Rotation 52 - Electronic Pop
Monday, September 6, 2010 posted at 7:57 PM
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Hi everyone! Sorry I missed the last post. I’ve been helping my brother move out so that he’s closer to his university (yay brother!). Hopefully this post makes up for it!


Fill This Night – Clazziquai
Korean | Electronic Pop / House
I don’t know why I had never thought to pick up any songs by these guys considering that they are/pretty (as far as I can tell anyway) popular. The song starts out with a slow to mid-tempo beat and more of a jazzy sound. As it progresses, however, it definitely picks up and you hear more of the electronic instruments – definitely reminiscent of nineties Jamiroquai. The vocals are mellow and subdued, perfectly suited for the song. The only thing I wish was different was that the slap base was a little more pronounced.

Baby Love – Humming Urban Stereo

Korean | Electronic Pop
This is the first song of theirs that I had actually ever heard. I do like the base in this song and the overall beat (more mid-tempo-ish). I do think that their vocals (especially the girl) could have been just a touch louder but it still has a good balance. It may be a little too sweet for some people but it’s still a good song to listen to.

Starlight Love – HybRefine
Korean | Electronic Pop
I actually “fell in love” with the instrumental version of this song but the vocal version is just as good. It’s a great upbeat song with more of a jazzy house sound but not as much as the first two songs (which are more on the fusion side).

Delete My Memories – 三浦大知 (Miura Daichi)
Japanese| Electronic Pop
I didn’t really like this song when it first came out and I’m still on the fence…I prefer his more pop/r&b sound but at least this song has a good beat. The electronic piano/organ-sounding thing (sorry, not sure what you should actually call it) got to be a bit much for me but that is what gave the song more of a techno sound. I like the quieter parts where it’s really just Daichi singing and the organ thing acts as more of an accent.

I was going to force having a second Japanese song because I think I’ve been a little heavy on the Korean music as of late…but this was a better song.

Stepping Out – Clazziquai
English | Electronic Pop
This sounds like a more traditional pop song, but it still definitely keeps its jazz house sound. The English is a bit off even though she sounds fine (the lyrics don’t make much sense to me even though English is my first language). It’s got a great beat and the girl’s voice is really nice – not too sweet – and really helps to bring balance to the song.

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[rotation 49] vanilla twilight
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 posted at 3:00 PM
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I wanted to get a rotation up before I left, so I can go straight to the 50th rotation when I get back. This rotation is themed around electro-pop and synths. It's named after Owl City's song of the same name, featured below, because it seemed like a perfect fit for the dreamy, sweet quality that a lot of electro-pop has, although not all the songs here fit that description.

Nothing Better - The Postal Service
English | Electro-pop
A side project of Death Cab For Cutie singer Ben Gibbard's, Nothing Better is charming and light. The synths remind me a bit of Owl City, although the vocals aren't quite as distinctive - not that they don't have their own charm. The play between the female and male vocalists is touching, and lyrically, it's also quite strong.

Vanilla Twilight - Owl City
English | Electro-pop
I'm not a huge Owl City fan - their songs tend to blend together to me - but I do like a couple of their songs: The Saltwater Room, and Vanilla Twilight in particular. It's melodic and absolutely endearing. The lyrics are a bit sappy but sweet nonetheless. It's a cute song about missing someone, and the adept blend of synths mixed with brief touches of guitar and piano is lovely.

Cuddle Fuddle - Passion Pit
English | Electronic
This song takes a while to establish itself, but I love the unique edge to the vocals starting at around 1:10 as well as the vibrant synths added at that point. It's not a favourite of mine, but it has a delicate edge to it that I like.

Hey You - Pony Pony Run Run
English | Electronic/Power-pop
This song is so addictive. I can't get enough of it. The bassline and beat are awesome, and there's something about its laid-back guitar riffs and addictive hook that is so appealing. I love the bridge as well, where everything slows down a little and the synth backdrop becomes a little more dreamy. Definitely one of the highlights of this rotation.

Beat In Love - Clazziquai Project
English | Electronica
Although Clazziquai is a Korean group, the lyrics of this song are in English. It's charming, upbeat, and their English sounds great. I especially love Alex's verses, there's something about the warmth of his voice paired with the synths that is just perfect.

S.P.X - Humming Urban Stereo
Korean | Electronica
The more mature atmosphere of this song separates it from some of the others in this rotation. I always found this song to be one that required a certain mood, or else it comes across as a bit repetitive and directionless. It might not be the most accessible track, but come on, it's Humming Urban Stereo.

Pool Party (feat. 사파이어 & 윤지아) - House Rulez
Korean | Electronica
I don't really like the chipmunk-y intro of this song, but all is forgiven when the splashes of brass enter. Like the title suggests, it's a great summer track with a lot of energy.

47 - Casker
Korean | Electronic
I love this duo, and songs like 47 are why. From the rich, lush intro of synths, I was captured. They definitely set a more serious tone than what you've heard in the songs above, but it's a welcome change of pace. The slight dissonance in the rising line of synths only adds to the hauntingly beautiful atmosphere of this song. YoongJin's smooth, elegant vocals are far different from what you'd expect in an electronica song, but it fits the song perfectly. Highly recommended.

Twist In My Love - Instant Romantic Floor
Korean | Electro-pop
It's hard to classify Instant Romantic Floor - their music has touches of electronica, pop, house, and bossa nova. Twist In My Love has a couple surprises in store, particularly the very light use of synths and the more prominent use of strings - though not in a ballad-type setting, but rather something sweet and airy, words that could be used to describe the song as a whole.

Snowdrop - Fanny Fink
Korean | Soft Rock
This Pastel Music group is a real gem. A soft, feathery song with surprising depth. I love the rich percussion and the barely-there vocals. Okay, on second listen I don't think there's actually any synths in this song except for a few deft ones blended in with the piano.

Giant - Yozoh
Korean | Electro-pop
Although Yozoh plays with a lot of genres, mostly acoustic, Giant is a foray into electro-pop. Her feathery, light voice is a good match. A soothing, atmospheric track with an understated beauty.

I was Wrong - capsule
English | Electronica
How could we have an electronica rotation of any sort without Japanese electronica duo capsule? The percussive intro of this song is fantastic, paired with a few lush, full-bodied piano chords. The vocals are achingly clear - and the English flawless. There's even touches of strings. It's sophisticated and textured. I love it.

Preservative Woman - Aural Vampire
Japanese | Electronica/Industrial Rock
An upbeat, light-hearted track with synthesized vocals that surprisingly, I like. Unfortunately, the rest of the song isn't that appealing to me although it's worth a listen.

QUESTIONS - MEG
English | Electro-pop
I've never been a big fan of Japanese singer MEG and never really understood her popularity, but her journey mini-album did have a few gems, one of which is QUESTIONS. It's polished and charismatic. The light, simple vocal execution really works with the catchy beat and bass. On a side note, there's an awful lot of Korean/Japanese artists with all-English lyrics in this rotation.

Kids - MGMT
English | Electronic
The line of synths in this song is just so instantly recognizable. It puts a smile on my face whenever I hear it. Addictive and surprisingly delicate, I really like the slightly echoed, distant feel of the vocals contrasted with the clarity of the synths and beat.

Daylight - Matt & Kim
English | Electronica, Power-pop
A cute track from Brooklyn-based duo Matt & Kim. It's bubbly and multi-layered, although the vocals are a bit of an acquired taste.

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rotation 15 [jazz, electonica, bonus]
Monday, July 7, 2008 posted at 7:00 PM
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Rotation 15 is jazz & electronica themed & features 17 songs. Sorry, no cover images this time ... I couldn't find the majority of them anyways. By the way, the number of comments is starting to go down again. Please remember to comment or updates will decrease. I'm tired of spending time uploading for people who can't take the time to comment. Again, thanks to those who have commented.

PART ONE * ELECTRONICA
Tenjou wo Kakeru Mono Tachi
Love Planet Five
Japanese
Great song, though a bit long at six and a half minutes. The mixing is extremely well done, especially in the first minute. Catchy beats & synths. Recommended.


희망이라는 이름의 별
House Rulez & Rabbit Punch
Korean
Opens up with some bright piano chords that lend a nice dimension throughout the whole song. I thought it was pretty good.


스웨터 (Sweet)
Humming Urban Stereo ft. Taru
Korean
Humming Urban Stereo is great. Sweet offers an uplifting if slightly repetitive bass beat and fast-paced melodies.


Love Me
capsule
Japanese
Typical capsule. For the most part without vocals, only a few spoken verses. Not one of my favourites, it's pretty repetitive.


Twenties=Love
Hourmelts
Korean
Starts out with a wonderful piano introduction that blends perfectly with the bass line. Features impressive changes in tempo and very smooth transitions, as well as interesting if somewhat strange vocal work.


Bittersweet Heart
Apls
Korean
Although it opens up with a rap verse, don't be fooled. It gradually leads into an upbeat, bright song that offers a sweet contrast between female and male vocalists as well as the occasional rap verse. While Apls is a dance/electronica group, this song isn't too overfilled with synths.


PART 2 * JAZZ

stem
Shiina Ringo
Japanese
Very theatrical, with a bit of a waltz feel to it. Fairly slow tempo. Vocals get a bit annoying, though.


STORM
SOIL&"PIMP" SESSIONS
Japanese
Upbeat jazz at its best. One of my favourite jazz groups, this band can definitely compete with its American counterparts. Energetic trumpet solos and a beautiful rhythm section defined by smashing cymbals, fast-paced blues-scale bass lines, and a prominent piano accompaniment. Might be a bit too busy for some people, but I liked it.


Mocha
Casker
Korean
From the Coffee Prince soundtrack, a low-key bossa nova track on the laid-back end of jazz.


Ticket to London
Loptomist
Korean
Okay so this song's actually by a hip-hop artist, but it's a very nice instrumental mix that mixes heavy beats with fleeting melodies. I would say it's jazz-influenced, so I chose to include it in this rotation.


Kiss
Elevenses
Korean
Laid-back jazz with soothing female vocals and a nice guitar solo about halfway through.


맑은 날 버스를 타고
Elevenses
Korean
Another Elevenses song, again on the laid-back side though slightly more upbeat than Kiss.


因為你愛我 (Because You Love Me)
Joanna Wang
Mandarin
I uploaded the English disc of Joanna Wang's album, this is one of the Mandarin songs. When I went to Taiwan this song & the Chinese version of Lost in Paradise were playing everywhere. It's one of her slower songs. While it doesn't really seem like a typical jazz track, the chorus shows jazz influences and she is a jazz vocalist, although this particular song is more of a ballad. There's also a nice trumpet solo and a trumpet accompaniment is prominent through the rest of the song after it.


PART 3 * MY PICKS

Box in the ship [preview]
Tohoshinki
Japanese
Pop
Upbeat and with a tropical feel, a 2:30 low-quality preview of the b-side to "Why Have I Fallen In Love With You".


Loveholic
Loveholic
Korean
Soft Rock
Not their best, but it's worth a listen.


Paradise
The Melody
Korean
Soft Rock
Very mellow & relaxing.


Explore "M"
Lee Min Woo
Korean
Hip-Pop
I love the beats in this song. Typical of Min Woo's solo work which leans more towards hip-hop without really being too heavy.

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