Tag Archives: Electronic
April 1, 2013 Favela – Onwards/Upwards
Hearing Favela’s self titled debut can only make me think of warm summer nights, which is just what is needed during this extended winter. While the cold winds blow outside my window, I sit inside looking at the dark sky and Favela’s sweeping tracks seem to melt away the cold. In it’s brief less-than-twelve-minute set, this three track EP builds a strong foundation for this new electronic artist. But it’s the closing track, “Onwards/Upwards” that really gets me. Sweeping electric guitar riffs blend with pulsating synths, a seamless mix that creates a soothing and encompassing sound. Meanwhile, drum-kits tap out their beat over the soaring, reverberating voice that represents Favela echoing, “please keep me grounded, but don’t stop me future-lookin.” Favela stretches upwards like a dark kite in the night sky, grasping at air as he climbs higher and higher, hoping that steady hands hold the strings below. It’s a beautiful EP that can be downloaded for free here. For a small, warm glimpse, check out the song below.
-M. Kauf
Favela – Onwards/Upwards
Tags: Electronic, Favela, Indie
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- Posted under Favela
March 20, 2013 Fryars – On Your Own
“Hello it’s only me, I come and go with minimal flair.” So says Ben Garett, the man behind Fryars. It’s a quiet greeting, a whisper of presence that you can only glimpse before it’s gone. That’s how the mournful ballad begins, before the beat picks up behind the steady kick-kick-snare of a melancholic drum. It’s the soulful sound of isolation, of feeling out in the cold. ”On Your Own” Garett’s Ozzy-esque voice melds beautifully with the instruments to create a mix of electronics, rock and perhaps even a little late 50s love ballads. But what’s most interesting about this song is the pronouns. As Garett switches between first and second person, we feel at times like listeners hearing the depressing tales of Garett’s loneliness, at other times like the one who is lonely. If you wanna get down with some blue music, check out the song below and look for the album later this year.
-M. Kauf
Fryars – On Your Own
Tags: Electronic, Fryars, Indie, Rock
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March 15, 2013 The Mast – Emerald
The Mast never cease to amaze me, coming back stronger and more defined with each new single and their latest, “Emerald” truly is a dark electronic gem. A slick and slow downtempo beat starts off this hazy song. Oozing synths come in and out as a voice transports you into a new world, “sitting on an emerald, under the aquarium sky.” It’s easy to make a solid beat, but it takes a rare group to create one that can blast you through outer-space and into another time and place, a song that you can dance to or just sit and enjoy with stars in your eyes and smoke drifting out of your mouth. Check it out for yourself below and if you like the song, you can check out the video here or download the single here.
-M. Kauf
The Mast – Emerald
Tags: Electronic, Indie, The Mast
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March 11, 2013 Fyfe – St. Tropez
Fyfe is back with a new single and the same electronic goodness. ”St. Tropez” starts on a gentler note than his previous single and if I didn’t know Fyfe, I’d say the song was primed to be an indie rock jam. But like I said, this is Fyfe and the song quickly shifts from clean electric guitars, to electronic drums kits and a distorted guitar that could almost be called “wompy.” Horns blare a sunny declaration of the triumph that is Fyfe’s music. It’s clear from this single that he makes a comfortable home in the house of electronic and rock music, combining them in an eclectic way like no other artist. If “Solace” was his entrance into the music scene, “St. Tropez” is the flag on the ground, staking proud territory in the music scene. Check out the single below and look for the premiere EP Solace April 7th.
-M. Kauf
Fyfe – St. Tropez
Tags: Electronic, Fyfe, Indie
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March 3, 2013 Tegan and Sara – Now I’m All Messed Up [Video]
Tegan and Sara have been making albums for many years, their sound constantly shifting and progressing. With their latest album, Heartthrob, the group has delved deeper into synths and other electronic instruments to create and diverse sound. There’s something about a wall of synths and their infinitely varying sounds that can add a level of emotion to song that sometimes just can’t be reached by the usual stringed instruments. Take this song “Now I’m All Messed Up” for example. True, it starts with a normal piano sound and the sisters harmonizing, but the electronic bleeps creep in and by the time the chorus hits synths have taken full effect, bursting with passion and rolling with the drumkit. It’s that extra kick up to 11, the sound that shapes this love song into the powerful force that it needs to be. Check it out in all it’s heart-breaking goodness above.
-M. Kauf
Tags: danc, dance, Electronic, heartthrob, synthpop, Tegan and Sara
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- Posted under Tegan and Sara
February 22, 2013 Hibou – Glow/Hollow
Hibou, aka Peter Michel takes a page from the chillwave artists of late for his new double single “Glow/Hollow.” The music is a dreamy blend of electronic creeping up from the dark. ”Glow” is definitely the “fiercer” of the two songs, creating a luscious danceable track full of synths and vocals drowned in reverb. ”Hollow” as the name implies, takes the darker side of the two singles, remaining quieter, using synths reminiscent of Eastern vibes and guitars that wash over like waves of glorious evening sun. This year could easily mark the second coming of chillwave, and Hibou one of its forerunners. Check out the single below and look for more from Hibou in the future.
-M. Kauf
Hibou – Glow/Hollow
Tags: chillwave, Electronic, Hibou, Indie
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February 7, 2013 Chvrches – Recover
I never really gave Chvrches a chance with their earlier work. Some of it was a bit too dark or too weird for me. At least that’s what I thought. But on their latest single, “Recover,” Chvrches have stuck a synthetic-electronic-poppy note with me. It’s a really catchy danse number with synths abound, a dreamy female vocals and it’s hard not to get hooked. It’s that angsty love song that’s gonna get your feet tapping and your blood pumping. Check it out below and look for the EP Recover in March.
-M. Kauf
Chvrches – Recover
Tags: Chvrches, Electronic, Pop
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January 21, 2013 Fyfye – Solace
Fyfe is an artist I don’t know much about, but I love all the same. This London artist is fresh on the scene with a sound to match. So far, the only available song is “Solace” but it’s pure gold. Just think a mellower Alt-J with some solid Hip-Hop beats and you’ve got an idea of what you’re in for with this artist. Fyfe truly makes a lot out of a little, using mostly sparse guitars and drums. And, when it’s time for the hook, that synthetic chorus drags me in every time. I definitely sense some serious remix potential with this song and serious popularity for this artist who is amazing in his own right. Check out the song below and look for his debut EP in March.
-M. Kauf
Fyfe – Solace
Tags: Electronic, Fyfe, Indie
September 26, 2012 Flying Lotus – Until the Quiet Comes
Flying Lotus just released a new album entitled Until the Quiet Comes. Flying Lotus is one of the most talked about electronic artists around and he definitely proves himself with this album. Some of his earlier stuff, like Los Angeles and Cosmogramma, were good, but at times turn too noisy and unlistenable. This new album turns that around and FlyLo seems to really focus on mixing and taking out the unnecessary, without loosing the iconic style. Some of my favorite jaunts from the album are “Putty Boy Strut”, a robotic dance song which reminds me of some obscure J Dilla or Madlib shit (See Madlib’s Survival Test) [check out the video below] and “Getting There”, just straight chillin. The album also comes with a short film, featuring songs from the album. Dope shit you should watch here. Stream the whole album over on NPR.com. – Enjoy! – D. Gold
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- Posted under Electronic, Flying Lotus
September 9, 2012 Atoms for Peace – Default
A few days back, Atoms for Peace, the supergroup of Thom Yorke, Flea and Nigel Godrich released a new single. ”Default,” which sees official release September 10th, is both upbeat and frantic at times. It’s a song filled with energy, a sense of something coming and good or bad you know you have to act. And, aside from the mood, the instruments of this song make a unique sound considering the members of the band. According to Yorke, they’re striving to reach a blend between electronic and live music. The music will be less recorders, loops and computers, and more real instruments: the echo of Yorkes voice, the quick intense bass and the blips and bleeps of various synths. Check out the single above and, hopefully soon, an album.
-M. Kauf
Tags: Atoms for Peace, Electronic, Flea, Nigel Godrich, Radiohead, Thom Yorke
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- Posted under Atoms for Peace
