Sia's Elastic Heart Has Answers to All of Life's Questions.

Whether we admit it or not, we turn to pop culture for escape. And, for answers to questions life and people throw at us. So you cannot even begin to imagine my surprise when I found out how I could directly use the lyrics from Sia's epic breakup anthem Elastic Heart to answer some questions people are bound to ask me. No, really, have a look.

When I don't show up for my best friend's nephew's birthday?

And I wanted it, I wanted it bad
But there were so many red flags



Any exit interview question can be answered with:

I've got thick skin and an elastic heart
But your blade it might be too sharp


If the HR still prods and asks you why exactly you are looking to switch jobs:

I'm like a rubberband until you pull too hard
I may snap and I move fast
But you won't see me fall apart
'Cos I've got an elastic heart



When your old boss/ex/frenemy asks you how you are holding up these days:

You did not break me
I'm still fighting for peace



Client asks you which social media platforms or websites they should consider for a campaign:

Wanted to fight this war without weapons

Listen to a 14-year-old Give Sia a Run for her Money.

Sia has a voice with enough throw and depth to make you think she's been through pain all her life. The over the top lyrics of Elastic Heart provide the perfect showcase for her songwriting and singing. Although it also serves to show that at 39, which is slightly older for a pop star, she actually has a greater well of experiences to draw from. And then comes in Jannina Weigel - a 14-year-old South Asia who doesn't just nail her cover but with her own operatic but childlike voice lends this new found elegance to the song. It's almost Sia talks about hard-won wisdom and Jannina talks about a teenage love gone sour. Give this a listen. She is one to watch for. The next big stars won't be found by music producers. They will rise from YouTube.

You Will Love Listening to Tove Lo.

Never mind the fact that her name's a tongue twister. Tove Lo was more or less born on the scene as she says in one of her songs and I'm sure she will rule it in a few days. This Swedish pop import is one you need to pay heed to. She's made a name for herself writing songs for Icona Pop (the guys you remember from this Samsung commercial), Sia and others.

Her songs have this nice Euro-pop vibe with a easy foot-tapping groove. Perfect for clubs and pepping up your routine too. The lyrics are fairly basic but then again she's writing pop numbers. Credit to Tove, she can tap into some really reserves. Case in point is the single Habits where she talks about the nature of tweens to chase one high after another. As if hooked on the rush of not a particular drug, but the feeling of a rush.




Talking Body is the perfect showcase of her abilities as a songwriter and singer. She sounds the way Kylie Minogue did in the 90s. Her words are far from sweet. Donning the hat of agent provocateur - she gets straight to the point -  'If you love me right , We fuck for life , On and on and on.' Not big on subtlety but precise in describing how the youth short change a spark for the illusion of having found their one true soul mate.




Scream My Name is the song you can't help but dance to. Or want to dance to if you have two left feet like me. Both in its lyrics and its design, it sounds more like a hip hop number. And, I for one ain't complaining. Go give it a listen and start your love affair with Tove Lo.

Blast from the Past - Bindu Re Bindu Remix.

I usually don't give two hoots about remixes. They came in the early 2000s. They were a rage. Some were good. Most were mediocre fast-paced rehashes of good Hindi/Bollywood songs. Good thing we are through them now. This one here though, stood out. Might have to do something with Kunal Ganjawala's raspy voice. Maybe it's just the music video. This cute little video was played all the time on MTV. Even Channel V if you watched it.

Let's come down to the video, one thing that always helps popular music in well, becoming popular. This thing here was created by the good people of Studio Eeksaurus. They were the pioneers of animation in India. Remember the Amazon Battery's Last Long, Really Long video? It was also them. In fact, come up with any good animated commercials/videos in the past decade and chances are they came from Studio Eeksaurus.

I used to love this video while growing up. It looked quite groundbreaking in 2003 and a good 11 years later, I find it a little disturbing what with a creep stalker going after a girl and a cheeky upskirt shot thrown in for good measure. Guess you can get away with a lot of stuff when it's shown in animation.

Anywho, watch the video and take a trip down your 90s memory lane. Enjoy.

Escape.

Some head to the beaches. Others to parks. The shopaholics go to the stores. I head to the nearest bookshop when I need to escape. 

Waltzed in at Crossword during their book sale. Their discounts couldn't hold a candle to the discounts the online shopping goliaths offer. Even during a sale, the footfalls seemed scarce and the staff seemed lethargic too. Things don't bode well for these book stores and that worries me. Personally. My first proper date included a detour to the Landmark Bookstore for God's sake.