Tag: new wave

Depeche Mode in Dior’s “Secret Garden III” Ad

Dior and Depeche Mode (obviously not an indie/up-and-coming band) recently launched their “Secret Garden III – Versailles” video campaign.

Relatively recently, Versailles has been the backdrop of more playfully soundtracked visuals (e.g. Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette and Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris).

The use of “Strangelove” by Depeche Mode in the Dior ad is in tune with the elegance of Versailles while giving it a dark feel. In addition, the use of an ’80s classic track melds perfectly with the 80s montage music video feel of the “film” and the cuts of the dresses.

Heard Through: Oyster

[COVER:] “The Promse” by When in Rome – Covered by Late Night Alumni

I once told my mom that I love “The Promise” by When in Rome. She then told me that she always hated that song because it’s so corny and also that it was my dad’s “song” with his ex-girlfriend before he met my mom in the 80s.

So that adds to why I really like the Late Night Alumni cover of “The Promise” – it’s a cover that takes a cheesily romantic 80s new wave ballad and breathes new house beats into it along with sultry female vocals.

“Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye ft. Kimbra (Miami Nights 1984 Remix)

Big shout-out to my buddy @GeOhMetro for sharing the Miami Nights 1984 remix of Gotye‘s “Somebody That I Used to Know.”

I love the totally 80s feel of it (well, duh, it’s called a “1984 remix”). This remix is yet another example of what I’d like to deem “newtro.” (Remember my ramblings about how current/new artists are creating music in the same new wave stylings that are considered “retro” now? How I couldn’t decide if it should be a new new wave, neu wave, neu new wave, etc etc.?)

Anyway, this remix totally has that Charlie XCX and Kavinsky kind of modern appropriation of Duran Duran stylings. (MEDIA STUDIES GEEK OUT TIME.)

In fact, last I was talking about the unique ability of new wave (and new wave-influenced) music to make songs whose lyrics and topics are sad sound happy – or at least dancey. Hana and Gracie were bouncing their heads side-to-side when the original Gotye version came on and explained to me that that’s their “Somebody That I Used to Know” dance because it’s got such a cute dancey melody and beat despite its depressing lyrics. I commented that that’s just like almost all New Order songs, especially “1963,” which is super upbeat despite being sung from the perspective of a Marilyn Monroe supposedly about to be murdered by JFK’s guys.

Charli XCX’s “Nuclear Seasons”

I found out about Charli XCX completely by accident because of a mistake made by the Knocks/Popshop Radio.

I was listening to the Popshop Radio 12 mix by The Knocks and thought “Man, this really sounds like Feist if she went all electro” at the end. I went over to the Popshop site to see the track listing on the mix and at the very end, I saw “Nuclear Seasons” by Charli XCX.

Googled Charli XCX and found out her site offers that exact song as a free download. “SCORE!” I exclaimed in my head (because I already exclaim too many things out loud in front of other people – not that it mattered at that moment because I was alone at the time). Anyway, I plug in my info and download the song. Click the play triangle on iTunes and am surprised to realize it sounds nothing at all like the Feist-sound-a-like I heard earlier. In fact, Charli XCX sounds like Marina and the Diamonds but with more 80s-inspired, Madonna twinkly synths and boom-boom-ahhhhhs. I can’t remember exactly which 80s band/singer’s darker notes this reminds me of, but I’ll post that in when I do remember.

Maybe I was going about it the wrong way? the darker synths weren’t a female 80s pop star’s style but more Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence”? DEFINITELY! It feels/sounds right.

ANYWAY…

Is this a NEW new wave? Neo-new wave? neu new wave? Awwwww… Just looked it up: I can’t patent “neu wave” or “Neu new wave” because 1) there’s a company called Neu Wave. I think it’s for acne medication, 2) there’s a band called “Neu!” (The exclamation is actually in their name. I don’t know if I’m excited about them just yet. I’ll have to listen to them first.), and 3) I’m pretty sure I’ve heard people talk about “new new wave” before or so. Damn

Newtro? as in New+retro? Neutro? Neutron. hahahaha

Look, if Hipster Runoff can coin “Chillwave,” why can’t I coin some sort of term for this style? Watch, Hipster Runoff probably already has.

ANYWAY…….

I haven’t listened to any other Charli XCX songs yet, but I’m excited to because I really like her sound – as convolutedly as I’ve described it.

Happy listening!

P.S. This also technically gets filed as “Music to Bone to” because I would TOTALLY have sex to this song. So sensual with its 80s retro stylings.

Kate McGill’s “California Gurls” cover

My number three favorite thing in the world (after hunting hats and kitties but before pillows with faces and limbs) is any cover done in a style very different from the original.  For example, Nouvelle Vague‘s bossa nova covers of 80s new wave songs and the 3Oh!3 “Starstrukk” cover by Marina and the Diamonds.

Another example of my Number Three Favorite Thing in the World is Kate McGill‘s cover of “California Gurls” by Katy Perry (featuring Snoop Dogg)!  McGill takes a song that is originally full of late 80s hip-hop-inspired (think De La Soul, specifically “Me Myself and I” and their more recent track “Respect”) electropop intro and overall beats and semi-70s-funk reminiscent pop beat undertones and turns it into a slowed down, acoustic ballad.

Check out more of her music on Youtube and her website!