Category: Dream-Pop
Young Galaxy’s Killin it! New Tracks + Doldrums & Peaking Lights Remixes
Young Galaxy’s Catherine McCandless
Canadian indie dream-popsters, Young Galaxy are absolutely killin’ it as of late. It seems as if each week they release yet another ridiculously catchy new jam, teasing us in anticipation to hear their forthcoming album, Ultramarine (via Paper Bag Records) due out April 23rd. They’ve blown up the blogosphere charts in the last couple of weeks and, to sweeten the deal, Doldrums and Peaking Lights have remixed of Young Galaxy‘s highly addictive new tracks, “New Summer” and “Pretty Boy.”
Young Galaxy is currently on a Euro tour with the ever-so-hypeular electro trio, CHVRCHES – Catch ’em if you can.
Young Galaxy – New Summer
Young Galaxy – Pretty Boy (Peaking Lights Remix)
Young Galaxy – New Summer (Doldrums Remix)
New Luv/Hate Jams: Still Corners + Tyler, the Creator + FS Green Janet Jackson Rework + Fol Chen + Austra
Tyler, the Creator
I’m not sure if there’s something in the air or water (because surely we can’t be held responsible for our own actions or emotions, right?), but there seems to be this influx of bummer break ups and/or newly announced engagements and babies on-the-way. It’s totally weirding me out. Does this time of year bring out the best/worst of us? Or, is this some sort of corny metaphorical new beginning/shedding of baggage that occurs with Spring?
Regardless and luckily for us, these emotions that seem to be running on an all-time high tend to be the inspiration and hence, creation of some pretty magnificent music. So with that, I present to you a plethora of recently released and highly addicting tracks that just so happen to have luv/hate on the brain:
Still Corners is the moniker of London-hailing indie dream pop duo Greg Hughes and Tessa Murray. They made a minor splash in the blogosphere in 2010/2011 with their sickeningly sweet jams, “Don’t Fall in Love,” and “Cuckoo.” A year after their debut LP, the duo is back with a vengeance in the form of “Berlin Lovers” – The first dreamy, hypnotic single from their forthcoming sophomore album, Strange Pleasures (via Sub Pop) due out this May. Have a listen:
Still Corners – Berlin Lovers
Tyler Gregory Okonma aka Tyler, the Creator, is a 22 year-old LA-based rapper, producer, artwork ‘creator’ and co-founder of the alt hip hop collective Odd Future. He just released an interesting video for “IFHY,” a single found on his forthcoming album, Wolf, due out April 2nd. It’s an “emo” barbie-esque inspired video featuring his luv/hate interest and a snippet of Pharrell. Gorilla vs. Bear posted the video on Facebook this morning and so simply but eloquently stated: “nightmares.” Enjoy:
Tyler, the Creator – IFHY
Oooh damn, funky, sexy, smooth Janet Jackson reworked by Dutch producer, FS Green? Yes thank you! FS Green writes on his SoundCloud, “I started out wanting to sample one of my favorite Janet tracks for a beat, but it ended up in this weird rework where the track is pitched down, while the vocals are pitched up.” So glad it worked in our favor, ‘cus I can’t stop playing this jam:
Janet Jackson – Rock With U (FS Green Rework)
Fol Chen, the 6 member LA-based and self-proclaimed “Opera-House” indie-electro-pop group is back, and they’ve recently released their third album, The False Alarms via Asthmatic Kitty. “I.O.U” is a sexy, playful, bitter-sweet single from the seemingly dance-inducing LP.
Fol Chen – I.O.U
Okay, I’ll admit this gem from Toronto-hailing electro Goddess, Katie Stelmanis (& co.) aka Austra has been floating around for about a month already. But, it’s a beautiful and powerful glimpse into Austra‘s second LP, Olympia, due out June 1st. The group is by far one of my most beloved live bands (remember when Grimes opened for them?!) and their eerie, dark, synthy beats combined with Stelmanis’s magnetic, classically trained opera voice is, as always, all-consuming. Enough said:
Austra – Home
Valentine’s Day Mixtape! Ft. Rhye, HTDW, Blue Hawaii, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Sean Nicholas Savage, ERAAS, UMO & More
Blue Hawaii
It’s Valentine’s Day! Everyone get crazy! There are obviously widely and wildly opinionated ideas regarding Valentine’s Day, but if you wanna divulge in the L.O.V.E. and/or hate for the red and pink candy coated day, go right ahead. However, as homage to the day people love to love and loathe, I’ve compiled a Valentine’s Day mixtape of sorts, specifically for YOU – My Valentine. Now, have a listen to these sinfully sweet tracks:
Rhye – Open
How to Dress Well – & It Was U (Elite Gymnastics Remix)
Blue Hawaii – Try to be
Sean Nicholas Savage
Sean Nicholas Savage – You Changed Me
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – So Good at Being in Trouble
Rihanna feat. Mikky Ekko – Stay (Erol Sabadosh Remix)
ERAAS – At Heart
Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti – Baby (Mature Themes)
Let There Be More AlunaGeorge! White Noise (Disclosure) + Diver + Frank Ocean Cover – Thinkin’ Bout You!
AlunaGeorge + Disclosure
The pop Gods have spoken: “Let there be more AlunaGeroge!” and alas, we’re graciously presented with new and glorious electro pop tracks from (or featuring) the UK-based duo.
Aluna Francis and George Reid have come a long way in such a short amount of time. Having just released their first commercial track, “Your Drums, Your Love” in September of 2012, the group has already been shortlisted for the 2013 BRIT Award of Critics’ Choice. And, just a couple of weeks into 2013, AlunaGeorge continues to deliver fresh electro-pop gems at a steadfast pace, announcing a debut album, Body Music, out June of 2013. It seems as if the duo is putting their fellow “bands to watch in 2013” comrades to shame… except Disclosure that is.
Enter “White Noise” – the recently released track from “garage-house” brother duo, Disclosure, featuring AlunaGeorge. It’s a combination and a collaboration between two extremely hype-worthy acts that has created an electro-pop listening implosion amongst the blog world. The UK-based brothers and producers who make up Disclosure also have a highly-anticipated album due out in March of 2013. (Find Disclosure in the “Top 55 Songs of 2012“).
So with that, I present to you a plethora of AlunaGeroge pop madness: “White Noise” by Disclosure ft. AlunaGeorge, “Diver,” AlunaGeorge‘s latest release from their forthcoming album, and a Frank Ocean cover of “Thinkin’ Bout You” which was recorded in the 1Xtra Live Lounge for BBC Radio.
Disclosure – White Noise ft. Aluna George
AlunaGeorge – Diver
AlunaGeorge – Thinkin’ Bout You (Frank Ocean Cover)
Introducing Copenhagen Project: Indians
Indians is the moniker of Copenhagen-hailing, Søren Løkke Juul. Having just played his/their first show almost a year ago, the band has already impressively performed a whirlwind tour with Bear in Heaven, Lower Dens, Beirut, the CMJ music marathon in Brooklyn, and more. In continuance of their success, Indians has just signed with 4AD, will release their debut album, Somewhere Else, out January 28/29th, and will embark on a full-blown 38 show North American tour with Other Lives.
As a right of passage with the 4AD family, Indians has created an interesting and beautiful “4AD Session” set on Osea Island, a small island in the estuary of the Blackwater in Essex. The session filmed in an entire day, starts with “I Am Haunted,” continues with one of my faves, “Magic Kids,” and ends with “New.” According to 4AD, “With the intention to capture the sense of air and atmosphere in the music, each track was recorded in a different location, moving the band and cameras in order to introduce a new element that reflected the change in song…While still flecked with the surreal ambience of Søren’s air-tight compositions, the full-band performance adds a foreboding sense of wonder that provides a fitting introduction into Indians’ very own natural world.”
Watch Indians‘ 4AD Session, have a listen to “Magic Kids,” and download “I Am Haunted,” as well as Indians’ very first guitar song, “Cakelakers.”
Indians – Magic Kids
Indians – 4AD Session:
Introducing New Dream-Pop Duo: GEMS
A little more than a week ago, the loveliest, dreamiest sounds landed in my inbox. Within that one week, new Washington D.C. duo, GEMS, has charmed, endeared and won over the hearts and ears of the music blogosphere. Gaining serious traction with just two beautiful and haunting tracks, “All I Ever,” and “Void Moon,” GEMS (Lindsay Pitts and Clifford John), spent October in an empty North Carolina beach house recoding their beginnings.
“There was something about being near the ocean this past October (in a gray, deserted beach town) that offered some sort of clarity of reflection in a particularly dark time in my life,” says Pitts.
“Our lives and our relationship and our music are totally wrapped up in this weird and powerful and sometimes very confusing way.”
Keep your eyes and hears open for more to come from GEMS. Until then, stream them on SoundCloud or Bandcamp, and give them a follow on Facebook.
GEMS – All I Ever
GEMS – Void Moon
Fresh & Addictive – Introducing: Nautic
I discovered Nautic maybe a week ago, and have been listening to their two tracks, “Fixxx,” and “Fresh Eyes” so obsessively, I figured it was time to actually write about them.
Story goes, Nautic is a brand new collaboration consisting of UK trio Bullion, Laura Groves, and Tic (of Young Turks). The result is an unbelievably unique, psychedelic and beautiful sound. Nautic is full of 80s nostalgia drenched in synth, strings and soaring vocals. I haven’t heard anything this fresh in a while, (which in music blog world, means about 3 weeks), and I’m dying to hear more. So far, the trio sports just two tracks and a Bandcamp page via Deek Recordings.
Have a listen to Nautic‘s fresh and highly addictive tracks, “Fixxx” and “Fresh Eyes” now:
Nautic – Fixxx
Nautic – Fresh Eyes
NEW Track + Video: Holobody – Ninnyhammer
Holobody, the young Montreal hailing shoegaze pop siblings, Luke & Charlotte Loseth have released yet another dreamy, swirling, psychedelic synth-pop gem, “Ninnyhammer,” via Bad Panda Records. The brother/sister combo who refer to themselves by their pseudo names: Felix Green and Sea Oleena aren’t new to coco stereo, and their sound continuously becomes more infectious with each release.
Following a debut album, Riverhood, released in May of this year, Ninnyhammer is a debut single from Holobody‘s forthcoming EP titled, MTL (out Dec. 6, 2012). Have a listen to the radiant new release and watch the video below:
Holobody – Ninnyhammer
NEW Band + Video – Empress Of
Filming yourself gorging on watermelon to the soundtrack of your own smooth, sensual, electro-pop sounds will undoubtedly grab the attention of many. Lorely Rodriguez aka Empress Of has done this successfully with her new video and song, “Champagne.”
People have been eager to know/hear more from the young Brooklynite. Releasing her “colorminutes” Youtube clips, sporting a Craigslist look-a-like website, and debuting at the Gorilla vs. Bear CMJ showcase has placed Empress Of on people’s radars with an extreme douse of curiosity.
For now, Empress Of dons two songs, “Champagne” and “Don’t Tell Me” (found below), both of which have been released on a new 7″ via No Recordings. Join in on the curiosity and follow Empress Of on Facebook, SoundCloud, and watch her new eyebrow raising video for “Champagne.”
Empress Of – Champagne
Empress Of – Don’t Tell Me
New Majical Cloudz + Video – Turns Turns Turns
If you haven’t heard the phrase, “A friend of Grimes is a friend of mine,” (now you have), the concept, however, shouldn’t be foreign to you. It’s only natural that an influential band or producer you love, most likely has musically inclined friends that you will also love. In the case for Grimes, the indie-electro “It Girl” not only has amazingly talented pals, but she outwardly expresses her love or support for said friends and their music, (Myths, Elite Gymnastics, and d’Eon to name a few). This in a sense, puts Grimes’ talented friends on the map (even more so). It may not be fair to say this is all of Grimes’s doing, as these are bands we (may) know, who have made names for themselves, but when Grimes brings her pals on tour, collaboratively creates music with them, or simply chatters away with them via Twitter, she puts these bands on people’s radars. Experimental-electro Montreal producer, Devon Welsh, aka Majical Cloudz falls into this category.
Majical Cloudz’ latest single, “Turns Turns Turns,” is a dreamy, emotionally-driven beauty of a track based on a 2-note loop. The trippy video (as seen below) premiered on Gorilla vs. Bear today. The track will be found on Majical Cloudz’ forthcoming EP, Turns Turns Turns, out December 3rd via Arbutus (US) and Merok (UK). (Yalls also remixed Turns Turns Turns found here.)
Majical Cloudz – Turns Turns Turns
coco stereo 