A little electro-pop from Stockholm based Kate Boy, kitted out by raincoat donsStutterheim no less. Scandinavian lands just keep churning out these good old, sing-a-long, keyboard sounds, ‘The Knife’ a clear influence on the band. Actually, these guys (Kate Akhurst, Hampus Nordgren Hemlin, Oskar Sikow Engström and Markus Dextege) split their time between Australia and Sweden, so maybe that accounts for the upbeat/darkbeat feel of it all. Anyway, you can make up your own mind with the official video to single ‘In Your Eyes‘ below. Debut EP ‘Northern Lights‘ released 11 March by IAmSound.
Phèdre are “three lovers from Monaco, raised in a cave of gold”. The band, which features members of Hooded Fang’s Daniel Lee and April Aliermo, along with Airick Woodhead of Doldrums, recently dropped the fantastic track “In Decay”, the first cut from their upcoming album. Phèdre, inspired by Greek mythology, have released their self-titled debut album digitally on February 14th via Toronto’s Daps Records. The video for ”In Decay” is an amalgam of strange imagery, odd floral arrangements, empty lobster husks, headdresses, ultra-goopy goo poured all over faces and bodies, filtered through a warped-VHS sheen. And the visual accompaniment fits the actual song like a glove. “In Decay” is a mutant hybrid of several different types of sounds - of Montreal’s freaked-out glam, the AM-radio baritone blur of Ariel Pink, and a dash of the cheekiness contained in Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love”, for good measure - but it’s Phèdre’s charming mash of these signifiers that make the song rise above mere pastiche.
Hailing from Bristol – a city known to have forged some of the most influential music talents in the UK– think Roni Size, Massive Attack and Portishead – Typesun (aka Luke Harney) is quickly earning the reputation of city’s next rising star, making a huge impact on the airwaves with his new single, “The PL“. A well-rounded producer, drummer and DJ, Typesun has come up with quite the gem. “The PL” is a gorgeous, minimal, hypnotic, electro-soul track featuring the heart-warming and captivating vocals of Romaine Smith. “The PL” has the kind of simple, catchy and addictive groove that will have you place this track on constant repeat for a while. A timeless classic in the making.
A little film masterpiece from Kansas City pop star SSION nee Cody Critcheloe, who, with elaborate costumes, sets and drag queen cameos, manages to take us somewhere else with each of his ever-ambitious music videos. “Luvvbazaar,” the catchy hit from last year’s Bent album, gets a video treatment that traipses through some heavy black-and-white, ’90s dance-pop nostalgia, reminding us how exuberant pop can be at its best. The joy of SSION is that it’s never ironic—a triumphant moment when a queen in a glittery dress takes the stage to sing some backing vocal ad-libs is life-affirming the most unembarassing way.
The world has been waiting far too long for something new by The Knife, but finally we have new music, a new video, and a new album to get excited about. Recently it was announced that their fourth album, Shaking The Habitual, will be out in April. Here’s the video for the first, brutal and wonderful, new single, “Full of Fire,” via Sweden’s SVT. Marit Östberg, born in Stokholm and now residing in Berlin, where she makes porn for feminists, directs the mini-film, which follows a cast of 16 across 10 minutes. When you’re full of fire, what’s the object you desire? is the song’s driving question, illustrated here with lonely yelps into the ocean, broken glass and bondage ties. At the end, there’s a guttural epilogue of bent Salt ‘N Pepa: Let’s talk about gender baby/ Let’s talk about you and me.
The self-titled debut EP by Peter LaBier and Co. shined like a still-wet painting leaning nonchalantly against a grimy Bushwick studio wall. Thick, tense vocals partnered up with terminally cool darkwave grooves on Psychobuildings’ first release, and the effect was claustrophobic and fun, like the final dance party before everyone drinks the Kool-Aid. But with “Wonderchamber” (which actually is about a cult), each element is fully defined and three-dimensional — every syllable, every note stretched to its full potential, adding an irresistible and disturbing brightness to the “vibrant hell” being described.
“You (Ha Ha Ha),” the new Gold Panda-sampling single from London dance-pop sensation Chari XCX, now has a video, and a small army of stylists must’ve had a very, very good time putting it together. In the clip, Charli and friends take over a warehouse to party and fire submachine guns, and Charli shows an absolutely dangerous level of charisma. Ryan Andrews directs.
Musicians now a days seem to be getting younger and younger every time. From the likes of XXYYXX to Disclosure to a new artist from Britain that just releaset it’s new track, Bondax with “Gold”. For those who aren’t familiar with Bondax, this duo hails from the city of Lancaster and exudes a sound that is beyond their years. Boasting a captivating and upbeat rhythmic beat, George Townsend and Adam Kaye pair the instrumental with relaxed singing that has a tinge of emotional undertones.
Rare Times, an LA-four piece comprised of guy friends, will release the first in a planned trio of EPs, Missionary, February 25th on brand-new label Feel So Real. “No One’s Looking Out” is a velvet taste of what’s to come; jazz pianist and frontman Anthony Calonico stars in its damp and porny video, brooding on a surveillance cam, under red lights, and in a stiff white shirt.
The-Dream - Can’t Wait to Hate You (Jerome LOL Edit)
Jerome Potter, a.k.a. Jerome LOL, half of the currently on hiatus Los Angeles-by-Montreal production duo LOL Boys, reworking a demo made by R&B maestro The-Dream for current American Idol judge/HSN host/popstar Mariah Carey. A blissed-out remix of “Can’t Wait to Hate You,” one that trades the original’s nuance for something purely emotional. A simplified version of an already feelings-heavy song might sound like too much, but with the focus on the track’s “Today I’m going to get over you” chorus, a bitter, but heartfelt break-up song is turned into something surprising uplifting.
