Foals’ new album Holy Fire is a great, unique blend of post-punk and indie/electro-dance rock. For me, the real gem of the album is “Late Night” with it’s irresistibly smooth and warm build. The video for the song is intensely interesting and probably not for everyone. The song itself is undeniably gorgeous.
I have to admit, I heard the Koreless remix of “Late Night” before I heard Foals’ original version. I loved the remix right off the bat. It really struck a chord with me and I’ve probably played it 20 times since I first heard it last week. It’s a beautiful take on the song- simply glorious.
“Operate” is the latest track from NYC duo ASTR who have only release a couple of songs to date. There’s an underground vibe to this dark, sexy track and it’s dripping with cool. Great production, I’ve got this one on repeat…
For whatever reason, the masses have really been sleeping on this little EP that dropped a few months ago under the sneaky name Tuxedo. A little research shows that Tuxedo is actually a collaboration between Detroit crooner Mayer Hawthorne and Seattle based producer Jake One. Hopefully a full length album is in the works because these tracks show that this collabo deserves to be revisited… ASAP.
Meanwhile, Mayer has his own 3rd solo album dropping July 16th titled “Where Does This Door Go” which he himself has said is a departure from his previous 2 albums. After hearing and seeing this promo video for the album, I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
“June” is a great track off Chimp Blood, the new album from Vancouver based hip hop duo Pigeon Hole. It’s the only laid back, down tempo track on the album. The rest of the songs are dubby, dirty hip hop/electronic. The album is an interesting listen and I like a couple of the tracks, but “June” is the only one I can’t seem to get enough of. Perfect for a lazy summer afternoon…
I had never heard of Seattle based hip hop artist Sol when I saw his track “Dope” on my Hype Machine feed. I’m calling it hip hop meets indie-pop. At first, I thought it was kind of bubble gum but it’s really grown on me. Apparently, Sol’s album Yours Truly (Sol, January 2012) rose to the #1 album on iTunes US and charted on Billboard’s Heatseekers and R&B charts. I may have to dig a little deeper here…
#MayerMondays are back in full effect and there’s no better time for some new Mayer Hawthorne music than Spring. That inevitably means a new MH album is coming which is great news to anyone that is familiar with the Detroit native’s soul crooning ways. “Designer Drug” is Mayer’s first new installment off his yet to be named third album. The song will have you running to the dance floor and you can’t control it because the tune is so catchy. While this song is probably Mayer’s most current sounding jam, it could easily have been hatched in 1984. Mayer is always a fun live act so look out for his upcoming tour because the shows are always a great time.
I thought I heard a new Lana Del Rey song on KCRW one morning but it turned out to be this new Mr Little Jeans track featuring the Silverlake Conservatory of Music Youth Chorale. “Oh Sailor” is one of those songs that sticks. It’s been stuck in my head since I first heard it but the song isn’t available in the US. It took me a while to find the video that I was able to share above so hopefully it will be officially released soon. Mr Little Jeans is Monica Birkenes, a Norwegian singer whose cover of Arcade Fire’s “Suburbs” gained her some well deserved acclaim. If you haven’t heard that one either, make sure you check it out.
(Now updated with official video)
Norwegian DJ and producer Cashmere Cat just released a remix EP of Mirror Maru, but I haven’t even checked it out yet. I’m still stuck on the original EP which was released in October 2012. It’s four tracks of futuristic, electronic bass music mixed with hip hop style drum machine and vocal samples. Cashmere Cat is the real deal, not just as a producer/beat maker-extraordinaire but as a DJ/turntablist as well, representing Norway as DJ Final in the DMC World Championship finals from 2006-2009. Pretty legit…
“Line Of Fire” is a gorgeous, epic new single from Junip’s upcoming, self-titled sophomore album, due in April 2013. Jose Gonzalez’ voice is simply blissful, ethereal even, and Junip really shines with this one. The Swedish trio’s sound has grown since their 2010 debut, Fields. ”Line Of Fire” has an orchestral, epic build that creates a warm, full bodied harmony that truly resonates inside. I can’t stop playing it over and over again…
