I like London in the rain

04.20.08

This may sound really cheesy, but I just got caught in a rain storm in Islington, umbrella-less and dashing through puddles to the bus-stop with the new M83 album blaring in my headphones. Still a five minute walk away, I realized the rain wouldn't kill me, so I slowed down, turned the music up, and had one of those ecstatic moments when you've surrendered to your surroundings, and you realize how absolutely gorgeous a song can sound in the rain. Especially the ethereal and atmopshere-drenched "Kim & Jessie," off M83's latest and greatest Saturdays=Youth. Every critic that's been fawing over this gem (and comparing it to John Hughes' movies) is dead right. It captures the intensity of Molly Ringwald + Andrew McCarthy kissing in the rain just about as well as OMD. It is brilliant.

But now I've found myself in a conundrum, having just purchased tickets to see Sebastien Tellier + Lykke Li on the same night M83 are playing London. What is a girl to do?

That said, now is one of those rare times when the world is saturated with amazing music, and for that I am VERY thankful.

As a huge fan of lists, I'll spend the rest of this diary listing my favorite new artists and/or old artists with new albums.

Sheila

++SHEILA B's FAVORITE NEW ARTISTS or OLD ARTISTS WITH NEW ALBUMS++

1. M83
See above.
Essential tracks: "Kim & Jessie" and "Up!"

2. Santogold
Philly's former A&R girl-cum-afropunk-cum-brilliant pop songwriter is now her own artist. Though MIA comparisons are unavoidable, Santi's got much more pop.
Essential tracks: "LES Artistes" and "Shove It Switch Remix"

3. Sebastien Tellier
France is quite furious that "Divine" has been selected as France's entry for Eurovision, as its lyrics are partly in English. Quelle horreur!
Essential track: "Divine"

4. Ladyhawke
I love anything and everything Stevie Nicks, and the similarities between LadyHawke and the Fleetwood Mac queen are uncanny--though Ladyhawke sounds much more like the lead singer of the Motels--remember them? Ladyhawke was the highlight of my weekend at the Camden Crawl (along with Sam Sparro's performance of "Black & Gold") She's better live than on record, but hopefully some A&R exec will take notice and make the necessary changes.
Essential track: "Manipulating Woman"

5. Gabriella Cilmi
16-year-old Australian brunette with old-school jazz pipes and songs drenched in pop hooks.
Essential tracks: "Sweet About Me" and "Save The Lies"

6. Lykke Li
Sweden's current indie "It" girl
Essential track: "I'm Good I'm Gone"

7. Lily Allen
She just recently posted a couple new tracks on her MySpace, of which "I Don't Know" is mighty mighty fantastic.
Essential track: "I Don't Know"

8. Walter Meego
There were only five people watching Walter Meego perform when I saw him play at SXSW, but his time will surely come. I think you'll agree he's one to watch.
Essential track: "Forever"

Posted by Sheila at 03:35 PM