Zola Blood first made their debut in 2014 with their celebrated EP, Meridian. Now the London quartet is back with new single, “Play Out” — the first taste of a two-track EP due out on Pond Life Songs September 4. Recorded with Richard Formby (Wild Beasts, Ghostpoet), “Play Out” tells a late night tale, composed of pulsing synthesizers and a shadowy bassline. The grounding electronic influences lay the foundation for Matt West’ mesmerizing vocals and rich, swirling arpeggios. Play below.
LA’s very own dirge queen, Chelsea Wolfe is set to release her new album Abyss on August 7, and from the sounds of the third single “After the Fall” she’s on course to deliver another masterwork of ethereal sludge. The track proffers a slight but welcome evolution to the tried and true sounds Ms. Wolfe has perfected on earlier releases: crushing bass distorts, a jagged synth interlude rings out, and drums like distant thunder are battered into moments of sparse echo by one hell of a fuzz pedal — all laced together by those signature throaty wisps. It amounts to a dystopian love song, which according to a press release ‘attempts to capture the frustration of being stuck inside a dream, unable to wake up.’ Hear it below.
Atlanta-based artist TOTEM immediately caught our attention with his new track out today, a gorgeous R&B gem called “All Falls Down.” With its stunningly smooth vocals and melodic, cascading chorus, we knew this was one we’d have to share. The track — a sentimental take on breakup sex according to TOTEM — will appear on his forthcoming EP Echoes later this year. Let TOTEM ‘take you there’ below.
It’s been a busy past year for Great Good Fine OK, who since their relatively recent inception have put out two EP’s — Body Diamond and 2M2H under major label Sony. The Brooklyn duo is comprised of vocalist Jon Sandler and musician Luke Moellman, who have a flair for falsetto and shiny ’80s-imbibed production, respectively. We caught up with the guys of GGFO before their explosive set at DC9 to discuss the genesis of their name, their live musical influences, Justin Bieber, collaborating with artists such as St. Lucia, and the ‘fanciest’ deli in Brooklyn.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with CCP! First things first, how did GGFO come together?
Jon: Luke was living around the corner from me in Brooklyn with a friend of mine and a former bandmate, so we had become friends. Then one day about two years ago we said ‘let’s collaborate on something’ and decided to write a song together. Luke sent me the music to our first track (“You’re The One For Me”) and I wrote the lyrics and melody that night. We were both pumped about it, sent it to some friends who were also pumped about it and that’s kinda how it started. We formed a team around that one song, continued writing more songs until eventually we put a band together.
Luke: Yeah I remember we were walking back home from where we recorded the vocals and were like, ‘This is cool, we should start a real band.’ And Jon relayed he’d been saving the perfect band name his whole life. He was like, ‘It’s so good you ready to hear it?’ And I was bracing myself for it to not be that good. He said “Great Good Fine OK” and I was like okay.
Jon: We marinated on it for two months and asked everyone we knew what we thought – I feel like it was a 50/50 split of people that loved it or hated it. So we were on the fence but we had been talking about it and calling the project that for so long that when it came time to actually start making a Facebook page and such we were just like, that’s it.
We dig it [so much so that we bought a t-shirt!]. Has the creative / songwriting process stayed the same since that initial song?
Luke: More or less. Sometimes it’s a really developed and thought out structure, other times it’s a couple of ideas strung together. I’ll send it to Jon, he’ll add some stuff and we’ll go back and forth.
Did either of you study music growing up?
Luke: I did, I went to music school at University of Miami.
Jon: I did not, but I’ve just been singing my whole life. I was in choir since as long as I can remember, performed in musicals in high school and was in a couple of bands in college.
Speaking of performing, you guys have talked about how you were inspired by iconic ‘80s pop stars like Prince and Michael Jackson. In what ways have those artists influenced you?
Luke: It’s a combination of things – the musical style, the charisma of the performers, the catchy melodies, the rhythmic delivery of Michael Jackson, the falsetto stuff that Prince does, and the production of Quincy Jones.
Jon: Yeah, the songwriting but also the performance element of those artists informs what I want the live show to be like.
And who are you listening to currently?
Luke: Russian artist Tesla Boy, our friends Joywave who just came out with their debut album, Alina Baraz, and Shura.
Jon: I’m also personally obsessed with Jack Ü – especially that Justin Bieber song [“Where Are Ü Now”]. I think I listened to that about 100 times this past week, I don’t know why it’s speaking to me. I’ve been writing a lot for EDM artists so my brain has been tapped into that world and I’ve been exploring and appreciating really good EDM tracks, so that’s where I stumbled upon Jack Ü. I also co-wrote and performed on a Chainsmokers song and they’re awesome — travelling all over the world and killing it right now. We love them.
We love The Chainsmokers collab (“Let You Go”). You guys also worked with with St. Lucia recently. How did those collaborations come about?
Luke: Yeah the guys from The Chainsmokers had reached out to us. For the St. Lucia track, we had this song (“Something To Believe In”) with Jon singing those parts that St. Lucia sings (the lower stuff), and as we were sitting around one day trying to finish up the EP we realized it sounded like Jon was trying to sing like Jean-Philip from St. Lucia. We had just run into him at a Christmas party and thought it’d be cool to try to get him, so we wrote him an email and he was so nice — he was right in the middle of working on their new album so we were like we’ll understand if you won’t be able to do it. He happened to be on vacation with his wife in Germany, but he had a mic with him so he did it in his spare time and sent it back to us. It was perfect.
What inspired the title track of the EP, “Too Much To Handle”?
Luke: That song started with the music I sent to Jon; I had just moved out of an apartment that I had been living in with an ex-girlfriend I’d just broken up with. So I was living in a new place and whatever energy was going on at that time just kinda came out through that song.
Jon: Weirdly, whatever Luke sends me, even if he doesn’t tell me what it’s about I seem to write something that goes along with it. To me that song is just about how tough life can be and how you always seem to get through it.
What’s next for Great Good Fine OK?
Jon: We’re writing and recording a lot, accumulating songs, trying to figure out how we want to release more stuff, and then touring in the fall. We just got off the tour with Magic Man and we’re chomping at the bit to get back at it.
Naturally. What’s your favorite spot to grab a bite or beverage in Brooklyn?
Jon: There’s this deli / bodega around the corner from me that I call “Fancy deli” that I get sandwiches from four or five times a week.
Luke: There’s a cool speakeasy bar on Vanderbilt. No signage of course.
Listen to Great Good Fine Ok’s single with The Chainsmokers “Let You Go” below and be sure to like them on Facebook to keep up with their latest happenings. Their live show (and Jon’s dance moves) are not to be missed.
As a bonus, check out this fantastic, synth-laden remix by house producer Vasta and grab a free download on his Soundcloud page.
RATATAT are ready to make a return with the release of their first new album in five years, Magnifique. The Brooklyn duo, guitarist Mike Stroud and producer Evan Mast have shared two singles in advance of the LP, which drops July 17 va XL Recordings. True to form, their new single “Abrasive” showcases the elaborate electronic synths and guitar work the two-piece is known for. Stream below.
Rationale is a new producer based out of London who made waves for his unconventional debut, “Fast Lane.” The as-of-yet faceless artist has a heartfelt, genre-hopping sound that caught the attention of Pharrell and Scott Vener, who featured the soulful song on the inaugural episode of OTHERtone–their new Apple Music’s Beats 1 Radio program–waxing poetic on the track with guest Justin Timberlake. At two minutes and 35 seconds long the effort feels more like a preview, but luckily the producer has an album in the works. Rationale explains the basis behind the project is to make tunes for “people who seek out sincere music which emotes and provides that special relatable something we all feel when a song really connects.” Get connected with this song below.
Time for another Remix Roundup, a semi-biweekly segment in which we bring you the best new mixes and electronic tracks currently in our rotation. First up is the new single from RÜFÜS, the Australian act who are getting ready to release their sophomore album and follow-up to Atlas. The Sydney trio make dark, hypnotic electronic jams that we — and the large amount of fans they’ve amassed — can’t get enough of. Stream “You Were Right” below.
Speaking of artists people can’t get enough of, it’s been a banner year for Will Phillips, the gifted UK producer professionally known as Tourist. He won a Grammy for co-writing Sam Smith‘s smash hit “Stay With Me,” and has collaborated with a number of big name artists. While his take on CHVRCHES synthpop anthem “Lies” isn’t new, it feels like a good time to revisit one of his first major mixes. Stripping back the original into a slow-burning, piano-backed ballad, Tourist keeps the focus on Lauren Mayberry‘s vocals, which are masterfully layered and pitch-shifted at points to potent effect.
At last, we have a new one from Daniele di Martino, the German DJ/producer who has thoroughly impressed us with his intense, sun-drenched rendition of Tora‘s hit track “Jaigantic.” The more subdued original comes from Australian quintet Tora’s 2014 EP, Eat The Sun. With the fervid beats and bass Martino infuses — along with the yearning vocals — this entrancing revision is truly outstanding. It merits a spot on your summer playlist so snag a free download by liking Martino’s Facebook page here.
Australian producer Will Cuming, aka LANKS released his sophomore EP Banquet last week and if woozy electronic production is your thing, the six-track collection should be added to your listening library stat. Mixed by Andrei Eremin (Oscar Key Sung, Chet Faker), the EP contains a dreamy set of downtempo numbers laced in intricately woven melodies and moody vocals. With its guitar strums and beckoning synths, “Hold Me Closer” is our pick for best track — hear it below.
We’re willing to admit when we’ve made a mistake, and in this instance it was not covering Wye Oak‘s 2014 album Shriek last year. We’re remedying this now, however, because the ethereal, dreampop soundscapes of the Baltimore duo—composed of multi-instrumentalist Andy Stack and vocalist Jenn Wasner—fall right within our wheelhouse. In an effort to transform themselves on their fourth studio album, Wye Oak shed their guitars for a more synthesized sound and the result is nothing short of stupendous. Wasner’s angelic alto has a calming effect that reaches its full potential on palpable songs like “Shriek” and “Before,” the opening tracks of the LP. Stream these efforts from the immensely talented duo below. Wye Oak has also announced a special upcoming performance with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in November.
Following their EP Five Spanish Songs released in 2013, Destroyer makes a solid return with the first single off their forthcoming album Poison Season. “Dream Lover” retains the band’s characteristic identity, employing horns and delayed saxophones in support of Dan Bejar’s vocals — all sustained by a steady and melodic beat. Consistent with his previous works, the song denotes the jubilant refrain of an optimist whose heart is cloaked in cynicism. The new long-play will be unveiled August 28 via Merge Records, and DC area folk will have the opportunity to see Destroyer live at 9:30 Club October 5.
poetry in an empty coke can 