Tagged: electropop

Beacon (of groovy sexy light).

This group is like a light. A sexy light. A “Beacon” of groovy sexy… groove light shining gently into your ears and making them happy.

I came across Beacon’s No Body EP just a few days ago and I’ve been getting into it quite a bit, and for good reason too. They are described as exploring a

“combination of deep south bass music and ambient pop melodies, with R&B tinged vocals that accompany warm arpeggiated synthesizers.”

I just use really descriptive words like “good” and “cool” and “sexygroovy,” but in the long run, it’s really about the sound isn’t it?

Check it out below! (my favorites are “See You Through” and “Exhale”)

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You said it was worth it.

As much as I have music-ADD where I can jump from track to track, artist to artist, genre to genre, I really do enjoy listening to an album from start to finish. So much goes into just picking the song order (or maybe it doesn’t?) among other things that it’s always interesting to hear the flow of what the artist(s) envisioned for their final product.

Going through the shelf of albums and promos I’ve collected over the year I grabbed a few to accompany me on my way to King of Prussia for a shoe-shopping mission (calm your mouth read: i’m in a wedding in less then a month). The standouts of the day? Kevin Devine and Maria Taylor’s newest of course.  I may be dedicating my incredibly successful trip to the two jussaying (3 pairs under $200, hello sales!).

Devine’s Between The Concrete & Clouds suggests a state of being in limbo like song, “Sleepwalking Through My Life” describes. It’s true, that perpetual daily drive when you feel the haze of performing monotonous tasks without having enough time to actually stop and take the world in all around you.  I go through it often, frustrated when I can’t enjoy the sunshine just for a quick 5 minutes. Devine’s latest, released only 2 days ago, is a peppy indie rock album that is more than just ‘listenable.’ All of his songs range in acoustic melodies and emotions yet cohesive enough for a spectacular and enjoyable album.

The First Hit – Kevin Devine

It really should be no surprise that I’m talking about Maria Taylor here. I can’t think of many artists that have transcended along life with me the way Taylor has (sounds deep, damn). Her music has grown with me over the years and it’s been a really nice and comforting thing.  All music changes and evolves, I’ve just been lucky that I’ve enjoyed every step Taylor has made along the way. Getting my hands on Overlook was exciting since she returned to her home state of Alabama for the album.  Her lyrics are always telling of what’s going on in her head, evoking raw emotion that comes out uncensored. I honestly love her observations on life and how she views the world surrounding her, which is even more apparent in her latest.

Happenstance – Maria Taylor

I could have picked the entire track-listing to talk about, hell, I could have even wrote an entire album review.  But, it’s much more simpler then that.  Along with Devine’s it’s a stunning album though, was I even surprised? Do yourself a favor and purchase both. They’re worth escaping to on these trailing days of summer.

Right-click and enjoy.

BONUS:   Significant Other – Celebrity Traffic   My bad guys, seriously my bad.  I’ve been sitting on this little jam for way too long, go on, move your feet.

P.S. What’s up Walt Whit? has been updated, read on.

Meet MNDR.

The main impulse for writing today’s post was solely because of MNDR and that damn solid voice.

The slow electronica of “I Go Away” has a searing quality about it, tearing its way through to my eardrums.  Amanda Warner, those wonderful female vocals you hear, has got some serious lyrical craft (originally starting her career off as a songwriter).  Now, backed with Peter Wade, this duo stays busy either collaborating with Mark Ronson and the likes or lending their sound on various remixes.

“Bang Bang Bang” reminds me a bit of Passion Pit remixes, synth-pop to the core and extremely uptempo.  I love the strain in Warner’s voice during the chorus in “Cut Me Out.” Let’s get real, just download.

She’s like, a way cooler Gem Sweater (did I really just make that comparison..).

I Go Away – MNDR - E.P.E.

Bang Bang Bang (feat. Q-Tip & MNDR) – Mark Ronson And The Business Intl.

Cut Me Out - MNDR

 

Right-click and enjoy.

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Song for your weekend mood: WPLNTS edition.


This one makes me feel all weird inside, perfect for the weekend.  The beat breaks wide open after the two minute mark.   I’m semi-creeped out by the children’s choir-sounding sample but the hand claps are always a nice counterattack.

We Plants Are Happy Plants is the moniker for Peter Bergmann’s solo work.  He’s unsigned and makes incredible remixes as well.

Download and listen loud.

Lullaby – We Plants Are Happy Plants

Have fun with this as well, enjoy.

I guess the Queen will do.

King of Diamonds – Motopony I really am enjoying Daniel Blue’s folky voice.  The piano, the bells, everything blends wonderfully..take a listen to this Seattle outfit.

That Day – Lali Puna Lo-fi female vocals, I dig..very chilled with a nice bass line.  These German musicians are no strangers to the scene, with already 4 studio albums under the belt and countless EP’s and band members in various groups such as The Notwist and The Tied & Tickled Trio.  This particular track is off their latest, Our Inventions (2010).

Look Alive – Wait. Think. Fast. I love the guitar in this one and the chorus is nice and airy.  The lyrics get you to take a step back and really become aware of your surroundings, “Look alive, look alive…”  They’re bilingual as well..ooOOoh.

Soft Rock Star – Metric Lastly, I’ll leave you all with a classic.  Remember Metric…yeah?

 

Off to work, right-click and enjoy.

 

BONUS: What you guys thinkin’ about the new Bon Iver track..hm?  A little Coldplayish at the end…

Calgary – Bon Iver

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Meet Starfucker.

I love these guys.  Love like the kind I describe when listening to Blackbird Blackbird, Germany Germany, Baths, Teen Daze and the like.  It’s their fucking style (and of course I love their name)..knowing I can recognize their stuff just within the first 10 seconds because it’s their style.

And they do it well.

STRFKR started first as a solo gig of mister Josh Hodges out of Portland and soon developed into a real solid dance/electronica band.  These guys had a touch of fame when their song, “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second” got a Target commercial spot.  Grab their latest EP, Reptilians, over at their bandcamp page.

Also, save the date fellow Philadelphians they will be at one of my fav spots, Johnny Brenda’s at the end of this month with Casiokids on March 31st.  Apparently the band is known to wear women’s clothing while playing live..ah well I’ve been to a Cocorosie show before, can’t be that strange.

Death as a Fetish

Born

Bury Us Alive

Rawnald Gregory Erickson The Second

Right-click and save, enjoy.

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I like Synthensizers

The Moog

I’ve been listening to a decent amount of synth based music lately and have also been learning the ins and outs of programming synthesizers myself. Here are a few bands/people that are synth wizards.

Neon Indian – It’s just one dude, not a group, and I’ve been listening to his Mind Ctrl:Psychic Chasms album non-stop. Recently he put out this cover Neon Indian – Children of the Revolution (T. Rex Cover) as well as a remix of his song “Sleep Paralysist” done by Com Truise which can be downloaded for free at his site.

Yacht – This duo from Portland, OR is pretty funky and they create some danceable tracks. Their 7 minute long “Waste of Time (Dub)” can be had at this link .

Finally, while checking out LCD Soundsystem’s site I stumbled upon the new group of Benoit & Sergio who put out a song all about girls called Boy Trouble .

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Throwing a curveball..

I honestly can’t even peg my own personal music taste..but yes I do enjoy some house/electro-pop anyday of the week..and perhaps that day is Tuesday.

Hang With Me - Robyn Why yes, I am posting Robyn..you ever heard of her before?  Remember..she was a two-hit something back in the 90′s and slowly faded.  But this is where she got genius..she chose the right comeback move and the right musical direction and now she’s cranking out home runs.  She’s catchy as hell and honestly making all the right moves.  Ilovethissonngggg.

I Think – Demon Keeping up with the electro-pop..introducing Demon straight out of France.  Otherwise known as Jeremie Mondon, self proclaimed DJ/Producer, who has been working the boards since his tweens.  This song has been getting some heavy rotation on my iTunes.  Another catchy as hell beat.

Hot Math – Andrew Bird Ok, so maybe I steer off course sometimes but this is a lo-fi/high signal-to-noise ratio gem.  The latest from Andrew Bird, a solid, quirky, musical man who I think ranks up there like Sufjan Stevens-solid..well at least in my eyes.  Creative and always dishing out great tunes..you know how I love those slow burners.

That’s all, enjoy.