RIP Mess+Noise. Now where will I go for reviews of Australian things nobody has ever heard of?

The Singles Jukebox likes a Thai song. It actually is decent, but I'm sure it's not popular in Thailand. I watched some music video program on TV there once and I think only one song got a passing grade for me.

New Carly Rae Jepsen. Really reminds me of Taylor Swift's 1989, probably because of the similar nostalgic production. The beginning of the video screams Lana Del Rey, though I guess a lot of 1989 did that too. The controversial sax-synth noise reminds me of Midnight City, so it gets a pass from me.

Tangent: I think people get more into mainstream music as they age not just because of laziness, but because it starts sounding like the alt music of their youth.

New Lana Del Rey. It's very pretty, and I like the return to the movie score sound. The ending isn't great, but I'm guessing it'll lead on to something bigger and better on the album.

Shiina Ringo - Tsumi to Batsu (live). I've linked it before, but I'll link it again because it's still on high rotation.

fun. - Light A Roman Candle With Me. I was reminded of this song by a screenshot of Apple Music with the album cover. It was very popular in fanmixes a few years back. It's all "why isn't this a relationship?" and cute imagery. (And my voice might crack at you look for a legend, I'm looking for common ground.)

Panic! At The Disco - Nearly Witches (Ever Since We Met). Yeah, I know, this band. And it has singing children in it! Gross! But there's something about that chorus that keeps bringing me back to it years after the emo kid in my homeroom played it at a birthday party.

Tegan & Sara - Superstar. Well, of course they disowned this song; they ended up getting big off having Closer on Glee. Closer is ok, but I definitely prefer this rougher sound. It almost sounds like a demo.

Natalie Prass - self titled
I'm surprised at how universally praised this is by critics, while not even cracking the top 100 of 2015 on rym. The music is beautiful, the vocals are sweet, and there's not a track that's noticeably worse than the others. But I can't go for those lyrics. I know it's a breakup album, but I can only listen to so much "why don't you love me?". The one track I've got on repeat is Violently. "And I'll break by arms 'cause they want to hold you" is the kind of thing I'm into.

Megan Washington
I haven't seen much on the internet about Insomnia. Its highs are higher than her debut. I've probably mentioned before that Sentimental Education is my favourite track of hers, and it's back on high rotation. Holy Moses is a fun singalong now that my voice is a bit higher, not to mention its lyrical relevance.

Kimbra - As You Are
I didn't give The Golden Echo as much attention as I should've because it got a fairly negative review from someone I follow, and I generally can't be bothered with long albums. I gave As You Are a go because I saw it in Kimbra's top tracks on Spotify. "Honey that hourglass got me thinkin', you ain't no friend of mine" 

The Church - Wide Open Road
The original is great, but a bit of extra jangliness and modern recording helps. According to Wikipedia, Paul Kelly has also done a cover, but there doesn't seem to be a recording. Damn.


Crowded House - Don't Stop Now
"Give me something I can cry about." Oh wait, this song is about the singer's wife driving and getting lost? Wow. I feel like it ought to be placed next to The Go-Betweens' Finding You on a mixtape. They're both about driving, getting lost, and mention lightning.