Music For The Masses

Dum Dum Girls - End Of Daze

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:15:06 -0500

Following up last year’s sophomore album Only In Dreams, an excellent record that revealed hidden depths, California noise-pop ensemble Dum Dum Girls will release their new EP End Of Daze on September 25th via Sub Pop Records, but the girls are offering an advanced stream right now. Poetic lyrical observations and gorgeous melodies are spread over five bonafide pop tracks that see the group blending a wide variety of musical influences, which range from The Ramones to Joy Division to The Smiths and The Cure, into something new and exciting. Paired with the sweet melodies are frontwoman Dee Dee’s contents of the heart, which show a raw honesty and are projected by her exquisite, crystalline vocals. It’s truly a wonderful EP that raises the bar even further for the band. Stream it below. (via)

Follow Dum Dum Girls:
http://wearedumdumgirls.com
http://www.facebook.com/DumDumGirls
http://twitter.com/DUMDUMGIRLS

Written by: Christoffer

Black Marble - Static

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 11:21:49 -0500

Brooklyn darkwavers Black Marble are set to release their full-length debut A Different Arrangement on October 9th via Hardly Art. Following up the album’s first single “A Great Design,” the duo have unveiled the new track “Static”. An infectious piece that combines lo-fi and minimal aesthetics with a warm and familiar 80’s glow. Listen to it below.

Follow Black Marble:
http://www.blackmarblenyc.com
http://www.facebook.com/blackmarblenyc
http://soundcloud.com/blackmarble
http://blackmarble.bandcamp.com

Written by: Christoffer

Father Finger - Temper

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:59:58 -0500

Father Finger is one of the latest signees to Los Angeles’ anti-pop label Not Not Fun Records and currently on tour with lo-fi avant-diva Maria Minerva. As she gears up for the release of a new tape on the aforementioned imprint, the Providence musician shares the music video for the opening track “Temper,” a heady, lo-fi piece with synths spinning around a funk-infused rhythm like a broken siren. The Christine Jones-directed clip invites you to accompany Father Finger on her wanderings on the boulevard, the beach and to jump up and down on the bed like a 5 year-old on a trampoline. Watch it below.

Follow Father Finger:
http://twitter.com/fatherfinger
http://soundcloud.com/kylie-lance
http://fatherfinger.tumblr.com

Written by: Christoffer

Tim Hecker & Daniel Lopatin - Uptown Psychedelia

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 09:40:00 -0500

Experimentalists Tim Hecker and Daniel Lopatin (aka Oneohtrix Point Never) are set to release a collaborative record, titled Instrumental Tourist, on November 20th via Software Recording Company, Mexican Summer’s electronically inclined sister label run by Lopatin and his Ford & Lopatin parner Joel Ford (aka Airbird). The album, which is the first release in the imprint’s new SSTUDIOS series, incorporates elements of jazz improvisation, like a creative conversation between the two artists. The first taste of their forthcoming effort comes in the form of “Uptown Psychedelia”. A narration of amorphous, ambient passages and gentle eddies of evocative, otherworldly sounds. It’s an unpredictable journey that tugs at the heartstrings in multiple directions. Listen to it below. (via)

Follow Tim Hecker:
http://sunblind.net
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tim-Hecker/42374759420
http://twitter.com/tim_hecker

Follow Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never):
http://www.pointnever.com
http://www.facebook.com/oneohtrix
http://twitter.com/0PN
http://soundcloud.com/oneohtrix-point-never

Written by: Christoffer

a i r s p o r t s - Heartbreak In The Club (Part 1)

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 02:55:00 -0500

Following up his self-titled full-length debut on the ever-prolific Czech label AMDISCS, a i r s p o r t s, the highly danceable project of Oregon producer Dylan Howe, continues to explore the new high-tech century with the title track off a forthcoming mixtape. “Heartbreak In The Club (Part 1)” is a beguiling house groover that reflects the future with bright beats and acid-infused textures. An energetic jam that will have your head nodding and your body moving in no time. Listen and download it below.

Follow a i r s p o r t s:
http://www.facebook.com/airsportss
http://soundcloud.com/airsports
http://airsports.bandcamp.com

Written by: Christoffer

Dream Affair - The Porter

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 23:39:33 -0500

A trio of brooding Brooklyn post-punkers named Dream Affair produce charming dark synth waves coupled with a DIY aesthetic, as seen in their video for “The Porter”. The vibes are eerie and perfectly unsettling like scenes from a horror film. Industrial sounds are strong in this track, and the doubled male-female vocals are interesting and work really well together. They’re set to release an album on October 7 entitled Aborted State, but in the meantime check out their previous work on their Bandcamp.

Follow Dream Affair:
http://www.dream-affair.com
http://www.facebook.com/dreamaffair
http://twitter.com/dreamaffair
http://dreamaffair.bandcamp.com

Written by: Angelina

LLLL - Drowned Fish

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 09:40:30 -0500

Tokyo band LLLL have created ethereal perfection with the song “Drowned Fish” off their self-titled debut EP (out now on Bandcamp). Thin, dreamy vocals soar over a lethal combination of arpeggiated synths and hard hitting drums. The song has recently been accompanied by a beautiful slow motion video, directed by talented Minami Yahiro. Be sure to check out the group’s latest EP Mirror.

Follow LLLL:
http://www.facebook.com/lllltokyo
http://twitter.com/LLLLTOKYO
http://lllltokyo.bandcamp.com

Written by: Dominic

Ensemble Economique - I Believe

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 23:27:00 -0500

Ensemble Economique, the drugged-out solo project of California-dwelling Brian Pyle from contemporary experimental unit Starving Weirdos, is a remarkable force with a penchant for psychogenic artifacts and dark trips into hostile territories. Pyle is set to release a split tape with electronic duo DUBAI (whose contribution to the cassette has been mentioned here) on September 20th via the reliable Clan Destine Records. “I Believe,” a cut from his side to that split release, is a haunting seance that offers an unsettling ritualistic soundscape. The track envelops the listener in a thick, heady bank of synth-fog, hypnotizing waves of brainwashed tones and meditative vocals. It’s bleak, sweaty, but above all, it’s intensely atmospheric. Listen to it below.

Follow Ensemble Economique:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ensemble-Economique/161737253875166
http://soundcloud.com/ensemble-economique
http://ensembleeconomique.tumblr.com

Written by: Christoffer

Zackey Force Funk - Cocaine Lady

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 22:33:00 -0500

Here is some new late-night discotheque from Tucson’s prolific, lazer-funk maestro Zackey Force Funk. “Cocaine Lady,” taken from the forthcoming new mixtape Electron Don to be released sometime later this year, is a sumptuous feast with a breathless falsetto sitting atop of a very groovy, swagged out, synth-funk production. An irresistible jam that lies somewhere between the future and nostalgia. Listen and download it below.

Follow Zackey Force Funk:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Zackey-Force-Funk/197432950302068
http://twitter.com/zackeyforcefunk
http://soundcloud.com/zackey425

Written by: Christoffer

Curt Crackrach / Ela Orleans - Bestroy / She Who Could BIND You

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 21:37:00 -0500

Clan Destine Records continue to prove themselves to be a hip, pioneering UK label with an own personal vision of wonderful music, releasing tapes filled with fragmented pieces of broken dreams and memories. To add to their ever-expanding library of gems, the imprint will release a new limited split tape, titled 80 Minutes Of Funk, on September 23rd. The cassette contains 40 minutes worth of new material of Philadelphia producer Curt Crackrach (aka the unusual beast Nattymari) and Polish-born, UK-based musician Ela Orleans, who recently took part of a fantastic 4-way split release with some of the best veteran splitters of recent times: US Girls, Slim Twig and Dirty Beaches.

To give you a taste of what you can expect from the forthcoming release, here is a sample of both artists. Curt Crackrach’s “Bestroy” is a pitch-shifted blend of corrupted noises built on a lo-bitrate funk sample, paranoid-sounding bleeps and soaked in warm tape hiss. On “She Who Could BIND You,” Orleans engulfs the listener with a dreamy soundscape and wistful vocals, fused into a soupy haze that suggests sweet candy and lost loves. Listen to both tracks below.

Follow Curt Crackrach:
http://soundcloud.com/curt-crackrach

Follow Ela Orleans:
http://elaorleans.wordpress.com
http://www.facebook.com/ElaOrleans
http://twitter.com/elaorleans
http://soundcloud.com/elaorleans

Written by: Christoffer

Claps - Glory, Glory

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:01:00 -0500

Minneapolis outfit Claps find themselves in the wee hours of the night and conjure up a darkly rich new wave sound. The trio released the cassette Glory, Glory earlier this year on the venerable label Moon Glyph, filled with seven striking minimal synth compositions. Stripped away from any gloss, the title track is a dark and affecting sacrament that is bleak yet powerful, and holds a torch for the end of the world. Watch the accompanying music video below, directed by Suzanne Pfutzenreuter.

Follow Claps:
http://www.facebook.com/CLAPSUS
http://twitter.com/clapsclapsclaps
http://soundcloud.com/claps-1
http://clapsus.bandcamp.com

Written by: Christoffer

Meet our newest contributor Dominic Welch

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 09:44:00 -0500

We’re happy to announce a new face to Music For The Masses! Dominic Welch is a second year undergraduate student of economics at the University of Birmingham whose passion for music started at a very young age. With his great appreciation to all kinds of music, we’re certain he’ll be a great asset to the team. Head over here to read more about him, and keep an eye out for his updates as he is determined to provide you an arsenal of hot new sounds.

You can say hello to Dom by sending him an email at dominic@mu4ma.com.

Written by: Christoffer

Trimbal - Saying (Harmonimix)

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 07:34:00 -0500

Former Roll Deep member Trimbal (aka Trim) and London wunderkind James Blake, under the resurrected moniker Harmonimix, are prepping their 12” vinyl Confidence Boost. The single contains two tracks that have been lusted after on the internet for quite some time and will finally see release on September 24th via the ever-reliable R&S Records. The B-side “Saying” is a generic James Blake-sounding jam that flows pretty straightforward with shuffling stabs and percussions, taking away the spotlight from Trim and leaving the listener caught up in the tangled textures of the track. Listen to it below.

Follow Trimbal:
http://twitter.com/SithTrim

Follow Harmonimix:
http://jamesblakemusic.com
http://www.facebook.com/jamesblakemusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harmonimix/113901872038879
http://twitter.com/jamesblake

Written by: Christoffer

Ultrademon + Dj Kiff - Yr So Wet 3.0

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 06:18:00 -0500

Chicago future raver Ultrademon (aka Albert Redwine, the father of Seapunk) and DJ Kiff of producers collective Brick Bandits have released a collaborative EP, titled Bubbles, today via Redwine’s own label Coral Records. Standout track “Yr So Wet 3.0” is an unremittingly hyperactive mash-up of 90’s house, techno and trance with a super ecstatic, vibrant melody that ascends to the sublime and a pounding beat that ignites any dance floor. Watch the accompanying music video, which is a CGI explosion-fest, below, created by Kevin Heckart and Redwine himself.

Follow Ultrademon:
http://twitter.com/ultrademon
http://soundcloud.com/fireforeffect
http://ultrademon.tumblr.com

Follow DJ Kiff:
http://www.facebook.com/djkiff123
http://twitter.com/TheRealDJKiff
http://soundcloud.com/djkiffbbc

Written by: Christoffer

Power Nap - Just Do It

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 04:32:00 -0500

Power Nap is the latest project of producer Chris Cudby (one half of psych-pop outfit Golden Axe and the man behind Futuresports) who works with a revolving roster of friends to create multimedia-rich, virtual reality sounds that represent muffled glimpses of yesteryear for the present and the near future, glistening in cinematic HD. “Just Do It” is situated in warm lo-fi aesthetics and pitted against the cheesy, slick technological mainstream while a very funky, tight rhythm carries the track forward through endless loops. This jam is out today on a same-titled two-track EP via New Zealand label Crystal Magic. Listen to it below, then head over to Bandcamp to download the EP for a name-your-price fee.

Follow Power Nap:
http://powernap.bandcamp.com

Written by: Christoffer

Lizard Kisses - Close

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:39:07 -0500

“Close” is the new single from Brooklyn based dream folk pair Lizard Kisses. The duo is made up of Marc Merza and Cory Siegler and together they manage to create beautiful, hazy melodies. The song is so dreamy that Siegler’s vocals seem almost distant over the raw sound of the plucking of the guitar strings. It’s this distance and raw emotion that gives this track so much charm. The band themselves stated that they thought of “Close” “almost as a lullaby — a song of comfort.” Almost as if to rescue the listener from a state of semi-conciousness due to nostalgia. The video, that was entirely shot in the band’s apartment, reflects this idea with fuzzy, out of focus imagery with nature footage layered over it. Watch it below.

Follow Lizard Kisses:
http://soundcloud.com/lizardkisses
http://lizardkisses.bandcamp.com
http://lizardkisses.tumblr.com

Written by: Johnny

Jerome LOL - Forever/Never

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:05:00 -0500

While LOL Boys are on an indefinite hiatus, Los Angeles’ Jerome Potter, one half of the electronic production duo, has branched off and started a solo project under the moniker Jerome LOL. Following up the first single “Happy/Sad,” here is his new, classy dual house jam “Forever/Never”. With twinkling bells, pinging keys and a sustained vocal sample supporting the first half of the diametric groover and a hazy cymbal composition illuminating the second half. Listen to the fusion below.

ZIP Download “Forever/Never” as individual tracks (18.37 MB)

Follow Jerome LOL:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerome-LOL/338413066251721
http://twitter.com/JeromeLOL
http://soundcloud.com/jeromelol
http://jeromelol.tumblr.com

Written by: Christoffer

DUBAI - Thieves

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:58:00 -0500

On September 20th, Clan Destine Records will release a split tape between drone artist Ensemble Economique and electronic experimentalists DUBAI. The latter, a French duo comprised of husband and wife Johannes Buff (aka Le Knell) and Anna Barie (former frontwoman of avant-garde noise outfit These Are Powers), create hazy psychedelia with a dense shadow of gloom. “Thieves,” a cut from their contribution to the release, is a dark, sinster piece that builds up a palpable tension on top of an industrial rhythm and releases it in a piercing chorus with discordant synths. Listen to it below.

Follow DUBAI:
http://www.facebook.com/DVBAI
http://soundcloud.com/dvbai

Written by: Christoffer

Horrid Red - I'm Terrible Hurt

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:36:00 -0500

San Francisco synth-goth band Horrid Red have been quite prolific this year, with a second album, titled Nightly Wreaths, being scheduled for release on October 9th via Terrible Records. With their roots in German/Californian krautrock, the group explore a more elegant and arcane side of post-punk and pop music. On the new single “I’m Terribly Hurt,” heavenly expansive synths, provided by Clay Ruby of Burial Hex, and languid guitars are fused into a sleek 80’s new wave structure, creating an affectionate and entirely infectious tune. Listen to it below.

Follow Horrid Red:
http://www.facebook.com/BLADESSPORTSMAN
http://fwymusic.bandcamp.com

Written by: Christoffer

The Soft Moon - Insides

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:24:00 -0500

San Franciscio-based neo noise purveyor Luis Vasquez, aka The Soft Moon, casts yet another bleak shadow over his 80’s-infused industrial goth sound with the new single “Insides,” the second track to be taken off the forthcoming new album Zeros, out October 30th in North America and November 5th worldwide on Captured Tracks. The song is a hypnotizing, slow-burning piece of post-punk power that embodies the feel of Joy Division. Listen and download it below.

Follow The Soft Moon:
http://www.thesoftmoon.com
http://www.facebook.com/thesoftmoon
http://twitter.com/thesoftmoon

Written by: Christoffer