Watch The Throne by Jay Z and Kanye West
Jay-Z and Kanye West’s co-lab project album Watch The Throne has been much anticipated. “Much anticipated” is a terribly loaded phrase – more cynical folk could say it’s a euphemism for “over-hyped”. Former rulers of hip hop once told us – don’t believe the hype; but there are new kings now and they have new rules. And as Beyonce quips in her cameo on Lift Off, “how many people d’ya know who can take it this far?”
But Watch The… [More...]
Cereal EP by Nevernudes
Nevernudes have just released their second EP – entitled Cereal EP via bandcamp for ‘name your price’ for the digital download- it was recorded by Sharpie Crows’ Jackson Hobbs – who also recorded the new Wilberforces album. There are (half?) promises of physical format releases in cereal boxes, Nevernudes action figures and bed sheets.
Clocking in at nearly 30 minutes and with eight tracks, this is a more than generous helping of an EP – older people like me would… [More...]
Sound Kapital by Handsome Furs
It’s fairly well documented and discussed that musicians, who, frankly, in order to make a living from their art, need to tour. And, it’s often been my experience talking to these people, that travel and world experience is often a driving force behind them choosing the musicians lifestyle. But, quite often find their touring schedules so brutal and relentless that the only things they see and experience are airports, hotel rooms and stages. If you were Alanis Morrisette you’d say… [More...]
The Future is Medieval by The Kaiser Chiefs
The initial release of Kaiser Chiefs’ fourth album was an exercise in fan democracy -slash- clever marketing ploy; in that they released twenty tracks on their website and fans could then compile their own track-list of ten of those – purchase their compiled album for £7.50 and, as a bonus, would earn £1 per on-sale of their compilation. Those crazy wags – it had music journalists bemused and confused because they couldn’t review the album ‘properly’. Perhaps it was a… [More...]
Go With Me by Seapony
Seapony are a three-piece from Seattle who got some blog-o-tention last year with a handful of free-to-download bandcamp singles, then got signed up by Sub Pop subsidiary Hardly Art for the release of their debut long player. Seapony deliver another welcome contribution to the currency-camp of fifties-surfy-Spector-esque-female-vocal bands – Jen Weidl’s vocals sit comfortably mid-to-low in the mix becoming quasi-instrumental in their simple but breezily effective arrangements.
Seapony create dream-surf-gaze which manages, with duality, to both exhilarate and relax with… [More...]
Etheria by Punches
When Kelly Sherrod re-located from Auckland to Nashville a few years back, it’d have been reasonable to expect that Punches 2006 EP was the bright flame that was to burn short. But, apparently that TV ad years ago that featuring the likes of Che Fu transferring musical sketches to band-mates over this brand new thing called the internet predicted something great – the continued friendship and artistic coupling of Kelly and (fellow Dimmer player (and solo artist under his own… [More...]
Band of Brothers Vol One by Hollie Smith and Mara TK
Hollie Smith is embarking on a series of collaborative projects; we’re told, with this work with Mara TK of Electric Wire Hustle being the first of an undisclosed number – but y’know, how long is a piece of string, right?
Opening like a long white clouded mist on a mountain side morning – the trickle of a creek passing by; Smith’s vocals are wonderfully ethereal through the prologue-esque opening track – a distinctive, bold and haunting statement of intent –… [More...]
In Circles by She’s So Rad
When i first pushed play on my CD player to listen to She’s So Rad – for the first 12 or so bars I thought I had accidently loaded a secret track from the new Horrors record – and I was really excited. Then I realised that no such secret track existed and that, rather, I had indeed correctly loaded the latest project from Jeremy Toy. It was the most pleasant surprise I had had in a long time –… [More...]
Secret Rituals by The Grates
I have to confess to being a bit underwhelmed by the new single Turn Me On – having been a bit of a fan of Brisbane’s Greates previous two albums which were joyously brashy-bratty ina Be Your Own Pet / early Yeah Yeah Yeah kinda way. Turn Me On is the pop-version of that; which bemuses me a little – cos y’know, I love the pop… so I kind of find it hard to explain what bugs me about the… [More...]
Dedication by Zomby
This is the third album from the secret London producer Zomby who is, evidently so reclusive that he didn’t show up to play May’s All Tomorrows Parties curated by Animal Collective – desire Panda Bear’s guest vocals on the gun-shot and siren opened Things Fall Apart. What if I said to you 4AD and dubstep? I know, right.
But untwist those panties – we’re not talking gratuitous ‘whamp-whamp’ that douche-bags with silly over-sized t shirts and baggy jeans and backwards… [More...]
Milkshakes EP
Milkshakes recently dropped the Cowboys from their moniker just before releasing their eponymous titled EP.
No mistake is made in naming the songs – each track-title left intentionally blank – not untitled, but rather, perhaps as an invitation to each listener to partake in the audience participation of naming each song yourself – as you see fit.
Discontent and malcontent. Too smart. Difficult but as simple as you.
I am very, very pleased that this exists.
Listen for yourself at… [More...]
House of Balloons by The Weeknd
Toronto’s The Weeknd’s sophisticated re-invention and re-take on modern R&B has, evidently been causing more than a mere stir on the rest of the internet ever since Drake posted a couple of tracks back in October last year. This has been followed up with the self-release, for free, of their album / mixtape House of Balloons – and it’s one of the most treacherous and innovative albums I’ve had the good fortune of listening to in a long time.
Abel… [More...]
Happy Heartbreak by The Sami Sisters
The long-time coming debut album from Madeline, Priya and Anji Sami is a collection of love songs brimming with charm, hooks and harmonies that melt icebergs. As a polar freeze descends on our fair islands this week, The Sami Sisters, a radiator and my extra-thick hoodie have been warming my proverbial cockles (Yes, there are proverbs about my cockles; but, seriously don’t ask) this week.
The subject of heart-break has rarely sounded so joyous – immediately grabbing attention, the album… [More...]
Hollow by Cut Off Your Hands
Hollow is the long awaited second serving from Cut Off Your Hands. There’s a multitude of reasons why there is a cliche in music reviewing circles of the difficult second album – I mean obviously the cliche is rooted in truth – that many, many acts struggle to follow up an exciting, interesting and vibrant debut with a record that makes the grade. But the reasons why that might be are, I imagine, complex and multi-facetted. Cut Off Your Hands… [More...]
The Big Roar by The Joy Formidable
I first came across Joy Formidable with the driving and propulsive single Austere – with a circling bird of prey vocal call it was a most exciting song and it’s spurred me on to check out and enjoy their next single Whirring – a whopping nearly seven minute thumper of a song with glorious squalls and heady guitars sweeping you out to sea – buoyed by Ritzy Bryan’s vocals.
Then some-how, I got sent this album digitially and I kinda… [More...]
Austra – Feel It Break
I’ve been remiss in not turning my attention to this record from Toronto based three piece more fully until now. Katie Stelmanis’ vocals shatter bullet proof glass with a single trill. Overdubbed vocal melodies in Lose It bounce around eachother in an almost manic manner while a simple but ever-so effective piano keyboard and rhythm section keep everything flowing in a destined direction.
The Knife, Depeche Mode (the good era), Bat For Lashes and Ladytron seem melded here, but manage… [More...]
The Adults – album review
Nothing To Lose, starring Ladi 6 on lead vocals is a fantastic song and a worthy lead single for this ‘super-group’ lead by Jon Toogood. Propelled by a tribal rhythm and a pulsating sonic bed – Ladi 6′s vocals have a sense of urgency and desperation about them that fit the songs apparent subject matter perfectly; a well timed guitar solo at the appropriate two-third point is followed by a juxtaposing fragility as the instrumentation fades to a singular pulse.… [More...]
Skying by The Horrors
The Horrors return with a third album that, in three equal parts compliments, progresses and eclipses their first two albums. Skying is, it has to be said, faultless – each song on Skying stands on it’s own as much as it forms part of the whole.
Psychedelics meet euphoria meet sonic droplets that, if you looked at the Horrors back when they had squids on girls in music videos, you’d never, in a million years have guessed would unfold from… [More...]
Glory Glory by Wet Wings
Glory Glory opens like the trickling stream finding it’s way to a secluded clearing and summer-time water-hole where you and your special friend eagerly relief yourselves of clothing and the hot sticky summer heat. You spin in each-others arms as an ethereal summer-ghost voice gently coo’s at you from the pool-side shadows. Wet Wings is ex-Black Market Art Darian and new musical partner Lucy; both formely from Christchurch but now residing in Wellington.
By the time you reach Stockholm (the… [More...]
The Vietnam War – The Vietnam War
I’ve been waiting for this longer than I knew. When Lubin’s voice sings, ever so sweetly “Oh fire, in a high window” at just about a minute into the self-entitled debut from The Vietnam War – all the anticipation ever held in the world culminates and disperses within one single glorious moment. It’s like everything you have ever wanted for, wished for, longed for – is captured right there, in that moment. With just that one chorus The Vietnam War… [More...]
Beyonce – 4
Much ado was made about the diversity and “experimental” nature of the collaborations Beyonce made by Beyonce on this, her first album since parting ways professionally with her father and manager Matthew Knowles. Apparently she recorded 72 tracks for this album and presented them all to Columbia Records.
Opening with Idol-esque stadium ballad where Ms Knowles mis-pronounces the word “algebra” and demonstrates a rudimentary understanding of mathematics and frankly, sings too much. Then there’s a moody ballad guitar solo. 1+1… [More...]
David Comes to Life by Fucked Up
It is hard not to love this man -
He kinda makes you like Canadians; they’re usually so smug about not being Americans that they are, in almost direct inverse proportion, as annoying for not being American as Americans are for being it. Of course, that’s a huge generalization, and actually completely irrelevant to the point I am eventually going to reach. I don’t generally like hardcore much either. I mean – I appreciate the energy of it all… [More...]
Burning Bush Supper Club by Bear Hands
Much ado is being made about bear Hands being mates with MGMT as some sort of musical reference point. The truth of the matter, according to Dylan Rau in a recent interview with Cheese on Toast, is that they have played a couple of shows with them and he kinda knew Andrew who was a year ahead of him at Wesleyan. MGMT are not even mentioned in the thanks on the liner notes, whilst Passion Pit, We Were Promised Jetpacks… [More...]
Gloss Drop by Battles
People who “really know about music”, often musicians themselves, consider technical ability high on the scales of importance when considering if music is good or not. That’s ‘cos, I suspect, they are listening to it, dissecting it and working out if they could do it. If it’s really technically complex, they appreciate that dexterity and therefore come to the conclusion that it’s good. People who aren’t musicians, I think, we listen to music differently, we listen for connection, for heart,… [More...]
Depeche Mode – Remixes 2 81-11
Three discs and thirty seven remixes of Depeche Mode singles, in a sexy box-slip case as a sequel to 2004′s Remixes would, you’d expect be something akin to ecstasy. Unkle, Trent Moller M84, Tim Simenon, Royksopp, Alex Metric are just a handful of names stepping up to the remix plate. So basically, at my age, you’d expect a viagra popped / propped night of delirium. But alas, it’s not to be I’m afraid, give me a gardening Tv show and… [More...]
GB City by Bass Drum of Death
Mississippi two-piece Bass Drum of Death make a glorious loud mess with their debut album GB City; full of songs about drugs, trying to have sex with religious girls, petty theft, the devil living inside your brain and visions of Elvis giving you advice from beyond the grave. So y’know, something for everyone, really.
Irresponsible hedonism and head-rushes litter this thirty minutes – it blisters over nearly as soon as it starts; and takes no prisoners. Lipstick On My Collar… [More...]
Bon Iver by Bon Iver
A marching band approaches from the south (or north if you live in the northern hemisphere – for this is a mere metaphor) bringing with it the antarctic / arctic chills that’ll run down your spine when Justin Vernon’s voice, like the wind, wisps through the opening track of his eponymous-ly titled sophomore. This ice-literal devise falls foul to both geography and the inexplicably named Perth, which, while I have never visited have always imagined to be quite warm.
A… [More...]
Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues
Fleet Foxes create space and sparsity; perhaps in a desire to wipe the slate clean with the opening track of their sophomore album almost three years after their acclaimed debut. Not that they are changing tact entirely, but it seems clear with Helplessness Blues, they desire to shed the Americana labels attached previously.
In Bedouin Dress a stark reference to a clime considered possibly the anthesis of modern day America; where the assassination of an enemy without trial is named… [More...]
SBTRKT – SBTRKT
From the school of thought that a producer / remixer should remain faceless and nameless – wishing for the music to speak for itself rather than relying upon some pop-tarted creation is South- London’s SBTRKT (pronounced Subtract) who has made a name for himself remixing the likes of Basement Jaxx, M.I.A. , Mark Ronson and Underworld – some pretty big ticket items, it has to be said. Initially I was surprised that this record was coming out on the Young… [More...]
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
As you probably already know – Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) are the new project of Ruban Nielson, now re-located to Portland, after the explosive demise of The Mint Chicks. UMO started as many projects do, with a single release on their Bandcamp – but unlike a million other acts – almost immediately the release was noted by the likes of Pitchfork et al. A seven inch EP was released amid the conjectures it was Ruban’s new band – at the… [More...]
