southern rock // soul Sothern rock bursting with soul! Alabama Shakes amplify my love for music. Their powerful groove and vigorous energy makes me a little less sad about great 602s acts I was born too late to see live. Janis Joplin meets Nina Simone rocking out with The Black Keys, shedding gleams of hope to shake loose dusty spirits. Turn it up. Alabama Shakes - Hold On (stream only) [...]
soul // soft r&b The transatlantic success of British retro-soul singers is nothing new. From Amy Winehouse to Adele, British female artists have been strongly dominating the musical landscape for nearly a decade. LeaLea Jones delivers that kind of British retro-charm with an über-cool beat that brings to mind such Aurgasm favourites as Anjulie and Corinne Bailey Rae . She first captured my attention back in 2010 with her catchy single "Cake" and is currently working on her debut album. "Dry", taken from the upcoming album, [...]
alternative rock Of all the songs I love with endless feeling or thought attachable, Kinnie Starr 's "Friendship and Creativity" goes beyond; joining core values of who I am. Her confrontational statements unsettle then affirm as she slides between tranquil and stern, with music swelling among concerns, confusion, and vehement frustration. It's her direct, lively and personal manner that resonates viscerally in me, and this hasn't been matched since discovery in 2000. She speaks to and of humanity, tying into her honest desires and one simple, nakedly exposing wish. (thx, [...]
electronic // future garage An idiophone is any musical instrument which creates sound primarily by way of the instrument's vibrating, without the use of strings or membranes. Steel drums, or more appropriately known as steel pans, are mallet-struck toned ideophones and seemingly fit extremely well in the post-dubstep world of "future garage", "wonky" or essentially 20112s evolution of 2-step. Balanced very well against the gravity percussion, unintelligible vocals and a sweet and salacious bassline provide a warm bed. My recommendation: listen but turn it up and drop in in at 3:45. Sublime. [...]
pop // folk Armed with her distinct multilingual vocals and an array of instruments, including toy piano, accordion, violin and percussion, French-American chanteuse Maïa Vidal crafts sweet and quirky pop-folk songs. Maïa's debut album God is My Bike (2011) falls somewhere in between the sweet melancholy of Alondra Bentley, charming cabaret pop of Lonely Drifter Karen and Jessica Fichot's tender waltzes. "Follow Me", featured here, gives a good taste of Maïa's quirky, yet accessible and playful songwriting. Whimsical folksy melodies. [...]
electronic // future garage Between toned white noise, spherical raindrops whet the aural palette. A "precisely manipulated diva wails soon balancing the harsher static sounds. The drop is wonderful, with the static sounds omitted and replaced by a driving 4×4 rhythm that is equal in prominence to the the pad arrangement, whilst vocal clips fill atmospheric gaps " . Sensual, simple, and satisfying. Tones and tastes. Koreless - MTI + Purchase/Visit
dance // acoustic techno Brandt Brauer Frick, a Berlin trio of classically trained musicians, redefines 21st century dancefloor music by playing deep house, minimal electro and techno beat with pianos, drums, strings, glockenspiels and even a rainstick. While their incredibly dynamic debut LP You Make Me Real (2010) ranges from infectious house loops to raw and jazzy textures, the trio pushes the envelop further. Recently Brandt Brauer Frick expanded to a ten-piece ensemble so they can play completely live. Mr. Machine (out on October 25) offers some new pieces along purely acoustic re-interpretations of [...]
Sub // Soul // Chill One could consider Submotion Orchestra a loungy exponent of the dubstep genre. This, however, would do them no justice. The tracks are crafted with more skill and consideration than the average 'lounge' sounds, while the subtle approach has nothing to do with the blunt destruction radiated from the average dubstep track. The debut album 'Finest Hour' consists of a collection of soulful tracks, pulsating with sub bass fueled emotions & intricate downtempo rhythms, while able to hold their own when stripped down to an acoustic rendition (like the one [...]
Funk // Beats // Soul Lack Of Afro aka Adam Gibbons has released his third album already, and for lovers of funk, beats and soulful production he should not be a stranger. Often compared to the sound of an early DJ Shadow and besides producing his own LP's also a producer of acts like The Diplomats of Solid Sound and Frootful , this funky dude is also a frequently asked remixer. Like Mark Ronson, but sans the cheeky funk covers, Lack Of Afro rolls with original samples mixed [...]
Quirky // Retro Synth // Funk Beta Hector makes retro funky space jams. Sprung from the mind of Simon Hill, the former bass player for retro funk outfit Baby Charles, this project sees a healthy contribution by the raw soul vocals of Dionne Charles. Her voice fits the bolder tracks on Sunbeam Insulin , while for the more subtle tracks Sarah Gardner provides trippy, haunting vocals. The sounds are best described as retro synth soul, with some tracks applying a more funky drum [...]
italian acoustic // singer-songwriter Despite Italy's long and diverse popular music tradition, some seem to equate Italian music exclusively with Canzone Napoletana , grandiose film scores and heart breaking ballads of such artists as Eros Ramazzotti or Laura Pausini. Italy's vibrant contemporary pop scene is a little known secret. Erica Musci, better known as Erica Mou, is one of the most promising talents coming from Italy's singer-songwriter scene in the recent years. Erica's album È (2011) is a collection of raw, warm and intimate songs, evoking true Italian spirit with [...]
indie folk // rock "How long can you disguise what you feel with a song?" is my favorite lyric from one of the more intriguing albums I've heard. Infantree 's Would Work is similar to what a present-day Déjà Vu might be: deeply poetic with louder rock, banjo-fringed folk and baroque styling. Strong lead vocals, each unique to their three songwriting members, and marvelous harmonies stay my attention alongside progressive musical arrangements. Every song is a [...]
tropical pop // indie folk The sunny calypso pop of Jonquil is somewhat of surprise considering the band hails from the decidedly untropical Oxford, England. Geographical location aside, the four-piece's effervescent indie pop is vibrant, uplifting, and completely infectious. If the horns, keyboards, tropical percussion and uptempo guitars weren't enough, Hugo Manuel's falsetto soars through each song with an anthemic flair. "Fighting Smiles" and "Get Up" from their One Hundred Suns EP are a must-have for your summer playlist. Tropical pop with an English twist. [...]
chamber folk // singer-songwriter Danish-born and Berlin-based songstress Agnes Obel possesses a natural sense of tone and melody as well as a truly faultless voice. The beautifully crafted somber folk melodies of her debut album Philharmonics (2010) linger in the air and stir the heart. While Agnes vocal delivery brings to mind the long-time Aurgasm favourite Ane Brun , the album ranges from romantic quirkiness of Joanna Newsom to echoes of Debussy. European readers might recognize the bright melody of "Just So", as the song was used by German telecommunications company [...]
icelandic composer // contemporary classical The cinematic nature of Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson's work has led him to work on countless soundtracks for documentaries, shorts and feature films. And In The Endless Pause There Came The Sound Of Bees (2010), composed as a soundtrack for Marc Craste's award winning animated film Varmints, embodies ghostly choirs, gentle strings, lyrical piano, all wrapped in the barely perceptible electronic processing that Jóhannsson is known for. Largely orchestral and choral, it is recommended for those of you, who enjoy the electronic synthesis of Fennesz, Icelandic melancholia [...]
icelandic composer // contemporary classical The cinematic nature of Icelandic composer Jóhann Jóhannsson's work has led him to work on countless soundtracks for documentaries, shorts and feature films. And In The Endless Pause There Came The Sound Of Bees (2010), composed as a soundtrack for Marc Craste's award winning animated film Varmints, embodies ghostly choirs, gentle strings, lyrical piano, all wrapped in the barely perceptible electronic processing that Jóhannsson is known for. Largely orchestral and choral, it is recommended for those of you, who enjoy the electronic synthesis of Fennesz, Icelandic melancholia [...]
cinematic // vocal orchestral Woodkid (Yoann Lemoine) is probably best known for his work directing films for artists like Katy Perry and Taylor Swift , but those successes haven't kept him from expanding his talent into new realms. With booming drums, powerful brass, and fluttering woodwinds, the uncomplicated title track to his premier EP "Iron" (accompanied by an eery and equally beautiful video) makes you feel like you've entered an epic battle from which there is no turning back. Powerful simplicity flush with presence. [...]
americana // bluegrass When music reminds me of home, it stirs up childhood joys and fantastic daydreams of life yet lived. Vocal tones threading struggle with hope, telling lyrics backed by bluegrass or folk-rock, with mandolin and banjo especially hitting that note. Gavin Glass does this, as does Sarah Jarosz . On her debut, Song Up In Her Head , she captures escaping wonder with inner intimacy that's incredible to realize is the work of a 17 year-old. [...]
Songwriter // Jazz // Soul Stac (Stacey Dowdeswell) is signed to London based label Wah Wah 45s and her debut album Turn That Light Out was released June 21st 2010. This album is produced by label mate Scrimshire & engineered by previously featured Benedic "Nostalgia 773 Lambdin . The album's ten tracks have since been remixed into a pair of remix albums ( vol.1 & vol.2 ) featuring versions by Bonobo, Kidkanevil, Hint, Ashley Beedle, Natural Self & TM Juke. [...]
dance-funk // latin funk Los Amigos Invisibles, possibly Venezuela's greatest musical export, has been active for more than a decade. The band's latest release, Not So Commercial (2011) offers remastered b-sides and alternate versions from previous recording sessions, following the successful, critically acclaimed and Grammy winning record Commercial (2009). This quick 25 minutes EP, however, offers some tasty "leftovers" for your next party. From funky-disco to reggae stylings and smooth acid groove, this EP will please your ears and move your feet. Explosive, [...]
aurgasm
Sleigh Bells - Demons (Official Music Video)
The Rains of Castamere by The National
A-Trak & Dillon Francis - "Money Makin'" (Official Video)
DIIV "How Long Have You Known?" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
Nas - Daughters
Bison - Quill
Neutral Milk Hotel- Aeroplane Over the Sea
Shinichi Osawa – Big Beach Mix 2012
