called evolution. OK Go are definitely one of those bands. Their music videos have always been a bit of fresh air, whether they've been dancing on treadmills, creating massive dominoes sets in a warehouse, or playing with cats, dogs and buckets.

Their latest song All Is Not Lost, really is something cool. Unlike the very glitchy video from Arcade Fire, OK Go are one of the first bands to use HTML5 to great effect. You can watch the video below, however I fully suggest you open the website up in Chrome to experience in full glory. Plus you get to enter your own little message:

The band have teamed up with critically-acclaimed dance troupe Pilobolous for another eye-popping foray into the limits of video technology in the shape of a human kaleidoscope. Enjoy.

FrenchTrotters Portrait.

Now I wouldn't say this is a video LookBook as such, let's refer to it as a video catalogue. This wonderfully shot video for French online shop FrenchTrotters looks like a collection of stills from Tumblr all rolled into one. Featuring some of their key products, the video rolls around FT's very own Oliver's apartment and gives you a snap shot of his life.



Not only is this video a pleasure for the eyes, it really givers the viewer a feel for FT and everything that they stand for. I really hope there's a few more of these to come.

MTV: Balloons.

Just when you thought MTV were sitting around trying to come up with how they get a problem out of Kim Kardashian's left nipple or which dried up celebrity's house they can fill with cameras next, they were actually doing something pretty cool.



We've all sat there and created our own flick book out of the corner of our notebook whilst bored at work or in a lecture, or to simply avoid what really needs doing. But it's the boys and girls of MTV that took this form of procrastination to a whole new level.



Take some balloons, some water transfers, a pretty skilled artists, a whole lot of patience and attention to detail, and you're starting to see the scale and absurdity of this operation. Oh, did I forget the machine on tracks with the giant pin and camera attached to it?

Yeah this is cool MTV, let's see some more like it.

Archive: Feist: I Feel It All.

Seeing as that lovely lady Feist announced that she would be providing our ears with another bout of indie pop with a layer of beautiful vocals very soon, I felt that it was only right to share one of her wonderful videos.



Feist has only ever come across as a truly genuine and talented women, who simply loves what she does, singing and bopping along. And that's exactly what she does in this video. With a shit load of fireworks.

Rap History: The Making Of.

A few posts ago you saw pictures of Kanye West and Jay-Z at work on their album Watch The Throne. Well it just got a little better, there's a video.



This video truly goes behind the scenes and shows the real workings of the operation. It's not a polished video showing Ye and Hov creating wonderful beats and rhyming straight off the cuff. Sure, there's some of that, but it also features the beginning and development of their relationships, Kanye giving Jay a present and even Jay-Z having writers block. Yes, Jay-Z getting writers block. It shows the process, the realness, of creating a piece of rap history.

Music Monday 60.

Oh, Music Monday number 60, nice to see you there. This week is a little bit of a comeback special, I guess.

Kanye West & Jay-Z - Otis



Hopefully this video will stay online, especially as this is quickly becoming my morning anthem. Now I firmly believe that Watch The Throne will have better than this to come, but Otis another level than the pretty absurd H.A.M. Featuring Otis Redding, the track has that warm, old-school soul feel, the kind that goes back to Kanye's earlier stuff. It's going to be seriously interesting to hear what this album sounds like as a whole. CAN'T WAIT.

Blink 182 - Up All Night



Yep. Blink 182 are back. Finally. For a band that means so much to people of my age and had so much to do with the formulation of a generations music taste, it's good to hear them back. Whilst perhaps not being the most talented of bands, they lead the pop-rock movement for teens either sides of the Atlantic. As these fans have grown into young adults there will inevitably be many opinions and even sceptitism flying around. Mixed reviews, to say the least, is what Up All Night has received so far, "too Angels and Airways" has been a common comment. But I like it. It's just good to hear them back.

Jack's Mannequin - My Racing Thoughts



It's always a good feeling when you know of a truly talented individual and they still feel like a secret to you and maybe a few friends of yours. Now, I'm not saying that Jack's Mannequin are unknown, far from it, but especially in the UK they are hardly mainstream. Andrew McMahon is a talent, end of. Despite surving cancer and the break up of the very good Something Corporate, he is on his third album with Jack's Mannequin (I strongly suggest you check out SC and his previous JM albums). Having exhausted his past work, it so good to hear new sounds from another band that were a big part of my music taste making.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie



In a week of comebacks, RHCP were probably the most anticipated. And to me, they were the biggest let down. I can't say I'm the biggest Chillis fan, but I have got some love for them, but this track just doesn't do it for me. But maybe that's just me.

Justin Timberlake X Mila Kunis X Elle X Carter Smith = Beauty.

This post needs few words. The title says it all.

Icons At Work: Jay-Z & Kanye West.

I have long held the belief that the term 'icon' is quickly becoming retired. For me, at icon has to have an awe about them, a certainly Godliness that can't be touched. It's easy to reel off icons that had this, Marilyn Monroe, Steve McQueen, Michael Jackson, I could go on. Those that become most iconic are often that those pass before their time, see the above list.

So with today's media intrusion, celebrity-obsessed culture and the likes of Twitter, are there still these untouchable icons?

It's difficult to think of any icons that are still with us. Nelson Mandela? Prince? David Beckham even? I think icons will now be made in their retirement, looking back on a life or body or work is the only real will to get an uninhibited view of the person. When the hype has died, the marketing teams have moved on, and you see what they did, how they changed the world, is when you can truly say you witnessed an icon.

Now to contradict myself and perhaps speak prematurely, I think that Jay Z and Kanye West will become icons, if they are not already. They have the talent, they have that certain Godly status about them (Kanye certainly believes he does anyways) and they have changed society and their industry, Jay-Z definitely so. So this collection of photos gives a rare insight into their world, into their process of creating their collaboration album, Watch The Throne. Who knows, it could be one of the most iconic albums of our time.

Music Monday 59.

I think it's fair to say that today's Music Monday is a mix, but that's what we live to do. It's not about the genre of music, just good music.

LLoyd - Dedication To My Ex (Miss That) Ft. Andre 3000 & Lil Wayne



I love this. Seriously love this. It's ridiculous. I don't think I've heard a song this old school in a long time. If every other word wasn't 'pussy', you would be forgiven to think this was a forgotten Jackson 5 track. With that simple pop-motown beat and Lloyd's voice, you're sat there wondering why this wasn't on any of the Jackson 5 Greatest Hits CDs you own. But no. It's Lloyd, with the incredible Andre 3000 who seems to be creeping out the woodwork at the moment, and very randomly Lil Wayne on the narration. This is ridiculous. I love it.

Asher Roth - Summertime



I will always stand my ground that Asher Roth is a solid rapper, despite producing radio hits like "I Love College". Now, I've got a feeling that Summertime, could be one of those radio hits, but if you ignore the catchy chorus and pay attention to the versus, you'll notice that Asher still has that clever yet cheeky flow in there. Sometimes I think music has to just be enjoyed, even if it is going to be plastered all over the radio for the next few weeks.

Calvin Harris - Feel So Close



Speaking of radio hits, this man Calvin Harris has got a few under his belt. And rightly so. In the pop/dance genre, there is some seriously lazy stuff out there, the same loops, the same (lack of) lyrics, the same autotune. It's all the same. Now this song is far from boundary stretching, but it's clear that the man's still got his talents. I really enjoy the simplicity of the track, the dark yet summer vibes on it. Now THIS will be all over the radio.

Letlive - The Sick Sick 8.6 Billion



Now here's a band that probably won't be all over the radio, at least not daytime. This screamo/emo/hardcore, whatever box you want to put it in, really reminds me of my teenage music days. There's a million of these types of bands, and so many are dreadful, seriously bad. But this Letlive track struck me for some reason. I think that you can feel the raw power of the track and team that up with some decent screaming, solid singing and some impressive drumming, you've got yourself a decent track here, even if it's not for everyone.


Told you it was a mix.

Kanye & GOOD Music Does SXSW.

There are some gigs in life that you would pay serious money to get into. Whether it's your favourite artist, the sheer quality of the live performance they offer, or even just the atmosphere. The best gigs combine all of this, my most recent was certainly Coldplay was Glastonbury.

When Kanye West and his GOOD Music family took to the stage at SXSQ festival, it was certainly something that was not to be missed. However if you are on the wrong side of the Atlantic, it had to be missed. But never fear, the good people at Vevo (yes, Vevo, the folks that everyone curses at for taking over Youtube) supported the event and have put together was quality iPhone-free highlights for all to enjoy.

From a pretty epic beginning, single handedly managed by Mos Def, through to the incredible Dark Fantasy with Bon Iver, to the still bizarre H.A.M with Jay Z, then to some wonderful sounds by John Legend with some solo performances by Big Sean, Kid Cudi and Pusha T, indulge yourself in an evening of GOOD Music.















G.O.O.D Music is Good Music.

Nature Misses Us? Really?

Now I'm not really sure if I believe the message behind this ad, let's be honest, nature is much better off without humans. Humans that swallow it up with houses, tear up trees, start forest fires, hunt wild animals, as I said, I doubt we're missed. Growing up in a village in the New Forest National Park nature is, naturally, close to my heart. I feel it's important to enjoy the beauty and diversity of nature, but to look after it and treat it with respect at the same time.



Enough about my fondness of the wild green areas of the world, and more about this ad. It's pretty stunning. I love the dark and grubby atmosphere of the city and how it's set against the calm beauty of the deer. Not sure if I like the deer speaking, but as a whole, I think it's a really unique and wonderfully directed piece.

Nike Shoe Cushions.

It only seems natural that Nike start putting in their super soft and cushiony insoles, or 'Lunarlon technology' into some of their skateboarding shoes, the first being Nike SB Eric Koston. Oh what do you know, they've only gone and got him in the ad!



I've got to admit a lot of the imagery in this ad is pretty corny, but it works and it still comes across as cool. I guess that's a sign of a truly great and cool brand.

Music Monday 58.

Mumford And Sons - Home



Remember Mumford And Sons? Of course you do. Most of the music loving world has played Sigh No More a million times, and their songs seem to take turns with Adele in providing background music for any sort of highlights. So it's so good to hear something new and get people looking forward to the new album, rumored 2012. 'Home' is a emotion-filled track about leaving people behind, it's warm and tender, and leaves my appetite whet for the new album.

Common - Ghetto Dreams (Ft Nas)



Yep, that's Common back. WITH NAS. This track is immense. No holds barred, they go strong. Nothing else left to say here.

The Knux - Run (Ft Kid Cudi)



Yey Cudi is back! And he's happy! It's easy to dismiss that this more 'poppy' and upbeat track as Cudi selling out, but far from it. Despite his two albums being as dark and emo as rap can get, his mixtapes were a much brighter and happier collection of tracks. I think everybody was getting a bit fed up of Cudi droning on about how stoned he always is, so it's good to get something fresh, especially something that sounds so, err, fresh.

Wiley - Wise Man And His Words.



Not sure if this a single off the new Wiley album, but it should be. Wiley is quickly dismissed by many and, to be fair, if you make a track like Rolex, you deserve to be. However if you can look past that 'song' you will see that Wiley works hard, and is a seriously accomplished rapper, so I feel that he deserves a second chance. And with this lovely yet simple piano loop underneath his lyrics, his second coming is here.

India Skates.

Now it may just be me, but India is not exactly synonmous with skateboarding. I'm sure it's there in it's hidden corners, but from the evidence of this video and the reactions of the locals, it is far from the norm. In many cities skateboarding is a common sight and often ignored by the busy passers by, simply not wanting to get tangled up in some trucks and board combination.

So the fact that Oxelo Skateboard took some of their skaters to Delhi makes this video all the more interesting instantly. Now throw some tidy film work and some even tidier skating, well my friends, that's the recipe for a great video.

Music Monday 57: BUMPER EDITION.

Seeing as I missed last week's post due to Glastonbury fatigue, I feel that it is only fair that I throw a whole load of new music at you this week. (And to be fair, it's pretty difficult to decide between it all)

Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle



The boys are back with some super fun indie sounds for our ears. SO excited for the new album.

Gold Panda - MPB



Duck Sauce - Big Bad Wolf



I can't quite wrap my head around this, it's either an incredible dance track, or just some terrible noise. Either way, it's mental.

A - Skills - California Soul (A Skills Remix)



That's that in my ears? Yup, that's summer.

Bjork - Crystalline



That strange little beautiful sounding (and looking) lady is back.

The Weeknd - The Morning



Championed by Drake, there is a lot of hype going around for The Weeknd, it's pretty easy to see why.

Apollo Brown - Heirloom (ft Has-Lo)



Love the old-school beats to this, going to have to explore Apollo Brown.