Take a Break
Three Experimental Albums, Seven New Songs, and Nine Photos
The holiday season is nearing its peak. Like every year, the festive days seem to be far away, and then suddenly, there is not enough time left to visit all those beautiful places that make the holidays special in New York City. We didn’t make it to Rockefeller Center this year and missed the holiday markets at Union Square and Grand Central. We had a wonderful time at Bryant Park, though, and I passed through the elegantly decorated Oculus downtown at least once.
Without big plans this year, we will celebrate Christmas and New Year’s at home. Time off from work, delicious food we would not eat during the year, and some long-anticipated presents will make the time memorable. We will also relax for a few days in Beacon, NY, a little village in the Hudson Valley.
The Song Pick of the Day features will continue, although we may have to go back in time a bit as there are not many new releases in December. If you need time off from the ubiquitous holiday songs, treat yourself to our playlist.
If you want to go further and crave to leave the musical zone of comfort and joy, I suggest one of those three albums:
Gazelle Twin - Black Dog
Elizabeth Bernholz has been making dark electronic music under the name Gazelle Twin for more than a decade. We met her in 2014 when she appeared only masked on stage and in press shots. So it was a surprise to meet a cheerful young woman at the merch table. Since then, she has become married and has children. With Black Dog, she shows that she hasn’t lost her edge, though: it is a ghostly ride through the depth of the mind.
Irina Shtreis - Love in the Library
The minimalist music of Irina Shtreis is the perfect counterbalance to the season’s abundance. The London- and Reykjavík-based artist creates atmospheric soundscapes with an organ, subtle electronics, and sound recordings. Her latest work is her second full-length album, Love In The Library. Also, check out her previous work under the name Miss Naivety.
Dawn Cadence - odyssey
The Canadian singer and producer Dawn Cadence released her first full-length album, odyssey, this year. If you are looking for left-field, futuristic pop music that cuts through the sweetness of the season, this is the record for you. You can find a track commentary by Dawn Cadence herself here.
With these three recommendations, we leave you for 2023. There will be light programming next week, and we’ll be back in full force in the first week of January.
Have a wonderful and joyous holiday!
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Song Pick of the Day
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The English rock quartet Keane released a song called Love Actually? In the 20th anniversary year of the iconic Christmas movie? It turns out that there is a story to this that goes all the way back to 2003 and involves director/writer Richard Curtis. Never more than a demo, the band properly recorded the song this year, and it is ready now for your holiday nostalgia.
The Norwegian singer/songwriter/producer Yndling contributed a song for the Christmas compilation EP Local Love. “Let’s Have a Celebration” exudes Yndling-style Christmas vibes: chill, relaxed, and summery – which makes it a perfect winter break in your holiday playlist.
From Scandinavia, we go half around the world to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where Airinna Namara makes pop music. Her latest track, “Nice Knowing You,” is about the recovery after a breakup. Think “Last Christmas” without the seasonal flair. We hope to hear more from her next year.
“Warmth” means coziness and comfort. The singer/songwriter Christine Sako was born in Minnesota, so she knows how beautiful it is when the temperature feels right. That is the metaphor she uses for the moment when she leaves behind and admits to herself that things – romance? – are going well for her.
Mary Middlefield hails from the alpine winter paradise that is Switzerland. However, she goes for watery metaphors in her beautifully sad love song “Atlantis.” The track will be on her upcoming EP.
The LA-based, Amsterdam-born singer/songwriter Mia Nicolai can’t get a person out of her mind. “There's something wonderful in being attracted to someone, so I decided to embrace it and enjoy it,” she says and wrote “Stuck,” an upbeat and catchy pop song that highlights the bright side of life.
With the last song, we are leaving winter behind for a few minutes for “the ultimate soundtrack for a sun-kissed summer vacation.” The British producer Marc Mathews teamed up with NZ singer INDIGO for the shimmering, romantic track “Let You Go.”
Nine Photos From the QM2 (Part 2)
Enjoy more photos from our Transatlantic crossing on board the QM2. Cheers!
