Gotye + Kimbra // Somebody I Used to Know

A friend of mine recently showed me this tune, and I just can't seem to get any part of it out of my head.  The lyrics resonate so soundly with prior life experience.  The best part, though, is the duet composition - allowing both sides of this crumbled love affair to be expressed in the first person.  All too often the stories we hear, whether recounted by friends or presented in fiction, concern only one protagonist's perspective of the experience.  Every story of such has two sides, but rarely are we allowed to empathize with both.  As I always say: it is all about perception.  No one can make another person feel anything.  Our feelings are based on our perception of what's been said to us or how we've been treated.  Here we see two people, clearly hurt, and clearly with their own ideas of what has happened.  What is love's demise if not some dose or version of misunderstanding?

 

Do you think the rose-colored tint on the lens is intentional?

Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die
Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company
But that was love and it's an ache I still remember

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end
Always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad that it was over

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened
And that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough
You didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records
And then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done
And I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say
You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know...

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened
And that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough
You didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records
And then change your number
I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

I used to know
That I used to know

Somebody...

Arcade Fire for Nostalgia

After a markedly low point one evening, my dear friend, Francesca Noero, shared this link to a small group of our friends.  Needless to say, after we each visited our childhood home, the air lifted and the commitment to a beautiful proceeding set in motion.  We ended our evening watching the sun rise over the San Francisco bay.

This month marks the one year anniversary of Arcade Fire's release of its third album, titled The Suburbs.  Chris Milk, in collaboration with a number of creatives and their friends at Google, wrote and directed a "video" of sorts featuring the Arcade Fire song, "We Used to Wait."  As you enter the site, you will be prompted to enter in your childhood address of where you grew up.  Tip: if at first the engine does not recognize your address, enter another address from where you grew up (such as your school) or just go ahead and proceed... it should find something nearby. 

Below, find the link to an interactive viewing experience conducive to epic bouts of nostalgia.

The Wilderness Downtown

My postcard: "Keep doing what you're doing, and trust your heart.  It will lead you to the right place."  And as the sun rose later that evening, I couldn't feel more sure that I am in the right place.

Florrie // "Experimenting with Rugs"

If my style and my best friend, Nasu, had a baby, it would be Florrie in this video.  Love the editing, love the hair and makeup, love the styling, just plain loving Florrie.

Penguins Collide Into Darkness // Scandal!

Leona Lewis just released a new single, "Collide," which features sampling from the piano melody of Penguin Cafe Orchestra.  One of my favorite songs of 2011, and possibly of all time, is "Penguin" by Avicii, which samples the same piano melody from Penguin Cafe Orchestra.  Evidently, there is either a scandal, or if not a real scandal, then certainly confusion brewing and stewing over the producing credits and sampling credits of Lewis' new release.  In case you haven't heard yet, have a listen of all three songs so that when you do, you'll have the ear of reference!

Penguin Cafe Orchestra // "Perpetuum Mobile"

Avicii // "Penguin"

Leona Lewis // "Collide"

Avicii // "Fade into Darkness" - vocal remix of "Penguin"

And just one more version, from my adored Avicii... "Penguin" Club Mix

Still standing strong for #TeamAvicii, here is Kap Slap's Mashup, "Penguins Collide into Darkness"

"Sunshine" and Rhythm // my dream feat. Rye Rye and M.I.A.

I can't help but think I would have much better rhythm if this was my playground beyond the first few years of my childhood. I am proud to say, though, that I currently own, or have owned, a version of almost every article of clothing and accessory featured in this video. Safe to say that where I missed out on acquiring enviable rhythm, I compensated with more than enough late '80s / early '90s prints and gear. The one thing I do not own, and although I probably would never wear it, I'd like someone to own it: M.I.A.'s shirt that says "Fuck Google, Ask Me." She's a bad ass, and Rye Rye is totally adorable. What else can I say?

Adele // "Rolling in the Deep"

Soul Food.

Toro Y Moi // "Still Sound"

smooth, funky, makes you want to move...