Clear skies? Sun's out? 4 rill??

Seems like summer has arrived already! Knowing England though, it won't last for long, but let's stay optimistic (touch wood). I'm not going to spend long on this post because I have some serious lying down to do in the garden. Here's a fresh portion of tropical, summer beats:

Fatboy Slim - Talking Bout My Baby (Midfield Generals Disco Reshuffle)
Majorly summery song. Makes me wish I saw him play new years on brighton beach when he did.

Quantic & Nickodemus - Mi Swing es Tropical
This song featured on an iPod commercial a while back. When I listen to this I get this image of it being performed in a hotel resort with drunken parents dancing about palm trees, particularly amusing.

Air France - Beach Party
Right what it says on the tin. One of my favourite songs to mellow out in the sun to.

Skream - Summer Dreams
Skream boasts his musical versatility with this chilled, summer-evening style filled with trumpets and lazy synths.

Zero 7 - Somersault (feat. MF Doom) (Danger Mouse Remix)

I wouldn't really say this is as tropical as the other tracks I've posted, but definetely 'lazing on a sunny afternoon' style song, not like The Kinks mind you.

Grey

Right.. It's grey outside. There's that frustrating half-rain that makes you think it's unnecessary to put up your hood but gets you wet anyway. I hate that stuff. But it does get me in the mood for deep, emotive, atmospheric music.


You may or may not have heard of Burial and Four Tet's latest project together - a collaboration shrouded in mystery, typically of many things related to Burial including his actual identity. I've read the number of collaborations he's done is actually in double figures but he doesnt allow half of the stuff to be released. The collaboration is released only as a 12" with a black sleeve and a totally black, informationless CD. I had just started to get into more passive, atmospheric music before I heard news of this release and 'Moth/Wolf Cub' (Sides A and B respectively) definetely didn't discourage me. Here I have for you, in downloadable form, one of the most hyped and sought after collaborations in electronic music this year so far:

Burial & Four Tet - Wolf Cub
'Wolf Cub' offers us some clinking, jittery melodies that bring Four Tet to mind as the track opens. This song seems slightly more manufactured in the way that it seems to progress in chunks; we hear the trademark rhythms of Four Tet and the trademark drum beat of Burial individually before they blend together (surprisingly well) to create a playful track with a sort of effortless energy on it.

Burial & Four Tet - Moth
'Moth' on the other hand seems more natural and organic than the latter. I might be saying this because of the muffled, stuttering synth or it could be down to the general smoothness of the track interlaced with a more laid-back drum beat, passive rhythms and the occasional airy and delicate vocals.

Out of the two, I'd have to say 'Moth' is my favourite, not to knock 'Wolf Cub'. It's a soothing listen and it's very easy to work or relax or even fall asleep to. 'Wolf Cub' is the more outgoing and extrovert counterpart to more timid and almost claustrophobic 'Moth'.

Sticking with the idea of atmospheric music, a new band named 'Mount Kimbie' have caught my eye (ears rather, but that's not a phrase) lately. Their track 'Maybes' was featured on Erol Alkan's mixtape for XLR8R Magazine (which is by the way really really cool, you should check it out) not too long ago. Erol described Mount Kimbie as "fresh new talent, fresh beats-pretty much fresh everything". Here I give you two tracks from their latest EP released on Hotflush Recordings which is in stores now.

Mount Kimbie - Maybes

Mount Kimbie - Taps

missing something

Super Extra Bonus Party - Mark Hughes Top Corner

Kitsuné Maison 7: The Lucky One

Insanely trendy French/Japanese music and fashion label Kitsuné who brought us La Roux and Cazals release their seventh compilation on June 1st. I recommend you go and buy the whole album when it's out. Firstly, the songs are all great and secondly, as it is titled 'The Lucky One', one person will get the whole Kitsuné catalog of 2009 including singles, remixes, rarities, etc. for free! From what I've heard of the album so far, it's the coolest electro-punk this, indie-pop that around and it's sounding pretty great. Here's the tracklist and a few sample songs to satisfy your hungry ears:

1. Two Door Cinema Club – Something Good Can Work

2. We Have Band – Time After Time

3. Phoenix – Lisztomania (Classixx Version)
4. Crystal Fighters – Xtatic Truth
5. The Golden Filter – Favourite Things
6. La Roux – In For The Kill (Lifelike Remix)
7. Beni – Fringe Element (Short Like Me Edit)
8. AutoKratz – Always More (Yuksek Remix)
9. 80 Kidz – Miss Mars
10. James Yuill – This Sweet Love (Prins Thomas Sneaky Edit)
11. Men – Make It Reverse
12. Chew Lips – Solo
13. Chateau Marmont – Beagle
14. Heartsrevolution – Untitled
15. Delphic – Counterpoint (Delphic’s En Route Mix)
16. [Interlude] Encore
17. Maybb – Touring In Ny (Short Tour Edit)
18. Renaissance Man – Rythym
19. Tanlines – Bejan

And that's pretty much all there is to it. Hope you enjoy the tracks and that you're all having a lovely weekend.

Shelley would be stunned

It's been a long week so far. Thankfully, I've only got one exam left (tomorrow!) which I am planning on winging again. No real theme to this post really, just a few songs that I've been listening to lately:

Frankmusik - 3 Little Words (The Black Ghosts Mix)

The Black Ghosts slow down the drum beat, speed up the vocals and slap on a punchy bassline.

Man Like Me - London Town

Man Like Me's had a special place in my iPod for a long while after 'Oh My Gosh' came out. This is his new track; a sentimental and nostalgic rap about London Town (unsurprisingly).

The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby (FIGURE Remix)

Remixing songs like these can either turn out very well or very, very badly. FIGURE gives us his electro take on it without taking it too far out of context. Charmingly British and glitchy with vocal tweaks aplenty. If Hugh Grant ever plays a robot in a movie, this should be his theme song.

B. Bravo - Midnite

B. Bravo hails from The Bay Area and here's a preview off his EP 'Analog Starship'. It's wobbly, funky, soulful, cosmic and lyric-less.

Female vocalists

There are some really good female singers that get overlooked in music today. Well, when I say that I mean I overlook them. I think Kate Nash put me off most girls singing music for a while after Foundations got played over and over and over and over and over again. I'm not into all that new-wave, kooky girl business personally. Enjoy your Sunday evenings:

Marissa Nadler - Loner

If I had to put a track to a night-time, eerie, abandoned fairground scene in a movie, this would definetely be it. Scary in an exciting way.

Marissa & The Diamonds - Obsessions

After that mini rant earlier, this is pretty similar to Kate Nash. I guess it was just because her stuff got overplayed - I don't dislike her that much. The bouncy keys make for a catchy little number.

Cat Power - Wonderwall

I don't know much about Cat Power but after listening to this cover I'll have to check her out (ha ha ha.) More intimate and sombre than the original.

In other news, here are the new singles from La Roux and The Gossip:

La Roux - Bulletproof

The Gossip - Heavy Cross

Oh and wish me luck in my French exam tomorrow, I'll need it.

Dark Night of the Soul

Yay, it's a Saturday. I woke up this morning and thought it was Sunday, it's always nice when you realise you've got an extra day in the weekend isn't it?

Anyway, there's been news that Dangermouse (DJ, half of Gnarls Barkley) and Sparklehorse's nearly three year long collaboration album, Dark Night of the Soul, is not getting a release. Threeeeee years! The album's been labelled as 'one of the most mysterious release of 2009' but due to 'unspecified legal issues with EMI', there may never be a hard copy available for release as our artists run the risk of being sued.

If EMI and the producers do not come to an agreement, it has been said that, as an act of defiance, the album will be shipped containing a hand-numbered, 100+ page photobook and a blank, recordable CD. Every copy will be clearly labelled with 'For legal reasons, enclosed CD-R contains no music. Use it as you will.' Quite handily, there will also be website notes to download all tracks of the album on to the CD. Quite a middle finger to EMI, I guess.

On top of that, there's a load of big names featuring on the album; Julian Casablancas (Strokes) [New album later this year!!], Frank Black (Pixies), Iggy Pop, James Mercer (The Shins), The Flaming Lips and more. As mentioned earlier, there will also be photography inspired by and based on the album which has been taken and compiled by David Lynch and is supposed to provide a visual narrative to the music. Check out the whole collaboration and the backstory here or listen to some of the tracks below:

Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Everytime I'm With You (feat. Jason Lytle)

Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Insane Lullaby (feat. James Mercer)

Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse - Little Girl (feat. Julian Casablancas)

Bonus:

Sparklehorse - Sad and Beautiful World

"Loooouuud Noiises"

These songs are (for the most part) quite disgusting, I'll leave you to decide whether that's in a good way or a bad way:

Late Of The Pier - Focker (Boys Noize Terror Re-Did)
Seriously good party song if you like that crazy little bit at the end of Focker.

Jayou - Western Jam (Jayou's Gone East Remix)
Lil' remix of Chase & Status's big hit. Basswise, it gets more exciting nearer the end of the tune.

Boyz Noise - Shine (Shadow Dancer Remix)
General electro distortion, complete with bleeping synths and that.

Calvin Harris - I'm Not Alone (Doorly Remix)
Doorly absolutely tears the song apart at the chorus.

La Roux - In For The Kill (Skream Remix Last Japan Re-Edit)
Sounds just like the original remix until about halfway, where it still sounds like the original remix, just on steroids.

Joe And Will Ask? - Surge
Joe And Will Ask are perfect examples of (as mentioned below) supercharged electro. Speakers up.

Joe And Will Ask - Claymore
Again.

Fake Blood - Mars (Herve Re-Fix)
Herve turns this rumbling beast into an even more dancefloor friendly rumbling beast.

Adele - Hometown Glory (Chewy Chocolate Cookies Remix)
Like slapping someone in the face while they're sleeping.

Foreign Beggars - Hit That Gash (DJ Primecut's Itchy Naan Re-Rub)
Like scraping a killer robot's face against a chalkboard. Possibly my favourite remix name ever too.

After I listen to these kinda songs for a while, my brain starts to fry. Thankfully, on the other, less disgusting side of the electronic music spectrum, we have Metronomy and Breakbot:

Metronomy - A Thing For me (Breakbot Remix)

Ahhhhh...

We're too old, we're not old at all

I can't begin to explain how nice it is to have a break! If you're in study leave right now (or just off and have a bit of spare time in general), go and see Wolverine, it's fun to watch. I don't normally go to the cinemas but yesterday I made use of Orange Wednesdays for once and it was pretty good. Anyway, I wasn't feeling anything that was all screetchy synthesizers and drum machines today:

Animal Collective - My Girls

Saying that, this is the most electronic out of the three songs, still not electro by far mind you. Their latest album, 'Merriweather Post Pavillion', received critical acclaim and this is the first single released from it. I've had this psychedelic indie song in my head for a while.

Cursive - From The Hips

I didn't like this song at first but it grew on me. It's indie rock but not like pigeon detectives or courteeners - check it out for yourself, seems like there's a tiny little folky element?

The Antlers - Bear

This song is happy in a sad way if you get me? The Antlers have been causing a bit of a stir in Brooklyn where they're based.

Clunge heaven

What up y'all, I have lots of work to be doing. I should probably be doing that instead of this, but this is fun too - is that lame? Here are some good songs:

Various Production - Tricycle

Sounds like a little bleepy robot with ADHD (in the best way possible). Various Production is the actual name of them too just so you know.

Lykke Li - Breaking It Up (Pocketknife's Loosefoot Remix)

Handclaps and strings :)

Cut Copy - Nobody Lost, Nobody Found

My favourite Cut Copy song. Catchy hooks.

Friendly Fires - Skeleton Boy (VanGuard Remix)

Highly recommended. VanGuard are two welsh DJs who are supposed to be getting big (or at least bigger) in '09. Is anyone seeing Friendly Fires on Friday?

Zzzzzz..

I can tell today will be a particularly lazy Sunday. Not that that's a bad thing though. Here's a few Sunday-esque songs you can work to:

Mystery Jets - Uber Liebe Gold (Flakes Dictaphone Demo)

Depending on the mood, This > Flakes.

The Pan I Am - Escape

Edward Larrikin's solo project.

Little Boots - Day 'N' Nite (Kid Cudi Cover)

Little Boots' dreamy take on the original.

Andrew Bird - Souverian

Wholesome - this one grew on me.

The Strokes - I'll Try Anything Once

Early demo of 'You Only Live Once'.

Kid Cudi

"Again, I am sorry, but it's the only way to keep me from going completely insane ... I'm too real for this high school musical sh--. Bak to the moon I go."

Kid Cudi posted this on his blog a couple of weeks ago. Apparently, he's going to quit music after he releases his album in the summer, and focus on being an actor which is a shame given all the good music he's put out:

Kid Cudi - I Poke Her Face (feat. Kanye West & Common)
Witty. Track samples the acoustic version of Pokerface by Lady Gaga.

Kid Cudi - The Prayer
The sample is from a song called The Funeral by a band called Band of Horses, lovely song.

Kid Cudi - Maui Wowie
Stoner anthem.


Can I also just say that Kanye West is SO much better without autotune:

N.A.S.A. - Gifted (feat. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li)

preeeeeelash

I just started this post off with "Not really feeling any electro right now", but then I listened to a few songs and quickly changed my mind. I was really quite sleepy but a bit of electro always wakes me up.. unless I just haven't slept in ages.

Enough gibbering.

The Do - On My Shoulders (Baskerville Remix)

Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire (Calvin Harris Remix)

Lykke Li - Dance Dance Dance (Buraka Som Sistema Remix)

First post!

I've wanted to do this for a while but I'm glad I've finally gotten round to doing it. It will take me quite a while until I'm pleased with how this looks.

Meanwhile, here's something to mellow out to:

Johnny Cash - Port of Lonely Hearts (Midnight Juggernauts Remix)

Enjoy.