Sunday, July 24, 2016

Exotic tunes

I've discovered that I have a thing for music that at least partially isn't in English, due to my fascination with different languages. I've decided to share some of my favorites in this category with my dear internet.
En Français:
Alt-J is so great at being not in the box, and many of their songs contain phrases in French, including Matilda, Nara, and Hunger of the Pine. I'm very grateful for their reminder that I love the French language, especially when it's sung.
Tilted by Christine and the Queens is my most recent obsession, thanks to my musically hip Tia. I totally adore the rap-esque bridge and her wondrous dance moves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RBzsjga73s
I discovered La Chanson de Mardi Gras by the Irish choir Anuna featuring, ahem, Andrew Hozier-Byrne quite a while ago when I was scouring the internet for all his pre-solo career material. The song is ancient and ethereal, not so mainstream, but worth a listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqabVDNrhlY
Reflektor by Arcade Fire: Yaaaaaaaasss! That is all. 
As Gaeilge (in Irish):
I don't know why this language keeps appearing in my life, but apparently Ireland and I are destined to be together. I think my great-grandmother was Irish...?
I came across this group while stalking random people on facebook. Basically it's a program for young Irish people to learn their native language, which has been going extinct. Here is Blurred Lines in a very weird, lovable form. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF1YSM7fxwI
The Raid is another ancient installment by Anuna featuring Hozier. Mystical and magical, need I say more? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0yfAlQogak
Casadh an Tsugain by Michael Brook is from the movie Brooklyn, starring my future wife, Saoirse Ronan. Great movie, very moving scene with a beautiful song.
Everywhere else:
The Hindi version of Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire gives me so much life and joy and dancing.
Hal by Yasmine Hamdan from Only Lovers Left Alive starring my other (too old) future wife Tilda Swinton, and ex-husband Tom Hiddleston (cheater) has a wonderfully haunting sound. Ten points to Team Arabic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCvNiwv1AGY
I have my brother to thank for my stumbling across Vor i Vaglaskogi by Kaleo. Icelandic is absolutely mesmerizing! Of Monsters and Men, please take note.
Two very happy things collide in My Girl (Te Amo) by NOTA: a capella and Español. Amazing version of a very cute song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fAIU50d_z4
Dela By Johnny Clegg and Savuka is one we'll all fondly remember from George and the Jungle. Adorable, dance-able taste of Africa.
And lastly, a nerdy indulgence: Evenstar, from The Two Towers soundtrack, aka Aragorn and Arwen's theme. Props to Tolkien for inventing multiple languages for Middle Earth, including the Sindarin dialect of Elvish, heard here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im5CIpMFo4Q
Well, there you have it. Hope you enjoyed at least some of them!

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