Author Archives: Eric Gossett

[Experimental/Pop] tUnE-yArDs – Water Fountain

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 19, 2014

With their third album, Nikki Nack, set to drop May 6, tUnE-yArDs have shared “Water Fountain,” the first full track from the album. The brainchild of Merrill Garbus, tUnE-yArDs follow their critically-acclaimed sophomore effort w h o k i l l with their latest release.

“Water Fountain” is a perfect mess of organized chaos that only tUnE-yArDs could bring. Mixing elements of Afro-pop, folk, funk and everything in between, tUnE-yArDs somehow manage to turn their clamoring combination of anarchic audio into a smooth shower of pleasing pandemonium. While receiving a heavier studio treatment than tUnE-yArDs previous songs, “Water Fountain” is filled with classic clanking, foot-stomping beats, and “HEY HA” chanting that makes tUnE-yArDs so much fun to listen to.

Unlike most public water fountains, this one will have you coming back for multiple refills.

tUnE-yArDs Nikki Nack is out May 6 via 4AD.

[Indie/Synth-Pop] Wye Oak – Glory

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 17, 2014

Wye Oak
Glory

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Until now, we’ve only heard one track, “The Tower,” from Wye Oak’s forthcoming album Shriek. While the Baltimore duo’s resumé currently boasts three classically charming and dreamy indie rock records, “The Tower” is unlike anything we’ve heard in the band’s seven-year existence.

As Wye Oak move into the next chapter of their musical endeavor, they have decided to leave their guitars at home and plug in the keyboards instead. In an interview with SPIN last year, frontwoman Jenn Wasner explained how she and bandmate Andy Stack grew tired of their “indie folk” brand and needed something to help them get over the creative wall they had hit.

Their latest track “Glory” follows in “The Tower’s” footsteps of synth-infused melodies and bass-driven beats. Precision basslines and airy, elegant synth radiate over Wasner’s phasing vocals, while Stack unleashes a fury of sweeping electronic riffs, guaranteed to make your face melt.

Shriek is available April 29 via Merge Records.

[Indie/Rock] The Kooks – Down

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 14, 2014

The Kooks
Down

Soundcloud

No matter how hard you try, you can’t bring down The Kooks.

Remaining relatively quiet after releasing their third album Junk of the Heart in 2011, the boys from Brighton premiered their newest track “Down” on BBC Radio 1 last night.

Co-written and produced by rising hip-hop producer Inflo, “Down” sounds unlike anything The Kooks have ever released. With it’s funky beats and infectious vocals, the new single from The Kooks is a borderline R&B, certainly groovy track. Guitarist Hugh Harris provides razor-sharp guitar licks that carefully maneuver around frontman Luke Pritchard’s anthemic vocals. Pritchard described the track as having an “Electric Church” vibe to it, sounding “modern in production, but really going back to that kind of call and response church music.” Fans of classic Kook’s tunes may be apprehensive about the latest track from the band, but anyone who likes to get “Down” will love this song.

Alternative/Rock

[Experimental/Pop] HOLYCHILD – Every Time I Fall

Posted by Eric Gossett - March 12, 2014

HOLYCHILD
Every Time I Fall

Soundcloud

If you’re in Austin this week for SXSW, be sure to catch one of HOLYCHILD’s sets while you’re there.

The brainchild of Liz Nistico and Louie Diller, this rising synth-pop duo from Los Angeles released their debut EP ‘Mindspeak’ just a few short weeks ago. After meeting at George Washington University in 2011, the pair began writing and recording together and eventually found a home with Glassnote Records in early 2014.

With a sound full of stylish electro-pop, reminiscent of bands like Phantogram and label-mates CHVRCHES, their latest track “Every Time I Fall” will have you “falling” for this band over and over again. Filled with bursting waves of jaunty synth and echoing vocals, “Every Time I Fall” is a lovable, dance-friendly tune aimed to inspire on all levels of the pop music spectrum.