TUNE Of Right Now: Comeback Kid – Sleigh Bells

I was tempted to go with Love On Top here, but that would probably count as my TUNE of the last 3 months to be fair. Instead the one song this past week I’ve been enjoying more than any other is the new single from Sleigh Bells. They made a huge impact on both my 2010 and overall album lists with their debut, and judging by Comeback Kid, their sophomore effort could be even better. Massive clashes of drums and guitar explode across the most frenetic tune from the group yet, with Alexis Krauss’ vocals even more piercing and sickly sweet than ever. With the album just weeks away, Sleigh Bells are well on their way to becoming one of my favourite artists currently making music.

Album On Repeat: Bon Iver – Bon Iver

There are a few albums I’ve been listening to a lot recently. The new Taio Cruz album, TY.O, is playing as I write this in fact, an album I feel like I should hate, but much like Rokstarr can;t deny that as generic urban crossover dance goes Taio has a way with an ‘Oh Oh Oh’. Skrillex’s new Bangarang EP has been a favourite of mine recently too, as ridiculous and obtuse as it should be. The album that’s getting most traction though is probably Bon Iver’s eponymous 2010 album. It made it to number 10 on my end of year list, but I think the June release date did it no favours. This is a winter record, being both warming and homely for me through the colder months of the year. An album that keeps on giving, and one I can see lasting me well into next year too.

Current Game of Choice: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection – PS3

Unlike songs and albums, often I will literally play just one game in any given week, and this week was one just like this. Playing through Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 has been a joy this week, both games being some of my favourite experiences in any field. I completed 2 in within the space of 48 hours, and I’m about halfway through Snake Eater right now. I know these games inside out, the bomb disposal section in Sons of Liberty being especially easy to blast my way through 10 years on, but I still feel the same wonder when playing them. Make sure you read my full review of the collection (here) where I ramble on about the virtues of the series for far too long.

TV Episode of the Week: Desperate Housewives – S8E12

I have so many shows on the go at once, so this section could alternate between the new episode of the week and a series I’ve watched multiple times. For now though I thought I’d just mention some of my favourite episodes from the past week. The opening of the BBC adaptation of Birdsong was better than I expected, the removal of the unnecessary descendant love triangle story making it a much more focused plot line to follow. That said, my favourite moments of the week came from the Desperate Housewives, Bree’s latest story arc alternating between tragic and ridiculous in exactly the way the show can pull off. It’s gearing up to be a great way to say goodbye to the Housewives, and with the rumours of a major character leaving the show very soon, I’m very excited.


10 Big TUNES playlist

On my iTunes I keep a playlist of the current 10 songs I’m loving right now. A secondary 10 New TUNES playlist has songs either not quite ready for heavy rotation, and I listen to a combination in a smart playlist. I thought I would post the current state of my Big TUNES playlist every week, mainly so I can look back on which songs I was listening to a year or so from now. Songs appear in order of their overall playcount.


You Da One – Rihanna
Troublemaker – Taio Cruz
Want U Back – Cher Lloyd
Bright Lights (Good Life) (Feat. Pixie Lott) – Tinchy Stryder
Good Feeling – Flo Rida
What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger) – Kelly Clarkson
Breakin’ A Sweat (Feat. The Doors) – Skrillex
Comeback Kid – Sleigh Bells
Titanium (Feat. Sia) – David Guetta
Stupid Hoe – Nicki Minaj