Dubstep

it's a big deal. never heard of it? here's my favorite example, discovered.. this past week.

millions hate it already. millions have yet to love it. millions (not billions) have yet to see megha in the nude as well so let's not hold our breath:



i first heard this sound with Burial's Archangel but didn't know what it was. Burial is pretty much considered the Britney of dubstep so it makes sense that it was the first thing I came across. My good friend Dan Amitai was a huge proponent of the scene in DC and I went to my first dubstep concert with him about a year ago (Headhunter and Jukata).

the key to this music is in the wobble of the bass. it can be irritating or interesting but it's a style that's getting more and more popular. the most popular artists in this relatively new genre (about 5-7 years old now) include: Benga, Skream, Rusko, Burial, Caspa, Zomby, etc etc

one more of my favorites is below. after that is the first "dubstep" song i ever heard (mentioned above). dubstep is in quotes because, although the genre comes from 2step/garage, this song owes more to 2step than most.





the three examples so far are on the calmer, less masculine side of dubstep, which has been criticized for having almost as macho a scene as drum n' bass. to be fair, the above songs all maintain the dark and brooding atmosphere that is requisite to good dubstep. below are some of the harder hitting examples, what many fans would consider (if over-played) the true sound of dubstep:







Did you already know about dubstep? Do you wish you never knew? Is it better than sunday morning bhajans? you tell me.

P.S. if you liked it, the motherload for great mixes is here.

You have to hold your nose and sing all angsty

I don't get exposed to new music often, but my latest playlist has a cool story by my standards:

1. My bro sends me a song without an artist or title because he doesn't know it but knew I'd like it (he is right)
2. Bijal googles the lyrics and finds out it is by a band called Owl City
3. I start listening to more Owl City, and have them stuck in my head for months
4. I go to Owl City's concert across the street from my apartment in SF last Thursday - good times.

By my own admission I do often like less-than-manly music or cheesy electronica (e.g. Akon), and get made fun of a ton for it, but I've officially stopped apologizing for this - its too late for me (and these songs tend to have awesome harmony AND melody - not just beats). And I can still laugh when my brother makes fun of me via his impression of Secondhand Serenade, complete with clipping his nose closed with his fingers.

On The Wing - Owl City

Norwegian Rap/Urban Stars

This is my first post so I'll be concise (not easy for me).

I enjoy "Beggin'" by Madcon. I don't get points for originality here - it's already Top 40 and will be all over the radio soon (which is where I heard it).

Madcon is "new" for me, but is very popular in Europe/elsewhere, especially in the Nordic music scene where they first hit it big.

Beggin - Madcon

Also the video is cool.

Kanye + Planet Earth = Amazing?

Apparently so. Check out the new video for "Amazing."

Kanye West - Amazing (feat. Young Jeezy)

Radiofoot

Have been listening to this a lot again in the last few days. Probably their best song. One of my overall favorite songs too... despite Thom Yorke's lazy f-ing eye. If he wasn't so weird, Radiohead would actually be more likable, generally speaking. Apparently both Kanye and Miley Cyrus don't like him cause he dissed them by ignoring them. Go figure... Kanye and Miley Cyrus have something in common besides huge egos.

Radiohead - Let Down


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EDITOR' NOTE: The Pun Spot does not discriminate against people with "lazy eyes." In fact, our editor in chief has a "lazy eye." So there.

Pakistani-British Björk

I'm really digging Bat For Lashes these days. You should, too. Check out the live cover of the Kings of Leon song.

Bat For Lashes - Use Somebody (Kings of Leon Cover)



Also, check out the first single from her new album, Two Suns.

Bat For Lashes - Daniel



Shout out to Hilal/Daily Cherez for the recommendation.

Maybe they'll sell a few more albums this time

Check out the hot new single from The Clipse which will be featured on Till The Casket Drops (due out later this year).

The Clipse - Kinda Like A Big Deal (feat. Kanye West)

Electronic music (?) video collection

Not sure that all of these qualify as electronic music, but they all feel like they're in the same genre.

As some of you readers may remember, I had a post about Röyksopp a couple months back for their song "Happy Up Here." Just saw this pretty cool version they put together as a promo for their album release. Check it out below.

Röyksopp - Happy Up Here (Marching Band Version)



And check out this pretty cool (older) video.

Röyksopp - What Else Is There (feat. Karin Dreijer Andersson from The Knife)



Not as creepy as Karin Dreijer Andersson's last video, but it has its moments. The video also reminds me of elements from one of the coolest videos from 2007.

Bat for Lashes - What's A Girl To Do

Socially Conscious / Social Conscience

More from the upcoming Daniel Merriweather album Love and War. This one features Wale - one of my favorite rappers right now. The message of this song is reminiscent of Marvin Gaye a la "What's Going On" / "Inner City Blues."

Daniel Merriweather - Change (feat. Wale)



Ya dig?

Coming soon to an iTunes download near you

Mos Def is coming back with a brand new album due out this June - The Ecstatic. And from this promo, it looks to be a return to his old form (hopefully more Black on Both Sides and less True Magic).

Mos Def - Flowers Promo



Also, peep these tracks that are also set to be on the album.

Mos Def - Quiet Dog



Mos Def - Life in Marvelous Times