While Tegan and Sara‘s latest album, Heartthrob may not have caught my attention at the time of its release earlier this year, this Monsieur Adi makeover of their track “I Was A Fool” certainly did. The Parisian producer turns the simple track into an 80’s pop ballad with its four-to-the-floor beat — and a synth chord that reminds me a little of this Boy Meets Girl gem.
I have an affinity for any man who knows how to don feathers — and in this case that man is Stephen Bruner, the bassist/vocalist known as Thundercat. Co-written and co-produced by Flying Lotus, “Heartbreaks + Setbacks” is the first single off his new album Apocalypse, which comes out July 9th. The composition combines soulful lyrics with a sick bassline that “calls to mind the work of jazz greats like Charles Mingus and Jaco Pastorious, deftly weaving an intricate bass solo into a sonically dense synth-pop arrangement,” according to LiveForTheFunk. Check it out below.
One listen to CHVRCHES shimmery new single and you’ll understand why the electropop number is currently seated at the apex of the indie stratosphere. Although I prefer their previous release, the Scottish trio is an undeniable pop force. Officially out July 25th in the UK, “Gun” is sure to be featured on their highly anticipated debut LP – set to release sometime in September.
Also check out their punchy pop remix of MS MR‘s “Hurricane.” See a list of the group’s upcoming tour dates below — including a sold out show at DC’s Black Cat! June is going to be a good month : )
CHVRCHES – Upcoming Tour Dates
6/1 — Los Angeles, CA — Troubadour
6/2 — Solana Beach, CA — Belly Up Tavern
6/5 — Austin, TX — The Mohawk
6/6 — Dallas, TX — Granada Theater
6/7 — Lawrence, KS — The Granada Theatre
6/8 — Minneapolis, MN — Fine Line Music Cafe
6/10 — Chicago, IL — Lincoln Hall
6/12 — Toronto, ON — The Hoxton
6/15 — Montreal, QC — Le National
6/16 — Boston, MA — Paradise
6/17 — New York, NY — Webster Hall
6/21 — Washington, DC — Black Cat
6/22 — Dover, DE — Firefly Music Festival
6/23 — Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer
Beat Connection is quite possibly my favorite new electropop group to emerge last year. From Seattle, the tropic-vibes trio released their debut LP The Palace Garden August of 2012. They kicked off a brief West coast tour last week with fellow Washington based duo Odesza, who remixed their track “Saola” in honor of the collaboration.
Grab the track (gratis!) below, and sample some of the other ‘beats’ as well.
I feel too little and think too much.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
5/7 – Sacramento: Jambalaya (w/Odesza)
5/9 – Eugene: WOW Hall (w/Odesza)
5/10 – Vancouver: The Electric Owl (w/Odesza)
5/17 – Seattle: Neumos Crystal Ball
Avec Sans is a new electropop duo out of London, consisting of Alice Fox and Jack St. James. Their take on Swiss Lips “U Got the Power” officially releases April 29th – but get ahead of the game and pick up a free download for your weekend below.
The Postal Service are back from a long hiatus with a 10th anniversary edition of their immensely popular 2003 debut album, Give Up. Released April 9th last week, the reissue contains a number of rare b-side gems, PS covers and two previously unreleased tracks – “A Tattered Line of String” and most recently “Turn Around” (audio below).
The group that originated as a side project for Death Cab For Cutie‘s Ben Gibbard, Rilo Kiley‘s vocalist Jenny Lewis, and producer Jimmy Tamborello has just embarked on a reunion tour in celebration of the release – the dates of which can be found here. I’m pleased to report that I will be seeing them in June at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, with opener Ra Ra Riot (who I was remiss for having not seen at 930 club!). Kismet.
Also check out the following remix of “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” (on the reissue as well) and one of my favorite original tracks, “Clark Gable.”
I want so badly to believe that there is truth, that love is real
And I want life in every word to the extent that it’s absurd.
I had all but overlooked Ra Ra Riot‘s new album (panned by critics), when whilst on my way to work one morning I heard the following track on the radio and had that old swooning feeling associated with the group’s debut record, The Rhumb Line.
The NY-based group’s third album, Beta Love released January 2013 comes as a departure from their signature chamber/baroque pop sound, which incorporated more string instrumentation and less electronic elements (the cellist recently left the band). “Is It Too Much,” however, hearkens back to their original sound and is a reminder of the group’s sweet and poignant appeal.
Despite the transitional period the band is evidently experiencing, I regret not being able to see them at DC’s 930 Club the day after their album dropped. Hopefully there will be more opportunities in the future, however, as the group navigates their way (and their place) in this brave new electronic era.
Purity Ring just dropped this timely new cover of Soulja Boy’s “Grammy” – and it’s so damn good I had to share it this instant. Infusing their signature sound, PR turns the hip-hop number into a true synthpop stunner, with Megan James’ vocals taking the song to new heights at 1:58. I’m truly impressed as this is a sound I didn’t even know the group was capable of.
Caleb Cornett, also known as Amtrac is a DJ/producer from Kentucky who has been gaining momentum as of late and for good reason. His remix of French producer Milwaukee’s (oxymoron much?) single “Alone” is a gorgeous electro/nu-disco number that improves upon the original.
More recently he also reworked the Alex Metric track “Rave Number.” Stream and download this dance floor-ready tune below.
Traveling abroad in Australia right now, hence the lack of posts as of late. Thought I’d drop by though to share one of my favorite songs from 2012 by Charli XCX, which just happens to be the perfect soundtrack for the beach.
Incidentally, the english artist just finished a tour with St. Lucia this fall in the US and Australia (alas, prior to the SL concert I saw and my own adventures down under). Close your eyes for this one and the synths may just transport you to your own tropical island.
poetry in an empty coke can 