Take me away, I wear my heart on my sleeve. Always let love take the lead, I may be a little naive, yeah

Rihanna  - Drunk On Love

This is another song that shows Rihanna's versatility and dynamic musical approach. I haven't heard all of the tracks on Rihanna's new album, but this song and "We Found Love" make me like it already. Everyone has heard "We Found Love" and we all know it's lovely; can't go wrong with Calvin Harris. This track is special though, because it samples The xx "Intro" as background music to Rihanna's bold and full-ranged vocals. "Intro" is a lyric-less track, and a track with no words is open to interpretation. When you hear it, you wonder what the lyrics would be if it had them. And although the lyrics to "Drunk On Love" are nothing spectacular, they fit the mood of the music so well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waGkmPv_NSo&ob=av2n

Turning into black and white, underneath the swinging lights. Barely awake but I've still got my stripes.

Tokyo Police Club - Bambi

The keyboard makes this song. The first time I heard it, I had just woken up after sleeping in, and it was sunny outside, with fresh snow on the streets. Pretty similar to today. Anyway, I really like it because of its fun keys and a messy arrangement of instruments that just works so well. And to top it off, there's the awesomely chilled out voice of the vocalist, David Monks. The downside is that I have no idea what the lyrics are about. But that often doesn't matter to me. Sound is everything!

I went to a Tokyo Police Club concert when they were still a relatively new band, having just released their EP, A Lesson In Crime. I really enjoyed it because it was a small venue with a small crowd. A very different experience from the arena concerts most of us are used to. They are great performers, with a cool musical style, and they get extra points because they are Canadian!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRi30R8P1Y0&ob=av2n

Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you

Michael Bublé - All I Want For Christmas Is You

This is probably my favourite xmas song, and the only song on my xmas playlist that has anything to do with xmas, and Michael Bublé sounds perfect singing it. Merry Christmas everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCpBS6YBE0o

Wait, I don't ever wanna be here. Like punching in a dream, breathing life into a nightmare.

The Naked And Famous - Punching In A Dream

This one sounds really similar to MGMT's 'Kids', except with female vocals. The psychedelic and spacey sound has evidently become universal, because this band is from New Zealand. I enjoy this song because of the dreamy feeling I get from the keyboard notes and the strong, echoey voice of the lead singer. Pretty melody and nice energy. A good song to play in the middle of a quiet forest, with freshly fallen snow all around...and maybe a deer is chilling out by a tree. Disturbing the peace is a good way. A good addition to the xmas playlist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfdBFLaA88k

So stay there, cause I'll be coming over. While our blood's still young, so young it runs. Won't stop till it's over, won't stop to surrender.

Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

Here's another track that keeps making a comeback in the winter. There's something really cool about the build-up in this song. It starts off simple, with one instrument and soft vocals, and then more and more is added to it, and next thing you know you feel so elevated and energized.  And it ends as smoothly as it started. I guess what I'm describing here is an emotional roller coaster. What a ride.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b_YVrex0yI&NR=1&feature=endscreen

They wanna get my gold on the ceiling. I ain't blind, it's just a matter of time.

The Black Keys - Gold On The Ceiling

Although I had initially planned to post songs exclusively from my xmas playlist this month, I have take a bit of a detour with the one; but I just had to. This song is off The Black Keys' new album, El Camino, which I've been listening to all week. It is so badass. These guys definitely bring something different to the table, and their music is continuously evolving. I love the variety of influences that can be heard in each song. Their musical style is hard to pin-point, but it sounds kind of like what I consider to be retro garage band blues-rock. A sound that's edgy, catchy, and freshly classic. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IttLxthqM7U

I was trying to do my best to see you smiling your pretty smile at me.

Daniel Lee Kendall - Lost In The Moment

I heard this song in a commercial and it got my attention. Simple lyrics and one chord; sometimes that's all you need. I've posted the commercial below and you'll see that it's modest and sweet, like the song in the background. Another one added to the xmas playlist.

Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpFeEjC4syg

Commercial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zM04CSzHoQ

When I'm bored I send vibrations in your direction, through the satellite mind

Metric - Satellite Mind

It's kind of strange, but I love listening to Metric when it's cold and dark outside. I don't associate their music with cold and dark feelings, but they just sound better in the winter. To me, certain genres and particular bands are seasonal. I have a feeling there is something psychological behind that. I remember truly starting to appreciate Metric a few years ago in the winter. So now I just think that their music suits the season. Anyway, they're a super talented band and there are very few bands with female vocals that I consistently enjoy. I am proud to say they are Canadian as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIOA8ERd_Jc

Let's conspire to ignite all the souls that would die just to feel alive

Muse - Starlight

The rest of this month's posts will be songs from my xmas playlist. A bunch of them are actually also found on my favourites playlist.
It's funny how I tend to gravitate to a particular group of songs this time of year. These songs suit the holiday season, snow, and university exams. One would think that I wouldn't want to go back and listen to songs that remind me of writing exams, but I don't associate these songs with stress. I associate them with finishing an exam, or seeing Christmas lights, or drinking hot chocolate after being in the snow. Even though my days of exam writing are no more, the songs I loved in university will probably always be among my favourites because of the memories they bring.

Starlight brings such a unique space rock energy with it. I don't listen to Muse as much as I've been told I should, but this song is the whole package. Strong and passionate vocals and well-rounded musical arrangements. This song at full volume on a snowy night lit up with xmas lights is really something special. Too bad we don't have any snow yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsoPsxKVhP4

Because I'm still in love with you, I wanna see you dance again.

Neil Young - Harvest Moon

I watched Eat Pray Love again last night; one of my favourites. This lovely song comes on during a pretty emotional scene, when Julia Roberts is remembering her husband and the first dance at their wedding. Old love songs have a real charm to them; they don't make them like they used to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVi0UvFu8Yo