We’ve talked to you before about some of the key fashion statements in music videos, but MIA’s recent video, “Bad Girls” might be the most fashion forward of the year. The Fader pointed out some of their favorite co-star outfits, but we know that fashion and style isn’t only what you wear but how it’s worn. The confidence and attitude in the above video put half-steppers to shame. 

Our expert forecasters here at the Trendera office say that Dominant Legs is going to blow up on the indie scene. 

Filed Under: (When You Lose) Someone Great

The trailer for Shut Up and Play the Hits came out earlier this month. The documentary captures the end of legendary electronic band LCD Sound System. The deliberate decision of frontman James Murphy to disband the group at the height of their career meant not only the end of their hits, but signified an end of an era for electronic music. The film debuts at Sundance next week, here’s to hoping it gets picked up so the rest of it can watch!

As music in 2012 gets more and more stripped down, Vancouver native Claire Boucher AKA Grimes is showing that even witch house is following in the trend. With a voice as different and enticing as Grimes’ it makes sense that she would strip everything down to some samples at a nice dance pace. 

Still a bit new to fame, Boucher released two albums in 2011 and we see 2012 as the time for the one woman show of Grimes to take off. Check out her most recently released song “Genesis” which we’ve had on heavy rotation at the Trendera office. Can’t wait to see what’s more to come from this incredibly talented workaholic. 

Grimes - Genesis by factmag

As the Weird Rap movement becomes more  widely mainstream, we see the same synth heavy, ethereal, dark experimentalism in up and coming R&B artists like Odd Future member Frank Ocean and more recently, The Weeknd. With lyrics like

“Open your hand

 Take a glass

Don’t be scared, I’m right here

Even though, you don’t roll

Trust me girl

You gonna wanna be high for this”

In one of his most popular singles High for This, The Weeknd delivers what at first seems to be dreamy courtship rap, which quickly presents itself as frightening, off putting experimental lyricism that we can recognize from Odd Future. Keep an eye on this artist, if this isn’t a marker of acsent to fame itself, he’s already collaborating with Drake on his third album Echoes of Silence, available for free on his website.

Sebastien Tellier may be known for his association to Daft Punk, but around the Trendera office he’s just known a Parisian musical genius. His 2008 album Sexuality still has influencers moving their feet on the dance floor and now the announcement of a 2012 album titled My God Is Blue will reenergize everyone until its release. 

FILED UNDER: HEARTSREVOLUTION

“Hello Baby!” is a timely reflection on the momentous events of the past year. Dynamic DJ duo HeartsRevolution’s video + song artfully combines footage from the Arab Spring and Occupy movements around the world with their new track. In typical Gen Y fashion, the ultimate message of the video is one of hope.

As headlines continue to declare unemployment, unstable currencies, and shrinking opportunities, Gen Y can’t help but remind, “it’s easy to forget it’s such a big beautiful world,” and “I promise it’ll be ok. We’re still on track.”

FILED UNDER: COACHELLA LINEUP

Have to say, not too impressed with the lineup, but what do you all think?

Blind Pilot’s music was discovered in my household for the first time this holiday, and their albums have been playing on a nonstop loop ever since. Yes, they have the same down-home hook as the Avett Brothers and Mumford and Sons, but the paired down sound still appeals and something in the harmonies are just captivating. Might be because- as one YouTube commenter put it:

His voice is the offspring of a three-way between melted butter, a mountain spring, and the down feathers of an angel. Overstating?

Filed Under: Reign Of Terror

We told you about the NYC duo Sleigh Bells back in 2010 as a band to keep an eye out for, and for all of us that felt the 11 tracks off “Treats”—which made you want to roll down all the windows and blow out your speakers—wasn’t enough, the wait for more is almost over. On February 14 Sleigh Bells is releasing their sophomore album, “Reign of Terror” (Mom +Pop) which looks to add more melody to the sample and noise heavy duo. The above video is a trailer for their new album, which we’re seeing a lot of bands put out lately to gain early buzz and expect to see that trend continue.