Some nice little bits and bobs this month, and a few absolute tunes, as you can see below. Enjoy!
10
Joyce
"Keep the Lights On" (Bayou Remix)
A more approachable, uplifting and altogether more addictive version of the synthpop singer's single, thwacking us with a beat as opposed to the original's subtle shuffle.
9
Disclosure
"Boiling" (feat. Sinead Harnett)
Slight, gorgeous ambient 2 step by the rising stars of the genre, with ethereal vocals provided by Sinead Harnett.
8
Yppah
"Soon Enough" (feat. Anomie Bell)
Relatively unknown electronica act pull out this acoustically driven, haunting number from their subtle yet effective "Eighty One" record.
7
Jessie Ware
"110%"
Airy, gentle and hypnotic ambient techno, this is further proof how relevant Jessie Ware is as a solo artist, showcasing her aching, seductive tones as opposed to utilizing those pipes to the full potential we've all heard from her.
6
Major Lazer
"Get Free" (feat. Amber of Dirty Projectors)
Sounding as much like a Dirty Projectors song as a Major Lazer one, this unusual yet compelling reggae number is besmirched with spiralling clean guitars (that would've fit perfectly well on DP's excellent last record "Bitte Orca") and Amber's ever-alarming yelps and hollers.
5
Orbital
"Wonky" (feat. Lady Leshurr)
Absolutely brilliantly bonkers electro-techno-whatever track, totally redefining the band, with a riviting performance by energetic rapper Lady Leshurr. Check out The Knife-esque mid-section. Crazy good.
One of the funniest videos I've seen in a while also. Treat your kitty right.
4
Elliphant
"Techno Scene" (feat. Adam Kanyama)
A knockout Electro-Hop/Dancehall number from none other but the country of weird-out electro itself, Sweden. Elliphant's flourishes in her ghetto persona, with a chorus hook that is impossible to ignore, and those beats and siren synths are spot on.
3
Mister Lies
"Cleam"
Mister Lies resides somewhere between where Burial lays to rest and The Weeknd gets up in the morning. Shimmering ambient R&B beats and gentle pads give way to distant guitar chords and mangled yet lovely vocal samples. Just as gorgeous, if not moreso, than anything The Weeknd has produced thus far.
2
Lotus Plaza
"Strangers"
Whereas Deerhunter's lead singer Bradford Cox's solo outfit Atlas Sound showcases where all the odd and crazy comes from in his main band, the lead guitarist Lockett Pundt's solo outfit Lotus Plaza shows us where beautiful tracks such as "Earthquake" and the unforgettable "Desire Lines". From latest record "Spooky Action at a Distance", "Strangers" follows the dramatic structure of "Desire Lines", but whilst "Desire Lines" plowed mercilessly on until it consumed itself, the lead guitar line of the "Strangers" outro soars freely into the sky, and the track slows down purposely once, then twice, before the track evaporates completely.
1
Jessie Ware
"Running"
Embodying the essence of the best songs Sade has created in her lifetime, Jessie Ware's voice ranges from a murmur to a triumphant, desperate cry of "It keeps happening", as the lush, soulful backing irresistibly serenades her in return and challenges her remarkable voice to better things. The songwriting is complex yet head and shoulders above anything in the charts for years. This girl deserves to be as big as her voice.
Monday, 30 April 2012
Lana Del Rey feat. Azealia Banks - Blue Jeans (Smims&Belle Remix)
It's hard to know what exactly is going on as the remix begins, sounding like a dreary sub-par ambient take on Lana Del Rey's porno-blues number "Blue Jeans", but then it suddenly morphs into an electro house goliath out of the blue, with Ms Banks spitting her heart out. The word "Gangsta" loops a lot, which should give you a fair idea as to this remix's aspirations. Interesting also to note that the masterminds behind this mix are none other than members of Foster The People.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Elliphant - TeKKno Scene (feat. Adam Kanyama)
Sweden is known for it's weird pop music scene, from The Knife's otherworldly squeals and blips to Robyn's androgynous ghetto princess persona. So it's no surprise to find that Elliphant is from Stockholm. First appearing over here in the UK in an "introducing" article in The Guardian, with an "Eye of the Tiger"-sampling, droning piece of Swede-lectro pop, "In The Jungle", that was a bit hard to swallow, but follow up release "TeKKno Scene" goes down a treat. A moombahton rhythm propels the track underneath Diplo-favoured synth sirens, and Elliphant's distorted rapping sounds like a call to arms and the dance-floor simultaneously. This isn't the last we've heard from her.
Monday, 23 April 2012
An Interview with My Plastic Sun.
My Plastic Sun is a 3 piece psychadelic rock band from Rochester NY. Formed less than a year ago, founding members Roy (drums, samples, backing vox) and Johnny (lead singer, pianist and guitarist) recruited guitarist Sam a few months after. After online exposure of their haunting rock ballad "Give it All Away" gained them an online fanbase, I finally managed to catch up with them to find out a bit more about this mysterious trio.
Me: How do you all know each other? Is this current line-up the original one?
Sam: We all had played in the studio together, and knew each other from bands around town. The original line up started as Roy and Johnny in the studio, and then they were smart enough to add me a few months ago.
The band's been together a matter of months. That's not a long time at all, yet you seem to have already built up a fanbase online... did the band gig a lot when you started out?
Roy: Well... We started in the studio because of our shared interest in music. And, being that we're basically brand new and getting songs together, our debut gig is May 4th.
To new listeners, I would describe your music as atmospheric, emotional post-rock, if I was feeling particularly aloof and pretentious that day, and I would definately recommend you to fans of slightly "progressive" and "intelligent" rock music like Deerhunter and Radiohead... would you say these are fair recommendations? Are you fans of music like that?
Roy: Yeah, we like a lot of ambient modern indie bands, as well as major acts like Radiohead. But... I also love the great writers from the 60's, like Bacarach, The Beatles, and Brian Wilson
Johnny: Yeah, some of my favorite music has really catchy melodies, and is typically really hooky, and when you dissect them you get to see how well put together it is.
Sam: I like pretty much all the music I get to hear, but there is definitely something about My Plastic Sun that keeps me super interested, especially when Johnny sings to us.
The sixties melodies definately show in the vocal melodies, the airy vibe of "Give it All Away" in Johnny's voice especially. Do you have any singers that inspired you particularly Johnny?
Johnny: Definitely influenced by the Beatles early on in my life, and in particular, McCartney's vocal inflections wore off on me. Later on I was def' influenced by Thom Yorke.
Some might say you sound like Thom Yorke without marbles in his mouth.
Johnny: That's because I spit them out before each take.
Despite the intelligent rock label I'm unfairly putting on you, there are multiple sides to your music, most noticably an emotional side and a rocking side. To a new listener, "Give it All Away" could almost be by a different band to "Silicone Junkie". How would you catagorize the band? Or would you at all?
Johnny: generally we're a psychedelic melodic rock band, however we dont liked to feel boxed in musically. Much like the Beatles Albums, we like to explore a wide range of things, depending on what inspires us. The song "House of Fun" is very bouncy and upbeat, whereas Silicon Junkie is slicing and aggressive, and a song like "Falling Awake" is lush with an emphasis on melody.
Roy: Yeah, exactly... Always intrigued by The White album, and a writer and band that would put "I Will" and "Helter Skelter" or "Julia" and "Yer Blues" on the same disk... Why not?
One thing I admire about you as a band is the songwriting, which is of a standard that I personally thing is incredibly rare in the current music industry, where fitting into a scene seems more important than writing a good song regardless of genre. The referencing of the Beatles is certainly clear, My Plastic Sun's songs have a timeless quality to them. As a band, do you share the songwriting duties or is there on key member who writes all your material?
Roy: Initially, Johnny and I co-wrote everything. Now with Sam in the band, we are writing a lot more as a band. Silicone Junkie represents a collective band effort.
Did you bring some kick ass riffs with you when you came then Sam?
Sam: I'd like to think they were pretty kick ass.
Roy: He better have a lot more in him.
I would hazard a guess that Silicone Junkie is the most fun to play. What inspired that song?
Johnny: I don't know what inspired it musically aside from just riffing around.
Roy: Lyrically it's kind of fun filled paranoia.
Where do you take inspiration to write lyrics from?
Roy: Always from personal experience some of it psychedelic, some of it literal, some of it metaphorical... We all like to read a lot.
What do you mean by psychedelic experience?
Roy: In America, the proper response is "I plead the 5th"
Johnny: Let's just say that too much cough syrup is never a good thing.
"Give it all away" was obviously the first song to gain you attention, and the first song I personally heard and was blown away by. Is that a particularly personal one?
Johnny: Yeah it's reflective, of the human journey.
Roy: Without getting too deep, there's a zen buddhist philosophy that underlies the lyrical intentions.
Go on, humour me.
Roy: Well, musicially, the song was a real challenge to record, with over 120 tracks, the majority of them played by Johnny, and programmed by me. Lyrically, it's very straight forward and direct.
Johnny: I think it's reflective of everything that you don't need in life. And that the only thing that truely exists is the present moment.
You recently filmed a video for the song. Who directed it? Did it reflect the message of the song well?
Roy: It was directed by the Olson brothers, who were a blast to work with, and super talented. We gave them complete artistic control of the scripting and vision for direction of the video. We felt really lucky that they would choose to work with us. The outcome was beautiful, but really their creation.
It's got a very "magical" and otherworldly feel, it feels quite escapist, as does the song it's for. Are there any more videos in the pipeline?
Roy: There are some live videos coming up in the next couple of months. And actually, a live performance by Johnny on the acoustic piano of Falling Awake to be posted in a week or so.
Now My Plastic Sun is a very deep, meaningful band with a skill in the long forgotten art of songcraft and a philosophical lyrical outlook... but there must be some bad taste amoungst the three of you somewhere, some bizarre influence...
Sam: I have a cover of a Ke$ha song online.*
...and there it is.
Johnny: I kinda dig Journey.
Who doesn't?
Roy: I like Procol Harum and Cormac McCarthy's writing.
I think yours are pretty lame Roy. I was hoping you were a Kylie Minogue superfan, but alas.
Roy: Honestly, I have no freaking idea who Kylie Minogue is, but I can sing for you the entire Procol Harum first album from start to finish.
I had a feeling after I wrote that you'd say that. She's freaking massive over here in the UK. I keep forgetting how damn big and, y'know, non-UK the US is.
Roy: Yeah, after Americans missed out on Marc Bolan, it's gotten worse ever since.
Johnny: I've been known to rock out to the Ting Ting's "Thats not my name"
Anything else you need to exorcise?
Roy: I will not exorcise my demons, just hug them...
Johnny: I would now like to plug my new cook book. But we can rain check.
Really?
Johnny: Only kidding.
Get in touch with My Plastic Sun at the following links.
Facebook.
YouTube.
Twitter.
Don't forget to catch their debut gig at Sticky Lips in Rochester NY on May 4th!
(*Unfortunately, Sam has asked me not to post the link)
Me: How do you all know each other? Is this current line-up the original one?
Sam: We all had played in the studio together, and knew each other from bands around town. The original line up started as Roy and Johnny in the studio, and then they were smart enough to add me a few months ago.
The band's been together a matter of months. That's not a long time at all, yet you seem to have already built up a fanbase online... did the band gig a lot when you started out?
Roy: Well... We started in the studio because of our shared interest in music. And, being that we're basically brand new and getting songs together, our debut gig is May 4th.
To new listeners, I would describe your music as atmospheric, emotional post-rock, if I was feeling particularly aloof and pretentious that day, and I would definately recommend you to fans of slightly "progressive" and "intelligent" rock music like Deerhunter and Radiohead... would you say these are fair recommendations? Are you fans of music like that?
Roy: Yeah, we like a lot of ambient modern indie bands, as well as major acts like Radiohead. But... I also love the great writers from the 60's, like Bacarach, The Beatles, and Brian Wilson
Johnny: Yeah, some of my favorite music has really catchy melodies, and is typically really hooky, and when you dissect them you get to see how well put together it is.
Sam: I like pretty much all the music I get to hear, but there is definitely something about My Plastic Sun that keeps me super interested, especially when Johnny sings to us.
The sixties melodies definately show in the vocal melodies, the airy vibe of "Give it All Away" in Johnny's voice especially. Do you have any singers that inspired you particularly Johnny?
Johnny: Definitely influenced by the Beatles early on in my life, and in particular, McCartney's vocal inflections wore off on me. Later on I was def' influenced by Thom Yorke.
Some might say you sound like Thom Yorke without marbles in his mouth.
Johnny: That's because I spit them out before each take.
Despite the intelligent rock label I'm unfairly putting on you, there are multiple sides to your music, most noticably an emotional side and a rocking side. To a new listener, "Give it All Away" could almost be by a different band to "Silicone Junkie". How would you catagorize the band? Or would you at all?
Johnny: generally we're a psychedelic melodic rock band, however we dont liked to feel boxed in musically. Much like the Beatles Albums, we like to explore a wide range of things, depending on what inspires us. The song "House of Fun" is very bouncy and upbeat, whereas Silicon Junkie is slicing and aggressive, and a song like "Falling Awake" is lush with an emphasis on melody.
Roy: Yeah, exactly... Always intrigued by The White album, and a writer and band that would put "I Will" and "Helter Skelter" or "Julia" and "Yer Blues" on the same disk... Why not?
One thing I admire about you as a band is the songwriting, which is of a standard that I personally thing is incredibly rare in the current music industry, where fitting into a scene seems more important than writing a good song regardless of genre. The referencing of the Beatles is certainly clear, My Plastic Sun's songs have a timeless quality to them. As a band, do you share the songwriting duties or is there on key member who writes all your material?
Roy: Initially, Johnny and I co-wrote everything. Now with Sam in the band, we are writing a lot more as a band. Silicone Junkie represents a collective band effort.
Did you bring some kick ass riffs with you when you came then Sam?
Sam: I'd like to think they were pretty kick ass.
Roy: He better have a lot more in him.
I would hazard a guess that Silicone Junkie is the most fun to play. What inspired that song?
Johnny: I don't know what inspired it musically aside from just riffing around.
Roy: Lyrically it's kind of fun filled paranoia.
Where do you take inspiration to write lyrics from?
Roy: Always from personal experience some of it psychedelic, some of it literal, some of it metaphorical... We all like to read a lot.
What do you mean by psychedelic experience?
Roy: In America, the proper response is "I plead the 5th"
Johnny: Let's just say that too much cough syrup is never a good thing.
"Give it all away" was obviously the first song to gain you attention, and the first song I personally heard and was blown away by. Is that a particularly personal one?
Johnny: Yeah it's reflective, of the human journey.
Roy: Without getting too deep, there's a zen buddhist philosophy that underlies the lyrical intentions.
Go on, humour me.
Roy: Well, musicially, the song was a real challenge to record, with over 120 tracks, the majority of them played by Johnny, and programmed by me. Lyrically, it's very straight forward and direct.
Johnny: I think it's reflective of everything that you don't need in life. And that the only thing that truely exists is the present moment.
You recently filmed a video for the song. Who directed it? Did it reflect the message of the song well?
Roy: It was directed by the Olson brothers, who were a blast to work with, and super talented. We gave them complete artistic control of the scripting and vision for direction of the video. We felt really lucky that they would choose to work with us. The outcome was beautiful, but really their creation.
It's got a very "magical" and otherworldly feel, it feels quite escapist, as does the song it's for. Are there any more videos in the pipeline?
Roy: There are some live videos coming up in the next couple of months. And actually, a live performance by Johnny on the acoustic piano of Falling Awake to be posted in a week or so.
Now My Plastic Sun is a very deep, meaningful band with a skill in the long forgotten art of songcraft and a philosophical lyrical outlook... but there must be some bad taste amoungst the three of you somewhere, some bizarre influence...
Sam: I have a cover of a Ke$ha song online.*
...and there it is.
Johnny: I kinda dig Journey.
Who doesn't?
Roy: I like Procol Harum and Cormac McCarthy's writing.
I think yours are pretty lame Roy. I was hoping you were a Kylie Minogue superfan, but alas.
Roy: Honestly, I have no freaking idea who Kylie Minogue is, but I can sing for you the entire Procol Harum first album from start to finish.
I had a feeling after I wrote that you'd say that. She's freaking massive over here in the UK. I keep forgetting how damn big and, y'know, non-UK the US is.
Roy: Yeah, after Americans missed out on Marc Bolan, it's gotten worse ever since.
Johnny: I've been known to rock out to the Ting Ting's "Thats not my name"
Anything else you need to exorcise?
Roy: I will not exorcise my demons, just hug them...
Johnny: I would now like to plug my new cook book. But we can rain check.
Really?
Johnny: Only kidding.
- Interviewed by Joe Copplestone, 01/04/12
Get in touch with My Plastic Sun at the following links.
Facebook.
YouTube.
Twitter.
Don't forget to catch their debut gig at Sticky Lips in Rochester NY on May 4th!
(*Unfortunately, Sam has asked me not to post the link)
X Factor Catch-Up: Cheryl Cole & Aiden Grimshaw
First port of call this week was return of some old X Factor flames. On her return single "Call My Name", Cheryl Cole mumbles a passably catchy melody as Calvin Harris provides his typical clap-happy backing track with his eyes closed. It's functional, but not really the comeback single that feathery voiced Cheryl could do with. At the other end of the spectrum, Aiden Grimshaw's performance on his debut single "Is This Love", with it's overpowering D&B lite beats and crunchy basslines, sounds at first unfortunately like a feature spot, rather than a solo effort. Saying that, the song isn't half bad, even if he does sound relatively anonymous. It has the makings of a grower, and this musical direction suits him and could conjure bigger and better things from the budding X Factor alumnus. Listen below...
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
My Weekly Dance Music Rundown (On ConcertTicketsHub)
This week, I talk about new releases from Benga, Disclosure, Logistics and more... Click the picture of Unicorn Boy below to read and inform yourself!
Monday, 9 April 2012
Lisa Lewis - Bullet & Alive (NEW LONDON SINGER)
London-based singer Lisa Lewis has a husky, silky voice that aches with a maturity beyond her 21 years and a subdued delivery that suggests a depth to her songs, and every word lingers on the end of her tongue. On her two soulful UK 2 step influenced tracks, the magnificent "Alive" soars with an effortless joy as beats shuffle and synths tingle, and "Bullet's" jazzy garage is propelled by the irresistable "every little thing I do..." hook and collision-happy beats.
FOR FANS OF: Jessie Ware, Etta Bond, Burial
BULLET (Demo)
ALIVE (Demo)
FOR FANS OF: Jessie Ware, Etta Bond, Burial
BULLET (Demo)
ALIVE (Demo)
Thursday, 5 April 2012
Lowlakes - 'Song For Motion' Official Video
Those missing tracks like "Bed of Nails" and "Spanish Sahara" look no further. Lowlakes are an Australian indie band with a tender touch, and "Song for Motion" has the shimmering voice of Wild Beasts and the tender post-rock textures of Explosions in the Sky. It's gorgeous.
FOR FANS OF: Wild Beasts, Foals, Explosions in the Sky
FOR FANS OF: Wild Beasts, Foals, Explosions in the Sky
Sunday, 1 April 2012
TIPS FOR APRIL.
My suggestions for the music you should be buying this month.
Anathema - Weather Systems
Released: 16th April
My favourite emotional liverpudlian rockers release, uplifting, euphoric ninth full length. Word is that it has topped the vast, sweeping, anthemic "We're Here Because We're Here"... I will have to hear that to believe it.
FOR FANS OF: Oceansize, Porcupine Tree, Coldplay
Azealia Banks - 1991 EP
Released: 16th April
Foul-mouthed 20 year old NYC female rapper celebrates her year of birth on her debut EP proper. Judging by the huge bass beats she has been expleting over of late, this won't be an easy listen, but it will be a massively fun one.
FOR FANS OF: Diplo, UK bass, the words "bitch" and "c*nt"
Marina and the Diamonds - Electra Heart
Released: 30th April
Fame-obsessed diva Marina takes up an altogether more electronic dance approach on her new record, with dubstep beats clattering against her melodramatic vocal on "Starring Role" and throbbing dance meets deceptively sugar-sweet melodies on "Primadonna".
FOR FANS OF: Katy Perry, Robyn, Florence & The Machine
Sub Focus - Out The Blue EP
Released: 29th April
What will become one of the biggest Drum & Bass tunes of the year, no doubt.
FOR FANS OF: DJ Fresh, Nero, Pendulum
Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Tapes & Money EP
Released: 2nd April
The second single from what will hopefully be one of the best dance albums of the year, TEED's self-titled debut. Shy oxford boys doing synthpop, with huge beats. Who knew? In the words of the song's irresistable sample "Please don't fail me now!"
FOR FANS OF: The Rapture, Cut Copy, Calvin Harris
Zammuto - Zammuto
Released: 9th April
A bit of a wild card this one. Unusual, uncatagorisable psychadelic pop music with quirky yet undeniably addictive rhythms, and a lot of double bass work.
FOR FANS OF: Animal Collective, Tame Impala, tUnE-yArDs
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)