Electronic Moonpop

If you're a fan of French Pop/loungey electronic pop then you're gonna love Gina & Tony. What's kinda funny is they're from Switzerland. Pretty sure she's singing in French. Maybe they visited, feel in love and moved on over. Anyways I feel in love with Gina & Tony's music upon first listen! Great silky, electronic, loungey pop! Perfect late night fare. Not enough music like this being made anymore, at least not were I'm looking. Kinda reminds me of the early Air 'Moon Safari' days and Classic French Pop.

Check out these two great tracks. If you like these add their myspace page. Be a friend, they only have 251 so far. I'm sure that number will go up as soon as people start finding out about them.

MP3: La Ballade de Gina et Tony (YSI)

MP3: Mayday Medee (YSI)

Bullet Park

Miami based electronic band 'The Waterford Landing' have just released 'Bullet Park'. This EP is their follow-up to their excellent self titled debut album which they released a couple years ago. I featured 'Skylark' a dark/synthy dance track from their debut on a PopLife Compilation CD in 2005. They also won Best Electronic Act in 2006 by the Miami New Times in it's popular yearly 'Best of Miami' Issue. Not too shabby for these local musicians who have been at the game, albeit with different projects for awhile.

Their first album was more of a New Order/classic electronic sounding affair. This new 5 Song Bullet Park EP sees them experimenting a bit more and trying out new things. Some songs are more pop oriented 'Folksong #1', 'Theme from Through the Night', some more experimental 'GetBent', 'Bullet Park'. One thing's for sure they're definitely growing as a band and trying to push the envelope, which is what every artist should strive for.

Great comic book style artwork by Dan Goldman as well.

Go to their website at www.thewaterfordlanding.com or their myspace link above for more.

My favorite track so far is the intrumental opening track 'Theme from Through the Night' and the self titled closer Bullet Park. I'm only gonna put these on YouSendIt, so they'll be up for a week or so. Get'em while they're hot!

You can buy their EP & album online at CD Baby.

MP3: Theme from Through the Night (YSI)

MP3: Bullet Park (YSI)

Here's the sleek sounding Skylark from their debut album.

MP3: Skylark (Edit) (YSI)

I Can't Swim To Japan

So I think I have mentioned that I am going out of the country later this week. That is of course if the US Passport Agency can process a replacement for my passport in time (they promised 2pm by Wednesday and I leave at 8am on Thursday). There is no reason for me to be worried but this trip isn't exactly a commute to NYC if you know what I mean.

Osaka Castle
(minus the Cherry Blossoms which I missed by about 3 weeks).

Oh so what happened to my brand new passport? The one that was less than 2 months old? Let's just say that I have a very... um... anxious dog that doesn't like it when I leave him alone.
So before I leave, I will leave you guys with some new music. Courtesy of Adult Swim and Ghostly. This is similar to their last comp almost a year, Warm & Fuzzy.
This one features Ghostly artists exclusively including some unreleased tracks.

Matthew Dear
Dabrye
FLYamSAM (Flying Lotus and SAMIYAM)
School of Seven Bells
Cepia
Kill Memory Crash
Osbourne (I have been playing this guy out a lot lately... new EP out)
(and Miami's own Egg Foo!) Michna

You can download the entire thing here.

MP3: Michna - Triple Chrome Dipped (YSI)

So if you see a post from me after Thursday, then you know why.... otherwise SAYONARA bitches!!

(Ray will take good care of you guys while I'm gone!!)

Proud Of It

Laptronica must one of the most awkward words in music. It takes a type of music electronica and even simplifies it more by just associated the music with one particular type of equipment (a laptop, duh). Armed with a laptop (Apple MAcBooks have the upper hand here... they just look really good on stage...) and a hard drive full of software sequencers and samplers, Laptronica artists create music that is generally a bit too leftfield for the dancefloor. But perhaps a bit more accessible than other IDM artsts (Aphex Twin, remember Atari Teenage Riot?). Artists such as Four Tet, Mouse On Mars, The Octopus Project, Schneider TM, Mum all have combined glitchy elements of electronic laptop music with more traditional instruments to evolve this new music genre.I Am Robot and Proud (IARAP) is Shaw-Han Liem, a one man band from Toronto that creates Laptronica music. The title of his last album, 2006's The Electricity In Your House Wants To Sing, says it all. At the end of 2007, he announce a new album this year.

there will be a new record in 2008.. work has slowly been turning into tiny pieces of songs. today i recorded a mandolin part... who knows, maybe it'll be "the new sound"?

also, some remixes for De De Mouse (avex trax, jp), Chihiro, and a collaboration with Gentleman Reg. here comes 2008!!!

He just wrapped up a mini-tour promotional tour for Yamaha to launch their new musical instrument invented by Toshia Iwai. The tour included artists Mouse on Mars, Pole, and To Rococo Rot.

Okay I have a soft spot for one of the titles of the songs I am posting. Maybe because I am going to Osaka next week! The girls are short over there? Yes! My friend confirmed. Those that know me, understand. The track is from a compilation that IARAP put together for Piehead records.

Tower Records, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan!

MP3: Girls Are Short - Osaka (I Am Robot And Proud Remix) (YSI)
MP3: I Am Robot And Proud - The Electricity In Your House Wants to Sing (YSI)
MP3: I Am Robot And Proud - The Catch (YSI)

When I Get My Ears - I Am Robot and Proud
(video by Toshinori Tanaka)

Micro (Minimal) Post

I already posted about the original version of the new track No Kinda Man from Junior Boys. But this version is niiiiiiice. I don't know if they have a new album coming out soon, they just released their Body Language compilation so maybe that is why there is a bunch of Junior Boys hype going around. They also just completed a remix of Sally Shapiro for her new remix album is out next month based off of last years Disco Romance called Remix Romance. Check out who got remix privileges:

Junior Boys (duh - we just talked about them), Lindstrøm, Holy Fuck and Juan Maclean.

Um, yes please.

Segueing from Junior Boys to Chloe, you can't get much deeper than the Suspended track from her debut, The Waiting Room. And Ce Kul is... cool. It's not as minimal as the previous track. This post is for all you house heads out there. It is a fine week for you guys in Miami.
Who is Chloe anyways? A veteran of Karat, Gomma and Bpitch Control, this French DJ released her micro house tinged debut album, The Waiting Room last year on Kill the DJ records.

MP3: Sally Shapiro - Jackie Junior (Junior Boys Remix) (YSI)
MP3: Junior Boys - No Kinda Man (Chloe Remix) (YSI)
MP3: Chloe - Suspended (YSI)
MP3: Munk feat. Chloe - Ce Kul (YSI)

(Micro as in music style not content. Four tracks fo' yo' ass!)

Optimum Posting

I'm back. It's been a while guys. Sorry about that. But you know how life is... priorities.

But like Lassie, I'm coming home. So much is going on in the magic city. WMC, duh... it got every single bloggers' (local and not) panties in a rage. I just hope the coverage is not like this years (over) coverage of the SXSW festival. I think I just started ignoring any SXSW post after day 2. And they kept coming even after the festival is over. If people really want to see what it is like, they need to just go there. There is no way that 20 blog articles (with way too many angles of the same lead singer) is going to convey the same feeling as being at a club listening to live music.

Tonight is the Off the Radar 3 year Anniversary party (the party not the blog - same thing but we'll have another party for that). Along with APT, we got Lee Douglas, Jacques Renault and Justin Miller to spin us into a disco frenzy. Details are somewhere in a post below. (UPDATE - Updates are fun. And last night's party was awesome. DFA was in the house. Rub-n-Tug. And the finest crowd on this side of the Atlantic.)

What else is going on... spring is here. Well, in Miami that means the weather, um, stays the same. But I'm sure for everybody else it is a big deal. I guess. It does mean beach weather is coming. Come to think of it, I think that the ocean temperature is the only thing that changes with the seasons here. Yeah I don't go in the water if it is below 80 degrees. No can do, I can't go for that. No. Speaking of ocean temperatures, come to Miami before it disappears!!

Okay, music that is why you're here right? So let me start by saying, "I'm sorry" to anyone who has submitted music in the last, um, month and a half. Let's just say I ran out of hard drive space and have a kinda backlog of music to go through. BUT despair not, I just upgraded my hard drive and now have a ridiculous amount of space.
Did I mention that Apple MacBook Pros have teeny screws that are easy to lose on a concrete floor?
Renzo helped me find them. I ended up dropping 3 in the course of the upgrade.But the fruits of my labor have been reaped and my Western Digital Scorpio (250 GB if you care) plays nicely with laptop. Did you notice the ridiculously cool wallpaper? Courtesy of Kitsune Noir's (not the French label) Desktop Wallpaper Project. I think somewhere around 20 of Kitsune's favorite artists contributed designs and a new set of wallpaper (computer and iPhone and PSP sizes) is available every Wednesday. (UPDATE: -Bobby from Kitsune Noir just told me there are over 70 artists involved. Well over a year's supply of desktop eye candy.)
But I still have not heard any of the new music in my special music listening chamber (aka my car) since it is all sitting on my work computer right now.

Sooooo, instead I'll focus on a duo (they were a trio at one point) from Scotland that go by the name Optimo. They have weekly also called Optimo (full name Optimo Espacio - but nobody calls it that) and also put out various remixes under the Optimo name. (Note to self, too many uses of the word Optimo in close proximity.)
Since we are on the subject of the name. It is inspired by the Liquid Liquid release on 99 Records entitled... you guessed it, "Optimo". You can read about 99 Records here, the article will do the label better justice that I ever could. It is actually written by JD Twitch which is one half of the current Optimo that I am writing about. The other half is JG Wilkes.
Optimo started in 1997, suffice to say, they have quiet an impressive discography of remixes.
Colder, Prinzhorn Dance School, Pharoahe Monch, The Glimmers, Love Is All, Peter, Bjorn and John (I still play this edit out), Tussle, The Gossip, Franz Ferdinand, Sons And Daughters, Rinocerose... do I have to keep going? The party is every Sunday at The Sub Club from 11pm-3am (WHAT? Sorry, I still am amazed that Miami has probably the most lack liquor licenses in the world...) and the guys are pretty much everywhere else during the week.

MP3: The Shortwave Set - No Social (Optimo Espacio Remix) (YSI)
MP3: Love Is All - Busy Doing Nothing (Optimo Remix) (YSI)

MP3: Liquid Liquid - Optimo (YSI) (UPDATE - Just wanna say I think this track kick started the party as soon as Matt Cash dropped it last night.)

So as far as my blogging, though Ray thinks I forgot about the blog, I have not. Just think, quality over quantity. One hit wonders are fun... for a bit. But classics rarely get deleted from the iPod. By the way, did you notice the slick photos I took with my new camera? All in preparation for this little trip I'd like to call JAPAN bitches! Don't forget to send in any suggestions for my trip!

PNAU = WOW

One of my favorites at the moment are PNAU. These guys are a duo from guess where? Sydney, Australia of course... Why does most of my favorite stuff keep coming from down under and Sweden. They're on a roll I guess...

Anyways these guys are pretty amazing! Electronic Pop Music with a heart, like one of my other favorites from Australia Midnight Juggernauts. They mix classic electronic pop elements with a modern twist all their own.

Some songs are a bit disco-ey like this Baby Remix by Breakbot with full on childrens choir! While others are more anthemic dancefloor stompers like Come Together & Embrace, but they're are all uniquely them and all really good! Don't you love when bands can do different things. Makes album experiences better when every song doesn't sound the same. Some slower, some faster, keep us on our toes.

These 3 songs I'm posting today are about as good as it gets, all Highly Recommended!

You can just tell when bands are gifted and creative and this is one of them. I think you guys will be thanking us for this recommend.

MP3: Come Together (YSI)

MP3: Baby (Breakbot Remix) (YSI)

MP3: Embrace feat. Ladyhawke (YSI)

Here's the Original/Video for Baby...

Cyanide Valentine

Another band who contacted us, The Cyanide Valentine hail from Boston. They strike a good balance of rock and electronics. They've been compared to bands like Primal Scream and I can see that. They can go from a slow rock track with whispered vocals to thumping electronic grooves and back again rather quickly. I dig it and I think you will too.

Here are a couple of my favorite tracks from 'The Three Sides of the Cyanide Valentine'. If you like what you hear go to their website cyanidevalentine.com and download the whole album for FREE!! What a bargain!?! Thank us later...

MP3: Neanderthals (YSI)

MP3: Neon Skyhustler (YSI)

No Kinda Boys

This one is going to be REALLY quick. Things are busy at work and a guy's gotta have his priorties.

Anyways, The Junior Boys are still working on the follow-up to their brilliant sophomore album This Is Goodbye. In the meantime, they hooked up with Germany's Get Physical Label (M.A.N.D.Y., Booka Shade)to put together Body Language Six which includes an exclusive new Junior Boys track.

Among the artists the guys have selected are Matthew Dear, Studio, Supermayer. It's a really well put together set. It might be a little minimal for some but the Kelley Polar track is INSANE.

Anyways, I am ambivalent about the Junior Boys track. It really belong as the album closer but I think they felt it strange to end with their own track and dumped it in the middle of some others.

Take a listen (Oh, it is a DJ mix CD, so the tracks are seamless between each and you are going to hear the start of the next song at the end):

MP3: No Kinda Man (YSI)

And Miami, they're coming back this way for WMC on March 27 to Studio A . If you missed them last year, you have a second chance! I'm wondering if this is a DJ set though? Last year was a full concert with Lo Fi Fnk opening. Great show! And I even got to hang out with them during their sound check during the day.

Oh and remember Inner City? Good life... Good life... Good life... Good life... well they're back, kinda, with a remix of another song from the same period. What makes it a big deal is that Simian Mobile Disco is the one that produced the remix. Paris Grey's vocals take me back. (When's the Soul II Soul reunion?)

Check out the video for Good Life at Nefarious Girl!!

MP3: Big Fun (Simian Mobile Disco Remix) (YSI)

*UPDATE: It's a WMC DJ set. So I wonder if this Body Language album is a preview? Or if they go in a different direction when DJing live?

Miss Kittin Coms

Miss Kittin is set to release the follow-up to her 2007 debut I Com this March entitled Bat Box. I'm still kinda pissed at her for missing her Miami show because of measly tropical storm (that I don't even think hit us). Hopefully she'll consider revisiting us for her upcoming tour and it up to us.

The album is surprisingly good. It is what you expect from but she has really refined her sound. She has moved from the electroclash sound to an industrial goth sound and pulls it off with ease. And is it me but has her English gotten better since the last album?

I think in the next few years, this surge in electronic dance music will dwindle as acts that do not innovate and push new sounds are weeded out. Miss Kittin will not have to worry.

MP3: Playmate of the Century (YSI)

Moby's Last Night

Here is a track off of the new Moby album Last Night. He has been making a stir lately, coming out to DJ a bit more and getting his name back into people's mind. Doing so, his album reflects that nightlife culture a bit more than his last few albums.

Moby:
"and it has some interesting guest vocalists. my favorite guest is the rapper on
'i love to move in here'. his name is grandmaster caz, and he was one of the writers of 'rappers delight'. he's been rapping since 1975, and i'm really happy to have him on the record."

Check it out right here. (Windows users: right-click -- > save as)

Below is the video for the new track Alice. It was directed by Andreas Nillson (who's directed videos for The Knife and Jose Gonzalez). The rap at the end of the song is pretty slick. I admit it though, the intro kinda annoys me. I'm expecting some relevant indie remixers to tackle this song promptly.

Have you guys ever been to Moby's website? He obviously has had it up for a long time, but he updates it often to keep it fresh and even takes an active in involvement by updating a journal regularly.

Moby recently DJ'ed here in Miami and was later caught hanging at the local indie haunts until the weeeeee hours in the morning. Gaining street cred? Nah, I don't think he needs it.

We've Got You Covered

I realized I haven't posted one of these in a while. Cover songs always intrigue me because it is interesting to see what two different artists can do with the same song (sometimes the results are not too great).

I have already featured a track from his jazzy-dance band Mondo Grosso, but nothing about the artist himself, Shinichi Osawa. By himself, he is a rising producer/artist with resume full of edits for Kitsune (Boys Noize, Christopher Just and Digitalism) and in Japan, the term is "megastar". And somehow I can see that.
He just released an album in Japan called "The One" and promoted it by playing it at mobbed Apple stores around the country. He also DJ's at The Womb in Tokyo which was voted "best nightclub in the world"?!? (How did they figure that out?) Add that to my places to visit when I go in April.

Anyways, here I present his album opener, a cover of The Chemical Brothers' Star Guitar. It is a simple cover but done just right. Also I have include another track off itfeaturing Princess Superstar. Like the kids say, "It's a banger." I expect this be played at whatever New Year's party I'm at right around 12:25am (after all the Cuban kids have called the parents and abuelos, so we can dance). Shinichi Osawa is about to explode...

MP3: Star Guitar Featuring Au Revoire Simone (Chemical Brothers cover) (YSI)
MP3: Detonator Featuring Princess Superstar (YSI)

The Boom Bip, The Boom-Boom Bip

Boom Bip has a new mini-ED/CD/LP out Sacchrilege and it is a bit of a departure from his last full length Blue Eyed In The Red Room. The beats drive harder and are quasi-made for the dancefloor (albeit an alternative dancefloor). The sound is crunchier than his previous tracks but stray far away from the "durr-durr" sound of the summer.

You know what I'm talking about. In fact from here on out I am christening the electro sound of the summer as "durr-durr" sound (after the Erol Alkan Durrr Durrr Durrrrrr edit of Waters of Nazareth -- I hear a collective "ooooh, THAT durr-durr sound"). There is just too much confusion on what is "electro" and that term honestly gets thrown around a bit too freely.

Back to Boom Bip, I still think his best work has been his collaboration with Gruff Rhys on the Do's & Don'ts single (I posted this a while back...). But I like the fact that I get to play some of his stuff out when I DJ now. AND the cover of the EP is a cake. And who can say no to cake?

I keep changing the track I'm going to post because they're all so good. Dangit. Okay this one because I can't say no to cowbells (I almost changed it again... I better post this before I change my mind again...).

MP3: The Pinks (YSI)

Oh and Miami, what is up for New Year's?!?!?!?!?!

We Come In Peace

Zort from Argentina sound like they would be an alien race in a 80's sci-fi movie but in reality they craft intelligent electronic music. They combine glitchy beats with sampled instruments that honestly gives your mind a workout. I like it. In fact, the more I listen to it the more I like it.
They sent us a couple of singles to share with you guys and hopefully they will cross the Caribbean and visit us in Miami soon. They are touring Europe promoting their fifth independently recorded album Nublado con Sol (Cloudy With Sunshine I guess it helps I know Spanish) and recently played the Experimentaclub festival in Madrid.

MP3: De Tanto Mirar (YSI)
MP3: Rotasasaso (YSI) highly recommended

(I really need to visit Argentina now. And since I technically have family there...hmm...)

Pop Danish

So after writing about Danish music last week, I bought some Entenmann's Danish this week at Publix and then it got me thinking about Danish music again and that's what got me posting about Diefenbach today.
I have been playing their last album (2005) quite a bit at home and I sometimes play their Hot Chip remix at Apt 407 on Thursdays. Like most indie bands it takes a while for a band to get noticed and even more so in the states (especially when a band hails from Scandinavia).
Nevertheless, music is timeless so it doesn't matter when it was released. Diefenbach have been said to take the best things in pop music from the past 40 years and combine it into something wholly their own. You will hear Beach Boy harmonies, electronic flourishes, crunchy guitars, and excellent song writing.
Go to their site for an clips of music as well as remixes by Lindstrom and Hot Chip.

http://www.diefenbach.dk/

And check out these two:

MP3: Make Your Mind (YSI)
MP3: Favourite Friend (Simian Mobile Disco Remix) (YSI)

I took the pictures above last week at the Levity III Luminarium at Collins Park in Miami Beach. The luminarium was designed by The Architects of Air (Holland) and was setup for the Sleepless Night event that weekend. The luminarium will be back for (the best weekend in Miami) Art Basel from December 6-9 at the Flamingo South Beach (condos on West Ave.).

What makes it amazing is that the entire structure is supported by air. And the colors are illuminated solely by the sun. It is incredible the impact of color on how we feel. The red room feels warmer while the blue is more refreshing.

It was something straight out of Danish designer Verner Panton's interior landscapes. And with THAT ladies and gentlemen we complete the Danish circle. From breakfast foods to fantastic music and interiors.

Panton interior 'Phantasy 2' inside the Loreley cruiseship Visiona 2

(...across the street from the Luminarium. Yes this was a lunch break. I honestly can't complain.)

Ready for take off! We're Going Out There...

Next up for new music is completely on the flip-side (compared to the last post). I have been listening to a bunch of stuff released by Peanut Butter Wolf's Stones Throw label (Matt and I actually had a talk about it at The Standard on Sunday) and just discovered their off-shoot label called Now-Again Records that specializes in funk releases.

What I discovered is beyond amazing...

"From the drummer sampled by Madlib and Yesterdays New Quintet... From the band that backed DJ Shadow..."


Malcolm Catto leads The Heliocentrics through psychedelic, jazz, funk, hip hop, electronic and to be honest once you start listening, you don't care. In fact, I want to finish up this post, just to keep listening to it without interruption. These are one of those records you play from start to finish. The songs meld from one to the next but never get boring. The bass line keeps it moving, the drums snap your mind in and out of consciousness. On top of that I really enjoy the space travel theme of the album. Sprinkled with choice spoken samples it helps keep the album cohesive.

MP3: Sirius B (YSI)

We Put Some Energy Into This Place

So, I am recovering from the party last night at Apt 407. I am not as young as used to think I was. (?!?) I realized that this weekend is the first party weekend of the holiday season. And also Miami's "season" which is basically when the weather drops to a comfortable 70, humidity is gone (even though it's friggin still sticky as shit outside - damn global warming), hotel prices skyrocket and there is something to do every night of the week.

Last night was an awesome time, and if you have not gone by you need to make a point to get your ass over to our place. Unbelievably chill vibes, great bartenders, (and I heard pretty good music too). If you have MySpace, add us friend.

As great of a time I had last night, it also got me very tired this morning. Since I need to have energy for tonight (3 to 4 scheduled party appearances - I told you it's the start of the season), my iPod (reading my mind as always) jumped to Modeselektor and one of the most appropriately named songs I can think of, Hyper Hyper featuring Miami's own king of IDM and hardcore, Otto Von Schirach.

The track is from Modeselektor's latest release, this year's Happy Birthday. It's fast and loud like a (pardon mon francais) dick slap in the face. I highly recommend either release Happy Birthday or 2005's Hello Mom! out on BPitch Control from Berlin. It's the perfect rude awakening for a Friday morning.

MP3: Hyper Hyper (featuring Otto von Schirach) (YSI)

*Please note: This song MUST be played on a huge system. Don't even bother with headphones. Massive subs are imperative.

And check out what Thom Yorke has to say about the band:

drink down in one go. then go out. for conspicuous consumers everywhere. 'should a known he'd leave you for that little hooker heather.' oh yeah. Modeselektor are genius. no-one has ever cut up a voice like this.

The song he is referring to is Silikon featuring Sasha Perera from Hello Mom! and I have to agree with him about the vocals. It seems he was impressed enough to make an appearance on Happy Birthday on the much blogged track The White Flash.

MP3: Silikon (featuring Sasha Perera) (YSI)

Happy Halloween!

Kitsune Teaser

Even the graphic is a tease, just pieces of people flashing on the screen. This is a snippet of an upcoming Kitsune Mix CD entitled BoomBox curated by Jerry Bouthier (BoomBox resident). For this compilation, Parisian label Kitsuné teamed up with London’s Club BoomBox to create the mix.

Let me tell you at 5 minutes it is one heck of a tease. And Kitsune has thrown every heavy hitter their licensing crew could get their hands on. They throw tracks at you left and right and if you don't get out of your cubicle and start dancing when it starts playing... well... you're hopeless.

Alas, it is only a tease. So you are telling me there is a longer version of this?

The production on this is what you expect from Kitsune... Dance floor perfection. And to think, Kitsune started as a feshion label (well still is...).

MP3: Minimix Teaser (YSI)

Thy Kingdom Come....

Dave Gahan the enigmatic Depeche Mode frontman will be releasing his second solo album later this month (Ocotber the 23rd) entitled 'Hourglass'.

After the release of his first solo album 'Paper Monsters' and some critical and commercial success a couple years ago he managed to earn enough leverage with Martin Gore (Depeche Mode) to write his first three tracks for DM in their 25+ years of existence on 'Playing the Angel'. Hard to believe that all the songs Dave has sung throughout the years have been written almost exclusively by Martin Gore. Except for of course their first album 'Speak and Spell' which had songs written by Vince Clark of later Erasure fame.

Anyways I kinda liked Dave's first album. It was more mellow, guitar driven and atmospheric. It filled in nicely between Depeche Mode albums and I can never get enough of Dave's voice which seems to be getting better with age.

The first single from the new album is called 'Kingdom' and its a bit more electronic than anything from the first album. I hear thats the direction with this new one, so I'm pretty excited about that. He enlisted some heavy hitters to remix the first single, Digitalism & Booka Shade. Check them out below...

The video for Kingdom is pretty sweet also, so I'll post that and a great slow atmospheric track from Paper Monsters called 'Stay' as well.

On a side-note Alan Wilder former member of Depeche Mode from 1983-1995, and one of the main people responsible for that amazing DM sound for which he got very little credit for and eventually left the band, has recently released a new Recoil album called 'Subhuman'. I haven't heard it yet, but the artwork is amazing and I'm sure it's great! The reviews are saying for fans of bands like Massive Attack and such with a blues singer on vocals for like 5 of the tracks. Gotta check that out. You should too!

Enjoy!

MP3: Kingdom (Digitalism Remix) (YSI)

MP3: Kingdom (Booka Shade Club Mix) (YSI)

MP3: Stay (YSI)

Freeze! Pop!

Freezepop is a minimal electro-pop trio hailing from Massachusetts. I first met them a few years ago when I brought them down to do a show @ I/O and I've stayed in contact with the band, particularly lead singer Liz/Jussi ever since. She was the first person to introduce me to the Swedish electro-pop duo Tribeca, for which I am eternally grateful. Fans of bands like Postal Service should definitely check them out as well. Their every bit as good as the masters Postal Service which I hear are also working on new material! Finally!

The first song I ever heard from Freezepop was 'Plastic Stars' which I loved instantly and started playing out every chance I got way back in those amazing Piccadilly PopLife Days. It's good to see they still have it on their MySpace player. Most bands get sick of their older hits and do away with them.

Anyways after a couple years wait from their last full length I had been itching for some new material from Freezepop. Then I go check my mail the other day and to my delight there's a Shiny New Freezepop CD filled with great Lite Bright type artwork and photography. It's their 3rd Full Length album 'FutureFutureFuturePerfect' which was just released September the 25th.

The new album is pretty much of the same vain as their first two albums. Simple, catchy, dancey, electro-pop fun! Their first single from the album is called 'Less Talk More Rokk' and was featured in the videogame Guitar Hero II.

They also have a few slower tracks on the album such as 'Thought Balloon' and 'Swimming Pool' which I always tend to like from them because it showcases Liz's voice. When the tracks are slowed down you can really appreciate her great singing voice.

Another thing I love about Freezepop is their sense of humor. With track titles like 'Do You Like My Wang?', 'Pop Music is Not a Crime' & 'Ninja of Love' it can only bring a smile to your face. The last thing they put in their credits too is 'no real instruments were used in the making of this recording' Classic!

Anyways without further a-do here is some new music by them and that classic 'Plastic Stars' track I was talking about. I also saw a cool new video for 'Less Talk More Rokk' starring mice! Which I'll be posting.

Go find them on Myspace and add them. They have 54,000+ friends now!


MP3: Ninja of Love (YSI)
MP3: Thought Balloon (YSI)
MP3: Pop Music is Not a Crime (YSI)
MP3: Plastic Stars (YSI)