Time to champion a champion, so to speak. Champion Sound Records to be more precise. The Belfast-based label have been absolutely killing it with their recent releases. Home to Ryan Vail - who made this delicious mix for us last week - and a handful of other great artists, they've upped their game again on latest release, I Cry . Featuring Gemma Dunleavy on (rather stunning) lead vocals, I Cry is the lead track from Unknown's [...]
I've always had a problem writing about bands that are just undoubtedly great. With Cowboy Indian Bear , we have a four piece of talented musicians who craft poppy, but smart rock tunes. A few weeks ago I caught Cowboy Indian Bear live and immediately knew I would have a problem communicating what just seemed to be inherent about this band...they're a solid group. It's a cop out I know, it's my job to fill your head with imagery, context, use the word "jangly" and "sun soaked", but sometimes a band does all the work for [...]
We're not sure how factual their band name is - but we like it. What we like even more is their music - the way it moves, flows and builds with an effortless momentum and dream-like quality. The group's second album, Think Tone , is released on July 9th via Fire Talk Record.
We've missed Islet and their own unique brand of leftfield mayhemic Pop. This track is out in the form of a limited 123 single and download via Shape Records label on 10th June. It is also gonna feature on the band's forthcoming record, Released By The Movement , which out later in the year. Welcome back Islet!
Texan artist Emily Wells released her debut, Mama, last year in the US and now the record has been picked up by Partisan and getting a deserved re-release. This track is a warped slice of Alt-Folk that balances the organic with the hypnotic and surreal - nice.
Our favourite LA avant-garde pop creators Fol Chen have teamed up with cassette label Kissability to release a cassette only remix of their track Boys in the Woods . The track is lifted from the group's latest record - the amazing The False Alarms (out now via Asthmatic Kitty). The release coincides with the band's forthcoming European tour which includes a special date at The Shacklewell Arms in London on June 5th. All other dates are below the stream. The cassette is out June 3rd on limited edition [...]
The VPME They take their name from a quote in Jules Verne's 2000 Leagues under the Sea; they play symphonic electronica with a dream pop sensibility and at times, they sound rather like Emily Haines fronting the Human League, or Ladytron as produced by Giorgio Moroder. It's cool and yet radiates warmth, aloof yet full of allure . Everything By Electricity produce electro pop infused with great melody and depth and as such is far more rewarding than the sort of throwaway nonsense that hangs around the charts giving electro pop a bad name. We may be [...]
Ann Pragg is the alter ego of Holopaw man Matt Radick and his new record, Bitter Moon , is a sombre and moody-as-fuck set that took near on eight years to complete. With his aching vocal and sweeping acoustic Radick's debut is as haunting as it is affecting - and the truth is we've been wandering within its realms for sometime now. The record is out now via Wonderland Archives - here's an exclusive listen to the title track.
Just a few weeks ago FatCat Records announced the signing of His Clancyness - the solo project of Canada's Jonathan Clancy. A cassette EP will see the light of day on May 20th featuring two new tracks from his forthcoming Vicious LP and, on the flip side, four of his bedroom recorded numbers that caused such an initial stir when they first surfaced. Machines was the lead track from the release and we were instantly hooked. Beautifully realised krautrock that channeled the heady eagerness of [...]
The VPME AELIUS is the name of Caesar Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus Buccellanus Augustus, or Hadrian to you and I. It's a pretty apt name for electro-duo Martin Roberts and Lee Tyler to have adopted as their collective musical moniker as they too, like Hadrian of yore, are adept at building huge walls. However unlike the Roman Emperor, AELIUS (the band) use the medium of sound to construct their walls, which is handy given that we are a music blog and not 'The Masonary' Magazine' . Their latest offering 'Echos [...]
The VPME AELIUS is the name of Caesar Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus Buccellanus Augustus, or Hadrian to you and I. It's a pretty apt name for electro-duo Martin Roberts and Lee Tyler to have adopted as their collective musical moniker as they too, like Hadrian of yore, are adept at building huge walls. However unlike the Roman Emperor, AELIUS (the band) use the medium of sound to construct their walls, which is handy given that we are a music blog and not 'The Masonary' Magazine' . Their latest offering 'Echoes [...]
You can almost feel the sun on your back as Jackson Scott croons and rambles along the path of lo-fi pop. This is an absolute delight - and his album, Melbourne , drops in July via Fat Possum - and yeah we can't wait.
Big Cosmos | El Palo Alto Big Cosmos have cracked it. After a 90-seconds of pretty synths, meditative percussion and drawn-out vocals, they bring in a chorus that simply sweeps you off your feet. They make it sound so damn easy they should expect a million-and-one bands begging them for the secret. But there isn't one, of course. You either have it or you don't; and Big Cosmos have it in spades. El Palo Alto is the track. It's the bands delightful [...]
The VPME The New Fabian Society unleash a brutal raw jackhammering sonic assault, imbued with the sort of dark drama bands like the Editors can only dream of aspiring to. The band describe themselves as a "bi polar 2 piece" which is apt as the contrasting emotions that range from rage to loathing to euphoria shine through on ' Cyclophymia' . It's a full-on adrenaline rush, a track that tears into your consciousness like an express train and then proceeds to drag you along in its thunderous slipstream. We've heard few songs this year to match [...]
It would be silly to judge a new artist specifically on the bands they've supported; but you can usually get some kind of idea of which branch their clambering along. Swimming Lessons is the solo project of Ben Lewis, and since setting out on this crazy old journey has played with the likes of Grimes, Tune-Yards and Of Montreal . Not too shabby at all, eh? Double is his latest track, and it's not hard to see why he's been invited in to the aforementioned circle. Dream-like in its outlook [...]
Royal Forest will suck you backwards through a psychedelic filter with a looping hook running on repeat - and guess what - you'll love every minute of it. The Austin band drop their new record, Spillway , on the 9th July via King Electric Record Company.
RocketNumberNine are London-based brothers Tom (drums) and Ben Page (synth) and their debut album, MeYouWeYou , is in the can and being released on July 30th via Smalltown Supersound. Oh you want some credentials before you go any further? How about supporting Four Tet and recording a track with Kieran Hebden at the desk? You want more? How about catching the attention of Thom Yorke and being invited to support Radiohead at the Roseland Ballroom in New York. OK now listen to the track - we're pretty sure it will seal the deal.
Crystal Castles will release a new album "Cave Rave" on May 27th, and they chose one of the best producers out there to remix their song "You & I": Gigamesh. He already made an incredible number of remixes, but never disappoint. As usual, Gigamesh brings his dose of grooviness and disco, to make the song more danceable. If you know his previous productions, you will easily recognise his sound identity. And the song can be yours for free!
Stones Throw Records recently released a series of 4 Flexidiscs with LA Records - the last disc in the series being this track from LA duo BoardWalk. Imagine Beach House on morphine and you're getting close to the mark - this is dream-pop that moves beyond the mellow and into the hypnotic.
LA-based producer Nosaj Thing has come out with a remix of Jon Hopkins song "Open Eye Signal," via Domino Record Co's soundcloud today! This remix along with edits from Happa, Lord of the Isles, and Luke Abbott will be available on a forthcoming 123 of Jon Hopkins' Immunity (Bonus Track Version) album. If you can't wait that long, the label has decided to give away this mp3 version of the Nosaj Thing's take on the song for free! Make sure to grab this one while it's hot! Also check the dates below of Jon Hopkins spring tour! You [...]
GoldFlakePaint
We Listen For You
Bowlegs Music Review
The VPME
Upside Sounds
MP3: Daft Punk – “Horizons” (RAM Japanese Bonus Track)
Daft Punk – “Doin’ It Right” ft. Panda Bear
Javelin – Light Out
