As an apology for being away for so long and because nostalgia is always fun in pop music, I have decided to share with you all NSOTP's Best Albums of 2007. As 2007 was the beginning of a golden era in pop music, it only stands to reason that some of the best albums of the decade came out that year. I'll also try to put an update on what the artist is up to now so we can see the continuation of their legacy. So sit back, relax, think of yourself as a young 7th grader with a lot of issues (wait, that was just me) and listen these classic collections of pop.
It is a known fact that 2 amazing popstars create some of the best music of all time. Examples include Lady Gaga & Beyoncé, Iggy Azalea & Charli XCX, and Rihanna & Lil Mama! So what could possibly happen if those two (or three) popstars happen to both be Scandinavian and release a mini-album together. Well, you get the Do It Again EP by Röyksopp & Robyn.
Me when I heard the news!
Now for those unfamiliar, Robyn only represents everything that's right with music since the 90's. Listening to "Call Your Girlfriend" and "Dancing On My Own" should set you straight. As for Röyksopp (the two bearded gentlemen), they happen to be a Norwegian electronic duo that have made rather listenable music as well. The two acts are quite familiar with each other already. They had collaborated on the classic "The Girl and the Robot" back in 2009 as well as "None of Dem" in 2010. Well seeing at how well that did, Robyn and Röyksopp decided it was time to join forces to create a sort of "band" type situation where Röyksopp provides the sound while Robyn blesses us with a vocal. Their new EP, which hit number one on the Billboard Dance and Electronic Chart, should be quintessential listening to all electronic music lovers and coincides with their joint tour for 2014.
The 5 song collection explores a wide range of electropop but the true highlight is the title track "Do It Again." Within the first few seconds, you know you've stumbled onto a truly special track. The ravey bouncy track keeps you guessing at every turn while Robyn gives you her signature vocal that matches the shimmeriness of the track. And that build-up into the chorus screams "LISTEN TO ME, I'M AMAZING!" And as Robyn tells you, you'll want to DO IT. A. GAIN! It really has the merits to be one of the best songs of the year (obviously cuz Robyn) and hopefully it gains legendary status like other Robyn songs within 5 years. Well, let's hope Robyn has more of these up her sleeve, but until then let's just listen to this anthem AGAIN!
Nottingham-born singer Indiana has been on my radar for about a year now but never really made an impression with her dark alternative electropop. Charli XCX kind of corners the whole cool dark pop princess thing and it was always a hard market to crack. However, Indiana did the best thing any person making music can do. She decided to release that single that made everyone go, "What the hell is this? I don't like this. Why won't it leave my head? Oh, because it's brilliant and ingenious. Did I say I don't like this? JK LOL."
Since Solo Dancing decided to become my nightly mantra for months, Indiana has been busy readying her debut album No Romeo and today, she dropped the video for "Heart on Fire," the first song by her that I believe will kill the mainstream market. Atop steady and delicate synths, Indiana laments over a love lost and feeling that burn in that special place we all know as "the heart." It could have easily been an amazing Robyn single but something about Indiana's hypnotic vocal draws you in and makes the song special, something I hope she keeps forever (maybe she could go into hypnotism as a aside job?). As we wait for that album to drop, let's be happy that pop noir is starting to finally find its place in the world (yes, Saroj we get it, you called this like 3 years ago, shut up now.)
