HardCandyMusic.com - pop, electronic + indie music.

GROOVE ARMADA: I Won't Kneel (feat. SaintSaviour) Video Premiere + MP3

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:59:22 PST

If Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD for short!) suddenly began producing their ethereal brand of 80's pop music again, I would hope for it to sound as beautiful as I WON'T KNEEL which features SaintSaviour. The amazing GROOVE ARMADA are the masterminds behind the track, loving the video which you can catch below. Pure pop perfection! - Matt

DOWNLOAD MP3

I Wont Kneel (feat. SaintSaviour)

MARIAH CAREY: All I Want For Christmas (Low Sunday Mix)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:50:06 PST

It's never too early for a little ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS by (do I even need to type this? lol) MARIAH CAREY to start the Holiday season off right. A new remix of the track, originally recorded in '94 takes Mariah and her sleigh bells to the dance floor (again!). Out of all the remixed versions that pop out every year...this proves to be the best so far - not including the iconic original which you can see the black and white video for below! It's worth it just to see Mariah in her Nancy Sinatra getup! Love that choir! If you've lost or scratched your copy of the must have Holiday album Merry Christmas (which I always end up doing) pick it up here. - Matt

DOWNLOAD MP3
All I Want For Christmas (Low Sunday Mix)

QUEEN: Bohemian Rhapsody (Flashback) + Alt Mix

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:16:38 PST

Ever since Adam Lambert's role on American Idol this past year, it seems those beautiful vocals of QUEEN have been REBORN! I was born for the serenades of Freddie Mercury and will only dream of the day I will reach his creative bravado. That era of glam rock to me is dead. People have used bubble shock as a replacement of that from great legends past. Adam is no Freddie Mercury but with his powerful voice some day may bring back the feel of that era. I will always remember the first time I heard BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, I was listening to Q104.3 and felt like running to the MET to conduct my own concerto. I love Queen and you should too! - JAKE

DOWNLOAD MP3
Bohemian Rhapsody (Alt Mix)

FAN DEATH: Cannibal (Video Premiere)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:42:38 PST

The FAN DEATH girls keep coming with juicy indie-dance tracks that are so catchy, fresh and seem to have come from an era that has past - I can't handle it! First Veronica's Veil (with that Owl-faced single cover, who wouldn't like it?) then Reunited - which I still haven't stopped listening to daily. We are now treated with a voyeuristic video for CANNIBAL below in HD. Oh those strings! - Matt

JANET JACKSON: Make Me (Video Premiere)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:03:32 PST

We've been waiting for JANET JACKSON to return to her true roots as an artist for awhile now. In a revealing interview that aired earlier this week, Janet said that the album that reveals the most of her is The Velvet Rope - and that shows through it's production and lyrical content. Besides, it's one of my personal favorites! I hope that MAKE ME signifies a new change in her music, back to the dance roots but still showing us the anger and emotion that we love from Ms. Jackson. The official video has just premiered and I have to say i'm lovin' it. Catch yourself up on Janet with Number Ones. Gimme a beat! - Matt

MADONNA: Revolver (David Guetta Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:46:30 PST

First of all, the best part of this remix of REVOLVER is that they axed Lil Wayne's blabbering nonsense. David Guetta takes MADONNA away from the urban swag and straight to the dance floor that she works so well. After the disaster of poor mastering, tracking and everything else that went along with Celebration...I think it's time for a new album from M! P.S. I still love Celebration the song! - Matt

DOWNLOAD MP3

Revolver (David Guetta Remix)

JANET JACKSON: ABC Interview In The Spotlight with Robin Roberts

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:36:01 PST

Last night ABC aired JANET JACKSON's interview with ROBIN ROBERTS. It was a touching interview that focused a lot on Janet's relationship with Michael and her thoughts about his death. It also covered her music, weight issues, and touched on her relationship with Jermaine Dupri. Janet really opened up to Robin, and it was nice to see that through it all she is still able to smile. Watching the interview and listening to her new greatest hits album NUMBER ONES (a winner start to end!) has reminded me how much I like her and enjoy her music. At the end of the interview we also get to see clips of the MAKE ME video which looks like a return to form! - Camille

NNEKA: The Uncomfortable Truth (Video Premiere + MP3)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:15:06 PST

I loved NNEKA's track Heartbeat when it was released earlier this year and it's follow up THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH doesn't disappoint in the slightest. Her first U.S. release, Concrete Jungle (in stores February 2), 'stands as an offering of love, hope and optimism dedicated to the people of Warri & the Niger Delta of Nigeria.' Catch yourself up on Nneka's material with my favorite album, Victim of Truth. - Matt

DOWNLOAD MP3
The Uncomfortable Truth

KRAUSE: No Guts, No Glory (Video + Nobody Beats The Drum Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:56:14 PST

Susan Clermonts aka KRAUSE is from the Netherlands - a wonderfully chill place I can only imagine myself being while I listen to No Guts, No Glory and watch it's beautifully kitschy (love the scenes in the woods) video - which you absolutely must check out. Oops! She's got some naked pics on Twitter to show you @thisiskrause. Just kidding...or am I? More importantly, she has produced her debut album (which you can listen to on her official website) with the help of drum and bass trio Noisia . We've got a sick glitch dance remix by Nobody Beats The Drum for your listening and downloading pleasure. Vacation to Amsterdam, who's comin!? - Matt

DOWNLOAD MP3
No Guts, No Glory (Nobody Beats The Drum Remix)

SIA: You've Changed

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:21:00 PST

Holy shit! SIA just leaked a new track YOU'VE CHANGED which will appear on her new album entitled We Are Born (Spring '10). It's a completely revamped version of the track with Lauren Flax that leaked earlier this year. Produced by Greg Kurstin with Nick Valensi from The Strokes on guitar - this one is my new jam! Do yourself a favor and follow @siamusic on Twitter - she's a delight! Loving the new direction of this album. - Matt

DOWNLOAD MP3
You've Changed

VIA TANIA: HardCandyMusic.com Interview

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:37:55 PST

We had the pleasure of interviewing VIA TANIA at Norwood during CMJ week. Tania discusses the transition from making music with her sister in Australia to moving to the U.S. and creating her new delicious new album MOON SWEET MOON which she describes as "Moon Music."

Check our review of their CMJ performance right here!

ISLANDS: Live Review from Bowery Ballroom in NYC

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:30:20 PST

Photo by Alexandra Serio

ISLANDS played a great show at NYC's Bowery Ballroom this past Thursday replete with rhinestone-studded wardrobe and the cheeky showmanship that we have come to expect from Nick Thorburn. The former Unicorns front man strut around stage in a make-shift striptease of sorts disrobing systematically from an outfit that looked like the bastard love child of Elvis and Ziggy Stardust. Evan and Geordie Gordon, both very capable musicians, filled out the band’s sound alternating between synth, bass, lead guitar, and back-up vocals. Jamie Thompson, the band’s original drummer, was back in action after his two year hiatus from the group keeping all the afro-beats lined up and tight.

Thorburn kept the mood light by lifting items from audience members like 3/4 full beer (Canadians apparently think they’re immune to H1N1), a pair of specs, and a diary of sorts. The foursome blew through Vapours, which is essentially a pop record done with aplomb, which draws many parallels to Contra, Vampire Weekend’s new album that is slowing being revealed song by song. Both boast these funky afro-latino beats that make you want to calypso or bachata around your room and winsome deliveries from their lead singers. But more on this when Contra is officially released. Needless to say, Islands was firstto market with this sound combo; credit where credit is due. The crowd at the show was decidedly young… like do-you-have-pubes young making my 25 years look hoary. But I must say, them kids got taste. Enjoy my pretty pics. - guest post by Alexandra Serio from The Morning After Pills

Vapours is only $5 on Amazon.com!

MADONNA: Dance 2Night (Peter Rauhofer Remix)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:12:10 PST

So its' Saturday and all kinds of nasty outside in NYC! They tell me the rain will stop but the puddles to skip over and all just, phew. Watching MADONNA's Confessions Tour this week on Youtube - yes, you better watch it before some dick wad up in the record label reports it to Google-owned Youtube. Can you imagine being that guy?

The first dance god I heard was during my days at the Roxy and yes, it was the notorious and infamous Peter Rauhofer - all in all I love his cold style of progressive house. I always am of opinion that Peter brings on the next mesh of pop dance and progressive house. With all that being said enjoy Madonna's DANCE 2NIGHT. - JAKE

DOWNLOAD MP3
Dance 2Night (Peter Rauhofer Remix)*
Thanks DJ Cocas!

LADY GAGA: The Fame Monster (HardCandyMusic.com Review)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:22:40 PST

The true test of a pop artist destined for longevity is shown through their follow up release to such a successful debut. LADY GAGA departs from her obsession with fame and fortune and moves on to the darker side of slick produced pop/dance music on The Fame Monster. Overall the album sounds reminiscent of Britney's Blackout with a much darker twist. Her vocals sound much more consistent than the previous album.

While she could easily have cobbled together a re-package including just one or two b-sides, Gaga thankfully did not choose that route - instead putting together a solid album consisting of 8 new tracks.

Let's go track by track...

Bad Romance

We've all already heard this one - a catchy pop track with a flashy and super creative music video to boot. Great first single, this will go down as one of her best.

Alejandro

The strings that open the song could have been the soundtrack the Paparazzi video. A few beats in, after a spoken word intro the track turns into an homage to Ace of Base. Can't get this one out of our heads.

Monster

Get ready for this one, it's hot - and should be the second single. U.S. audiences/radio will probably not enjoy it as much as the rest of the world, that is for sure. A vocoded 'he ate my heart' floats through the track as Gaga sings 'that boy is a monster'. Too bad it isn't summer for this one. 'french kissed on a subway train...he ate my heart then he ate my brain'. With ‘Space Raiders’ style sound effects adding a futuristic element to the track we can only imagine the video for this one!

Speechless

Gaga slows it down a notch for her first bluesy big band takeover. This one will take a few listens to stick inside. Love the end where it fades out and she brings it back again. Beautiful raw vocals.

Dance In The Dark

The Lady takes on her own version of Madonna's classic 'rap' from Vogue and a shout out to Diana in the breakdown of another solid pop tune. Very Euro. 'Silicon, saline, poison….inject me baby i'm a free bitch.' Abba catchy-ness meet the synths of Depeche Mode… another highlight from the album.

Telephone (feat. Beyonce)

I guess sitting next to each other at the MTV VMA's this past year sparked conversation between Gaga and Beyonce as they've both featured one another on their new releases. Pretty sure this will be the second single from the album in the U.S. This is the most urban track on the album. With this up-tempo number you will hear shades of Timbaland’s The Way I Are. With added Gaga disco claps ‘a la’ Madonna’s She’s Not Me. This song made me us want to go and hit the clubs. Another video we'd like to see - Gaga and Beyonce running around a club leaving their men behind. Beyonce kisses her boyfriend, Gaga rips his head off.

So Happy I Could Die
Does the world need another ode to masturbation? I guess so! This one continues the flow to a more urban end of the album, as the track ends it starts to morph into a Danja inspired beat (think Britney's Get Naked meets Touch Of My Hand.)

Teeth

The most creative and interesting track brings the album to a close. It's an all out old-fashioned ho-down where Gaga screams 'show me your teeth'. A bit repetitive but glad to have it. Slightly reminiscent of Jump Around by House of Pain bass heavy and on this one Gaga gets Crunk!

The Fame Monster will be released physically and digitally on November 22nd as a single album, a 2CD bundle which includes debut The Fame and of course the $75 Deluxe Edition including the bits of Gaga's wig (Oohh la la!) and photo book.

Thanks to Think Tank for the listening party invite!

- Matt Belanger + Camille Backer for HardCandyMusic.com.

THE SOUNDS: No One Sleeps When I'm Awake (Vinyl Giveaway)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:15:20 PST

I always jump at the chance of being offered vinyl to give away on the blog to our readers. Weather you are a collector or simply miss having their album artwork printed large - vinyl is a great medium for music visually and sonically. We have a bunch of copies of THE SOUNDS single NO ONE SLEEPS WHEN I'M AWAKE from Crossing the Rubicon on 7'' vinyl for ya. It includes the title track and a live B-side of Ego recorded in Finland.

All you have to do is send an email to giveaway@hardcandymusic.com or to skip to the front of the line 'ReTweet' the message below on Twitter!

RT @hardcandymusic The Sounds 'No One Sleeps When I'm Awake' 7'' Vinyl Giveaway!

If you've never heard anything from the band, they are giving away many tracks here. Official video for Beatbox will be released soon. - Matt

KAP BAMBINO: U.S. Tour, Bat Caves Video + Bluescreen

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:32:36 PST

KAP B AMBINO are a definitely a band to watch! This high energy Parisian pair have a new album BLACKLIST coming soon. It's electro mixed with a little punk and its just SCREAMING to be experienced live in the flesh!

Luckily for us North Americans the band have just commenced a U.S. tour. They are playing in NYC at Webster tonight and with SLEIGH BELLS on the bill as well this is a show not to be missed! For a little taster of what you'll get, just check out this video showing their crazy performance of NEW BREATH a few years ago. These guys look like they lose their minds on stage!

I'm loving their track BATCAVES and its Blair Witch style video and another of my favorite of their tracks is BLUESCREEN which we have cleared for you to download! - Camille

"Kap Bambino are still one of the best live bands around My favorite frogs, Kap Bambino came to London to launch their new single 'Batcaves' the other night at The Old Blue Last. They never cease to amaze me with their live performances and only seem to get better every time I see them. Regardless of whether or not you're a fan of the band, I think its near impossible to deny that their energy onstage is pretty fackin' entertaining." - NME

North American Tour Dates

November 12 - Wrong Bar - Toronto, ON
November 13 - Foufounes Electriques - Montreal, QC
November 14 - The Studio @ Webster Hall - New York, NY (w/ Sleigh Bells)
November 15 - Venue - Vancouver, BC
November 17 - Dance @ ARENA Nightclub - Los Angeles, CA
November 19 - Popscene/330 Ritch - San Francisco, CA

DOWNLOAD MP3
Widescreen

RIHANNA: Cold Case Love + Preview Rated R

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:01:26 PST

Wow! I'm really loving this new RIHANNA track COLD CASE LOVE that was written by JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. It's such a departure from the bubble gum pop that Rihanna usually comes out with (which I love) the album is shaping up to be much darker than previous efforts (to be expected I suppose) These lyrics are deep "We opened up a cold case love and it got the best of us, and now printed pictures and white outlines are all that's left at the scene of the crime" and the music is almost haunting. I must say that I would love this one even more if she had put pen to paper but I think Justin did a great writing from her perspective. On just three listens I this has to be my favorite of the leaked tracks from Rated R so far! - Camille

For those of you that can't wait to hear the album in full you can preview clips of every Rated R track below (for the record I'm waiting!)

DOWNLOAD MP3
Cold Case Love

SOLANGE: Stillness Is The Move (Dirty Projectors Cover)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:28:53 PST

What a nice little surprise this morning from SOLANGE. In her cover of STILLNESS IS THE MOVE by the DIRTY PROJECTORS she includes a little ERYKAH BADU flavor - sampling BAG LADY (which happens to be one of my favorite tracks ever.) I'm so obsessed with this right now, it's such a nice slow groove to chill with as we move into the weekend! Erykah and Solange really need to collaborate on something pronto - Camille

DOWNLOAD MP3
Stillness Is The Move*
*Thanks Pitchfork!

ROISIN MURPHY: Orally Fixated (Free Download)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:50:13 PST

Our favorite Irish lass ROISIN MURPHY is giving us a treat tomorrow! The fabulous ORALLY FIXATED will be available to download for 48 hours tomorrow at The Guardian starting at 10am GMT ending Friday at 5PM GMT. Go grab it!

*Thanks to the Roisin Murphy Blog for the photo!

CASXIO: HardCandyMusic.com Interview

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:14:12 PST

CASXIO first grabbed my attention with that the delightful electro funk debut single SEVENTEEN and its eye catching video (watch here) featuring front man Lucas Guerin taking on the role of a 17 year old girl, styling and all! Eager to learn more about the man behind the dress and his band, we sat down with him at CMJ to have a very random chat about everything from their debut album and inspiration from Madonna to erm, communicating with fish. You'll have to watch to see how that topic came up! - Camille

LADY GAGA: Bad Romance (Video Premiere)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:53:59 PST

Ooh its video premiere time! Here is LADY GAGA's latest BAD ROMANCE that just premiered. Once again Gaga comes with a creative video, its so nice to see someone continually raising the bar! My friend said he sees a little ANNIE LENNOX in her here (I'm totally seeing Bare era with those close ups of Gaga's face when she's dressed in white - and the orange hair sparks a memory too) She's not afraid to let the ugly hangout, the outfits are incredible and she's kicking ass with the choreography - dare I say it the total package! - Camille

TEMPO NO TEMPO: Medicines

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:29:52 PST

TEMPO NO TEMPO, a dynamic trio that will do nothing but please the Punk band genre. I would not absolutely call them punk but if your a nineties child [ which you had to be at least 10-18 at the time depending on your intelligence] they will sound punky to you. I actually had the privilege of having a impromptu interview with the lead singer, as pushy and insulting as I was and trust I do a real job of it, he stepped up to the plate and answered every question I hit him with, FYI he is cute! Loved there live performance, it was full of great energy great vocals and a much needed intensity in today's lame punk genre, TEMPO NO TEMPO I cant wait for your music video! - JAKE

DOWNLOAD MP3

Medicines

TICKET GIVEAWAY: One Step Beyond (Natural History Museum, NYC)

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:26:32 PST

The Fader is hooking our readers up! We've got a free pair of tickets to ONE STEP BEYOND, their annual party held at The American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. We will be there checking out the line up which includes DJ Rupture, Matt Shadetek, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Maluca, and Sonido Martines. Winners will be notified on Thursday evening. Event is this Friday the 13th of November! Spooky!

How to enter? Tweet @hardcandymusic your favorite track of the moment. If you don't have twitter, get one! Or email giveaway@hardcandymusic.com. Twitter users will be first pick! - Matt

ROCKETS: Golden Strings

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:21:11 PST

Wow I love waking up to a sunny Autumn day with a track that takes me back to the sun-laden beach days of Summer. It's from a new band called ROCKETS. The track is aptly called GOLDEN STRINGS and does nothing but live up to it's name of a funky disco tune that has just washed ashore - get ready for this one to continue to rollerskate through all the blogs like wildfire. Lovin' the single artwork - can't get any better. - Matt

DOWNLOAD MP3
Golden Strings *
* Thanks BigStereo!

RIHANNA: 20/20 Full Interview + 'Wait Your Turn' Single Artwork

noreply@blogger.com (HardCandyMusic.com) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:23:33 PST

It's all about coverin' the boobs and showin' she's not one to mess with on RIHANNA's new single covers for Russian Roulette (which we've already seen) and the newly leaked video/single cover for Wait Your Turn. It's been known that RiRi was going for an 'edgier' direction, and that seems fitting regarding the test of a year she's had. Here is the complete 20/20 Interview which aired on ABC Friday, hosted by Diane Sawyer. It was about time that she came out to speak on domestic violence, and that once it happens...get the fuck out - don't go back! Watch below. - Matt