Category Archives: Tracks Not Wacks

Sexy Track: “I Feel Better” by Gotye

by Aussie, Beats, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Gotye has taken pop and alternative and merged them in a beautiful melody. The Australian singer visits everything great about the 80s and bring it to the future. Some jolly tunes from that time didn’t quite make it through the rough and rugged terrain of the 90s’. Thankfully, Gotye has penned a number that feels like “Walking On Sunshine” without the schmaltz. This track is an ode to personal rejuvenation and optimistic expectations. The kind of track that would make Peter Gabriel wish he had written it for So. “I Feel Better” is one of these songs that can uplift you just by listening to it the first time. So much so that it should be playing over some ending credits of a romantic comedy film this summer.

Sexy Track: “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye featuring Kimbra

by Aussie, Beats, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Only a few people are brave enough to channel 80s’ MOR Rock to conjure up a hit these day, but Gotye is a force to reckon with. The Australian rocker has embarked on a venture to channel the best sounds of The Police, Phil Collins and Mike + The Mechanics and come up with a unique sound for his new album Making Mirrors. This track is the one making most waves. It’s a great number with a hint of lyrical nostalgia. It’s a stark ballad that teeters between a sombre ode to lost love to a brighter look into the future.

 

Sexy Track: “What’ll I Do” by Lisa Hannigan

by Beats, Ire, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , , ,

Everyone needs a good morning song that will get you up and going. This surprisingly upbeat track from Lisa Hannigan’s second LP, Passenger. “What’ll I Do” is the audible equivalent of a caffeine jolt. It’s one of this optimistic folk-tinted songs that are so catchy, they can become nursery rhymes. Not that there is anything juvenile about this track, but its so cheery, its sprightly. Definitely another one of the highlight tracks on Lisa Hannigan’s impressive album and the video’s not too bad either!

Sexy Track: “Petition” by Tennis

by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks, Yankee Panky • Tags: , , , , ,

There are songs that take a while to grab you from the chest, shake you a little bit and then drop you. There are others that don’t take a minute. Tennis’s “Petition” is not even a single, but it has a chorus that can be your anthem for months and months to come. The duo who gave you the lustrous “Marathon” are back with a second album titled Young & Old and this is one of the greatest songs on it. It’s scrumptious enough to make you drool. Yes, we’ve had a little Grigio, but still the chorus will knock your socks off. Try it.

Sexy Track: “Forget” by Lianne La Havas

by Brit Brit Brit, Beats, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , , , ,

When your career is built on sombre music, it’s very hard to catapult your career onto worldwide attention. The first single you put out has to be relevant in sound, yet descriptive of your direction as an artist and not a fluffy number as you might run the risk of attracting the wrong audience. Very few artists have managed to capture that feeling and maintain a career in melancholy music. Think of what “Luka” did to Suzanne Vega’s career, or Tracy Chapman’s first record. Here, Lianne La Havas does that. “Forget” is a midtempo number with all the vigor of subdued melody. It’s chorus is probably one of the most heated screams of emotion you’ll hear in a while. It makes you feel like the singer is going through heaps of anguish and is having a hard time setting the past aside. It’s a strong track that is packed with deep sentiment.

Sexy Track: “Too Good To Lose” by Rebecca Ferguson

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by Brit Brit Brit, Beats, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Rebecca Ferguson is one of those rare reality show contestants who won’t budge to a certain sound or image when it comes to her solo career. Like this little gem we have here – a track that is robustly Britsoul, yet recalls beautiful elements from the 90s. If you didn’t know who was singing you’d think it was an old track by M People’s Heather Small. It’s a midtempo ditty that wavers between olden R&B sensibility and not-so-timid emotional vocals.

Sexy Track: “Diet Mountain Dew” by Lana Del Rey

by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks, Yankee Panky • Tags: , , , , , , ,

There’s a lot of talk concerning Lana Del Rey performance during Saturday Night Live. Many naysayers are raising every flag they can against her artistry. Fortunately, most of those people know zilch about pop music. Alternative hipsters and mainstream junkies can sit aside and admire the allure of the 21st century pop star. No need for vocals, as demonstrated by Madonna’s lengthy career. It’s all about the visual and if the song sound delicious after the studio treatment then its good to go. You don’t believe us? Just ask Lady Gaga and Ke$ha, whom we love both (Ke$ha more than Gaga). This song demonstrates this pop culture newcomer that has already propelled herself to icon status. Just like Diet Mountain Dew, it’s sugary, fresh and ready to sell. It merges a darkened blues underlying with a light fluffy concept. This is lovely.

Sexy Track: “Down” by Emily King

by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks, Yankee Panky • Tags: , , , , , , ,

This is the third time Emily King has scored a “Sexy Track” from the same EP, Seven, which means you should get it now! In the same mood as the other ones, including “Ever After” and “Georgia,” but this is a slower grower, if it makes any sense. It’s a sombre-toned number soaking in agony and what feels like a dab of remorse. In keeping with the mood of  the disc, yet not too overwhelming drab in melancholy essence.

Sexy Track: “Next To Me” by Emeli Sandé

by Beats, Brit Brit Brit, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Leave it to a Brit newcomer to sweep 2012 off of its feet with one single track. Although the music video is a little lackluster, the song is resilient enough to carry any visual. “Next To Me” is an inspirational anthem to forever love. The track is gospel-tinted but with a resplendent pop sensibility. Even the stoic Madonna said she liked it. If this track is anything to go by Emeli Sande is set to break every market that appreciates a solid pop song of epic proportions. Should this succeed, it will be on every karaoke machine from London to Manila.

Sexy Track: “If You Really Do” by Bic Runga

by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks, Zealander • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Leave it to Bic Runga to come up with a simply-constructed little ditty, attach thoughtful lyrics to it and also make it have one of the most memorable choruses of the season. This number is simple in structure but rich is style. “If Your Really Do” is a beautiful lullaby that speaks of yearning and love. It manages to embody everything essential about creating an effective and well-written song organically. Bic Runga’s only new album in six years, Belle, is short and sweet, but it manages to pack the punch with the catchy tunes like this delightful track.

Sexy Track: “¿Which Side Are You On?” by Ani DiFranco

by Beats, Politik, Sappholand, Tracks Not Wacks, Womyn, Yankee Panky • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Ani DiFranco could be one of the most prolific artists in the music world today, however, even as she is on her seventeenth full-length album right now, she has not covered many songs. She is an original and has an influx of songs that can fill up many albums. But, when something is as pertinent as this song, Ani takes the chance, but with her own twist. DiFranco took this old labour union folk song penned in activism by coal miner’s wife Florence Reece and built on it, changed the lyrics to make them timely for this era and gave it a great rock edge. Even if the tracks starts with a banjo interlude (provided by the legendary Pete Seeger), it manages to get to a loud angle once it kicks in.  A great tune to have around during an election year. So, “¿Which Side Are You On?”

Sexy Track: “Love You So” by Delilah

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by Beats, Brit Brit Brit, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Big, epic pop songs that launch careers are few and far in between. This one’s one of them. It’s bold and makes a statement. The beats almost feel like a tribal call and the lyrics speak of subtle yearning. Delilah is surely one of the artists to look out for in 2012. The visual for the song is also strong. It’s unlike any other track you will hear today on the charts, yet is instantly catchy and not in an annoying way. Give it a couple of spins and see if it grows on you.

Sexy Track: “Born To Die” by Lana Del Rey

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by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks, Yankee Panky • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Lana Del Rey is inevitably taking over 2012. That is not to say that she has built enough buzz without content. But her name is out there and the sound behind her is scrumptious. This lullaby of hopelessness is a sullen tribute to old hollywood. Jazz sensibility also takes over this pop song. Her vocals are muddled in malaise of grandeur which befits the theme of the song perfectly. When it comes down to it, popular music has never heard anything like Lana Del Rey. Now, she might not have versatility to broaden her sound come album release time, but until then she is exactly on the right track.

Sexy Track: “Love After War” by Robin Thicke

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by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks, Yankee Panky • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Although the song does start sounding eerily similar to Mariah Carey’s “Can’t Let Go,” it takes a turn right after the first bars. The song is a signature Robin Thicke song. Making love is center stage to the plot of everything, but it still addresses prior dispute, which, in turn, invigorates the seduction flame. It’s a lovely cozy winter track with a great soul sensibility and an overwhelming dosage of sexy. It’s the opener to the new album and should serve as an example for the journey Thicke will take us on throughout the disc. There is no one quite like Robin Thicke right now and he’s a master at what he does.

Sexy Track: “Where Have U Been” by Rihanna

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by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , , , ,

When it comes to singles Rihanna is on a roll. So much so that her single sell and chart better than her albums. Her record company knows the real draw and she is not about to miss out on another number one. This here is another big dance number that will most probably be a single off of her new album Talk That Talk. Actually, this will most definitely be a single. It is meant to get you up on the dance floor singing for decades to comes. The beat is infectious and trendy (both in the good and bad senses.) The lyrics are crying for someone to sing along to them with a yearning attitude post-a couple of drinks at a straight club. Watch this be the summer stomper of 2012 from Mykonos to Miami.

Sexy Track: “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)” by Kelly Clarkson

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by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks, Yankee Panky • Tags: , , , , , ,

We have to admit that we are not the biggest fans of Miss Kelly Clarkson, but throughout her career there have been standout records that we just couldn’t ignore like the Christina Aguilera-penned “Miss Independent” and the megahit “Since U Been Gone.” But with the new album building buzz and a little advice from our friend Jon Ali, we found ourselves dying for this track, which seems to be the next single.

“What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)” is a huge rock number with poignant lyrics and high energy. Kelly Clarkson has mustered up another big hit with the potential to rule the airwaves for months to come. This so is a no-qualms ode to perseverance. The melody is that of a well-constructed rock anthem with enough edge to make you scream inside your car even if someone is watching, which is what happened to us today on the way to work. That’s why it’s sitting atop our chart this week!

Sexy Track: “Down For Whatever” by Kelly Rowland

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by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks, Yankee Panky • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Kelly Rowland’s new album is a hodgepodge of R&B and Dance music – a fine line to walk. That is clearly to satisfy her old fans and her post-David Guetta fans. This one is for the dance heads who only listen to tracks if they have remixed heavily. Keeping in my that Kelly ventured into dance way before Guetta summoned her for a track with “Work,” this is a natural evolution of this strut. A palpable track with a Hi-NRG mentality and slutty lyrics to keep you singing out loud for the rest of the winter. Kelly hit it big time with this one!

 

Sexy Track: “Movement” by Katy B

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by Beats, Brit Brit Brit, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , , , ,

It’s about to be a dance-tastic end-of-year. Katy B has delivered one of the best dance songs of the year with this track. “Movement” is a solid contender in ruling the DJ spins this year. It’s a get-up-and-strut kind of track, the kind that starts a night. It is reminiscent of such classics as Nina Sky’s “Move Your Body” and Lumidee’s “Uh Oh.” Fresh on the vocals, this song has one thing in mind and that is a good time. With this track, Katy B’s career seems to be going strong. This is the sixth single from her Mercury Prize-nominated On A Mission.

 

Sexy Track: “Runaway” by Will Young

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by Beats, Brit Brit Brit, Tracks Not Wacks • Tags: , , , , ,

So, we shrugged off Will Young’s Echoes not because we don’t have faith in him, but because we had and influx new music to sift through. But, once we got to the album it reminded us of why we fell in love with his work and why we still think he is one of the few good things to come out of reality TV. This song in particular is an undiscovered gem on his fifth album. It’s a breezy dance track with an 80s’ synth flavor and soulful vocals. Will Young is not stranger to this brand of soul. It’s a very UK thing to take great things from American soul and implement them with timely arrangement. The songs encourages flight and is very apt for those who suffer from wanderlust. It’s just very laid-back classic Will Young. This should be the next single after “Come On” if his record company’s ears are open.

Sexy Track: “Bang Bang Bang” by Selena Gomez & The Scene

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by Beats, Tracks Not Wacks, Yankee Panky • Tags: , , , , ,

Sometimes all you need is a good pop song to start off your day. This time around it’s Selena Gomez’s “Bang Bang Bang” from her sophomore album When The Sun Goes Down. Although we still didn’t forgive her for her horrid film Monte Carlo, the music is on point. This is a song of revenge to all the do-bad lovers. It’s not trying to be deep, it’s straight-up pop with a fun hook and light lyrics that stick like one-liners. The remixes to this could be huge. Give it a spin and try not to attempt a hair flip.