This week I learned a new word to add to my (already impressive) vocabulary: smang (smash + bang). Where did I learn such a wonderful word, you ask? From this, so horrendous it’s amazing song / video.  Just sit back and let it happen…

Not only did the beautiful Miss Lykke Li (finally!) drop a new track, “Get Some”, she also released the accompanying visuals for it which… Well, it honestly reminds me of those somewhat trippy screen savers that when you were 12, were totally rad for about 20 seconds. So, I’m not entirely impressed with it. But, she gets a pass because she’s awesome, her new song is awesome and she’s giving it away for free which is also awesome. Love me some Lykee Li.

Crystals Castles + Robert Smith from The Cure?! RSVP: YES! to that magicness. I’m completely loving this tune; it’s been on constant rotation on the ol’ panda speakers this week and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.

ZOMG! As if I couldn’t love Weezer enough, what do they go and do? Cover Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart” and transform it from an awkward middle school slow dance song to a totally… well to quote Pigeons and Planes because frankly they sum it up best, “…an over the top, melodramatic, cheesy 80’s power hit.” And it’s amazing. I’m totally adding this to my “Songs To Sing At Karaoke” list on my phone. (Yes, I do in fact have just that and for those of you who also love karaoke (who doesn’t!?), I highly recommend creating one and saving yourself the stress of remember songs whilst some other drunken sole is belting out Journey or Bon Jovi). Also how GENIUS is the cover?! 

There’s just something about an English person rapping that’s absolutely hilarious to me (and I’m lucky enough to witness this on a daily basis since I live with an Englishman who’s passionately in love with hip hop). I think it’s because I’m so accustomed to American hip hop that when a British guy comes in and starts rapping I’m a bit like “woaahh!? What is HAPENNING!?” (Or something to that effect).  Not to say I don’t like some English hip hop, I just can’t help but giggle a little bit every time I listen to it (doubtless that’s the effect they’re going for, no..?).  Annnnyway, so Mike Sinner, aka The Streets, is a British rapper who, in 2008 said his next record would be his last; I really hope this isn’t true and he’s merely pulling a Jigga on us because I do genuinely like the boy. Here’s the latest from him entitled, “Trust Me.”  Mandy digs.

“Bright Lights Bigger City” is another taste of what we can expect from Cee-Lo Green’s upcoming album, Lady Killer (out November 9).

The boy is just dropping wonderfulness after wonderfulness; massively looking forward to giving the album a full listen. Also, here’s a teaser for the upcoming video for this track: Looks pretty dopalicious. I heart you, Cee-Lo.

Cannot wait to read Keith Richard’s biography particularly after reading his description of meeting Jonny Deep (which is completely brilliant): “It took me two years before I realized who he was. He was just one of my son Marlon’s mates, hanging around the house playing guitar. I never asked Marlon’s mates who they are because, you know, ‘I’m a dope dealer’. Then one day I was at dinner and I’m like ‘woah, Scissorhands’.”

So, in honor of Mr. Richards and THE GREATEST HOLIDAY EVER (Halloween, obviously.), here’s a rather sinister dubstep remix by Zed’s Dead of “Gimme Shelter.”

Right, that’s it for this week! Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL Halloween (I’ll be going as Ramona Flowers from “Scott Pilgrim”. Pow.)! Oh and for those of you in the DC area, be sure to check out Red Bull Soundclash with Wale and Tokyo Police Club on Saturday. Going to be a dope show so don’t miss out!

- Mandy