We are now halfway 2016, so it's a good time to look back.
Why these? Cause these records are still being played, every single day.
The blog's favorites of 2015:
Cheers!
Today I have been listening to the Rangeline record by a newcomer, for me at least: Joel Levi. This americana singer-songwriter has just released this record, his first and is impressing in the states. Although he sometimes tends to the poppy-side, this is fine on this record since he shows versatility. He is helped by a lovely alternative country band, together they sound very harmonic. This is definitely for fans of John Mayer, Dawes, Ryan Adams and perhaps even Fleet Foxes. Very Harmonic band. The year is young, but this record stands out for me.
http://www.joellevimusic.com/
Their grungy offbeat sound, i recognized it immediately. and they seem to have picked up a little bit of Parquet Courts flavor or is that my imagination? Anyway it's good to know The Thermals are back: one of my favourite indie bands from a while ago. (or when I was young...)
Enjoy!
For Captured Tracks followers, among which I include myself these days, it is going to be an action-packed spring.
Not only does this label contain Wild Nothing (which has a release coming up in February and I predict it is going to be special) & The Soft Moon. DIIV, Charlie Hilton and groovy Boulevards are on their roster as well and are promising to give huge boosts to their pretty young careers.
Boulevards promises to rock the dance-able indie scene in the US with their unmatched catchyness and soulful inspirations. DIIV is a truly fascinating act and although their new tracks sound very recognizable, still they are positioned in an unique corner of the genre and are unmatched in their flavor of dreamy uptempo indie-rock. Charlie Hilton is a talented songwriter that has impressed with first single 'Pony'. The record will also feature Mac DeMarco. All in all Captured Tracks might have the strongest indie line-up on their label, all with releases coming up.
Will they dominate the spring of 2016?
Enjoy!
Many people are asking (at the end of 2015), "hey, what was your favourite record from 2014 again?" As i've spent much time listening records last year, an extensive top 50 is on this blog. And here are the best 4, (top-3s are cliché)
I have talked and highlighted these records many times before, but finally I'm able to confidently put them in the right order. The follow up to all previous posts about 2014.
2015 will follow soon.
Thanks for reading.
This record is truly packed with 'single material' from start to finish. No weak points. Lovely and subtle guitar-pop track that holds some great lyrics and rhythms. Heartbreaking and spoken from the heart, this record really captures the right atmosphere in its tracks. @realestateband
2. DFA 1979 - The Physical World on Last Gang Records
In the 'Royal Blood year', these guys showed what real rock'n'roll is for a two-man group. The return of the culty Canadian duo with an explosive record that tops everything else they made.
3. Sleepy Sun - Maui Tears on Dine Alone Records
This is the record I have played the most. In public transport, the car, during studying, the progrock record stimulated me everywhere to find and listen to more great music. Stunning title track completes it al.
4.Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal on What's Your Rupture records
Courts is a band that has quickly stole my heart in the last few years ever since stoned & starving, bringing out record after record that I love, this powerpunk-band is quickly turning out to be one of the bands of the decade. No band is better in capturing catchyness and power on a record.
After listening to this for a couple of months, i am out of reasons why this should not deserve more credit than it is getting right now. Apparently everywhere it does pop up, it's getting 5 out of 5. One of the great unknowns this year, since in my region, hardly anyone talks about it.
The record is modern-day world music, it sounds electronic, but has this folky melancholy about it, that is unmatched, at least by this year's releases. The videos add to that perfectly.
He is telling his story in with only the tones, with only the sound of the instruments. The story of a traveler that has a beautiful view on the world and like no other, has been able to put his feelings into the sound. Great compositions, great hooks and riffs, the records is a true adventure.
Szymon Borzestowski
remember that name. This will unfortunately be his only record.
The dear man passed away in 2012. Suicide, dropped his album at record labels and they finished production for him. We've lost a brilliant musician.
Another one act that is up for abig year in 2016. It just doesn't get more typical, when it comes to American indie right now, but if this doesn't cheer you up, I don't know what will...
Anyway this happy pop-punk duo deliver energetic tracks and people are catching on now. Always need a few acts like this on every festival. Just to lighten the mood and to give an opportunity for relativation.
Enjoy!
Diet Cig - Scene Sick
Album: Unreleased
Label: Father Daughter Records
Wolf Alice was on Dutch national television a few days ago and gave a good show in Amsterdam as well. Still my relationship with the band is a peculiar one. Some tracks I really like, but when I saw them live a long while ago, they didn't impress me. The performance never stayed at a strong level, one track did it for me, the next one not so much. Perhaps it is just a band that is still discovering their own talent and sound, or we (me) are not yet accustomed to their variety. The evolution of a listener.
Lately images of shows have made me reconsider.
Despite my doubts, this might turn out to be a modern classic.
For now, I like their gritty sound the most.
Perhaps a band can be too versatile?
At least for a second record, they can go in a lot of directions. It is something to look out for.
Enjoy the music!
Stumbled on music from these guys lately and since their names are so 'related' their stories are completely different. A small-time electronics producer against a acid-lounge phenomenon (LP Tourist (2000)being a really special record. I predict that both are going to make some noise in 2016.
The new Germany Germany record Willow is full of some great easy going tracks and could be a surprise hit from out of nowhere. (The music is from Canada by the way.)
https://grmnygrmny.bandcamp.com/
St. Germain is predicted to make his definite comeback in 2015, with an album that some people are saying of that it is a Tourist all over again.
And this track shows that this is no exaggeration.
Do you choose to move or lay back? That's the question.
Suddenly, when I looked over an old Connan record, I thought: "What is this guy up to now?"
And so I typed his name into the youtube search bar and voilá. Connan Mockasin has released an Ep in collab. with Dev Hynes. And it's good old Connan all over again.
This is truly the most funky post on this blog.
Truly.
Connan Mockasin Ft. Devonté Hynes -
Album: Myths 001 (EP)(2015)
Lable: Mexican Summer Records
Us, indie-lovers and alternative freaks, we like to claim a band, especially when you are the first one (in your social network) to discover a band. I am no exception. I am a proud of my long lasting relationship with Tame Impala, which I have on many occasions claimed to be the best band in the world. Five minutes later I said something else, but still...
That's why I started to give life to a new type of post on this blog, top 10s based on themes, bands, flavors and so on.
And what better way to do it, with the band, that finally emerged to a greater audience. And get the creds they rightfully deserve. All thanks to the recently released Currents, which was actually received with mixed opinions.
But what many people are unfamiliar with is their rich and unique heritage from previous years. Still dazzles me I forgot about 'Endors Toi'.
In random order:
(See right side of your screen)
Without me even noticing it, Earth Mk. II is undebatably my favourite dutch garage/noise/new wave (that corner) band. And they have been releasing new material bit by bit for the last few weeks.
Check out their other videos as well,cause they include a compilation of hip girls wearing Nirvana shirts and an image of everyone's favourite Simpson's character while the lyrics go: Nobody really cares about you. Pretty hysterical if you ask me.
But the video with the most basic, yet psychedelic, background (maybe it's the future cover), holds the best track. What i'm actually saying is.... the material is getting to me... again.
Earth Mk. II - I Feel So
Album: not yet released
Another issue of the things I've noticed on the web that are worth telling.
1. Finally, with capital F. Two artists and their collab, have been the gossip for years now, ever since they both ran in to some success. And now, ladies and gentlemen it is Finally happening. Nils Frahm and Ólafur Arnalds are releasing their combined works on a full-length double-album. Title: Collaborative Works (obviously...) It will hold all their recently made material, EPs and seven new tracks.So prepare for all their crazy remixes and more new material formed into a record. This is going to leave a crater!
here's a quick taste of some previous work.
2. I would not post something here if I did not honestly believe in it. There is an emerging hype around a band, that is rightfully emerging. The band is New Venusians. It has some soul, it has a big-band vibe, alternative RnB-like lyrics, some Dreamy, synth-pop parts. It's an adventure into a new corner of the music world. For me, and probably for a lot of people. Think of FKA Twigs in a band, Hiatus Kaiyote with an indie catchyness i cannot fully grasp yet.
Of course, this is from Australia. Again, check how many people live there, and compare that to how many good Australian music you know, it's crazy, really.
Let's hope their material is constantly of this level.
Keep Running by New Venusians
With many great releases on the rise this year, Julia Holter's release might not be one of the main things in everyone's agenda. But keeping in mind that her last release was still largely and in most places underrated, I would like to argue that this is definitely one of the records to watch out for this year. She is an artist in the true sense of the word, in her best days. And the track: Sea Calls Me Home is not one step away from that trend. She does not sound as the same Julia Holter. She has worked on her sound, perfected it perhaps, made it more smooth for sure. The feeling her music can give you, for example in the whistling part around 1:30, followed by the sax, is truly unique and is her true selling point.
So what has changed, her offbeat tempos, her echoing has made room for a more folky approach, a brighter song, with a simpler beat. More of a Beirut-song actually. Also she's bringing the vocals with more urge. Unchanged is the creative instrument-use (saxophone here), here meaningful lyrics and her unprecedented feeling of freedom that comes with her tracks.
I feel a Julia Holter hype coming. And rightfully so.
I Can't Swim, It's Lucidity, So... Clear.
Enjoy!
I read a lot about music, I like to read a lot about music.
But it's hard to find a creative way of sharing that with you. Cause simply sharing news that has appeared on the web that is already filled with many blogs is unnecessary. So consider me your spam-filter and every once in a while I will post the things that stand out for me. That can, for example, be things from everybody's beloved Pitchfork or similar sources, consider this: the Hype evaluated or the Fuzz after a few days.
Two items I would like to bring up:
Chromatics are making some noise and even though the band is claiming this will be their most rebel-ish record yet, they just don't seem like that kind of band. Exactly that is what we can see from their latest single from their upcoming record 'Dear Tommy'. It is the blended down, edge-less version of the earlier released version of that track, almost a year ago. So.... Give me back the DEMO!
and here it is(the Demo):
Secondly,when Oneohtrix Point Never (had to check that three times) brings out material, there is always a lot of speculation on how good it is and what is driving him this time. Again, from an upcoming album and it does not dissapoint. Hard to grasp, but after a few days in the tank, I can say, this internet hype is real. We have a special album coming up. Nu-Metal influences, Nine Inch Nails as well, this is going to be a rock-inspired album by him. Read more here.
Especially the part from 02:00. Whoa.
Enjoy and thanks for reading.
Today I listened to a complete version of Vega Intl. Night School, Neon Indian's 2015 release and it's fascinating. Chill-wave king Neon Indian seems to have outdone himself, with a record that will echo through mainstream genres for the next year, with potential remixes, club anthems and catchyness for many kinds of music-listeners.
It has the warm, exotic, yet surprising nightlife vibe that comes natural to the Indian. The style we have come to love since Deadbeat Summer, yet more energetic this time.
Let's wait and see how it will stand the test of time. But for now I'm totally loving this record.
Here's a quick taste:
The band that has single-handedly changed the face of metal and gave it a resurrection is back.
American Deafheaven have recently announced 'New Bermuda' record coming this fall and this is the first material that I've heard from that record. I haven't listened to much Deafheaven since it is music for a specific mood. And that's an understatement. Yet, their music fascinates, inspires and grabs the listener by the balls, like no band in metal can do right now. Some will even claim it is not metal anymore.
Well, this track is more classic metal than they may have been ever. More than the complete of 'Sunbather' Lp at least. Still, their own identity springs from the music from second one. The tenacity is still there, while many metal-bands in my opinion, are lackluster and uninspiring. Deafheaven is showing again and again, that it doesn't have to be the case. Is the band going to get even further out of the dark depths of music? I think so.
I gave it a place in the playlist of August: here.
photo from: pitchfork.com
Had this one still prepared for you. My favourites from July. Simply Said I fell in love with the noise-rock of Lightning Bolt, while most of the other music is really dreamy, must've been my state of mind that caused this playlist to turn out the way it did. Ironically the toughest song lands on number one.
Look into this band if you have tendencies to the extreme, both in stage performance and in how you like your music.
photo from: Brooklynvegan.com
1. Lightning Bolt - Colossus
2. Thud - Blank
3. Limblifter - Key of Caravana
4. Lower Dens - To Die in L.A.
5. Hibou - Dissolve
6. Vaghe Stelle - Hyper
7. The Holydrug Couple - Dreamy
8. Hiatus Kaiyote - Breathing Underwater
9. Tame Impala - The Moment
10. Slow Steve - Prince de Combat
11. The Slates - Prelapsarian
12. Silicon - Burning Sugar
13. Menace Beach - Super Transporterreum
14. Au.Ra - You're On My Mind
15. Grave Babies - Eternal (On & On)
16. Beach House - Sparks
17. Eskimeaux - Broken Necks
18. Spectres - Mirror
19. Ben Browning - Friends of Mine
20. Masayoshi Fujita - Tears of Unicorn
Full playlist here.
Arguably one of the best bands around right know. If they play slow and warm easy-riff tracks or the more high-tempo-ed explosive work, doesn't matter. They rock at it. Parquet Courts or whatever their name is these days, have had some milestones already, which is impressive considering their not so long career. The lyrics are crucial, the choice of sound intriguing. Always rough, never in-graspable. Sunbathing Animal is a punk album at one moment, the next it builds a one-riff neo-classic in 'Instant Dissassembly'. The album is rich in potential hits and for a band that produces quite a lot, that is another selling point. After this, nobody was able to convince me of anything other that this band is the real deal.
Parquet Courts - Sunbathing Animal, What's Your Rupture? Records.
By now, we know that this album won a grammy, surprisingly. But that does not mean I think this album is not massively underrated and under-listened, especially in my country and features some of the best work that Beck has ever produced. What the record from 2002 should've been (Yes, I do believe this one is the better record.)
Going back to this roots, theme-wise and music-wise. this is much more of a country/americana inspired record than most of his previous work. He never sung with so much pride and belief in his own work. Sometimes greatness can be found close by. Beck arguably never touches any new grounds on this record, then again he never recorded a record that was this strong from the first track to the last. High level technical performances, right choices in production. Yet this record has been labeled a safe choice, even more so after the grammy. And I most of the time don't like safe choices, yet this record impressed me. It's the differences that set it apart, small differences, but still. Re-discovering himself with his lyrics and bringing us back to the ages of Nick Drake or The Byrds, to just name a few. And that in itself is a bigger accomplishment than most people would reckon.This was not an instant hit for me, but the entire record came through in the end and Beck's wisdom is know, for a little bit, also mine.
and the closing track:
Just hope that this is not really a phase.
5. Beck - Morning Phase, Capitol Records, 21st of February, 2014.
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