JMG Top Ten For 2014

For the second year in a row, my favorite track of the year is by out and openly HIV+ singer/songwriter John Grant, whose collaboration with Hercules & Love Affair spawned a gorgeous modern dance video interpretation of Grant's tale of coming out positive to a lover. Culled from my Spotify playlists, here's my top ten for 2014.

1. John Grant - I Try To Talk To You
2. The 2 Bears - Not This Time
3. Duke Dumont - I Got U
4. Perfume Genius - Queen
5. Royksopp & Robyn - Monument
6. SBTRKT - New Dorp, New York
7. Clean Bandit - Rather Be
8. Dave Aude w/Andy Bell - Aftermath
9. Le1f - Boom
10. Bright Light Bright Light - I Believe

My 2013 list is here, my 2012 list is here. Let us know what your favorites for 2014 have been.

MORE FAVORITES:
Sufjan Stevens - A Little Lost
Erasure - Elevation
Aphex Twin - Minipops 67

Ballet House: Hercules & Love Affair's New Clip For Do You Feel The Same?

Back April, Hercules & Love Affair teamed up with gay singer/songwriter John Grant, whose 2013 hit Pale Green Ghosts topped my year-end list of favorites, for a song about coming out as HIV-positive. That video featured smoking hot dancers, as does this one. Via press release:

The inspiration for the video came from Hercules & Love Affair’s founder Andy Butler commenting on the close ties between ballet and dance music. “At the meeting with Defected, the eyes lit up, and I got to write an email to Josh Johnson, my friend at the Forsythe Company inviting him to get involved. “I have been a fan of the Forsyth ballet for many years, and was waiting for the moment to collaborate. We then dreamed up the idea of getting in touch with Bernhard Willhelm, a mutual friend and the whole thing was a go.” Bernhard Willhelm is a world renowned fashion designer, known for his love of incorporating absurdity into high end design, who lives and works between Vienna and LA. Starring (amongst others) Josh Johnson – a contemporary dancer and choreographer (for SAD) with the Forsythe Company (formerly the Frankfurt Ballet).

You may also know Hercules & Love Affair from their huge 2008 smash Blind. Great track, lovely vocals, gorgeous dancing.

John Grant - I Try To Talk To You

Gay singer/songwriter John Grant, whose 2013 hit Pale Green Ghosts topped my year-end list of favorites, has joined up with Hercules & Love Affair, whom you may know from their huge 2008 smash Blind. Great track, lovely vocals, gorgeous dancing.

UPDATE: Hercules & Love Affair's Andy Butler speaks about the lyrics: "I asked John to dig deep with his lyrical contribution. I had no idea he would dig so deep. He tackled the story of becoming HIV positive, and while I mentioned to him that he did not need to go there if he was not comfortable, in that beautifully punky, spirited and courageous way he has about him, he told me that was what the song was going to be about. What came of it is an elegant song featuring John pouring his heart out."