1. One Republic: Good Life
One Republic is back and better than ever! With a newer more anthem pop sound, they offer a unique album that's really just fun to listen to. The Good Life isn't specifically a single yet, but I'm hoping it is. It's fast paced, upbeat and catchy. The lead singer is proven that he isn't a one hit-wonder and it's always a pleasure to hear something new from One Republic.
Listen to it Here
2. Mumm-Ra: She's Got You High
Angelic and just bright. It's very in a vein of the Beatles' classic There She Goes, in which all I imagine is a beautiful girl smiling in the sunlight. Music that takes you to a certain place and makes you imagine something so vibrantly is something that I really like. It's just a special gem that I personally love.
Listen to it Here
3. Jack Penate: Have I Been a Fool?
There is something special about this song- I can't put my finger on it. It's whimsical, and there something just neat about the line, "have I been fool? Just say..." which brings an almost poetic-ness to the song. It's in the film 500 Days of Summer which I def. recommend as a great film to watch.
Listen to it Here
4. Lily Allen: Him
I've slowly started to listen to Lily's sophomore album It's Not Me, It's You- in which I've got to say, I love it. Lily's known for her playful usage of beats and rhythms, as well as her provocative lyrics. Him is a great song, in which Lily has some interesting, insightful, silly, and kinda risque questions, all while playing behind some great music. Genius, Lily, genius.
Listen to it Here
5. Tommy Sparks: She's Got Me Dancing
Damn you catchy iPod songs. It's fun, you can dance to it, and has that retro sound that you can play around your friends and seem cool. Just go with it?
Listen to it Here
6. James Yulli: This Sweet Love
Very much in the realm of retro kind of 60's love song that I just can't help but love. There is something about the opening lines, "Be- be the greatest men in the history, the greatest you can can be, just be..." Thought provoking, sensitive, and almost dream like, I love falling asleep to this song.
Listen to it Here
7. Mr. Hudson Feat. Kanye West: Supernova
Mr. Hudson is awesome! He's behind the scene in a lot of popular songs, songs that I really like, i.e. Kanye's Paranoid, and Jay-Z's Young Forever. Mr. Hudson branches out with his own song, with the help of Kanye. Supernova has a great hip-hop finesse, mixed with a great pop song. Just have a quick listen and you'll be singing along to this one.
Listen to it Here
8. Gary Go: Cover of Lady Gaga's Just Dance
I love cover songs. I don't know why cover songs appeal to me so much, but Gary Go's version of Just Dance could easily be one of my favorite cover songs. From his album, he adds such a solemn tone to the song, and with a few added lyrics/changed lyrics, he makes the fun forget your trouble wild dance party song, became a sad testament to heartbreak, with lines like "I keep dancing but the pain won't die." Have a listen!
9. Lady Gaga: Dance in the Dark
My friend let me borrow Fame Monster. I wasn't a big fan of her work, but she's starting to grow on me. Dance in the Dark is def. one of the highlights of The Fame Monster, and while the meaning of the song is kinda obscure (sexual insecurity mixed with a ode to famous women who have died tragic death? weird, but so gaga) but there it something very catchy about the song, that is trademark Lady Gaga.
Listen to it Here
10. Tally Hall: Cover of the Killer's Smile Like You Mean It
Ha ha, my second cover song. Tally Hall's version of Smile Like you Mean it is what a cover song should be, a celebration of the original song mixed with a new flavor. His version involves an almost gospel appeal, mixed with The Shins type sensibility, it's quite a cover if I do say so myself.
11. Owl City: Saltwater Room
I tried not to like Owl City- I really did. But after looking through the album, I found another song I couldn't stop listening too- Saltwater Room. While probably going to never be a single from the album, there is something very sincere about this song that I can't help but love. I can just imagine an ocean breeze as I listen to this song- even though he sounds just like Ben Gibbard I'll let it slide for this song.
12. Carolina Liar: I'm Not Over It
A great track from their album, Carolina Liar that needs to have a second listening. I hope they continue to make great tracks and don't just become another one hit wondering. There is something dark and edgier about this song that I really like.It's the classic, really it's over between us, but I'm not over it. A feeling we can all relate to, I dare you not to like this one.
Listen to it Here
13. K-OS: I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman
I love Phantom Planet's song California (damn you OC for using it as a theme song). I recently have found K-OS and I love this songs such as Love Song and Sunday Morning. In this one he samples the Planets and it turns to be a really cool song. It gives a totally new appeal to the song, and brought a new kinda texture which I find very cool. I really K-OS for having real meaning in his song and trying to make a statement- which is different from a lot of artist these days.
