Golden Arrow

This track could be the sound to a dark movie montage. The song takes its time, moving when it wants to, like a large cranky animal.  I find that this song likes to play on the stereo system I own that can produce the loudest and strongest heart pounding bass notes.  Around the 4 1/2 min mark there appears to be a drop off, and when it picks back up somehow the message that this song isn't ready to stop for quite a while is conveyed, as if the first 4 minutes are simply introductory.  Things get going like the erie vocals and the funky subtle electric guitar. I'm also just a straight up sucker for epics like this. Enjoy!

Golden Arrow - DARKSIDE (right click to save as)
DARKSIDE | Nicolas Jaar | Dave Harrington

You & I

This track is soft and gentle to start with, tender sounds with a prominent kick drum foreshadow what lies ahead. I like to lay in bed and play this song just a tad louder than my neighbors prefer on Sunday afternoons. Mid track the percussion makes its presence known, with a very up front placement making the song nearly unrecognizable from the early seconds. I love the progression and transformation this track goes through, it's like life. Enjoy!

You & I (Molo Remix) - Crystal Fighters (right click to save as)
Crystal Fighters | Molo

To The End

This track is so silky sexy smooth I almost can't handle it. The slow and emotional lyrics flow beautifully out of the speakers. The song creates a hazy and sensual feeling, though the song is very vulnerable and intimate. Enjoy!

To The End - Woman's Hour (right click to save as)
Woman's Hour

Stepping Stones

There's so much emotions in these strings, I love the way the notes of the violin are bent to convey sadness. The other instruments call out to the violin, in hopes to cheer it up and tell it that life goes on. But sometimes you need to wallow in the now, and that's what the violin needs to do before moving on. This track captures that release. Enjoy!

Stepping Stones - SizzleBird (right click to save as)
SizzleBird

So High

This track reminds me of jj, and how much I love this style of song. The amount of time spent without drums makes the track float in the air like a small cloud. The vocals and lyrics are a perfect match, there's nothing harsh about this song and the vocals follow suit. Kick back when you're in slow motion mood and put this track on. Enjoy!

So High - Ghost Loft (right click to save as)
Ghost Loft

Last Samurai

This track should belong in the rather epic soundtrack of Samurai Champloo, which I previously raved about on this blog. This silky Jazz inspired composition has poise, confidence, and style. Special mention to the trumpet in the background, it's placed perfectly. Welcome to my smokey underground speakeasy where the coolest of the cool do cool things to songs like these. Enjoy!

Last Samurai - Sinitus Tempo (right click to save as)
Sinitus Tempo

Mirror Maru

This track is playful. The beginning piano reminds me of a Passion Pit song, but soon that resemblance fades and the harp joins in.  A ton of sounds grace this cut, one that sounds like a squeak toy caught in between a mattress and a box spring. I like the frivolous feel of this track, it is curious and bright at times, but also a bit dark with extremely slowed down vocal samples. Enjoy!

Mirror Maru - Cashmere Cat (right click to save as)
Cashmere Cat

I Will Never See You Again

The slow and steady crawl of this song is what makes it so beautiful. It can be dark and it can be light. The percussion stands out to my ears, yet it is only one of the many elements this song weaves into its fabric. Enjoy!

I Will Never See You Again - PURPLE (right click to save as)
PURPLE

Dissapear

I'm very into the rich and aural emotions this track unearths. From the buzzing fly to the water droplet-like sounds, everything is perfectly placed. The slight waves of airy vocals gently crashing on shore make the song even more beautiful feeling.  Don't be fooled though, the song is soft, peaceful, and pretty but it'll still put your subwoofer to work. Enjoy!

Dissapear - Sekuoia (right click to save as)
Sekuoia

I Tried So Hard

I have decided to go back and re-watch one of my favorite anime series, Samurai Champloo. If you haven't seen it, see it. I remember being obsessed with the soundtrack, which is nothing short of amazing.  This song is in that exact vein, and I can't get enough. The track is gentle and smooth, with the perfect amount of "hit" on the breaks. The composition is beautiful, so listen to this song then watch the anime. Enjoy!

I Tried So Hard (Extended Mix) - Night Works (right click to save as)
Night Works

The Geshin And The Guga

The name won me before even listening, but the song sure does speak for itself. There's emotion dripping from the sad violin strings. The drums attempt to sooth the pain, but it's too tough to hold it in. Enjoy!

The Geshin And The Guga - Dead Rat Orchestra
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Dead Rat Orchestra

... Passing By

I am always on the lookout for a decent downtempo song to play before going to sleep. Okay, bedtime is not the only time I'm in the mood for some slow tempo jams, but it's first that comes to mind. I dig the progression on this song, and the sweeping strings paint a horizon against what sounds like a digital metronome snare drum. That is, until the real drums come in, and crash all over the place. Enjoy!

... Passing By - Ulrich Schnauss
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Ulrich Schnauss

Discovery

This slow but gentile beast shakes the earth when it walks, but still moves with grace. Piano, violin, whale heartbeat, all my favorite instruments make an appearance in the song. This is a track to listen to while you drive to the mountains for that Saturday morning hike. Enjoy!

Discovery (Pyramid Remix) - TRAXX
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TRAXX | Pyramid

Noon

The track title is noon, but I feel that this song takes place 12hrs from noon when it's pitch black. I blame the ambient cricket and owl sounds. When all of a sudden mid song I find myself enjoying the pleasures of daytime noon, enjoying the feeling of sunny weather with no work tearing me away from sunlight. The slightly distorted sounds slowly crescendo through the song and give just right right touch of ambiance to this track. Enjoy!

Noon - Dakent
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Dakent

In Love, Not Limbo

The gentle plucking of strings and hard hit of the drums during the beginning of this song are so good, and things just get better from there.  The beautiful sample of Karen O's voice from the song Maps brings familiarity to a track that feels completely different than the one it was taken from. This track was one of my 2011 favorites, and will get plenty of play in 2012. Enjoy!

In Love, Not Limbo - Of Oceans
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Of Oceans

Select Sundays: When the Night Falls

I'm pretty certain nearly everyone has heard Chromeo and Mayer Hawthorne before. How about together though?  While this cover certainly isn't new, it's the type of track that keeps you coming back again and again and it seems perfect for ringing in the new year. Plus, any lyrics that include "hifalutin" is a winner by me. Let this smoove groove slide you into 2012.

When the Night Falls - Chromeo (Mayer Hawthorne cover)
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Chromeo | Mayer Hawthorne

Mi Rumba

Patience is a virtue. So be virtuous for about three minutes while playing this track.  The slow build doesn't rise fast, or deliver an earth shattering payoff. But that's not what you want. Everything is composed very tastefully with beautiful instrumentation creating an ambient journey. Enjoy! (And Merry Xmas)

Mi Rumba (Genius Of Time Remix) - Kyodai
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Kyodai

Wildflowers

The vocal sample is a great attention grabber, followed by the iconic 808 drum machine bump. But what sets this song above the average line for me is the beautiful vocals and lyrics. "If you see me in the ocean / floating underneath the stars / don't make any commotion / cause I'm swimming with the sharks"

Enjoy!

Wildflowers - ::M∆DE:IN:HEIGHTS::
MediaFire Mirror
Made In Heights

On The Road

The beauty of acoustic instruments will forever captivate mankind.  This simple instrumental, composed of guitar and drum is able to paint a complex picture.  I especially like hearing the sound of the guitarists hands sliding up and down the guitar strings in-between notes. Enjoy!

On The Road - L'efance
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L'efance

Blue

"Chuck Norris's tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried"

How can my mind not read Nuck Chorris as Chuck Norris? Regardless, this track is simply beautiful.  It's a string ensemble with a drum machine, which I feel is a perfect blend of classic and modern. I simply love the violins, dancing around carelessly with each other while the rest of the songs create a world for them to dance in. Enjoy!

Blue - Nuck Chorris
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Nuck Chorris