DATE ARCHIVES : June 2017

Xinobi – ‘Skateboarding’

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Portuguese producer and Discotexas label head honcho Bruno Cardoso aka Xinobi released his latest album On The Quiet, an eight-track dancefloor-focused album takin its influence from a wide spectrum of electronica; from leftfield house to pop, techno and spoken word.

The latest latest single from the record, ‘Skateboarding’, gazes backward to a significant turning point in his life for its inspiration. As a kid in the late 80s, he experienced a fatal fracture in his arm resulting in two surgeries; bringing an abrupt and unexpected end to his skateboarding career. For rehabilitation, Xinobi was encouraged to train the muscles in his fingers by playing the guitar. ‘Skateboarding’ is an ethereal ode to that time. A slowly building, all enveloping meditative composition filled with melancholic melodies and spiralling beats, precision percussives; it is blissful, enthralling and all-consuming track. ‘Skateboarding’ is also features a speech from Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi, Dischord) – one of Xinobi’s heroes – about his perspectives of skateboarding. A simply stunning track and a perfect introduction to Xinobi’s equally stellar new record, On The Quiet.

Check out ‘Skateborading’ and its swish video below. On The Quiet is out now, tune in here.

 

Slow Skies – ‘Dancing’

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Already with a number of EPs under the belt – ‘Silhouette’, ‘Keepsake’ & ‘Close’ – Slow Skies, better known as Irish musician Karen Sheridan, is now set up to release her debut full-length, written in rural Sweden and produced by Ber Quinn (John Grant, Lisa Hannigan, Divine Comedy).

With the album’s lead single ‘Dancing’, we’re served a sumptuous introduction to the forthcoming Slow Skies record. Wonderfully charming, warm but bittersweet, ‘Dancing’ opens with handclaps and gently blossoms into a sumptuous pop song. Swathed in soothing ’60s sounds, syrupy melodies and bursts of joyous brass, combine with a modicum of keys and the richly honeyed melodic purr of Sheridan’s vocal to cast a bewitching spell. There’s a lingering sense of misty-eyed melancholia, which only adds another layer of irresistibly to this exquisite piece of pop perfection.

No confirmed date yet for the forthcoming LP but on the bright side, that allows plenty of time for getting acquainted with ‘Dancing’.

Duncan Lloyd – ‘Heart in Delay’

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Probably best known as the guitarist with Maximo Park, Duncan Lloyd is always one to keep his fingers in many pies; busying himself with a variety of side-projects including Decade In Exile, Nano Kino and solo work under his own name.

It is the latter which draws our attention as the other week, Lloyd released new album, I O U O M E. The follow up to 2008’s Seeing Double, warm, scuzzy and cathcy, it is a hooky, fuzz-laden barrel of indie joy. Demonstrating all those attributes (and more) in three-and-a-half-minutes is latest single ‘Heart in Delay’. It is a frenetic and urgent burst of scuzzy, fuzzy guitar pop with grunge-meets-shoegaze tones, with catchy hooks slicing though the sludgy distortion. As always with Lloyd, this is all tempered with an immediate warmth from his hushed vocal which is also permeated with a sense of intimacy, melancholy and understated optimism. Another fine example of what Lloyd is capable of and marvellous intro to the new record, if you have yet to acquaint yourself with it.

You can give ‘Heart in Delay’ the once over below and I O U O M E is out now, and you can listen to it here.

 

Introducing: Strange Cages

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Strange Cages are a Brighton trio who don’t mess about; their sinister, sleazy psych-rock sound is compelling, intense and hypnotic.

Taking parts post-punk, surf rock, garage, krautrock and psychedelia Strange Cages stitch it all together to form a dangerous sounding gritty psych-punk. The Brighton trio are gearing up to release new EP The Cracks, out on June 16, ahead of which come title track and ‘Leader Of A Cult’ to whet the appetite. The latter fully realises their dark sinister tenancies with spine chilling effect. Punchy drums and jangley, off-kilter riffs are smothered with an eerie sense of dark perilous menace, with foreboding vocals adding to the sense of a paranoid nightmare. ‘The Cracks’, still somewhat wonky and weird, pushes infectious guitar riffs, driving drum beats and anthemic roars through a sea of distortion and psychedelic imagination. Two phenomenal tracks, on the back of which, there are plenty of reasons to be excited for the forthcoming EP.

The Cracks EP is out June 16. Listen to ‘The Cracks’ & ‘Leader Of A Cult’ below now.

Something for the Weekend: New Music Playlist #10

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A new regular addition to blog, a relatively short weekly Spotify playlist featuring some of the finest new music to prick my ears over the course of past 7 days.

Clocking in at just over an hour, it’s an easily digestible slice of new music, just in time for the weekend. There’s a nice mix of genres and styles too, allowing me to share even more top tunes for your ears. Well, without further ado, here’s #8. Enjoy the tunes & enjoy the sun!

You can follow me on Spotify here.

Alanna Eileen – ‘Knowledge’

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Every now and then we encounter a song so tantalisingly brilliant, that it stops us in dead in our tracks, instantly demanding your full and undivided attention.

Once such track is the divine new single from New Zealand-via-Australia singer-songwriter, Alanna Eileen. Entitled ‘Knowledge’, it is incredibly evocative, pure and beautifully haunting folk music. The first thing that hits you is Eileen’s pure-toned and ethereal voice. Delicate but with an understated strength too, it is paired beautifully with finger picking and acoustic guitar, gentle harmonies, fleeting keys and a country-tinged ambience. These elegant, beautiful arrangements are not over complicated, and provide a stunning canvas for Eileen’s stunning vocals to bewitch and beguile. Enchanting and ethereal, this one showcases incredible songwriting prowess and captivating voice.

Take a listen to ‘Knowledge’ below:

Introducing: Twinsmith

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Twinsmith are an Omaha-based indie outfit with a sunny disposition and a penchant for chilled-out surf pop vibes.

Rising from the ashes of Americana-inspired outfit called Betsy Wells, the current incarnation of Twinsmith – consisting of Jordan Smith (vocals, guitars) and Matt Regner (vocals, guitar, keyboards) drummer Oliver J. Morgan and bassist Bill Sharp – have two albums under their belt with a third due this year. Entitled Stay Cool and penned for release on July 14; ahead of which we’ve been treated to two singles ‘Matters’ and ‘Boji’. A sparkling piece of stellar pop-craft, the former gently wins you over and engulfs your very being, as shimmering guitars mingle with soft but steady beat, hushed, hazy vocals and some lush synths. ‘Boji’ meanwhile, is just as alluring. Led by a soft breeze of instrumentation, this gorgeous track is tender and restful, and imbued with warmth of golden summer glow. A blissful moment of sun-kissed enchantment. Two alluring chill-outs to repeatedly fall in love with.

The band will release their forthcoming album Stay Cool via Saddle Creek on July 14, 2017. For now, sample the delights of ‘Matters’ & ‘Boji’ Below.

Sean Gadd – ‘Never Be Beautiful’

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Sean Gadd was a founding member of Grouplove and since parting company with the LA-based outfit, Gadd has been ensconced in his solo project under his own name.

Earlier this year he introduced listeners to his new solo work with the single, ‘Radar Sounds’ and following it up with latest single ‘Never Be Beautiful’. On the surface, ‘Never Be Beautiful’ is a cheerful, bouncy and bubbly pop song; all synths and smiles combine with the alluring duet vocals compliments of Hannah Hooper, Gadd’s long-time friend and former Grouplove bandmate. As highly contagious as it is, digging a little deeper, ‘Never Be Beautiful’ is a testament to self-love, belief and acceptance. An upbeat and fast flowing blend of frentic beats, colourful sounds and general infectious pop melodies. This is one that will be stuck in your head for ages.

Time for you to make up your own mind now, check out ‘Never Be Beautiful’ & ‘Radar Sounds’ below now:

Introducing: Blue Movies

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Blue Movies is the musical and songwriting pairing of London-based artists Mat Eric Hart and Tom Ball, who have a preference for slow, mellow and relaxing psych-infused indie lullabies.

These beautiful berceuse’s emanate from an enchanting playground of woozy, undulating soothing sounds, that is hauntingly melancholic yet also blissfully hypnotic. The pair’s recently released debut album, Disenchantment, is a treasure trove of such wondrous delights. Lead single ‘Caramel Dreams’ with its slow, ruminating rhythmic development and lush vocals is perfect case in point. The vocals begin to rise, to meet the gorgeous unfolding instrumental soundscape and elegant and melodic guitar work. As with the rest of the record, it is an elegant, captivating and slow brewing dream; juts like the aptly titled ‘Relax’.

Check out ‘Caramel Dreams’ and ‘Relax’ below. Two sublime snippets from the soothing, mellow vibes of Disenchantment.

Violet Days – ‘I’m A Dreamer’

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Stockholm-based alternative pop act Violet Days, fronted by singer-songwriter Lina Hansson, has spent 2017 introducing a series of compelling alt-pop gems.

New single, ‘I’m A Dreamer’ is of the same vintage and will take its place on her forthcoming EP. A song about frustration born from having people around you that don’t see things or believe in them the way you do, ‘I’m A Dreamer’ is a pristine piece of alt-pop. Harnessing its persuasive pop powers from a perfect brew of brooding synths, chiming textures and sharp percussion, topped by bright and alluring vocals from Hansson. Catchy a captivating, this is pop done right.

You can listen to ‘I’m A Dreamer’ below. Stay tuned for details of Violet Days’ new EP.