(Seventy) Six degrees

The weather is beautiful, spring has sprung, and I've been enjoying lots of new music outside. Since the artists and songs seem to span the gamut of genres and styles, I thought I would tie them together with six steps of the "Kevin Bacon game" (from Jay-Z to Ratatat to Shout Out Louds to Peter Bjorn and John to Laakso to Moonbabies).


Brooklyn-based duo Ratatat is coming out with a new remixes album in the near future, and everything I've heard from it has already made its way onto my party playlist. Definitely pick it up; it features great newer songs along with rap classics like Notorious B.I.G.'s "Party and Bullshit." However, of what I've heard so far, the standout song for me has to be "Glock Nines", featuring Beanie Sigel and Hova himself.

Beanie Sigel & Jay-Z - Glock Nines (Ratatat Remix)

Last year, Ratatat remixed "The Comeback" by Swedish band, Shout Out Louds, who have now released a video for the first single, "Tonight I Have to Leave It" off their own new album Our Ill Wills that was released last week in Sweden, in Denmark - 21 May, in Switzerland/Germany/Austria - 25 May, Australia/New Zealand - 7 July, and finally in the US/Canada - September 11.

Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have to Leave It (video) [Buy]

The album is actually being produced by Björn Yttling of indie superstars Peter Bjorn and John, who headlined a British tour last year with Swedish-based, Finnish-named Laakso. Their recently released album Mother Am I Good Looking? is already one of the best of 2007, mixing twee, synths and rock elements with darker, more ironic lyrics. One gem off the album shares its title with an Abba classic.

Laakso - Dancing Queen [Buy]

Finally, the last song I've had on repeat this past week has is from Laakso's Scandinavian V2 label-mates and fellow Swedes, Moonbabies, also coming out with a new album, Moonbabies at the Ballroom released in the US/Canada on May 29. After first hearing the band's song "War on Sound" featured in a Grey's Anatomy episode, I immediately downloaded their album War on Sound, and have been a fan since. "Take me to the Ballroom" off their upcoming release is the ultimate chill, yet up-tempo song to listen to outside while relaxing with friends on a beautiful spring day with the sun shining onto your shoulders and a cool beverage in hand.

Moonbabies - Take me to the Ballroom [Buy]

Now to try to get some work done despite the weather...