Even if you are a fan of Crystal Castles, you must admit that their recent album III , is a bit hard to get through. Their songs are built for raves… scary raves. Songs like "Kerosene" really make you wonder what you are actually listening to. But thankfully, Crystal Castles are not a one trick pony. They have a soft side. Weirdly enough, I might like their soft side more than their rave side. "Child I Will Hurt You" is a slow ballad, but does not stray away from Crystal Castles' dark side. It's nice to hear this kind [...]
Yes, "Monster" by Magic Man is not new by any means. In fact the track was released almost 3 years ago on the album, Real Life Color . And Lower Frequencies, as a blog, almost never posts tracks older than 6 months. This will be our one exception. There are not a lot of bands that you truly believe in. That may not be on the iPods of millions now, but you could see blowing up if only they were given a chance. Magic Man is that band, the one we truly believe in. With a new album coming [...]
Is Maths Time Joy the best producer from London since James Blake? Tracks like "Let Go" seem to suggest the possibility. I meant check out 1:51. The influx of synths, sounds incredibly alike the gigantic climax of James's Blake CMYK , one of my favorites from his collection. This guy has got the talent to make it big, you better watch him. [...]
Saturday Night Gym Club's, "I Know" immediately reminded me the cut up, dismantled sound of Kids & Explosions . We are so used to hearing normal vocals, words that make sense to us. So when Ellie Walker's mumbled, diced up vocals come on, it is a startling surprise. But Saturday Night Gym Club cuts up the vocals so elegantly, that it seems somehow to be in control. Its that control, better yet the dichotomy and control and chaos, that Saturday Night Gym Club thrive on. [...]
Here's a fun track by Gangplans, formerly known as Nazcar Nation. They have collaborated with Steffaloo and Pandreas to make “Like We Never Have,” a glowing, electro mix. Lots of sparkling synths and bubbly guitar to get you ready for the weekend. Download MP3
Starred's " No Good " was a fantastic, hazy track released back in July. The band has an EP called Prison To Prison out now with "LA Drugs" as its third track. It is aptly titled, as it has a very druggy, foggy sound. One could even compare them to early Beach House, a comparison that would be quite hard to live up to. But who knows, Starred definitely has potential and I am looking forward to seeing what they do in the upcoming years. [...]
Paradise is a UK duo who made their debut only a few weeks ago. "Blue Flower" is the B-side to that single and is actually a cover of the original by 19702s german band, Slapp Happy. Paradise's version is both cerebral and epic. The track begins very slowly, with echoing vocals, and bright guitar. It grows and grows until we are hit with a large, heroic chorus singing the hook. Sure, it's the oldest trick in book, but it weirdly feels like a while since I have heard it been used. [...]
It always feels very profound when an artist, who generally lives out of the spotlight, releases music that is revealing, almost autobiographical. Take Frank Ocean for example. His album, "Channel Orange" revealed a side of Ocean that we had never seen before, his sexuality. As soon as he came out as homosexual, his music suddenly became deeper, realer. Earl Sweatshirt stopped making music and was sent to Somoa by his mother. His absence from Odd Future raised many questions. Was he ever coming back? Why did he leave? Did he leave on his own will? Earl Sweatshirt was a mystery, [...]
Flume is the moniker for 20-year old Australian Harley Streten. Although he is quite young, his music can easily be compared to that of Flying Lotus and Gold Panda . It's as if he has been in the music business for years. His beats move from choppy, looped beats to slow grooves without a hitch. Although this track came out a while ago, his debut LP in which this track is featured in comes out on Nov. 9. Check it out for more awesome Flume. [...]
Child Actor is a dream pop group from Boston. Sedgie Ogilvy's voice floats smoothly on top of an atmospheric, foggy synth beat. These guys are definitely not re-inventing the wheel here, but they are just unique enough to give the genre a breath of a fresh air. Thanks to Brett for the submission! And HAPPY HALLOWEEN! [...]
I have been putting S O H N's recent track, " The Wheel " on repeat for some time now. "Red Lines" is another release from his upcoming EP which will be released on Nov 5th. At 3:00, the track switches up completely, introducing a fast staccato vocal beat. This seems to be S O H N's speciality. It may be an identity marker for his music. Well keep doing what your doing S O H N, cause you've got be hooked. [...]
Manchester DJ and "dub-techno" artist, Andy Stott released his second album, Luxury Problems , today. "Numb" is the opener and it features features vocal contributions from Alison Skidmore, Stott's former piano teacher. Much of the track is just her singing and Stott looping and overlaying her voice. When the beat comes in a few minutes into the song, suddenly the song because much more haunting then it seemed to be. Halloween is right around the corner and this is the perfect song to get your goosebumps started. [...]
Sarah Blasko is an Australian singer-songwriter who is came out with her 5th studio album today. This track, "I Awake" is very reminiscent of Lykke Li's hard hitting drums and vocals in " Get Some ." Blasko sings, "I’ve tried to make this life my own/ To find myself, I’ve searched alone/ To let love go and let it in/ I found it burning like a sin." There is clearly a lot of emotion built up in Ms. Blasko. Luckily, she has the pipes to release it. [...]
The genre of The Denzels lies somewhere between surf pop and pure indie rock. The opening riff of "Black Girls" is something straight off of a Drums record. But things change when we hear the voice of the lead vocalist, who sounds like Hamilton Leithauser from The Walkmen. No longer is this band just another one trick pony. The vocals are what keeps this band interesting. Definitely check out the rest of their EP here . [...]
When I saw the Dirty Projectors live in Brooklyn last summer, what amazed me the most was their ability to synchronize all their voices while they move in every which direction. I would try to comprehend how some of them were, individually, making the sounds they made, but at the same time how the collective sound somehow was forming. Their skill is impeccable. I can't credit Dave Longstreth completely, but it does seem like this band is his brainchild. In this track, Dave sings about TV On The Radio's bassist, Gerard Smith, who passed away from lung cancer in 2011. [...]
Santah is a Chicago band who just recently released their EP, You're Still A Lover . "Indigo" is a slow-drive track, mixing organ chords and methodic guitar melodies with ease. The real highlight comes 3:40 when an burst of emotion is released unexpectedly. This band definitely got overlooked when they released their LP, White Noise Bed , so hopefully this new EP gives them the attention they deserve. [...]
Before you go crazy, no this is not a new Bon Iver Song. I am sorry. However, this is a recording of "Beth/Rest" that you probably have never heard before. Sometimes, alternative recordings are exactly what you need to recognize just how prolific an artist is. Justin Vernon is a musical genius and this solo piece makes sure that you never forget that. [...]
Finally! It's been a long wait for the second LP from Los Angeles rockers, Local Natives. Gorilla Manor was released back in November of 2009 and was chock full of fantastic hits such as " Airplanes " and " Wide Eyes ." It was, and still is, the perfect music to play at a picnic on a sunny day in the park. And now they are back. "Breakers" is the first single off the upcoming LP, Hummingbird . According to Pitchfork , the band produced the album along with National's Aaron Dessner. This is great news [...]
Springtime Collector's music video for "Collector" is a one-frame-a-second visual with lots of vintage pics and half-naked women. The blurb reads, "I am a traveler and my highways are circuit boards leading to you. You don’t know me, but long ago in another age we dined together in a ballroom in Versailles. I was the girl in the green evening gown and the shattered glass slippers. You kissed my hand. We were lovers once. We met in the park; on a pier; in the first-class cabin of the Titanic. We sank with the ship. I have written songs [...]
This seems to be the age of elctro-pop. Hoards and hoards of groups are releasing great tracks one after another. Just in the past few week or so we have covered Blackbird Blackbird , S O H N , and CHVRCHES . And today, we have yet another electro-pop group from Brooklyn called HAERTS. However, the fact that there is an abundance of this genre out today does not take away from the genre as a whole. Take "Wings" for example, HAERTS debut single. What is special here is the power and drive of the female vocalist. [...]
Lower Frequencies
Boards of Canada – Reach For The Dead
Ace by @thebigsleepnyc #nowplaying
Spicy Tempeh and Broccoli Rabe Protein Punched by City Light, Magic Man and Smallpools
HAERTS: “All The Days”
