A merry #MusicMonday to you all, Darlings.
I’ll have you know—I had to pull myself from a very deep Spear-itual coma this morning to bring you all new music. (Worth it, of course. I love writing this column every week.) Just quickly, to get it out of my system: I AM THA GUV-UH-NAH.
… Ahem. Now, then.
I love weeks like this, because there’s nothing like a smattering of genres, styles, outlooks, and artists to remind us how different we all are—and how different music can be. We’re busy expanding out Entertainment section here at Literally, Darling, so my apologies if I’m a bit brief today. (But, hey, I’m just a blogger; let’s let the music do the talking.)
Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you think of this week’s selections. What are you listening to lately, darling?
— @Litzwich
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Lorde: “Tennis Court”
Like a less maudlin selection from Lana Del Rey‘s back pocket, “Tennis Court” is a wonderfully evocative ode to apathy and beauty and all the trials of youth between. I can’t lie: I’m falling in love a bit with Lorde’s music (remember when we covered “Royals” all those months ago before it set fire to the radio?), and I couldn’t be happier to have come across “Tennis Court” to share it with you all. It’s a seamless blend of cinematic scoring, contemporary songwriter pop, and distinctly urban flavor—all the right ingredients for a recipe that makes one tasty track.
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To listen to this week’s full playlist, click here or press play at the bottom of the page.
[divider]– [/divider]Avril Lavigne: “17”
Avril Lavigne‘s sound has changed about as much as her look since she first exploded on the scene with the angsty, anti-prep anthem “Complicated” way back in May of 2002. And you know what? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The 28-year-old Canadian has been a tour-de-force in the music industry for over a decade, selling over 30 million albums (mhmm) stamped with her specific brand of nostalgic punk-pop that speaks to the hearts and souls of disgruntled adolescents everywhere—and for the reflective teen inside of me, “17” is so idyllically early ’00s that I wouldn’t have it any other way. (It’s okay to love it. We give you permission.)
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To listen to this week’s full playlist, click here or press play at the bottom of the page.
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Foy Vance: “At Least My Heart Was Open”
Mentioned to me by my fellow LD Editor (and Ed Sheeran enthusiast) Kirstie, Foy Vance is a gritty singer-songwriter hailing from Northern Ireland. His sound is rustic, without a doubt, but it’s also refreshingly contemporary, fitting in snugly with the folk-rock sounds populating the airwaves right now (think The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, Of Monsters And Men). “At Least My Heart Was Open” is an assembly of rise-and-crash rushes of emotion, all poignantly positioned for maximum effect. Musically, it’s lovely and stirring; lyrically, I’d recommend some Kleenex.
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To listen to this week’s full playlist, click here or press play at the bottom of the page.
Avicii feat. Nile Rodgers & Adam Lambert: “Lay Me Down”
Time to dance, darlings. This funky collaboration is glossy and glamorous, pulling straight from the heart of what’s trendy to make a track that shines in all the right ways. Avicii‘s incorporation of bluesy bass and rock instrumentation into his music has seen great success for him on the radio, and it definitely sets him apart from the dance DJ pack; “Lay Me Down” is no exception. It’s uplifting and effervescent, combining traditional disco with the unparalleled versatility of Adam Lambert‘s pipes—a match made in electroheaven.
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To listen to this week’s full playlist, click here or press play at the bottom of the page.
[divider]– [/divider]The Weeknd feat. Drake: “Live For”
Speaking of matches made in heaven, I could really go for Drake and The Weeknd (you may remember him from our VMA video lineup, if you’re not familiar) forming a Gnarles Barkley-esque side project. With this collaboration, I’m in disbelief that it hasn’t happened already; they’re two peas in a brooding pod, both favoring the same dark and emotional approach to rap, putting a spin on the modern R&B game for male artists and taking it in new and refreshing directions. “Live For” is for fans of Drake and The Weeknd alike—and no doubt for plenty of others, as well.
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To listen to this week’s full playlist, click here or press play at the bottom of the page.
Britney Spears: “Work Bitch”
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Aural Fixation runs new music every Monday, right here on Literally, Darling.
Tweet and follow me on Twitter @Litzwich to give your feedback, comment on the column, or just to share your favorite Britney .gif.
I’d love to hear what you’re listening to.
I had not heard “17” yet. LOVE IT!
Hi! Love your site for the sounds of great music. Suggest Adam Lambert’s WWFM TREVOR PROJECT from this week. I won’t presume to post the link here but be sure to get the one with the best sound–poor visual from the right back balcony apparently, but great sound, which is what counts!