POSTS TAGGED : Electro-Pop

Σtella – ‘Way to Go’

Σtella_4

‘Way to Go’ is the latest single from Σtella – aka Stella Chronopoulou – a Greek artist whose output is known for an ability to mix up genres and disciplines, sculpting off kilter pop gems without a hitch.

The Athens native released her latest album, and follow-up to her 2015 self-titled debut LP, Works For You back in February. Lifted from the aforementioned record, ‘Way To Go’ is an enticing, off-kilter alt-pop gem. It, like the new record, finds Σtella achieving a sense of balance between pop and experimental. A bouncy pop song, ‘Way To Go’ is fuelled as much by the buoyant melodies as it is by an under-stated hint of techno and electro-pop nous. This is artistic experimentation and pushing boundaries met by an ear for the irresistible; ‘Way To Go’ will stick in your head for days and days.

‘Way To Go’ reveals but one side of an extremely talented and multi-faceted artist; for full insight check out the new record in its entirety, here.

Check the video for ‘Way To Go’ below:

Mayfly – ‘Losing You’

17211946_1303379179698494_4120575755117183012_o

Hailing from London, Mayfly conjures up magical electro-pop that will transfix, and have you reaching for the repeat button

‘Losing You’ is the debut single from Mayfly, written, produced and performed by this clandestine London artist. Mayfly has a supreme ear for melody, paired with a sweet and heavenly (folk flavoured) vocal, ‘Losing You’ slowly reveals itself along an easy-on-the-ear bass-line, with layer upon layer of entrancing sounds. Our senses are immersed in a colourful mix of electronics, ethereal tones and swirling synths leaving us with a most captivating, breathtaking and irresistible of tunes.

Listen to the crystalline dynamics and intricate sound collage that is ‘Losing You’ below. It does not disappoint!

Kan Wakan – ‘Still Feather’

kan-wakan

Ahead of his ambitious triple LP release Phantasmagoria, Los Angeles-based, Bulgarian-born artist Kan Wakan continues his relentless quest to keep us enthralled.

With ‘Still Feather’ – the fourth single lifted from the forthcoming LP – Kan Wakan further showcases his versatility as a producer, and more than keeps it interesting. Introducing itself with minimalist keys, it builds slowly but precisely, adding layers and flourishes to SAIGO‘s stunning vocals, to blossom majestically into a huge, all enveloping cinematic score. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, ‘Still Feather’ surprises you once again. Yet all the pieces to the puzzle fit perfectly. A truly captivating track and reminder of Wakan’s powers of composition and electronic production.

Phantasmagoria will be out sometime in May but for right now, ‘Still Feather’ has been released. Tune in below.

Something for the Weekend: New Music Playlist #2

BG2

A new feature to blog, a short weekly Spotify playlist series featuring some of the finest new music to prick my ears.

Clocking in or around and 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 #2. Enjoy!

Continue reading →

Something for the Weekend: New Music Playlist #1

BGPL1

A brand new feature on the Gruff channel, a weekly 15-track Spotify playlist series featuring some of the finest new music to prick my ears.

Clocking in at under and hour, it’s an easily digested slice of new music, just in time for the weekend. There’s a nice mix of genres and styles too, allowing me to share more great tunes for your ears, so hopefully it can be a regular feature. We’ll see how it goes, I guess.

Continue reading →

Safetalk – ‘Universal’

CS3377064-02A-BIG

From Paris & Berlin, the trio of two Parisian producers and Berlin-based British vocalist, David Harks, are Safetalk.

The continental trio have released their debut single, ‘Universal’ and this first transmission sounds like it was beamed directly from the cosmos. Safetalk’s first introduction is a wonderful piece of lush electronic-pop with soft-psych flourishes and transfixing vocals, that will leave an indelible mark on ones soul. It is a blissed-out love letter of uplifting positivity, it gently builds until a warm rapture envelopes you and everything else around you. At the risk of sounding rather corny, it exudes a cosmic vibe of birth, death, and rebirth.

Lots more promised from Safetalk this year and they’ve been holed up in Paris for the past 6 months writing, recording and getting their full live show in shape.

Tune in to Safetalk’s interstellar-pop now.

The Deer Tracks – ‘Gossip’

15590783_10153983215141836_9170179570051060742_o

Revolving around the two main protagonists of David Lehnberg & Elin Lindfors, The Deer Tracks have been brewing up their self described ‘Northern Light Electronica’ since 2008.

With a number of records already under their belt, in recent weeks, the Swedish pair returned with a new album Undersvik. ‘Gossip’ is the latest single to be lifted from the new record and exemplifies The Deer Tracks’ flair for dark, edgy electronica. With ‘Gossip’ they eek out a perfect balance between the dark, almost gothic, droney techno edge and Lindfors’ ethereal vocal. In doing so, it steadily evolves with the aid of a dynamic arsenal of stuttering beats, beautiful strings, soaring synths and mild underbelly of euphoria which blossoms sensationally at the end. A thrilling, irresistible and entrancing four minutes plus, that quickly locks you under its spell.

Undersvik has already been released digitally with a vinyl version scheduled for March of this year – stream it here. Listen to ‘Gossip’ below:

Yelle Return With New Single ‘Ici & Maintenant’ (Here & Now)

yelle-herenow-color-c-2016-yelle

French electro-pop duo Yelle – singer Julie Budet and producer GrandMarnier – have returned with a new single ‘Ici & Maintenant’ (Here & Now).

The song is the French pairing’s first new material since the wonderful 2014 album, Completement Fou. ‘Ici & Maintenant’ is just as catchy, fun and playful as anything from that record but it is a sweet, soothing take on their renowned eccentric, avant-garde electro-pop hi-jinks. Budet’s serenely beautiful vocals mingle with electro beats, synth and a pretty smooth vibe for bright and magnificent slice of electro-pop that is undeniably catchy and fun. The wacky (and lots of fun) video sees Budet joined by comedian Nathan Barnatt and is well worth watching.

There are no details of an album to follow as of yet but even if ‘Ici & Maintenant’ (Here & Now).is a stand alone single, it’s pretty damn fine. Check it and the video below.

CUT_ – ‘Undertow’

cut_

Amsterdam-based electronica duo CUT_ – Sebastiaan Dutilh & Belle Doron – have shared a brand new single, ‘Undertow’.

The pair’s latest release is a three-minute sojourn to synth-pop bliss. It’s infectious electronica built around glacial synths, silky melodies and a frosty elegance. ‘Undertow’ harnesses its powerful and persuasive ways by pitting catchy pop with sharp ideas, making it simultaneously spiky and delicate, lending itself to a mild form of euphoria. Frosty to the touch, ‘Undertow’ reveals itself to be a complex layering of warmth and ideas below the surface.

‘Undertow’ is out now and its release comes as ahead CUT_ appearing at Eurosonic 2017. Listen to it below.

Introducing: Ten Fé

14691940_1129492970475424_3271061027103641014_o
Ten Fé are the London-based duo of Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan, who’ve been making serious headway through previous singles ‘Make Me Better’, ‘In The Air’, ‘Elodie’ and ‘Turn’.

The pair aim to make further strides with the announcement of their debut album ‘Hit The Light’; penned for release on February 3 2017. Accompanying this news, Ten Fé have revealed a taster of their forthcoming debut LP, with new single ‘Overflow’. Adorned with all the hallmarks that’s made their name thus far, ‘Overflow’ is ‘indie-music-to-dance to’ and a compelling blurring of the lines between synth-pop, ’80s new wave and electronica. Built around some synth-driven, ’80s new-wave nuances, these combine with guitar lines to create a lush, almost neon quality. Moorhouse’s baritone vocals provide an emotional weight, while ‘Overflow’ is propelled forward by an urgent, vibrant electronic beat and insistent bubbling bass. A stunning distillation of their synthy sound.

The album is coming in the new year but to whet your appetite, you can listen to ‘Overflow’ and ‘Make Me Better’ below.