Readers who have been with me since the start of delicious days back in 2005 may still remember a feature my very first articles used to have: recommendations of my favorite tunes.

There are rarely idle cycles of my brain, I am constantly thinking about what to cook or bake the next day, which cookbook to purchase or the lovely Cara Cara oranges my neighborhood market stall currently has on display. But there is also a not negligible part of my heart, that is  perpetually  on the look-out for fab music. Do you know the feeling, when you stumble upon a new song or artist and you just cannot stop listening? That obsession is exactly what keeps me going.

I consider music essential for my day-to-day mood and could spent hours upon hours browsing for my next favorite.  Procrastination  made easy. It has become so easy to stay up-to-date  about new releases, today’s web offers hundreds if not thousands of high-quality music blogs and websites for every taste.  On top, the options to purchase or legally listen to music have multiplied. You’re literally  only a mouse-click away (anybody here remembering the times when ordering a 12” at your record shop could take … like … weeks?) .

Oliver used to make fun of me when I spent time compiling a dinner or holidays  playlist, but meanwhile he really appreciates it. The invaluable side effect: certain songs instantly bring back memories of our time spent in a cozy Parisian apartment or on a tiny tropical island. Just like food scents are able to bring back memories from your early childhood, a few tones can have the very same effect.

Since I’m currently kneedeep in recipe development for my next cookbook – read: thinking about food almost 24/7 -, I decided to revive my musical self here on delicious days and occasionally write about my favorite tunes again (no worries, food will remain the major subject).

One last thing: Just  recently I had a discussion on Twitter about the tools I use to discover, listen to or purchase music and was surprised to find out many options are still overlooked or unknown. Therefor, a list of my most used tools & sites:

iTunes:  media player for computer/mobile, still my first choice to purchase music  ($) or download podcasts
Amazon.de/Amazon.com: to purchase MP3s and the occasional “real” CD  ($)
YouTube & Vimeo: video platforms
Rdio, Juke:  (social) music service, on-demand streaming upon monthly subscription ($), limited availability
Soundcloud: fast-growing social music platform, that allows musicians/labels to distribute their tracks; users can listen to, sometimes even download music for free
exfm: a social music platform, great for discovering new tunes
8tracks: a social music platform to compile your own & discover other users’ playlists
websites of labels/artists & music weblogs: best news  resources

Now I’m dying to know: How important is music to you and how do you discover new tunes? What was your most recent find?

These are mine – admittedly I had a hard time breaking it down to only five… (the appetizers/links below will lead you to sample song clips or videos).

no.1

JON TALABOT – FIN
For lovers of supreme electronic music there is simply no way around Talabot’s brand new debut album. The Spanish producer has compiled a dark and captivating mix of house and disco tracks to leave you begging for more. Rumor has it some 12”s will follow soon. Very hot candidate for my favorite albums list of 2012.
Some appetizers…
So Will Be Now… feat. Pional (this song is pure dope and will haunt you forever)
Summerized mix  (a tantalizing, steamy Talabot mix (1.02.45) from last summer)

no.2

SOPHIA KNAPP – INTO THE WAVES
Since listening to the single  Close To Me her debut album (scheduled for Febuary 28th) ranks pretty high on my wish-list. Don’t let the acoustic start fool you, you are in for a surprise when the groove kicks in at 1.25. Hello 70s! Welcome sweet nostalgia!
Some appetizers…
Sophia Knapp – Close To Me

no.3

BURIAL – KINDRED (EP)
Ever since Burial’s masterpiece Untrue fans were dying for any new tone from William Bevan. Just released (only digitally) a couple of days ago, Kindred contains three dark-toned underground tracks, that begin to grow on you each time you hit repeat. Not for everybody, especially not for Burial beginners. My favorite: Ashtray Wasp
Some appetizers…
Burial – Kindred EP

no.4

DRIVE (Original Motion picture Soundtrack)
was not only one of my favorite movies to end 2011, its soundtrack is a gem in my soundtrack collection. Cliff Martinez has done an awesome job with Solaris’ score and Drive  may even top that. His soundscapes create sublime ambience, while the sweet vocal tunes are a reminisence to 80s synth pop – which I love dearly!
Some appetizers…
Desire – Under Your Spell  (not from Drive OST, but so so catchy: Desire – Don’t call)
College – A Real Hero
Just the Chromatics feature Tick Of The Clock was a slight letdown. Being a fan since their Night Drive album – especially noteworthy: the cover of Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill  or the Bruce Springsteen song I’m on Fire – the release of yet another Chromatics’ single (Lady) makes waiting for their next album Kill For Love more bearable, since its release date has been pushed back numerous times now.

no.5

OLIVER TANK – DREAMS (EP)
Responsible for the most dreamy and serene ambient tunes this talented Australian musician is not only 22 years young, but has  been named Wunderkind and compared to Bon Iver or James Blake by media around the globe. Whilst I’m rather  skeptic  when young artists are incessantly hyped, this guy deserves every single praise. And as if this wouldn’t suffice: He named Jon Hopkins an inspiration.
Some appetizers…
Oliver Tank – Last Night I Heard Everything in Slow Motion (Dream EP)
Oliver Tank – Past Present Future (a 15 minutes trip to another world)