Memoryhouse

In no way is Memoryhouse a new name, in fact they've been around for quite a while.  In early January of 2010, they released the fantastic EP The Years, which a lot of people forget was one of the first releases to be dubbed as "chillwave".  A lot of people also don't seem to realize that with all of their EPs and singles available on the internet, they have yet to release a full album...that is until this year.  The other day I finally had the chance to listen to The Slideshow Effect, Memoryhouse's debut LP, which came out February 24th.  In some ways it's very similar than The Years, while in other cases it's very different.  To start, The Slideshow Effect maintains a very crucial element to Memoryhouse's personality; songs wrapped in a nostalgic film, intended to bring up memories of the past.  Also, female vocalist Denise Nouvion still uses her voice as a beautiful cradle for the delicate instrumentation. What changes are Memoryhouse's chillwave roots; instead of formulaic airy synths, the focus is more on catchy guitar rifts and soft piano chords that instill a sense of dreaminess.  All in all it's a pretty good release and worthy of at least a listen or two. Check out the songs "The Kids Were Wrong" and "Punctum" below.

The Kids Were Wrong

Punctum

Aylen

For today's post I figured I'd switch it up a little bit. Now, I rarely write about dance music or anything dubstep, which is due to a mix of two facts; one is that I'm not as knowledgeable on the topic and the other being I'm simply not as enchanted by dubstep-influenced songs like other people are.  That being said, when Aylen sent over his new Distantt remix "Infinity", I was surprised when I felt the need to post. Technically the reworked version falls under the category of moombahton, which is a genre that has recently been growing in popularity.  Moombahton is a form of electronic dance music that borrows aspects of reggaeton and in many cases dubstep, the result of which is pretty unique.  "Infinity" is a near six-minute long banger that flows in and out of many sections, so within this mix there is a little bit here for someone.  And for those not so keen on dubstep, "Infinity" is pretty light on that.  So feel free to check it out below, and you can also go to the SoundCloud for a free download.  Enjoy!

 Distantt - Infinity (Aylen Remix) by Aylen

Work Drugs

After a busy past couple of months, including a show opening for Umphrey's McGee up in Boston, the Philly duo Work Drugs have officially released their first single of 2012.  The song is also the first single to come off of their new album, which is supposed to be ready by sometime this year.  As soon as there is more information on it you can expect an update!  For the time being, enjoy the fresh "License To Drive", a track that follows up on their theme of keeping it "smooth".  Download it over here!  Enjoy!

 License To Drive by Work Drugs

Villa Kang

A lot of people have come to know the Canadian duo Memoryhouse as a band that lays your ears down on to a soft pillow.  Blissful and ethereal, Memoryhouse has proven to be a strong player in the chillwave genre.  So what if you made it a little more glitchy and psychedelic?  Villa King, an emerging producer out of Toronto, must've had that question boiling in his subconscious as well. Around one week ago he released a single with an A-side/B-side, with the former containing a sample of Memoryhouse's "To The Lighthouse".  He calls the track "Hallucinating Arkansas", and it's easy to see why he would refer to Memoryhouse as a base for the song; the mix of dream pop with psychedelia soar in the background, the combo supports the added glitch and snugly-fit sample.  The end product is what some artists have been referring to as "bliss-beat".  To get a listen I've posted the song below, yet also feel free to hit up his SoundCloud for additional listens and free downloads.  Or if you prefer, he has a homepage you can visit.

 Hallucinating Arkansas by Villa Kang

Another

It's a surprising 60 degrees where I'm located, as such the windows to my apartment are wide open and I can hear kids playing basketball on the courts adjacent to my complex.  To celebrate this spring feeling I'll hit you up with the album Since June, a new release from solo guy Douglas McGillivray, who goes by the name Another. Since June is classified as "intimate ocean pop", which is a descriptor that seems to be coming up more and more often.  In my eyes this has come to represent a conglomerate of several ideas; usually there is an element of warm and fuzzy synths that reveal a sense of dreaminess, to support this the vocals are usually in echo and the instruments are given a fair share of reverb.  The end effect is meant to be relaxing and calming, perhaps simulating a lazy day on a boat in the middle of summer.  A favorite at Audio Splash, Work Drugs, follows a similar formula.  Since June has resemblance to this pattern.  Comforting?  Yes. Touches of electronic music?  Yep.  Moreover, it's in high spirits, which usually constitutes a pleasant listen (especially true for a day like today).  I've posted three songs below; album opener "Same To You", the ukulele-driven "Helicopter", and the slightly funky "Maika".  Have a listen, and if you dig it be sure to hit up his Bandcamp for a free download of Since June.  Peaceeeee.

Palms

The cover art for the song "Lake Marble Falls" is a picture taken from the popular Punch Bowl Falls, an area in Oregon known for it's numerous waterfalls.  As I'm sure you can see, it's also appreciated for its unparalleled beauty and tranquility.  So when Palms sings out "my memory begins here, in Marble Falls", I can see why!  I wouldn't mind having such scenery being the first vision I could recollect. Using this image as an icon to their song makes sense too, the duo Palms carry such a sense of serenity and purity in "Lake Marble Falls" that anything else wouldn't do it justice.  The most notable comparison would be Bon Iver; a spacious guitar, vocals set in falsetto, and an isolated atmosphere gives the impression of a something constructed in nature, surrounded by nothing but woods.  I guess since "Lake Marble Falls" sounds very reflective, there is an aura of solitude embedded within the chords.  Palms is in no way a cut copy of Bon Iver, the group utilizes an electroacoustic-like sound to set it apart.  The culmination is very sedative, and it's way easy to be lulled into it.  I've posted it below for you to listen, and if you dig it you can hit up the Studio Palms homepage to snag it for free.  Enjoy!

 Lake Marble Falls by Palms Music

A$AP Rocky

I never expected to like A$AP Rocky.  When I was introduced to his mixtape LiveLoveA$AP, my friend told me that all he does is "rap about smoking weed, being fucked up, and getting his dick wet".  Since I find these themes to be one of the most annoying problems with modern hip-hop, I wasn't exhilarated with such a preface.  Then "Palace" came on; epic.  Next came     "Peso"; smooth.  I was hooked.  Knowing my tastes, I still can't figure out why I like him so much.  I'm thinking it may be how he carries himself, a basic dude who likes to have a good time.  He never appears to take himself too seriously, in fact at times LiveLoveA$AP is actually humorous, and I think he's aware of that.  Also, the auto-tune is at a bare minimum, if even used at all; what you see is what you get, and you gotta give a guy credit for that.  So what do you get when A$AP decides to make a more party-ready, synth-lined track?  The answer is "Celebration", an unbearably infectious hip-hop ballad that gives tribute to loving life and living large.  In typical fashion, there is no shortage of getting women and spending money.  The song is getting me amped, I can't wait to hear what he comes out with next.  He has all the criteria to make it huggeeee one day.  Check it out below!  Hopefully it'll get the weekend off to a good start.

Celebration