Monthly Mix: November 2013

M.I.A. brings the noise with Matangi

     November brought with it the first glimpse of snow and also a heap of new music with plenty of variety. As Thanksgiving draws near, the music world gave us one more thing to be thankful for.
       English hip-hop artist Maya Arulpragasam, better known as M.I.A. is back making headlines with her new release Matangi [November 1, via Interscope]. Drawing from elements of punk and pop, she manages to balance both of her inspirations. On "Sexodus", she gets the help of her friend The Weeknd as they freestyle over one of the better beats on the record. Although there are no tour dates in the works, look for her to hit the festival circuit in the spring.
     The trees may be bare this time of year, but the reservoir on the iPod is most certainly not. The November Playlist aims to keep the heat up with cuts from the hip-hop world and the indie realm, making it the perfect companion alongside the last drumstick.


November 2013 Playlist

1. Bastille - Pompeii

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - Run

3. Arctic Monkeys - One For The Road

4. Broken Bells - Holding On For Life

5. Young The Giant - It's About Time

6. M.I.A. - Sexodus

7. Tycho - Awake

8. Nonono - Scared

9. Bear Hands - Giants

10. Tennis - Mean Streets

11. Wooden Shjips - Back To The Land

12. Eminem - The Monster ft. Rihanna

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

Visit iTunes if interested in purchasing any songs featured in Orbit Sound.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7

Monthly Mix: August 2013

Franz Ferdinand delivers Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action

     August seemed to continue the trend for the summer with good weather and hot tracks in the background. While the bees were buzzing around the hives, so were the mp3s this month as a few alt-rock giants emerged back to the forefront.
     United Kingdom alternative rock group Franz Ferdinand are making waves with their first release in four years Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action [August 27, via Domino]. Stacked with guitar-pop flavor, band leader Alex Kapranos says "For this one, we tried to act as if we didn't exist to the outside world and we could just make whatever we want and have our own world to live in and work in." The opening track "Right Action" jumps out of the gates with a flurry and gets boots stomping on the floor, reminiscent to the band's early days of writing fiery garage dance tracks. The album is a fun ride as the energy flows in and out. Their United States tour kicks off in October as they make a trip to Texas, including a spot at Austin City Limits.
     Hard to believe the summer is almost winding down. The August Playlist does its best to keep the heat index hot on the iPod while we soak up the last few days of sunshine and leisure.


August 2013 Playlist

1. Arctic Monkeys - Do I Wanna Know?

2. Kings Of Leon - Supersoaker

3. Franz Ferdinand - Right Action

4. Dr. Dog - The Truth

5. Max Frost - White Lies

6. Cage The Elephant - Come A Little Closer

7. Yuck - Rebirth

8. White Denim - Pretty Green

9. Pond - Giant Tortoise

10. HAIM - The Wire

11. St. Lucia - Elevate

12. Lorde - Royals

Check in every month for the latest in alternative music.

Visit iTunes if interested in purchasing any songs featured on Orbit Sound.

For more, follow Steve Ferris on Twitter: @SteveFerris7