de-minimis: June 2017

29 June 2017

unkle - 'sick lullaby (feat. keaton henson)'

Can't wait for the new album to be released.

28 June 2017

wendy rene - 'the same guy'

One of soul's forgotten greats, here's Wendy Rene.

five seasons - 'firefly'

Taken from a compilation album 'Lemongrass Garden' this is a very infectious and funky number.

gordi - 'nothing's as it seems'

Taken from last years EP by the Australian singer.

hugo race and michelangelo russo - 'when my first wife left me'

Beautiful. Stunning.

michael mayer & andrew thomas - 'cicadalia'

Deep house from one of my favourite techno producers.

paul simon - 'cool papa bell'

Last year's album was a bit meh but this was a nice enough track from it.

king gizzard and the lizard wizard - 'digital black'

The new album is a prog/psychedelic masterpiece over 3 discs and charts man's downfall. It takes no prisoners, it's loud, raucous and will leave you out of breath.

revenge - 'the trouble with girls'

Released as a Factory Records freebie from Select Magazine in 1991, it's now an almost forgotten tune.

grapell - 'no longer free'

The new single ahead of the Stockholm duo's debut album out soon.

gaps - 'shatter'

Their new album 'As It Is' has slipped completely under the radar and it's a crying shame. It's extremely good with top notch production values. Check the drum sequencing on this track.

jan driver - 'rauhe sitten'

From Daniel Steinberg's label and it's a belter.

warm soda - 'don't leave me for another guy'

A completely new band to me and they're a lot of fun. Power-pop at its finest with a direct line to the Monkees and Ramones. They stick loyally to the format with none of the 12 tunes from the album clocking in at over 3 minutes, little if any fade out or fade in, the emphasis on catchy choruses and no soppy ballads. Not normally my cup of tea but these chaps play with such passion and fun that you can't help but get taken along on the ride and leave with a slight ringing in your ears and a big smile on your face.

bedouine - 'one of these days'

This track is taken from the eponymously-titled debut album from a young woman who is of Armenian heritage but born in Syria and then moved to the US via Saudi Arabia. You'd think with that pedigree that there might be some middle-east flavour to the album but there's not even a hint of that throughout. There's blues, pop, country & Americana aplenty though and it's all right up my street musically.

She's clearly influenced by Carole King and this shows but a word of caution, the album does veer into sounding very twee at times. In fact, her inoffensiveness paradoxically makes this album a musical Marmite. You will either love it or hate it. I've no idea if she's a Michelle Shocked fan or not but there are similarities in Michelle Shocked's much quieter moments.

wet hair - 'dear danae'

A bit of an odd one, this album. It's basically an extension of their 2012 album 'Spill Into Atmosphere' and was recorded in 2013 shortly before they split up and I've no idea why but only now has it just been released. It's a very "heavy" album. Retro-synth sounds dominate this psych/kraut rock album so heavily that it could be accused of bullying. The first few tracks set the mood perfectly - imagine Grumbling Fur or Depeche Mode on steroids. And it's seriously good.

25 June 2017

luke sital-singh - 'killing me'

Another artist who is finally getting the attention he deserves.

alice jemima - 'take me back'

Perfect pop!

fkj - 'better give u up'

Slow, soulful and trippy.

pvt - 'new spirit'

Listening to PVT is always a pleasure.

songhoy blues - 'mali nord'

Now this is the good stuff.

the xx - 'test me'

I go through phases with the XX of liking their new album and then thinking it's no great shakes.

the heliocentrics - 'the wake'

If scuzzy psychedelic rock is your cup of tea then you probably want to listen to the Heliocentrics.

oh susanna - 'flashlights'

The new album is well worth checking out.

the feelies - 'turn back time'

What a fantastic guitar sound. Love it.

lou canon - 'thrill me'

One of Canada's brightest young talents.

the sadies - 'riverview fog'

Love their new album.

heather trost - 'bloodmoon'

Lovely stuff.

bedouine - 'solitary daughter'

A new album out that sounds wonderfully languid from start to finish.

24 June 2017

nev cottee - 'nobody's fool'

The new album is bloody brilliant and this is one of the stand-out tracks from it.

algiers - 'the underside of power'

Trying desperately hard to get into the new Algiers album but it's basically the same as the first album except a lot noisier and messier. Sounds much better with headphones on than out of speakers but even so, the album doesn't really go anywhere new in a genre that has been so overdone of late that the novelty wears thin very quickly.

20 June 2017

fannypack - 'hey mami'

Hey Mami. You sexy.

major lazer - 'hold the line'

CHOON!

kevin morby - 'city music'

The title track from his new album is an absolute belter.

larkin grimm - 'beautifully alone'

Another album that's difficult to pigeon-hole. She's described as an experimental folk singer but you'll find lots of mainstream sounding pop amongst the more esoteric tracks. Despite being out there it never sounds self-indulgent and there's a lovely retro feel to the production. It's also got a bit of a jazzy feel to it but very much in a good way.

thurston moore - 'cease fire'

Sonic Youth frontman takes no prisoners with this very awesome album. Just 7 songs but only one coming in under 6 minutes and a couple are over 10 mins long. Lots of very long, very guitar heavy solos with the emphasis on rock. This will put a big smile on any shoegaze fans but also those who appreciate a slightly more nuanced guitar plucking as both styles are evident.

unkle - 'looking for the rain (feat. mark lanegan & eska'

UNKLE has a new album soon with lots of A-list collaborators, this is the first release featuring Mark Lanegan and Eska. It's "very" UNKLE-sounding so have high hopes for the rest of the album.

19 June 2017

alt-j - 'deadcrush'

The new Alt-J album is an incredible collection of tunes. I think it was love at first hearing for me.

15 June 2017

ghostpoet - 'trouble + me'

New Ghostpoet album due for release in August. Can't wait if this is anything to go by.

britta phillips - 'fallin in love'

Beautiful from a very under-rated American singer/songwriter.

ttng - 'sponkulus nodge'

No idea what the title refers to but it's a great tune.

nick cave and the bad seeds - 'black hair'

Taken from his greatest ever album, The Boatman's Call.

14 June 2017

zola blood - 'nothing'

The new album is out and this is one of the stand-outs from it.

06 June 2017

garbage - 'if i lost you'

The new album is a mixed bag but this is one of the definite stand-outs. A cracking tune.

celebration - 'drum and phife'

This is the last track from Celebration's brilliant new album.

grace jones - 'private life (dub version)'

Grace Jones with Sly and Robbie. Perfect.

japanese breakfast - 'triple 7'

Now here's a great band.

balto - 'born astray'

I think this was a track from last year from the Portland rockers.

tuff love - 'slammer'

A Glasgow band who sound just brilliant.

ra ra riot - 'absolutely'

Noisy and brash. Just how electro-pop should sound.

tricky - 'ponderosa'

Taken from one of the most important albums in British music history 'Maxinquaye'. I can't tell you how much I love it.

omd - 'goddess of love'

Taken from their Pacific Age album back in 1986.

gates - 'color worm'

An indie band that combine Radiohead intensity with some incredible musicianship. This from their 2016 album Parallel Lives.

sonny and the sunsets - 'hospital grounds at midnight'

A San Francisco band that do quirky and infectious pop in equal measure.

adna - 'thoughts'

A beautiful track from a very under-rated singer.

tinariwen - 'assawt'

Let's up the tempo with the kings of Mali desert blues.

brandon can't dance - 'freak of freaks'

Big nods to Elliott Smith here.

porcelain raft - 'the greatest view'

Not sure if it's dream-pop or chamber pop but it is rather lovely.

oh susanna - 'puget sound'

The new album gets a big thumbs up in this house.

grandaddy - 'that's what you get for getting out of bed'

Can anything beat Grandaddy at their best?

dutch uncles - 'big balloon'

The drumming sounds slightly off with the rest of the tune on this track. Very disconcerting.

l.a. takedown - 'bad night at black's beach'

A lovely combination of '80s action movie soundtracks with prog-rock guitar riffs. This is from their second album released last month.

elliott smith - 'behind bars'

I miss Elliott Smith so much.

05 June 2017

the underground youth - 'amerika'

Post-punk loveliness.

fufanu - 'white pebbles'

I haven't blogged about an Icelandic band in a while. Let's fix that.

delicate steve - 'help'

New Yorker with a lot of style. Get his latest album if you can.

dante matas - 'midnight sun'

From the upcoming EP of the same name.

cut copy - 'take me over'

Tune!

shannon wright - 'iodine'

My Shannon Wright obsession continues.

mega bog - 'worst way'

Offbeat but delightful.

angus and julia stone - 'wherever you are'

Still on that mellow vibe!

aldous harding - 'so sorry'

In love with this song. So wonderful.

hagen mosebach & schallfeld - 'blacktop (der klient remix)'

This is a rather under-stated but nonetheless quite awesome remix.

conor oberst - 'a little uncanny'

More genius from one of my favourite songwriters.

ron gallo - 'why do you have kids?'

Well...why?

of monsters and men - 'mountain sound'

Bloody love OMAM.

nadia reid - 'ain't got you'

New Zealand singer Nadia Reid with an incredible song.

roger waters - 'broken bones'

Taken from the new album. Jury's still out on this one for me.

sea pinks - 'pining away'

It's as if indie 80s never went away!

guided by voices - 'amusement park is over'

I've given up trying to keep up with GDV's prodigious output, splendid though it is. The man is too prolific!

missio - 'bottom of the deep blue sea'

Top tune.

the xx - 'replica'

One of their lesser known tracks from the new album.

horse thief - 'falling for you'

I seem to be on a mellow tip at the moment. No worries, thoroughly enjoying all these great new tracks from 2017.

crushed stars - 'sleepwalking'

Ah, now this is very good. Mellifluous even.

tall tall trees - 'lost in time'

Just perfect.

nick cave and current 93 - 'all the pretty little horses'

Forgotten completely about this tune.

fleet foxes - 'fool's errand'

A little bit Everly Brothers in the delivery of this song.

pixx - 'waterslides'

Love their new album. So many great tracks on it.

saint etienne - 'magpie eyes'

Saint Etienne's new album is as bubblegum pop-tastic as I'd hoped and more.

04 June 2017

dan auerbach - 'waiting on a song'

A beautiful day demands beautiful country-pop and the Black Keys lead singer delivers in spades with this track from his new album. A lovely tribute to Nashville.

sun kil moon - 'philadelphia cop'

My love hate relationship with SKM continues unabated.

factory floor - 'ya'

This techno tune is relentless. So good.

the temper track - 'closer'

I think this was a bonus track on the deluxe version. So glad I invested in that.

matt elliott - 'the calm before'

Time to turn down the tempo.

benji hughes - 'sugartree'

Boom! Tune!

wire - 'forward position'

Ever reliable. I don't think I've ever heard a duff Wire track.

sodastream - 'walking bones'

Great to see this Aussie band back.

03 June 2017

sleigh bells - 'hyper dark'

Talk about brooding.

clock opera - 'whippoorwill'

Their album has been a bit of a grower. A bit like how this tune builds as it progresses actually!

rebekka karijord - 'the orbit'

The drumming and bass guitar lift this tune so well.

the proper ornaments - 'back pages'

Harking back to the early 90s with a jangle-tastic tune.

kid wise - 'hold on'

Here's a band that I've loved listening to over the past year.

vanbot - 'not that kind (moscow)'

I love the concept behind this album and all the Russian references.

fink - 'she was right'

From one of the standout albums of 2017.

electric guest - 'see the light'

Beautiful.

emma ruth rundle & jayle jayle - 'about time you came to me'

Just the right music to drown all the negativity in the world.

chuck prophet - 'bobby fuller died for your sins'

I love the tribute to "I Fought The Law" embedded into the chorus of this song. Fuller, of course, wrote the original track.

summer moon - 'walkout music'

Not bad. Not bad at all.

nathan fake - 'hoursdaysmonthsseasons'

Sublime.

actress - 'runner'

Big nods to Blue Monday with this track.

samantha crain - 'betty's eulogy'

Just perfect.

sondre lerche - 'baby come to me'

A Danish musician who is surely destined for great things.

nadine khouri - 'thru you i waken'

Bang up to date with this brilliantly talented singer/songwriter.

nick drake - 'sunday'

Just wonderful any day of the week.

nick cave and the bad seeds - 'fable of the brown ape'

Tune!

fawnn - 'shadow love'

Bloody love this tune.

kostadinova - 'point of departure (original mix)'

Amazing how minimal techno clears my mind and makes me feel instantly better.

new order - 'confusion'

There's always time for New Order.

flume - 'bring you down feat. george maple'

A track that flows perfectly from the previous one.I should be a DJ!

jamie isaac - 'cnt you see'

I love the jazzy old school feel to this track.

army of bones - 'dead in the water'

Wakey wakey!

arca - 'desafio'

Here's a great tune.

slugabed - 'time 2 let it go'

So much going on with this track and so much to enjoy.

real estate - 'white light'

Jangly guitars rock!

rational youth - 'this side of the border'

No messing with this tune.

alt-j - 'adeline'

The new Alt-J album is quite a dark affair.

ulrika spacek - 'mimi pretend'

Their new album hasn't disappointed. I was a bit worried that it wouldn't come up to the standards set by the previous but all fears have been allayed.