Ane Brun - "To Let Myself Go"

Ane Brun is a Swedish based, Norwegian artist with about 8 albums to her name to date.
Before putting this post together, I wasn't aware of her Sami origin, which is something that has interested me for a little while now. In fact, if this wasn't a song (music) blog, I could have a lot to say about the history of the Sami people over the centuries past - but at the same time, I'm so far removed from that part of the world and its history, and it looks like all governments have been heading in the right direction in recent years, so I'll just link it instead - for those interested or curious.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sámi_people (or just look up Sami People on Wikipedia).

"To Let Myself Go" is from her second album 'A Temporary Dive'. The pace is slow and reasonably sparse and Ane's voice is the icing on the cake.

But there is something else going on here. The hymnal backing vocals are ghostly and atmospheric in the best possible way.

This gem is on so many Bitter FM playlists and I'm sure that will continue.

Brandi Carlile - "The Joke"

With the release of 'The Highwomen' album recently, it reminded me that I still hadn't shared this stunner from one of the members.
The Highwomen are a kind of country supergroup featuring Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby and Maren Morris... but that's a story for another day.
So back to this song from Brandi Carlile. "The Joke" comes from her 2018 album 'By the Way, I Forgive You'.

Brandi Carlile has relatively stayed under the radar over here, which is a surprise considering the strength of her material and her Grammy success. The album won the Americana album award.

"The Joke" is a song about people who don't feel accepted by others around them or maybe society in general.
The message is strong but the soaring vocals are the most captivating part. Albeit, with no saccharin whatsoever... just pure class and nothing else.

The song could even be described as epic, if you really have to use that word.

The Joke isn't funny anymore - but it's fucking memorable!

Nadia Reid - 'Fade into You'

Nadia Reid was about to embark on a tour of Australia and New Zealand when she stopped by the RNZ studio for a session.
However, this time she decided on a cover.... an untouchable cover.

Most of you will know Mazzy Star's "Fade into You" and I'm sure you all agree with me that it is one of the greatest songs of all time.
Dark and haunting with so much beauty.

Even from an artist of Nadia Reid's calibre, this was a big call. It's a song that is so perfect it is, as I said earlier, untouchable. But Nadia said she just wanted to learn and play a song that she loved. So fair enough.

Anyway, it all ended well. It is a great version and quite haunting in a different way.... Anita Clark's violin is a big part of that.

Enjoy this one.






Mazzy Star - "Fade into You"

Perfect Radio Songs (Part 2) Dan Auerbach - "King Of A One Horse Town"

A perfect radio song is very subjective. In my opinion there wouldn't be many in that category from commercial radio and some people would say the same about the more alternative stations like Bitter FM. However, there would have to be times when a song comfortably fits in both camps.
I'm not sure if these songs were played on commercial radio but I expect they were. Anyway, they certainly found their way onto a lot of Bitter FM playlists and are worth celebrating for being the great radio songs they are.

Part 2,Dan Auerbach - "King Of A One Horse Town"

When Dan Auerbach released his 2017 solo album 'Waiting on a Song' we expected yet another album not unlike his hugely successful band The Black Keys. But this one was quite different altogether. The Blues was replaced with acoustic guitar and a laid back country rock/soul sound.

"King Of A One Horse Town" is such a perfect example of what a radio hit sounded like in the 70's when radio was AM - or what a hit should've sounded like. The strings instantly bring back that era.

Most people are, at least a little bit, afraid of stepping out of their own zone in life - through fear of failure, regardless of vocation or lifestyle... and that's exactly what "King Of A One Horse Town" is about.

Perfect song in any decade.

Maarja Nuut and Ruum - 'The Lost Geese'

This a real gem - from a Live Session for RNZ recently. Maarja Nuut and Ruum are a duo from Estonia and "The Lost Geese" (Haned Kadunud) is from their album 'Muunduja'.
They mix traditional, classical, experimental and dance music with sensational results. Here we have Maarja Nuut on vocals and even a breathing loop to add a layer of hushed percussion - while Ruum builds the atmosphere slowly with his beats. Then when Maarja adds some live violin loops it gets to an unexpected peak.... mesmerising!

Aotearoa

15/03/2019

Aotearoa.
It's so hard to believe.

You're so beautiful.
Aotearoa.

Perfect Radio Songs (Part 1) Middle Kids - Edge Of Town

A perfect radio song is very subjective. In my opinion there wouldn't be many in that category from commercial radio and some people would say the same about the more alternative stations like Bitter FM. However, there would have to be times when a song comfortably fits in both camps.
I'm not sure if these songs were played on commercial radio but I expect they were. Anyway, they certainly found their way onto a lot of Bitter FM playlists and are worth celebrating for being the great radio songs they are.

Part 1, Middle Kids - Edge Of Town

This song "Edge Of Town" by Aussie band Middle Kids could possibly be the (quintessential) perfect pop radio song. It is a 'stop what you are doing and enjoy every second of it' song when it's heard on the radio. Hannah Joy's vocals are sensational and she takes it to a dazzling climax....... check it out and enjoy.