Christina Perri- “A Thousand Years”
Christina Perri, best known for her hit single “Jar of Hearts”, has released her highly anticipated new song “A Thousand Years”. Don’t let the fact that it will be featured in the soundtrack of Twilight put you off, this is a beautiful ballad with lyrics that showcase a singer who wears her heart on her sleeve.
E.C.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHkvan-NFnM
Context MC- “Listening To Burial” (Ft. Slof Man) (Cinematic Remix)
A Sombre and brooding remix by Cinematic draws the listener into a solipsistic inner monologue of self-contemplation. Whilst negating the spoken word tale of Context MC’s post night out blues, pull up your hood, tighten your scarf and get lost in this tune as you walk to or from campus. Refreshingly, though not atypical for Drum & Bass, this song relies on synths and a snare arrangement that would not be out of place in the work of Four Tet or Burial; both critically acclaimed for creating dance music that makes you
think.
D.C.
Girls- “Vomit”
It may be the least appealing song title ever, but “Vomit” is actually a beautiful, sprawling paean to destructive desire. The Californian indie rockers have been knocking around for a few years, and lead singer Chris Owen’s troubled past, as a former member of hippy Christian cult The Children of God and struggling opiate addict, has formed part of a growing mythology. This conflicted personal history maybe goes some way to explain the power of this track, cult-like in its hypnotic intensity, with discomforting suggestions of addiction. Owens may repeatedly insist that he is “looking for love”, but the creeping bass and pained vocals suggests that he could just as likely be searching for a chemical high as a mate, whilst the obsessive repetition of the lyrics (“nights I spend alone/I spend ’em running ’round and ’round and ’round and ’round”) has a stalker like intensity. As the song builds to a euphoric climax, complete with wailing gospel singers and shimmering guitar, goosebumps are unavoidable. A love song that speaks of long lonely nights, spent searching for meaning in empty bottles and hollow hook ups. Remind anyone of Fresher’s week?
R.P.
Desmond Dekker- “You Can Get It If You Really Want”
One of the founding fathers of English reggae and ska, Desmond is also a key part of my early morning routine. Whilst I begrudgingly drag my carcass out of bed, stumble into the shower and hastily make caffeinated drinks; Desmond serenades me and tells me that all of my goals are achievable. Even if that goal is just getting to my seminar on time. Therefore I’m sharing this beautiful man’s voice with you all, just so the cold, winter mornings don’t seem so hard: go on; have a listen.
D.C.
Bon Iver- Beth Rest
American indie folk band Bon Iver released their self-titled second album this year after the success of the debut album For Emma, Forever Ago to critical acclaim. “Beth/ Rest” captures the essence of the band whilst showing their unique talent and versatility with an unusual blend of classic instruments giving it an 80’s feel and modern autotune effects setting this track apart from the rest of the album. Frontman Justin Vernon named this track as his favourite song from the album and it is easy to see why.
E.C.
Every week, we’ll add our picks (if they are available) to the Vision spotify playlist, so you can listen at your leisure.
Click the Spotify logo to get the playlist!
[spotify playlist=’http://open.spotify.com/user/rpronger/playlist/0zM67FwkIyitHyA8Wcw0gn’]