Sky-high and sculpted

If you find men dancing in heels enthralling, then you’ve definitely come to the right place! And even if you don’t, definitely give these two videos a chance. I came across the first video while I was scrolling through my Tumblr dashboard a few months ago, and I found it so entertaining that I watched a whole bunch of the poster’s videos, plus a couple more. I’ll say this right now, these two videos may look crazy, and they definitely are, but they’re good crazy and they’re so incredibly captivating, I really urge you to give them a try and if you don’t like the first one, or you find yourself uninterested, don’t feel like you have to keep watching, but if you do enjoy the first one, then you’ll definitely like the second one.

This first one is a music video for JbDubs’ original song, I Hate My Job. Just some quick info, James Whiteside (JbDubs) is a pop/dance artist and he is also a Principle dancer with the Boston Ballet (yay, Boston!). The style of this video and their dancing is very similar to Beyoncé’s Single Ladies video, and while I love Beyoncé to death, and I think her music videos are amazing, I was honestly blown away by the dancing in JbDub’s. While the song is catchy, the most fascinating part, to me, are the dancers’ legs. I hate to admit it, but they have nicer legs than I do! They have incredible thigh and calf muscles, they’re insanely flexible, and the fact that they dance the whole time in heels, is just so fascinating, I dare you to watch this and not be floored.

The second video is a music video for a song called Love by Kazaky. Kazaky (aka The Boys in Heels) is a Ukrainian dance group made up of all men and, obviously, they’re known for dancing in heels. I enjoy this song almost as much as the first one, although I don’t think it’s quite as catchy, but the dancing in this one is much more mesmerizing. It’s a bit like watching Madonna’s Vogue music video, but with all men dancing in sky-high stilettos. Their bodies are sculpted so perfectly (and check out their cheekbones!), it’s actually kind of scary, and of course, like the other video, their moves are astounding, on top of their stilettos, which are considerably more impressive than JbDubs’. It also has a bit of a Lady Gaga feel to it, with their crazy costumes, but give them a chance! Even if you don’t like the music, you have to admit that their moves and bodies are jaw-dropping.

I’m hoping that you all gave these two videos a chance because my mind is blown every time I watch them, and while I find them more dance oriented than music oriented, the music is still pretty interesting if you like hip-hop/pop/European house music, haha.

I feel like I have to go to FitRec now…

Enjoy,

Emily

Three Fresh Tracks to Liven Up Your Summer

It may not feel like it, but the summer has just about reached its midway point. Regardless of whether you’re personally ready to make your return to BU come September, here’s a selection of a few songs that are guaranteed to help you make the season all the more memorable.

“You’re the One,” the latest offering from British electronica goddess Charli XCX, is an irresistible crowd-pleaser. Throw this track on if you’re looking for something fresh to jam out to. Its chorus is an absolute killer and there’s no doubt this will be all over MTV just a couple months from now.

I’m still unsure of whether it’s become societally acceptable to appreciate 19-year-old rapper Kitty Pryde unironically, but I continue to do so regardless. “Orion’s Belt” comes from her rather hilarious haha im sorry EP and features a Bumblebee Tuna-referencing verse from rising rapper Riff Raff. I’m not one to argue the legitimacy of “Orion’s Belt” as a quality rap track, but that beat gets me going like no other.

And just when your estimation of my music taste is perhaps at an all-time low after posting Kitty Pryde…apparently Carly Rae Jepsen has more than one song! A friend randomly turned me onto “Curiosity” a couple weeks back and it wasn’t long before I started listening to the track at least ten times in a row. It may not have Instant Classic written all over it like “Call Me Maybe,” but it’s sure to also bring out some familiar addictive tendencies.

Remember, for those still in Boston for the summer, BU Central is open weekdays from 12-5 as a place to chill, eat lunch, or play pool. We’re also still hiring for the fall and applications can be found on YouDo by clicking under the “Forms” tab here!

Keep on keeping on, y’all.

-Josh

New Music Mondays: The Concept & Clock Opera

Hey everybody! Long time, no talk. I sincerely hope winter break treated y’all well because it sure as hell was kind to me. I’m ready to get right back on top of spreading new music to the world. Time to get excited.

First up, “Gimme Twice” from The Concept. They’re a new dance-rock band out of Sweden and I’m love love loving them. The majority of their tracks sound eerily similar to Phoenix, but I don’t mind in the slightest. It’s quality music, even if it’s not crazy-innovative.

Clock Opera is definitely poised to blow up in 2012 and this video for “Once And For All” should do much make you agree with me. I found myself in tears after watching it for the first time, so good luck holding back your own tears!

See ya next week!

Josh

Random Music Video Wednesday!

Hello, Everybody!

So I wanted to write a blag today with a relevant theme and make it all nice and whatnot, but that idea really didn’t pan out. Today is hump day, and honestly, I don’t have the energy to write an awesomely well thought out blog today. I bet you feel pretty much the same right now, huh? I bet that what you really want to do right now is to watch some awesome, possibly funny videos, and then maybe take a well deserved nap. Welp, I think that is a great idea! I’ve been doing some research for you friends, and I’ve found some stuff that I think you’ll really take a liking to… So sit back, relax, and enjoy!

1) Kid Cudi – Day ‘N’ Night

I’ve heard this song a bajillion times, but I’ve never seen this video. Maybe it’s just because I’m a sucker for some good animation, but this was surprisingly amazing.

2) LMFAO – Sexy and I Know It

WARNING: SHOCKINGLY AWKWARD, YET KINDA HILARIOUS CONTENT AHEAD. You have been warned…

3) Its Time for the Perculator

These guys can seriously move. And this song goes better with their dancing than the original one (at least I think so). Prepare to slightly chuckle your face off!

I hope that this has helped give you the energy you need to push through today, and make it over the the other side of the hump (day, that is)!

Live long and prosper,
Tim
BUC Staff

Two days past its release, are you still in love with “Judas”?

The Internet almost broke on Friday, April 15.

A short low-quality clip of Lady Gaga‘s upcoming single, “Judas,” was leaked online and immediately spread like wildfire. Originally scheduled to be released on April 19, the clip had fans clamoring for more and Gaga responded by releasing the song to iTunes later that day.

The results of the unending hype? A potential classic pop song driven by an incredibly danceable beat. Musically, it evokes a feeling of “Bad Romance 2.0.” I’ve never been one to spend much time analyzing lyrics, but the song successfully straddles the line between catchy and random. The chorus is simple to learn and there’s still a bizzarre bridge to laugh at when she says, “Judas kiss me if offenced or wear ear condom next time.”

Gaga herself recently co-directed the music video for the single with master choreographer Laurieann Gibson, though a timetable for its release is currently unknown. The track’s source album, Born This Way, drops May 23.

Almost as soon as the track hit the Internet, covers started appearing all over the place. I came across this one yesterday and was stunned at how it manages to reinvent the song as a keyboard-led masterpiece. It’s too bad artist Mitch Moffit has no other videos that showcase his talent at the level he exhibits in this video, but it doesn’t take away any of the brilliance of this particular YouTube cover. Watch and enjoy!

Fact: French pop band Yelle forces your hips to sway.

Yelle makes my life. Unconventionally-named band members Yelle, GrandMarnier, and Tepr make up the popular French band and consistently create incredible pop music that skews dance and electro. It’s virtually impossible to listen to their music without swaying your hips and flailing every single one of your limbs. Their beats are irresistible.

My skills in the French language are considerably lacking, which allows me to ignore the actual lyrical content and focus on how hardcore I’m dancing. Previous online research has led to the discovery that Yelle’s lyrics are RIDICULOUSLY dirty and provocative…I have no issues with that.

After the release of their 2007 debut Pop Up, the band fell off the radar for a bit. Their widespread popularity throughout Europe was accompanied by a notable following in America, but it faded as several years passed with no new music. FINALLY they’ve released their second album, Safari Disco Club, and it lives up to everything I could have hoped for. Here’s the double-music video they released last month for the album’s first two tracks, “Safari Disco Club” and “Que veux-tu.” It’s highly amusing and beautiful and colorful and amazing.

 

Yelle plays Royale Boston on April 29th, which I’m ridiculously excited for. Can’t wait to dance hardcore to the sounds of Yelle with the rest of Boston!

Tragedies Come in Threes: Did your favorite band survive the past week?

Music may be able to live forever, but bands certainly cannot. That’s why it’s always a painful inevitability whenever a band calls it quits.

Within the past week, word broke out that many of the indie world’s favorites are officially no more. Cue massive amounts of hipsters bawling their eyes out.

First up to bat, LCD Soundsystem!

The dance-punk band’s frontman, James Murphy, has spoken much about a looming end for the past several years, but nothing was official until the band posted a statement on their website on Saturday. They’ll be playing their final show at Madison Square Garden on April 2nd, which works out for me since I’m already going to be in NYC that weekend!

Considering how I saw them twice within the span of four days last September, it’s kind of obvious that my appreciation for their music knows no bounds. I legitimately refer to them as my favorite band, with Robyn getting the title of favorite artist. While it saddens me that they’ll no longer be making new music, I already came to terms with the loss late last year when I thought they were already kaput.

Here’s perennial favorite, “All My Friends.” I see it as the anthem of our generation. Do you?

Next up, The White Stripes!

The rock duo composed of Jack White and Meg White put out a statement on their website that they dissolved the band to “preserve what is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.” While never a genuine fan of the band, I certainly appreciated hits like “Seven Nation Army” and “We’re Going To Be Friends.” I don’t have much else to say about the band’s breakup, but I’m sure it’s impacting many a BU student. Here’s the memorable Michel Gondry-directed music video for “Fell in Love with a Girl.”

The third group that has supposedly broken up in the past week is……*drumroll*….Gorillaz? No official statement yet, but the Internet is rife with speculation. For now it should only be treated as a rumor, but their recent tour that hit Agganis Arena last fall may have possibly been their last.

MNDR & Natalia Kills: The New Faces of Electropop?

I have a soft spot in my heart for electropop. Give me a danceable beat and I’m set, most of the time. So, whenever I come across an up-and-coming band that satisfies my craving for techno-tinged, danceable, synth-heavy, electropop, I always spread the word.

First up, New York duo MNDR (pronounce “mandar”). You may have heard Amanda Warner’s Santigold-esque vocals on Mark Ronson’s summer single, “Bang Bang Bang,” but MNDR’s original material is sure to blow up within the year.

A personal favorite of mine is “Cut Me Out,” which is currently making the rounds in the blogosphere.

MNDR opens for Chromeo at the House of Blues this Thursday, so y’all know.

Next up is Natalia Kills, an ambitious 24-year old British artist who puts her own spin on pop music.

Perhaps the best of her songs is “Mirrors,” which she turned into an ultra-cinenatic music video that she directed herself.

Natali Kills opens for Robyn (my favorite artist of all time. OF ALL TIME!) at the House of Blues this Friday.

- Josh

Mo’ Monáe!

Hey cats and kittens!

If you’ve been in BU Central at all this semester you’ve probably seen the groovy music video for Janelle Monáe’s single Tightrope ft. Big Boi where she and her fellow androids pull off some AMAZING moves reminiscent of MJ.

If you haven’t seen it. SEE IT NOW.

On September 16th I saw Janelle Monáe perform with Of Montreal at the House of Blues and I literally could not stop dancing throughout her entire performance. And not only can she dance like a maniac she is an incredible vocalist, has her own distinct style and not to mention is gorgeous. BASICALLY I WANT TO BE HER.

Here are a couple of my favorite songs off of her latest album The ArchAndroid.

Dance or Die (feat. Saul Williams)

Cold War