TRACK OF THE NIGHT: 11th Dimension

Julian Casablancas / 11th Dimension

So, Mr. Casablancas has finally seen it fit to take a break from The Strokes and go it alone. The result: eclectic pop perfection. 11th Dimension is a real triumph. Not only does it manage to be fantastically retro yet ridiculously current all at the same time, but it is also one of those amazing moments when you realise that within every indie rocker there is a pop maestro dying to get out. In its entirety, 11th Dimension comes off sounding very new wave as it flies through a faultless collection of 80s-style synths and perfectly executed guitar riffs. As usual, Julian's distinctive vocal delivery separates him from the masses and brings a unique charm to an already mesmerizing track. 11th Dimension is one of the year's most irresistible pop propositions and reaffirms Julian as the king of cool...but cooler.

Julian Casablancas / 11th Dimension  by  ShornStarMan

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Forgot to mention you can download tonights incredible TRACK OF THE NIGHT for free right here:

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TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Wish I Stayed

Ellie Goulding / Wish I Stayed (Feat. FrankMusik)

Right, so I finally get to see Ellie live tomorrow night when she supports Little Boots and I seriously cannot wait. I don't know why but there's something about her which just gets me very very excited. Ellie's music doesn't slap you in the face like music from say Lady GaGa for instance, but to sum it up it's almost like a sort of quiet revolution. Behind all these enchanting arrangements are some very subtle hints of absolute musical genius which Ellie's music doesn't strive for, it just is. Wish I Stayed is a good example of this understated amazingness as Ellie's beautiful vocals soar above a magical backdrop of gentle guitar strings and sublime synths, with the help of FrankMusik on production duties. However, it's Ellie's lyrics which truly make Wish I Stayed the musical diamond it really is, as they beautifully portray her emotional regret about leaving home with an important sense of realism. Words can't even start to describe how much I am anticipating the work that will come from Ellie in 2010 but until then I'm sure she will continue to dazzle us all with her stunning tales of love, life and the universe.

Ellie Goulding / Wish I Stayed (Feat. FrankMusik)  by  ShornStar

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Songs Remind Me Of You

Annie / Songs Remind Me Of You

In case you hadn't heard of her before Annie is a Norwegian singer who makes stunningly realised pop music. Annie herself sings: 'Music so good / Music so clear' on this, the defining moment from her new album Don't Stop, in which this annoyingly unnoticed gem of an artist sings of a boy who she remembers solely through some really great tunes. Songs Remind Me Of You is a literal rush of Italo Disco-style synths and pounding 80's beats, which seem to recall the dazzling arrangements of the synth king himself: Mr. Giorgio Moroder. As the song pulses and pounds along Annie sings in a seemingly whispered tone as her breathy vocals overflow with emotional urgency, adding a big heart to this juggernaut of a track. In Songs Of Remind Me Of You Annie yet again defines pop music in the 21st century proving that she is an artist not to be missed.

Annie / Songs Remind Me Of You  by  ShornStarBlog

HONEY...I'M HOME

I've been sick as a dog since Friday night but I'm finally feeling like more of a human now so I think it's high time for me to crack back on with ye olde blog and share with you all some sweet sweet music. Let's go.......

NEW ELLIE GOULDING VIDEO: Under The Sheets

Ellie has finally delved into the world of music videos and she's coming in with a bang. Under The Sheets is a stellar pop video which seems reminiscent of some of the classics from back in the good ol' days: the early noughties. The video features various identical Ellie Gouldings wondering around what looks like the Dragon's Den while lots and lots and lots of golden glitter is thrown and drummed (yes you read right - drummed) all over the place. The whole video is a pleasant flash of dazzling pop urgency which works as the perfect introduction to this fanastic new talent.  Top dollar.

TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Discofreak

Bitclipr / Discofreak

Bitclipr are a pretty unknown electro group from America who make shockingly good electro-dance music. Discofreak is an absolute demon of a track and hits you from the very first listen. The track slowly builds up with a pretty slick hip-shaking guitar riff backed by a pulsing beat until....in comes the absolutely killer synth melody with its grinding tones to remind you that this is more than your average piece of electro. There is something strangely euphoric about Discofreak as it pounds along with the sound of robotic drones and computers blasting out of control while engraving itself into your brain. It's refreshing to hear an electro track that is not only ridiculously addictive but is also fantastically original, a quality missing from much of today's many commercial electro tracks. In other words, Discofreak kicks ass.

Bitclipr / Discofreak  by  ShornStarBlog

NEW MARINA & THE DIAMONDS VIDEO: Mowgli's Road

How brilliant is this! Not only is it a fantastic parody of Beyoncé's Single Ladies with the whole 3 ladies dancing in front of a white screen business but it also features Marina and her pals with blue puppet legs, then arms, then bodies!!!! Call it quirky, kooky, whatever you like...at the end of the day Marina is seriously hot, utterly bonkers and completely amazing.

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TRACK OF THE NIGHT: Mercury

Bloc Party / Mercury

First of all, I'd like to say I literally just got back from seeing Bloc Party live for the second time and they were bloody brilliant! Secondly, when I first heard Mercury I absolutely hated it however, after seeing Bloc Party perform it at Reading Festival this year something clicked, and I can now see that it is in fact pure and utter genius. In a world filled with formulaic indie Bloc Party are highly distinctive amongst their contemporaries as they continue to breeze through an array of different genres whilst pushing the boundaries of musical experimentalism. Mercury is most definitely Bloc Party's experimental tour-de-force as they play out a frantic mix of indie, electro, alternative dance and believe it or not brass. From the ridiculously catchy use of a vocal pedal (Mercury M-M-M-Mercury Mercury's in Mercury's in retrograde) to the African-esque drumbeat breakdown, Mercury is absolutely crammed with a million different musical references, making it one of Bloc Party's most captivating and unbelievable pieces of music to date.

Bloc Party / Mercury  by  ShornStarBlog