Blatant Pop Indulgence

I have been listening to a decent amount of shameless pop lately so I thought it was only appropriate, and fair, that I share it with you. I am not ashamed.

First on the list is the freakishly good-looking and stylish Danish Songstress Oh Land. “Oh” is not her first name but it is easier to pronounce than her actual title. Ethereal modern pop with occasional glimpses of a harsher edge. I like it.

Sun Of A Gun – Oh Land

Perfection – Oh Land

Next is this track Baby Lee by Teenage Fanclub. Simple, beautiful melodies over moderate tempo acoustic guitar strums. This is the kind of stuff that fills the playlist for any road trip I have to do with my Mother, because it is incapable of offending anyone. I find a great similarity between this and R.E.M., which I used to put on our road trip mix tapes a decade ago, and would explain why I like it so much. Don’t judge me.

Babylee – Teenage Fanclub

To add some much needed balls to this post I will add on the Yuksek remix of Sun Of A Gun, which is typical Yuksek, and fucking brilliant.

Sun Of A Gun (Yuksek Mix) – Oh Land

Washed Out Bliss

Washed Out is the solo project of Ernest Greene. Ernest Greene, at the ripe old age of  22, is the kind of person who makes you ask yourself what you have achieved with your life as you approach your own 23rd birthday. Not enough, it would seem.

One of the premier young exponents of the Chillwave sound (along with Toro y Moi and Neon Indian), Washed Out produces music so warm and inspiring it just makes you want to live your life, more. The aptly titled Life of Leisure EP summarises Greene’s sound perfectly. Laid-back, warm electro sounds with soothing vocals and tranquil melodies create the perfect cathartic summer sound track.

Watch this in 720p, please. An ideal visual accompaniment to the track.

Fortunately for us Sydneysiders Ernest will be visiting very shortly. $40 ain’t cheap for a gig at the Arts Factory but when you consider what you get for your money it is easily great value. I’ve been looking forward to this gig for a while now.

Feel it all around – Washed Out

You and I – Washed Out Feat. Caroline Polachek

You’ll See It – Washed Out

Summer Camp

Summer Camp are a quaint duo from London. They make nostalgic pop music fused with soft-rock and synthetic tinges. Blending some of the best elements of the 50’s through to the 80’s, their sound is remarkably pleasant to the ear.

Whilst they may fall into the “Dickheads” sub-culture, Summer Camp sure do make excellent music. Their lo-fi, hi-charm sound belies their genuine ability and strength in composition. Elisabeth Sankey busts out a surprisingly powerful voice and when she harmonises with counterpart Jeremy Warmsley the sound is just right. The highly relatable lyrics and fairly universal themes make the tunes even more accessible.

I listened to these guys almost exclusively throughout September, such is the potency of their charm. One of my favourite Artists of this year.

Their latest EP Young was released last month and is pure quality. A few of the highlights are available below. They also have an odd tendency to title songs with full names of their theoretical protagonists, interesting.

Jake Ryan – Summer Camp

Veronica Sawyer – Summer Camp

Round the Moon – Summer Camp