Music

The Kills' new video for "Doing It To Death" is simultaneously macabre and playful, which is also probably the most apt way to describe the oeuvre and image of the British duo of Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince. Taking place around a vaguely Southern funeral, and culminating inside a one-room chapel where Mosshart preaches while smoking from the pulpit, the mildly sleazy delivery of the vocals and the visual style showcases Americana through the romantic and somewhat adorable lens that only the English do.

The resurgence of dream pop over the last several years can perhaps be traced to the political homelessness and Gen X ennui hangover that people under 30 regularly battle with. Dream pop, much like the new romantic new wave it grew out of, marries beauty to grit, fulfilling a hole in the depressed and rudderless. For those who were not around the first time dream pop had popularity, bands like Austin's Pale Dian stand on the hunched shoulders of holographic giants of new wave's shadowy younger brother.

There is an odd intimacy that comes from strumming the guitar with a certain rhythm. It's reminiscent of parties around bonfires or in basements, quiet and vulnerable. On Muirhead, Andy Ferro slyly mixes this sort of intimacy with haunting instruments and sounds. The result is a collection of songs that are reminiscent of the indie rock of the early 90's, sad-yet-jangly, but with an added emotional edge. "Sugar and Milk" is probably the most radio-ready cut, but "Hood" and "Useless Powder" are standout tracks as well.

I know absolutely nothing about 3 Doors Down, but I've been vaguely aware of their existence for about 18 years. They're like a kid you go to high school with, and only after graduating realize you never knew their name. Unflapped by their crushing mediocrity, 3 Doors Down have pressed on and apparently released a new music video. The video impressively features an actor from the acclaimed cable series Breaking Bad. That actor, unimpressively, is RJ Mitte, aka, Walt Jr. (No offence to RJ, but make better choices if you don't want to be the butt of jokes, lad).

Overheard someone asking when the Bixis will be back in Montreal. (Answer: generally, April 15th.) Of course, for many, including yours truly, it's impossible to talk about Bixis without immediately getting Da Gryptions' 2010 gem "The Bixi Anthem" stuck in your head. If you've never heard it before, YOU'RE WELCOME! Happy #tbt!

Photo: Da Gryptions' Facebook page.

The premiere of singer/songwriter IRIS's video for "Follow Me" was released earlier today by The Wild magazine, where the Spanish born Montrealer reveals that it's her tribute to the late David Bowie, specifically for his iconic lead role in Jim Henson's cult classic The Labyrinth, her all-time favourite film. We're digging the video's eerie and surreal aesthetic. Follow her on Facebook or Instagram.

The Berlin Wall is one of those tricky landmarks. Its construction divided a city, and caused immeasurable heartache for people on either side of the wall. Having said that, the wall also exists as a symbol. Perversely, it brought people together in as it gave East and West Germans something to hate. That much is clear based on the graffiti that is still visible on the wall itself. You can't distill that odd essence into one music video, but with their video for "Singularity," New Order gives their best shot.

Back in 2004, music blogs held more power than people today can imagine, and with that, there were some brilliant acts that got championed by the larger blogs that didn't seem to fit the general winds of music at the time. One of those acts was Congolese street band Konono Nº1. Their 2004 release, Congotronics, got a lot of press, and was an exciting adventure into world music without all the crystal-gripping incense nonsense that usually bookends dipping one's toes in cross-continental groove-based music.

Tomorrow, February 19th, Wild Nothing, a.k.a the now LA-based musician Jack Tatum, will release Life of Pause, his third studio album and much anticipated follow up to 2012’s Nocturne, on Captured Tracks (US) / Bella Union (UK). Tatum's output has become beloved with the crowd who swoon at John Hughes film scores, and this third full length most likely won't disappoint those fans, although, like most third records from mid-level acts, Life of Pause likely won't gain any new audiences for Tatum.