There is so much music being released, remixed or regurgitated (carrot chunks included) on a daily basis – it really is hard to sieve through and find the good stuff, let alone digest it.
Which is why I am here to help!
Every week (on Tuesday) I’m going to post the top 5 new tracks I have managed to pluck out of cyberspace… and in some instances obscurity.
So here goes…
Week 10. May 8
Flight Facilities – With You feat. Grovesnor (Teaser) (David August Remix)
Where the hell have Flight Facilities been? Hopping bars and spreading the musical love around Mexico & the US it would seem – hard at work of course! Hard enough to produce this new single “With You” ft. Grovesnor (who admittedly I don’t know much about, he’s friends with The 2 Bears so he must be cool). This is a remix of the track by another artist David August… I know there are too many fingers in this pie and it’s getting confusing, so just zone out & listen instead:
Elizabeth Rose – Ready (Polographia remix)
This is remix by a Sydney duo Polographia of another Sydney electronic producer and remix queen herself - Elizabeth Rose. We’ve been spinning her original track “Ready” but I thought I’d share this remix as it’s a really interesting stripped back interpretation of the track (see both below). PLEASE go and see this girl live, she’s such a talent, tour details on her facebook.
Here's the original track "Ready"...
Animal Collective – Gotham
They’re back! Well never really go anywhere, the Baltimore four; only break to work on various side-projects (and thank you Noah Lennox for Panda Bear’s 2011 release, Tomboy – what an album). But they’ve been back in the same room together to produce this new 7inch single release Honeycomb / Gotham. Honeycomb is the lead single (listen & pre-order it here) but I think I like this one better… As per usual, Animal Collective make for a challenging listen - but that's why we like them - am I right?
Heart Swell – Antelope Ft. Alyssan Russell
Proof that a bit of creative forethought and a loop pedal is sometimes all you need to make a killer track. This track “Antelope” is the creation of Sydney bedroom producer Teddy Gain… I like how it builds off of one little basic melody… and what could even be a bucket that he’s drumming on? Regardless, each layer sediments really beautifully as the song progresses… if you dig this, like him on facebook as he’s brand new and could use the love!
Mystery Jets – Someone Purer
This is a track from Mystery Jet’s forthcoming release Radlands. I have no idea whether this track will be a single but it’s definitely my favourite off the album so far… Apparently the UK band were influenced by a missionary they met on a plane to Texas while they were in the middle of writing the album, who tried to convert one of them. Sister Everett is her name, and the name of track 9 on the album. By the sounds of this one… I think they chose rock n’ roll in the end…
Week 9. May 1
Millions – Slow Burner
An indie band out of Brisbane (one of our Top 20 in fact) who have a sound that for some reason evokes memories of swing dancing parties in the 50’s (of which I attended many of course), vintage microphones and gelled hair… of course with their own unique twist. This track is so good: souring vocals over descending chords… heartache in sonar. Like this? Check their facebook for more goodness
Beach House – Lazuli
Every track that’s been leaked off Beach House’s forthcoming album Bloom I’ve posted something about (including a special Record Store Day release)… so why stop! This track in particular is so warm: the fuzzy thickness of the sound almost mimics the humidity filling up the air as it does in Spring. Well-titled album in that case!
Daughn Gibson - Tiffany Lou
I adore this track… juxtaposing a real twangy raw guitar with keys and his own vocal: which has been sampled through and looped to mimic a muted trumpet – it’s genius! Reminds me of old Groove Armada jam from Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) “Sand Dunes and Salty Air”. This track “Tiffany Lou” is from his debut album of this year All Hell Check it out…
Light Giant - Waste of Wine
This is the first I’ve heard of these 3 guys from Sydney, Light Giant and what impressive beginnings. I especially love the drumming mix of what seems to be both real and sampled (or maybe just a really good drummer). As it rolls, the layers build (nice subtle use of strings) until it boldly changes tempo around 3min mark. Definitely one of the best tracks I’ve heard this year… and they only have 110 Facebook fans. If you dig it, help them out here!
Japandroids - The House That Heaven Built
If you haven’t heard of these guys they’re a rock duo from Canada – and as we know it’s too bloody cold up there not to be losing your shit to tracks like this, “The House Like Heaven Built”. It’s one of those tracks that sets fire to nerves you never knew you had and shouting like your part of some modern revolution (even if you’re just stuck in traffic). Celebration Rock, which features this banger is out May 29. I’m hooked (and I’m also cuing up this track up before I go into to ask for my next pay rise).
Week 8. April 24
Marilyn Manson (feat. Johnny Depp) – You’re So Vain (cover)
Who would have picked these two artisans in their own right to collaborate; Marilyn Manson & Johnny Depp, apparently they go way back… both highly intellectual, quirky people – makes sense. Regardless, this cover of Carly Simon’s, “You’re So Vain” is something to behold and it’s set to be a bonus track on Manson’s forthcoming release
Born Villain, out May 1.
Oberhofer – Yr Face
Oberhofer, the creation of Brooklyn based artist Brad Oberhofer just released his debut LP
Time Capsules II and despite an uninspiring review from Pitchfork, I am totally digging; start to finish. This track isn’t a single, but probably my favourite off the album. That real old western saloon-style piano skirts around the edges of this drum driven track: heavy on the tom-tom as if it’s mimicking your own heartbeat. All the instrumentation just seems to align in this track so well… like when you fall in love… can you guess what the track’s about?
Catcall – The World is Ours
Sydney based pop producing songstress, Catcall is Catherine Kelleher; a local superstar but yet to crack the overseas market… although renowned indie music blog Gorilla Vs Bear listed her 2nd single “Satellites” from her forthcoming LP
The Warmest Place (out May 4) in their Top 50 tracks of 2011 – nice. This track is the latest single, “The World in Ours” and it’s pure juicy-indie-pop goodness will have you singing along 2nd listen. It’s got a cute little video to boot! Check it out:
Blackbird Blackbird
- Waikiki
Blackbird Blackbird is the stage name from San Fran producer
Mikey Maramag: he creates this watery pop soundscapes dappled with his own airy vocals… his music almost has a psychedelic vibe. His debut release
Summer Heart was in my top 50 albums of 2010, so you dig this new track, definitely go back and check it out… (Top tracks: Sunspray & So Sorry Girl)
Purity Ring – Obedear
This Canadian duo (Corin & Megan) are very new to the scene; they’ve only released 3 tracks to date, and this one “Obedear” to be the best yet (
Download it for free from their website). The track flaunts luscious layers of synth-pop, nicely timed hooks and vocal effects: production values reminiscent of
Grimes (another cool new artist to emerge from the Maple leafed nation) and
School of Seven Bells (scroll down to hear one of their tracks I featured earlier). Purity Ring’s forthcoming release Shrines is out July 24 if this rubs you up the right way.
Week 7. April 17
Yuck – Chew
One of my fave bands to emerge out of the UK in the last few years, they’re self-titled album got such a burn last summer, it was out of control (as was that crazy chick windmilling her arms around trying to get strangers to dance with her in enthusiasm at Laneway Festival… I wonder who that was…) This track has the same warm grainy lo-fi sound as the album, and I'm having the same love affair with it. Check it:
The Medics - Griffin
I have high hopes for this young Aussie Brisbane based band (originally from Cairns). They stand out from the overwhelming amount of indie bands: Kahl Wallace’s temperate vocals balanced with some heavy riffs and raucous drumming. This is the latest from the boys “Griffin” – if you like this – make sure you check out their other tracks on their facebook page (namely Joseph).
The Walkmen – Heaven
These guys will never get old in my book, hard to believe the album they’re set to release this June (of the same name) will be their 7th studio release. This is our first taste from it. It sounds like one of those songs you’d listen to on a train, chugging along… leaving something behind… or someone. Did you catch them at Harvest Festival?
Major Lazer - 'Get Free' feat. Amber (of Dirty Projectors)
If you’re a Major Lazer fan, this track will most likely hit you for six with it’s unusual slow-pulsing reggae beat. Infectious stuff though, don’t you think? The vocal is courtesy of Amber Deradoorian of Dirty Projectors fame and it compliments the track so so well. This got me at first listen….
Disclosure - “Boiling” feat. Sinead Harnett
For a UK duo that have only ever officially released a 4 track EP, they certainly are popular (almost 20,000 facebook fans). Shows how awesome the UK music scene is, and how powerful elctronic music online communities can be… I first came across these guys as they were part of a FACT Magazine mixtape produced by Air France - the BOMB! I think you’ll like it if you like Jacques Green, Holy Other, SBTRKT or Hot Chip/Joe Goddard. They’re about to release another EP and this is the first sample premiered on BBC Radio 1 with Annie Mac, “Boiling”, smooth...
Week 6. April 11
Cadillac – Too Long (Daft Punk Cover)
This cover is but one lovechild born from a French fashion label: La Coq Sportif and record label Future Classic getting together and reproducing a number of Aussie covers of French artists. One half of Cadillac, Ant captioned this track posted on their facebook page with, "It was pretty uncomfortable covering a Daft Punk song, so hopefully we didn’t offend any diehard DP fans, we tried to do it our own way". I think they did a damn fine job, check it:
Voitaire Twins – Young Adult
One of our fave Electro-pop outfits out of Perth have just released their new video for “Young Adult” (today!). I’ve never been lucky enough to see these guys live, but I reckon they’d be arm-flailing, floor-filling fun. There’s a catchy simplicity to their version of pop, but sometimes there’s nothing wrong with that!
Zulu Winter – Silver Tongue
If you haven’t heard of these guys, they’re a 5 piece from London who were thrown around as one of those “one to watch” bands of 2012 by a few different sites, NME for one. This is their new single “Silver Tongue”. If you like this one, check out the rest of their stuff on their facebook page, notably an older track of theirs, “We Should Be Swimming”.
Andrea Moonchild – Work in the Middle (Kodak to Graph Remix)
There is not much on the interwebs I can find about this guy which suggests he is pretty fresh…. He’s a producer from Paris who recently won this competition run by Bad Panda Records with this remix of one of Kodak to Graph’s tracks (another cool producer on their label):
Kodak to Graph then remixed one of his tracks as part of the prize. Both tracks are killers…
DZ Deathrays – Dollar Chills
There’s been a lot of hype surrounding these two Brissy lads (they’ve become NME’s Aussie protégés) and it’s difficult to explain why… but at the same time, why not! Their weighty-riffed thrash punk jams are just difficult NOT to get into. I’ve been spinning their new album Bloodstreams all last week – and hell – I just dig it. This is the new single from it. BOOM!
Week 5. April 4
Jai Paul – Jasmine
It’s almost as if this British producer went into hiding after the overload of acclaim he received for his first release “BTSTU” in 2011. Whatever happened, we’re so grateful you’re back Jai, especially with this bass-y new track “Jasmine”… loving the echo-y handclaps too. Damn this track is so sexy…
The Art of Sleeping – Empty Hands
Just love this track, really nicely produced: the main vocal has a rich earthy quality to it which grounds the souring guitar riffs – I was sold at first listen. And what do you know the 5 piece are from Brisbane! Wish I’d known sooner and I would have included them in my
Top 20 Brisbane Bands article. Check their
facebook page for more goodness if you dig this.
Boatfriends – Kaleido
More new electronic sounds bubbling up from our own shores, this time from a Newcastle group called Boatfriends. This track really rolls, builds, and gently explodes around the 2min mark. The lush vocals are layered almost in a musical round… almost. It’s really nice work (and being a fellow Novocastrian, I’m a little proud!)
Paris Jones – Take Care (Drake “Trill Alternative”)
This is a stripped back, breathy cover of the killer track
“Take Care” featuring Rihanna taken from Drake’s 2
nd LP of the same name. I admit, it took a friend to force me to listen to his album against my will (I thought it was just going to be standard R&B crap) but it is an absolute cracker. Drake’s not afraid to collaborate & the lineup is impressive (definitely what got me over the line):
Jamie xx, Big Boi, The Weeknd… well worth a listen. Regardless, this is a killer cover…
Father John Misty – Nancy From Now on
If you haven’t heard of Father John Misty, it’s most likely because the man behind the music, J.Tillman was busy touring as the drummer for Fleet Foxes. He’s also released a score of solo albums under his given name (I’m a fan of his earlier work, have a listen on our Tumblr here). This track has been out for a while now, but I somehow missed writing about it, so maybe you did too. This video is an intriguing one too....
Week 4. March 28
Sigur Ros - Ekki Múkk
Sigur Ros have dropped this new number “Ekki Múkk” in their usual ethereal ice-scape style... And listening to it, it seems the Icelandic post-rockers haven’t lost their innate ability to balance the dynamics of their music to an absolute tee. This is what beauty on the inside sounds like. Full LP Valtari due out May 25.
Mina Tindle - Follow Me
Mina Tindle – who is she? A Parisian singer songwriter producing some sonically lush works: her vocal is so rich, biting and warm all at once – she’s like a French Lykke Li or Sia even! Her first LP has just been released Taranta and it well worth checking out, as is this teaser featuring a sample from the final track “Demain”. Wait for the 0:46 second mark…
And this full track “Follow Me”
Airhead – Wait
This track swallowed my cerebral cortex at first listen – wow. If you like Mount Kimbie, James Blake, or anything post-dubstep, even Animal Collective, you’ll love the use of air and space in this track, unusually combined with such a vivid vocal. Just wait for 2:53… I'm really into music that challenges the generic form and structure of a song and still remains harmonious, but I understand it's an acquired taste so see how you go with this one...
Thrupence – Voyages
A Melbourne producer created this gem “Voyages” by the name of Jack Vanzet; in fact I’ve decided to embed the entire EP stream (although you should download it) as there are some really beautiful moments throughout. If you like Tycho, Mux Mool, Telefon Tel Aviv, Helios… this work is in the same vain but still completely unique (although I swear the track "Synchronous Bloom" has a likening to Gold Panda's "Snow & Taxis" - and there's nothing wrong with that anyway). Loving these fresh electronic vibes sounding out from our own shoreline!
Kira Puru & The Bruise - When All Your Love Is Not Enough
Admittedly I only came across these guys on seeing they’re playing with Steve Smyth – another intensely talented artist, and The Preachers – so I’m a bit late on this track. “When All Your Love Is Not Enough” has real soul; and a deadly guitar riff which carries the weight of Kira’s vocal… and what a vocal it is. Great video too for an independent band! Get more on their facebook.
Week 3. March 21
Beach House - Wild
So this track is the second taste off Beach House's forthcoming album Bloom - and it's a leaked track - so I can't host it on the site. But it's just so beautiful I had to write about it. How these 2 Baltimore natives, Victoria & Alex manage to create such a dense wash of sound... it swallows you. It's a click away but I urge you to have a listen here. Get all the details on their album release here.
Gang Colours - Fancy Restaurant
This track is the work of a UK producer by the name of Will Ozanne aka Gang Colours from his recently released debut The Keychain Collection. If you're into that minimalistic, piano-dappled production like the works of James Blake... or even Schlomo, or Tyco, you'll dig this. There's a really simple romantic quality to the repeated lyric in this track too...
Chet Faker - Terms and Conditions
Let's hold the romance and take it straight to the bedroom with this new album release
Thinking in Textures by Melbourne producer
Chet Faker. Damn... it's so sexy... I could go on about how different his style is, like an R&B soul fusion... if you check out another track of his
"Cigarettes and Chocolate" it verges on post-dubstep like SBTRKT... but this music is for feeling, not talking about...
Canyons - When I See You Again (Nick Zinner Remix)
This psychedelic Sydney dance duo stole my heart (and the movement of my limbs) with their 2011 release
Keep Your Dreams via Modular Records. The best thing about being a part of the Modular family is that everyone remixes each others work - and we reap the benefits! Nick Zinner dipped his fingers into this one: stripping the more prominent bass line out of the original track while bringing the synth strings and maracas to the forefront... I'm with you Nick, I'm with you.
Arcade Fire - The Sprawl (Soulwax remix)
After their uninspiring recent release "Abraham's Daughter" for the new Hunger Games soundtrack (did they put any effort into that track at all?) Thank god the Soulwax boys have re-injected some life back into the Canadian 29-piece with this killer remix of "The Sprawl" off the band's 2010 release The Suburbs. Time to get your vibe on kids...
Week 2. March 14
Not to discount this week’s spicy new editions: Sbtkt’s new one “Surely”, The Hives “Go Right Ahead” and Beach House’s “Myth”, tracks who warranted separate articles altogether, here’s the top five tracks I came across this week.
School of Seven Bells – Lafaye
This has actually been out for a few weeks, taken from the New York twosome (often foursome) spanking new album Ghoststory. Like the name, the entire album is an otherworldly mix of airy vocals and electric 80’s inspired synth and drum machine. If you like Bat for Lashes, Chairlift of Yeasayer’s later work: you’ll be hooked.
Miike Snow – Bavarian #1 (Say You Will)
I am SO excited about this Swedish trio’s new album Happy to You (I’ve been listening to a sneaky copy in the office all week) and I can tell you it’s immense. There’s so much more dimension to this album: this track alone is a molten mix of militant snare drum pattern (provided by the actual Swedish army!), whistling solos, real piano and frontman Christian’s trademark spine-tingling falsetto which crescendos and erupts into hooky chorus…. Can you tell I dig it? They ripped the track down so go to the 3min mark of this interview to hear it...
Cub Scouts - Do You Hear
A band listed in our Top 20 Brisbane bands you need to know, and with good reason. The 5 piece are crafting some intricate pop jams with a nice Aussie indie-folk twist. You can imagine them jamming on a balcony in the country somewhere listening to this. Nice work guys.
Kindness – Gee Up
This track was also released a few weeks back (we almost added it) by British disco-infused funk star Adam Bainbridge aka Kindness. I am semi-in-love with this guy (and no Reegan, it’s not because he has long hair) it’s because he produces hilarious videos like this – my favourite of the year so far and a killer tune to boot. His album World, You Need A Change Of Mind is out March 19… but of course you don’t need me to tell you that…
Lotus Plaza - “Strangers”
Deerhunter fan? This track comes from guitarist Lockett Pundt's 2nd solo LP Spooky Action at a Distance (I stand corrected, thanks Peter Stevens from facebook) and it has the same definitive drawling melodic phrases you would have come to know (and in my case adore) from the band. Lockett and frontman Bradford Cox co-wrote 2010’s Halcyon Digest; Lockett himself penning the most structurally “pop” tune “Desire Lines” - a total tune… memories of it surface in this ditty… needless to say I’m psyched for this release.
Week 1. March 7
The Cribs – Come On, Be A No-One
The gritty British 3-piece have done it again - I am a sucker for a chorus that ends in screaming…
The Deportees (feat. Lykke Li) – A New Name to Go By
The Deportees are a Swedish indie-pop band I am not too familiar with admittedly; Lykke Li on the other hand is a fave. This track is swoon-worthy...
Bear In Heaven – Sinful Nature
Beast Rest Forth Mouth by the experimental indie Brooklyn trio was one of my fave albums of 2010. This new track is but a taste of what's to come; their new album I Love You, It's Cool is out in April.
Oliver Tank – Help You Breathe
Just dropped on his facebook page last night, this new track by Sydney producer Oliver Tank is the stuff dreams are made of - literally - it's as if he's been up in the sky at night sampling our unconscious thoughts... beautiful.
Burial + Four Tet – Nova
So if you're not big on the post-dubstep genre, this might be a bit much to take in. This is the product of two of my fave artists Burial and Four Tet mixing together... sometimes 2 rights make a wrong - not in this case!
Any to add? Drop us a link in the comments yo.