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I’m one of those people who likes a bit of noise while I’m hard at work, it takes the stress out of the day and a decent piece of music more often than not, inspires a decent piece of design for me.

Listening to music is something a designer can’t be without, whether working from home or in an office and these are a few of my favourite things to listening to while I’m getting my busy work done.

1: Kitsune Tabloid ~ Phoenix

A great, chilled and unconventional album for those who like a bit of old fashion alt-rock. Including Iggy Pop, D’angelo, The Red Krayola, Lou Reed and not to mention the guilty pleasure that is Ritche Valen’s In a Turkish Town

2: The Mars Volta ~ Frances the Mute

This breakthrough album by The Mars Volta is a force to be reckoned with. Their one earlier and three more recent albums still have the same prowess with Octahedron their latest, showing a more introverted side to the latin flavoured prog-rock outfit. To me, Frances the Mute has a certain nostalgic value and the last half of the album flowing from one powerful crescendo to the next certainly keeps me motivated!

3: Metronomy ~ Nights Out

It’s ludicrous. I love it.

4: S’express ~ Stupid Little Girls

A great modern release from a group that recorded the retro banger; Theme from S’express all those years ago (don’t hate me for getting that back in your heads again). The trendy electro twist on this comes across through Kitsune’s heavy involvement in the tracks production. Hopefully, HOPEFULLY they will produce some more music together.

5: The Mae Shi ~ HLLLYH

The Mae Shi are a great little punk band, with synthy / electronic overtones from LA. You might recognise the lovely Lamb and the Lion off a certain advert, if you live in the UK. Other goodies include Run to Your Grave and I get (Almost) Everything I Want.

6: Broken Social Scene ~ Broken Social Scene

A bunch of chilled out Canadians released this album which has a bit of a californian twist I think. Its a great, light, uplifting and relaxing album that is fresh and perky. Favourites of mine include Ibi Dreams of Pavement, Bandwitch and Handjobs for the Holidays
but they are all great.

7: Siriusmo ~ Diskoding

I have no idea who this guy is or where he’s from, but I DO like his quirky album. Some of his sampling has strong Mr Oizo connotations which is anything but bad!

Standout tracks include the scratchy / bassy Too Simple, the funky Diskoding which also features on Kitsune and Digitalims wonderfully lighthearted Mixtape. Last but not least, the wonderfully retro Last Dear

8: Mr Oizo ~ Lambs Anger

I really enjoy the madness that is rudely cobbled together to make this album, though his previous album was WELL wasted on my confused and frightened ears. A wonderfully stupid piece of music, stitched together pieces of great beats and loops with no real purpose. The spectrum includes the lovely Cut Dick, the insane W and the ludicrous Bruce Willis is Dead which always generated many laughs in the last office I worked in.
Infact, my former boss went as far as to say; “Its not fair, the French get this and we have to put up with James Blunt”.

9: Kitsune ~ Gildas and Masaya – New York

A great upbeat mixtape produced by Kitsune, including some great tracks from Fan Death, My Love Sees You (reminxed by In Flagranti) finishing with Riddle of Steel (Remixed really rather well by Classixx)

10: Cut Copy ~ Bright Like Neon Love

Though they do have a more recent album out, I like this for its sheer laid back persona. I do tend to skip to Going Nowhere and listen through to the lush and gentle Zap Zap

Thats a wrap!