New Video: Charli XCX – Cloud Aura ft. Brooke Candy (Prod. by J£Zus Million)

Charli XCX - Cloud Aura ft. Brooke Candy

Brooke Candy

Earlier this month, Charli XCX, our favorite Brit goth pop princess, dropped an 8-track mixtape, Super Ultra. The mixtape (which you can download here) includes the track, “Cloud Aura” featuring the ever eccentric rapper/stripper/Grimes music video star, Brooke Candy.

The two have released a video for “Cloud Aura,” which includes a montage of crying pop culture personalities, Charli looking pretty, and Brooke Candy doin’ her ‘thang.’

Watch the video for “Cloud Aura” now:

Charli XCX – Cloud Aura ft. Brooke Candy (Prod. by J£ZUS MILLION)

Meet NEW Hype-Worthy Swedish Electro-Pop Group: Kate Boy

Kate BoyThe Swedes are insanely talented music producing masters and they’re especially synonymous with eclectic electro. From The Knife, to iamamiwhoami, jj, Little Dragon, Niki & The Dove, The Sound of Arrows, even Robyn (and don’t you even try to forget) Ace of Base, addictive electro-pop music is a Swedish forte.

This month, we get to add yet another talented Swedish act to the electro-pop pool: Kate Boy. With just one strong song, “Northern Lights,” Kate Boy thrusts us into nostalgia for The Knife, and in doing so, has quickly topped music blog charts. If the mysterious (supposed 3 parts Swedish, 1 part Aussie) group continues to produce synth superbness, they’re steadfast to becoming electro super stars.

With a bouncing, dark, ambient beat, metallic synth and righteous vocals, listen to Kate Boy‘s debut track, “Northern Lights” and stay tuned:

Kate Boy – Northern Lights

NEW 80s Synth-Pop Side Project: Yacht Club

Yacht ClubI 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 R&B Cover + Video(s): Jessie Ware & BenZel – If You Love Me

Jessie WareJessie Ware has been killin’ it. Earlier this year, the South London hailing songstress, once ‘just a back up singer,’ transformed into a soulful pop star with the release her debut LP, Devotion. The highly regarded album also earned Ware a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize.

Earlier this month, Ware once again wowed the music world by collaborating with Japanese teenage producing duo, BenZel, to release a cover of Brownstone’s R&B track, “If You Love Me.” I don’t know what’s more trippy, Ware’s first video for “If You Love Me,” directed by Kate Moross, or the fact that the BenZel boys are only fifteen/sixteen. How this collaboration actually came about is a mystery to most, however, there’s yet another video for “If You Love Me,” and hence, another reason to keep the addictive 90s girl-group cover on repeat.

The new video, directed by Haley Wollens, depicts an angel literally and impressively “stripping” her wings. I can’t decide which video I like the most, so you get both!

Jessie Ware & BenZel – If You Love Me


New Track + Video: Heartsrevolution – Not That Hard to Explain

Heartsrevolution - Not That Hard to ExplainIt seems as if Heartsrevolution have come out of hibernation. The NYC based electro-punk-pop duo have released a new track, “Not That Hard to Explain,” a colorful, bubblegum, acid-trip-pop video (produced by High5Collective), and are currently working on releasing a mixtape, Revolution Rising, in December.

The group, Ben Pollock, Leyla ‘Lo’ Safai, and live performance drummer, Terrence Campbell, have released a slew of EPs, singles and mixtapes over the years, on a slew of labels, (iHeartcomix, ISOmorph, and Kitsuné). The group, now managed by Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua, was supposedly ready for an LP release as long ago as 2011, but it just never happened. However, with the recent release of “Not That Hard to Explain,” a new track sampling The Strokes, it may seem as if the group is (attempting) to live up to their motto, “Ride or Die.”

According to Vice, the band states the new video for “Not That Hard to Explain” is “more of a mission statement than a music video. After navigating the dark underbelly of the music industry and watching the rapid decline of human civilization… The lyrics/video speaks for itself. Revolution! (or) Run.”

Heartsrevolution – Not That Hard to Explain (Mixed by Just Blaze)


New Acoustic + Video: Trust – Sulk

Trust

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 Track + Video: Holobody – Ninnyhammer

Holobody - NinnyhammerHolobody, 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 Tracks/Bands: Sam Flax + DIANA + Everything Everything + Black City Lights + Cashmere Cat + SoKo

Sam Flax

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 - Cosmic AngelMykki 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

New Dreamy Synth-Pop Side Project! Meet: Limited

LimitedOkay, wait. I have to get something out of the way first… I’m kind of amused by the number of people who Google the word “jizz” every day, and therefore receive coco stereo in their search results. This of course is all thanks to the goofy crooner, Mac DeMarco and his self-proclaimed “Jizz Jazz” music that I so obsessively like to write about. I suppose if I stopped writing “jizz” so many times in my posts (this one’s already a doozy), I’d have less jizz-loving Googlers looking for a good time. So, If you happen to stumble upon coco stereo after Googling the word “jizz,” 1) That’s hilarious, interesting and kind of gross, and 2) I hope you enjoy the music! (sorry there aren’t any actual jizz related pics/videos on here for you… maybe later?)

Now onto new music…

Limited (LTD) is a new dreamy, 80s vibing, synth-pop side project from Alex Craig of Big Troubles. The New Jersey native’s boyish vocals mixed with “noise-gaze” guitar layers and bursts of synth are exquisitely addictive. Limited (which performs as a three-piece live) recently released a 7″ via New Images – A label created and run by Matt Mondanile of Ducktails and Real Estate. The 7-inch includes two tracks, “New Day Rising,” (which I’ve been obsessively playing since first listen), and “You Must Be Dreaming.” While you wait in anticipation for even more synth-pop superbness, give Limited a listen, stalk or follow on Bandcamp, Tumblr, or Twitter.

Limited – New Day Rising

Limited – You Must Be Dreaming