Tag Archives: Indie-Electro

Apr 16 2012

Nite Jewel & Dntel

Nite Jewel

OK, someone’s just massing with me now. It’s bad enough that track ten on Nite Jewel beautiful current album ‘One Second Of Love’ freaks me the hell out, it’s called ‘Clive’, which does my head in. But now they get Dntel to weird it up even further?

Dntel is, of course, Jimmy Tamborello who was one half of The Postal Service, who’s ‘Give Up’ was possible the best album of 2003 (whoa! was it that long ago?), so if they’re going to get anyone to twist up my namesake then I’m happy he’s the guy. The reMix is amazingly innovative, chopping up the vocals into new melodies to layer alongside his glitchy beats a wonderfully emotive synth sounds. Ramona Gonzalez take on a whole new beauty as an instrument, becoming part of the wall of dreamlike noise, kept in check with a steady dancefloor beat. And, yes, it does sound a little like the Postal Service.

♫ Nite Jewel – Clive (Dntel reMix)

Nite Jewel’s ‘One Second Of Love’ album is out now.

Buy Nite Jewel’s music from:

Apr 13 2012

Citizens! reMix Man Without Country

Man Without Country

London Indie-Electropoppers Citizens! are on a roll right now. A couple of amazing singles, some high profile compilation appearances, and now it seems innovative and damn funky reMixes, have propelled them into the tastemakers consciousnesses to the point where success is pretty much guaranteed. I’m happy for them, maybe now they can afford those decent haircuts they’ve been after for so long.

And those fashionable barnets would be well deserved, these guys have got a really raw, almost live, electronic sound that, when they lend it to a reMix, makes for a unique, and raucous take on ElectroPop. Being lent this garage synth vibe are Welsh Chillwavey electronic noodlers Man Without Country, whose track ‘Puppets’ becomes something akin to Moroder through a distortion pedal at the hands of this hipster quintet. Citizens! are doing an amazing job of bringing a rough, garage quality back into the world of SynthPop, as they do on this reMix, and as the will probably do when they launch their new single in London 18th April with Men Without Country in tow.

♫ Man Without Country – Puppets (Citizens! reMix)

Citizens! and Men Without Country play the Ridgely Road Market Bar in London, 18th April.

Buy Man Without Country’s music from:

      

Apr 13 2012

Rüfüs’ ‘This Summer’ video

Aussie Indie-Electro rising starts Rüfüs’ ‘This Summer’ finally has gone and got itself a video, not sure what it’s been doing with it’s time before this that was so important though?

Alexander George directs this collection of youths-loosing-themselves-in-good-times-and-getting-a-bit-rowdy-in-slow-motion clip which, whilst being a tad unoriginal, actually looks really nice and works perfectly with the track.

Rüfüs’ EP that contains ‘This Summer’ is out now on Gigpiglet/Inertia .

Buy Rüfüs’ music from:

Apr 12 2012

Substatic’s ‘Midnight In Paradise’

substatic

OK, you know when a band you really love change up their sound a little bit? and everytime they release a new track your heart stops a little bit because what if it’s shit? and you’ve got that tattoo and all! But then you have this endorphin rush as you realise they are only getting more and more awesome? Well, that’s what it’s like with me and Substatic. Except I haven’t got a Substatic tattoo. Yet.

The new two peice version, Substatic 2.0 if you will (which we won’t), are slowly tricking out their new material a track at a time as they find their footing with their new, more Funk laden, sound. And finding their footing should be an easy task, they are on very solid ground. ‘Midnight In Paradise’, their latest drop, is a glorious mixture of grooves. Underpinning the tune is a hint of B-Boy Electro (which long time readers will know is always the quickest way to my heart) layered with a nice digital slap bass. Colleen’s breathy vocals give the tune a sense of urgency while the electronics have both a retro feel and contemporary edge. You really can’t pigeonhole Substatic, and as someone who loves pigeonholes and finds artists claiming not to be pigeonholed pretentions (not that Substatic ever have), that irks me. They are ElectroPop, but beyond ElectroPop with an understanding of UK Bass music unheard of within that genre. But too Poppy (read: the songs are too good) to be Bass, or Dubstep, or Drum & Bass. To complex to be vocal House and too live to be Electronica (whatever that is). Too funky for Indie-Electro, too song led for Electro-House. They just write really good, emotional, songs, with a really good grasp of electronic music and a really good grasp of dancefloors. They’re just Substatic.

♫ Substatic – Midnight in Paradise

Substatic’s new EP should be out soon-ish.

Buy Substatic’s music from:

Apr 6 2012

Scarlet Soho’s new single

Scarlet Soho

A couple of days ago we presented the video for London ElectroPop band Scarlet Soho’s comeback single ‘When The Light’s Go Out’. Time for a look at the whole EP.

The title, and lead, track is the prefect choice for Scarlet Soho to reclaim their rightful place amongst the best ElectroPop bands recording today. It’s an insanely catchy track the will stick in your head all day. Capturing the best of ‘80’s arrangements, especially in the epic vocal harmonisation, and full of lush synth sounds ‘When The Lights Go Out’ is Indie-tinged ElectroPop at it’s finest. There’s two other original tracks on the EP, the moody and enigmatic ‘What You Need’, another chunk of 80’s nostalgia wrapped up in contemporary presentation and  ‘Retail Therapy’, a track with hints of Japan in it’s bass and vocals tinged with melancholy until the big ‘80’s Electro Soul chorus. Also included in the package is a reMix of the title track from Austrian avant-garde ElectroPop outfit Trouble Over Tokyo, who deliver a rolling, tribal, electronic soundscape. The single is definitely a welcome return for these guys, and one that leaves a good impression.

♫ Scarlet Soho – When The Lights Go Out (Radio Edit)

♫ Scarlet Soho – When The Lights Go Out (Tokyotron reMix By Trouble Over Tokyo)

‘When The Lights Go Out’ is released 21st May, you can pre-order here.

Buy Scarlet Soho’s music from:

Apr 6 2012

Kimbra, Foster The People & A-Trak

Kimbra, Mark Foster from Foster The People & A-Trak have all done a track together. It’s something to do with shoes. Converse are doing this ‘3 artists, 1 song’ series, I’m not really sure what it’s all about and all the information about it seems to assume I already do. Apologies for not being up to date on the goings on in the world of music based shoe PR campaigns.

The track is very very very good though. Surprisingly for this kind of collaboration you can really hear each artists influence and the result is an Electro-edgy Pop track that rises above it’s ‘shoe promo’ origins.

You can download the track, and presumably buy shoes, here.

Apr 5 2012

TEEEL & Ana Lola Roman

Ana Lola Roman

Well TEEEL is just a reMix machine these days. The past couple of week have seen him drop loads of new tune. Not that we’re complaining, especially with his latest, a mix of Ana Lola Roman’s ‘Telegram’.

Reimagining Ana Lola as some kind of dreamlike Italo Disco diva, this reMix. Rolling bass and rich synths wash over each other building to a sweeping chorus, the vocals in this track acting almost and another instrument, weaving in and out of the electronics. TEEEL has crafted the track to walk the thin line between dancefloor and soundscape, and has mastered both with skill.

♫ Ana Lola Roman – Telegram (TEEEL reMix)

Check out more from Ana Lola Roman on SoundCloud.

Apr 5 2012

Van She’s ‘Idea Of Happiness’ video

Van She’s big comeback gets itself a big video. We were excited about the song, will we be about the video?

The video for ‘Idea Of Happiness’, directed by Andreas Nilsson, is a bit bizarre, but pretty funny, and kinda’ works with the track.

Van She’s new album will be out 9th July on Modular Recordings.

Buy Van She’s music from:

Apr 5 2012

Kitsuné America

CDA044P_CD-sleeve_07

‘Kitsuné America’ is Kitsuné Music’s latest compilation, and it’s a blinder. 14 tracks, loaded with some truly awesome tunes.

Gigamesh’s new track, ‘Your Body’, alone is worth the admission price, but on top of that you get Selebrities, Heartsrevolution, Oliver, Poindexter, Computer Magic, Childish Gambino, St. Lucia. An amazing line up. Check out what to expect with the traditional MiniMix from Kitsuné DJ main man, and one half of JBAG, Jerry Bouthier. 

♫ Kitsuné America Minimix By Jerry Bouthier

The tracklist:

01. St. Lucia – Before The Dive
02. Dwntwn – See My Eyes
03. Childish Gambino -  Heartbeat (Them Jeans reMix)
04. Heartsrevolution – Retrograde
05. Frances rose – Vampire
06. Gigamesh – Your Body
07. White Shadow – If You Like It
08. Xxxchange – F**k Yeah Ace Of Hearts
09. Oliver – Walk With Me
10. Emil & Friends – Royal Oats
11. Selebrities – Regret
12. Poindexter – Helpless
13. Computer Magic – Help Me
14. Giraffage (Feat. XXYYXX) – Even Though

Buy Kitsuné Music’s music from:

Apr 4 2012

Scarlet Soho’s new video

Some of the best news we’ve had this week is the return of London ElectroPoppers Scarlet Soho.

Here’s the video for their forthcoming new single ‘When the Lights Go Out’, directed by Steve Hogg. It’s a really catchy comeback for the four peice. They have been missed.

‘When The Lights Go Out’ is released 21st May, you can pre-order here.

Buy Scarlet Soho’s music from: