2016 Music Recap

I was taking a look at my most listened to tracks for 2016 and decided to post the top 5. Interestingly, there's a lot of Kpop!

5. Beyoncé - Hold Up



Come on, there HAD to be at least one track from Lemonade up in here. Hard to sing but worth it.

4. Stellar - Sting



The first Kpop entry; this group/song came out of nowhere and rapidly won my heart.

3. Purity Ring - heartsigh



Technically released end of 2015 but I didn't hear it until January. Purity Ring hits another one out of the park.

2. Red Velvet - Ice Cream Cake



I consider this my favourite song of 2016, can't get enough of it!

1. Ariana Grande - Into You

I am... fairly shocked that this is my most listened track for 2016. But I love singing along to it.

YouTube Delivers Again!

I have a lovely little EDM discovery for everyone today. I was on YouTube one day and decided to trawl the Ministry of Sound channel for new dance tunes. I saw a recommendation from an artist named Porter Robinson, who I already knew of via a collaboration he did with Matt Zo (also an amazing song/video). Clicked on the video and oh my god. Sweet song of course, but the video is so touching and moving I maaaaay have shed a tear or two in the process.

Watch for yourself and be the judge!


My interpretation: this woman is running away from her problems (symbolized by the otherwolves) and finds refuge in an alternate reality, full of beautiful landscapes and a silent but supportive companion. She enjoys the sights, recuperates, stops running for a while and recharges. But she cannot escape her problems forever. Eventually they find her and push her silent friend off a cliff, but in its last moments the creature sends her back in time to the moment before she leapt away from her problems. Fully restored by peace and respite, she now has the strength to tackle her problems head on, and chases the otherwolves away, saving the creature and her own destiny at the same time.

Let me float back to the place you found me
I’ll be okay

Ring In The New Year With A Little Recap

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: mashup release time! There are three artists who do year-end mashups that I look forward to, and now that they’ve all released their goods and I've had time to let the songs and videos sink in, it's time to rank them!

3. DJ Earworm United State of Pop

• Without a doubt the most well-known of the year-end mashup DJs, and I enjoy that Earworm attempts to rework the lyrics into a completely new song, and the video into something brand new. Since he’s from the UK, sometimes I don’t know all of the songs he uses, but nonetheless his skill in changing tempos at the drop of a hat is always impressive. Unfortunately I found this year's creation a little boring.

2. Mashup Germany Top of the Pops 2013

• Despite the random German songs that inevitably get thrown into these mashups, I still really enjoy how they are crafted year after year, well meshed and without excessive complication. Honestly, the random German songs are refreshing! This is a very nice mix, very nice video, my only complaint is that I haaaaate "Hey Brother" by Avicii and it's the main track in this mashup.

3. Pop Danthology 2013

• Daniel Kim is Canadian so he usually picks songs that are specifically popular in my part of the world, which I deeply appreciate. He’s dropped some killer combos in this mix, I particularly like the music for Gaga’s “Applause” mixed with the vocals for Zedd’s “Clarity”. Also, he mashed the vocals for Selena Gomez’s “Come And Get It” with the Harlem Shake, amazing. My favourite this year, the video just blows me away with its accuracy and effectiveness. However, I'm sad to say that this is actually the worst of his mashups, but that's no fault of Daniel's, it's just that music this year sucked. :P

Current Best of Dance Videos

I haven’t done a “EDM videos that don’t suck” post in a while! There are a lot lately, mad props to the DJs.

1. Zedd ft. Foxes – Clarity



My first pick because I saw Zedd live a couple weeks ago and it was awesome. This was the big song everyone was awaiting of course. I’ve loved it since it first came out, not only is the video visually interesting, but the lyrics and tune are so fantastic to sing along to. But when I went to the concert, there was this interesting moment where all you could hear was the women singing the chorus at the tops of their lungs, and then every man there shouted out the “ayyyyy-ayyyyy ayyy-ayyy-ayyyyy” part right before the beat drops. It was perfect and magical. :D

2. Icona Pop – All Night



All musicians should watch the extended video for this song, it’s basically a lesson on how to highlight a subculture without being appropriative. This video is fun, fabulous, and makes me want to watch Paris Is Burning.

3. Jacques Lu Cont & Alex Metric – Safe With You



I was sold the moment this video began: EDM + figure skating = win. I don’t know, this video just gives me feels. Reminds me when I first fell in love with Virtue & Moir back in 2010.

Niche Dance Videos: A YouTube Compilation

It's no secret that I am a big fan of dance music. Not to be hipster about it, but I was into David Guetta before he was collaborating with rap stars and such. ;) Anyway, I've noticed that there are a number of dance videos out there with a common theme of "young woman throws off the shackles of her day job and parties instead". Makes sense, because let's face it, dance music makes us want to party! So I thought it would be nice to start a running playlist on YouTube. Presenting: "Work Sucks, Dance Instead", for your viewing enjoyment. Be warned, most of the videos are NSFW. Dance music might be awesome on the ears but for the eyes... well, there's a lot of T&A to contend with. :P

Oh How Times Have Changed

I know I am super late to the Bollywood game but I finally saw the video for Fevicol Se from Dabangg 2 and I have A LOT OF THOUGHTS I need to share with the internets. First off, watch it yourself:

I have to admit that I was basically expecting Munni Badnam Part 2 and I love Malaika Arora for what she does with item numbers, so when the song started and Kareena's doing her thing I was like "hmm, meh... this seems low budget somehow."

Then Salman shows up and a lightbulb went off. This is a throwback tribute to the picturizations of the early 80s. Munni Badnam has a certain sense of intentionalness to it, as scripted as you can possibly get when Salman is involved haha. Fevicol Se strikes me as being less about us watching a performance and more about us watching Kareena and Salman having fun. It's supposed to make you remember the silliness of those old movies you used to watch as a kid/teen. It's a nostalgia trip! And it's unpolished in a wonderful sort of way. (See: Wabi-sabi.)

Also, ACTUAL INDIAN BACKUP DANCERS FOR KAREENA. Yes! More of that! I am so sick of seeing all these goris up in the club, it's distracting and I'm done with it. And I have to give Kareena props for her dancing; I remember how much me and my sister used to mock her non-existent dancing skills, look how far she's come! *hat tip*

And finally, LOL those lyrics had me cackling. Tandoori murgh? Namkeen butter? FEVICOL? SERIOUSLY?! LMAO brilliant. :D

Ring It In

Happy New Year! I hope everyone celebrated in their own appropriate way, whether it was a quiet night at home, a rocking dance club, or in my case a house party that featured a room where everyone was playing Rockband and a room where everyone was watching K-Pop videos on YouTube. :D

As it were, I have once again fallen down the K-Pop rabbit hole and have a few very lovely videos to share. Two are done in a very sleek, muted style while the other two are in a bright and boppy style. Love them all!

1. Girls' Generation (SNSD) - Gee


2. Brown Eyed Girls' - Abracadabra


3. HyunA - Bubble Pop!


4. HyunA & HyunSeung - Trouble Maker


Bonus music commentary: I saw Jessie J's new video Domino and it's like... dude are you sure someone didn't switch the audio out for a Katy Perry song?! WTF LOL.

Two Fresh Beats For Ya

Have discovered a few fun songs since my vacation from the UK but I'm going to just share my favourite two. First off, this sexy-fun tune by Nicole Scherzinger.



Oh man, girl can dance. Can I please have her dancing skills? And her swag? And her body? Oh my god. Also, upon watching this video in fullscreen 720p I noticed that one of her background dancers is Kim from SYTYCD Canada! HI KIM! You're doing well for yourself, I see! ;D Love that it's just a bunch of girls dancing in this video, they look so joyful and happy.

Then I saw this video courtesy of Kelly Rowland.



There are so many things to like about this video: the purple lipstick, the slick choreography, Kelly dancing in black combat boots and not heels, the men who must have come straight from the Usher School Of Sculpted Dancers. PURE LOVE. Make mama proud indeed. ;)

This Friday Night... Do It All Again

I have so many great songs I could share with you right now (by bands such as Two Door Cinema Club or The Roots or Starslinger or Lykke Li) but instead I'm going to share this:



Yes, I'm listening to this on repeat, despite the fact that I really love the other songs I have now. It's just... THIS SONG. OMG. I LOVE POP MUSIC. <333

Full Of Warm Food And Happy-Making Music

Say it with me, Torontonians... "Lousy Smarch weather!"

On a day like this it's no wonder my motivation to spent time out in the world was especially low. Therefore, the evening was spent making homemade tuna bisque, plus I started watching A Crude Awakening. Things I have learned tonight: butter makes everything delicious, and never underestimate the power of human rapacity.

In any case, it's time to enjoy a new song. I bring thee some Canadian content, a new Danny Fernandes song called 'Take Me Away'. LOL @ his vision of Toronto in the future.



Did I mention there is a BENNY BENASSI REMIX of this already lovely song?! Oh yes, there is. Enjoy, my pretties. :D

Don't Forget The Lyrics

In the heat of love, I can feel you touch me places.
Can you warm it up? Till I'm never cold.
You're the only one that my burning heart desires.
And it's just begun; let the fire grow.

I wanna feel your moonlight turn to sun, wanna feel the morning come.
Wanna feel your fire.
I wanna feel your winter turn to spring, wanna feel that summer rain.
Wanna feel your fire.

My body’s hot, I need you to break my fever.
And don’t you stop, I’m getting close.
Take me in your arms, can you feel my heartbeat racing?
It’s a five-alarm; burn out of control.

I wanna feel your moonlight turn to sun, wanna feel the morning come.
Wanna feel your fire.
I wanna feel your winter turn to spring, wanna feel that summer rain.
Wanna feel your fire.



I’m not yours and you’re not mine,
But we can sit and pass the time
No fighting wars, no ringing chimes,
We’re just feeling fine
This is where we’re supposed to be,
Sitting by a broken tree
No tragedy, no poetry,
Just staring at the sky

I could wait a thousand hours,
Stay the same in sun and showers
Pick apart a hundred flowers
Just to be quiet
Tell me when you feel ready
I’m the one, there’s not too many
Hold my hand to keep me steady
Just to be quiet with you

I like it here beside you, dear
You’re even more than you appear
And in the clouds my head is clear
Every time you say hello
Here’s my heart and here’s my mouth
And I can’t help if things come out
Cause there are words I want to shout
But maybe I’ll stay low

I could wait a thousand hours,
Stay the same in sun and showers
Pick apart a hundred flowers
Just to be quiet
Tell me when you feel ready
I’m the one, there’s not too many
Hold my hand to keep me steady
Just to be quiet with you

Shake Your Body Down To The Ground

What up y'all? Music video post time!

First off, Kylie Minogue being utter fabulous in 'Get Outta My Way'. LOVE THIS WOMAN SFM.



Next, Stromae's 'Alors On Danse'. French has never sounded so freaking awesome and the video is just so European, love it.



And finally, one the greatest videos I have ever laid eyes on: 'Lonely's Lunch' by You Say Party. India + sci-fi dystopia + interesting female lead = WIN WIN WIN!

The Classics Are Classic For A Reason

Oh my god, why have I not posted the video for this dance song yet?! It's the very epitome of what a good dance song video should be. I present to you: 'Another Chance' by Roger Sanchez.


Moral of the story: people with big hearts suffer for it because everyone else is afraid of love.

Whoa, Unexpected!

Oh hey, I hear Prop 8 was overturned! Good times for my Cali peeps.

In commemoration, a happy song about love: Lollipop by Mika.



Cheers, y'all.

Dark Clouds Can't Stop Me!

This past Saturday I went to Lilith Fair, thereby fulfilling one of my life goals: seeing Sarah McLachlan live in concert! Me and a friend showed up at Molson Amphitheatre at 3 PM and faced the worst kind of pouring rain ever. We had ponchos and umbrellas, but we also had lawn seats so there was nothing to really protect us from the elements. Thankfully, it wasn't cold at all and the experience was generally fun and Woodstockian (for lack of a better term). We set up camp in front of the main stage (in the lawn seats) and had a clear view of BMO field, so we pretty much watched the TFC game live. But since we were at the main stage, we didn't get to see any of the side acts.

Amazingly, just as the main stage acts started the weather let up a bit!




The performers on the main stage were Court Yard Hounds, Chantal Kreviazuk, Lights, Mary J. Blige, and Sarah McLachlan. Of course they were all awesome, but I was surprisingly most impressed by Mary J. Blige. I say surprisingly because I've already seen her in concert, so I wasn't expecting anything I hadn't already seen before. But she not only busted out her best songs, but she also did One Love and STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN by Led Zepplin ZOMG. It was unreal. She had so much emotion and love for the crowd, I loved it.

Sarah was amazing of course. The moment she got on stage, I started screaming "DO ICE CREAM!!" hahahaha. She ended up doing it for the encore, which was amazing. I think I actually strained my vocal cords while singing the harmony for all her songs, LOL.






It was nearly 11:30 PM by the time we got out of Ontario Place; felt like I'd been hit by a mack truck the next morning, hahaha. Such a fun time. :)

Get Into It!

Today's musical subject is local band Elliott Brood. They apparently play "death country". Sounds more east coast than country to me, which is probably why I find it palatable. Here are three songs of theirs that I like best.

Lyrically Local

Okay, in the song Unthinkable by Alicia Keys featuring Drake, when Drake says "we can roll around the city while you finally decide"... I know he's talking about cruising in a car, but I cannot get the mental image of two Samus balls literally rolling through a city, hahahaha.

Speaking of Canadian musicians, a coworker linked me to the new video for the song Meet Me In The Basement by Broken Social Scene: chock full of front-line G20 action and political statements. Check it out!



And since we're on the topic, have I shared my love for Hail The Villain yet? If you're into hard rock, DO check them out.





Coming soon: insanely spoiler-filled thoughts on the Inception soundtrack. Eeeeee!

It's Such A Great Word... FISTICUFFS!

I have discovered my new favourite song. You should listen to it too; the lyrics include use of the word "fisticuffs"!



And I know exactly why I like this song too; it sounds exactly like something that Metric would come up with, hahaha.

Need Kaskade's 'Don't Stop Dancing' Lyrics?

Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.

The world outside you will let you in,
To share the beauty you hold within.
Just keep going, everyday,
The silver lining is on its way.

'Cuz what you long for is free,
What you stand for, is to be.
Lift your feet up off the ground...

Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.

Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.

Till you reach it, you won't know,
Just what's the distance you need to go,
But it's out there, beyond today,
The silver lining is on its way.

'Cuz what you long for is free,
What you stand for, is to be.
Lift your feet up off the ground...

Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.

Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.
Don't stop dancing, girl.

Keep on dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing...
Keep on dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing...
Keep on dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing...
Keep on dancing, dancing, dancing, dancing...

Unexpected Awesomeness

Oh my gosh, I'm sort of in love with this video. Done for a dance song? And it doesn't suck? BE STILL MY HEART!

The song is 'Bruised Water' by Chicane feat. Natasha Beddingfield.



Aww, it's so lovely. :)