For me, music is more than just art. Music is more of a force, able to stir one's emotions, awaken one's senses, and unite people under a common denominator. It is an essential part to my life.
For this Friday's post I'll keep it short and sweet so you guys can go on your merry way for the weekend. And! Since we're on the topic of weekends, I think it's a fair assumption to say that everyone has heard/danced/partied to the worldwide hit "We No Speak Americano". At least I know when I was studying abroad I couldn't enter a bar or club without hearing it three or more times. I can thank DCUP and Yolanda Be Cool for that, the makers of the dance wonder. Well now Peking Duk, who I've written about prior, has done a remix of DCUP's new song "I'm Corrupt". This follows a series of remixes that Peking Duk has completed, and is one that will surely get your Friday moving. Go ahead and stream it below, then check out SoundCloud for more offerings.
Well, that was a hell of a lot of fun to listen to. A few days ago the Brooklyn based group Team Genius had an EP Release Day in preparation for the follow-up New York Songs, their forthcoming album. During the Release Day Team Genius uncorked three separate EPs of varying themes; Whiskey Songs, Pop Songs, and Loud Songs, an ambitious project that covers a lot of ground. The EPs work though, they're full of character and they stick true to their intended personalities. As you would imagine, each one has a different feel to it. Whiskey Songs has a dated novelty and carries a sense of camaraderie, the aesthetic of which sounds like Titus Andronicus. Loud Songs is...well, louder; the tempos are faster, the reverb a little rougher, and the vocals more projected. Alternatively, Pop Songs is conventional, containing the melodies and styles the average listener is more associated with. They may be distinct, but if there is one element that ties all of them together it's friendship and teamwork. The EPs honestly sound like a blast, like Team Genius had the best time making them. That sense of fun and creativity really shines through on each release. I've posted some of my favorites below, and one from each EP: "I Wouldn't Change A Thing" from Whiskey Songs, "All Ours" from Loud Songs, and "Love and Love Songs" from Pop Songs. As awesome as these are, don't forget about November 6th when the New York Songs LP drops. You can stream the remaining tracks over at their label's SoundCloud, and if you want more on the band both Facebook and Twitter will do just fine.
If there were a better word to describe the London quartet Mt. Wolf than 'ethereal', I would use it. But alas, such a descriptor is non-existent; with gossamer vocals, angelic harmonies, sweeping strings, and deep bass embedded in the music they make, how could there possibly be a more perfect adjective? The evidence gathered for this conclusion comes from their Life Size Ghosts EP, a 4-song assemblage that exhibits all of Mt. Wolf's heavenly qualities. The term that they've come to describe it as is "dreamfolk", which just so happens to fit them ideally. One element to Life Size Ghosts that surprised me were the pronounced beats that appeared out of no where in some of the songs. In one full swoop they're able to turn a dreamy wash into what sounds like a soulful downtempo track, perhaps along the lines of a darker How to Dress Well. Either way, Life Size Ghosts is well worth a listen for curious ears, and the good news is that it is streaming over at SoundCloud now, so be sure to have a gander at it. For more information you can visit the band's Twitter or Facebook. Below is "Cry Wolf", which comes directly off the EP.
The last time I wrote about Chris Malinchak was about two months ago when he released "These Dreams", a specimen of disco and house fusion. Today, we are faced with a fresh song from Malinchak called "All Shook Up", the newest addition to his repertoire of beat-heavy electronic bangers. What's great about "Leaving Tomorrow" is the use of samples, which tend to take on a more soulful tone. I am even sniffing hints of funk somewhere in there. This one also comes to you from French Express, a label comprised entirely of foot-tappers and head-rockers. It's only reasonable that Malinchak would fall directly into the mix. You can see the array of French Express artists at the label's SoundCloud here. If it's Malinchak you want, he has a Facebook, Twitter, and SoundCloud that you can tune in to. Have a listen to brand new "All Shook Up" below. Enjoy!
It has only been a few weeks since the digital release of Hey Sholay's album ((O)), but excitement for their current single "My Blood" is in full swing. Perhaps it could be for the character the track achieves; the lead vocals are equal parts inspiration and saddening, but full in emotion. Maybe it's the accessibility it offers; it's a slice of indie pop cake, complete with a swell of melodious guitars and an inviting chorus. Not to mention, the build throughout the whole song is well worth the reward at the end; a deep bodied congregation of well-composed instrumentation, an attempt to erase any empty space. It pays off beautifully. Now, Hey Sholay has released a video to go along with the song. It was shot by the band over the course of two weeks on a strict budget of 40 pounds. Prop feathers, blood, petrol, and the odd snack are listed as the reasons for spending. You can check out the video directly below, but if you prefer there is a stream of the song under that. You can learn some more about Hey Sholay over at their Facebook or Twitter with some additions listens available at SoundCloud. Dig it!
It's no lie that the Californian group Trails and Ways is one of my favorite up-and-coming bands circulating the airwaves these days. It has been a few months removed since the release of their song "Mtn Tune", and yet I still find myself jamming out to it with reckless abandon. Of course the show must go on, and Trails and Ways has proceeded with the release of their Sure Thing EP. The name comes from a Miguel cover of "Sure Thing" which is featured on the release. In fact, the whole thing is comprised of covers, including the likes of M83's "Midnight City" and Miike Snow's "Animal". I took an instant liking to the "Midnight City" cover, which strips the original of its electronic aesthetic and focuses on a minimal (at least in comparison to M83) dream pop style. They give the track room to breathe instead of the whitewash of synths that rain over the listener in M83's version. Both songs are great of course, they just go about it in a different way. I've posted the "Midnight City" cover below, and while you're doing that you can check out the rest of the EP over at their SoundCloud. You can also give them a shout at Facebook and Twitter.
If you're looking for a hardworking band, one that provides new music just as your getting bored with your current library, then you need not look much further than Brooklyn's Woods. If you've followed them for any of the past seven years, then you've probably noticed how they come out with a new album every year. The bonus here is that by this point it's also fair to expect the music to be high quality, for they're also one of the more consistent groups out today. This year's Bend Beyond, which came out September 18th, is proof that even after the constant bombardment of new albums, Woods continues to offer exciting material. The obvious and instant appeal to Woods is their clear admiration for psychedelic folk bands of the '60s and '70s; I constantly hear them compared to the likes of the Beach Boys. The main divider between that parallel though is that Woods isn't as flooded with sunshine as the Beach Boys have become synonymous with, but instead focus more heavily on the folk aspect of their music instead of the pop sensibility. For Woods it pays off. It has, and while I don't have a crystal ball, I feel it's safe to say it will continue to pay off. At least I'm crossing my fingers it does. I've posted one of my favorites from Bend Beyond, "Impossible Sky", below, so be sure to give that a listen and then head over to iTunes to grab it. Enjoy!
