Australian instrumental act The Cactus Channel has announced a two-track recording with soul crooner Chet Faker. As formidable fans of both Faker as well as contemporary jazz, this is basically a collab made in heaven for CCP. The two tracks, “Kill The Doubt” and “Sleeping Alone” are purportedly two years in the making, and are available now on vinyl and digital via HopeStreet and Downtown Records. The ten-piece band’s horns and organic instrumentation pair well with Chet Faker’s vocals — who’s typically accompanied by a more electronic backing — and equates to a refreshing hybrid of classic soul and funk. Hear both tracks below.
Add a little (nu) disco to your weekend and listen to the ebullient new single, “I Can See You” from electropop outfit Favored Nations. The LA trio had a chart-topping hit with previous single, “Always” and are looking to keep the momentum rolling as they prepare to release their debut album, The Great Unknown October 2 via Antler Records and etcetc.
The group consists of the collective talents of singer Morgan Phalen (who’s collaborated with Justice), DJ James Curd (DFA), and Surahn “Sid” Sidhu (touring guitarist for Empire of the Sun). Inspired by the sunlit sounds of the ’60s such as the Beach Boys, their funk-infused sound is straight up dance-house with a hint of Chromeo. Stream below.
Rising artist Rationale has released the fourth and final track to his debut EP, Fuel To The Fire, which drops tomorrow via Best Laid Plans. According to the London talent — who’s garnered support from numerous tastemakers — his latest effort “The Mire” is a song “about a jilted lover, sinking in a self made swamp of unrelenting regret….” Despite the despairing subject matter, it’s actually an insanely infectious and upbeat tune.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, CHVRCHES are getting ready to release their sophomore album, Every Open Eye — out next week (September 25) via Universal. They’ve shared a couple of tracks leading up to the drop, and this week they’ve unleashed what might be their best yet — a song called “Clearest Blue.” Propelled by an electronic beat with their classic synth-drenched sound, the anthemic track embodies everything that makes the Scottish trio so beloved. Watch the lyric video for “Clearest Blue” below.
On the heels of their album release, CHVRCHES will be headlining Washington DC’s inaugural Landmark Festival September 27. Meet us halfway?
And if that’s not enough for you — here’s a brill CHVRCHES cover of Arctic Monkeys‘ “Do I Wanna Know.”
Montreal’s Young Galaxy already have a tetrad of albums under their belt and are gearing up to release a fifth next month. The synthpop act are “constantly underrated and overlooked for being so consistent,” as observed by Stereogum who premiered the first single “Body” off the upcoming LP. Consistency is key to a lot of things, and the second single “Factory Flaws” proves this point with its quality silken synths and groovy futuristic beats we’ve come to expect from the group.
Informed by ’80s electro, acid house and R&B, the forthcoming album Falsework will be out October 30 on Paper Bag Records. Meantime, listen to “Factory Flaws” and a fantastic, tropics-infused Teen Daze remix of previous effort “Cover Your Tracks” below.
We’ve been primed and ready for this day for awhile now. Lorely Rodriguez (aka Empress Of) has finally released her debut LP, Me, which is nothing short of majestic. Written during a solitary five-week stint at a secluded small town in Mexico, Rodriguez’s self-produced and first full-length is an explosive and raw exploration of interpersonal relations. Pitchfork put it best — the record is a ‘requiem for a doomed romance.’
“Water Water” was on repeat on our playlist since it was offered up earlier this summer as a first taste, and hearing the rest of the album we could not be more thrilled. A dazzling blend of avant-R&B and intelligent pop, Rodriguez is in her element with the thoughtful lyricism and exhilarating synth production exhibited on the LP. Out on Terrible Records today, put your money where your mouth is and purchase the album on iTunes.
Last time Empress Of played in the DC area, she had a coveted spot opening for Florence & The Machine at Merriweather Post Pavilion, and thankfully she’ll be returning this fall to play in the intimate venue of DC9. Get your tickets for the October 14 show here.
Portland’s Mimicking Birds released their sophomore album Eons last year, which was produced by Modest Mouse‘s Isaac Brock on his label Glacial Pace. Although their spectral sound has often been compared to the former, lead singer Nate Lacy’s voice sounds uncannily like that of Bombay Bicycle Club‘s Jack Steadman. Listen to the ethereal track — and highlight of the LP — “Memorabilia” with its esoteric lyrics below.
Mimicking Birds are on tour this month, playing at DC’s Black Cat this very evening. Find the remainder of their tour dates on their website here.
More than just a macabre title, DEATHS is the musical project of Russian producer and filmmaker Igor Bruso. Signed to UK label Love By Mistake (founded by musicalduo IYES), Bruso makes brooding electronica with haunting melodies and heartrending vocals — as evidenced by latest effort “Voices.” Listen to the stunning track, taken from their forthcoming EP below.
For those unfamiliar, Communionis a label founded by artists — Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons fame, Kevin Jones from Bear’s Den, and producer Ian Grimble. One of the unique platforms they offer for new artists is called Communion Residency, in which they host a monthly, multi-genre showcase of local, national and international emerging talent. This September they’re expanding to 11 US markets, including a stop at DC’s Jammin Java. The lineup for the September 11 show includes Conrad Sewell, Freedom Fry and Clara-Nova. To encourage everyone in the area (or one of the other host cities) to support this innovative medium for music discovery, we’ve provided a mini-preview of what these respective artists have to offer below.
Conrad Sewell is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter and new talent who hails from Australia. Fans of music producer Kygowill recognize him as the voice of his single “Firestone,” co-written by Sewell. Check it out below.
Another talent currently making a name for themselves is French/American duo Freedom Fry, who were ranked in the “100 Emerging Artists from SXSW” list on Spotify and had a #1 single on The Hype Machine this past year. For a sample of their sound, stream “Break Into a Musical” below. According to bandmates Bruce and Marie, the track is about “someone looking back on a failed relationship and remembering how they used to sing silly songs together, and now that memory is fading out. It’s actually a sad song with a happy sounding chorus.” Nonetheless, most of their songs are fairly upbeat so don’t be too disheartened.
Last but not least, the artist we’re probably most excited about sharing from the lineup is CLARA-NOVA. The name and concept for LA songstress Sydney Wayser sprung from her subconscious, in the form of a dream. Clara-Nova is essentially a distillation of all the qualities Wayser wished to possess: “She’s the newer version of myself. She’s a hybrid between Athena, Joan of Arc and Aphrodite. She’s a power woman, but still really feminine.”
Wayser’s debut single, “An Island” is a sprightly treasure of a tune with a backing track that keeps you guessing. She also has an EP in the works which was produced in part by Shawn Everett (known for his work with Alabama Shakes, Weezer and Julian Casablancas). Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of sources such as deep sea dance parties, ancient Egyptian ritual and Martian folklore, the new EP is sure to be one to watch out for. Better yet, go see her perform the tracks live before her stardom usurps her stage persona.
Brooklyn’s Small Black has released a couple of tracks in anticipation of their forthcoming album, Best Blues due out this fall. The follow-up to their 2013 LP Limits of Desire is “about loss, the specific loss of precious people in our lives, but also the loss of memories and the difficult fight to preserve them,” according to a press release. In fact, the synthpop outfit’s new single “‘No One Wants It To Happen To You'” was meant as a mantra,” says vocalist Josh Kolenik. “Something an older, wiser friend told you once that you might cling to in order to get through a terrible situation. The phrase you keep folded up in your pocket, letting you know better will surely come.” Cheers to that — Best Blues is set to release October 14 via Jagjaguwar.
poetry in an empty coke can 