Author Archives: Timothy Hudson

[Electro-pop] Icona Pop – I Love It

Posted by Timothy Hudson - May 26, 2012

By now, it almost goes without saying that the European electro-pop scene has been releasing singles that are miles ahead of their Stateside competition. Back in 2004 we were blown away by Norway’s Annie, with her track that managed to score 17th on Pitchfork’s Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s, and their eastern neighbors, Sweden, have been consistently blowing us away with acts like The Tough Alliance, Robyn, and The Knife. Looking to join their ranks (and, in my mind, quite successfully at that), are Icona Pop—a female duo that have hooks strong enough to pull fucking Moby-Dick out of the ocean.

While the duo has been releasing singles for the past year or so, “I Love It” is something completely different from their previous body of work. It’s bombastic, it’s fun, it’s completely entrancing. The driving drumbeat and synth-bass are enough to get anyone’s head bobbing, but the harmonies—which are reminiscent of last year’s FM Belfast release—are absolutely intoxicating, thanks to the lyrics that were thoughtfully penned by Britain’s Charli XCX.

’Icona Pop – I Love It’

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[Indie] Leisure – Green Light

Posted by Timothy Hudson - September 15, 2011

For about a month now, Leisure, a trio hailing from Cambridge, Massachusetts have been serenading us music bloggers with tracks off their debut album, Plastic Soul, and I must say; I am impressed. The latest we have heard from them is “Green Light”—an 80s style rock-ballad piece with a metric shit-tonne of character.

Where “Green Light” succeeds most is atmosphere—it’s a really dark, emotional song, and it doesn’t hide that. The synthetic beats and backing instrumentation that opens the track set up some beautiful repeated electric guitar strumming and dramatic vocals. Sounding somewhere between Girls’ Christopher Owens and The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas, lead singer Jed Rouhana seems to capture that perfect register between desperation and pure melancholy, and they really shine throughout the track. It’s a gorgeous ballad, and one that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Leisure – Green Light

’Green Light’

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[Indie] Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Yellow Missing Signs

Posted by Timothy Hudson - September 11, 2011

Looking back, it’s hard to believe that indie-pop outfit Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin has been going for roughly ten years. The Missouri based musicians have always put out some solid albums, and after last year’s absolutely stellar Let It Sway, the band is looking to keep the hype going with a release of rarities and demos entitled Tape Club.

Being a collection of what the group considers their best rarities, it’s no surprise of the quality found throughout. It’s most noticeable on “Yellow Missing Signs”—a synth-infused pop number that instantly brings back memories of their debut album, Broom. The immediateness and raw energy make this track immediately lovable and prone to repeats, so beware.

You can pick up Tape Club from Bandcamp right now via Polyvinyl Records.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin – Yellow Missing Signs

’Yellow Missing Signs’

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[Ambient] Apparat – Goodbye (feat. Anja Plaschg)

Posted by Timothy Hudson - August 29, 2011

Long-time readers should be pretty familiar with Berlin’s Apparat. The electronic artist has been teasing us with tracks from his latest album for a little over four months now, and frankly, I can’t wait for its release. The latest track to be revealed off of The Devil’s Walk is “Goodbye,” which features the lovely Anja Plaschg (of Soap&Skin fame) on vocals.

Much like his previous tracks, “Goodbye” has a cinematic slow-burning feel to it. The persistent muted drumbeat and rapidly plucked strings of a guitar serve as an ambient underlay to the track’s soft piano and vocal layers. It’s a rather dark and somber affair of a song, but beautiful nonetheless.

The Devil’s Walk is set to be released September 27th through Mute Records.

Apparat – Goodbye (feat. Anja Plashg)

[Dance-punk] The Rapture – How Deep Is Your Love?

Posted by Timothy Hudson - August 17, 2011

The Rapture

The Rapture is band that probably shouldn’t require an introduction. Their breakthrough sophomore album, Echoes (released on DFA), made it to a number of year-end lists—even being named album of the year by Pitchfork—thanks to the trio’s ability to make some of finest music around. And after a brief-stint with Vertigo, the trio is back with DFA on their latest album, In the Grace of Your Love.

Chosen as their new album’s leading single, it should come as no surprise that “How Deep is Your Love?” is absolutely fantastic. Starting with a few simple piano chords, the song quickly elevates into a banging number that leads into a refrain by vocalist Luke Jenner singing the song’s title all the way through to its conclusion. It’s a gorgeous number, and certainly up to par (if not better) than their previous works.

In the Grace of Your Love, is the group’s fourth album is being released on September 5th through DFA Records.

The Rapture – How Deep Is Your Love?

’How Deep Is Your Love?’

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[Fresh] Poolside – Harvest Moon (Cover)

Posted by Timothy Hudson - August 12, 2011

Poolside

I have two very different things to say. The first is Neil Young, and the second is electro. Are you still with me? Good, because this cover of “Harvest Moon” might just blow your mind. Poolside is an electro duo hailing from Los Angeles that attempt to—in their own words—capture the sound of a perfect afternoon, in the form of daytime disco. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but you’ll understand the moment you press play.

For those of you who remember Neil Young’s original “Harvest Moon,” this track is going to come as a bit of a shock. While the duo keeps the relaxing vocals you’ve probably grown accustom to, they’ve stripped all of the instrumentation and replaced it with a relaxing arrangement of beats, synths, and finger-snaps—all of which sound incredible. Give it a listen, but be forewarned hardcore Young fans, this track may not be for you.

Poolside – Harvest Moon

’Harvest Moon’

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[Pop/Rock] Quiet Company – You, Me, & the Boatman

Posted by Timothy Hudson - August 11, 2011

The five bearded individuals you see above are Quiet Company, an indie-rock/pop band hailing from Austin, Texas, that we have had the pleasure of covering before, and—if this latest cut from their upcoming LP, We Are All Where We Belong, is any indication of their future works—hopefully into the foreseeable future.

As always, Quiet Company demonstrates a perfect balance between rock and pop on “You, Me, & the Boatman”—the third track off their upcoming album. With their bombastic big band-esque arrangements, and playfully accessible sound, it’s hard not to love this track. While it may not be a masterpiece of any sort, it’s one of the most enjoyable tracks I’ve had the pleasure of listening to recently, and I think that says something about Quiet Company.

You can pre-order the album in the Grooveshark Store here

Quiet Company – You, Me, & the Boatman

”You Me and the Boatman”

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Alternative/Rock