The incomparable Kedr Livanskiy returns with an atmospheric electronic ode to the Greek goddess Ariadne with the first single taken from her upcoming LP "Ariadna", out 8th Sept via 2MR. As Ariadne is mostly associated with mazes and labyrinths because of her involvement in the myths of the Minotaur and Theseus, the track is, aptly enough, a labyrinthine trip into cold synthesisers, eerie electronica, lo-fi beats, echoing vocals and witch house. It's like a collaboration between Crystal Castles and Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance. A whole wall of electronic sounds which confirms the Russian artist as one of the most uncompromising and unique musicians on the continent. Rich and dreamy!
Every next artistic direction Little Dragon choose to take, always promises a musical thrill. The arrival of the Swedish quartet's much anticipated new single "High" is nothing short of a sonic wonder. The mellifluous "High" is their first new material since 2014, not forgetting their collaborations with Billion One and ODESZA the following year. The surprisingly mellow song is a sublimely arranged downtempo synth-pop gem with Yukimi Nagano delivering yet another impeccable vocal performance. Check out Little Dragon's first 2017 tour dates HERE!
One of my favourite artists of the past 2 years, the multi-talented electronic producer, singer and performance artist - Sevdaliza, has just released "Bebin" accompanied by a truly powerful statement on her Facebook Page. Written, composed and co-produced by the artist herself, "Bebin" is an ethereal and emotional journey into subtle synths, exquisite strings and the linguistic paradise that is Farsi...
“In protest of the inhumane political climate, I could not rest my head in privilege. I wrote ‘Bebin’ in Farsi, to solidify. I stand strong with love. In this case I choose to avoid mainstream media, because I have no interest in part taking in a victimized concept. As I will not be able to travel to the United States for indefinite duration, take this without lights, camera, action. I am solely a messenger. In the brain of love, there is no place for racism nor bigotry.”
Purchase it now on Bandcamp. All donations will be immediately transferred towards funds supporting victims of racial exclusion.
Every so often there comes a track which literally leaves you speechless... In this case the track left me awestruck both sonically and visually. Sevdaliza's tantalising new single "Human" is an electronic orgy of slow and micro beats, subtle Oriental adornments, whispers, recitations and flawless vocalisations. One to throw on full blast on that surround system of yours. It's certainly not the first time this gifted multifaceted artist of Iranian descent caught our attention, with the opulent "That Other Girl" landing among Top 20 Greatest Tracks of 2015 in our annual year-end countdown and the haunting "Time" which I was singing the praises of only last month.
Over half a million views on Youtube in less than one week is quite an achievement for a niche alternative artist like Sevdaliza. The visual feast courtesy of Emmanuel Adjei.
The instantly recognisable velvet vocals of former Azari & III singer - Cédric Gasaïda aka Starving Yet Full are the centre piece of this sleekly produced deep house-meets-electronic soul ballad by Moscow-based producer Funkformer. The beguiling melody and SYF's flawless vocal performance are paired with a fittingly stylish video directed by Alexey Puzikov and Victoria Vorontsova. "In Love With" EP is out now.
The sought-after Canadian singer of Rwandan descent has also recently featured on "Euphoria" - a track taken from Pavel Dovgal's upcoming album "The Aura". Cédric Gasaïda once again bringing the soul back to electronica.
Very unlike the sounds you normally find on my carousel of tunes, I'd like to dedicate this special one-off post to the good old-fashioned ballads. All three tracks I have selected for you are actually new but they're all paying exquisite homages to the golden eras of 1970's and 80's song-writing and balladry. Epic, big, irresistibly melodic and charmingly kitschy these 3 gems will take you on a bizarrely sentimental journey.
I have first come across Juliette Armanet on "Colette French Kiss" - jewel of a compilation, filled with up and coming French talents. Armanet's delicious slice of electro pop "L'amour en Solitaire", produced by the mighty Yuksek, was an instant favourite. Now the Parisian Pop mermaid returns, beguiling us with her angelic voice even more, with a Chanson Française à la vintage "Manque d'amour" which announces the release of her brand new EP "Cavalier Seule". This classic French Pop composition with subtle yet sumptuous production left me astounded. Françoise Hardy meets Air.
M83's latest album "Junk" seems to have divided not only their fanbase but the whole blogosphere. I have been completely enchanted by its concept and spectacular guest appearances. While "Time Wind" featuring Beck may be the catchiest moment on the entire album it's the magnificent collaboration with Norway's prime synth-pop diva Susanne Sundfør that stole the show for me. Accompanied by Sundfør's flawless vocal performance, the saxophone laden, wondrously camp "For The Kids" really does reminisce some obscure 80's lost classics. Irresistibly nostalgic and intentionally tacky.
"Remember The Rain" is a marvellous, richly arranged ballad from Los Angeles jazz vocalist Kadhja Bonet. The self-released single brought back some 70's vibes, intricate and generous string arrangements, timeless key changes and sophisticated melody hooks, delicately echoing Barbra Streisand's "Woman In Love". Heavenly.
Technically these two tracks have very little in common, if judged purely from the stylistic point of you. However both songs stood out for me the most in the last few days in the originality department. Yaeji and El Perro del Mar released ambitiously unclassifiable singles that sound quite like nothing else out there.
Yaeji is a promising, innovative Korean artist based in New York, the latest sensation to emerge from the ever so reliable mine of underground talents GODMODE - the label which gave us Shamir Bailey! Subtly echoing other female electronica producers the likes of Nina Kraviz or Jessy Lanza, "New York 93" captivates with its arrays of electronic shimmers, micro-beats, synth bleeps and whispers. An absorbing lullaby which will hold you spellbound. A peculiar slice of oneiric downtempo which kept me replaying it over and over again these past couple of days.
Swedish indie pop songstress El Perro del Mar is a no stranger to Shrem's Carousel of Über-Nerdiness. Redefining musical eclecticism Sarah Assbring remained unpredictable throughout her career. Flirting with electro project Pacific! (the glorious "Unspoken"), throwing back to some early 90's memories with "Walk On By", turning Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Breaking The Girl" into a dream pop essential or paying her own tribute to Goran Bregović's "Ederlezi" with "Våroffer (Alla Vill Ha)", those were just a few examples of her most recent artistic ventures. Now the Gothenburg based singer returns with a an intriguing ode to Asian alt-pop aesthetics "Breadandbutter" which is accompanied by an astonishing video directed by El Perro del Mar herself and Nicole Walker. The single which announces the release of the artist's 5th studio album "KoKoro" is out now via Ging Ging Recordings.
ARTIST: Shara Nelson
TITLE: "I Fell So You Could Catch Me (Marc Brown Mix)"
RELEASE DATE: 1996
LABEL: Cooltempo, Chrysalis
LOCATION: London, UK
ALBUM: "Friendly Fire"
We are nowhere near over Empress Of's astonishing debut album "Me" yet and Lorely Rodriguez is already treating us to not one but two brand new singles. Joining electronic forces with Darkstar on "Reformer", the New York based artist created a spellbinding, alluringly melodic post trip hop moment which set the vibes of some lost late 90's classics by Lamb or Sneaker Pimps. While this collaborative effort electrifies with countless layers of sublimely crafted electronic arrangements, her surprise new single "Woman Is A Word" is more on an understated side, almost minimal in places, stripped-bare with some captivating, crisp synth sounds. This is how Empress Of herself described this previously unreleased track from "Me" on her official Facebook page the other day:
"I'm so happy to share an unreleased track from my album today. This song means so much to me. I wrote it as a reaction to feeling like the word "woman" put me in a box of things I was capable to do."
Akiine and Mizan K are both contributing beautifully into the ever expanding current trend of electronic soul and future R&B with their latest compelling releases. Mizan K's intricate "Dark Blue" EP is just out via Terrible Records, home to Empress Of, Kindness, Le1f, Blood Orange and Charlift to name just a few of the Brooklyn label's protégés. Subtle and peaceful in places, complex and multi-layered in others, the 6-tracker delivers an inspiringly diverse blend of genres, styles, moods and influences, all performed with top class vocals. The trip-hop infused "Awe" will literally leave you in awe. Elegant and refreshing.
I have already recommended Akiine's meticulously produced "Destiny" to you once before, back in May. Now that the Swedish Londoner's "Neptune" EP is out and we've just been treated to an official video for "Destiny", it's time to spread some more love around this gifted songstress. "Brixton" illustrates Akiine's more mellow side with arrays of shimmering synths, echoey vocal harmonies, sophisticatedly arranged micro-beats, ethereal melody twists and some distorted vocals thrown in for the good measure. Check out also Akiine's previous single "Paranormal Activity". "Neptune" EP is out now via Color Station. Both Mizan and Akiine offered some of 2015's most absorbing sounds to date.
Brighton dream pop connoisseurs, the exquisite Chungking have been producing vivid soundscapes floating between synth pop, cosmic disco, modern folk, psychedelic soul and trip hop for almost13 years already. Their latest record "Defender", quietly announced last winter with "Sapphire", grew to become one of the strongest contenders for 2015 album of the year. Both "The Odyssey pt. 1" and "Beautiful World" come as fitting examples to Chungking's legacy in excellent pop songwriting, affluent instrumentation and colourful array of styles, moods and genres, their signature gift.
Inspired by "Defender" I went on a sentimental journey through Chungking's entire back catalogue to create this very subjective list of their greatest songs to date:
I am always full of admiration for artists who choose a completely independent artistic path and remain self-sufficient while also producing awe-inspiring, top quality music. I have literally fallen in love with Chagall's music only last week. Written, produced, performed and released by the Amsterdam born songstress herself, the songs from Chagall's latest EP "Stray Flux" not only seduce its listeners with impeccable, meticulous arrangements, delicately echoing some late 90's trip hop vibes, but also electrify with the purest and instantly adorable melodies. And if that wasn't enough already, Chagall also nails it with her vocal harmonies. Electronic pop at its most hypnotic.
Finnish duo Femme En Fourrure intrigue me more and more with every next release, kaleidoscopically balancing between genres, styles and moods, they never fail to surprise. The latest offering from Juuso Malin and Sandra Tervonen is "Smell EP" consisting of 3 brand new excellent tracks with a remix by Inga Copeland. Layers of cold, crystal clear synths, distorted vocals, Fever Ray-esque vibes, broken beats and Femme en Fourrure's signature otherworldly production is what makes this EP such an exciting aural escapade. I've had "Shores" and 'Blossom" on repeat all morning.
"Smell EP" is available now on a very limited 10" clear vinyl and cassette at the Helsinkian band's official store.
Jaakko Eino Kalevi, alongside Cola & Jimmu and Femme En Fourrure, lead the list of the most interesting musical acts to emerge from Finland the past few years. Oscillating between folk, electro and funk, this attractively enigmatic, local hero of the underground scene, bewildered us already once with the eclectic "Dreamzone EP" and now continues to inspire with his dreamy and panpipe-laden new single "Deeper Shadows".
Both "Deeper Shadows" and the mellow "Double Talk" can be found on Kalevi's upcoming new self-titled album, due for release 15 June 2015 via Weird World Records. Here's what else we can read in the official press release for this highly anticipated record:
"The ten-track collection finds Jaakko on spellbinding form, composing sumptuous and wildly original music that teems with ideas and more than delivers on the promise of its predecessor, the breakthrough 2013 EP Dreamzone. Jaakko Eino Kalevi marks the start of a striking new chapter for the Berlin-based artist – a former tram driver in Helsinki – who’s already made quite an impression on the international stage these past 12 months."
The latest in series of Kitsuné compilations - "New Faces II" is out now and as usual I managed to find a couple of solid gems among all the offerings. The previous edition of "New Faces" featured a colourful array of new artists, the likes of Rosie Lowe, Kilo Kish, Lxury, Years & Years and George FitzGerald.
The insanely addictive "Got It", a fusion of bizarrely Oriental beats and contemporary R&B vibes (echoes of Kelis' distinctive "Kaleidoscope" sound anyone?), comes from a Philadelphia based electronic duo Marian Hill.
"Catch My Eye" by Danglo is an elegantly produced mid-tempo track balancing between numerous genres and moods proving once again that the current London dance & electronica scene is one of the most prolific ones globally.
Shura, one of Top 10 Hottest Newcomers in 2014 according to my own chart I published back in December, has just dropped her synth-laden oldskool flavoured new single "2Shy" and it sounds like the 1980's never really went away... Her delicate vocals bring back some sweet early Janet Jackson memories, the alluring melody and the irresistible production place this uncanny retro synth-pop gem somewhere between GL, Chromeo and Electric Youth in the "Future 80's" department. I continue to be in awe with this London act.
"A Message" is another stellar production by the scarily talented Alejandro Ghersi, better known by his stage name Arca. Following his futuristic and unique aural escapades with Björk and FKA Twigs, the Venezuelan producer teams up with one of the most progressive American artists of the younger generation Kelela, for her brand new EP "Hallucinogen" which promises to take us "on a journey through lust, longing, delirium and ecstasy". One of the female pioneers of the alternative R&B movement, Kelela gained both enthusiastic praise from the critics and a cult status among her devoted fanbase for her debut mixtape "Cut 4 Me" where she added her own vocals on over instrumental tracks by DJs the likes of Kingdom, Nguzunguzu and Bok Bok. The stylish video for "A Message" was directed by Daniel Sannwald.
Róisín Murphy is back with a rather surprising first teaser taken from her upcoming 3rd studio LP "Hairless Toys" which drops via Play It Again Sam on 11th May 2015. The unpredictable "Gone Fishing" shows La Murphy's impressive palette of vocal capabilities and sounds like an electronic medley of Moloko's final studio album "Statutes", her jazzy excursions with Matthew Herbert on "Ruby Blue" while remaining hugely independent and intriguing. The layers of melodic twists, sonic quirks, wall-of-sound effects and productional tricks (Eddie Stevens?) make this one of her most original songs to date. In her own words:
"This song was written after I watched the documentary film Paris Is Burning, having read an article which referenced it in a discussion about House music's origins in black, gay culture. I was deeply moved by this film. 'I had to run this far from home' - it's about the outcasts who could never fit into mainstream society and how they created a safe place in the drag 'Ball' scene of New York in the ‘80s. 'Will we live on? The children of La Beija' refers to the 'house' of Pepper La Beija, who was one of the most notable figures on the scene, Pepper is also quoted in Malcolm McLaren's song on the same subject 'Deep In Vogue'. The culture was a flamboyant reaction to persecution and disillusionment, the imagination and bravery of these kids is simply awe-inspiring. I envisioned 'Gone Fishing' almost as a song from a Broadway musical version of this story. The making of one's own world, a safer world and the creation of a new, better family in music or youth culture is a theme I touch upon elsewhere on my album Hairless Toys."
Tracklist:
"Filthy Believer" and "We're Like The Hard Born", two songs taken from BEA's exquisite "Good Thinking" EP, both echo trip-hop reminiscences of the late 90's. Mono's elegant "Formica Blues", Vanessa Daou's "Zipless" and Crustation's "Bloom" all came to my mind while listening to this truly exceptional set of songs. BEA comes from The Netherlands and likes to keep things cool and low-key in the virtual reality of internet, remaining admirably independent, unpredictable and inconspicuous. A rare talent.
