The Horrors :: V

Been a fan of London's The Horrors for many years. An amazing band that always seems to re-invent themselves from album to album. For their latest appropriately titled 5th album V they got a great new wave vibe going, especially for the first track that caught our attention "Something to Remember Me By". Then the rest of the album sucks you in. They incorporate many different tempos and styles. Some slow, some heavier like first single "Machine", but all excellent! Some of our other favorite tracks include : "Point of No Reply", "Weighed Down", and the majestic "It's a Good Life". Definitely their best and most accessible album to date! This should be making a splash on many best album lists for 2017 come December. 

Check out the videos for"Something to Remember Me By" and "Machine" below, if you dig these we recommend you delve deeper into the beauty that is V.

Pompeya :: Real

Loving the new album from Moscow band Pompeya 'Real' that was released last week. It's one of my favorite new albums. First heard "Tell Me, Tell Me" the other day on the radio, and I was instantly hooked. I love the lead singer's voice, their lovely melodies and their 80's inspired sound. They freely admit their love and inspiration from 70's, 80's new wave and pop music, which only makes me love them more.

Check out the excellent "Pasadena" which they have up on their soundcloud, plus some cool remixes I spotted on there, including an amazing remix by The Twelves who we hadn't posted about in forever. Forgot how much I missed them.

You can preview/buy 'Real' on iTunes. Highly Recommended!





Couldn't resist not posting "Tell Me, Tell Me". Listen at your peril though, as you may become addicted (like I did), and have to press play a bunch of times a day.

Happy Accidents :: Sing (Blur Cover) + Mixtape

Happy Accidents sent us their latest, which is a cover they did for Blur's "Sing". Man oh man did they do a phenomenal job! Silky smooth reinterpretation, with lovely male/female harmonizing.

Here's what they had to say about the cover. "Blur has been one of our all time favorites for years. Covering one of their songs has been a long time coming, yet very intimidating. We finally settled on one of their earlier tracks "Sing" -- which most of you know from the "Trainspotting" soundtrack. Its simplicity allowed some creative freedom and we were able to put our own spin on it while still staying true to the overall mood and Britpop spirit." They are offering the track as a free download in exchange for a Facebook like?! Best get in on that.

In addition to the cover they also put together this great mixtape entitled "Songs We Like", featuring contemporaries like Oliver and Chvrches to 80's new wave classics from Heaven 17 and Book of Love. They are keen to point out, "The goal was not necessarily to compile all of the latest danceable hits, but to select a specific vibe and take the listener through a journey." That they did. Tons of amazing tracks (44 total), squeezed into a smooth hour long set. Check that out below. If you dig it, it's free to download as well, and will surely help your work week fly on by.
 
Happy Monday!

Astari Nite :: I.O. 1987

Miami dark wave band Astari Nite are getting ready to release new album 'Stereo Waltz' in January. Today they released new single "I.O. 1987" and OTR is one of the first places where you can hear it. In addition to the new single they released a video for another album track "Pyramids" last month. Check out both of those below and be on the lookout for shows to coincide with the albums release in the months to come, including an album release party January the 24th at The Vagabond.

Enjoy and have a happy/safe holiday season!

Tesla Boy :: The Universe Made of Darkness

Another great album that dropped yesterday is The Universe Made of Darkness, the sophomore album from Russian dream wave act Tesla Boy. We covered their excellent single "Fantasy" last year here. Universe continues with Tesla's 80's new wave inspired synthpop sound with a bit of an r&b twist on a few of the tracks. Digging the record! Some of my early favorites include :: "Stars", "Broken Doll" ft Tyson, "Dream Machine", "M.C.H.T.E." and "Fantasy", but really they're all pretty sweet.

Check out a few of those tracks below, if you need further convincing you can preview the entire album on their soundcloud.

Blondie :: Heart of Glass (Oliver & Thee Mike B Remix)

This Oliver/Mike B Remix of Blondie's classic track "Heart of Glass" has been floating around in my Facebook feed the last few days and for good reason, it's a good one. Not only is it a great remix, but they are also giving away the track as a free download. That's a winning combination right there. Check out/grab that sucker below...

Client Liaison :: End of the Earth

Client Liaison are an Australian duo from Melbourne. "End of the Earth" is a beautifully, good synth-pop song.  The song borrows from 80's new wave and synth sounds mixed with a tribal and African influence. The music video is composed of Australian TV clips and such, but it has such a bad early 80's design that it is great.

Living Days :: Let My Love Open The Door (Cover)

Got sent this great cover for Pete Townshend's "Let My Love Open the Door" by Brooklyn band Living Days. Uber catchy new wave sounding dance tune means of course I love it! They've been getting a lot of press love recently including a great plug from Bats for Lashes lead singer Natasha Khan who says "And then there is this singer called Stephonik Youth. She’s so amazing. She’s literally I think the most amazing artist I’ve ever seen, and her voice is incredible." Not too shabby endorsement and after hearing this track it only makes me crave more.

We can expect to get a new album from them in early 2013. For now check out the soundcloud/video for "Let My Love Open the Door" which uses footage from the 1985 Sam Raimi movie Crimewave.

Silenk :: Space Love : The Remixes

Absolutely loving the new Silenk Space Love remixes, including remixes by Follow Me, 80's Stallone, Keenhouse & Final DJ's. They are all excellent, especially if you love 80's new wave inspired sounds as much as I do. Can't wait for this to be out (12/17) so I can grab the whole thing. Check out the amazing-ness below, then be on the lookout.

Future Islands :: Balance

On Tuesday of last week, Future Islands played a show in Miami. The band from Baltimore is composed of three members: William Cashion (bass, acoustic and electric guitars), Gerrit Welmers (keyboards and programming) and Samuel Herring (lyrics and vocals).

Before the show, Herring was just sitting on the couch checking the election coverage. I talked to him for a bit. He was very approachable and even introduced himself. He was wearing a light olive, long sleeved button up shirt, with blue dress pants - very not rock and roll.

They played through their catalog of songs, with the animated singer showing his very theatrical postures and moves. The crowd was very much into it. The intimate setting at the bar made the occasion even better. During the middle of the concert someone screamed, "Obama won!" to loud cheers from the crowd.

Future Islands is a good band to see live. The band projects a high level of enthusiasm and it just makes you want to be a part of it. If you were there, I hope you enjoyed the concert as much as I did. Check out their track/video for "Balance".

High Places & David Scott Stone :: All the Days Blur Together, & More

I recently got into a great duo that had slipped my radar over the past year. High Places, originally from Brooklyn, now based out of L.A. has really mastered a phenomenal space pop sound with perfect dosages of future dub and garagie basslines layered throughout most of their tracks. I first was introduced to High Places through "All the Days Blur Together," a single that they got together with David Scott Stone (LCD Soundsystem) and released close to a year ago. The song has climbed almost as fast as any track ever has up my iTunes "number of plays" list. I'm not sure whether it is the alluring sound of the vocals that pull me in, or if it's the perfect tempo and energy with just the right amount of placidity that allows for the track to be left on repeat. Definitely keeping High Places in my rotation, and looking forward to new releases. Enjoy!



High Places and David Scott Stone - All the Days Blur Together from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.
High Places - Altos Lugares from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

Picobots :: Melanie Griffith

If you follow OTR regularly you know how much we love those 80's new wave inspired tunes. Cue San Francisco artist Picobots who recently sent us his latest release 'Melanie Griffith'. A 5 track EP that features just that, lo-fi dreamy atmospheric goodness that sounds like it could have come straight from the 80's. His first single/video from the release is "Mini Blind Silhoutte" which is an homage to LA that you can check out below. If you like what you hear head on over to his bandcamp where the entire release is available as a name your own price option including $0, but if you can, throw him a few bucks. I'm sure he'll appreciate it.  

Melanie Griffith: Mini Blind Silhouette by Picobots

Tesla Boy :: Fantasy

I'm a sucker for 80's new wave sounds. Good thing there's been a revival of that lately. Cue Moscow, Russia artist Tesla Boy and his excellent new track "Fantasy". Choice tune that totally has that 80's synth vibe that I dig so much. His reps are working on some shows for him in NYC & LA for the summer. So be on the lookout for those if you live in those areas. For now check out the stream of the track below and if you like what you hear it can be purchased on iTunes for .99. A bargain I say.

Fantasy by Tesla Boy (Official)

Peter Zohdy & Michael Senna :: All in Vain EP

Got sent this great new Maxi Single/EP All in Vain by Michael Senna & Peter Zohdy who are from Coppenhagen, Denmark. Fun dancey track with an 80's new wave vibe to it that is totally my cup of tea. They also have a bit more housey remix by Blond:ish, plus a digital only track "Dirty Talk". Good stuff, check them out below. If you like what you hear you can buy them on beatport. Enjoy!

OTR :: OMD Interview

Synthpop legends Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark or OMD for short are gonna be in Miami performing Live this Friday, September 16th at Grand Central for only the second time ever. I got a chance to interview frontman Andy McCluskey. Hear how I had a John Hughes/OMD prom experience as I jammed out to their greatest hits CD on that fateful day, what you can expect to hear at the show and how he doesn't really listen to music blogs much.

In addition here's a couple of their biggest hits "Enola Gay" and "Dreaming" to get you psyched for the show as well as their video for "If You Leave", their biggest U.S. hit off the the John Hughes classic movie 'Pretty in Pink'.

OMD Interview 9/14/11 by Off the Radar Music



MP3: Enola Gay - OMD (Streaming Only)


MP3: Dreaming - OMD (Streaming Only)

Oliver

Been hearing alot of great music from LA duo Oliver. I got this great original nu-disco track from them the other day on Too Many Sebastians called "I Need You" that is pretty amazing! Definitely a dance floor burner. They started offering it as a free download and although the dl limit had been reached on their soundcloud they have links were you can still grab it for free. They also just released a great remix they did for Housse De Racket's "Roman" on RCD LBL and my friend Joshy Josh recently told me about a great new wavey remix they did for one of our faves Penguin Prison's "Fair Warning". Seems they are off to a great start. Making some great choices and displaying great taste in music. Hear a few of the tracks below. Check out more on their soundcloud.  

Oliver - I Need You by weareoliver

Housse De Racket - Roman (Oliver Remix) by weareoliver

Penguin Prison - Fair Warning (Oliver Remix) by weareoliver

Clancy :: Panther EP

London artist Clancy recently contacted us with news of his latest EP Panther a 5 track EP with 3 original tracks + 2 remixes by Beaumont & StardonE just released this week. Loving them all! Some great 80's inspired new wave tunes which if you check OTR regularly you know how much we love. He's got the whole EP on his soundcloud/below for you to stream in it's entirety. If you like what you hear you can purchase them on iTunes. Recommended!

Clancy - Panther EP by Clancymusic

Girlfriend Records

Girlfriend Records is an 80's inspired label/collective. They recently contacted OTR with news of their latest release from one of their artists Toque and it some hot stuff! Electro-pop deliciousness. Loving both their tracks "Xtro" and "Kenny G". Best part is they are releasing it for free just to get the word out. If they keep putting out music this good it won't be long before they are well known. In addition to Toque they also have a few other great artists on their roster like Le Prix who has this instrumental new wave sounding track called "Eyelash OK" that is pretty amazing and sounds like it could have come straight from the past or the future, you decide. Best part is they are giving away her music for free as well. Pretty amazing. Kudos to Girlfriend Records for releasing such excellent music. You can hear/grab more of their goodies via their bandcamp page. Below are a few of the tracks I talked about for you to check out/download.

P.S. On a side-note I'm gonna be taking a little vacation this week to LA and San Francisco so I won't be posting till sometime next week when I return. I informed some of the OTR crew so hopefully they will hold the fort till I get back. If you would like to meet up while I'm on the West Coast or have any leads for DJ gigs or places I should check out while there feel free to email me at offtheradarmiami@gmail.com as I'll be checking it from time to time. Maybe lead us to some cool local spots, I always prefer that to the touristy things. Cheers!


MP3: Xtro - Toque


MP3: Kenny G - Toque


MP3: Eyelash OK - Le Prix

Carlos Llanos DJ Mix

Looking for a fresh DJ Mix for your weekend? Then look no further than my friend Carlos Llanos latest mix, especially if disco, italo & new wave are your thing. I had the pleasure of spinning with Carlos for 2 years at Circa Saturdays which was one of the most successful indie parties ever in Miami. Insane times we had, so much fun! In addition to being one of the nicest people I know he is also one of the best beat matchers out there. His mixes are so smooth and flawless, I can't tell you how many times I was in awe watching him spin. Check out the mix via his soundcloud below and if you like what you hear be sure to download that baby by clicking the arrow on the right there. You can check out the tracklisting on his soundcloud page. Now get to dancing!


Carlos Llanos disco-wave-synth-italo mix by Carlos Llanos

Minks

Ever notice about dark 80's era New Wave how, despite how slow and dreary it is, its still strangely feel-good music? Kinda like that comforting feeling a rainy day or a walk through the cemetery can inspire. Well, don't know about you all, but I personally love the resurgence in bands bringing back this feel. Recent bands like Wild Nothing and Roman Ruins have captured it perfectly. Which brings me to Brooklyn duo Minks. They are creating music that could have come straight out of the 80's English goth-pop scene, and I can't get enough! Their debut album By The Hedges (out now), which I'll go ahead and call one of the early great albums of 2011, is the perfect addition to any great hazy, dreamy shoe-gaze playlist. Check out a few of their tracks here along with a nice dark vid for their track "Funeral Song".


MP3: Cemetary Rain - Minks


MP3: Ophelia - Minks