Elusive new London artist Ben Khan is gearing up to release his debut EP, 1992 on May 5. He recently told Noisey in his first proper interview that “explanation can ruin art,” while discussing his motives for keeping mum about his influences. He doesn’t have to divulge too much though, because his track “Youth” speaks for itself: sunny, synthy, and wrapped in warm euphonic electronic waves. Stream below.
Loving this new single from Little Dragon, to be released on the Swedish trio’s upcoming album Nabuma Rubberband. “Paris” is the perfect piece of electropop to get your second wind of the day with their engaging, synth-forward sound. Stream below, and if you can’t deal with the radio version from Zane Lowe, pre-order the album on iTunes now to receive a free polished version of “Paris” instantly. The album drops May 13 via Loma Vista Recordings.
SOHN is one the most buzzed about new musicians at the moment. Austrian-based but English-bred, the mysterious electronic producer released his debut LP Tremors via 4AD Records on April 7 to critical acclaim. Having produced for burgeoning artists such as BANKS though, he is no stranger to success. Take a listen to the stunning lead single off the album “Artifice,” as well as the devastating title track “Tremors” via Spotify below.
BONUS: Also check out this fantastic tropical remix of SOHN’s track “Lessons” by Bearson — and follow the Soundcloud link for a free download.
Indie pop outfit and Brooklyn-based band HAERTS released their debut album Hemiplegia last fall. Signed to Neon Gold Records, the release is a four-track EP that includes a cut produced by Jean-Philip Grobler of St. Lucia. However, “All The Days” is by far the best track in this blogger’s opinion. Looking forward to seeing it performed live when the group opens for London Grammar at 930 Club on Monday. On another DC-centric note, HAERTS is also headlining at U Street Music Hall May 8. Check out more upcoming tour dates while you sink into the track below.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
4/14 | Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club (with London Grammar)
5/8 | Washington, D.C. @ U Street Music Hall
5/10 | Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Bowl
6/6-8 | New York, NY @ The Governors Ball
6/12-15 | Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
6/19-22 | Dover, DE @ Firefly Music Festival
7/19 | Toronto, Canada @ Time Music Festival
In honor of their upcoming sold-out 930 Club show in DC on Monday, this edition of Remix Roundup is dedicated to one of my favorite artists at the moment — London Grammar — and the myriad of remixes devoted to them. So many in fact, that it was difficult to pare down to just the top five (can you tell I’m a fan?). Alas, it had to be done.
First up is the top-notch rework of their track “Hey Now” from Tensnake, an upbeat disco remix that hits euphoric levels at 2:55. Next we slow things down a bit with Budo‘s rendering of “If You Wait.” The Seattle-based producer takes the gorgeous vocals of Hannah Reid and accentuates them with different instruments in this downtempo rework — available for free on Soundcloud. Next we have High Contrast‘s energetic recast of “Strong,” and producer Paul Woolford‘s perfectly punched up rendition of collaborative track with Disclosure “Help Me Lose My Mind.” And rounding out this week’s epically long installment of Remix Roundup (#sorrynotsorry), we have Henry Schwarz‘s bass-infused version of “Wasting My Young Years.” The German producer’s reinterpretation encapsulates everything the group embodies — powerful, poignant music with shimmering soundscapes and haunting vocals. Stream below and let me know your favorite, (if that’s possible).
Friendly Fires have been flying under the radar the last few years, having not released any new material since their album Pala in 2011. Recently, however, they got together with Andrew Weatherall and Timothy Fairplay of The Asphodells to collaborate on a couple of tracks that were released as an AA-sided single March 31st. The goal was to produce music outside of their usual realms in a loose, open-ended format. The low-pressure process seems to’ve worked, as the resulting single “Before Your Eyes” is a nearly 8-minute cut showcasing their hazy, hopeful and hypnotic musical sensibilities. Stream the transportive track below.
Swedish duo I Break Horses, consisting of members Maria Lindén and Fredrik Balck produce a magical lo-fi fusion of shoegaze and dreampop. This January saw the release of their sophomore LP Chiaroscuro via the label Bella Union (Beach House, Explosions in the Sky, Fleet Foxes). Stream the single “Denial” and check out their spring tour dates across the US below.
Tour Dates:
4/14 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
4/15 – Washington DC @ DC9
4/17 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
4/18 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
4/19 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott
4/21 – Montreal, QC @ Il Motore
4/22 – Toronto, ON @ Underground at the Drake
4/24 – Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom – Pike Room
4/25 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
4/26 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
4/29 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
4/30 – Portland, OR @ Holocene
5/2 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
5/3 – Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theater
Tycho has a new album out entitled Awake, which was released last month via Ghostly International (the label behind Phantogram and Gold Panda). The San Franciso-based trio originally started as the solo project of Scott Hansen, whose sound has evolved from a primarily ambient composition into a more organic, post-rock electronic soundscape with the addition of guitarist Zac Brown amd drummer Rory O’Connor. The single “Spectre” off the LP is a beautiful, propulsive instrumental brimming with electric bass lines, energetic drums and distinct guitar patterns. Currently embarking on a tour all across the country, Tycho will be playing at DC’s 930 Club April 20.
RAC has just released Part II of his debut album, Strangers — Part I of which was dropped last month. The renowned Portland-based remixer, born André Allen Anjos has outdone himself with this release, which features all new material he co-wrote and produced himself. Perhaps that’s why the track “Cheap Sunglasses” is featured as iTunes Single of the Week — meaning it’s available for free download for a limited time. So pick it up today and start prepping your summer playlist now.
The album also features a number of collaborations, including our favorite with new indie group SPEAK who recently supported RAC on tour. Listen to the collab “I Should’ve Guessed” below and grab the full LP on iTunes here.
poetry in an empty coke can 