A group of 19 year old south west londoners have quickly swept me in sound. They are called The Xx and I am beyond impressed. I've been floored by their debut, which is available on August 17th, via the Young Turks label. Their sound is very dark with a minimalist approach. At times, I wonder why this band needs 4 musicians. But the more I listen, the more I don't care. The sound is mature and the lyrics are thoughtful. The album is to be enjoyed on headphones as the sun sets or at night for a brilliant effect. A great friend of mine recently stopped by and she talked about the "push and pull" of certain songs. That one song that seems to have been written for you at that very crucial point in your life. A song that hits you at the core and never lets go. EVERY song on this cd, for me, maintains that tug and tension through and through. Easily, this is my favourite album of the year...thus far.8.04.2009
Discover: The Xx
A group of 19 year old south west londoners have quickly swept me in sound. They are called The Xx and I am beyond impressed. I've been floored by their debut, which is available on August 17th, via the Young Turks label. Their sound is very dark with a minimalist approach. At times, I wonder why this band needs 4 musicians. But the more I listen, the more I don't care. The sound is mature and the lyrics are thoughtful. The album is to be enjoyed on headphones as the sun sets or at night for a brilliant effect. A great friend of mine recently stopped by and she talked about the "push and pull" of certain songs. That one song that seems to have been written for you at that very crucial point in your life. A song that hits you at the core and never lets go. EVERY song on this cd, for me, maintains that tug and tension through and through. Easily, this is my favourite album of the year...thus far.
7.21.2009
Discover: Kesha
I'm not usually one to hype the next big pop artist. Especially one that got her big break accompanying FloRida on one of the most irritating and unimaginative singles of the year. However, I am willing to give credit where credit is due. Kesha deserves the attention. Her electro beats are so accessible it's ridiculous. With simple and crass lyrics, high-schoolers will be eating up every song. She sounds like Avril Lavigne, if she stopped shopping at Hot Topic and grew up past the angsty age of 16. Not sure what her plans are for a future album, but when it drops you can count on hearing her everywhere.
7.17.2009
Verbatim
"...One day the the storm will roll away, and soon you'll see...
Far away from home but never far away from me,
and that's all for the best..."
Florence and the Machine - Falling
Take It All: Noah and the Whale
Noah and the Whale - The First Days of Spring
02. Our Window
03. I Have Nothing
04. My Broken Heart
05. Instrumental I
06. Love Of An Orchestra
07. Instrumental II
08. Stranger
09. Blue Skies
10. Slow Glass
11. My Door Is Always Open
7.15.2009
Take It On: Julian Casablancas
The last (or first?) Take It On was ironically about side projects. And here I return with another. Julian Casablancas is the last of The Strokes to be taking his lone adventure in the music world. I haven't heard much about his forthcoming album Phrazes for the Young, so I've had my doubts. Doubts that I ironically shared with fellow friend and talented writer/blogger Cellar Door. The album title alone conjured about half of the images in the new promotional video below. But honestly, now that I think about it, I've been impressed with everything he's associated himself with, especially his recent collaboration with N.E.R.D. and Santigold. Not to mention his feature in Little Girl with Sparklehorse. It's all shaping up quite nicely too. Look for the album to drop this fall and a tour soon after. Check out his video below or on his new website that just launched today!7.14.2009
Let's POP some bottles!
Mr Hudson has a A LOT going for him. First off, he's sexy with a great sense of fashion. Also, his voice is autotuned which, whether you like it or not, has become a must for a #1 hit. Last but not least, his first single, Supernova, features none other than the voice of our generation WTFYEAHRIGHT, Kanye "GET OVER YOURSELF" West. It doesn't hurt that the song is infectious and begging to be played everywhere. The single's official release date is on July 21st, which still leaves plenty of room for play at those summer parties. As for his first solo album, Straight No Chaser, it drops on October 5th.
Dan Black 
Dan Black's debut album ((Un)) has landed in the U.K. just this week. With the aid of a free iTunes single that I posted not too long ago, U + Me =, he's made a significant splash across the pond. His voice doesn't complement his music as much as I would want it to, but his album is certainly his own. The same can be said for his fun videos. Some really talented people, such as Fred Falke or Passion Pit could spin some of these tracks into some great remixes.
Dan Black's debut album ((Un)) has landed in the U.K. just this week. With the aid of a free iTunes single that I posted not too long ago, U + Me =, he's made a significant splash across the pond. His voice doesn't complement his music as much as I would want it to, but his album is certainly his own. The same can be said for his fun videos. Some really talented people, such as Fred Falke or Passion Pit could spin some of these tracks into some great remixes.
As you can see from her picture, Little Boots needs no introduction. She caused quite a stir last year with a couple of underground singles. With the unbelievable amount of hype generated, bloggers were expecting a masterpiece of a debut album. Her new album Hands was no such thing and critics were just as quick to disregard her, which is unfortunate because it is a unique, solid album that's easily of better quality than both Madonna and Kylie Minogue's recent efforts...put together. Already released in the U.K., she still has yet to conquer the states in 2010. Her EP entitled Illuminations is ready for purchase now.
7.13.2009
Discover: Phantogram
Phantogram is an American electro duo of guitarist Josh Carter and keyboardist Sarah Barthel. It's not the most life changing music, but I can definitely see the potential for an incredible first album, which is on the horizon. Describing their music as "a culmination of unique street beat rhythms, and psychedelic melodies, with combined technology and organic textures." I'm not entirely sure what that means, even after listening to them all day, but I do know that for just a pair, they know how to create songs that are full and lush. They're, by far, making the best new sounds I've heard in quite a bit. I can't wait to hear what's next for them. Just signed this year to the British record label BBE, you can purchase their self-titled album on their myspace. 
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
