Top 13 David Bowie songs

This is just heartbreaking, as many of you probably know, legendary artist, singer, songwriter and actor David Bowie has passed away at the age of 69. His birthday was just three days ago and his loss is something indescribable to everyone who loved his music. And his voice... if there's something i always miss when i lose someone close is that i will never get to hear their voices again and it's something that always strikes me and in this case, when it's someone you've been listening ever since you were a kid, it's something tragic.

Inevitably, i'm making a top 12 of my most favourite songs from him, i'm not going to rank them as they're all fantastic and maybe the ones i'm putting are the obvious choices and others are not the most acclaimed ones, but i grew up seeing him in 'Labyrinth' and as it remains one of my favourite movies there you have them. Seriously, what a loss. Check out the rest after the cut.

Under Pressure

Thursday's Child

'Twin Peaks: The Return'

(Spoilers!)
How can i talk about this show? The return of 'Twin Peaks' ended a week ago and i'm still processing. Not only the two hour finale but the whole entire show. Every episode has been a puzzle we all tried to figure out but with David Lynch you can never put the whole thing together. And that's one thing i love about his work, that he lets things talk by themselves and doesn't try to explain his motives behind his work but this time has been a headache to try to figure out the basic. And hasn't that been something wonderful?

"I'll see you again in 25 years." It's like Lynch had this plan in the past but was this past or was this future? There are so many open questions about the third Season of the iconic 90s show that i don't know where to begin. We all were surprised with the news of the show coming back but i don't think noone expected something like this. And i think the director himself didn't want us to give the nostalgia we were expecting from a such loved and missed show. And he tricked us, introducing us to a whole bunch of new characters, giving us back the old beloved ones little by little, to contain ourselves and in the end, he gave us what we didn't know we wanted it but we did. A whole new entire show with some old familiar faces and some fantastic new ones, and they all make sense in the 'Twin Peaks' world. So, let's get deep into that because this has been quite a ride. 18 episodes no less, he gave us the entire treatment.

Premiering with a two hour episode (the first two parts of 'The Return'), we first encounter a new mystery that we can't quite relate to the old series, because that was what at first we were all doing. The glass box and the murder that takes place there after a ghostly shadow appeared. I don't think there was an explanation about that besides that it was like a gate through the black lodge, one made by humans but not definitely working as they wanted. That first part was dark and unsatisfying for those of us who wanted back on the town of Twin Peaks. And most important, he gave us two Coopers, but none of them were the Agent Cooper we knew. The Bad Coop, Bob reincarnated, and Dougie, someone who looked exactly like the FBI agent but that seemed like he had been sleeping for 25 years and forgot everything.

The second part though, that was something else. Here he gave us really what we were expecting and even at the end a peak to some old characters, with a stellar and haunting performance by the Chromatics that fit so well with the original show's soundtrack that it was the perfect brooch to end the premiere.

Up to that point, a series of storylines opened and they were rabbit holes you tried to understand or picture together. That and a bunch of fantastic new characters like the Mitchum brothers, Candie, Mandie and Sandie, Tammy, Janey-E, fucking Diane! And Becky, Bobby's and Shelley's daughter who seemed like the new Laura Palmer and i thought that was brilliant, though that storyline didn't develop. As well as many more. And there were the old ones we all loved, from Hawk, the Log Lady, Albert, Gordon (played by Lynch and who was been surprisingly one of the best things of the series), Bobby, Shelley, Ed and Norma, Andy, Lucy, a little bit of Audrey (but was it really her?) and Sarah Palmer, who made you feel sorry about her and also a bit frightened as well. They all fit perfectly in and everyone was nothing but brilliant, just like the leading man, Kyle MacLachlan, who has been nothing but extraordinary.

There were also touching moments moments like the late night phone conversations between Hawk and the Log Lady, especially the last one where she knows she will fade soon, just like the actress, Catherine E. Coulson who passed away shortly after the filming. Or Gordon Cole's conversation with Denise Bryson where he defended her from her colleagues once he transitioned (not enough David Duchovny though!). As well as Miguel Ferrer's performance as Albert who also passed away after filming, or the thought of how grand would had been David Bowie as Phillip Jeffries if he hadn't passed away months before production.

But let's talk about the two part finale. In part 17, it all nearly got resolved. Cooper was back and headed to Twin Peaks to end Bad Coop's existence for once, with the help of Freddie's hand (that storyline was bizarre). And he also went back in time to change things in the past, preventing Laura Palmer to get lost that night in the hands of her father Leiland (aka Bob) and get killed, so the story we know, didn't happen in the first place. And we saw how Pete Martell (Jack Nance) went out to fish that morning and didn't discover a body, wrapped in plastic, that turned out to be Laura Palmer. And nothing happened, and Dale Cooper never had to visit Twin Peaks to resolve a murder. So did Laura live happily ever after? We all thought so and that's why i got emotional during that ending because it never once crossed my mind that the whole thing could be undone and she got another chance at life, and that she wasn't brutally murdered like that. But what happened then?

In the last past part, part 18, i wondered what was coming on, as everything ended perfectly in the previous part, but little did we know what was coming. For what i could figure out, and i know everyone has their own of theories, our Laura didn't die but disappeared. Just like it happened with Cooper to Dougie, she became someone else and forgot about her past, or maybe she was someone else with an extraordinary resemblance of what an aged Laura would look like now? Through some Black Lodge wholes Cooper manages to find her and takes her back to her mom's house. It's a strange situation because while we saw Cooper and Laura together for the very first time ever in part 17  and it was thrilling and marvelous, here we're seeing different people. Maybe even Cooper is not himself, as he's been called Richard by his lover Diane, now presumably named Linda. But the Cooper we see takes Laura to her family home and she doesn't recognize it, a lady opens the door and it's not Sarah Palmer (the lady was in fact, the real owner of the house in real life, so Lynch is blurring reality, with fiction and past with future). But they got nothing and end up more confused because Cooper knows Sarah Palmer should be living there and there's no sign that she has ever owned the house now. And both end up on the street more confused than before, as Cooper wonders what year it is and if this is future or past, while Laura, after some wind blowing, delivers all of a sudden the most terrifying scream as if she has just remembered everything. And we're left with that. Confused, shacking and terrified by that scream. And i fucking loved it.

So, now the question is, will there be a new season? There could definitely be one, as so many things are left unresolved but i don't think that would be a good idea. Because the return has been so perfect that maybe doing more would lose its touch. But at the same time, i was skeptik at first about this new season and it turned out to be so excellent that if Lynch and Mark Frost do things right, they could be great again. But we'll see. I think that for now we all need to digest this new season, to re-watch it, to try to put all the pieces together, which i don't think it's possible, but to make a little more sense. Not that it doesn't have it, but to understand it better. But time will say so in the meantime let's remember some moments i liked from the show after the cut, which has been no less than iconic. Again. It happened again.

30 years of 'Labyrinth' (1986)

30 years of my favorite film when i was a child. Oh, how i adored it back then and how, still to this day, i do. Because the movie doesn't feel old, it doesn't look old or outdated like it happens sometimes to old films with the passing of time but it hasn't affected it one bit. That's when you know it's a classic because the movie is pretty much ageless.

Being like 7or 8 when i first saw it, i'm guessing on TV or someone rented the vhs, Jim Henson's movie always fascinated me. It's a fantasy tale about a young girl (Jennifer Connelly) who over fantasies with everything and doesn't want to grow up, but she's forced to do so when the Goblin King (David Bowie) takes her baby brother and she has to face the fantasy world she always dreamed about, only to find it not so appealing then. Thinking about it, it's like when you start to realise things in your teens, and you leave your most childish part behind. It's not something pretty but is still a process. And while everything in the movie seems to be a dream in the end, i think it really wants to represent that, growing up and leaving fairy tales behind. But as the movie shows in the end, you can become an adult and still reminish about the things you liked most when you were a kid, but living in the real adult world.

This movie is so dear to me and i want to keep the magic behind it so much, that even having the special dvd feature i never watched the making of in order not to see how the puppets were done or who was behind (or inside) Hoggle, and therefore always watch it with the eyes of a child. And as dear that this movie is to me, next week i will be able to watch it for the first time ever on the cinema, and i'm thrilled about. Absolutely thrilled. And it's even going to be more special since it's gonna be the first time i watch it since Bowie's death at the beginning of the year and that will be sad. His voice has been present in my life that early in my life and through this movie was when i first listened to him so it's gonna be bittersweet because we lost a great voice and a great artist.

Anyway, as usual, i'm posting a bunch of my fave stills of the movie behind the cut and also some vids of some of the music scenes with fantastic songs by David Bowie like the magical 'As the World Falls Down', the heartbreaking 'Within You' or the coolest dance song 'Magic Dance'. This film makes me feel like a child again so i can't wait to watch it on the big screen and enjoy it as a little girl. I'm sure i will.

Living life the Marie Antoinette kind of way

In honor of the iconic movie 'Marie Antoinette' turning 10 years old last week, i'm dedicating a post to some inspired or influential images that evoke the prettiness that was the Sofia Coppola movie.

There's no denying that even though you liked the movie or not, it certainly inspired many ad campaigns and photoshoots with that mixture of the aristocratic18th century style but adapting it to modern times, and the result is always delightful. So, after the cut, i'm adding a bunch of images that follow the Marie Antoinette lifestyle and why, i might forget some obvious choices but feel free to suggest them to me and enjoy!

Music Monday (David Lynch, Karen O, HXLT, Sigala, The Knocks, Carly Rae Jepsen, Icona Pop & David Bowie)

Music Monday again! As i said, i'm gonna post the music i'm listening at home, it might not be new but i like it all the same and hope i discover something new to you. Enjoy

HXLT - Perfect
Now this is something Kanye West discovered to me and now i can't stop listening to this song. HXLT's sound reminds me a bit to Blood Orange which is definitely something very good, and while i didn't know about this artist, now i'm curious to listen to more. I'm currently listening to 'Perfect' non stop so here it is:

David Lynch feat. Karen O - Pinky's Dream (Trentemoller remix) 

While i'm a David Lynch admirer in everyting he does, i never really paid any attention to his music career. So when i randomly listened to this song when i was getting my hair done, i instantly loved it. It's so powerful and has such a great rythm, and Karen O's vocals for the song are amazing. This is an instant hit and now i have to listen more to Lynch's music.

Sigala - Sweet Lovin'

Now this is a song that i like to play in the morning really loud or listen to it while i'm working out because it gives you so much energy. It might be not everyone's choice of music but i often like songs like this, to dance or to speed up myself in the morning with no need of a coffee.

The Knocks feat. Carly Rae Jepsen - Love Me Like That

Everything Carly i like so this collaboration with The Knocks is a really great thing, because it has her pretty vocals but at the same time it's a little bit electronic and i like when Carly Rae goes that way. It's definitely better than her new version of the 'Fuller House' theme show so give it a listen.

Icona Pop - First Time

Icona Pop always make funny and catchy stuff so this one couldn't be a miss. Among my fave tunes from them besides the inevitable 'I Love It' and 'Girlfriend'.

Børns - Past Lives

This was the song that in last week's episode of 'Girls' was playing when Soshanna realised at the end of the ep that she was staying in Japan. And it was a perfect song to closure such a perfect episode. I've listened a bit more to this band and i really like them so give them a listen if you like this song.

David Bowie - Young Americans

This is one of those times where you completely forget about a song you like kand when you listen to it again, it's like discovering it for te first time again. And that's why this song didn't make it onto my Top 12 David Bowie songs when it should had been. Anyway, re-discover it  if you forgot about it, this great Bowie song.

Things that mattered in 2013

Fashion
I never really pay as much attention to runway shows as i should do, but this year two collections really caught my attention, kinda similar when it comes to adding jewels to the clothes and having tons of special details which i adored.

First there's Balmain's F/W 13 collection that was exquisite, maybe you can't appreciate it by these pics but you can take a better look at the full collection here.

Now Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2013 Ready to Wear collection has been my favourite, all those jewel dresses, the use of red and gold, the religious motives, are simply flawless. Also, the cover that Karl Lagerfeld shot with Scarlett Johansson for Harper's Bazaar is, hands down, the best magazine cover of the year, the image is so powerful and the dress so flawless that i can't even.
Get a look of the full collection here.

Movies

 

Spring Breakers - This was the most provoking, most outrageous film of the year. Everyone had an opinion about it, not always good, but those who got the real motive of the film, absolutely adored it. I have already talked deeply about it (and for another blog too, Tokio Blues mag – in Spanish), so no more words needed. Movie of the year.

Only God Forgives - Another super underrated movie. This one probably didn't make it onto any body's best movie list but i absolutely loved it. It left me so speechless that i couldn't even talk about it here because i don't know how to explain this movie. Mostly hated by everyone, it's one of those to either despise or fucking love. A modern masterpiece.

Blue is the Warmest Colour - Just saw it and obviously it's gotta make the list of the best movies of the year. It's pure emotion, full of feelings, full of heartbreak. One just cannot watch this movie and feel indifference. You gotta be dead for that.

Blue Jasmine - This is good old Woody Allen and it's been quite a while since we got one of these. I've also made a review of it here so no explanation needed. Nothing better than a comedy that slowly goes darker and darker without even noticing.

TV Shows

I'm highlighting the two shows that i liked best this year, i'm not including 'Game of Thrones' or 'Girls' because, even though their seasonswere good, they weren't as great as their previous ones. So here are my two fave shows from the year that i highly recommend:

Orange is the New Black - Best new show of the year. There's no competition. This show was so, so good that i watched it in a matter of two weeks. And then felt the void after watching a really good show, the feeling of wanting more. Next year with its second season cannot come soon enough.

Breaking Bad - I watched this show this year, the full five seasons, and i have to take my hat down for it. It's a really good show, one of the best ones when it comes to quality in the last few years and i finally got why everyone was so excited about. Heisenberg though, can rot in hell.

As far from the rest, 'American Horror Story' is being really, really good, 'Awkward' is still enjoyable but not as it used to be, 'Grey's Anatomy' needs to end soon because it's dull now and the interns are annoying, 'Hart of Dixie' needs to be cancelled already, 'Pretty Little Liars' remains a super guilty pleasure, 'New Girl' needs to be good again, '2 Broke Girls' is fun but it's always the same, 'The Carrie Diaries' is nice but i wouldn't care if it got cancelled, and 'Cougar Town' is still great. And 'Skins' came to and end this year and it was bittersweet but nice.


Music
I'm adding first the albums that i listened nonstop this year and then my top 10 songs. First the albums, keep in mind that i rarely listen to a complete album, so there's only three:

Yeezus - This is the album of the year. It's so ahead of its time that i bet those who hated it now, will love it in a matter of time. Song of the album has to be 'I Am a God'.

Trouble Will Find Me - The National didn't disappoint. i'm so resentful that i didn't get to see them live last month but some day i will. Song of the album is the flawless 'Sea of Love'.

Night Time my Time - i was surprised by this album, didn't expect to like it as much at first. But it's a perfect pop album, highlighting 'Metal Heart'.

Other albums that have been nice but haven't listened to them as much are, obviously, 'Random Access Memories' by Daft Punk, 'Reflektor' by Arcade Fire, though are many songs that i didn't like, and lately i've been listening a lot to 'Beyoncé' though it didn't do anything to me at first, can you believe?

And here are my top 10 songs from 2013:

1. Arcade Fire - Afterlife

i've been having this song on repeat ever since it was released, it's so flawless, it gives you so much energy, let alone the Spike Jonze performance video was amazing.

2. The National - Sea of Love

Another full of energy song, for those who say that The National only do ballads and sound boring.

3. Daft Punk - Get Lucky

This was everyone's jam and absolutely everybody got sick of it but it makes me smile every time i listen to it. It's so smooth yet cool and funky that i love dancing to it.

4. David Bowie - Where Are We Now

This song is so beautiful, has so much emotion into it, and David Bowie's voice, it really transports you somewhere else. Absolutely precious.

5. Phoenix - Bourgeois

This song is so flawless that makes it up for a really disappointing album. I expected so much from them but well, they still make amazing songs like this one.

6. Kanye West - I Am a God

"I am a God, so hurry up with my damn massage, in a French-ass restaurant, hurry up with my damn croissants" that should be enough to explain it.

7. Haim - Don't Save Me

This new band sounds so fresh and so catchy that they had to make it onto the list with this song. I dare you not to love it.

8. Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop

Ok, explanation. If this song was released by Rihanna or Beyoncé, you would be all loving it but it had to be Miley Cyrus. This song is a mega hit, catchy as hell and loved it. No shame about it. The music video sucks though.

9. Sky Ferreira - Metal Heart

The sound is super powerful and it's really catchy. Love this album and this one stands out.

10- Beyoncé - Pretty Hurts

The one i liked best from the new album, love the lyrics, the sound, everything is perfect.

Blog

Most popular entries of this year:

1. ELLE UK February issue: Scarlett Johansson by Rankin
2.  Between Cut! and Action! 30 iconic behind-the-scenes photos from movie productions (part ll)
3. Miss Dior directed by Sofia Coppola
4.  Ginger & Rosa (2012)
5.  What do you need to know about Spring Breakers before you watch it

Things that mattered in 2011 | 2012

sources: alefashion, vogue, filmgeek, antepenultimomohicano, fallintothenoise, premiososcar, fanpop, leviathyn, tonleik, violentsuccess, playdirect, 

David Bowie for Louis Vuitton

This is such great news, i can't even: Mr. David Bowie, the only and only, is featured on Louis Vuitton's new ad campaign with a series of new ads and a fashion shortfilm coming up.

Shot between the Louvre in Paris and the canals of Venice, it shows a decadent masked ball which recalls the one in 'Labyrinth', where Bowie also stars and which is one of my fave movies ever, so this couldn't be more perfect. The shortfilm, titled 'L'Invitation Au Voyage', also features model Arizona Muse and is directed by Romain Gavras, and will premiere on the label's app on November 7, so we'll see it in full very soon. In the meantime, here's the teaser that already looks delicious, kinda like a Marie Antoinette meets Labyrinth party, aka perfection:

UPDATE: the director's cut:

sources: vogue & pitchfork

Happy Birthday David Bowie

Today is David Bowie's birthday and instead of receiving presents, he makes the world the greatest gift, that is new music from him.

'The Next Day' is going to be his new album, his 30th, and a new single and video have been released, and (sighs) it's really beautiful. 'Where Are We Now?' is a beatiful ballad, the lyrics are heartbreaking and the video is a gorgeous ride through the streets of Berlin, and Bowie's voice... there's something nostalgic about it, i always feel like that, i don't know but i love it, my Twitter username is because of one of his songs, and because I was born on a Thursday, so you can figure. Thank you Mr. Bowie and have a nice birthday.

SUN

RAIN

FIRE

ME 

YOU

source: 24bit & youtube