Author Archives: Eric Gossett

[Electronic] St. Vincent – Digital Witness (Darkside Remix)

Posted by Eric Gossett - April 2, 2014

St Vincent
Digital Witness (DARKSIDE Remix)

Nicolas Jaar and Dave Harrington, better known as Darkside, are hot off the heels of their 2013, critically acclaimed release Psychic. They also recently dropped a new remix of St. Vincent’s Digital Witness.

While the two are currently working on separate projects, they still had time to come together and release a raging remix of Annie Clark’s standout single. This flooring, industrial track commands the listener’s attention and obedience to our digital overlords. Drowsy, modulated vocals are pulled through an automated soundscape of pulsing, mechanical beats and robotic synth that make you wonder “What’s the point of even sleeping?”

According to St. Vincent, the track will be released as a 12” vinyl June 17. Pre-orders for the record are available here.

[Indie/Electronic] Friendly Fires – Velo

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 31, 2014

Friendly Fires & The Asphodells
Velo

Soundcloud

Friendly Fires continue to roll out new material with the release of their latest track “Velo.”

Recorded alongside electronic duo The Asphodells (Andrew Weatherall and Timothy J Fairplay), this is the second track from the group since the release of their 2011 album Pala. Following the release of The Asphodells 2013 debut album Passion Destroyed By Lust, the pair met up with the London art-pop group to discuss working on a project together. Their goal, to “produce music that came from a place outside of their respective usual musical styles.”

The result is a nine-minute, crushing collaboration of catchy, art-rock infused melodies from Friendly Fires and sensational synth mix from The Asphodells. Tranquil sounds of nature provide intermittent background noise to blended instrumentals that build into an enormous explosion of electronic euphoria.

“Velo,” and new track “Before Your Eyes,” will be released as a AA-sided, 12” single and will be featured as the inaugural release for Friendly Fires’ new label Telophase.

[Chill/Indie/Electronic] Jamie xx – Sleep Sound

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 27, 2014

Jamie xx
Sleep Sound

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Jamie xx, producer and one-third of British breakout band The xx, has streamed his first new single in over three years.

While The xx are currently in the middle of an intimate New York residency, Jamie xx found the time to release his slumberous new production “Sleep Sound.” The track will be featured as part of a 12”, double A-side single G.I.R.L./Sleep Sound.

On “Sleep Sound,” Jamie xx continues to use his production power of taking minimal, softened beats and turning them into massive, room-filling creations. A dreamy, slumber-inducing track, “Sleep Sound” is an accurately named electronic lullaby filled with chilled-out synthscapes and oscillating beats.

G.I.R.L./Sleep Sound is out May 5 via Young Turks.

[Experimental/Indie] Pattern Is Movement – River

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 26, 2014

Philadelphia duo Pattern Is Movement have made their self-titled new album available for streaming a week before its scheduled release.

Their first record in six years, Pattern Is Movement masterminds Christopher Ward and Andrew Thiboldeaux have cited influences on this album ranging everywhere from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood to Werner Herzog. An odd combination of influences, but one that is evident in the duo’s music.

Pattern Is Movement’s sound contains a wild mix of meticulous melodies and distinct dialects. When I listen to this new record, I hear a vocal resemblance to indie-pop dreamers Local Natives, mixed with the experimental noise pop of Dirty Projectors. The unison, soul-infused vocal patterns wash delicately over a foundation of feverish synth and pulsing percussion.

Pattern Is Movement is out April 1 via Hometapes. You can listen to the album in its entirety here.

’Pattern Is Movement “River”‘

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’Pattern Is Movement “Climb To Me”‘

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’Pattern Is Movement “Rum”‘

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’Pattern Is Movement “Little By Little”‘

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’Pattern Is Movement “Suckling”‘

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’Pattern Is Movement “Gone My Love”‘

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’Pattern Is Movement “Let’s Be Done”‘

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’Pattern Is Movement “Make It Right”‘

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’Pattern Is Movement “Wonderful”‘

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[Indie/Chill/Pop] Craft Spells – Breaking Against The Tide

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 26, 2014

Craft Spells
Breaking The Angle Against The Tide

Stream Only

Craft Spells have unveiled the first track off their sophomore album Nausea.

“Breaking The Angle Against The Tide” is the first piece of new material from the group since the release of their Gallery EP in 2012, and four years since the release of their debut album Idle Labor. The brainchild of Justin Vallesteros, Craft Spells took a brief hiatus following Vallesteros’ relocation to San Francisco. A move he had hoped would help shake a bad case of writer’s block. Vallesteros replaced his world of social media addiction and guitar-centric writing in favor of listening to Yellow Magic Orchestra records and learning to play the piano. The result is an album filled with beautiful soundscapes of weighty lyrics and rich, lavish melodies.

“Breaking The Angle Against The Tide” is a symphony of sonic poetry. Featuring echoing vocals immersed in an ocean of swelling string arrangements, the track will pull you out to sea with its calming composition that drifts over a tidal wave of electric melodies that rise and fall on the line between chaos and serenity.

Craft Spells will release Nausea June 10 via Brooklyn-based label Captured Tracks. Grab a FREE download of “Breaking The Angle Against The Tide” here.

Alternative/Rock

[Indie/Dream Pop] Merchandise – Figured Out

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 24, 2014

Merchandise
Figured Out

Soundcloud

Tampa-based quartet Merchandise are streaming their upcoming single “Figured Out” and it’s a thing of beauty.

The dream pop, former punk, outfit recently signed to UK label 4AD and is getting ready to release their third full-length LP, the follow-up to 2012’s Children of Desire. Since it’s release the band have also made new member, Elsner Nino (formerly of the hardcore band Shoxx), their permanent drummer.

With Nino providing a heavy backbone of beats, Merchandise’s blend of melancholic acoustic melodies and pristine, incisive electric guitar riffs make “Figured Out” a euphoric and rapturous pop tune. One listen to the track and it’s easy to pick up on Merchandise’s influences, ranging everywhere from bands like The Smiths and Echo & The Bunnymen to psychedelic labelmates Deerhunter and Twin Shadow. “Figured Out” will be released on April 19 as part of this year’s Record Store Day via 540 Records.

Alternative/Rock

[TMN Premiere] Ghost Twins – Yellow & Green

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 19, 2014

Ghost Twins
Yellow & Green

Soundcloud

Electronic duo Ghost Twins are gearing up to drop their debut album Never Fear Total Failure next week, and TMN has the pleasure of premiering the latest track off the album “Yellow & Green.” Don’t worry, these aren’t the creepy, killer ghost twins from The Shining, but rather two up-and-coming lads from across the pond.

Formerly known as Crushing Blows, spouting guitar-driven, indie rock tunes, Ghost Twins have moved into a digitized world of synth and electronica. The echoing vocals and ghoulish waves of synth that engulf Ghost Twin’s post-industrial “Yellow & Green” leave you with a haunting, floating feeling of mystic bliss.

Never Fear Total Failure will be available to download on Ghost Twins’ Bandcamp next Tuesday, March 25, with a vinyl release on April 14.