Bat for Lashes has some exciting surprises up her sleeve...

Not since her ethereal cover of The Cure's "A Forest" for the Perfect as Cats tribute compilation have we heard from Bat for Lashes goddess Natasha Khan. So when I heard that she and her new band The Blue Dreams had an album coming out only three months from now, I SQUEED. I am OBSESSED with this woman. And now she's on the cover of UK fashion mag Dazed & Confused to give what is considered to be her biggest interview to date (not to mention an unbelievably GORGEOUS cover, peep it below!)!
In this issue, she'll be disclosing several awesome details on her upcoming album Two Suns (one clue: she's pulling an effing Sasha Fierce!! Get ready to meet Natasha's sexy alter ego, Pearl) and I'm way, WAY too excited.
AND HOLY SHIT YEASAYER'S GONNA BE ON IT. OMFG. OMFG. GIMME THIS CD NOW NOW NOW.
I need this issue in my hands à ce moment.

Two Suns tracklisting:
1. Glass
2. Sleep Alone
3. Moon and Moon
4. Daniel
5. Peace of Mind
6. Siren Song
7. Pearl’s Dream
8. Good Love
9. Two Planets
10. Traveling Woman
11. The Big Sleep (Feat. Scott Walker)

Could. Not. Be. Any more. Stoked.

Albums I'm hella excited for in 2009

God, it's going to be a GOOD year for music, let me tell you that. Expect this to be updated throughout the year!

Amanda Blank, I Love You
Annie, Don't Stop
Asobi Seksu, Hush
Bat for Lashes, Two Suns
The Big Pink, A Brief History of Love
Black Lips, 200 Million Thousand
Florence & The Machine, Lungs
Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest
Kid Sister, Ultraviolet
Lily Allen; It's Not Me, It's You
PJ Harvey & John Parish, A Woman a Man Walked By
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It's Blitz!

Out with the old...

Ladies and gentlemen, right at this very moment, I am watching the brand new series of Skins.
Er, well, trying to, as this buffering shit is taking a MILLION years. Le sigh.
Either way, I have no idea what's coming in terms of quality as the first generation was so spectacular-- which I'm sure you all know. But perhaps one of the best parts of Skins is the amazing Alex Hancock's tip-top music selection for every episode. As I watch lots of TV, I should know: perfection in TV music is ridiculously hard to come by. And Skins did it. Here are a few of my favorite moments from Series 1 and 2, in order of appearance:

Death in Vegas "Dirt"
This is one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite electronic bands, and when I heard this in the first episode, I knew I was getting into something good! A great introducion to the show-- y'know, aside from the obvious Chingy factor. Chingy FTW.
UK Apache & Shy FX "Original Nuttah"
THIS SONG MAKES ME GO APESHIT. And when Jal's dad plays this at a party to save it from irretrievable boringness, EVERYONE does. It's... beautiful. I especially love Anwar in this scene!
Tricky "Hell is Around the Corner"
Reduce me, seduce me, dress me up in Stussy. The soundtrack to one of the sexiest, most beautifully tragic scenes in Skins history. Cassie swaying on a bench in her stunning golden tap shoes and vodka spray gun... I die. V knows what I'm talking about.
Archie Bronson Outfit "Dart for My Sweetheart"
I love when music so fittingly narrates plot. THIS is a perfect example, in which a jealous Tony prepares to blackmail Michelle's new boyfriend. True love, Skins style.
Blonde Redhead "23"
This song wasn't even used in a Skins episode-- it was used on a teaser, and oh my God, did it work to capture the drama of series 2. It was arresting, sexy, made you want to know more and really was a perfect intro to the shocking, unbelievably more character-introspective season. And of course, the music in series two was the best Skins has ever been.
DJ Shadow "Organ Donor"
Because Skins has the best dance music ever. End of story.
Beach House "Childhood"
This was a perfect choice for Maxxie and Michelle frolicking on the beach and trying to ignore the slutty Scarlett and her awkward advances on teenage boys.
Charlie Parr "One-Eyed Jack"
When Jal and Chris make their defining bet with each other. I only wish I had this song! It's like Chris and Jal's love song. It's so beautiful.
The Good, the Bad & the Queen "The Good, the Bad & the Queen"
This is the background music to the hottest sex scene Skins has ever seen-- maybe one of my all-time favorites! So hot. Tony does it with this chick who might not even be real, making it the first time he's had sex since his accident. As this act would cement Tony's transformation, drama was necessary. And thanks to my darling Damon Albarn, it was amped to the extreme. ALL of the music on this episode is perfect, by the way. It's my favorite episode yet.
Low "Sunflower"
This plays in Jal's series 2 episode as Chris is being rolled away in the hospital. This was such a good play on the tragedy that is Chris and Jal's love story, and the beautifully sad lyrics helped to foreshadow Chris's death.
Lipps, Inc. "Funkytown"
Because I think we all really, REALLY needed this. Thank you, Skins. (BTW, who else totally loves Doug? OMG squee at the cuteness. Lots of him in series 3, plznthnx!!)
ADELE "Hometown Glory"
A gripping narration of Cassie alone in New York. This song provided a great deal of insight into her mind, giving viewers the impression that an escape from her life's turmoil was impossible.
Elliott Smith "Between the Bars"
Hands down, one of my favorite songs of all time. As Elliott Smith was pivotal to my middle school emo phase, hearing this during such a poignant moment on the show gave me a nice, warm feeling. Every time I crawl under my duvet, this song now plays in my mind.
Maps "It Will Find You"
GAWD I love this song. While it wasn't the last song of the season (that was given to MGMT's "Time to Pretend"), it's such a great conclusion to this generation that sends off each and every character, and gives fans the impression that they're all headed for great things.

Gonna miss these guys. So much.

Dan Deacon & Liam Lynch "Drinking Out of Cups"

My friend is obsessed with this. After watching it a few times, I kinda am too. Don't like it? YOU SUCK!

Love Letter: Consider me married to MOB.

Okay, so do you remember when I was seriously sad from Karmaloop running out of my size when my dream MOB shirt was on sale? After that, I took to the internet in frantic search of somewhere else to find it. While I way stupidly could've gotten the shirt for half as much at '80s Purple (thanks, Google, I thought we were friends), Yasi at Cultist totally had my back... and now IT'S MINE.

And oh my God, it fits like a glove. I fell in love at first sight of myself in the shirt. And while some of their recent merch may seem expensive, it isn't a front-- Married to the MOB is the real deal down to every detail. It is, hands down, the most quality streetwear I've ever placed upon my skin. Their shirts' fairly long lengths are also a huge plus!
Oh dear, I need way more where this came from. Leah McSweeney is 100% right-- the fabric alone (tough graphics put aside) makes me feel tough AND sexy, all at the same time. MTTM FTW!

New Agent Provocateur collection drops!

If there's anything that is guaranteed to catch my attention in terms of complete and total adoration, it is the following: Greek mythology and Agent Provocateur. WHAT DO YOU KNOW. Pan and the Vestry of Virgins collection, the 2008/09 range I've most anticipated, is out TODAY! Peep it with me and fall in love.I wasn't crazy for Angharad when I saw it first in last winter's "Lady of the Manor" collection, but this is GORGEOUS. White eyelet with peachy satin bows? Virginal indeed!Natalia is like Jesse from last year but WAY prettier. *Sigh*, this looks like wearing a violet underneath your clothes.

This is Nicola. I SWOON. Oh my God, that floral print? DIE. That red edging with the red stockings is just so painfully gorgeous. I NEED IT.

What are you waiting for? FREAK OUT here!

Can you keep a secret?

Just when you thought the Karmaloop winter sale madness was over-- it's NOT. But of course, they kept it a very close-guarded secret... if you use the one-time code GOODS09 from now until February, you get 50% off!! Here's what I'd hit up, what with the limited dough I have remaining:I am way more Biggie than Tupac. However, Cubannie Links's Tupac Rosary is SO Lily Allen that I'm not sure I can resist! Crossing my fingers that the stupidly hot Tupac earrings will be back in stock soon!
Real Price: $30
With Code: $15

I am not allowed to wear this MOB shirt to school, and I can not find it in me to care. In other news, who can get over how hot that model is? I can't.

Real Price: $35

With Code: $17.50

This Steven Shein necklace was in Missbehave last fall and I still want it. It's so adorably tiny on the model, and I was smitten upon sight.

Real Price: $24

With Code: $12

Um, thank GOD for Karmaloop, right? Hit it up here, and don't forget to use GOODS09 at checkout!

Y Your friendly neighborhood Lolita