richarddeans

[richarddeans]

It’s crazy to think it’s been 10 years since we lost one of the greatest songwriters of all time. RIP Elliott!!

If you’re new to Elliott Smith this Best Of is as good a place to start as any. Or this great playlist that was looped earlier today. You won’t regret it!

If you’re not new to Elliott you probably have a favourite album already, so why not dive straight into Either/Or, XO, Figure 8, From A Basement On The Hill, New Moon, Elliott Smith or Roman Candle.

You should also read this wonderful piece by Drowned In Sound's founder Sean Adams while you’re listening. It’s pretty special.

Rest in peace, you beautiful genius!

[richarddeans]

If anyone knows Summer Fiction can you please tell them to hurry up and make another album. I want more!!

[richarddeans]

Love this Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake skit, #hilarious!

[richarddeans]

How can you not love Kanye, the boy's hilarious!

This Kanye West interview with Zane Lowe is amazing. He starts out cool, even humble, but then the crazy kicks in. Big time. And it’s awesome!

[richarddeans]

London, you're alright!

[richarddeans]

I can't get enough of this After Dark 2 mix at the minute, a real must for any fans of Chromatics or Glass Candy!

[richarddeans]

"GMF" by John Grant

My latest obsession! It kinda worries me how much I've listened to Pale Green Ghosts in the last month or so, but it really is truly phenomenal.

I'm not even going to try and pick a favourite song, they're all great in their own unique way, but since I love this video so much I thought I'd share it. Is it weird that I kinda wanna hang out with him for the day now?!

[richarddeans]

“KEEP ME THERE” BY NICOLAS JAAR

I find myself coming back to this album more and more these days, it really is a stunning piece of work that just gets better with age. Hard to believe this was released only a few weeks after he turned 21.

Not easy to pick a highlight from Space Is Only Noise, but Keep Me There has to be one of them. Love the dirty Parisian video that accompanies it too.

[richarddeans]

“Retrograde” by James Blake

This might be the best thing he’s ever done, just beautiful.

[richarddeans]

“THE SOFT BULLETIN” BY THE FLAMING LIPS

Pitchfork have knocked it out of the park again with a new ‘classic album’ documentary about “The Soft Bulletin” by The Flaming Lips. I remember being totally hooked on this album when it first came out, but this is the first time I've properly revisited it in years.

I'm not sure if this is going to be an ongoing feature (they released a similar documentary about Belle & Sebastian’s “If You’re Feeling Sinister” last week), but I really hope so!

If you like the sound of this song, you should definitely check out the rest of the album and documentary.

[richarddeans]

"AMOK" by Atoms For Peace

As a lifelong Radiohead fan I’m always very excited to hear what Thom Yorke and Nigel Godrich come up with, so I’ve been looking forward to this Atoms For Peace project for a while now.

The good news is that on first listen it sounds great. And it’s a lot more funky and fun than I thought it would be. I’m not sure if that is Flea’s influence, Thom’s experimentation with DJing or his recent collaborations, but either way I’m hooked and diving back in for more.

I also recently read that Thom has hooked up with Jack White to record a new album that will be out later this year. I think it’s safe to say that will probably be the best thing ever recorded. And I can’t wait!

[richarddeans]

"National Anthem" by Lana Del Rey

No matter what you think of her music, or as a person, there is no denying that Lana Del Rey is a full-on superstar.

In her new video for National Anthem she plays both Marilyn Monroe and Jackie O (with A$AP Rocky as her JFK). To have the self-confidence to take these roles on, and the immense stage presence to pull them off, is nothing short of amazing for someone still on their debut album.

It feels like a long time since someone has come along with both great songwriting skills and the confidence to deliver their material in an entertaining and theatrical way. The world needs more Lana Del Reys!

[richarddeans]

"Bad Girls" by M.I.A.

Well, Saturday night is nearly upon us so here's a little something to get you in the party mood. I can't think of many artists that split opinion amongst my friends quite as much as M.I.A., but I'd like to think we can all agree that this song is a belter!

This video is awesome too! We really need to get Romain Gavras & M.I.A. to present Top Gear one of these days!!

[richarddeans]

"Time To Dance" by The Shoes

I'm not normally a fan of movie stars featuring in music videos, but I think this has to be one of the exceptions. Jake Gyllenhaal does such a good job in this that I kinda wish he did less Prince of Persia nonsense and more proper acting. 

Also, without this video I'd never have taken the time out to listen to The Shoes, which would have been a damn shame!

[richarddeans]

"The Morning" by The Weeknd

I'm not sure who directed this video, or if it's even official, but it's an absolute beauty! There's something about House Of Balloons, and especially this song, that just nails me every time I listen. Pure bliss!

If you're still not convinced give The Knowing a listen, then do the right thing and head over to his website to download the album (and rest of the trilogy) for free. Enjoy!

[richarddeans]

"Oblivion" by Grimes

This has to be one of my favourite songs of the year, love that wee chipmunk voice!

Caught her at Field Day a few weeks ago and she was awesome. Needed to be in a WAY bigger tent though, nearly got stampeded to death! Reminded me of SBTRKT's set in 2011.

[richarddeans]

Biggie freestyle (age 17)

Always good to open with a classic. This Biggie freestyle never fails to blow me away.