What the Funk?!

So, just in case you haven't been tuned into Keeping Up With Kristen's ridiculous music taste for a while you may have missed that huge funk obsession I went through earlier this year with Jungle. I thought it was over, I thought I had moved onto bigger and better things. But give me a slap bass line and I can feel The Funk rising up again.

So when Triple J and world renowned bae, Chet Faker, released his new funky single a last week in collaboration with London producer Marcus Marr I just about lost the effing plot.

*insert fangirl squealing here*

Unless you've been living under a rock over 2014, you no doubt would have heard of Chet's soulful style. The velvety rumblings of his vocal chords had entranced the entire nation and our hero took out the top of Triple J's Hottest 100 for 'Talk is Cheap' earlier this year. Well ladies and gentlemen, he's back.

Faker (actual name Nick Murphy) announced earlier this month that he was to release a new collaborative EP some time in December. This short and sweet four track EP is called Work and is going to be the resulting love child of a long musical crush between these two musical masterminds. The newly released track Trouble With Us has set my head into a tizzy, and I'm telling you now. You HAVE to hear it. It's so unlike anything that Chet Faker has produced before, this fun, upbeat, funky track has pretty much slap bassed all over my heart strings.

It starts of so simply, the track's sound is very clean and fresh. When you hit that chorus you're bopping already. It's a nice build up and release of a crescendo of funk. I think what I love the most about it is that it's so easy to sing along to, as well as the fact its so completely different to everything we've heard from Chet Faker's studio album Built on Glass. At the same time, I love when a musician shows us this kind of range. I mean, it still sounds like Chet Faker -  it is his distinctive vocal velvetiness that I'm fawning over, but Marcus Marr's sweet, sweet, bass line almost shows us a different side of what collaboration could mean. It's like when artists do covers and mess around with different types and styles of songs; we learn that they're more than just pretty faces, these guys have talent. What the best thing about it is, it's such a fun track, I love dance driving to this one, and I'm sure the people at the traffic lights appreciate my sick moves too.

So, if you see me around bopping to an unknown beat, be assured, this song is exactly what's been on my mind. Check it out, tell me what you think.

For more information and tour dates, check out the Triple J website.



Kristen

Oh Lordey!

I think I'm getting to that stage now where I find it really strange to see younger people everywhere becoming more successful than I ever could be. For a long time, people younger than me were children, mere babes freshly out of the womb and exploring the world with wide eyed curiosity and lack of fine motor skills. Child prodigies aside, it's been weird over the last few years noticing kids that seem hardly out of diapers doing fantastic things.

Lorde is one of those said toddlers out on the rise, creating some amazing, unique music, and to be honest, I'm really jealous, but really proud as well. Who says our generation is full of talent-less hacks? They're wrong. We've got oodles of talent, and I'm quite content saying that someone younger than me is more talented when that person is Lorde.

Oh Lorde

Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor (Lorde for short) is only a year younger than me, and if I'm perfectly honest she is going to reach heights that I will never even closely accomplish. The talented Kiwi songstress is only 18, yet for the last few years her songs have topped charts globally and dominated my playlists. Her latest collaboration with the electronic duo Disclosure has been on my mind and my lips for the last few weeks.

Magnets by Disclosure featuring Lorde has been a real hit all over the airwaves since it's release. Despite the backlash coming from the music video depicting some mature scenes, I feel like this is the next best step for Lorde, she's growing up - why can't her music grow up too?

I love this song, and the music video. There's something magical about it. Plus, it contains some saucy video footage of Iddo Goldberg, my big crush from the Secret Diary of a Call Girl days. Regardless, I find the musical integrity of Lorde's unique style is never compromised in this particular track. The lyricism and the soulful purring that is the sound of her voice makes this sound like it's a Lorde track, not a Disclosure track. The only tell-tale sign of a collaboration is the electronic beat, and some of the repetitiveness. Although, to make any song popular in mainstream media, you're going to have to employ both those elements to reach that wide audience. Despite this, my favourite lyric so far has been the "pretty girls don't know the things that I know", that coupled with Ella's kooky dance style in the music video has endeared me to this song wholly.

I love Lorde for many reasons, for one, her hair is very similar to mine! I do admit, I've felt really quite inspired and have been leaving my thick, wavy, locks out in all their frizzy and voluminous glory as a sort of homage to Ella. She's young, she's talented, and to be honest, she is definitely our next "it" girl. All eyes are on Lorde now, she's definitely going to be creating many waves with her beautiful music over the next few years. I'm quite excited for what the future brings.


xx Kristen

Crushing Hard

I think for most of us who were teenage girls, we fondly remember that celebrity crush that we went crazy for. It's just a part of growing up. Like you see those tweens with their crushes on Justin Bieber or One Direction, it's something to be expected. Your heart beat quickens when you hear one of their songs, you get a massive grin spreading across your face when you watch a music video.

For me, it was Jesse McCartney with Beautiful Soul. I still belt that song out every moment I hear it on the radio.

But now, as I get older, I rarely feel that oom-pah-pah in my heart about any music. You know that feeling? The one that makes your soul feel like its flying out of your body or that grin that slowly spreads and fills your body with warm happiness.

Well, that was until I laid my ears on Vance Joy.

Look at that face! Who wouldn't be in love with this total babe?

His 2014 album Dream Your Life Away has been the soundtrack for the past year of my life. What can I say, I'm crushing. Hard.

Basically, if you haven't heard the album yet or want a taster of what it feels like to fall in love, check out this song. It's my current favourite.

Although, to be completely honest, I discover a new favourite song from the album each week. There's something about the lyricism and  the shakiness in his voice in some of the lines that just gives me shivers every single time. I feel as though he sings to your soul, they're love songs all of them, and for some reason I feel like he's singing them to me.

He's also a complete babe, if you haven't seen his music video for "Fire and the Flood", what have you been doing?  All those dreamy stares down the barrel of the camera.... ah, my love.

As far as teenage heart throbs go, you wouldn't be hard pressed to find me pining over this guy had he been around and popular 5 years ago, holy moly, I'd have pined so hard.

Vance Joy is a gift to girls everywhere, and his music is a gift to the soul. If  you've watched these videos I'm 100% sure that you'd agree with me.

As far as heart throbs go? What's been pulling on your heart strings as of late? What music has been giving you that oomph that only a realllyy good song can?


Lots of love,

Kristen

T-Shirt Weather and Sunshiney Tracks

Hello warm weather lovers,

Well, those of us graced with living in the southern hemisphere are probably ready to peel the warm jumpers and jeans off our frozen bodies and thaw out with the spring sun. It's time to revamp, time to recuperate, and time to embrace the spring sun.

Well, why don't we do that with our music as well?

I find as the weather gets warmer I like to listen to songs that remind me of long summer drives and kicking back in the sunshine. I do a seasonal spring clean of my playlist as much as I do with my wardrobe, so here's a small playlist of songs that I'm bringing in to bring some sun into my life.

T-Shirt Weather by Circa Waves

Here's a fun little track that I've been loving recently. It's long summer car road trips to me, in all their burning glory.  They're a British indie-rock band formed in Liverpool. Their debut album was released earlier this year in titled "Young Chasers". Definitely check it out, it's got that youthful British indie sound that we all know and love. Keep an eye out for these guys, people riding in my car will definitely hear a lot of Circa Waves over the next few months.


Rock It by Little Red

An oldy, but a goody. Rock It is a classic summer song that has been played many a time when I am craving sunshine and lazy afternoons. This song has been on my summer playlists for years, it's a boppy track that helps me keep the warmth in my heart when it's looks nice outside, but it's almost as though the weather needs a little pick me up track to get the heat going. This is the sun's pump up track, I'm sure. We all know Little Red; the Melbourne band rose to the Triple J fame in 2010. Unfortunately for us, Little Red split up three years ago. Doesn't stop this song keeping the warmth in my life during the winter-spring transition.

Bullit by Watermät

Okay, so you know those songs that you hear everywhere but never really know who sung them or what their names were? This song was one of those for me until I found it again a few weeks ago. HOLY MOLY. Summer anthem much? This song was so big a few years ago, and I think everyone knows why. It helps you forget that winter is a season that exists. Endless summer in my ears. Forever. Basically, just proving that the French do everything right when it comes to electronic music, producer and artist in every sense of the word Watermät (or Laurent Arriau) brings summer vibes that pretty much ruled all the music charts in 2014. Love it. Bring on summer.

Hope you are showing a little more skin and embracing the changing seasons!

Keep it real,

Kristen

#ThrowbackThursday - Spotify and Dream Indie Pop

Hello friendos,

I'm back in the world of listening to music! I used to say I don't really have time to enjoy music anymore, but I've just discovered "Spotify Premium" (Not a sponsor, this is out of the expense of my own wallet *sob*). Which is fantastic really, I have all this music at my fingertips and I really can listen to as many songs as I want without all the hassle of transferring onto my various devices or using the dreaded iTunes rigmarole of buying each song I want individually. The Premium feature really is just an added bonus I've decided to fork out for because I a) have limited data on my mobile devices and b) I HATE advertisements.

The only downside, I've discovered, is that if I want to listen to T Swizzle's 1989 I have to load it up from my CD. Oh well, it's totally worth it for the ease. I think as I've gotten older I've just given into paying for convenience, rather than slogging it out like I did in my youth to save a few cents. For example, I drive now (hence my Spotify Premium comes in handy), but whereas I'd take the bus everywhere and save myself like 40c (+ the daily cost of fuel) and get some much needed fresh air and exercise walking from stop to stop. I now pay a little extra out of my own pocket just so I don't have to deal with the patrons of public transport. Fellow citizens, comrades in arms, but the enemy when considering I could spend the the 20 minute commute in solitude with my rad tunes blaring out to the loudest possible volume my speaker system can handle.

So, in this vein, I'd like to Throwback to this awesome little song from 2011 that reminded me of those peaceful summer days of bus riding and lazy afternoon walks home.

Jona Vark by Gypsy and the Cat

Mmm this song is so sweet. Sounds like something like a mix between Fleetwood Mac and Icehouse, with a simultaneous MGMT feel. I remember belting this sweet tune out in car rides and when dancing alone in my room. In fact, I still do. Gypsy and the Cat are an Australian band made up by Melbourne boys, Xavier Bacash and Lionel Towers. This is a reaaaal sweet sounding track with some of that dream indie pop that I crave whenever I'm feeling down. I generally like most of Gypsy and the Cat's music and I encourage you to check out their album Gilgamesh (on Spotify or iTunes, whatever you like really :P). 

Anyway, that's all for today,

Lots of love,

Kristen

A Going Away Playlist

Well, I mean, I'm not going for good.

I'm on vacation for the next month or so, so  I thought I'd send myself off with a fun little playlist of the 5 top songs I have been listening to non stop in the lead up to this adventure. (Now, don't judge me... these songs are so catchy and dance-y, you can't help but absolutely get into a nice groove and dance yourself on holiday)

So, in no particular order, here's 5 of my favourite songs for my summer European get-away.

Shut Up And Dance by Walk The Moon

This one is really catchy, reminds me of a modern take on 80s pop. I love this one, it's probably one you're going to hear on radios everywhere right about now. I think its such a cute little song, and the music video is pretty cute too. The dance moves are rocking and the hairstyles need work, but I mean, that's pretty much my life story so I guess that resonates with me the most. 

Papaoutai by Stromae

Oh man, this is a powerful one. I don't speak French in the slightest but the music video speaks for itself. There's no denying that Stromae is a musical genius, take a look at Tous Les Mêmes. His music videos are always super on point too. The musicality is genius, but also the pain behind the song speaks across the boundaries of language.  I feel as though my words cannot even do this song justice. Just know that I have it playing on repeat. Although I do like Tous Les Mêmes, Papaoutai is my favourite one of his songs.

Magic by San Cisco

A bit lighter, something that I find quite enjoyable and fun. Mainly because I have a thing for cheesy horror props and cute love stories. The song itself has a catchiness about it that I can't deny, however, the music video sold it for me. This one was won out purely because of Nosferatu driving the Lamborghini and moon walking. What can I say, I'm a sucker for the kind of kitsch that San Cisco is putting out these days.

Pray To God by Calvin Harris, featuring HAIM

Okay, this one was won out despite the kick ass music video. I am officially a HAIM fangirl. Paired in with my love of electropop, come on, how was I going to leave this song out? Okay, so it's a bit old now, but as per usual, I have just discovered it. Non-stop music for working out. I feel like I can kick serious butt when listening to this song, it's really empowering. Lets be honest though, most HAIM songs make me feel that way, I don't know why the addition of Calvin Harris made this one any different.

Ship to Wreck by Florence + The Machine

Okay, I'm a bit torn about this one. The same level of feeling that Ceremonials had somehow cannot be matched by Florence's current album. Ceremonials had something in it... a deep melodic soulfulness that reminded me of prayer. However, this song comes close to capturing the essence I felt before. I will probably never be able to fall in love with this song the way I fell in love with the whole of Ceremonials, but damn, I think I'm close. This song is one for the repeat, until I know how I properly feel about it. 

Well, I guess that's about it. This and a whole lot of Fleetwood Mac, but I'm sure those of you who know me well enough know that I could probably dedicate a whole blog to The Mac. They are love, they are life. Now to work out whether or not I want to spend the upwards of $200 to go see them in concert. Decisions... decisions....

In the mean time, I'll be on vacation!

I hope you all stay safe and have a great next few weeks of break.

I'll see you when I get back :)

If you would like to keep up with my travels, my travel blog can be found here. I hope to be updating it daily, and when I can't, there is always my Instagram and my Twitter that you can keep up with.

Lots of love,

Kristen

Blog Diversion... For Now

Sorry for the lack of updates friendos.

Have been working on another blog for an assignment. You can check it out here and raise my page views and leave comments if you'd like!

https://televisionbroad.wordpress.com/

Sorry about the delay in blogging!

Hopefully I'll be able to update soon :)

Kristen