Stars – From The Night

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Stars

Stars have just released the first single off their forthcoming album, and it is a doozy. “From The Night” encompasses everything the Montreal group is known for — iridescent indie-pop with lush instrumentation and one of the best hooks I’ve heard in some time (anyone else hear the influence of The Police?). A more uplifting tune in their armory of pop noir, an interesting anecdote is that Stars’ recording studio was situated just above a discotheque, which inadvertently affected their sound.

In terms of the narrative, singer Torquil Campbell tells NPR that the track is a “letter to those of you who stayed home and didn’t take a chance on the possibility that a bassline and a hi-hat rhythm might save your life.” Lest you fear that Stars have gone too soft, however, Campbell adds: “Oh, and one other thing: It’s lonely. There is no lonelier feeling in the world than watching the sun rise as you walk home.”

The new album, No One Is Lost is due out via ATO Records on October 14. Check out their tour dates below, which includes a stop at DC’s 9:30 Club November 13.

 

Upcoming Tour Dates:

Aug 18, 2014 : Stratford ON, Canada – Stratford Music Fest
Aug 30, 2014 : Calgary AB, Canada – Xfest
Aug 31, 2014 : Edmonton AB, Canada – Sonic Boom
Sept 7, 2014 : Toronto ON, Canada – Riot Fest Toronto
Oct 5, 2014 : New York, NY – Modern Sky Festival
Nov 8, 2014 : Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
Nov 9, 2014 : Boston, MA – Royale
Nov 12, 2014 : Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
Nov 13, 2014 : Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
Nov 14, 2014 : Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre
Nov 15, 2014 : Atlanta, GA The Loft
Nov 19, 2014 : Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
Nov 21, 2014 : Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
Nov 22, 2014 : Detroit, MI – Majestic Theatre
Nov 23, 2014 : Buffalo, NY – The Tralf (Music Hall)

Jenny Mayhem & the Fuzz Orchestrator – Bad Girls

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Jenny Mayhem

Jenny Mayhem is a Toronto based singer-songwriter that comes by way of Barbados. She’s collaborated with a number of artists, including the German producer Christian Strobe. She’s currently recording with the Fuzz Orchestrator, a fellow Canadian with a mutual love for The Mars Volta and Tarantino. Listen to their freshly released track “Bad Girls” below, which has a seductive sixties vibe to it.

Also check out the sleek SLO LOV remix for the track, just released yesterday. Couldn’t find any info on this remix artist, but I dig their work here.

RMX ROUNDUP: La Roux / Seven Lions + Ellie Goulding / Milwaukee + Keljet

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sexotheque

Although it’s been a pretty temperate summer by most standards, it’s still the hottest time of of the year — which is why we all deserve to cool down with some tropical electronic tunes. So to kick off this edition of Remix Roundup, we have La Roux‘s single, “Sexotheque” off of her new album Trouble in Paradise. Probably my favorite song of the album that I’ve heard so far, this upbeat track pulls you in from start to finish with its infectious melodies and glistening hooks. Stream the preview below (or listen in full on Indie Shuffle), and pick up the track in its entirety on iTunes.

Next is a staggering collaboration between Ellie Goulding and Seven Lions, one of dance music’s leading innovators. Layering a sleek bass line with Ellie’s silky vocals, the Santa Barbara producer has achieved an energetic and emotive gem with the house track “Don’t Leave,” off his new EP Worlds Apart (via Casablanca Records).

And finally, rounding things off is the Keljet remix of Milwaukee‘s “Alone,” which I stumbled upon recently while revisiting another rework of the same song by Amtrac. It’s been around for a little over a year, but merits a resurrection with its driving synths, anthemic chorus and underlying feel of the tropics. Perfect for any dance floor or rooftop party, pick up the Alone EP on iTunes today.

St Tropez – Maybe Nothing

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StTropez

A couple months back I featured the haunting debut track “In Pictures” for St Tropez, a promising new outfit out of Oakland. Since then, the five-piece with a penchant for psychedelia and ‘bittersweet indie rock’ have dropped a couple more dreamy tracks on their SoundCloud page. Stream their shadowy second single, “Maybe Nothing” below and get lost in the fuzzy synths and atmospheric sound. Where these guys really shine is in their outros — which in this case kicks in around the 3:45 mark so make sure you stick around.

Look out for St Tropez’s debut full length to be released sometime this fall, and keep track of their latest happenings on the band’s facebook page.

BROODS – L.A.F

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Broods2

“L.A.F” is the latest effort from BROODS, the much buzzed about duo from New Zealand. The quality of their singles continues to soar as they get ready to drop their debut album, Evergreen, October 7. A little more upbeat than the last single, “Mother & Father,” singer Georgia Nott explained to MTV news in the track’s premiere that the song addresses universal themes (i.e. hanging with friends) and yet is one of their more experimental songs. As for the acronym, the first two letters stand for “loose as.” I’ll let you figure out the last.

Years & Years – Breathe (Blu Cantrell Cover)

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years-years-604-tt-width-604-height-400

Do you have a nostalgia for early 2000s pop? Me too. That’s what makes this new Years & Years cover of Blu Cantrell and Sean Paul’s song “Breathe” so amazingly awesome. The UK trio put their own spin on the R&B tinged pop song, which works perfectly given their reggae-influenced sound. Listen to an updated take on this decade-old classic below.

Years & Years will be supporting Sam Smith on his forthcoming UK tour this fall!

RMX ROUNDUP: Seekae + Flume / MNEK x Disclosure + XYconstant / Mazde

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Seekae-Flume

Today’s installment of Remix Roundup begins with a fantastic new re-work from Flume, the wunderkind electronic producer from Australia. Taking the track “Test & Recognise” from the Sydney trio Seekae (of Future Classic), label-mate Flume transforms the original into a progressive and wonderfully discordant electro-affair. Stream below and download for free via SoundCloud.

Next is XYconstant‘s deep house remix of Disclosure‘s “White Noise” released this past year. Making use of a subdued bassline and distorted vocals, XYconstant achieves a mesmeric, groove-laden remix ready for any dance floor. Get a free DL by liking his facebook page.

And lastly, in keeping the Disclosure train flowing — as well as the fact that I pretty much enjoy this song in all of its incarnations — is the redux version of “Help Me Lose My Mind” by German producer Mazde. Flume-esque in its production and Cyril Hahn-like in pitch, this slowed down edit is a different take on the original that is a must listen for Disclosure/London Grammar fans. This one is also available for free download, so energize yourself for your Saturday night and go snag all three.

BANKS – Beggin For Thread

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BANKS

While BANKS is getting ready to drop her debut album, Goddess — out September 9 via Harvest Records — she recently released another sultry single, “Beggin For Thread” in anticipation of the long awaited debut. Known for her raw and emotionally charged lyricism, the moody songstress cuts to the core on the new track with lyrics like “My words can come out as a pistol / And I’m no good at aiming, but I can aim it at you.” Displacement of anger is a dangerous thing, but certainly makes for good songwriting. Listen to the latest single, along with the Schlohmo-produced track “Brain” below.

BANKS will be performing at DC’s 9:30 Club September 26, BUT the show is already sold out. I suggest you get over to StubHub now if you care to see this angsty crooner live; I hear she puts on a wicked performance.

Yumi Zouma – It Feels Good To Be Around You (ft. Air France)

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YumiZouma2Air France may no longer be with us, but luckily the former members Joel Karlsson and Henrik Markstedt agreed to briefly reunite for Yumi Zouma‘s cover of their last single, “It Feels Good To Be Around You.” Along with Zoumi’s vocals, the track features spoken portions of Air France’s touching tumblr tribute to the group’s dissolution (*tear).

The Line of Best Fit, in conjuction with Zoumi’s label Cascine premiered the track earlier this year. Listen below, along with an entrancing remix of the original by Memory Tapes.

If you’re in the DC area, catch Yumi Zouma tomorrow, July 26 at the DC Rooftop Party put on by All Things Go.

[GIVEAWAY]: The Kooks @ 9:30 Club on 7/27

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the_kooks

Listen up — your favorite quirky UK quartet The Kooks are coming to 9:30 Club this Sunday, July 27, and we’ve got two tickets to give away! To enter, leave a comment below or send us a tweet letting us know why you should be the lucky winner to the sold-out show. Hint: enthusiasm counts, so try not to curb it.

In anticipation of their forthcoming LP, Listen, scheduled to release September 1, The Kooks have released a couple of new tracks, including the single “Bad Habit” below. Featuring their signature style — electric guitar, choppy percussion, and the unique vocal stylings of lead singer Luke Pritchard — the new track shows promise for the new album.

For those not in the DC area, check out additional upcoming tour dates below.

 

The Kooks Upcoming Tour Dates:

Jul 26 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
Jul 27 – Washington, DC @ 930 Club
July 28 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Jul 29 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5
Aug 1 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
Aug 3 – Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
Aug 4 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
Aug 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy
Aug 9 – San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival
Sept 24 – Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
Sept 25 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
Sept 26 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues