New group based out of Philadelphia, Marian Hill have released sultry single, “One Time,” to accompany the announcement of their debut EP Play due out March 4. Similar to Wild Belle in style, the brassy duo incorporate blues and jazz elements along with the more modernistic, resulting in a cool and contemporary rhythmic feel.
Catch their first show if you’re in the Philly area at Boot & Saddle, February 25.
Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene is gearing up to release a new solo album, Darlings on March 18. In anticipation of the forthcoming LP, he released the first single, “Good Sex.” And not only is it good — with the soaring synths and twinkling guitars, it could never make you feel hollow.
As a fellow blogger so aptly stated: the last line, “I’m still breathing with you, baby” remains a statement of existential truth and a romantic survival instinct in a world of devaluation and needless determinism. Stream “Good Sex” below.
Producer/singer/songwriter Alex Fitts heads the Brooklyn-based band called The KickDrums. With his hip hop background, Fitts is able to create an atmospheric sound on the track “Atonement,” with solid bass lines, and clear, melodic guitars. The one-man band signed with Hopeless Records last year and has since released the LP Thinking Out Loud.
If you live close to Brooklyn, you can catch him playing at FreeCandy this Saturday, January 25.
It’s been awhile since we heard from London group Years & Years, so I was delighted to see that they had dropped another infectious single. Since their last standout self-released track “I Wish I Knew,” they have been picked up by French label, Kitsuné. Their latest number, “Real” has more of an electronic sound with some R&B elements mixed in — but it’s equally addictive — thanks in part to the charming vocals of frontman Olly Alexander.
For those unfamiliar with the group, UK’s Disorder Magazine had this to say about them: It’s as if Nina Simone is crooning a melodic lullaby to the folktronic lovechild of Beach House and Terry Riley. Touché.
Look out for the new Years & Years EP to drop on February 17.
German musician and composer Nils Frahm has successfully mixed classical piano style with analog synthesizers. Having trained under the pianist Nahum Brodski — a student of the last scholar of Tschaikowski — his skilled composition and exquisite melodies reveal a modern-day mastery of the craft.
Listen and let the sound flow thru to your soul on the stunning single, “Says,” released off his 2013 LP Spaces. To witness the genius in person, check out one of his concerts listed below — including a stop at DC’s Strathmore in March!
Upcoming Tour Dates:
1/20/2014 : Pfleghofsaal Tübingen – Tübingen (D)
1/30/2014 : Atelier Babylon – Bratislava (SK)
1/31/14 : Festival Spectaculare – Prague (CZ)
2/22/14 : Societaetstheater – Dresden (D)
3/7/14 : Mutek – Barcelona(ESP)
3/8/14 : 5 Days Off – Amsterdam (NL)
3/9/14 : Schauspiel – Leipzig (D)
3/10/14 : Berliner Philharmonie (Kammermusiksaal) – Berlin (D)
3/15/14 : Bootleg – Los Angeles (US)
3/16/14 : The Independent – San Fransisco (US)
3/18/14 : Triple Door – Seattle (US)
3/19/14 : Mississippi Studios – Portland (US)
3/20/14 : Electric Owl – Vancouver (CAN)
3/21/14 : Constellation – Chicago (US)
3/23/14 : L`Astral – Montreal (CAN)
3/25/14 : Dave Friend Recital Hall – Boston (US)
3/26/14 : Glasslands – Brooklyn/New York (US)
3/27/14 : First Unitarian Church – Philadelphia (US)
3/28/14 : Strathmore – Washington (US)
3/29/14 : Big Ears Festival – Knoxville, TN (USA)
7/20/14 : Latitude Festival – Southwold (UK)
7/25/14 : Jardins Efemeros – Viseu (PT)
8/15-17/14 : Dockville Festival – Hamburg (D)
10/29/14 : Barbican – London (UK)
Bombay Bicycle Club has released another solid single off their forthcoming album, So Long, See You Tomorrow. Listen to “Luna” below, and get psyched for the release of the LP on February 3.
Noel Gallagher has declared himself a fan of Jagwar Ma — the dance rock duo whose music he deemed more important than an Oasis reformation. And no wonder — the Aussie’s debut album, Howlin’ is replete with energy, synths and chemistry. On the album track “Man I Need,” Gabriel Winterfield’s vocals and the structure of the riffs seem to roll along in unison with one another. Stream the single, along with Andy Buchan’s free edit below.
Note: It was just announced that Jagwar Ma will be performing at Coachella this year!
After an unsuccessful job search upon completion of his graduate program in 2009, an unemployed Ernest Greene did the next best thing. He moved back in with his parents and started producing music out of his bedroom under the name Washed Out. Thanks to social media and the influential blogosphere, his music gained momentum and in 2011, he was signed to SubPop records.
The now established Atlanta-based band released their second album, Paracosm, this past summer to favorable reviews from critics. Savvy listeners will also recognize their sound — catalogued under the chillwave movement — from the opening sequence of the hit series Portlandia. Listen to “It All Feels Right” off the new album and check out their upcoming West Coast tour dates below.
Washed Out Upcoming Tour Dates:
1/26/14 Pomona, CA @ The Glass House Concert Hall
1/27/14 Los Angeles, CA @ The Rey Theatre
1/28/14 San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
1/30/14 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
1/31/14 Seattle, WA @ Neptune
2/1/14 Vancouver, Canada @Commodore Ballroom
2/2/14 Bellingham, WA @Viking Union @ Western Washington University
German DJ/producer Tensnake recently revealed the first single off his debut album, Glow, slated for a March 10 release. Download the deep house track, “No Relief,” featuring Tasmanian vocalist Fiora for free below.
Phantogram is getting ready to drop their second LP, Voices on February 18. It’s hard not to fall for “Fall In Love,” the first single off the NY duo’s new album. Check it out below.
poetry in an empty coke can 