Must Hear: Video Games – Lana Del Rey

Photo by Nicole Nodland

I have no idea what on earth “Gangster Nancy Sinatra” would sound like, but apparently Lana Del Rey does. Lizzy Grant aka Lana Del Rey describes her sound as gangster Nancy Sinatra, and while I’m not sure about the “gangster” bit I most certainly see the 1960s influences. Styled like ’60s icons such as Sophia Loren and Ursula Andress, she looks so dainty it’s difficult to reconcile her voice with her image. Lana has a gorgeous, deep voice that works wonderfully with the haunting Video Games and stays in your mind long after the song is over.

I strongly disagree with the lyrics (Life is worth living only if someone is loving you? Really, Lana?), but I absolutely love the song. It’s definitely worth more than one listen if you’re looking for music that’s plain and simple – a beautiful song and lovely melody without the need for auto-tune and badly produced nonsense. That’s another example of the 1960s influence I could get used to.

Must Hear: No One Believes Me – Kid Cudi

I might not be able to sleep tonight.

Kid Cudi’s newest song No One Believes Me has one seriously disturbing video. Seriously. I watched it only once and just listening to the song is now giving me the shivers. I suppose it’s appropriate – it’s from the very-soon-to-be-released remake of Fright Night, and the music video is directed by the film’s director, Craig Gillespie. Good job, Craig, I will DEFINITELY not be watching Fright Night if I want to sleep again any time soon.

Right from its chilling opening chords, No One Believes Me definitely sounds perfect as a frighten-you-out-of-your-wits anthem for a scary movie. It’s also a great example of what I’ve known for a long time now – Kid Cudi is fantastic. There is no way you can argue with that.

Verdict: Billie Jean – Aloe Blacc v. Everyone Else

Even if you aren’t a Michael Jackson fan, it’s hard to resist singing along to Billie Jean, isn’t it? Especially the chorus. That is definitely some catchy stuff. So many musicians have covered the song, from Chris Cornell to Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump, and I recently found a cover by the extremely talented Aloe Blacc. To say Blacc’s version is a great cover is an understatement – it is absolutely, without a doubt, brilliant. Don’t kill me for saying this, but it even beats the pants off MJ’s original.

Blacc has used a string section to create a song that is simply perfection. He has taken a fun dance song and turned it into a beautiful jazz/blues song that you just want to listen to over and over again. Which version do you prefer?