Where the food sounds good, and the music is pretty tasty too.
One sure thing you can count on when dropping the needle on any music by Capital Cities is it will remain fresh and crispy endlessly. This duo (Ryan Merchant
and Sebu Simonian) made impressive moves last year (loved their remake of The Purple Ones’ Nothing Compares 2 U), and in 2013 are slatted to drop their debut album In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery on June 11th. Continue reading “capital cities // safe and sound + video”
It’s been a minute since the boys from Manchester have dropped new material. And although we’ve heard the tracks ‘Cough, Cough” and “Kemosabe,” from their soon to be releases LP ‘Arc’ we’re still waiting for the other shoe to drop January 14th. In my book this is one of the most anticipated albums of 2013. Peace. Continue reading “everything everything // kemosabe”
No the band name is not a misprint, but the NYC-based project is worthy of a double-take, or should I say double-listen? Mind me not, but do check out their latest release “Wings“. The track provokes one (or at least me) to sky-gaze and makes me feel all grandiose and gossamer inside. Again, don’t mind me, but do find enjoyment in the music and video. Continue reading “haerts // wings”
the ever compelling brooklyn-based electro-pop band st. lucia are gearing up for their forthcoming lp titled ‘september’ from which the title track borrows the same name. the release comes via columbia and neon gold respectively, and you can expect it to drop early 2013. if the sonically pleasing first single is any indication, well hold on to your ears because it’s going to be a good one. peace. Continue reading “st. lucia // september”
at times you hear a voice so incredible big and astoundingly beautiful it beckons to your heart. a heart which will eventually have to reassure your ears that what they’re witnessing is not an aural illusion. marina and the diamonds take their song, “lies” and they’ve gifted it to a world in dire need of more beauty and light. i’m sure you’ve heard this song, and if not i’m more than happy to be making this introduction. for more check out the latest album release ‘electra heart‘ available on itunes. peace. Continue reading “marina and the diamonds // lies”
Today a link to the video, “What Makes A Good Man?” by The Heavy appeared in my in-box. I watched the video and I was intrigued by the story of the troubled man who was the central character in the cinematic short. Redemption is a powerful theme amongst our human populace and this video, more so than the song, was an excellent catalyst for it. This is my first brush with The Heavy, and now I am sufficiently curious to see, and hear, what else these guys have to offer. The Heavy’s forthcoming release The Glorious Dead is scheduled to drop in August. Peace. Continue reading “the heavy // what makes a good man?”
Frank Ocean is without a doubt talented. Super talented. But, he is also a couple of other things. An anomaly and a game changer. In the history of R&B and soul music he is in good company. Think, in no particular order, the likes of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, James Brown, and Curtis Mayfield, etc. This young singer/songwriter is particularly fond of Otis Redding, Issac Hayes, and Marvin Gaye, and stylistically it shows. But what Mr. Ocean does, and continues to do is closer to what Prince represents in terms of an expansive musicality. Quite honestly though, he’ll be the first one to tell you he doesn’t possess the guitar chops of Van Halen nor does he know any “secret chords like Saint David.” But man can this kid draw lines from a wide variety of influences. Pop, rock, and alternative just to name of few music genres he sources and funnels through his imagination.
Of course, all musicians draw influence from what has come before, but Mr. Ocean casts his net into the whole tapestry of music, or so it seems. Make no mistake his is an ear cocked in unlikely directions. So, if you haven’t listened to Frank Ocean’s nostalgia, ULTRA mixtape (FREE DOWNLOAD) I implore you give it a listen. If you’re a fan, and an avid listener of music, then you probably already know about the Radiohead references and MGMT samples. But then, there is the beautifully hijacked Eagles “Hotel California” and Coldplay “Strawberry Swing” takeovers. On these quasi-renditions Mr. Ocean leaves the music intact but inlays his own reworked lyrics effortlessly, and seamlessly atop.
And still, there is so much more. Because, it’s not only the music, (although he is the veritable musical contortionist) but it is too the unconventional lyrics, the quirky arrangements, and the Auto-Tune and his very capable singing as well. Listen to fan favorite “There Will Be Tears” with its varying tempo and heart-on-a-sleeve subject matter. It is songs like this, but also “Swim Good” and “We All Try” which put this young visionary into a singular category. Because thematically speaking this young gun breathes rarefied air into the aforementioned songs with touching tenderness and vulnerability that is as refreshing as it is endearing.
Yes, Mr. Ocean is different. But different in a good and wholly unique way. His music deviates, in subtle ways from the canon of the neo-soul movement. His latest offering, “Pyramids,” which according to unofficial industry murmurs, will appear on his debut Def Jam release Channel Orange . This song, “Pyramids,”in my opinion is more in the vein of “Novacane” and “Lovecrimes,” but that isn’t a necessarily a bad thing at all. Plus, this track clocks in at just under 10:00 minutes. Making it the longest (and deeply steeped R&B) track to date. And all this leads up to the expectations of Frank Ocean’s debut album release Channel Orange set to drop July 17th via Def Jam. I am excited, expectant and hopeful. Frank Ocean is definitely an artist to watch. Peace. Continue reading “frank ocean // nostalgia, ultra | channel orange & beyond”
brooklyn, nyc-based band bear in heaven pulled one of the biggest promotional stunts in the musicsphere this year with the promotion of their latest release, ‘i love you, it’s cool‘. check here on npr for details. but no wild stunts here on the bands, “reflection of you (lovelock remix)”, just slightly doctored music in real-time. peace. Continue reading “bear in heaven // the reflection of you (lovelock remix)”
The music made by Karin Park is often complex in an neon-colored and electrified Rubik’s cube sort of way. However, the Olle Lundin-directed video for the song, “Restless,” is very, let’s say DYI. The song is taken from the forthcoming debut album Highwire Poetry due for release later this month. For a proper interview of the making of the Restless video, as well as, other goings on go to our friends at www.wonderlandmagazine.com. Peace. Continue reading “karin park // restless (video premiere)”
Perennial funksters (not hipsters) duo Jordan Kelley and Jason Huber bka Cherub are funky! Imagine if Rick James’ sweat was crystallized into pill form, dusted with the liquored breath of the best dance music available, then served piping hot between the sweaty thighs of R&B and Soul music personified in the form of Pam Grier in her heyday. Yes, it’s an image you won’t soon forget, and like the Don Winsley remix of “XOXO” it’s a track your ears aren’t likely to soon forget either. So go ahead, douse yourself in this vat of clarified soul essence, and they’ll be mopping up your puddled form off the dance floor as soon as the track ends. Peace. Continue reading “Cherub // XOXO (don winsley remix)”