Our passion for new music knows no end here at Radar… we actually get quite competitive in being the first to find new songs between all of us that work here – and fight over which ones get added. I think sometimes they should provide us with Radar branded foam hammers, things might get settled a lot quicker!
Here goes...
Week 23. Ladyhawke - Blue Eyes
This week’s song of the week comes from an album with possibly my favourite cover art of 2012 (some people still care about it) Ladyhawke! It’s the third single “Blue Eyes” of her stellar release of this year
Anxiety. It too a second album (after a 4 year break) as the title indicates, for Pip to address her own fears; themes of which are threaded throughout, but as she explained to
The Brag the decision to do so didn't go unnoticed,
“I have quite bad anxiety and everyone around me knows it, to the point where it’s accepted that it’s just the way I am,” she says. “It actually became a running joke in the lead-up to this album. The label kept calling me, asking what the album title was going to be, so finally I said, ‘It’s going to be called Anxiety, okay? Get off my back!’ I said that as a bit of a joke, but I realised I actually really liked it. I didn’t realise the effect it would have until much later – people are on the phone to me all concerned asking, ‘Are you okay?’” she says with a cheeky laugh. “I’m just thinking, ‘Ohh shit, what have you done?’”
You’ve made some killer tunes Pip! This is one of Aniexty's most up-tempo tracks, so get ready to dance…
Week 22. Walk the Moon - Anna Sun
Who is this paint-faced four piece they call Walk the Moon you might be thinking...? A fair question since this track "anna Sun" is the first we've heard of them here in Australia, despite it being first released back in 2010 on their debut album
I Want I Want! (there must have been another one of those carrier pigeon fails). In any regard, we are happy to finally be giving it a spin and it's such an infectious, air-punching pop jam. I don't think we were the only ones who missed it, as the band have re-released it on their new self-titled album too (coming soon).
Interestingly, I actually first thought these guys were Australian! Their frontman Nicholas Petricca has a really clear vocal tone that doesn't curl around at the ends like you expect and the video also features "real" people and isn't annoyingly over-produced - that's how we do things! Maybe that's why I like it so much...
See if you do too.
Week 16. Illy - Heard It All
This is exciting news because it means that there is going to be a new album on the way. When The Chase was released back in 2010 (yeah, it was that long ago) it was filled with tune after tune and if this new one is an indication of what the record is going to sound like, you better get excited.
Let's go back to one of the best songs from The Chase and this thing hasn't even aged, it still sounds like it could be released now!
Week 15. Deadmau5 - The Veldt (feat. Chris James)
Deadmau5 - so what do we really know about this guy other that he wears a massive munted looking mouse head at all times... and what the begeezus has he been up to of late? As it turns out, he's just finishing
overhauling his studio in Toronto (Canada) so he can live stream his recording sessions to his fans - how cool is that! This track "The Veldt" was the product of a 22 hour live streaming session and the melody based on a short story by Ray Bradbury - this is how he explained his take on it,
"[The track] is a somewhat
melancholic yet uplifting audio image of kids bestowed with insane technology which enables them to conjure up any setting or anything they desire… which in this case, as children sometimes wish their parents were dead by an unfounded retaliation to being disciplined. what a great story, i figured."
He then
posted the instrumental on Soundcloud to get a response from the fans... only to find within 24 hours fans had inundated his twitter tagging a fans vocal version of the track. Forced to take notice of a random called Chris James... Deadmau5 realised he done a pretty damn good job of the vocal and interpreting the story,
"
he righteously did his homework, and came up with just a few bang on verses that completely compliment the story and the mood, which is all I ever want from a song that contained lyrical content. Can’t give him props enough.”
So what do you think.... Deadmau5 actually does give a crap so let us know!
It wasn’t long ago we premiered Miike Snow’s latest release Happy to You as our album of the week… and it was one of the best weeks we’ve had all year! The album is cover to cover experimental-pop goodness - and that’s what’s exciting about the 3-procucers combined powers – their songs are both catchy and complex.
This new one “The Wave” is one of my faves off the album; kicking off that alluring rolling snare, handclaps and piano chords – you’re hooked from the start (you know Miike employed the Swedish army to drum for this track and "Bavarian #1"?)
“The Wave” was the 3rd video released as part of this epic trilogy directed by Andreas Nillson (he’s directed videos for MGMT, Yeasayer, The Knife etc) and tells the story of the creation of the “perfect” human being Jean Noel…
Step outside the box and into this world for a second… (I had to put “Paddling Out” first so you can follow the story)
Week 13. Missy Higgins - Unashamed Desire
Missy Higgins! It feels like 10 years since we’ve had you in our reach, but in truth, it’s only been 5. The Aussie ARIA winner actually admitted to suffering from a bit of writers block after the release of her last album in 2007
On a Clear Night – if you want the full story on what Missy has been up to,
check out this article.
The new track from Missy
“Unashamed Desire” is a total tune, so the time off wasn’t a waste it would seem. It was co-written/produced with
Butterfly Boucher (who we had in the studio not long ago &
who spoke of the collaboration).
The “Unashamed Desire” video was also directed by the same director who masterminded “Somebody I Used to Know”, Natasha Pincus. It’s a simple concept, but really beautifully lit… and I’d say the sexiest video Missy’s ever done: but in an artistic and sensual way… check it out.
Week 12. Dappled Cities - Run With The Wind
Where have Dappled Cites been since the release of Zounds in 2009? It always seems like bands disappear off the face of the earth, but most of the time they’re just trying to make headway in the overseas market – which is exactly what Dappled Cities have been doing, relocating to the UK and finally recording their forthcoming 4th studio release last September. “Run with the Wind” (despite sounding like the title track from an 80’s drama) is the first taste from it… and it’s a tune: definitely one that keeps growing on me with each listen. The boys are due back for a tour this May, deets here.
Week 11. Mark Foster (Feat. Kimbra and A-Trak) - Warrior
This is the 4th installment for Converse; grouping together cutting edge artists in order to produce a song for the brand. It made us question how much influence brands have in the indie music community these days, but at the same time - you can't deny how much of a tune this track is! Written by Mark Foster and featuring A-trak and our favourite up and coming Kiwi Kimbra (well she's massive here but only just starting to make waves in the states). The Illegal Mexican Lucha Libre storyline makes for a colourful display, directed by power directing duo DANIELS.They also directed The Shins "Simple Song", learn more about them on their Tumblr here. Thumbs up or down?
So now you've watched the video, did you pick that Kimbra wasn't even there for the shoot? As she explains to MTV,
"So the video shoot was challenging because I couldn't be in L.A. for the time of the shoot, so I think I was in Europe at the time, so we organized for my shoot to be done to a green screen. There's a little bit of face replacement in there as well.
I'm a bit bummed I didn't get to do the round-house kicks. That was a stunt double. I always say to them, I could have done [the kicks]. They jumped to conclusions there.”
We know you could have Kimbra!
Week 10. Van She - Idea of Happiness
The Sydney four piece are back, and with probably one of the weirdest videos to surface so far this year directed by Swede Andreas Nilsson. He's produced music videos for MGMT, Placebo, Miike Snow and remember Yeasayer's "Madder Red"... where this girl has a pet that looks like a brain with a leg? Hard to forget, as this video is... I swear the image of this modern jesus in his banana hammock is burned into my mind! Van She's forthcoming album Idea of Happiness is out on the 6th of July, mixed by Tony Hoffer (he did M83's latest, Foster the People, Ladyhawke + loads more). We are very psyched for this release...
This is the first official single from the Melbourne lads (now UK based) "Need Your Love". After really getting into the first taste we received "Rabbit Hole" (also the title of their forthcoming album), I personally am not sold on this track (it could be just me though, I can't handle overly soppy lyrics haha). Reegan on the other hand thinks it's a total anthem! It's become his new office-karaoke favourite (come to think of it... maybe that's the reason I'm not digging it...). Make sure you let us know what you think in the comments. Regardless, they are a band not to be missed live and lucky for us the boys are back touring Australia in may - head here for all the details. Here's a teaser they released earlier featuring the boys laying the track down...
Week 8. Garbage - Blood for Poppies
Where have they been for the past 7 years? Who knows! But Garbage are definitely back and Shirley doesn't sound (or look) any older. This is the first release "Blood for Poppies" taken from their forthcoming album Not Your Kind Of People and you can listen her talking about it below. There's also a video of the making of the music video for this track... so all you diehards can have sneaky perv... that's all it's really good for (they just go through the tracklisting of the album - seriously - didn't anyone have a better idea?)
Indie pop sensation and subsequent tabloid sensation Lana Del Rey has released her third official single "Blue Jeans" from her UK No. 1 album Born to Die. Even though the album copped a LOT of flack from renowned music publications (ouch), in the end, all the controversy only served to help her sales. You can only tell by the fact she produced a second video for "Blue Jeans" (post cash injection I'm guessing). Watch the "before and after" below. The slick version features the same US model that plays her love interest in "Born to Die", Bradley Soileau. Hmmm, something for everyone...
We were pretty excited to be sent the first taste from the Temper Trap's forthcoming 2nd LP. It's been a while in the making for the boys since Conditions came out all the way back in 2009, but after having a chat to their label reps, we know it's because the boys are really conscious of producing a stella follow up (and aren't 2nd albums always the most heavily criticised?) If you want to hear the track and get all the details on the new album release head here. In the meantime, enjoy this live recording of "Love Lost" - has to be one of my fave tracks from their debut...
This has to be one of the best songs off The Jezabels 2011 release Prisoner; it has that combination of steady tom tom based beat and tumbling snare with short electric riffs that take you straight back to the 80’s when Pat Benatar was in her prime. Nik Kaloper's drumming really makes this album for me; it just adds so much depth to each track (he used to play in a metal band). What I like most about front woman Hayley Mary’s lyrics too - not exclusive to this track - is how visually allusive they are to feelings or states of being, past memories and the often unnecessary complications of relationships. You never really know exactly what they’re referring to… but you feel every moment.
Here’s an awesome live performance of the track "Rosebud". Enjoy.
Week 4. Adrian Lux - Alive (Feat. The Good Natured)
Most of us know this
Swedish mix master from his killer well-pumped festival tune of 2010
"Teenage Crime" - well here in Australia we do! You know that single charted better here than anywhere else in the world? Supposedly it's about breaking free - and we know a little something about that here - perhaps that's why it resonated. This new one "Alive" features
The Good Natured (a UK electro-pop band) and Adrian himself making weird sounds from a flat screen... go figure. Check it out.
Week 3. M83 - Reunion
“Reunion” is the second single of M83’s release Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, following on from pop-romping dance floor fave of last year “Midnight City”. And if you didn’t figure it out, it’s a concept album to boot, as frontman/creator Anthony Gonzalez explains to the Guardian,
"The cover has a brother and a sister sitting in a bed. One side is the spirit of the young boy, and the other side is the spirit of the young girl. It's like how brothers and sisters are different people, but connected by blood and mind. Each track has a sibling on the other disc."
Like “Midnight City”, “Reunion” is a track that is intrinsically ‘pop’ in structure: with hooks in all the right places. But as part of a entire album with such a scape of varied sonic inflections… it’s but a sparkly peak. You really need to go on the complete double-album journey to fully appreciate it.
You’ll hear the track on high rotation this week, so I thought I’d include this epic remix by White Sea for you instead.
Week 2. Sam Sparro - Happiness
Australia's favourite pop sensation Sam Sparro (and I mean good pop) is back - with a new single "Happiness" and a slick new look. Here is is at LA Pride talking about it. He headlined the show too! Pretty cool.
Week 1. Papa Vs Pretty - Look For Me
First jam on the sandwich is the new one from Papa Vs. Pretty, "Look for Me". Here’s what the boys had to say about it… very deep sentiments boys... lol