Cascading Keys

“Cascading Keys” by Alice Cohen // Pink Keys (2012)

“Cascading Keys” is the perfect name for this shimmering bit of synth pop, as the track kicks off with a flood of synth and piano notes flowing over one another before it all gels and the beat kicks in to start up a killer synth pop jam. Alice Cohen’s vocal melodies are layered over one another and form something like a strangely beautiful 80’s pop song that you’ve never heard before. It’s a great track and definitely something you’re going to want to hear a few times as soon as possible. Highly recommended for fans of Grimes, John Maus, and Nite Jewel.

“Pink Keys” is due out June 12th, via Olde English Spelling Bee

Xiu Xiu - Always

“Always” by Xiu Xiu // Originally by Erasure

Polyvinyl has been kind enough to stream their Record Store release of a split 7” between Xiu Xiu and Dirty Beaches. Each artist provides a cover (Xiu Xiu does Erasure and Dirty Beaches does Francoise Hardy). Stream both at Soundcloud. The Xiu Xiu cover is quite good (not a big surprise) as it sticks fairly close to the original, but also ratcheting up the sinister bass line and synths making the whole thing decidedly unsettling in the best way possible. Definitely check it out. 

Burial - Loner

“Loner” by Burial // Kindred EP (2012)

Burial is back with an excellent new EP, entitled Kindred, that’s currently streaming over at Soundcloud and it’s a spectacular return to form. Once again, he blends ambient soundscapes with hypnotic dub loops and haunting vocal samples to create something wholly original and unlike anything else currently being labelled “dubstep” on these shores. “Loner” is the first b-side on the project and it’s all of those things listed above and then some. Perfect music to fill those lost hours after the bar and before you find yourself resting your head. 

(streaming) Kindred EP by Burial

How To Dress Well: Clowne Towne

“Clowne Towne” by How to Dress Well // Originally by Xiu Xiu (2012)

One of my favorite artists these days is Tom Krell of How to Dress Well and for the past couple of months he’s been relatively quiet (working on new material), but today I see FACT has posted this special treat in the form of a How to Dress Well cover of Xiu Xiu’s track “Clowne Towne” (a standout from 2004’s Fabulous Muscles). Like some of his best work, the track revolves mostly around Krell’s delicate falsetto and subtle ambient production which transforms Xiu Xiu’s original of lo-fi, fractured beats into a haunting, ghostly ballad. The track comes from a fundraiser comp for Ad Hoc magazine, which is looking for funding and is being handled by former editors of (the very missed) Altered Zones.

Julia Holter - In the Same Room

“In the Same Room” by Julia Holter // Ekstasis (2012)

Julia Holter’s hymnals sound like she’s been praying at the alter of Broadcast’s church and that is just what I’ve been craving lately. Even before Trish Keenan tragically passed away, Broadcast was swaying further away from those eerie, yet dreamy compositions of their earlier output, but here, Los Angeles experimentalist reminds me so very much of those early, organ filled psych pop gems. I’m probably laying on my own wishes for her sound’s progression, but there is certainly something excited about what she’s done thus far (in fact, she’s a recent pick of Pitchfork’s “Rising” section). “In the Same Room” is a must listen for fans of early-Broadcast, Warpaint, and Stereolab. 

Hi

“Hi” by Xiu Xiu // Always (2012)

Xiu Xiu is back with a new full length, Always, to be released on Polyvinyl in March. The first taste is the frantic, jagged, dance rock track “Hi” and it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect Jamie Stewart to be doing in 2012 - warping his voice around erratic casio style beats and ominous synths. It’s a pretty solid track, especially the second half. I can’t help but get a very weird Casey Tatum (Tim & Eric) vibe from some of the first half though. Am I nuts to be hearing that? 

Imbogodom - Heir Looms

“Heir Looms” by Imbogodom // And They Turned Not When They Went (2012)

Warped sound collage-ists Imbogodom are back with a new album of ambient, experimental soundscapes courtesy of Thrill Jockey records. This is the first taste of the new album and it’s a dark, haunting, bit of spaced out folk. It’s very difficult to pin a proper comparison on these guys because they’re got such a wonderfully unique sound. If i were forced to make that pitch, I’d have to say that they sound like a collaboration between Grouper’s dark, ambient soundscapes and Adem’s haunting electro-folk. Whatever the case, it’s definitely worth hearing. 

(download) “Heir Looms” by Imbogodom (via Soundcloud // Thrill Jockey)

Salvador Jolly - the Headroom

“The Headroom” by Salvador Jolly // The Best Sound (Soundcloud Set) (2011)

It’s never easy trying to pin down a specific sound, and for the most part, I hate doing it - but people like to know what’s in store for them before they press play. I assure you, I had no clue what I was getting myself into before I just got straight up lost in Salvador Jolly’s Soundcloud Page, but I am so glad that I did. I guess if you’re looking for the buzzwords that might attract someone to the sound, i might describe some of their sounds as what I might imagine The Brian Jonestown Massacre to sound like if they were a chillwave band with a sense of humor, a fondness for stone grooves, and an ability to craft mini film scores seemingly at random to imaginary films. To put it more plainly, Salvador Jolly is fucking awesome. 

Salvador Jolly @ (bandcamp) | (soundcloud) | (tumblr)

Charli XCX - Nuclear Seasons (Balam Acab Remix)

“Nuclear Seasons (Balam Acab Remix) by Charli XCX // Nuclear Seasons (2011)

Balam Acab does that special Balam Acab magic here on a remix of Charli XCX’s already stupendous “Nuclear Seasons”. Here, the remix strips and re-configures almost every part of the song, changing it up from a synth pop dance beast to an ethereal, twinkling, otherworldly beauty. It’s a pretty radical shift, but it works on so many levels. Highly recommended. Also, you can grab it for free from Charli XCX’s Facebook page. 

(download) “Nuclear Seasons (Balam Acab remix)” (via Facebook)

Odonis Odonis - We Are The Left Overs

“We Are the Left Overs” by Odonis Odonis // Hollandaze (2011)

The new Odonis Odonis album just came out of absolutely nowhere and blew my brains out. I’m obsessing big time. These guys have an incredible control of noise and melody and layering. As of late, it’s been easy to find plenty of bands that can fit into the “noise pop” or “shoegaze” genres but after a listen or two you’re just left with a collection of white noise. On Hollandaze, Odonis Odonis push for more and achieve the hell out of it. They come off sounding like a more aggressively ominous Deerhunter. It’s fucking excellent all around and you can stream the entire album now on Soundcloud. Highest possible recommendation.

(stream) Hollandaze by Odonis Odonis (via Soundcloud)

Keep Shelly In Athens - 'Campus Martius'

“Campus Martius” by Keep Shelly in Athens // Campus Martius EP (2011)

They barely had their foot out of the door and they’re already back with another EP. “Campus Martius” is the first single from that forthcoming EP, and my initial feeling is that if this track had been part of the wonderful Our Own Dream EP, then it would have been the standout track in the collection. “Campus Martius” carries with it a gorgeous, somber piano ballad that plays as the main instrumental as glitch beats and haunting r&b vocal samples shuffle across the surface. It’s a beautiful, standout track from a band that’s had a pretty incredible year. Highly recommended.