++ SEE: FULL POST + BLEEP POSTS or MUSIC COLUMNS

Bibio

When Bibio released “À Tout À L’Heure,” it was hard to get a sense of where the English producer was headed on his seventh studio album Silver Wilkinson. With the arrival of “You,” the second single from the forthcoming album due May 14th on Warp, Bibio once again throws listeners for a loop, trading the rather breezy sound of “À Tout À L’Heure” for a massive, dance floor ready beat. Both tracks feel like the natural extension of The Avalanches or other sample-heavy artists, turning the assumed into something revelatory.

Pulp X Soulwax

When Pulp announced they had been working on a song with LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy, it really came as no surprise. Jarvis Cocker and Murphy share many of the same aesthetics and malevolence towards culture, so it seemed only a matter of time before the two masters of their craft combined forces. And while the studio version of “After You” was a smashing success, Belgium’s brotherly duo Soulwax have taken to a remix. The Dewaele’s edit takes Cocker’s vocals and turns them into something entirely more abusive (in a good way); an aggressive, booming twist worthy of gritted teeth and moving feet. “After You” will be released through Rough Trade on limited 12″ for Record Store Day 2013.

Disclosure

It’s a moment we’ve been waiting with baited breathe to finally hear about. When it comes to young and promising electronic producers, the conversation starts and ends with U.K. duo Disclosure. Last year’s two singles “Latch” and “White Noise” took the genre by storm, and with the pending release of their debut album it’s not a matter of if but rather when these two will become the next transcendent stars. June 3rd marks the release of the group’s first album, titled Settle, which will be preceded by a brand new single on April 28th, both of which will be released through PMR Records.

Related posts:

1. Bleep: Disclosure, Physical Therapy, Chandeliers, Van She, Paradis MP3 Downloads & Streams
2. Bleep: Com Truise, Neud Photo, Clark MP3 Downloads & Streams
3. Chris Crites, Deviant Painter.

music art film review - REDEFINE magazine

Bleep: New Bibio, Soulwax Remix & Disclosure Announcement

+++ FULL POST + TOP POPS! COLUMNS + ALL MUSIC COLUMNS

Dutch Uncles – “Bellio”
Vocally one part Bear In Heaven and one part Field Music, Dutch Uncles have a lot of fascinating things going on as far as the world of pop music goes. Cascading instrumentation, unforeseen breakdowns, and minimalism in occasionally suitable points make “Bellio” a track that may not be initially mind-blowing, but shifts here and there into a rainbow-clad Battles. Their upcoming record, Out of Touch in the Wild, will be released on Memphis Industries on April 2nd, and is a busy-body piece of work that will dazzle some and overwhelm others.

Kisses – “Huddle”
Kisses’ verbal simplicity often infuriates me to no end (note their band name and generic song titles galore), but in my humble opinion, they repeatedly redeem themselves with their tried-and-true methods of stripping down pop songs to only their catchiest necessities. With the release of “Huddle” and last month’s “The Hardest Part”, Kisses miiiiight be giving away all of their best tricks prior to the release of their next full-length, the again obnoxiously-named Kids In L.A.… but whatever gets them (and you) in the door, I guess.

Generationals – “Spinoza”
Just in time for spring warmth comes Generationals’ latest record on Polyvinyl, Heza. As Polyvinyl has been scooping up pop outfits left and right, they’ve found something brilliant in Generationals, as far as “Spinoza” goes, a prime indicator. Garage-surf vibes are present on “Spinoza”, but it is the flowering, echoingvocal cadences that really make the track an early body-shaking victory. Stream the whole album right now on Hype Machine.

Julian Lynch – “Carios Kelleyi I”
“With the whistling of wind chimes, the smacking of tambourines, the crash of cymbals in the distance, “Carios Kelleyi I” is one of the most immediately inviting tracks on Lines. The precise, sparse use of Lynch’s electric guitar amplifies the song from charming to ineffable, a brilliant juxtaposition that comes together in a gorgeous fashion.” (from Julian Lynch – Lines Album Review) - ERIK BURG

Maria Minerva – “Black Magick”
“‘Black Magick’, with its deadpan and detuned vocals delivered atop… awkward melodic imagery, typifies the knowingly innocent, alienated and strangely plaintive attitude of the female protagonist present in all these songs [on the Bless EP]. As this track evolves, the lyrics cleverly mutate, from an opening few lines that could be found in any mainstream pop song, via subtle shifts of stance and ground, to a scenario and meaning that is darker and more complex in nature.” (from Maria Minerva – Bless EP Album Review) - GREG HEALEY

Ólafur Arnalds – “For Now I Am Winter”
Taking it down a notch with this beautifully somber track from Icelandic artist Ólafur Arnalds, who, on his latest record, has decided to explore more electronic and vocally-driven territory than he ever has before. The title track of the record, “For Now I Am Winter” guest stars Arnór Dan, and a slow synth progression collides into introspective vocals as gently as the rainfall that opens this track.

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Related posts:

1. Top Pops! February 2013 James Blake, Kisses, Psychic Twin, Parenthetical Girls, More
2. Olafur Arnalds – For Now I Am Winter Album Review
3. Top Pops! Shmu, Sacred Caves MP3 Downloads & Streams

music art film review - REDEFINE magazine

Top Pops! March 2013: Olafur Arnalds, Generationals, Kisses, Dutch Uncles, More

+++ FULL POST + AURAL DEVASTATION COLUMNS + ALL MUSIC COLUMNS

Circle Takes the Square – Decompositions

Eight years ago, the Savannah, Georgia screamo/thrash/post-hardcore outfit Circle Takes the Square dropped As the Roots Undo on this mortal world , andpopulations of head-banging enthusiasts went nuts accordingly. The dual shrieks of vocalists Drew Speziale and Kathy Coppola over guitars centered in thrash and drums focused on grind elements were enough to make CTTS the new saviours of hardcore, bringing new relevance to the ill-titled ‘screamo’ genre and really just delivering a critically flawless ass-kicking to the ear drums of anyone who wanted to take part.

And then it turned out that Circle Takes the Square were merely human beings, since it’d been close to eight years since the band put out any new material. They sure as hell toured in-between, but their “reported” second full-length was starting to sound more and more like Chinese Screamocracy, an oft-mentioned holy lore of music more suitable as a reference in the newest Indiana Jones film than in reality.

But weary no more, treasure seekers — because Circle Takes the Square is finally back. They started a very successful Kickstarter campaign, and the final product, Decompositions, has finally seen the light. The entire album is up on the band’s Bandcamp page at a name-your-own-price steal, and the vinyl is expected to be pressed and available in early 2013. Lets hope that doesn’t turn into early 2021…

KEN Mode – “The Promises of God”
Canada is awesome — if for the fact that the Juno Award, their equivalent of the Grammys, isn’t a laughable joke like ours is. While KEN Mode won the Juno award in 2012, this is who our Grammy went to. Fitting then that the Winnipeg-based thrashers came back with Entrench this year, the album picking right up where they were before — absolutely pissed off.

Kvelertak – “Bruane Brenn”
These absolutely belligerent Norwegians are back with an album only one year after releasing their self-titled debut. With Meir, their first for Warner Brothers’ imprint Roadrunner Records, Kvelertak isn’t as over-the-top with their unabashed enthusiasm for Southern-style swampy hard rock. All in all, it isn’t as fun as their debut album, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Kvelertak came raging across the Atlantic like few metal bands have in recent years, but Kvelertak are at their best when they are ridiculous. Luckily, Meir has more than its fair share of moments for that.

Ghost – “Secular Haze”
Just a couple years ago, a group of mysterious-robed figures led by an evil priest burst onto Sweden’s metal scene. To this day, no one still has any idea as to what the true identities of Ghost are, but what is for sure is that few metal bands have a more highly anticipated follow-up to churn out in 2013. The byproduct of an archaic record deal from a major label, Infesstisumam is already slowly sounding what you’d expect from Ghost: very evil, very Black Sabbath and Mercyful Fate-influenced, very awesome. The band has released the first track on the album, in anticipation of its 2013 release.

Infesstisumam Tracklisting
1.  INFESTISSUMAM
2.  PER ASPERA AD INFERI
3.  SECULAR HAZE
4.  JIGOLO HAR MEGIDDO
5.  GHULEH / ZOMBIE QUEEN
6.  YEAR ZERO
7.  IDOLATRINE
8.  BODY AND BLOOD
9.  DEPTH OF SATAN’S EYES
10.  MONSTRANCE CLOCK

Shai Hulud – “A Human Failing”
Sixteen years ago, a group from Florida nerded out in the burgeoning metal scene with a band name straight from Dune and song titles that put the band squarely in need of some severe anger management help programs. At the time, featuring New Found Glory guitarist Chad Gilbert on vocals, Shai Hulud was metalcore before the genre exaludaisted. Matt Fox’s off-kilter riffs combined with Gilbert’s passion and throaty yell blew all the other bands in the scene out of the water. Then metalcore became less about metal and more about the ‘core part of the equation, and Shai Hulud had unwittingly spawned legions of Hot Topic mallcore bands in its wake.

It has been five years of inactivity, but Shai Hulud are back on the map with Reach Beyond the Sun. The band shook the foundations of hardcore sixteen years ago, and once again featuring Gilbert on vocals, Reach Beyond the Sun really hearkens back to that time as though nothing has changed — to a time when the only thing required in life is to be pissed off at anything and everything. It hearkens back to a time in life when metalcore was a legitimate genre, and Shai Hulud were doing it better than everyone else.

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Related posts:

1. Shai Kremer Finds Beauty In Fallen Empires.
2. Rise And Fall – Our Circle Is Vicious Album Review
3. Aural Devastation: Old Man Gloom, Burning Love MP3 Downloads & Streams

music art film review - REDEFINE magazine

Aural Devastation, March 2013: Circle Takes The Square, Kvelertak, Ghost, More

Dessa’s Closing Ceremony Speech at Nobel Peace Prize Forum

“It’s definitely a perk,” she says, “finding ways to help support the causes that move me. It’s pretty recent, the past two or three years. Before that, I wasn’t in the position to make any cause more visible, because I was in the process of making myself as a musician more visible.”

Through the years, Dessa has worked with numerous causes, schools, and organizations – much of which has been dedicated to helping troubled youth and battered women; she has also been a speaker at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. More recently, Dessa has teamed up with The Elixery, a makeup manufacturer that has taken her namesake and turned it into a shade of lipstick to help the needy.

“Elixery… is cosmetics company out of Minneapolis, and they put out a shade of lipstick called ‘Dessa,’ and one-hundred percent of the proceeds go to the organization CARE.org, which is dedicated to helping destitute women around the world. The proceeds of Dessa will go to help equip and educate these women to pull themselves out of poverty.

“It feels good. It’s been an unexpected, but totally appreciated [partnership].”

Another event of note that Dessa has been a part of is the “Evening with Dessa,” an intimate performance at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA). The event, which happened at the end of February 2013, was held to benefit a new teen scholarship program for the area’s youth, an audience typically looked at as a market niche rather than the next bastion of artists and leaders.

“The MIA was looking for an event for a scholarship program and they approached me, knowing that I’ve done the work,” said Dessa. “It was an easy project to align with.”

In the wake of public tragedies and the PR hiccups in the hip-hop community (see: Chris Brown’s court-mandated public service controversy or Dr. Dre’s anti-violence PSA), Dessa notes that while people aren’t generally aware about musicians who do give back, she assures that it happens.

“Partnering hip-hop artists with charitable causes is nothing that I made up,” she is quick to note. “I’m very much taking cues from the likes of everyone, from Nicki Minaj to 50 Cent, to Russell Simmons; [from] P.O.S. to I-Self Devine…. but they’re infrequently covered by the media, perhaps, unless they’re related to a tragedy.

“[Supporting community organizations] is part of the fabric of hip-hop culture.”

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELLI READER

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1. Charitable Musicians: Hip-Hop Rapper Ikonoklasta Protests Against The Angolan Government
2. Charitable Musicians: Mae Choose To Self-Release And Aid Charity (w/ Band Interview)
3. The Cure Live Show Footage From Bestival, Live Album Benefits Charity

music art film review - REDEFINE magazine

Charitable Musicians: Doomtree Collective Rapper Dessa Says Hip-Hop and Charity Go Hand-In-Hand

+++ FULL POST + TOP POPS! COLUMNS + ALL MUSIC COLUMNS

James Blake – “Retrograde”
James Blake is back with Overgrown on April 8th. Embedding this is a tricky feat — as the last time I embedded a James Blake track with the following review, UMG scolded us and demanded the video’s removal — but nonetheless, here it is, for all of your soulful listening desires. Slight electronic texturing still exists here — he hasn’t given himself up completely, certainly — but this is as soulful as we’ve ever heard Blake, and this track is most definitely a slow-burner and a grower, grower, grower.

Psychic Twin – “Strangers” (Polyvinyl Records)
Psychic Twin seem to constantly deliver on impressive one-off tracks, and “Strangers” from their upcoming Polyvinyl-released 7″ is no different. Upbeat synth frolicks and fancy fleeting vocals delight while entering the noggin hypnotically. Polyvinyl is really chasing the dance pop tip lately, and I’d personally say that Psychic Twin are one of their most exciting prospects. Unfortunately, these tracks can’t be embedded right now, but you can enjoy “Strangers” via Soundcloud or hear additional Psychic Twin tracks we have posted here. They will be playing at our SXSW 2013 show; announcement coming Monday.

Kisses – “The Hardest Part”
On Kisses‘ return single, “The Hardest Part”, the duo gets super bass-funky and lyrically more complex. Looking forward to their May 2013 release via up-and-coming pop label CASCINE. Expect a REDEFINE-exclusive mixtape from them soon.

Guppy – “Seen”
The type of track you can infinitely loop on repeat, “Seen” is deliciously simple in its grooviness. The duo features Nathan Terepka from Zula and Felicia Douglass from Ava Luna.

Elephant – “Skyscraper”
Thought they’re talking about modern architectural constructions, sweet ol’ doo-wop throwback vibes can be found in “Skyscraper” by the London-based duo of Amelia Rivas and Christian Pinchbeck. This comes from their forthcoming 7″, on Memphis Industries.

Parenthetical Girls – “Sympathy For Spastics” (Los Campesinos! Remix)
This remix of “Sympathy For Spastics” by Los Campesinos! features exactly the type of epic emotional flows you would expect from theatrical Parenthetical Girls frontman Zac Pennington, made all the richer with lush instrumental reworkings.

The Mast – “Emerald”
Not too long ago, we made a big stink about The Mast‘s pop-and-lock music video for “UpUpUp”. Now here’s another stink for the band’s minimal electronic pop jams, via their latest, “Emerald”.

Autre Ne Veut – “Play By Play” (Software Recording Co.)
Autre Ne Veut has been getting tons of hype love for his release on Software, but his track featuring Mykki Blanco is, in my opinion, by far the best track of his I have heard. Personal preference.

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Related posts:

1. James Blake – Self-Titled Album Review
2. Top Pops! Magic Trick (Tim Cohen of The Fresh & Onlys), Money, Psychic Twin MP3 Downloads & Streams
3. James Blake – Overgrown Album Review

music art film review - REDEFINE magazine

Top Pops! February 2013 James Blake, Kisses, Psychic Twin, Parenthetical Girls, More

1. Baroness – “EULA” from Yellow & Green + ENTIRE RECORD STREAM
   As the last song on the Yellow Album, “EULA” had an interesting job, as it needed to take the listener from the harder sounds of Baroness into the more straight-up progressive rock edge of Green Album. Baroness knocked it out of the park with their attempt, as “EULA” is one of the better songs in their entire catalog. - PETER WOODBURN
   

    

2. Black Breath – “Feast of the Damned” from Sentenced to Life
   The opening track off of Black Breath’s mind-mashing 2012 album, Feast of the Damned showed exactly how Black Breath was taking their music — harder, faster, louder. - PETER WOODBURN
   

    

3. Burning Love – “Hateful Comforts” from Rotten Thing to Say
   The guitars are fierce, the drums unrelenting, and the vocals snarling. Burning Love put forth a perfect blend off rock and roll and hardcore with this effort. - PETER WOODBURN
   

    

4. Converge – “Trespasses” from All We Love We Leave Behind + ENTIRE RECORD STREAM
   This song opens and closes with more noise than anything out there. Its spastic interior showcases the madness that is the Converge flurry trying desperately to explode out. - PETER WOODBURN
   

    

5. Downfall of Gaia – “In The Rivers Bleak” from Suffocating the Swarms of Cranes + ENTIRE RECORD STREAM
   Downfall of Gaia released one of the best metal albums of the year, and this is probably the best song off of the album. It’s got some great post-metal, sludge metal, black metal and straight up metal moments that make the eight minutes pass by in two. - PETER WOODBURN
   

    

6. Pig Destroyer – “The Diplomat” from Book Burner + ENTIRE RECORD STREAM
   “The Diplomat” is the first song on Book Burner over two minutes long and shows why Scott Hull is the best metal guitarist on the planet. The song is all Pig Destroyer in their never-ending quest to brutalize eardrums world-wide with absolutely punishing riffs. - PETER WOODBURN
   

    

7. Propagandhi – “Note to Self” from Failed States
   “Note to Self” contains some nice lyrical play to open the song, but really contains the best moments of Propagandhi’s conversion from punk-rock into punk-thrash. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better final minute in any song this year. - PETER WOODBURN
   

    

8. Swans – “Avatar” from The Seer + ENTIRE RECORD STREAM
   Michael Gira is a musical genius. The way he makes “Avatar” grow while chanting, “Your life is in my hands” makes you really feel like it is — and Gira is the last person you want to take control of your destiny. He hardly has control over his own; and that is half the fun of this ride. - PETER WOODBURN
   

    

9. Torche – “Walk It Off” from Harmonicraft
   To listen to Torche is to try to figure out what you are listening to. Is it sludge? Is it metal? Is it rock? I say a bit of all three, and they are the best bands blurring that line right now. “Walk It Off” shows Torche at their finest, with crazy guitars and constant drums. - PETER WOODBURN
   

    

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Related posts:

1. Aural Devastation: Converge, Pig Destroyer
2. Aural Devastation: Baroness, Title Fight MP3 Downloads & Streams
3. Aural Devastation: Old Man Gloom, Burning Love MP3 Downloads & Streams

music art film review - REDEFINE magazine

Aural Devastation: Top Tracks of 2012

1. Chromatics – “Into The Black” (Neil Young Cover) DOWNLOAD MP3
   Well yeah, I’m a sucker for a good Neil Young cover. - JUDY NELSON

    

2. Night Moves – “Headlights” from Colored Emotions
   This track from Night Moves reminds me of Portugal. The Man’s Americana and psych rock blend on The Satanic Satanist. The questioning of personal comforts (“I just don’t know who I am”) mixed with gentle falsetto mantras (“It’s alright”) bring the track to a slow and smooth close. - VIVIAN HUA
   

    

3. Usher – “Climax” from Looking For Myself
   There’s not much to say about one of Usher’s best tracks ever, other than — it’s one of Usher’s best tracks ever, and dude has built up quite the collection of good tracks through the years. - VIVIAN HUA
   

    

4. Beach House – “The Hours” from Bloom
   Beach House are no strangers to creating beautifully melancholic songs, and their latest album, Bloom, seems to me, from personal experience, the break-up album of the year with its elusively spiritual (perhaps) and bittersweet lyrics. - VIVIAN HUA
   

    

5. Gardens & Villa – “Gypsy” (Fleetwood Mac Cover) from Just Tell Me That You Want Me”
   Gardens & Villa submit their cover for a Fleetwood Mac tribute compilation, and as a band that is already reminiscent of the ’80s pop legends, the quintet has submitted the best cover of the bunch. - VIVIAN HUA
   

    

6. Aan – “I Don’t Need Love” DOWNLOAD MP3
   Portland’s experimental into rockers Aan got a bit of a makeover this year and have an upcoming 2013 album well worth your eargasms. “I Don’t Need Love” is the raw and energetic precursor to that. - VIVIAN HUA

    

7. MS MR – “Hurricane”
   “Hurricane” is perfectly delicate yet sultry and sexy. The singer’s voice is haunting and echoing, and combined with the pounding drum rhythm throughout the track, it is not only the best surprise of the year but also serves as the perfect soundtrack to humid summer nights. - ERIK BURG
   

    

8. Cat Power – “Ruin” from Sun DOWNLOAD MP3
   While it’s hard to pick a best track on an album of great tracks, “Ruin” was the single and deservedly so; it was the perfect blend of Chan Marshall voice and her strong guitar playing, an upbeat yet appropriately lyrically downtrodden song. - JUDY NELSON

    

9. Frank Ocean – “Thinkin Bout U” from channel ORANGE
   It speaks much about the current state of pop music that Frank Ocean’s single from channel ORANGE was the -minute-long and atypically-structured “Pyramids”. That, alongside possibly the best track from the record, “Thinkin Bout U”, are just part of the reason Frank Ocean has be absolutely everywhere this year. - VIVIAN HUA
   

    

10. Toro Y Moi – “So Many Details”
    Chaz Bundick seems to increasingly honing in on the power of his Midas touch. This is the first single from his upcoming January 2013 full-length, and its grooviness descends into psychedelic territories in the best ways possible. - VIVIAN HUA
    

     

11. Jessie Ware – “Sweet Talk” + REMIX
    A new artist to me, Jessie Ware’s beautiful debut, Devotion has only recently come into my 2012 rotation; this soul-tinged R&B track stands out as one of the best on what will prove to be one of my new favorite albums. - JUDY NELSON
    

     

12. Shy Girls – “Under Attack” FREE EP DOWNLOAD
    Indie R&B with a full band and back-up singers, via the up-and-coming Portland band Shy Girls. “Under Attack” was just released in mid-December, and is the band’s most exciting track to date. Can’t wait for more. - VIVIAN HUA
    

     

13. Shintaro Sakamoto – “You Just Decided”
    Shintaro Sakamoto mixes elements of dub, jazz, indie, and lounge into a whirling and satisfying coffee shop-suitable but better-than-that vibe. - VIVIAN HUA
    

     

14. Psychic Twin – “Gonna Get Her”
    May the reverb-laden, echoey vocals of vocalist Erin Fein whirl into your brainnnnnn as they remind you about the temporary, transient nature of all things and the importance of letting go. - VIVIAN HUA

     

     

     

     

15. Grandparents – “Arrows” DOWNLOAD MP3
    I may have heard renditions of this track millions of times, but the Western soundtrack vibe of “Arrows” never grows tiring with its garage rock-meets-Nurses vocals (it is not Nurses). - VIVIAN HUA

     

16. Brainstorm – “Flat Earth” from Heat Waves DOWNLOAD MP3
    Afro influences and harmonizing soar high over a cacophony of sounds. - VIVIAN HUA

     

17. TOPS – “Diamond Look” DOWNLOAD MP3
    In this playful ditty, the adorable Jane Penny blasts off her piercing vocals to a playful groove. You can also stream the entire album. - VIVIAN HUA

     

18. Deep Time – “Clouds” DOWNLOAD MP3
    This Austin duo released a record of impressively percussive indie pop jams this year, and as a single, “Clouds” is a great representative of an even greater whole. - VIVIAN HUA

     

19. Another – “Night”
    On “Night”, Chicago musician Another sprinkles in some Bear In Heaven vocal styling into KISSES-type indie dance. - VIVIAN HUA
    

     

20. Taken By Trees – “Large” from Other Worlds
    The dubbed out “Large” takes cues from Victoria Bergsman’s time in the Hawaiian islands. Crucial atmospheric tropical pop. - VIVIAN HUA
    

     

21. Poolside – “Fly Away” DOWNLOAD MP3
    Rad daytime disco from So-Cal duo Poolside. Their environment shows through their tracks, indeed. - VIVIAN HUA

     

22. Grimes – “Genesis” DOWNLOAD MP3
    A ghostly, beautiful song that stands out among an excellent electro-dance pop record. - JUDY NELSON

     

23. Santigold – “The Keepers” + REMIXES
    Her sophomore album didn’t blow me away as much as her debut did (maybe it was the name change), but there were some excellent stand out tracks, and this was one. - JUDY NELSON
    

     

24. Niki & The Dove – “The Drummer”
    This Swedish duo really impressed me with their live show opening for Twin Shadow earlier this year, and made me reconsider their album as a good contender for top of 2012. This is one of my favorite tracks, but it was hard to choose. - JUDY NELSON
    

     

25. Tanlines – “Real Life”
    The fact is that this song came out on their debut EP Settings, but the extremely fun reggae-influenced dance track didn’t receive the credit it deserved until their 2012 album, Mixed Emotions. - JUDY NELSON
    

     

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Related posts:

1. Top Pops! Toro Y Moi, Shy Girls, Bryan Ellis MP3 Streams
2. Album of the Year 2012: Staff Picks
3. Top Pops! February 2013 James Blake, Kisses, Psychic Twin, Parenthetical Girls, More

music art film review - REDEFINE magazine

Top Pops! Top Tracks of 2012

SEE ALSO +++ FULL POST + ALL TOP POP COLUMNS + ALL MUSIC COLUMNS

Beca

Beca caught our eye earlier this year with her single and music video for “Fall Into Light” (see our interview with Beca and the music video directors).

The lady is now back with “Born To Fly”, which features sensual percussive rhythms that balance out breathy, feminine vocals, the combination of which lies somewhere between babymaking R&B material and water-cruising audio-oasis. Her upcoming EP of the same name will be released November 20th via This Is Music LTD.

BE/\R//FVCE

Like a dubstep-influenced take on the indie R&B sounds of How To Dress Well, BE/\R//FVCE’s “Taste My Sad” certainly isn’t for everyone, but allures me with its calming nostalgic qualities and constant ebb and flow.

Kirby Kaiser

A laid back doo-wop ditty by 20-year-old Kirby Kaiser. Nothing much here save for dreamy ’50s harmonies, simplicity, and a focus on her soulful vocal qualities.

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Related posts:

1. Beca – Fall Into Light Music Video (Interview w/ BECA & Directors Dawid Krepski, Jason Chiu)
2. FEEL YOU (#25) SXSW 2013 Unofficial House Party Mixtape
3. Whim: Ducktails & Levek Bring The Indie Rock Relaxation

music art film review - REDEFINE magazine

Top Pops! Beca, BE/\R//FVCE, Kirby Kaiser Bring Feminine Dreams

++ SEE: FULL POST + BLEEP POSTS or MUSIC COLUMNS

Gigamesh

In “Don’t Stop”, featuring Jana Nyberg, American producer Gigamesh pairs lyrics about speediness and constantly being on the run with a retro-futuristic video featuring some truly explosive footage from Death Race 2000. Centered around sex, hip architecture, and race tracks, the video manages to montage a fully sexy portrait of forward-thinking disco music.

His latest EP release, All My Life, has just been released on Kitsune, and another track of the same title features collaged clips of Logan’s Run. You can also hear the “Dream On” HERE.

Plastic Plates

Los Angeles by-way-of Australia producer Plastic Plates has recently released his Things I Didn’t Know EP via Kitsune. Of the three track album, which also contains “Toys” and “More Than Love”, “Things I Didn’t Know I Loved” is by far the weakest, in my opinion. The other two, vocal-free, are much more compelling. They’re unfortunately not available for streaming, so this electronic clap-filled minimix will just have to do for now. Scope out the others if this tickles your fancy at all, for mini this really is, at just a bit over two minutes.

John Talabot + Pional

These tracks have been out for quite some time, but I didn’t want to miss a long overdue opportunity to share Spanish producer John Talabot’s collaboration with vocalist Pional. “Destiny” is a gem is practically begging to be played on repeat, though “Brave” has run bigger on the internet circuit. Might I also add that “Brave” is the theme song for the Divina Pastora Marathon in Spain? Indeed.

John Talabot w/ Pional – “Destiny”

John Talabot w/ Pional – “Brave”

Pional – “In Another Room”

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Related posts:

1. Bleep: New Bibio, Soulwax Remix & Disclosure Announcement
2. Spectral Hypnosis: Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – John Talabot Remix, The Hundred In The Hands – Faded
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The moniker of Chicago musician Jaime Fennelly’s Mind Over Mirrors seems to contain a philosophical idea that hints at a mind’s ultimate “victory” over experiences in a world of mirrors and illusion. Yet at the same time, such an idea inherently contains a philosophical flaw if viewed logically; for what, truly, is “mind”, and what is experiencing the illusion if not for the mind?

Steeped in analog and digital drones from a harmonium and varying electronics, the landscape of Fennelly’s latest album, Check Your Swing, provides a listening experience that seems to riff on the contradictions inherent in his project name (if indeed my interpretation is even remotely correct). It may not be intentional, but Fennelly’s music incites within a listener a battle between conscious and subconscious mind spaces, as certain moments flow on without demanding much thought and others dominate one’s experience completely.

On first listen, album opener “Breaking A Jam” and the sparse “Pass Into The Driftless” both seem to fall back towards background music territory. Though excellent, they — like most tracks on the album — are most significant when viewed as a part of the entire record spectrum. Others like “Memorander” and “Check Your Swing” seem to insist on being front and center in one’s aural line of sight. These two tracks don’t capture one’s attention for being more erratic or bizarre than the others; they just drone on heavier, by possessing a nuanced, burning intensity that becomes notably more eerie and fiery with every second, as though preparing listeners for an explosive introspective revelation. Never do the sonics actually explode in any ostentatious sense, but their ever-building tensions do crest to a point where they absolutely demand’s attention even if they had begun without it.

The album’s sequencing seems to produce a curious effect in a listener, where tracks will alternate between capturing one’s conscious mind and releasing it, all the while dipping in and out of one’s subconscious. Hence, like moments in life where revelations about the nature of existence come and go, Check Your Swing ebbs and flows, creating an ever-changing deep listening experience.

Mind Over Mirrors – Check Your Swing Full Album Stream

Check Your Swing, which will be released via Hands In The Dark Records on November 13th, is well worth repeat listens. It is limited to 300 copies of vinyl with MP3 download coupons. Get yours.

You can also get a mixtape Hands In The Dark made for us earlier this year.

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Spectral Hypnosis: Mind Over Mirrors – Check Your Swing Album Review (w/ Full Album Stream)