I was first alerted to Ren Harvieu when she was longlisted on the BBC Sound of 2012. Forewarning: she makes music for Radio 2. BUT it’s damn good Lite FM gold. The Mancunian chanteuse possesses an enchanting jazz/soul voice with a drawl that lulls you in effortlessly. Her debut single “Through The Night” is an exquisite, languid, elegant tune, conjuring up an expensive, widescreen kind of sadness. I suddenly found the song creeping its way back into my head on a misty Thursday morning, and it’s been lingering there since. In a nutshell, if you secretly like Rumer but think she’s too mumsy, or have a fondness for Norah Jones circa 2002, then Ren Harvieu is for you. Lovely stuff.

STREAM: Ren Harvieu – Through The Night

“Through The Night” is OUT NOW in the UK.

Watch the video for “Through The Night”.
Buy the single.
Watch her cover Beatles’ “Something” for The Sun Session.
Check out her Soundcloud.
More on Ren.

Sky Feirrera might still be spending her sweet time perfecting her debut album, but she’s been appeasing the fans by sporadically posting snippets and demos on her Soundcloud. Her latest gift comes in the form of a raw, angsty acoustic piano cover of Lana Del Rey’s “Blue Jeans”, deliberately renamed as “Berlin Jeans”, referring to where it was recorded. Allegedly done in one take, it’s a far cry away from her fizzy electro-pop stuff. Despite sounding a bit rough during the middle eight, she did an admirable job with the song.
Sky’s album “Wild At Heart” is set to be released later this year, and that she’s been working with producer Jon Brion only fuels more Fiona Apple comparisons. While it’s quite disappointing that her old electro-pop materials get scrapped, I’m certainly intrigued by her new direction. She’s a very promising artist who well deserves a breakthrough. Check out her cover below and let me know what you think.

MP3: Sky Ferreira – Berlin Jeans (Lana Del Rey Cover)

Sky’s Soundcloud.
More on Sky.

Arctic Monkeys stopped by BBC Radio 1 and delivered this sweet cover of one of last year’s best dance floor jams, Katy B’s “Katy On A Mission.” Ch-ch-check it out.

Continue reading: Arctic Monkeys – “Katy On A Mission” (Katy B Cover)

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It occurred to me the other day that it’s been a while since I heard from Maia Hirasawa. After all, she’s responsible for one of the finest, catchiest indie pop songs ever made. So I decided to do some catching up and to my surprise, not only had the lovely Swedish/Japanese singer/songwriter relocated to Japan, she also released a new album over there last year! Her self-titled Japan-only album is a collection of new songs in English and Japanese, as well as assorted tracks from her second album and Swedish EP. The lead single “It Doesn’t Stop” also serves as a sort of introduction to the land of rising sun, and it’s classic Maia at her best – robust, bright and sprightly. The song’s bursting with life and sheer joy that it couldn’t fail to bring a stupid grin on my face. Most of all, it took me right back to 2007, when I first discovered the super talented female roster of Swede lavel Razzia Records, including Maia among Hello Saferide, Firefox AK, and Jonna Lee. Those were the days…
View the sailor-themed video for the song below – you will really dig this if you’re a fan of Regina Spektor or commercial-friendly Feist. For good measure, I’ll throw in her harp-laden cover of Ne-Yo’s “Because Of You”. As you can tell by the choice, it’s a quite old one but still sounds fantastic.

MP3: Maia Hirasawa – It Doesn’t Stop

MP3: Maia Hirasawa – Because Of You (Ne-Yo Cover)

Buy her music.
More on Maia.

Nathan Williams of Wavves took to twitter last night to post a new track, a cover of the Misfits classic “Hybrid Moments.” It’s admittedly rough (Williams later tweeted “I didn’t tune my guitar and I think the chorus goes once more in the end”) but who cares when it’s this good, and isn’t roughness what made us all get into Wavves in the first place?

Continue reading: MP3: WAVVES – “Hybrid Moments” (Misfits Cover)

Read more articles like "MP3: WAVVES – “Hybrid Moments” (Misfits Cover)" on PMA | Pretty Much Amazing.

Last fall, anonymous London producer SBTRKT disclosed plans to collaborate with Hertfordshire indie dance outfit Friendly Fires on his second album. Sounds great, but with a second album not really expected until much later, this Friendly Fires cover is the next best thing.

Continue reading: MP3: SBTRKT & Sampha – “Blue Cassette” (Friendly Fires cover)

Read more articles like "MP3: SBTRKT & Sampha – “Blue Cassette” (Friendly Fires cover)" on PMA | Pretty Much Amazing.

The Balconies will engage Torontoians in a night of 60s/70s covers to celebrate the 3rd birthday of Toronto-based music marketing and publicity company, Audio Blood. The celebration will be held the evening of January 6th at Sneaky Dee’s — more event details can be found HERE. The Balconies, a three-piece band, is originally from Ottawa, Ontario and was one of Audio Blood’s first clients. Their new ‘Kill Count’ EP is due out February 28th and the title track is currently available as this month’s Coffee Shop Project download.

What is Coffee Shop Project? Coffee Shop Project is an Audio Blood initiative that aims to promote independent music with like-minded people in independent places. Launching in September 2011, Coffee Shop Project stands and download cards can now be found in 11 coffee shops across Toronto.

Participating Coffee Shops:
- Lit Expresso Bar (810 College St., Toronto)
- Lit Expresso Bar (221 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto)
- Jimmy’s Coffee (107 Portland St., Toronto)
- Saving Gigi (859 Bloor St. W, Toronto)
- Capital Espresso (1349 Queen St. W, Toronto)
- Cafe Pamenar (307 Augusta Ave., Toronto)
- Ideal Coffee (84 Nassau St., Toronto)
- Ideal Coffee (162 Ossington Ave., Toronto)
- Niche Coffee and Tea Company (626 Queen St. W, Toronto)
- White Squirrel Coffee (907 Queen St. W, Toronto)
- Bisogno Espresso Bar (61 Sherbourne St. Toronto)
- 7th Sister Bakery (53 Rocesvalles Ave. Toronto)
- Tequila Bookworm (512 Queen St. W, Toronto)

More Info…
Audio Blood web: http://www.audioblood.com
Coffee Shop Project web: http://csp.audioblood.com
The Balconies: http://facebook.com/TheBalconies

The Balconies-Kill Count by Canadian Blast

A cheery bunch Veronica Falls ain’t. The UK indie band is known for their gloom-laden, gothic lo-fi guitar-pop, and their self-titled debut album released last year makes great music for cold, grey days. They carry their aesthetics well on this fantastic cover of Eurythmics‘ 1986 hit “Thorn In My Side”. Released on a limited covers 12″, it’s a cleverly reimagined version of the original, with which I wasn’t familiar before hearing their version. Their rather bleak-sounding take hints at a sense of desperation beneath the kiss-off bravado. What I like about Veronica Falls is that they do not forget the tunes and harmonies. Do check out their own songs if you have the time, they’re so underrated.

MP3: Veronica Falls – Thorn In My Side (Eurythmics Cover)

Buy their music.
More on Veronica Falls.

Can you believe 2012 is just around the corner? Last minute gift shoppers need not be reminded. If you still have the time for some jolly new music to add to your playlist today, check out this poorly timed roundup of this year’s holiday highlights.

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She & Him‘s holiday LP “A Very Merry She & Him Christmas” is pretty much the essential release this season. Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward’s seasonal offering is a charming collection of lovely old-timey fireside tunes.

MP3: She & Him – The Christmas Waltz

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If you like your boy/girl indie Christmas music a bit more off-color, wry and British, then Emmy The Great & Tim Wheeler’s “This Is Christmas” is your sure bet. The single “Home For The Holidays” is probably my favorite new original holiday song that features handclaps.

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American singer/songwriter Anya Marina fills the cutesy Christmas song quota this year with her free mp3 “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”. No jingle bells here, but there is plenty of acoustic guitar strumming and whistling.

MP3: Anya Marina – I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

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The Killers are back for their annual holiday tradition with new charity single “The Cowboy’s Christmas Ball”, and the video is quite funny. Get it on iTunes.

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Belgian beer brand Stella Artois is also giving away a free jazz album, “Under The Holiday Star”, along with a swanky retro-themed website. Download it here.

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Famed French composer Michel Legrand‘s holiday album “Noel ! Noel !! Noel !!!” features collaborations with Emilie Simon, Carla Bruni, Rufus Wainwright alongside, um, Mika and Jamie Cullum. Hear samples on Amazon.

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Theoretical Girl‘s Musical Advent Calendar is a series of lo-fi home recording covers, downloadable as free mp3s in the spirit of the season. This year, her always lovely voice tackles Blur, Yazoo, The Velvet Underground, Peter Gabriel, Beatles, Depeche Mode, New Order, Edwyn Collins, Chris Isaak and more. What a list that is. Check out her dreamy Wham! cover below, and make sure to head down to her Soundcloud for a whole lot more. I highly recommend her cover of Dubstar’s “Stars”, too, she suits that track to a tee.

MP3: Theoretical Girl – Last Christmas (Wham! Cover)

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Kate Nash also took on that same Wham! song, albeit in a more riot-grrl fashion, and gave it away as a Christmas Eve present on her website.

MP3: Kate Nash – Last Christmas (Wham! Cover)

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Shonen Knife‘d also like to wish you a merry Christmas, Japanese punk-pop style.

MP3: Shonen Knife – We Wish You A Merry Christmas

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Last but not least is this brand new remix/update of East 17‘s classic “Stay Another Day” by Frank Eddie, aka Fred Deakin of Lemon Jelly fame. Danceable jolliness it is!

MP3: East 17 – Stay Another Day (Frank Eddie Remix)

And if you still need more holiday tuneage, pop on to Stereogum for another handy compilation.

Enjoy the holidays, and have a happy new year!

*Update: I should have remembered to include this new topical Jens Lekman song.

STREAM: Jens Lekman – I Don’t Know What To Do With This Information (Maida Vale Session)

And here’s a rather nice acoustic version of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by folk musician Sarabeth Tucek.

STREAM: Sarabeth Tucek – Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Merry Christmas, one and all!

Birdy‘s debut album is a delightful collection of songs beautifully interpreted by a voice and talent beyond her years. However, one of my favorite tracks are not even on the standard version. Hidden away as a bonus gem on the deluxe edition is a peculiar choice of cover, Mew‘s 8-minute arena-rock epic “Comforting Sounds”. At first I was quite curious and a little worried upon seeing its inclusion on the tracklist, and fortunately, Jasmine’s version does not disappoint. It’s a bold move to not only keep the original length, but also play up the scale by filling the latter half with a stirring widescreen string arrangement and Bjork-esque broken beats. Her weary, aching delivery evokes an quietly devastating kind of melancholy. It is just what I expect it to be: a sublime, orchestral piece of end-credits-worthy wallowfest. It’s a great interpretation that I didn’t even think could exist, but I’m glad it does. If you’re down for some pre-holiday gloom, click play. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

STREAM: Birdy – Comforting Sounds (Mew Cover)

Buy the album.
More on Birdy.