pop posts

Yael Naim

Sunday, October 7th, 2007 by Julija

pop folk // soft r&b

When Paris-born, Israeli-raised Yael Naim met David Donatien, a West Indian drummer, the two sat down to share their rich musical experiences. Combining Yael’s classical education and love of pop and jazz, this collaboration lead into recording 13 beautifully arranged compositions, mostly sung in Hebrew, with instrumentation of piano, guitar, cello, bass and percussion. While the mood ranges from melancholic to sweeter and hopeful notes, she carries intimate feeling throughout her songs.

Never-fading optimism that leaves you smiling and humming along.
Yael Naim – New Soul
Yael Naim – Pachad

UPDATE 01/16/2008: “New Soul” is featured in Apple’s ad for the Macbook Air (thx, zelnox!)
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Emily Loizeau

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 by Julija

chanson française // singer-songwriter

Influenced by such French chanson classics as Serge Gainsbourg, the melancholic vein of American music idols, such as Tom Waits and Bob Dylan, and inventive Andrew Bird’s compositions, Emily Loizeau carefully crafts her tuneful melodies. Charming with her sincere joyfulness and wit, piano-playing singer and composer, Emily brings so much warmth and quirky freshness to nouvelle scène française. The playfulness of her debut album L’Autre Bout Du Monde (2006), its catchy choruses and certain cabaret pop moments, is infinitely enjoyable.

Whimsical piano fueled songwriting.
Emily Loizeau – Je Ne Sais Pas Choisir
Emily Loizeau – Boby Chéri
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Hafdis Huld

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 by Julija

icelandic pop-folk // electro pop

The charming debut of former Gus Gus singer, Icelandic-born Hafdis Huld, is a fun jaunt of quirky contemporary pop. Her girly voice crosses between the eccentricity of Cerys Matthews and fragility of Emiliana Torrini; her songwriting’s sweet but with macabre twists; and her arrangements never bore. Hafdis’ electronic noise, instrumentation of keyboards, xylophone, and especially the surprising country sound of banjo, amount to some bizarrely catchy musical romps.

Delicious wit and great seriousness.
Hafdis Huld – Diamonds On My Belly
Hafdis Huld – Tomoko
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Priscilla Ahn

Thursday, August 16th, 2007 by Michelle

singer-songwriter // blithe folk pop

While I can appreciate any artist who can adeptly play and loop the harmonica, guitar and bells for a single song, and often incorporates the banjo, ukulele and even kazoo in her live show; part of me would expect this instrumental overkill to hide a less-than-stellar voice. But not Priscilla. Her voice can only be described as ethereal, and carries a sense of hope and innocence in songs whose lyrics aren’t always so untarnished. This, plus the hint of vulnerability in her music, makes you want to hold your breath and bask in her subtle storytelling. Close your eyes and have a listen.

Gentle wanderings between nostalgia and daydream.
Priscilla Ahn – Lullaby
Priscilla Ahn – Dream

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Mareva Galanter

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 by Julija

french electro-pop // yé-yé

A former model expanding her work into music or cinema is not surprising. However, it is rare and surprising when she does it so good, and does it in such a fun way. With her debut album Ukuyéyé (2006), Mareva Galanter, once Miss Tahiti and Miss France, delivers a collection of mostly catchy pop-rock songs from the 60’s. Her coquettish charm and ukulele manage to give it fresh sound and a lovely feeling to it.

Delightful interpretation of the classic.
Mareva Galanter – Les Filles, C’est Fait Pour Faire L’Amour
Mareva Galanter – Miss Hinano
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Note From Paul: I’m looking to bring on some additional writers to Aurgasm. If you like the kinds of music featured here and can find similar stuff, we should talk. This is a paid gig. Current bloggers are welcome, too. Email me at paul -atsymbol- aurgasm.us.

Elizabeth & The Catapult

Monday, June 11th, 2007 by Paul Irish

singer songwriter // folk pop

While I enjoy friends that are predictable, I prefer my music to surprise me. A heavy dose of dynamic songwriting will surely snag my attention, so when E&TC’s track “Momma’s Boy” slips from folk to Jon Brion pop to vaudeville and back, I can’t help but crack a smile. With an instrumentation including cello, viola, flugelhorn, bass, violins, and trumpets along with songs like “Waiting For The Kill”, Elizabeth et al. feel like America’s extroverted answer to Psapp.

1st in line from a strong, eclectic compilation.
Elizabeth & The Catapult – Momma’s Boy
Elizabeth & The Catapult – Waiting For The Kill
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Moonbabies

Thursday, June 7th, 2007 by Paul Irish

dream pop // electronic

Swedish duo Ola Frick and Carina Johansson have been making dreamy, sophisticated pop for the better part of a decade. Hearing their latest album, a mix of lush orchestral swells, twinkling piano, and endearing guitar riffs, is not unlike seeing a rainbow. Bright and sweeping, it’s the sort of music you’d put on the playlist while drinking strawberry lemonade under the summer sun. And yet the lyrics, too, are worth more than a passing glance: warm and pensive, they make a fine counterpoint to the sweet melodies and often cover darker, more daring ground. Perhaps that lemonade could do with a touch of liquor.

Good, nearly clean fun
Moonbabies – Sun A.M.
Moonbabies – Take Me To The Ballroom

Music and words lovingly contributed by Natalia
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Mungo Jerry

Friday, May 25th, 2007 by Paul Irish

oldies // summertime pop


Not too much to say. But anyone in Boston today can agree with me..

Summer has arrived.
Mungo Jerry – In The Summertime
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Sol Seppy

Friday, May 25th, 2007 by Julija

dream pop // laptop folk

Sophie Michalitsianos was born in England, studied contemporary composition and orchestration in Sydney, Australia, and currently is New York based singer-songwriter, a professional pianist and cellist. Her debut as Sol Seppy, The Bells Of 1 2 (2006), embodies gentle and dreamy folkly melodies, Goldfrapp-ish electro-pop tendencies, fuzzy electronic beats and gorgeous vocals. Sophie’s music varies from simple to odd and complex tunes, yet never overly eclectic.

Precious songs.
Sol Seppy – Farewell Your Heart
Sol Seppy – Move
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Oren Lavie

Monday, April 9th, 2007 by Paul Irish

baroque pop // singer-songwriter

Immediately on hearing this track I thought of Badly Drawn Boy’s seminal album The Hour of Bewilderbeast. Oren Lavie has the clear, high-fidelity instrumentation I associate with the UK baroque pop scene; having string work similar to the cello I fell in love with in BDB’s “The Shining,” and a general gaiety about songwriting that respects the listener while treating them with a cute tune worth sharing. It’s a shame his album is still only released in Europe; apparently they’d rather put off us Americans with a $22.99 sale price. Silly recording industry. :-/

Warm, sunny, aural afternoon delight.
Oren Lavie – Her Morning Elegance
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