RMX Roundup: Empress Of + ABRA / ON AN ON + RAC / Delaire + Delorean

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Semi last-minute edition of Remix Roundup this weekend, because why not. Empress Of produced one of our favorite records this past year, and now her tourmate, ABRA the darkwave duchess has reworked her single “Standard.” While the original is excellent in its own right, ABRA’s edit adds a frenetic, skittering element with a characteristic dark-pop edge that fans of Empress Of are sure to appreciate.

Next is the recent RAC remix of Minneapolis’ trio ON AND ON‘s early 2015 track “Drifting.” Elevated by RAC’s graceful electronic beats, André Anjos twists the track into a fuller, more dynamic recast using the original acoustic-leaning cut as a framework. Notable is Nate Eiesland’s vocals, which even when while yowling “I gotta get out” during the chorus still sound exquisite.

And last but not least is a reinterpretation of a song by newcomer Delaire from purveyors of dreamy electronic music, Delorean. As usual, the Spanish quartet made an outstanding choice by borrowing the beautiful debut track, “Belief” from the UK chanteuse and bringing it into the limelight with their stunning, diffuse and synth-injected rendition.

Tigers Are Bad For Horses – Messenger

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At CCP we love all things local, and we especially love when local entities demonstrate real potential. That’s why when we first heard the sounds of DC-based Tigers Are Bad For Horses, we immediately agreed to feature their new EP. Today marks the release of the alt-pop duo’s debut EP, TABFH, the first compilation since their formation in 2014. Comprised of Mellen and Lyell, Tigers began when the former sang on one of Lyell’s film scoring projects. They quickly became a musical dyad, informed by a range of influences from Bonobo to Bon Iver — but eventually forging their own blend of piano-infused, jazz-influenced electronic pop with multi-layered production and lilting vocals.

Tigers Are Bad For Horses will be celebrating the release of their debut EP in DC tonight, and headlining Rock & Roll Hotel December 19 so if you’re in the area come on out to support this local talent.

Chrome Sparks – Ride The White Lightning

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Parallelism, the transfixing new EP from Chrome Sparks shows off the ability of Brooklyn-based electronic artist—otherwise known as Jeremy Malvin to keep the listener hooked in to characteristically long tracks. With “Ride The White Lightning” for instance, Malvin steals you on a near 10-minute journey, fraught with sequencers and synthesizers and a roller coaster of arpeggios. The track is backed by a strong beat and progression of melodies that makes the absence of typically distorted vocals go unnoticed. Listen to the effort, along with “Moonraker” below and pick up the EP on iTunes via Future Classic today. Those in the DMV can also catch Sparks spinning at U Street Music Hall January 15.

MAS YSA – Arrows

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Thomas Arsenault, aka Mas Ysa is an interesting dude — in addition to being a composer and musician who’s toured with Hundred Waters, Deerhunter, and most recently Tanlines, he’s also a visual artist whose work has been displayed in various exhibitions across New York. This year the Canadian-bred artist released his debut LP Seraph via Downtown Records (Chet Faker, Electric Guest). Hearing him speak you wouldn’t think he’d be one to reveal all of his interior complexities so readily, but that is in fact Mas Ysa’s M.O. — pouring all of his fervid feelings into his experimental and genre-bending music.

Take “Arrows” for example, an affective track that commences as a ballad with a breakbeat, picking up speed at the 2-minute mark and eventually bursting into a full-on banger. In a press release Arsenault says as much: “’Arrows’ is sort of a Euro club banger, but also a very personal love song. It comes out of me wanting to make a universal, club-ready track but unwittingly giving into emotion.” His distinctive voice reminds us a little of Rationale in that it’s unconventional in tone, but somehow adds to the potency of the song. Stream “Arrows” below.

Grimes – Flesh Without Blood / Life In The Vivid Dream

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Just in time for Halloween, Grimes has released the sanguine self-directed video for “Flesh Without Blood” / “Life In The Vivid Dream” off her forthcoming album Art Angels. The album is the long anticipated follow-up to the Canadian artist Claire Boucher’s 2012 LP Visions, and will be out November 6 on 4AD.

Despite the bloody essence of the video, which evokes imagery from that of a possessed angel to a scorned Marie Antoinette — “Flesh Without Blood” is a pretty pop number that retains her signature dark and ethereal undertones. At the end of the phantasmagorical video reveals another, more subdued and equally intriguing sound with the second piece “Life In The Vivid Dream.”

Beginning her headlining tour in the US this week, check out Boucher’s North American tour dates below, which include a sold-out show at DC’s 9:30 Club November 13.

2015 North American Tour Dates:

28th – The Showbox, Seattle WA, US [Tickets]
31st – The Fillmore, San Francisco CA, US 
2nd – Mayan Theatre, Los Angeles CA, US [Tickets]
4th – Guggenheim, New York NY, US [Tickets]
7th – Fun Fun Fun Fest, Austin TX, US [Tickets]
9th – Republic, New Orleans LA, US [Tickets]
10th – Marathon, Nashville TN, US [Tickets]
11th – Buckhead, Atlanta GA, US [Tickets]
13th – 9:30 Club, Washington DC, US [Tickets]
14th – Union Transfer, Philadelphia PA, US [Tickets]
16th – Terminal 5, New York NY, US [Tickets]
20th – Paradise, Boston MA, US [Tickets]
21st – Metropolis, Montreal QC, Canada [Tickets]
22nd – Danforth, Toronto ON, Canada [Tickets]
25th – Metro, Chicago IL, US [Tickets]

Nicolas Jaar – Fight

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The New York-based, Chilean-born composer and progressive producer Nicolas Jaar released the latest installment of his Nymph series, “Fight (Nymphs IV)” on R&S Records last week. The expectedly intricate and experimental composition is a sexy, eight-minute plus odyssey — flush with the highs and lows of a dynamic electronic track. Stream it below.

Mura Masa – Love For That (ft. Shura)

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Emerging electronic artist Mura Masa has unveiled a new track, premiering on Annie Mac’s Hottest Record last night. The young artist (aka Alex Crossan) collaborated with fellow UK singer Shura for the first single “Love For That” off his upcoming debut LP, which he’s currently in the process of recording. He’s also got a headlining slot at the opening night of Pitchfork Paris on October 27, alongside Empress of and Neon Indian. With such high-profile gigs and a growing fanbase (he’s garnered over 20 million plays on Soundcloud), Crossan is primed for continued success at a ripe age. Stream the lovely strings-oriented and flute-infused jam “Love For That” below.

Adult Bodies – Drones

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Adult Bodies is a new interstellar duo (by way of LA) comprised of Steven WIlken and Matthew Kiernan. The electronic two-piece have been in the studio recording their debut EP, Solid Colors: Modern Lives, and recently released the first track off the album — “Drones.” Spanning seven minutes, the atmospheric number has an excellent build that holds the listener captivated from the opening electronic reverb through the introduction of the astral synths, which increase in intensity over its duration. Pick up a free download of the track on Soundcloud as you anticipate the EP, expected to launch early 2016.

Bayonne – Spectrolite

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Bayonne, born Roger Sellers is a minimalist composer based out of Austin with an aptitude for making hypnotic electronic beats. A self-described Phil Collins disciple, Sellers’ foray into music began with the gift of a drum set from his parents at the age of 6. Sellers says: “I wanted to be Phil Collins for so many years as a child. He was my hero. I feel like you can hear that a lot in my music, that big drum sound, because so much of the way I play was learned from Phil Collins.”

Listen to the shimmering single “Spectrolite” off his forthcoming debut album and see if you can hear the influence. The LP will release on Mom + Pop Music (label home to Andrew Bird, Courtney Barnett and Flume) early next year. Upcoming tour dates — including a round of CMJ shows can be found below.

Bayonne Upcoming Tour Dates:
10/6 – San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar
10/7 – San Francisco, CA – The Depot / SF State
10/13 – Brooklyn, NY – Cameo Gallery (CMJ)
10/14 – New York, NY – Piano’s (CMJ)
10/16 – New York, NY – Arlene’s Grocery (CMJ)
10/17 – New York, NY – Pianos (CMJ)
11/6 – Austin, TX – Fun Fun Fun Festival
11/9 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom (supporting Toro y Moi)

Empress Of – Water Water // Kitty Kat

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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.