Kimbra, A-Trak, & Mark Foster - Warrior

Artist: Kimbra, A-Trak & Mark Foster Track: Warrior Album: Vows (Australian Tour/New Zealand Deluxe Edition) Year: 2011
I loved this track from the first time I heard it. The three rising artists were sponsored by Converse to collaborate and produce a fresh track for their "Three Artists, One Song" campaign. I must say they chose their artists well. Kimbra lends her beautiful, floaty vocals to the verses and meets with Mark Foster's high, fresh vocals in the chorus. I can definitely feel the sound of Foster the People coming through in the bouncy synths and crisp beats, especially in the bridge. I don't really know anything about A-Trak other than the fact he's remixed for several popular artists.  It's another one of those tracks that fills me with this funky energy and makes me want to take on the day full-stride. Hope it does the same for you! Click for lyrics, music video, & links (lots of links this time)!

Kids of 88 - Just A Little Bit

Artist: Kids of 88 Track: Just A Little Bit Album: Sugarpills Year: 2010
This song has been playing on repeat in my car when I drive back from work. If you're in need of a new catchy, electropop song to dance around to repeatedly, you will want to take a listen. Sassy vocals over pulsating electronic beats make for an absolutely fun dance track. It will get stuck in your head, I warn you.
Click for lyrics, music video, & links!

Oh Land - Sun Of A Gun

Artist: Oh Land

Track: Sun Of A  Gun

Album: Oh Land

Year: 2011

After a bad injury ended her ballet dancing career, Oh Land turned to music and, boy, do I love it. I had the hardest time picking a song off this album to feature today since I love so many of them.

"Sun Of A Gun" is just a delicious mix of contrasting sounds. Sweet-sounding voice against mysterious vocal percussion. Finger snaps versus synthetic notes. Crisp verses leading into a smooth bridge. It leads to very quirky dancing because you can't decide which element you want to follow.

Make sure to look into the rest of her album. It's full of more delightful surprises. My other favorites are "White Nights" and "Rainbow".

Click for lyrics, music video, & links! 

Miami Horror - Holidays

Artist: Miami Horror ft. Alan Palomo

Track: Holidays

Album: Illumination

Year: 2010

Despite being in the fall months, this song has a distinctly retro summer feel. Alan Palomo from Neon Indian features his crsip vocals. I love the fun, disco sound and swirling synth beats. Like I said, it's a great summer song.

I actually like several of the other tracks on this album, so if you like this one, be sure to check out the rest of Illumination!

Click for lyrics, music video, & links!

Non Tiq - Quiet

Artist: Non Tiq
Track: Quiet
Album: Quiet - Single
Year: 2010

This is one of those catchy pop songs that you hear the first time and go, "Huh, that's interesting," but then move on. Then you find yourself playing the chorus in your head so you go look it up again and go, "Okay, that's pretty good. I like it." Then you end up playing it over and over.

Non Tiq's voice has a nice tone to it and the random a capella parts are a nice touch. I like the reverberating harmonies in the chorus. 

Click here for lyrics, music video & links!

Sam Sparro - Black & Gold

Artist: Sam Sparro
Track: Black & Gold
Album: Sam Sparro
Year: 2008
This song took a while to get to me, but it didn't give up. I downloaded it as a freebie from iTunes back in 2008, put it on my iPod, and promptly forgot about it. Then about a year later it popped up on shuffle as I was driving and couldn't stop listening to it afterwards. I love the bass line in the beginning! The beat is great, in my opinion. Very catchy. Click for lyrics, music video, & link!