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Turn Around
The Postal Service |
The Postal Service - Turn Around
In case you haven’t already seen the plethora of postings on the internet today, The Postal Service have leaked the second unreleased song from the 10th anniversary rerelease of the group’s only album Give Up. The first taste we had of any new material was A Tattered Line of String in February.
Turn Around is not exactly new. It was shelved at the time the group recorded the rest of Give Up in 2003, but now the song has been revamped for the deluxe edition which is scheduled for release on April 9th.
Enjoy.
Phoenix - Entertainment
Now that it has been a week or so since Phoenix’s new single Entertainment was released, I think it’s time to assess its quality.
The track has definitely capitalised on the band’s pop crossover appeal and longtime fans will find the familiar hook-driven melody, but there is a dominant addition that is instantly evident on Entertainment and that is synth.
Synthesizers have had a patchy influence over pop music, coming to have an insurmountable stronghold over much of the popular music in the 80s but dying off considerably in the 90s. But ever since electronic production has been made more accessible through cheap hi-fi home software and recording equipment, their influence in pop has skyrocketed. Having said that, most longtime Phoenix fans will fight to the death that their music is not ‘pop,’ but let’s face it, Entertainment is definitely looking to appeal to new fans as much as old and with the watertight performance, it looks set to continue doing just that.
Phoenix’s new album Bankrupt! will be out on April 22nd 2013 if it manages not to be leaked beforehand.
Enjoy.
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Chix
Jai Paul |
Jai Paul - Chix
One of the most promising r&b acts from the 00s and the 10s is Jai Paul. He has such a revolutionary approach to production, fusing symphonic synthesizers, an etherial voice and a mysterious persona that would make the most reclusive hermit seem like a showpony.
Like the limelight Jai Paul has recieved so far, Chix is short-lived. The 50 something second track is over before it can really morph into a fully recognised song but there is more than enough presence and feeling behind the song than 94% of music on the radio at the moment.
If you aren’t up to speed with Jai Paul’s criminally short catalogue of demos and leaks, I suggest you get acquainted with the recently released (or leaked?) mixtape Everlasting which features all of the music he has made that has surfaced to date.
You can download all 10 tracks for free from here and finish off the mix in 20 minutes flat. Much more efficient than the speed it has taken Jai Paul to actually make the music. Listen to this in the meantime, as we can only hope against hope that an album does eventually does materialise from the incognito British icon.
Enjoy.
The Postal Service - A Tattered Line of String
After my jovial spiel announcing the return of The Postal Service, it has eventuated that the band’s reissued deluxe version of 2003’s Give Up will in fact contain two new songs - A Tattered Line of String being half of the new offering.
Fans of the group have been devoutly praying to the music gods for a musically matrimonial reunion for years, but fans expecting to hear the same chemistry on the new release will be sorely disappointed. Not to say that A Tattered Line of String is a bad song, far from it (we wouldn’t have featured it otherwise), just to say that the reformation is a different feeling collaboration from the previous work that Jimmy Tamborello and Benjamin Gibbard have done together.
For one, the song structure is fast paced and Gibbard’s vocals seem glossier and possibly less sincere than previous efforts. Given that I have only listened to the track once, I may be horribly mistaken, in which case my opinion will become imminently invalid, but in any case, what does my opinion matter? Go out and have a listen yourself.
The reissued version of Give Up will be released on April 9th.
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Let U
Of Oceans |
Of Oceans - Let U
If you haven’t already heard Of Oceans’ song In Love, Not Limbo, I’d recommend that you check it out immediately.
If you are familiar already, then you’ll be able to appreciate that Of Oceans set the standard pretty high when they released In Love, Not Limbo back in December 2010. Since then, I’ve had some difficulty following the more experimental material from their catalogue, that was, until recently.
The group has just released the debut single Let U, from the upcoming album Summercraft. Let U is a dreamy track that will wash over your senses until the 1:20 mark when the throbbing beat drops and some pulsating synths gravitate around the heartbeat of the drum. The song definitely incorporates a Summery feel and will make for a sunny accompaniment to your latest playlist, or your visits to the beach in the warmer weather.
Enjoy.
Youth Lagoon - Daydream (Noah Hyde Remix)
I’m about to release a compilation mix of remixes and it just occured to me that I haven’t shared this track I discovered a few months back. Noah Hyde takes control of the mellow Daydream and transforms it into a dancefloor ready banger that still maintains its dreamy soundscape.
Thankfully, the download link is still active so you can legally own a copy by clicking the link below. Enjoy!
Download - Daydream (Noah Hyde Remix)
FISHING - White Sheet Beach
When it comes to innovative electronic music in Australia, FISHING are close to the top of the pile for me. Their newbie White Sheet Beach is reminiscent of fellow Sydney residents Seekae.
The synths and effects strike a chord between bitter and sweet making for an emotive listen. Hopefully, FISHING’s latest release on independent Australian label Yes Please will signify a future album imminently.
Enjoy!
Sufjan Stevens - Alphabet Street
Sufjan Stevens has managed to divide critics with the symmetry of a tightrope walker since deviating from his folk roots and experimenting with mind-altering electronics on his 2010 standout album The Age of Adz. The man is a self-proclaimed blender of “autobiography, religious fantasy, and regional history,” and I think they left out alien conspiracy.
Seemingly drawing inspiration from anywhere and everywhere, Sufjan Stevens has recently announced his second double disc Christmas compilation album, Silver & Gold, which is due for release in two days. This psychadelic cover of Prince’s Alphabet St will presumably be one of the 58 odes to Santa, or Jesus, or the apocalyptic art of Royal Robertson - I forget.
Enjoy, or if you are the other 50% feel free not to!
Download - Alphabet St
