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.