Category: New Tracks
NEW 80s Synth-Pop Side Project: Yacht Club
I find it amusing, surprising, and equally awesome that a band member (Ben Cook), from a hardcore punk group, (Fucked Up) can completely switch modes and successfully produce smooth 80s inspired synth-pop jams. The result: Yacht Club.
The new Toronto-based side project of two has released a mixtape, Nonnavera, a slew of tracks including “Tropicana,” and “Flash” on Pretty Pretty, Burger, and soon a “cute little perverted song with hopefully a cute little perverted music video,” via Daps Records. Their latest release, “Fail to Cry” is the most addictive of the lot, and may possibly be part of a forthcoming mixtape – We can only hope!
Keep the 80s alive and Yacht Club on your radar with a follow and a listen on Facebook and bandcamp.
Yacht Club – Fail to Cry
Yacht Club – Tropicana
Yacht Club – Flash
New Acoustic + Video: Trust – Sulk
Robert Alfons aka Trust (as featured in Loud and Quiet Magazine)
If you didn’t think Robert Alfons, the Toronto hailing electro-goth synth-pop God (aka Trust), could get any more talented, he busts out an acoustic piano version of his beloved track, “Sulk.” The kaleidoscope-esque video, directed by Petra Collins, displays Alfons’ raw talent and beauty as a musician. The acoustic version of “Sulk” adds layers of delicateness to Trust‘s expected and addictive “drug-sick” lurching electro-goth that typically oozes with sex and synth.
Trust (sometimes a two-piece with Maya Postepski of Austra) has had quite a year. They released a debut album (and one of the best of 2012), TRST, and an EP, Dressed for Space. Having finished a whirlwind tour with Yeasayer, and a headlining tour in Europe, Trust is now currently on tour supporting The Faint (which I personally think it should be the other way around).
Watch and listen to Trust‘s acoustic version of “Sulk” now:
Trust – Sulk [Piano Version]
New Tracks/Bands: Sam Flax + DIANA + Everything Everything + Black City Lights + Cashmere Cat + SoKo
Sam Flax
This is a sure-fire random roundup of new tracks and/or bands. Hence, there will undoubtedly be something incredible for everyone – Lucky!
It’s that time of year again when the music blogosphere begins to compile year-end “Best of” lists. Gorilla vs. Bear recently announced on Facebook they were already knee-deep and asked if it’d be a cop out to do a three-way tie for best album of 2012 (yes, total cop out). So of course, a slew of comments commenced with guesses for those top three albums. The usual suspects like Grimes, Chromatics, Grizzly Bear, Tame Impala and Animal Collective were mentioned, however, someone had also suggested Sam Flax, which I found interesting. Now, I don’t think he’d win best album (can anyone compete with Grimes this year?), but his recently (re)released, psychedelic, punk, pop rock LP, Age Waves (via Burger Records), certainly hasn’t garnered the exposure that it deserves. The LP’s opening track, “Fire Doesn’t Burn Itself,” is a glamorous, intricate, rockin’ track that becomes even more trippy with each second resulting in full-fledged addiction. Sam Flax‘s persona is also slightly David Bowie-esque, which he should totally milk. Stream Age Waves via SoundCloud, Bandcamp or Spotify.
Sam Flax – Fire Doesn’t Burn Itself
I don’t know how DIANA, new indie-synth-pop band from Toronto managed to fly under the (my) radar. The trio, (including the sax player from Destroyer) has just two tracks, “Perpetual Surrender” and “Born Again” but they’re enough throw you into retro electro bliss and I’m eager to hear more! Keep up with DIANA on Tumblr, Facebook or SoundCloud.
D I A N A – Born Again
Addictive hooks, sweet beats, shredding guitars and soaring falsetto vocals make UK hailing, Everything Everything quint essential indie-rock stardom material. Apparently, the lead singer/guitarist, Jonathan Higgs and bassist, Jeremy Pritchard also both have college degrees in “Popular Music.” If they continue to produce addictive tracks like “Kemosabe,” a single from the forthcoming LP, Arc, (due January 14, 2013), they’ll pay off those college loans in no time.
Everything Everything – Kemosabe
Black City Lights is an emerging electro/experimental group consisting of two homies hailing from New Zealand. They dropped an EP, Parallels via Stars & Letters in March, and recently released (Nov. 6th) an EP, (of the EP), called RMXS…. of remixes – Okay, you get it. The GWS remix of “Parallels” is less dark and synthy than the original track, but takes it to another/amazing level. Stream both EPs on SoundCloud.
Black City Lights – Parallels (GWS Remix)
Cashmere Cat is the creation of a young Norwegian producer intriguing the interest and ears of many with his debut EP, Mirror Maru via Pelican Fly. There isn’t much out there about the Olso beat-making inhabitant, but the bouncy, piano backed track also titled Mirror Maru (is this named after the cat in Japan who loves boxes?) has me yearning for more. Stream Mirror Maru on SoundCloud or Spotify.
Cashmere Cat – Mirror Maru
So apparently SoKo is still around… who knew? Remember her, “I’ll Kill Her” track everyone obsessed over back in ’08? Well, the French/Polish singer-songwriter has just released an LP, I Thought I was an Alien with smoother indie-rock jams. However, it sounds like Stéphanie Sokolinski may have swapped rage for tears this time around. In her track, “First Love Never Die,” it sounds like the guy she would’ve killed for 4 years ago didn’t work out, though in end, she has a beauty of a track… so take that.
SoKo – First Love Never Die
Stream Mykki Blanco’s New “Acid Punk Rap” Mixtape – Cosmic Angel
Mykki Blanco is somethin’ else. The word “spectacular” comes to mind. She’s a 25 year-old, New York City dominating Queen of “acid punk rap” who has two self-proclaimed sides: “cute and criminally insane.”
As the alter-ego of originally born, Michael David Quattlebaum Jr., Mykki Blanco (as stated in Pitchfork’s article: We Invented Swag: NYC’s Queer Rap) is breaking down traditional hip-hop identities.
“We’re living in a time where the mediocrity of mainstream pop culture is at an all-time high… Who gives a fuck [about being mainstream]? I’m not trying to be in the 40/40 Club popping bottles while rappers throw hundred-dollar bills on strippers. I’m just out to make my audience happy, fulfill my creative vision, and be successful on my own terms, which is doable.” – The Multiplicities of Mykki Blanco, Interview Magazine.
Blanco isn’t just a “teenage girl rapper” though. Quattlebaum and Blanco as one is a multi-faceted emerging artist with an impressive resume, adding performance artist, actor, fashionista and poet to the list. As a result, Blanco’s independent, artistic hip-hop femme fatale persona and fresh sounds rule our ears, reign our attention and result in obsession.
Mykki Blanco‘s also been working fast and furiously having just dropped a bouncin’ 15-track mixtape, Cosmic Angel: Illuminati Prince/ss. The mixtape includes an impressive collaboration of producers like Flosstradamus, Le1f, Gatekeeper and more. Addictive tracks like “Wavvy,” “Haze.Boogie.Life,” and “Fuckin the DJ” have placed Blanco in our minds and on our maps… and luckily for us, she’s just getting started.
Stream Cosmic Angel below, on SoundCloud or download here and watch the new video for “Haze.Boogie.Life” now:
Mykki Blanco – Haze.Boogie.Life
Fresh Tracks – NEW: Main Attrakionz, Absofacto, Naomi Punk, Blue Hawaii
Main Attrakionz
“Cloud Body” is the latest addictive, billowy, and appropriately titled, “cloud rap” single from Main Attrakionz‘s recently released LP, Bossalinis & Fooliyones via Young One. The “best duo ever” consisting of Oakland hailing rappers, MondreM.A.N. and Squadda B, have certainly proved with this track that “cloud rap is that shit that you can trust.”
Cloud Body (prod. by Grown Folk) – Main Attrakionz
I keep finding myself obsessively listening to “Backfire,” the latest track by Jonathan Visger aka Absofacto. The solo “experimental pop” project is an offshoot from Visger’s other band, Mason Proper. According to Paste Magazine, Visger teamed up with Mason Proper guitarist, Brian Konicek, to record “Backfire” in a basement – Sounds… typical, but the dreamy indie rock track is anything but:
Absofacto – Backfire
Gritty grunge, dream-pop, noise-rock, garage punk… this is what I think of when I listen to Naomi Punk. And, when I listen to the Olympia/Seattle-based trio’s track, “The Spell,” I wanna trip out, rock out, and score some sweet flannel. “The Spell” is off of Naomi Punk‘s second full-length album, The Feeling, originally released on vinyl. So technically this is a (re)fresh, as Captured Tracks has recently reissued the LP digitally, on CD, and on CLEAR vinyl – Ooh fancy!
Naomi Punk – The Spell
Montreal’s ambient dream-pop “love project,” Blue Hawaii, has just released a two-part single, (I see what you did there), “In Two” and “In Two II.” Back in August, Grimes displayed her absolute admiration for Blue Hawaii’s upcoming LP, Untogether (due in early 2013), via the Twittersphere, calling it the “biggest album of next year, WOWWWWWWWW.”
Raph/Raphaelle Standell-Preston (of Braids) and Agor/Alex Cowan from Blue Hawaii
Blue Hawaii – In Two
Blue Hawaii – In Two II
FRESH NEW TRACKS: Prince Rama, xxyyxx, Diplo, Jhameel, Satin Jackets
Prince Rama as Hyparxia
I’ve discussed Prince Rama‘s bizarro but super cool new LP concept before, (Top Ten Hits of the End of the World is a compilation of jams by Prince Rama channelling fictitious mega superstars who’ve died in a supposed apocalypse). The Brooklynites’ LP is due 11/6 via Paw Tracks. The notion may be out there, but I can’t wait to hear the LP in its entirely ‘cus the jams released thus far have been apocalypse worthy. Here are two new tracks:
Prince Rama (Channeling Hyparxia) – Welcome to the Now Age
Prince Rama – Those Who Live for Love Will Live Forever
Orlando, Florida’s Marcel Everett, aka xxyyxx, is one of those producers who makes you feel like saying, in typical Wayne/Garth fashion, “We’re not worthy!” Why? ‘Cus the kid’s only 17! He produces these experimental, down tempo, chillwave beats out of his bedroom, in boredom, and they’re masterpieces. His full-length, self-titled LP was released in March of this year, and he continues to crank out new beats on a consistent basis. “Lay Down” is his latest creation:
xxyyxx – Lay Down
This is kind of a guilty pleasure, but damn, it’s GOOD. According to Pigeons & Planes, Jhameel, our Berkeley hailing pop-crooner asked fans to choose a song, and he’d cover it. Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You” was apparently the winner, and we’re all grateful, ‘cus it’s poppy, lustful and fun:
Jhameel – Thinking About You (Frank Ocean Cover)
Satin Jackets is smooth, electro-funk guru and German producer, Tim Bernhardt. He’s also making humble waves in the blogosphere with his self-proclaimed “glossy music” and new track, “You Make Me Feel Good.” Check him out on SoundCloud and Facebook.
Satin Jackets – You Make Me Feel Good
How did Diplo make it on my blog again? Regardless, this slower than typical Diplo jam featuring Jahan Lennon (of the now-defunct PO PO) has gotten some serious repeat action. “About That Life” is the first single from Diplo’s first full-length LP in 8 years (!), which is expected sometime in early 2013. Diplo and Lennon have also made an appropriately trippy, hippie video to accompany:
Diplo – About That Life feat. Jahan Lennon
New Mind-Melting Jams! Doldrums + Blackbird Blackbird + Southern Shores + The Soft Moon + Mac DeMarco
Doldrums – She is the Wave
It’s been a weird and heavy week full of road trips, suburbia-ville, hospital visits, uncertainty, and a general lack of enjoyable jams via local radio. Hence, there’s no better way to bring this bizarro week to close with a round-up of new mind-melting tunes that’ll thrust you back into reality, or a lack-there-of.
Montreal-based Airick Woodhead is the experimental brainchild behind Doldrums, and he’s producing some of the freshest, “mind-melting” music around. His latest jam, “She is The Wave” is from a 7″ to be released via Arbutus Records in November. The new jam contains that consistently catchy electro/experimental beat full of synth, scratches, noise, disembodied vocals and screams – It’s Very Animal Collective-esque and once again, unbelievably addicting. Seriously hoping this launches the creation of a full length album – We all want it!
Doldrums – She is The Wave (feat. Guy Dallas)
San Francisco-based Mikey Maramag is the “dreamy folktronica” phsychadelic wünderkind behind Blackbird Blackbird. His latest hypnotic release “All” comes from his highly anticipated EP, Boracay Planet, slotted for release October 16th.
Blackbird Blackbird – All
Southern Shores, the synth-pop Nova Scotia-by-way-of-Toronto “summer heroes” has released an EP, New World. The latest album (similarly to the last one) via Cascine is full of dreamy, tropical beats. Stream the entire EP on SounCloud here.
Southern Shores – Sankasa
Luis Vasquez aka The Soft Moon is the beloved darkwave noise experimentalist from San Francisco and he’s releasing his new album (via Captured Tracks), Zeros, on October 30th. “Insides” hails from the anticipated album and is the latest goodie rupturing from the depths of darkness:
The Soft Moon – Insides
The ridiculously talented and charming “Jizz jazz” weirdo, Mac DeMarco has a new album (hurry already!), Mac DeMarco 2, due October 16th. Captured Tracks has been slowly but surely releasing jams from the (do you sense a theme?) highly anticipated album. You’ve already heard, “My Kind of Woman,” so feast your ears on DeMarco’s jam dedicated to his fav brand of cigs:
Mac DeMarco – Ode to Viceroy
New Beauty of an EP: Dum Dum Girls – End of Daze
The noise pop project Dum Dum Girls, spearheaded by singer/songwriter Dee Dee Penny, has recently released a new EP, End of Daze, and it’s quite a beauty. I first heard the EP’s sweetest single, “Lord Knows” on my homie Anthony’s radio program, International Pop Underground. Since then, I’ve been finding any chance I can get to play sweet, smooth and melancholic tune. Just yesterday, Dum Dum Girls also a released a mystic and ritualistic video to accompany the dreamy single. Stream their entire 5-jam EP on Spotify or Soundcloud via Stereogum.
Dum Dum Girls – Lord Knows
coco stereo 