don't be a coconut

You're Tired of All the Things You Did

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:46:00 +0000

My love for Washed Out's 'Feel It All Around' was first sparked from watching this video. It then grew tenfolds soonafter coming across the show Portlandia, featuring Fred Armisen of the SNL fame and Carrie Brownstein of the Sleater-Kinney fame. Who knew the combination of the two could be such a hoot and a half?

It's very contrasting how the song is used in each, but the gorgeous, dreamy 90s undertone, makes it feel appropriate for both.

{mp3} Washed Out - Feel It All Around

Sensitive Heart, You're Doomed From the Start

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:17:00 +0000

There are a bunch of new albums that I'm greatly anticipating at the moment. Little Joy and MGMT are one of the few, but the one that I am most looking forward to is the arrival of Tennis' sophomore release, Young and Old. I've been having their latest single on repeat since late last year, till well into the dawn of 2012.

Feels like musically, the year is off to a good start**

{mp3} Tennis - Origins

{mp3} Tennis - Deep In The Woods

**Unlike how last year was perceived. Is it true though?

Onwards and Upwards

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Hello.

There are a lot of things that I miss doing lately.

I miss taking photos with film.
I miss reading.
I miss writing.
I miss having actual lunches during an office lunch break.
I miss having a regular sleeping schedule. (somewhat)
I miss drinking coffee in the morning.(I only do that during the weekends, on other days I usually have my daily fix at around 11pm-ish, local time. Or whatever time is considered as morning in Riverwoods, Illinois.)

I miss my life back then, when things were a lot less complicated.

But now, 8 days into the new year, hopefully things will start to look better and I'll be able to allocate more time to do things that I've been missing.

That said, all in all, 2011 was not a bad year. There isn't much to complain. (Or so it would seem)

The past year has been filled for the most part by music from albums such as Strange Mercy, Cape Dory, Angles, The Bay, Days, Torches, The Rip Tide, Helplessness Blues and many other tunes that still stay with me till the end of the year.

In addition to that, one film that I thought a lot about in 2011 was this. For some very deep and emotional reason, I feel really well connected to it. Moving stuff. You should watch

If to Borrow is to Take and Not Return

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:33:00 +0000

To be honest, though I may not love the new Fleet Foxes album as much as their last, this one song in particular makes my heart sing. And leap joyously. And smile to myself for no reason. And laugh out unabashedly. And do a little silly dance.

You know how it goes.

{mp3} Fleet Foxes - Bedouin Dress

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fleet Foxes | Buy Helplessness Blues

I'll Never Make It In Time

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 20:31:00 +0000

Can't help myself from listening to this and be swept with a wave of emotions. Mostly of course are feelings of warmth and contentment. I've managed to listen to the new album quite a fair bit, and all I have to say is...it grows on you. It really does. Not what I would have expected from a man of Zach Condon's stature, but nonetheless, a very much enjoyable record from start to finish.

{mp3} Beirut - East Harlem

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Beirut | Buy The Rip Tide

Recently, Randomly #7

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0000

During a trip with Ajie to Taman Tasik Perdana.

2.34pm at Masjid Negara.

All photos taken with the Pentax K1000 and an expired Fujifilm.

I'll Pretend To See What You See

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:03:00 +0000

Despite the fact that Foster the People has gained quite a huge popularity, they still remain somewhat of a new found love for me. And I only say this with great sentiment towards only one of their tracks, the rest just makes me feel indifferent, so to speak. There seems to be a common thread through their songs (though I've only ever scrutinized two, whoops!). Albeit the light-hearted, uplifting tunes, the songs are anchored by words that are deeply lyrical. 'Waste' definitely falls into that category and one of the main reason it manages to send my heart a flutter, is because there's a good mix of similarities to MGMT and Empire of the Sun. It satiates my hunger for new material from either bands admirably and for that reason too, once I've hit play, there's no looking back because I see and hear no other songs from then onwards.

{mp3} Foster the People - Waste

:: Foster the People ::

{ Official website | Buy Torches}

{Covers} Cali Strauhs - You Know What I Mean (Cults Cover)

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:59:00 +0000

Seriously appalled by the lack of good music I could find these days. It's almost close to none. None I tell you! Is it me (have my ears grown more mature or selective through the years?) or are the songs just plain unexciting. Ah well, it's me. Obviously.

The precious few I did find, I've held to me as if holding to my dear life. Kidding of course. But the songs that I do love, I've listened, and re-listened, and scrutinized to no end. For example, in case you loved this just as much as I do, don't miss out on this cover. It's equally enchanting.

{mp3} Cali Strauhs - You Know What I Mean (Cults Cover)

They Couldn't Think Of Something To Say The Day You Burst

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:18:00 +0000

Here I am in the midst of "hardly working", when I came across the most beautiful acoustic version of Passion Pits' 'Sleepyhead'. I've listened to this song probably a million times by now, and I'm pretty sure I know how the song swerves and shifts into it's many shapes and form throughout the course of the entire track. But the extra dreamy, acoustic version of the same song is simply wondrous. Almost sounds like the perfect ending to the perfect story.

Feels like life has come full circle whenever I listen to this.

{mp3} Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Lastfm Discover Session)

Take Me Somewhere

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:26:00 +0000

The way I discover music these days is less time-consuming then how I use to remember it. These days what I do is just simply pull out songs from other blogs; it's pretty much like filtering what has already been filtered from all the music that could be found out there. It's definitely an easy way out for someone like me to discover new music, but really, unearthing new hidden gems can be a full-time job, who has the time anymore?

But as days, weeks, months, years passed, I realized that I've grown more and more selective of the songs I'd consider as keepers. As I relentlessly trail through the myriad of tunes in variety of blogs, I realized the fewer the songs I would set aside for the love-pile. Could it be the maturing ears perhaps? Whatever the reason may be, for those few who did make it onto the pile has since become so near and dear to my heart for providing the much needed shelter from the usual daily woes. I just can't get enough of Tennis; the laidback 60s sunny melodies simply overflows with warmth and loveliness.

{mp3} Tennis - Take Me Somewhere

{mp3} Tennis - Pigeons

:: Tennis ::

{ Official website | MySpace | Buy }

I Try So Hard To Be Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 11:34:00 +0000

I feel like I'm finally settling into the new job. So far, there is quite a lot to take in; some days I'm feeling drained and overwhelmed, and other days I'm feeling anxious. But I'm learning to take it as it comes, and what ever happens, happens. Hopefully, for a good reason too.

On the upper hand, I am absolutely crazy about this one Cults' tune. The 60s girl group influenced tunes that the indie-pop duo creates are fresh and exciting with just enough nostalgic undertone. The track is the only one that stood out in the entire album and nothing else came close to its superiority. I for one, can't get enough of it. It's all I ever listen to right now.

{mp3} Cults - You Know What I Mean

:: Cults ::

{ Official website | MySpace | Buy }

Recently, Randomly #6

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 10:50:00 +0000

Photos below are a few of my attempts playing around with the entry-level SLR, Pentax K1000. It was a hit and miss for the most part, but the rolls of film following this batch really showed a much more significant improvement.

Ramadhan al-Mubarak everyone. Especially to those who will be welcoming the holy month.

{Covers} La Vie En Rose

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:56:00 +0000

I remembered visiting Paris when I was 13 and how I was left feeling underwhelmed after the whole experience (Vienna was far more magical, or so I thought at 13). But Paris has maintained an impressive reputation as one of the most coveted places to visit and seemingly, never fails to enchant and hence, draw people to it. So here I am looking forward to prove my 13 year old self wrong and that come February next year, I'll most certainly be feeling as if I'm walking in a dream. Let's hope to that!

'La Vie En Rose' is truly the music equality to the Paris experience. It isn't just an emblem of someone being deeply and madly swept away by love, but also a realistic illustration of the sights and sounds of what we've always felt deep down in our hearts the city of Paris would personify. But truthfully, and most of all, doesn't this song just make you want to let out a deep contented sigh?

{mp3} Louis Armstrong - La Vie En Rose

{mp3} Pomplamoose - La Vie En Rose

Wouldn't seem right without the original here as well.

{mp3} Edith Piaf - La Vie En Rose

Cause We're Always In Small Circles

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:17:00 +0000

I should be happy right now. I really should. But the news hasn't completely sunk in to me yet. Plus there's probably two more stages that I need to get through before I'm able to breathe easily again.

But if everything goes well, I'll have my whole life to look forward to and what more can anyone ask for, really.

On the musical side of things, I've really been into the latest offerings by England's electropop quartet, Metronomy. In their song, 'The Look' the band churns out a more grown-up, mature, polished, even sophisticated sounds in comparison to their previous work. So far, I'm liking everything that I'm hearing in 'The Look'. Makes me excited to see how the rest of the view is looking in their recently released 3rd album, The English Riviera is looking like.

{mp3} Metronomy - The Look

:: Metronomy ::

{ Official website | MySpace | Buy }

I'm Beginning To Think I Imagined You All Along

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 09:23:00 +0000

Try as I might to deny it, I'm still feeling a little down in the dumps. And not until I've fully embraced and have faced head-on with the facts, will I only be able to come to terms with the reality of it all. Such is life.

I have four rolls of film that I'm super eager to see the outcome of; bits and pieces of documentations from the past few weeks that was. But which sadly will have to wait, simply because I haven't set aside any budget for film processing this month.

Yesterday night, I finally managed to watch Richard Ayoade's directorial debut, Submarine. Reminds me a bit of the films by Wes Anderson and Michel Gondry for its quirky, deadpan scenes with a touch of whimsy. The film echoes his previous works in video music directing and at times felt like it was built around this one video. Alex Turner also writes and performs all songs on the film's soundtrack which may or may not have reminded me of the song in particular. A song that I'll wrap myself around in while I slowly count the days. Such is life.

{mp3} Arctic Monkeys - Cornerstone

Recently, Randomly #5

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Sun, 01 May 2011 10:20:00 +0000

The last rolls of film from the Yashica FX-II.

Such a relief to know that Monday is a holiday. Happy Labour day everyone.

{Covers} Haydé - Only Ones Who Know

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:49:00 +0000

It wasn't long before someone would step in and perform a stripped-down version of an Arctic Monkeys song. I like what the band has to offer when it comes to the more sentimental side of music. There's always a charming touch of retro. This cover by the Belgium artist Haydé, just further confirms how still great the tune sounds even when it's stripped down to the bare minimum.

|mp3| Haydé - Only Ones Who Know (Arctic Monkeys cover)

I Taught You Everything You Know

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:12:00 +0000

My only regret with ‘Big Echo’ is that this song wasn’t on it. I wrote it after watching Annie Hall for the 100th time. -Chris Chu (Morning Benders)

Granted, it would serve as an apt musical backdrop for a film as stunning as Annie Hall. But most of all, you can't resist curling up against it's warm tones and give in to Chris Chu's heartfelt pleadings. Personally, I think the band can do no wrong, so do yourself a favour and take a while to indulge in this wistful, dreamy tune.

|mp3| The Morning Benders - Oh Annie

Older Together

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:03:00 +0000

I can't stop listening to this song. What a great tune to ward off all the Monday blues. It's been awhile since I last heard a superbly catchy electronic song that manages to stir up all the good feelings within me. For now, I'm going to hold on to that.

|mp3| Black Light Dinner Party - Older Together

:: Black Light Dinner Party ::

[ Official website | MySpace ]

Hanging Onto Every Heartbeat

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Recently, my music listening habit has been reduced only to the songs that I would play while I'm driving. I use to carefully select the songs that would go into the mix back then. But these days I just throw a chock full of music onto the playlist and let them play at it's own heart's content.

Most of the time, the result can be rewarding. Take for example, Zonoscope, the sophomore effort by Australian electronic outfit, Cut Copy. Songs like 'Take Me Over' and 'Where I'm Going' serves as the perfect companion on the road or when you're just on the go, whichever way you see it. But other lesser known tunes can be such a wonder to listen to as well, such as the 80s inspired, synthy number, 'Hanging Onto Every Heartbeat'. The less discordant, laidback, 4 minute intermission nestled somewhere in the middle of the album reminded my why I was drawn to Cut Copy in the first place.

|mp3| Cut Copy - Hanging Onto Every Heartbeat

|mp3| Cut Copy - Take Me Over

|mp3| Cut Copy - Where I'm Going

Today is going to be one heck of a long day. 5pm feels lightyears away. But on the other hand, I hope you guys are having a wonderful Thursday.

:: Cut Copy ::

[ Official Website | MySpace | Buy ]

I'd Rather Live In Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:40:00 +0000

I intend to kick off this new working week, full of hope and optimism, despite the massive queue of pending work that lies before me. A little optimism goes a long way, I believe. The week started with a lunch treat and though it may seem like a simple, small gesture, it stays with you for a long time. So, from the bottom of heart, I'd like to say thank you, it's nice to feel appreciated sometimes.

I remember listening to High Highs late last year, and it was an instant love at first listen. The soothing, comforting nature of their tunes stood out amongst the cacophonic, overbearing songs that comes in abundant these days. A few months have passed since I first listened to this Australian duo, and yet their spell has yet to wear off on me.

Here are two of their songs, of which one is a cover, and that comes highly recommended. I would also suggest for you guys to listen to this and this as well. Consider these songs as a bit of sunshine to warm up your week.

|mp3| High Highs - Open Season

|mp3| High Highs - Live In Dreams (Wild Nothing cover)

:: High Highs ::

[ Official Website | MySpace]

I Didn't Know You But You Felt Like A Friend

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:26:00 +0000

These past couple of days has been pretty stressful. The energy around my workplace hasn't been that all encouraging. I might have to make some life-changing decisions around here, jobs-wise.

I have been contemplating on whether to go see Gruff Rhys this 6th of May, which lead me to discover more of his songs much like this one. It could just be what I need for a quick break to restore back my spirits.With this song in tow, hopefully I'll be able to make it through the week.

|mp3| Gruff Rhys - Shark Ridden Waters

:: Gruff Rhys ::

[ Official website | MySpace | Buy ]

Recently, Randomly #4

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:15:00 +0000

Celebrating my father's birthday at Chakri Imperial Palace.

Thai-Fried Omelette.

Afterwards, singgah Big Apple beli plain donuts.

Marissa.

Nachos at Chillis.

Om nom nom.

What Marissa had.

What I had.

Leftovers.

Chillis to go.

All photos were taken with a Yashica FX-II. I have since converted to a Pentax K1000, ever since the Yashica failed on me. Photos produced by Pentax seems to be far superior and I have never fallen in love with a camera this much before.

Till then, have a great weekend guys.

Wide Open Arms Can Feel So Cold

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:57:00 +0000

Last 25th of March, as I left the show that night, I wasn't expecting to be listening to any more of the tunes by MGMT.And yet here I am, still as hooked as ever, sinking my teeth even deeper into the only two albums released by the band. In their tunes, I found solace and a sense of yearning for the blissful energetic atmosphere that had surrounded that night. It wasn't just the music that I was missing, it was the whole experience, not to mention the anticipation building up to that very day.

In constant replay of that night through multiple repeats of their records, I managed to take with me one tune in particular out of the whole escapade. 'Siberian Breaks' is the staggering 12 minute centerpiece of the sophomore release, Congratulations. It lies in stark contrast against the rest, but manages to hold the whole record quite beautifully together. The song ebbs and flows in an unexpected and a mysterious manner, never quite ending when you expect it to. But nevertheless, it proves to be a side of MGMT that I would be eager to see more of in the future.

|mp3| MGMT - Siberian Breaks

:: MGMT ::

[ Official website | MySpace | Buy ]

Sipping Coffee And Nothing To Look Forward To

noreply@blogger.com (Mieza A.) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:49:00 +0000

Hey, long time no see! It's not that I've been super busy for the last two months, but my mind (or heart rather) was occupied on other things, till I overlooked as to how keen I was at the start to keep this blog in constant flow of recent updates. Plus, music (or shall I say 'new music') hasn't played quite a central role in my life lately, and had only revolved around certain selected records. But since I've been feeling a little left out of the loop, rest assured I will try to revive this blog again regardless of how little of you may be interested in said fact.

To those of you who has been loyal enough to stay, here's a tune I've truly loved listening to since these couple of weeks. What's even more interesting is that it isn't everyday that you see me writing an artist who originates from my own country. Since her release of an EP in the States, the talented crooner has begun to show an astounding skill in crafting such intricate and captivating tunes. Take 'Coffee' for a example, a real favourite of mine, an enchanting song that's fit enough to be played on a cool, calm Sunday morning or even during the late, late moment in the peacefulness of a quiet night. Either way, I can't seem to get enough.

|mp3| Yuna - Coffee

Also, other noteworthy tunes are this and this. So be sure to take a listen to these too.

p/s: Sometimes I hate the fact that my intention was to only write a few words but always manages to go off on a tangent.

:: Yuna ::

[ Official website | MySpace | Buy ]