Song of the Day

Fembot, I'm coming!

Yes, this Sunday is all about seeing Robyn & Röyksopp at the Hollywood Bowl. I lack the kind of bonkers-ass outfit that such an occasion requires — I expect to see several iterations of this and these, plus a wide variety of these. Nonetheless, as long as I've had an "old lady nap" (a "disco nap" doesn't cut it anymore) and stay hydrated, things should work out juuuust fine.

This track is just the cool-down. Trust. Things are gonna get silly.

Song of the Day

This is my second ever "Song of the Day" to feature Emily King. But this time, she's not the focus; this lushness comes to us via producer, composer and son of Bobby, Taylor McFerrin. His new album, "Early Riser," dropped this month and he's touring behind it. I very much wish I could check out his set this Friday at The Bootleg Theater, but I already blew my going-out budget (check out tomorrow's "SotD" to find out how).

Song of the Day

Their album, "World Clique," came out 24 years ago and I'm still pressing play. I even got my kid into it. "Mmmm...how do you say Deee-Lite???"

Song of the Day

This Phantogram track gets lodged in my head for days on end. It sounds oh-so good coming out of a booming system...like my mom-wagon speakers. The video is palatable, but doesn't necessarily enhance the experience (though, my kid says, "I think it's mesmerizing!"). Feel free to hide it behind another browser window while you listen and get your shoulder bounce on.

Song of the Day

It's been two years since I last checked in on Lianne La Havas. Since then, she's been kicking it with Prince, showing her love for Little Dragon and collaborating with London-based Tourist on this here new track. It's a less organic sound than I'm used to hearing from her, but the track totally works. Her voice is soaring over this house-infused track and I approve.

Song of the Day

My ever-lovin' dad is leaving today after his five-day Spoil-a-thon. His "you see it, you want it, you get it" approach to grand-parenting has got my daughter's head a little turned around. So, I'm dedicating this Sesame Street PSA to her before I begin the process of systematically (re-)depriving her diet of all things resembling dessert.

Song of the Day

I caught Emily King live in Hollywood last week and have been humming this sublime little song ever since.

She popped onto my radar thanks to her collaborations with José James — she wrote "Come to My Door" (listen to this lovely acoustic duet) and "Heaven on the Ground," both from James' latest album, No Beginning No End.

The show was part of her own solo tour and the place was packed with a lot of fashion blog enthusiasts/natural hairstyle models who seemed to know every single lyric, much to King's apparent shock.

While I'm not the hugest fan of love songs (King's forté), I found myself feeling what she was feeling onstage. She just has that way — undeniable charm, stage presence and a lot of heart. Oh, and she was rocking an outfit that I would've gladly stolen off her back (even though she admitted with embarrassment that she'd worn it a few nights before when she opened for Emeli Sandé).

Concert-goers caveat: If you have plans to see someone at Hotel Cafe (I won't reward them with a link), make sure the juice is worth the squeeze. It's actually a cozy little spot once you finally make it in. But parking is atrocious, the denizens of Hollywood even more so and you have to literally step over trash to get to the venue's alleyway entrance. It honestly felt like I was going to The Bronze. I give that club one big side-eye and several nostril flares.

Song of the Day

I've been whistling this song all year, ever since I discovered Hospitality, via Tiny Desk Concert. But I only just got around to seeing the video today. The coastal flip-flop idea is pretty cute (reportedly, it came from the mind of a "Bob's Burgers" writer). More importantly, though...

Hello, Maeby!

Song of the Day

I find some household tasks (window-cleaning, toilet bowl-scrubbing) require me to be in a trance-like state. This is both driving and hypnotic and helps get the job done.

Song of the Day

I was promised a break from this overbearing heat. The doofus with the tacky suit and bad tan lied. Until I see/feel some temperatures that warrant even so much as a closed-toe shoe (is that really so much to ask for?!), I'll just put this track on repeat and fantasize about brisque breezes and accessorizing with scarves.

Song of the Day

Beautiful black folks strolling the streets of Paris — love it! (...As if you couldn't tell from a previous post.) This head-bobbing retro-inspired track by Liam Bailey makes me smile and want to eat crepes and go to Sacre Coeur.

Song of the Day

Hmm...I was all set to post this song because I can't stop listening to it lately.

But then, I went on the Toro Y Moi blog and learned that the track ("Still Sound") was just included on an episode of "Entourage." Ugh.

Regardless! It's still solid. And I can't fault Chaz Bundick for getting his paper.

So...

BTW, Toro Y Moi's playing at the El Rey the day before my birthday...if you were wondering what to get me as a gift.

Song of the Day

Yesterday, I held my own personal Stevie marathon; I listened to nothing else the entire day. It's almost too solid a canon to pick a favorite. Almost...

On this one, Stevie takes it there, brings it back and carries your ass there again. There's simply too much emotion here for just one listen (plus, you know it's going to take a while to nail all the words to the chorus!).

Stevie Wonder, "As"

Song of the Day

A bowl of Trader Joe's knock-off Rice Krispies, a sunny day and this...

Emiliana Torrini's "Me & Armini"

Song of the Day

I started my day asking myself this very same question...

Song of the Day

It's official.

Date night, nerds!

My daughter's sleep-over arrangements are etched in stone. The Jack Purcells are going under the bed and I'm pulling the peep-toe sling-backs ("grown folks' shoes") out of the closet. The tank is full of gas and Matt and I are headed to L.A. for dinner and a show.

What — you may ask — is the first show you will be seeing in four long months? The Dirty Projectors & the LA Philharmonic (though, probably not simultaneously) at the Walt Disney Concert Hall! Their sound may be a little too hyper-idiosyncratic for some, but I think it'll translate well live, especially in such a grand venue. Remember when I posted this? Can't wait.

(Ed. note: Okay, this crazy rain and a tsunami warning may be throwing a little salt in my game...)

Song of the Day

Or, if you're like me and prefer listening to the song over watching a video full of contrails, here you go.

Song of the Day

The nit-picky part of me longs for a better video, but I'm hard pressed to get her voice out of my mind today.