Brooklyn-based Xylos , deliver ethereal electro-pop replete with emotive songwriting. Singer Monika Heidermann's breathy vocals ascend alongside synth keyboards and echoing bass hits on tracks like "X-Ray" and " Second Order " off their self-titled debut album, available now. The band recently visited The Alternative Side to perform some songs for their In Session series. Xylos discussed how its been writing and recording their follow-up album, as well as some of the band members' more 'alternative' day jobs (SAT teacher, chair yoga instructor). Read the interview here. [...]
Emily Wells is an artistic enigma. The multi-faceted singer/songwriter incorporates classical instrumentation, soulful vocals and hip-hop production into her music, creating a striking contrast between hard and soft. A one woman show, Wells plays the violin, drums, guitar, analog synthesizers, beat machines, ukulele and cello - many of which she manages to juggle all during her live performances. Listen to her rich harmonies and arranging on "Take It Easy" Emily Wells - Take It Easy by St Mon Teruel [...]
Toronoto Synth-pop duo Trust are releasing their debut LP, TRST February 28, which features the newly released single, "Sulk." The industrial style track is soaked in heavy reverb, that pairs perfectly with vocalist Robert Alfons' brooding, lush vocals. Trust - Sulk (Single Edit) by Arts & Crafts The pair will be in NYC this March. Catch 'em if you can: 3/8 Mercury Lounge [...]
It's been a couple years since we've heard anything from the electro-maven Ladyhawke . Yet is seems her creative juices have been flowing and she's ready to release a new LP called Anxiety , which features this upbeat new single, “Black, White & Blue.” Expect to see a lot more from her this spring, as the LP streets March 19th. If the rest of the recording is anything like this poppy electro tune, it's sure to have people up on their dancing feet. [...]
Arctic Monkeys and Pulp's Richard Hawley have collaborated on a turbo-charged rock track titled, "You and I." Revved up on guitar riffs and open-road motifs such as, "the engine's running, can't decide if I should ride away," it has all the makings of a classic greased up rock track (ample guitar solos included). Though one would expect nothing less from two iconic British acts. Arctic Monkeys - You & I (Feat. Richard Hawley) by weallwantsome1
Miike Snow have released another track from their upcoming album Happy To You , out in March. The song "Paddling Out" is just as intoxicating as the former, " Devil's Work " released last month. Electric keyboard and percussion pairings make for a heady dance track that's more carefree than some of their more famously fervent strains. I can't wait to hear more. Tickets for Miike Snow's Happy To You Tour are on sale now. Paddling [...]
Grimes deliver an ethereal sensory experience. More than a band, they conceptualize their art beyond music and into performance, dance, video and 2D art. Lead singer Claire Boucher has an arresting voice that's paired with daydream-like melodies. Listening to Grimes may make you feel like you're floating away on a cloud - in other words light, tranquil, carefree. The busy duo is readying for the release of their EP Visions (their fourth in two years) out January 31st. I suggest familiarizing yourself with some of their older material, if you haven't already. As [...]
Santigold went " hard " and now she's going "big" with the release of "Big Mouth," her first video from her upcoming album, Master of My Make-Believe , slated for release in the spring. At one point in the song she insults Lady Gaga with the lyric, "Gaga-ga all slightly off/not me I take the loss.” In the video Gaga is animated as a mermaid wearing a crown--that gets devoured by a tiger with Kim Kardashian-length eyelashes. The crown is then taken as a prize and placed on a pedestal in what I'm guessing is Santigold's [...]
Minneapolis based Now, Now got their start fresh out of high school back in 2008. Since then they've traveled cross-country, gone on a European tour, shortened their name (formerly Now, Now Every Children) and have grown as songwriters and musicians. Their new album Threads is slated for release this spring via Trans Records. Produced by Howard Redekopp (Tegan and Sara, An Horse, New Pornographers), their emotive songs, paired with Cacie Dalager and Jess Abbott's delicate vocals make for a mesmerizing combination. Their single "School Friends" is a [...]
Berlin-based Dominique Dillon de Byington, aka Dillon , is a pretty young thing, at the fresh age of 19, with an arresting voice. It has some childlike qualities to it, reminiscent of Lykke Li, and also possesses a strong range. The songstress got her start posting videos on YouTube which led to gig offers and a growing following. Check out the striking and provocative "Thirteen Thirtyfive" below, record live at Studio 8 in São Paulo, Brasil. Dillon's debut album , This Silence Kills , is out now via BPitch. [...]
17 year old Sunik Kim of Beat Culture just released Tokyo Dreamer (January 15th), his second album in the past year. In his words, his music is comprised of "dense, atmospheric, messy glitch/dub songs." It's ambitious, experimental and invigorating. On Tokyo Dreamer the sound of water plays an integral role on the album, consistently cascading, crashing or falling (as the case may be) in the background of the majority of the tracks. Check out "Before You Go" below, and score a free download of the album over on his [...]
Portland-based duo Litanic Mask create haunting, echoing songs, ripe for the score of an epic film trilogy. Their ascending melodies build and swell, casting the listener into a synth haze. While the tracks on their SoundCloud page are listed as demos, they sound quite divine if you ask me. I couldn't pick just one track to share (as I said they are quite epic sounding) so please enjoy pursuing these and more songs on their SoundCloud page. LITANIC MASK [...]
Neon Hitch is a badass electro-pop vixen (and yes that is her real name). She's been performing in a variety of ways since she was a child. Traveling around with her parents in a caravan, she worked with them as a street performer, and by the age of four was traveling with a circus, where she picked up an array of talents including training as a trapeze artist, fire swinger and stilt walker. The BBC even filmed a documentary on her unconventional family. All grown up and realizing she possessed another [...]
Sultry electro-soul, I'm loving James Blake's latest track "Love What Happened Here" off his new EP of the same name. The three song EP is Blake's second EP and third release of the past year. The man clearly has a lot bubbling underneath the surface and isn't wasting any time in sharing what he's come up with. A motley assortment of rhythms and sounds, "Love What Happened Here" has got it all going on - a little jazz, R&B and of course electro goodness. Have a listen: [...]
Steve Bays and Parker Bossley (lead singer and bassist of Hot Hot Heat respectively) have been working on a side project by the name of Fur Trade . They've gradually released four songs to date on their tumblr , and plan to stick with this format in revealing additional songs from their project. Steve Bays' unmistakable voice rings out over cool guitar riffs and a cleaner more stripped down sound compared to that of Hot Hot Heat's fired up anthems. So if you were wondering (like me) what these Canadian blokes had been getting [...]
As 2011 comes to a close I give you, in no particular order, my list of the 25 best singles of the year. Click the selected links to hear the tracks. These songs will have you dancing, feeling nostalgic, and at times emotional, but always free. Enjoy, and as always, share your favorites in the comments. Happy New Year! Here's to another amazing year of music in 2012! 1. CANT - Believe CANT - Believe (taken from Dreams Come True - Terrible Records / [...]
Here's my list of the ten best/most memorable music videos of 2011! Add your faves in the comments! 1. Robyn - Call You Girlfriend 2. Skrillex - First of The Year (Equinox) 3. Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) 4. Air - Painted Love 5. Lykke Li - Sadness Is A Blessing [...]
These are the 20 albums that wowed me, stayed with me, and that I played incessantly this past year (with the exception of a couple end-of-year releases (e.g. Black Keys), but these late comers still deserve equal praise). They became my partners-in-crime for dashing around the streets of New York, getting revved up for a night out, or calming my nerves when I needed some peace of mind. Any of your favorites missing from this list? Share them in the comments! Click the links to hear samples from the albums. [...]
Trent Reznor & Karen O together equals the amazing, twisted, industrial "Immigrant Song." Collage created by David Fincher. Sink your teeth into this.
I don't know much about the band Juveniles aside from that they're French and they were featured on a Kitsune EP. What I do know is that they have a cool vibe, and make great synth-soaked rock songs. Check them out. Download their latest track "Hard Working Girl" for free on their website.
SoundDessert
![Santigold - Big Mouth [Music Video]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/youtube/cxdQ_uD5IWk_130.jpg)
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