SSSSOUND!

ALL IS NOT LOST

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

About Group - All Is Not Lost

Hello hello hello again.
There's quite a few Hot Chip side projects that one needs to keep an eye on, Alexis Taylor's About Group being one of them. It's something a little bit more experimental than Hot Chip, and this track in particular has a bit of a jam-session feel to it (in a good way).
The slow-motion images by artist Henrik Håkansson that are used in this accompanying video emphasize the repetitiveness of Taylor's vocals and the slowly pulsating chords that - according to the man - "owe a lot to R. Kelly’s song 'Reality'." I Couldn't think of more appropriate visuals for this track than these ones.
About Group's new album 'Between The Walls' will be out July 1st, pre-order it here. The single 'All Is Not Lost' will be released June 24th.
Back with more soon.

TAKING ME OVER

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:26:00 +0000

Photo by Ivania Carpio

Cold beats, heartwarming vocals. As you might have realised by now, I quite like things that are simple yet effective. Let it play for a few minutes to fully immerse yourself in it, the intro takes a while.
This one is the first in a new Hivern Discs series called 'Blanc'. Unfortunately it's vinyl only and only 100 copies would be available but they've already sold out right under your nose in less than a day. Noooooo.

Blanc 1 - It's All Over

I'M A FOOL

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:10:00 +0000

Photo by Corrine Michael West

Quite in love with Rhye's album 'Woman' as well as S O H N's productions, so the two of them together obviously make for a great track - well, two great things don't always fit well together, but since they're musically so closely related, with their slow and delicate pop, in this case they do. Love love love!
via Disco Naïveté.

BROKEN BONES

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:12:00 +0000

Photo by Jessica Backhaus

The Van Jets will be a familiar name for the Belgian readers, but what you'll hear below is an unfamiliar sound for the Belgian four-piece. Remixed by newcomer Blatan, their upcoming single Broken Bones gets turned into something a little different, yet with their raw edge intact. Nice crossover.
Other remixes for this single are by Moonlight Matters and Blende, the three of which will be released on a special remix vinyl for Record Store Day on April 20th.

TRANSFORMATION

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:41:00 +0000

Photo by (I don't know who it's by. If anyone does...)

Been a big fan of Footprintz since their first single 'Utopia' came out (it was the final track on the mix I made for Subbacultcha last year), and the subsequent pieces we heard from them such as the Depeche Mode-y 'Fear Of Numbers' and recent 'Dangers Of The Mouth' single which included a proper remix bomb by fellow Canadian Tiga have continued that affinity. So, imagine my excitement for their debut album 'Escape Yourself' that's recently been released and co-produced by Mr. Ewan Pearson.
They've been kind enough to give a track from the album away for free, one that I think it brings together all the different elements that I like about them; breathy delicate vocals, the right amount of sleaze, the right amount of melancholy and great chords. The only shitty news? They split up back in February....
Listen to / download it below, and check a short mix of the album here. And maybe buy it here while you're at it.

100%

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 18:27:00 +0000

Photo by Virginie Khateeb

Bit surprising that this comes from the same guy as Midnight Request Line, but hey, I'm not one to say that one person should stick to one kind of music only. There's no denying that this is some proper accessible dancefloor material and I didn't check, but I imagine it's already over the entire internet by now just because of that.
Personally I'm not a big fan of A*M*E's vocals, but in Skream's setting they remind me of The Jets - Crush On You (which I think is a reference that should be used more often by musicians) so in this case it's totally fine by me. It's flat out retro, like it came straight out of 1987, it's nothing modern or innovating, but when it's done well, it's just good music and that should be the important thing, right?
Skream's remix clearly is quite light-hearted while Duke Dumont's original breathes a 'HOUSE MUSIC IS SERIOUS BUSINESS'- atmosphere. Two tracks for two completely different occasions, but both will do the job in the according situation.
Out March 31st (with a remix by Waze & Odyssey as well), pre-order it here.

OPENING BRACE

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:00:00 +0000

My Panda Shall Fly & Adventure Elephant - "Opening Brace"

Really short post about the really nice video for My Panda Shall Fly's new single 'Opening Brace', shot on a 16mm camera by Chris Toumazou.
The story of the video develops quite slowly, each shot depicts a scene in a (fictional) day in the life of My Panda Shall Fly, but it fits the atmosphere of the music perfectly. Also, I NEED that outfit.
It'll be released on the 'Maccron Accent' EP, which is a collaboration between My Panda Shall Fly and producer Adventure Elephant. Pre-order it digitally here, vinyl here, it'll be out on March 25th on Tape Club Records.

YOU CAN'T HAVE MY LOVE

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 22:42:00 +0000

Photo by & Other Stories

Space Dimension Controller has an album coming out and this track is on it.
Mentioning 'I Feel Love' feels obligated because of the similar kind of intro, but at the same time it's completely unnecessary as the track doesn't try to be reminiscencent of Donna Summer's classic. A better description - in my opinion - would be that it sounds like the soundtrack to a movie about a lonely robot's love endeavors, a sound that's in that same blissfull spirit of 'The Love Quadrant'. Space Dimension Controller's album 'Mikrosector-50' will be released March 4th on R&S Records.
Found this one over at the new Ocular Sound site, which is worth checking out for some more great recommendations.

BACK TO YOU

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:22:00 +0000

Photo by Virginie Khateeb

Clearly it took a while to get back into the blogging thing... oops.
But here we are with one of my favourite releases of the year so far (ok I know we're only one month in so let's just say it's really really good), which is Jacques Renault's new EP 'Back To You' on his Let's Play House imprint. And when I say 'EP' I mainly mean the splendid Paradis remix on the B-side.
With a rather engaging bassline and delicate vocals - two things that in the course of just two EP's have become characteristic for their sound) - the French duo and Beats In Space signees transformed the original based around a few hooks and a jerky rhythm into something that sounds surprisingly streamlined. It's their first venture into the remix game and we couldn't have hoped for a better result.
In a way it's a pity that this remix is so good, because the original is actually quite good as well but will most likely be completely overlooked because of the remix (and this post is not helping, I know), so do take the time to check the entire release and buy it (digitally or on vinyl).

DREAMER

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 17:50:00 +0000

Photo by Alba Yruela

Lovely edit of the eighties American disco-funk group B. B. & Q. Band by Greek (but London based) producer Elias Tzikas. It captures a mid-eighties atmosphere without sounding too dated nor has it been modernised in a forced way. Which, I guess, means it blends in nicely with other new music yet it can evoke a refreshing shift in mood on a dancefloor.
'Dreamer' is released on the 'Hunts Hurts Hearts' EP on Retrospective, that has the title track (which is much along the lines of 'Dreamer') and a more deep-housey track 'Still Around' on the A-side and 'Dreamer' plus a dub version by Retrospective's label heads Ruben & Ra on the B-side.
Listen to the entire EP here, you can buy the 12" here and a digital release will be available from tomorrow on, over here!
Last post of 2012 probably, thanks for reading this year, happy holidays and see you in 2013 - it should be exciting!

LAURA PALMER

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 18:52:00 +0000

Twin Peaks film still

One of the disadvantages of tv series is having to hear the same soundtrack over and over again in each episode, but in the case of David Lynch's Twin Peaks, the music is something I happily look forward to.
The theme for the series was originally composed by Angelo Badalamenti with Lynch sat beside him and describing the atmosphere of the series that Badalmamenti then translated into music.
In the track below - a re-interpretation of the theme - the acid synth line is probably the most obvious added element, although the most striking change must be the introduction of a rhythm to it, since the tempo in the original was virtually non-existent after Lynch instructed Badalamenti to play the minor chord progression slower, which then resulted in the dark and hazy theme a lot of you probably already know. Hypnotising.
A short video about the creation of the original theme can be found here, and then buy the refix in the Hivern Disc webshop, it's the second installment in their HVNED vinyl-only edits series. There still might be some copies of HVEND01 left, which I can higly recommend as well.

TB - Invitation To Love

CHERRY

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 14:14:00 +0000

Photo by Sharon Gong

Beautiful new single from Chromatics, taken from the Italians Do It Better label compilation 'After Dark 2'.
Chromatics' 'Kill For Love' album has been one of my favourite albums of 2012, and the aesthetics we heard in the album are very much present in this track as well.
Yes, it's dark and gloomy, but a in such an outstanding way.
Download the single below, and check a previous single from the compilation, by label mates Desire below as well. You can download the first After Dark compilation here, and check Johnny Jewel's soundcloud for more Italians Do It Better tracks/mixes/etc.

Chromatics - Cherry

Desire - Tears From Heaven

BETTER

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 18:04:00 +0000

Photo by Uber & Kosher

A track I've been playing a LOT lately... Actually already released last year on Viadrina's 'Better' EP, but I only recently discovered it on the We Play House Summer Special. German duo Arto Mwambé pushed the clean and mathematical original into a different direction with some very full-sounding synths that will keep you warm & dancing well into a cold, cold winter.
Buy it here

SHORTCUTS

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 22:23:00 +0000

'Shortcuts' by Mircea Cantor

A new album by the Norwegian disco producer Lindstrøm is always something to look forward to, since it usually has this edge to it that makes it stand apart from the giant pile of albums that get released every year - even good ones. 'Smalhans', released just this week, is no different. It's his fourth album so far (if you're not counting the albums with Prins Thomas or Christabelle) and his second (!) album this year, after 'Six Cups of Rebel' that was released back in February and was filled with plain experimental weirdness only Lindstrøm can get away with.
This particular album is a relatively short one to his standards (a good 30 minutes long, whereas his second album 'Where You Go I Go Too' had a track that clocked in around 30mins on its own already), features 6 higly energetic pieces with titles (named after traditional Norwegian dishes) that I'm not even going to begin to try to pronounce.
'Fårikål' for example, is a dish with Mutton and cabbage that is so beloved in Norway that it has its own national day, Fårikål Feast Day, at the end of September. Another one I'd love to try out is 'Eggedosis', which is eggs whisked together with sugar into a fluffy substance - a kids' favourite apparently.
The music? oh, right. Nerdy analogue synth madness. Storms by in a second and might leave you confused and/or craving for more. There's no use picking a favourite out of the bunch since all six of the tracks have these specific little details you get drawn to, they're all meticulously constructed in a very concise yet extravagant way.
Throwing in a Lindstrøm quote for good measure: "The process is definitely intuitive. I try all sorts of combination of chords and changes, and just know when something interesting happens. I find myself getting lost in the details. Weighing the ingredients, trying to find the right balance. A little more of this, a little less of that. Making the same dish over and over again, hoping it gets even better. Trying out new recipes and ingredients. Eating it up, and starting again the next day."
(To be honest I'm not sure if that was about the music or the food, but I guess it can apply to both)

PS 1 - If you need more convincing then there's the fact that fellow Norwegian disco viking Todd Terje mixed the album, a logical choice seen as the entire album is composed with a dancefloor in mind, and Terje happens to know a thing or two about that.

PS 2 - in case you didn't know, Lindstrøm's musical counterpart Prins Thomas has a new album out too ('Prins Thomas II'), that I've yet to pick up from the record store but should be excellent as well. Report may follow.

PS 3 - almost forgot: BUY the album here

PS 4 - on a total unrelated note: I'll be spinning some records here on Saturday, come!

Lindstrøm - Fāār-I-Kāāl

Lindstrøm - Ęg-Gęd-Ōsis

OUT OF PLEASURE

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 18:17:00 +0000

'Golconda' by Magritte

An album I've been looking forward to a lot is the new album "Personal Space" by the Belgian band Montevideo. It's been released just this week with a - from what I've heard - splendid live gig, so I can't wait to see the boys take this album to the stage.
It's been produced by Joakim, his influence can be heard in the little details that can sometimes make the difference between "good!" and "great!", so he's definitely been a noteworthy addition to the album. Would have to listen to the album a bit more to pick a favourite, but "Out Of Pleasure" is the one that caught my ear on first listen. Beautiful subdued track that gives space to every component of the track. Great!
Listen to the album here, buy it here. It's released in the Benelux right now, not sure about other parts of the world, but keep an eye out!

Montevideo - Out Of Pleasure

AND IT WAS YOU

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 22:30:00 +0000

Photo by Meg Sharp

Planned to give the forthcoming How To Dress Well album 'Total Loss' a listen but renounced that plan after track three. Not because I wasn't liking it, but because I'd rather have that third track, '& It Was U', on repeat for the rest of the time. It's super clean, basically just a vocal with a beat underneath, but a good vocal and a good beat at that.
If it's too clean for you then the rest of the album might be more up your street, there's lots of hipsterish noises and effects to be found - not that I particularly mean that in a bad way and I should probably give the entire album a decent listen before making such allegations anyway.
Electronic Beats is streaming the entire album so head over there to give it a spin. Out on Domino later this month.

How To Dress Well - & It Was U

IT'S THE ONLY ONE I'VE GOT

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Some pigeons are more equal than others by Julian Charriere and Julius Von Bismarck

It's been a while (four years) since their debut single, but The New Sins finally have a new single 'Don't Break My Heart' coming out tomorrow on Tigersushi Records.
The single's title might ring a bell, as the duo - consisting of New Young Pony Club's Lou Hayter and Nick Phillips - chose to cover the eponymous UB40 hit. The tricky part of doing a cover is when bands decide to make something quirky and original out of it cause when doing this without caution, they're likely to end up with some pretty cringeworthy material instead. Although this one definitely doesn't just try to copy the original, it is by all means a contemporary and refreshing take on it.
Pre-order the 7" here, with a reworked instrumental of the track titled 'Heartbreaks' on the flipside. The digital release can be found here. Furthermore, The New Sins' debut album has been completed (and hopefully coming out soon), but in the meantime keep an eye on 'Tomorrow's World', another project that Lou Hayter is doing with Air's Jean-Benoît Dunckel.

The New Sins - Don't Break My Heart

some material from the archives:
The New Sins - Feelings Have Changed

The New Sins - The New Sins

MARVIN'S ROOM

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 21:54:00 +0000

Photo by Claudia

Have been meaning to post about Chilly Gonzales' Solo Piano II album for ages and now the album is about to come out (next week I think, it's already available in the UK) so any "About time!" comments would not be out of place here. Yes, he calls himself a 'musical genius' and in a lot of cases that would be way out of line, but as he proves once again with this album, I can only agree with him.
It's difficult to name favourites, at the moment I'm really loving 'Escher' and the Sakamoto-esque 'La Bulle', but if you'd asked me last week I would have said 'Rideaux Lunaires' or 'Othello' and next week I might pick yet another one. In short: Solo Piano II is 14 tracks of pure piano bliss (and quite a few extras if you get the iTunes deluxe version - here).

Below is a piano version of 'Marvin's Room', a track he worked on for Drake (an odd pairing that came about because Chilly's dad happened to live in the same building as Drake and he somehow ended up giving him the Solo Piano I album, after which Drake used one of the tracks in a mixtape of his, I forgot the details to the story). This piano version is just the melody of the track and consequently only 1:20 mins long but so so beautiful. Below that is the aforementioned 'Othello' and I really need to start thinking of synonyms for 'great', 'favourite' and 'beautiful' at this point before I start boring you with my enthousiasm - sorry if I already do. More stuff to watch and listen to here and here.
If you're able to make it to one of his shows you really just need to buy tickets right now and don't hesitate, you'd be a fool not to go. (Belgian friends: mark your calendars for December 13 - see you there).

NOT SO COMPLEX IN DESIGN

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Photo by Carlos Cancela Pinto

Look At Where We Are is definitely one of the more ballad-like tracks on Hot Chip's latest album 'In Our Heads'. Personally I quite like that the album alternates between their uptempo attitude and tracks like this one, although I am quite sure that some people would find it overly cheesy. If that person is you, then Four Tet's remix should be right up your sleeve.
The introvert mood and stripped-down instrumentation remains intact, and for the first three minutes you think this is a nice alternate version with a more upbeat-yet-subtle rhythm, but after those three minutes Four Tet considers the time to be right and takes it further into something genuinely bump-worthy. Even if you like the original and you happen to find yourself on a dancefloor, you'll probably agree that this version would fit the occasion a lot better at that precise moment.
I've said it before but I'll say it again: buy that Hot Chip album, it's been playing on repeat over here since it came out.

TAKE THE FAST LANE OUT OF HERE

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:18:00 +0000

Collage by Jens Ullrich

Who reads blogs when the sun is out? Not sure, but for those who do....
Âme played this on Boiler Room last night (set has been uploaded here) along with a number of recent or upcoming tracks that should get you excited about music for the next few months (new Prins Thomas album, anyone? Ry & Frank Wiedemann - Howling perhaps? etc.)
Anyway, this actually came out a few months ago as a special release for Record Store Day and I totally missed out on it back then, but there's still a few copies left in the Kompakt store so get it while you still can! There's also a more official EP with remixes by Mogwai and Park Frequency that you can still get here, but well, if you ask me, I'd get the Michael Mayer one.
I can only describe the track itself as very typical for Apparat as well as Michael Mayer, so if you know their music you'll know what I mean, if you don't: do take the time to discover it.

Apparat - Song Of Los (Michael Mayer Remix)

INSAME

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Photo by Together We Kill

Absolutely floored by this remix for French producer Remain, by The Slow Waves (who I really know nothing about). Feel like it's a weird comparison to make, but it reminded me of an instrumental and more industrial version of Chromatics' latest album. Dark, moody and melodic on one side and very controlled and rhythmic on the other side.
It's part of Remain's "Insame" EP that was just released through Relish Recordings, together with the eponymous original that features Matt Walsh on vocals, another original "Dead And Gone" and two more remixes by Robi Insinna / Headman and Rework.
The rest of the EP is actually quite different from this, but do check it out entirely, fans of Daniel Avery, Ivan Smagghe and the likes will probably like this one a whole lot.
You can download this remix for free on the Relish Facebook page, and buy the EP on Beatport.

JOY

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Photo by Timothy Sullivan

Very quick post, for the Japanese disco band Phom Penh that released a 12" called "Joy" in June on Parisian imprint Hollie Records. It's quite experimental, very balearic but still rather poppy.
The Dr Dunks remix on the B-side is quite a trip, as if you've fallen down into the bottomless hole called Discogs, while looking up obscure 80s releases.

WHEN YOU'RE NEAR

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Photo by Chad Moore

Super summery and effortless track by Australian five-piece Panama. The vinyl came out a few days ago on Future Classic with a Midnight Magic remix that the label is giving away for free (see below) and an additional one by Gavin Russom that's a lot less straightforward and a whole lot nerdier, but really great.
If you want to see them live and you're Australian then you're in luck, they'll be supporting Van She in Melbourne and Sydney this month. Buy the vinyl here, a digital release follows July 23rd.

HAND MADE

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Photo by Anna Sophie Berger

Quite overdue in posting KiNK's latest EP "Hand Made" that came out on Rush Hour last month. The release comes with a dub version as well as a B-side titled "Express".
If you want to see/hear how it's made, check this video, it's a great way to discover how a simple looped sample can create something as interesting as this. Personally I prefer the main mix on the EP since the addition of Rachel Row's vocals on top of that loop manages to balance the track out perfectly, but do check out the rest for yourself.
Get it here.

KiNK - Hand Made feat. Rachel Row (Main Mix) (BUY)

RUNNING ROUND IN CIRCLES

noreply@blogger.com (sofie) — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Photo by Shini Park

The KDMS released a lovely album titled 'Kinky Dramas & Magic Stories' a while back plus the singles "Wonderman" and "Tonight" with remixes by Justus Köhncke + Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor and Morgan Geist respectively.
Mirror People and Soft Rock - the remixers on their latest single "Circles" - aren't perhaps such big names as the previous ones, but check them out here.
Buy "Circles" here, or the album here.

The KDMS - Circles