Kanye West - Power

Kanye West's “Power” is just the type of track I expected from him.

Sonically, it's a cross between his Graduation and Late Registration material, maybe the love child of “Can't Tell Me Nothing” and “Diamonds from Sierra Leone”. Lyrically, it’s more aggressive than the two, leaning more towards his “Go Hard” verses, just “Power” is more specific. “Fuck SNL and the whole cast.”

After all of the Taylorgate drama and criticism, Kanye decided to repent and go into exile for a few months. Judging by the song's lyrical content, I think he decided there was no need to repent after all.

It seems like somewhere, he did a 180 and decided, "eff it. I am an asshole, and I am okay with that." Sure, he may not go on stage and interrupt someone again like he did Taylor, but he's not going to make "sorry-I'm-really-a-great- person music", which I think some of us expected.

I think the little Kanye inside came in and asked, "Can I talk my shit again?"

"I just needed time alone with my own thoughts" = "I needed a second to figure out if I still wanted to be a dick." I think he’s got it all figured out now. His inexorability is an asset.

When Kanye lacks decorum, he is fearless, so is his music.

kanyewest.com
kanyeuniversecity.com

Spoon - The Mystery Zone

What I gleaned from my first look at the tracklist for Transference was there is a track titled “The Mystery Zone.” I thought, “Wow. First, 88 Keys, now Spoon? Another love-limbo song, huh.” I was definitely had my reservations. Would the chorus sound cheesy? What would they sing about, really? Do people really still have these Michael Cera-esque situations after college? They might, but that’s not what the song is about.

Britt Daniel croons about a place where you’re “set up for good in a whole other life.” Where “all the trouble you look for all your life you’ll find it for sure”. This is many an adolescent’s fantasy, when “your dad’s not around.” Endless bliss.

The song’s idea is transmitted by way of an expertly crafted, trancing instrumental to imbue feelings overwhelming ebullience. It’s not only a great song to sing along or hum to; it really leaves you with the feel of an insouciant teenager. “The Mystery Zone” conjures up the same sort of feeling “Got Nuffin” does, only less aggressive and lighter on the drums.

Spoon wins again.

spoontheband.com

M.I.A. x Jay-z - XXXO (Remix)

I loved “XXXO” when it first dropped. The melody was embedded in my psyche for days and I couldn't refrain from humming it in social settings (that's a great problem to have, you hit-makers out there). Like “Paper Planes”, the track leans toward the commercial side and is frighteningly catchy. The track follows the lead of the door-slamming effect in the beginning, banging with conviction.

That said, the remix with Jay-Z just rubs me the wrong way. His flow was lacking for sure, and he didn't come hard enough. Given the way “Boyz” of all tracks was boosted by his feature, I must say, I am a tad disappointed.

The increasingly incurious M.I.A. seems to be just okay with a Hov feature, and I suppose, that’s fine, but I expect more from you, Maya, we all do.

Still people will drool over this one and Maya will gain a few more fans, owing to Hov's unparalleled popularity.

At any rate, I just played the original and danced around my room for the duration.

miauk.com

Lupe Fiasco - I'm Beamin

I really like this.



I'm glad Lupe came with it on this one. I can see lots of sing-a-longs at shows this summer.

lupefiasco.com

M.I.A. - Born Free

BOOM! bitches

here's the immensely NSFW video, directed by Romain Gavras, the same guy who did "Stress" by Justice.



neetrecordings.com
miauk.com

The xx - Islands

watch closely



"that bridge is on fire"

thexx.info

N*E*R*D - Hot & Fun/ Party People (Live)

I love seeing these guys live.

myspace.com/nerdofficial