In case you’ve forgotten (how could you?) the French duo Daft Punk (Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo) released one of the most anticipated albums of 2013. Random Access Memories has gone on to garner countless accolades the world over. Now the guys have put out a slightly shaken and stirred video for the song Instant Crush featuring Julian Casablancas. I am thrilled because this is one of my favorite track on the RAM release. You can extract the visual after the jump and cop the audio via iTunes. Peace. Continue reading “daft punk | instant crush | feat. julian casablancas | video”
rachel thomasin // the gravitate ep
The singer/songwriter Rachel Thomasin reached out to me through Twitter and boy I’m glad she did. How else would I have come to know the honest beauty of her songcraft? The Gravitate EP was released back in October, but nonetheless the songs have a timeless feel to them as they cascade over your eardrums like ancient waters washing over primordial stone. But, the songs have the opposite effect, instead of wearing you down like the ideal particle they enliven and rejuvenate. All in all, these are seven songs you’ll welcome into your head and heart, and eventually cherish. Also, in case you missed her March release, R. Thomasin, reach back and get yourself another earful of joyful noise. Peace. Continue reading “rachel thomasin // the gravitate ep”
the lake poets
The Lake Poets is pluralized and so one assumes. Yet, there is only one in the most honest singular connotation of the word. Martin Longstaff is one man, though he represents the very best of acoustic musicianship. And this one man touches many with his beyond fragile songs. His music is spare, yet with the highest or naked-est representation of soul music. Recently The Lake Poets released the April single (b-side With Me). Another wonderfully magnificent song that’ll bury your ears in unfiltered beauty. After the jump check out a live session of Martin (ft. Ajimal) performing Edinburgh for all the world to see. Peace. Continue reading “the lake poets”
let’s buy happiness // run
The band Let’s Buy Happiness didn’t send me a press or media kit asking me to review their songs. No begging for my attention. Why would they? I pen a infinitesimally small music blog way off in a remote quadrant of the Nebula Galaxy. Slight aside I am smitten with the band’s existence, especially the vocals of Ms. Sarah Hall (wrapped around the obvious talent of those bandmates weaving a shroud of beauty around her). Which for lack of a more developed vocabulary I’ll call the obverse antipathy of evanescent (hey, I’m trying here). After dredging the web for more, ’cause gotdamnit I’m an unabashed and voracious consumer and alas my gluttony knows no bounds (middle finger to the other deadly sins as well by the way). After much turmoil and effort I found Works Better On Paper, Fast Fast, Six Wolves, and the No Hot Ashes EP. Yet, not surprisingly my ears go unsated. Sigh. Here’s hoping LBH stop being the sadists they so obviously are and release a full debut LP soon, like yesterday soon. Oh, Ms. Hall you’ve a Feist-y heart. Peace. Continue reading “let’s buy happiness // run”
vladimir // come over
If guitar ridden melancholy is your bag then Scottish rock quartet Vladimir is for you. These young pistols have done their homework too, sounding at once like Joy Division (one can even spell Ian Curtis from amongst the band members’ names, coincidence?) conjoined at the hip of modernity. The band’s first single release Come Over is a pure antidepressant downer, it’ll turn your smile upside-down (and you’ll like it) soon after the swirling riff catches your attention. It rocks in all the low places. I am thinking 2014 will be their year, but not their best. No, I suspect the best is yet to come. Peace.
dornik // rebound
The artist/drummer Dornik (Dornik Leigh) is already turning heads. Over the summer he tested the waters with his exceedingly sexy single Something About You. And for the more observant ears, you may remember Dornik lending vocal talent as he accompanied Jessie Ware on the song Valentine. Now, he has made an even catchier release with the track Rebound, this one is so upbeat it’ll make your ears smile a mile wide. Look for his debut release early 2014 courtesy of PMR. Peace. Continue reading “dornik // rebound”
sally shapiro // if it doesn’t rain tonight (digits remix)
Toronto-based producer and fervent remixologist Digits rearranges the sonics of Sally Shapiro‘s If It Doesn’t Rain Tonight and the results are pleasing to the ear. Earlier this year Sally Shapiro + Johan Agebjorn unleashed upon the world at large their 3rd LP, Somewhere Else via Paper Bag Records (Permanent Vacation in the UK). The remix track hits the streets running December 4th via Flashback Records. Continue reading “sally shapiro // if it doesn’t rain tonight (digits remix)”
painted palms // forever lp
Reese Donohue and Christopher Prudhomme make up the project Painted Palms and recently their debut recording on Polyvinyl Records, the Forever LP is making a bit of noise on the music scene. Check it out the track Spinning Signs after the jump. Peace. Continue reading “painted palms // forever lp”
pompeya // tropical lp
Moscow’s Pompeya is inspired by music which played the airwaves freely 30-years ago. But I love how they’ve recycled old sounds into new shapes with electric harmonies, melodic synth work, and yummy guitar riffs to create an unpretentious pop which stands up to anything else being produced today. Check out the band’s Tropical LP out now via Gala in Russia, and No Shame Records in the US. Continue reading “pompeya // tropical lp”
röyksopp // something in my heart + jamie irrepressible
The Norwegian electronic-music twosome known as Röyksopp recently unleashed their tenderly impressive Something In My Heart courtesy of Wall Of Sound Records. This is the b-side to the impressive and addictive and danceable Running To The Sea.