Blizz

WhiteRoom – a neoromantic pop album by WhiteRoom

Ever heard of neoromantic pop? I must confess that I haven't, that is, until I came across WhiteRoom's self-titled album. "WhiteRoom" is fast-paced, mournful, and thoughtful---all in equal measures. The sound is quite unique. "If Radiohead’s unborn bastard children had survived, been raised on a steady diet of Massive Attack, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Duke Ellington, you might have managed to engineer a group like WhiteRoom," says one music review. I couldn't agree more.

[TEDTalk] Benjamin Wallace: Does Happiness Have A Price Tag?

Can happiness be bought? This is a question for the ages. One can give an empty philosophical answer or one can be like Ted Wallace---try the most expensive and coveted things in the world and give the answer straight up. He's tasted some of the world's most costly and rarest wine, richest steak, fragrant truffles, outrageously priced coffee, smoothest car, and state-of-the-art bed and toilet seat, among other things. If you're a human being, you don't want to miss this short, humorous yet very informative talk on our civilization's most cherished goals: money and happiness. More so, you'd want to know if those two things are indeed synonymous.

Reead “Nobody’s Innocent” – a pop-dance album with an acoustic touch

Nobody's Innocent is a pop-dance, electro/club album by 27-year old French artist Reead. If you can summarize the whole album in one word, it would have to be "surprising". The collection is a tight mesh of dance tunes and quiet acoustic serenades, which from the sound of it doesn't seem too appealing---but trust me, this album is one surprise you shouldn't miss. The dance tracks reflect the artist's funky side as influenced by constantly evolving pop singer Madonna while the soothing acoustic tracks show the strong impact of pop-rock band Lifehouse on the French singer. Reead manages to pull off this unlikely union of two different genres with admirable aplomb.

Yann-Arthus Bertrand: Home

"Home" by Yann-Arthus Bertrand is a visually stunning and thought-provoking documentary about the damage that humans have inflicted on the planet Earth. It is a collection of amazing aerial photos and videos from 54 countries all over the world, showcasing the vast beauty as well as the terrible scars that we left our home during the development of our civilization in the past 200,000 years.The impact of homo sapiens---wise humans---is nearing the critical point when it cannot be reversed anymore. "Home" shows us what we've done and what we stand to lose.

Amelie’s “Be Low”- a free British pop-rock EP from Italy

Amelie is an Italian band going for a British pop-rock sound. Actually, if you listen to their music first without knowing where they came from, it won't even cross your mind that they're Italian. I believe they've got the genre right down pat. If you're a fan of gritty, soulful, slow rock the way the British do it, give Amelie a listen.