Serve Chilled 10: Ambient & Instrumental Sounds

It's always great to just sit back and enjoy some chilled sounds every so often (as in, on a daily basis). To commemorate some more memorable instrumental and laid-back classics, here is a selection of instrumentals, dubs and straight-up relaxed sounds. First up are two captivating instrumental versions of some excellent tracks, the squelching electronic stylings of Róisín Murphy's "Overpowered" and the delicate strumming of Goldfrapp's subdued "Clowns." It's a testament to both artists' skill that the tracks are stunning even without their accompanying vocals. Jazzanova has been a favorite collective of mine for a few years now, releasing equally flawless mix albums and original material, like the chilled Ibiza soundtrack of "Bohemian Sunset." Mogwai's "Like Herod" isn't so calm, but rather an epic 12-minute lesson in pure musical drama and intensity. Coldplay have long been masters of stripped-back rock, as the first half of new track "42" proves. Just like Mogwai, Coldplay rely on builds for effect in their best pieces, and the release in "42" is inimitable. Things get electronic again with Fischerspooner's trippy single "The 15th" and an extended, perfectly summer-appropriate dub version of Jamiroquai's forgotten single "You Give Me Something." To wrap up the ambient side, there's a long, skillfully crafted dub remix of Moloko's club classic "Forever More." Enjoy the sun while it lasts with some vacation-appropriate chillout listening!

Róisín Murphy, "Overpowered" (Instrumental) [YSI] (original on Overpowered)
Goldfrapp, "Clowns" (Instrumental) [YSI] (original on Seventh Tree)
Jazzanova, "Bohemian Sunset" [YSI] (from the Hed Kandi compilation Serve Chilled 59)
Mogwai, "Like Herod" [YSI] (from Young Team [Deluxe Edition])
Coldplay, "42" [YSI] (from Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends)
Fischerspooner, "The 15th" [YSI] (from #1)
Jamiroquai, "You Give Me Something" (Full Intention Dub Mix) [YSI] (original on A Funk Odyssey)
Moloko, "Forever More" (FKEK Dub Mix) [YSI] (original on Statues and Catalogue)

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Serve Chilled 09: Like Strangers

This post contains tracks from my own personal Serve Chilled playlist on my computer, which I periodically update (this round is the spring '08 edition). I noticed a handful had a common theme of isolation and decided to roll with it. Keane's "We Might As Well Be Strangers" describes the feeling that someone you once knew well (or thought you someday could know well) has become a stranger. Garbage's "Tell Me Where It Hurts" is a call to comfort a lover, though there is the sense that the lover may have tuned out of the relationship already. Saint Etienne's deceptively upbeat "Been So Long" is an ode to loneliness wrapped up in nostalgic pop melodies. Along the lines of nostalgia and pure isolation, Manic Street Preachers' breakthrough early hit "Motorcycle Emptiness" is a must-have addition to your playlists.

Keane, "We Might As Well Be Strangers" [YSI] (from Hopes And Fears)
Garbage, "Tell Me Where It Hurts" [YSI] (from Absolute Garbage)
Saint Etienne, "Been So Long" [YSI] (from Good Humor)
Manic Street Preachers, "Motorcycle Emptiness" [YSI] (from Forever Delayed: The Greatest Hits)

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Serve Chilled 08: Cocktail Hour

It takes a great DJ to match the exact mood of a situation with the appropriate musical backing. This is especially true in bars, where the soundtrack can often make or break the entire feel of the place. The hippest places usually opt for a middle ground between cutting-edge house music and chilled beats that wouldn't overpower the room. Here are a selection of tracks that fit this template well, and could easily play at any cocktail party or trendy bar. They're a bit too chilled for a club, but perfect for lounging. Featured on one of Hed Kandi's Beach House albums, The Cuban Brothers take a sizzling beat loaded with drums and cymbals and overload it with Latin flourishes for a great barside (or poolside) number. The ever-strange Pizzicato Five evoke Swingin' London and 60s film scores in the bombastic "One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Barbie Dolls," and playing it will be sure to earn you cool points. Gabin take a familiar jazz line and give it an instantly addictive electronic update in "Doo Uap Doo Uap Doo Uap." Like the Gabin track, Freedom Dub's excellent "Emotional Rescue" is taken from a Hôtel Costes compilation, and, as the mix albums intend, it's a great fit for a lounge environment. Invite some friends over and enjoy!

The Cuban Brothers, "A Million Stories" (Diesler Mix) [YSI] (from the Hed Kandi compilation Beach House 60)
Pizzicato Five, "One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Barbie Dolls" [YSI] (from the compilation Everything Is Nice: The Matador Records 10th Anniversary Anthology)
Gabin, "Doo Uap, Doo Uap, Doo Uap" [YSI] (from the compilation Hôtel Costes 5)
Freedom Dub, "Emotional Rescue" (2 Many Beats Remix) [YSI] (from the compilation Hôtel Costes 9)

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Serve Chilled 07: Soundtracking

Sometimes, when my imagination has nothing better to consider, I envision that my life has an ongoing soundtrack playing in the background. Walking through campus is a lot less monotonous when your thoughts come complete with a well-selected accompaniment! Here are a few chilled out tracks that could easily fit into the soundtrack of anyone's life. Perhaps because it was used so well in Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited, "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" by Peter Sarstedt could easily play during a particularly contemplative moment. Moloko's "Absent Minded Friends" seems made to complement a classy party with shady undertones. Coldplay's little-heard b-side "Crests Of Waves" would perfectly fit a moment of triumph or a relaxing drive. "Electrical Storm" by U2 would be great towards the ending of a film in a climactic moment, followed by Groove Armada's sweeping "At The River" playing over the credits. If only actual music directors had such good taste!

Peter Sarstedt, "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" [YSI] (from the soundtrack album The Darjeeling Limited)
Moloko, "Absent Minded Friends" [YSI] (from the album Things To Make And Do)
Coldplay, "Crests Of Waves" [YSI] (from the Clocks single)
U2, "Electrical Storm" (William Orbit Mix) [YSI] (from the compilation The Best Of 1990-2000)
Groove Armada, "At The River" [YSI] (from the compilation The Best Of)

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Serve Chilled 06: Acoustic Reworks

Artists are constantly reinventing their songs in many ways, from remixes to live takes to complete re-recordings. Some of the most revealing looks into any artist's abilities come via acoustic recordings. Pop artists can give entirely new dimensions to their sound by reinterpreting their familiar, studio-polished songs as acoustic tracks. Here's a batch of notable acoustic takes from artists known almost solely for their highly-refined pop songs. Goldfrapp hinted at their forthcoming album Seventh Tree's stripped-back sound with their acoustic radio session for Jo Whiley's Live Lounge, featuring a lovely acoustic rendition of Supernature's "Fly Me Away." Nelly Furtado and Rihanna take some of their best-known singles to new places by removing the studio sheen we're used to hearing. The Cardigans and Róisín Murphy prove their amazing versatility with their reinventions, while Garbage's Shirley Manson really shines on an acoustic version of their under-appreciated single "Breaking Up The Girl."

Garbage, "Breaking Up The Girl" (Acoustic) [YSI]
Róisín Murphy, "Let Me Know" (Live Acoustic Version) [YSI]
The Cardigans, "Lovefool" (Puck Version) [YSI]
Nelly Furtado, "I'm Like A Bird" (Acoustic) [YSI]
Rihanna, "Umbrella" (Acoustic Version) [YSI]
Goldfrapp, "Fly Me Away" (Acoustic on Jo Whiley's Live Lounge) [YSI]

Note: I have made the zShare links the main ones for downloads since about 1/3 of the comments I receive are just people asking to re-upload YouSendIt links. Those are still there - to the right - but hopefully by switching there won't be a huge confusion about how to download files once YouSendIt links expire. To recap, click the song title to listen to the track and then click "download file" if you decide you like it. To skip listening, click on YSI for a direct link. If that link has expired, then tough luck - just use zShare (it's the same exact file!).

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Serve Chilled 05: Ambient Sounds

It's been far too long since I updated the Serve Chilled post series, so here are some addictive, more ambient-based tracks. Boards Of Canada perfected a soundtrack for relaxed driving with their most recent release, the Trans Canada Highway EP. Aphex Twin's abrasive "Come To Daddy" was followed on its single release by the delicate "Flim," marking an appropriate comedown from the harsh title track. Röyksopp have become masters of the downtempo genre, as evidenced by the chilled single "Sparks" from their excellent debut record. Just sit back and enjoy.

Boards Of Canada, "Left Side Drive" [zShare] (from the EP Trans Canada Highway)
Aphex Twin, "Flim" [zShare] (from the EP Come To Daddy)
Röyksopp, "Sparks" [zShare] (from the album Melody A.M.)

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Serve Chilled 04: Songs For Sunshine

It seems like we're getting very lucky with weather here in Berkeley, as the recent streak of bright, sunny days doesn't appear to be letting up. It's hard to be gloomy, even with finals just around the corner, when every day is this sunny. Here are some great tracks to celebrate the good weather with. My personal favorite of the three is Belle & Sebastian's "Another Sunny Day," taken from the wonderful album The Life Pursuit. If you like this selection, definitely get a hold of the full record, as it will be sure to lift your spirits. For any visitors from across the pond, I hope your weather fortunes turn up a bit so you can enjoy these upbeat tracks without bitterness!

Belle & Sebastian, "Another Sunny Day" (from the album The Life Pursuit)
The Beatles, "Good Day Sunshine" (from the album Revolver)
Aloud, "Sex & Sun" (from the Hed Kandi compilation Es Vive Ibiza 2004)

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Serve Chilled 03: Rainy Thursday

Today was another rainy day in Northern California, but my mood this time couldn't be brought down even by the poor weather outlook. So instead of really downbeat songs, I've chosen some more optimistic rainy-day tunes. Goldfrapp, better known for their disco-glam club tracks, are experts at crafting beautiful, intricate downtempo music. Their debut, the excellent Felt Mountain, is among the best chilled electronica albums, and their upcoming fourth album Seventh Tree is being called a return to their laid-back beginnings. Over in Paris, the swanky Hôtel Costes has released a world-renowned and bestselling compilation series, featuring the best electronic and French lounge music. The Variety Lab track "London In The Rain" is included on their nearly-flawless "best-of" set, compiled by French DJ Stéphane Pompougnac. Last, The Cardigans (my favorite group since elementary school) are represented with the great single "You're The Storm," a hopeful love song perfect for getting through a rainy day.

Goldfrapp, "Utopia" (Genetically Enriched) (from the Utopia EP; original version on the album Felt Mountain)
Variety Lab, "London In The Rain" (from the compilation Hôtel Costes - Best Of..., mixed by Stéphane Pompougnac)
The Cardigans, "You're The Storm" (from the album Long Gone Before Daylight)

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Serve Chilled 02: Rainy Day Music

Here are some tracks more likely to be accompany bad weather and bad moods. These songs are also more organic compared to the earlier selection of songs featured in Serve Chilled (which were all from the electronica side of downtempo music). All are excellent additions to any relaxed playlist.

A Camp, "Song For The Leftovers" (from the album A Camp)
Katie Melua, "The Closest Thing To Crazy" (from the album Call Off The Search)
Travis, "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" (from the album The Man Who)

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Serve Chilled 01: Sun-drenched Sounds

I've selected some bright downtempo music to lift moods from the gloomy weather we've been having in Northern California (today's sunshine excepted). Songs like these are perfect for a relaxing day by the beach or poolside, with a well-made cocktail in hand and some suntan lotion nearby. Since temperatures appropriate for such luxury are still many months away (unless you're in Australia), you'll have to use your imagination for full effect. The full albums from which the tracks below were taken are highly recommended listening as well.

Hot Chip, "Colours" (Fred Falke Remix) (from the Hed Kandi compilation Beach House 69)
Jamiroquai, "Seven Days In Sunny June" (from the album Dynamite)
Röyksopp, "Eple" (from the album Melody AM)
Lemon Jelly, "Stay With You" (Radio Version) (original version on the album '64-'95)

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