de-minimis

14 August 2016

beaty heart - 'raw gold'

Yet another British band that deserve a huge audience. Their brand of languid funky pop hits all the right notes and their new album 'Till the Tomb' is the business.

angel olsen - 'shut up kiss me'

Her new album is quite simply brilliant. Enough said.

mangoseed - 'jah jah'

Oh, this is very nice. A lovely blend of dub reggae, indie and all sorts. Great stuff.

rooney - 'all the beautiful people'

They've recently released a new album 'Washed Away' and I'm still getting into it, there's so much to enjoy. To give you a clue as to its awesomeness this track here is just the first track from it.

He's a NY singer/songwriter who has been quiet for a few years but is back with quite a bang. The new album 'Pigeonheart' is certainly compelling with its minimalist approach and uncompromising lyrics.

teenage fanclub - 'i'm in love'

And who isn't with Teenage Fanclub? The new album comes out next month. Excited?

bonnie prince billy - 'you're doomed'

There's always time for a Will Oldham song on a Sunday.

globelamp - 'invisible prisms'

Do yourself a big favour and buy 'The Orange Glow' album as soon as you can. You owe it to yourself.

cereus bright - 'river run'

Knoxville folk band Cereus Bright have a great uplifting sound, reminiscent of Stornoway at times. I bet they're great to see live. Love this track.

wild beasts - 'big cat'

Here's a band that are at the top of their game. The new album is something else, I've been listening to it on and off for the last few weeks and it just gets better.

yama warashi - 'no face'

She's from Japan, lives in Bristol and her music is cool as fuck. Have a listen to this.

olafur arnalds - 'particles ft. nanna bryndís hilmarsdóttir'

I've been a huge fan of Olafur Arnalds for about 8 years now and I'm so pleased to see him go from strength to strength - his reputation is global yet he still manages to make each album feel so warm and intimate and close to him. This is from his new album 'Island Songs'.

low - 'words'

Too many words, too many words and I can hear them.

obesøn - 'drugs'

Things just got very moody all of a sudden. What a superb track.

goldfrapp - 'annabel (acoustic)'

Let's ease everyone into Sunday morning.

nouvelle vague - 'in a manner of speaking'

Give me the words that tell me nothing. Give me the words that tell me everything.

13 August 2016

bon iver - '10 d E A T h b R E a s T ⚄ ⚄'

I'm breaking a habit of a lifetime (lifetime of this blog anyway) to post the full name of this track including capital letters. Well...Bon Iver's worth it even if the track name is a bit of a mouthful. This is from his brand new album and from what I've heard it could also be his best yet. I love where he pushes the boundaries and the directions that he goes musically. It's great to see new music still pushing new limits.

marconi union - 'abandoned/in silence'

The new Marconi Union is as as elusive as the band. Fragile, distant and sombre - it's an evocative and emotional collection of 4 tunes all around the 12 minute mark that hark back to Talk Talk at their bleakest. I love it.

blind pilot - 'packed powder'

Portland folkies, Blind Pilot have been around for some time but their new album 'And Then Like Lions' was the first I'd heard of them so I have quite a bit of catching up to do and it's going to be fun for sure. Their brand of indie folk/pop is right up my street, Just check this track out.

morgan delt - 'the age of the birdman'

Yet more psychedelic-tinged new music, this time from LA-based musician Morgan Delt. The new album is a great diversion and one of those albums that needs listening from start to finish in order to appreciate fully its magnificence.

pfarmers - 'the ol' river'

Sadly, there's no streams online for any of the tracks from the new Pfarmers album and it's a real shame as there's some great stuff on there so let's make do with one of their older tracks.

thee oh sees - 'plastic plant'

The brand new Thee Oh Sees album is quite a heavy affair and not the easiest of listens but it is definitely worth it if you give it a bit of attention. There's lots going on in there.

dreamers - 'beat ride'

Very reminiscent of Wax Tailor. Trip-hop, when it's done properly as with this track, is just aural perfection.

wighnomy brothers - 'something for your mind'

Robag Wruhme is a techno genius. There's no doubts about that.

michael mayer - '17 & 4'

In the beginning there was 'Kompakt Volume 1' an album that introduced me to some great artists and music on the Kompakt label.

brendan canning - 'hey marika, get born'

I'm not sure what the title refers to but Broken Social Scene founder, Brendan Canning knows how to write a great tune. This is from his brand new album 'How Wrecking Years'.

molnet - 'in the sea'

A new track from Swedish band Molnet. It's got a Vampire Weekend feel to it but without the African drums, I like it a lot.

santigold - 'anne (switch mix)'

It's too short, too short by at least 2 minutes. And that's about the only thing wrong with this tune. It's even got a sample of Kraftwerk's 'The Model', that's how good it is.

new order - 'crystal'

15 years ago today, New Order released this track. I still am not sure whether I like it or not, you know.

horseback - 'modern pull'

This is an extraordinarily well-crafted album. It combines the density and heavy guitar playing of Strands of Oak together with Joy Division-esque lyrical delivery.

kandi - 'don't think i'm not'

Regular readers of my blog will know that I'm no fan of R&B but occasionally a tune comes along that just hits the spot and here's one that I've always loved. It's not particularly cool and it's a bit of an oldie but I don't care - I love it.

And am I the only one who thinks the beginning intro sounds like Christopher Cross's 'Caught Between The Moon and New York City'?

11 August 2016

pineapple thief - 'no man's land'

Last one of the evening from me. Goodnight!

father john misty - 'real love baby'

His public persona seems to be that of being a bit of a twat at times but there's no denying that he makes great music. This is his latest track.

sufjan stevens - 'eugene'

'Carrie and Lowell' is a hell of an album and I'm glad I accidentally re-discovered it this evening. If you haven't heard it yet then give yourself a treat and listen and soon and often.

the modern lovers - 'hospital'

I've never really given The Modern Lovers the attention they deserve. They were clearly a big influence on Blur as this song proves.

nina simone - 'the ballad of hollis brown'

A live version of an under-rated classic from Nina Simone. It always seems to me that Dylan's songs are invariably better when sung by someone else.

get well soon -'too much love'

One for Kraftwerk and New Order fans, this tune is quite sublimely beautiful.

frazey ford - 'september fields'

I'm a big, big fan of Ms Ford and her 2014 album 'Indian Ocean' is in my opinion a stone-cold classic. If you hear a better mix of soul and country anywhere then I'd like to hear it.

07 August 2016

field mouse - 'the order of things'

Gotta love a jangly indie-guitar sound. This is from their new album 'Episodic'.

corbu - 'battles'

Another new band for me, Corbu are a New York electronic pop outfit that sound decidedly un-American to my ears. They have a dream pop quality that makes me think of Scandinavian bands rather than the USA. No worries as this type of sound is certainly my cup of tea and I'm really enjoying their new album 'Crayon Soul'. This track could be a latecomer for my sound of the Summer.

amp fiddler - 'soul fly pt.1'

Oh boy, if you're after some authentic 60s-sounding funk and soul then you have to check this track out from Amp Fiddler's new album. It's fantastic.

hockey dad - 'jump the gun'

I think Boronia is the second album by Aussie band Hockey Dad but they're completely new to me and when it's released next week I'm going to treat myself to a digital copy. They've got a great energy to their music and very fresh-sounding too. I hope the rest of the album is as good as this.

blossoms - 'at most a kiss'

Manchester's proud tradition of producing great guitar-driven indie rock is well-founded and Blossoms are carrying that on with some aplomb. I've been listening this morning to the 'At Most A Kiss' and it's bloody good. Check this out.

blind pilot - 'umpqua rushing'

Great to see that Oregon band Blind Pilot have a new album out and first listening suggests it's a very strong collection of tunes indeed. This is the first track from the album 'And Then Like Lions', I think you'll like it.

daniel steinberg - 'corn dog (original mix)'

Post-Brighton Pride is always an interesting time and a good hangover tune is essential. I was therefore delighted to see that my favourite DJ producer Daniel Steinberg has a new track out and it's a lovely slice of techno with a hypnotic beat and a lovely vibe.

06 August 2016

crybaby - 'i cherish the heartbreak more than the love i lost'

Voice like Roy Orbison, lyrics like Morrissey. It's a winning combination.

massive attack and ghostpoet - 'come near me'

The collaboration has an inevitability to it, it's a marriage made in heaven.

bobby gentry - 'ode to billy joe'

It was the 3rd June another dusty Delta day.

jj - 'my life'

I'm grinding til I'm tired...

the clash - 'guns of brixton'

When they kick in your door, how you gonna come - with your hands on your head or on the trigger of your gun?

05 August 2016

scott fagan - 'crystal ball'

How come no-one ever mentioned Scott Fagan to me before? He's brilliant. Sort of David Bowie meets Scott Walker.

haley bonar - 'kismet kill'

The new Haley Bonar album is awesome. I've spent this evening thoroughly entertained by it. If you're a fan of Jenny Lewis or later Debbie Harry then you'll love this.

25 July 2016

general elektriks - 'whisper to me'

I've said it before and I'll say it again, French pop is very polarised. Either it's brilliant or it's just dire. Fortunately there are lots of great French bands out there and I've just discovered another and yes. it's brilliant. General Elektriks combines funky guitars, synths and drum patterns for a very cool sound. What a way to start your week with this track.

23 July 2016

lawrence arabia - 'sweet dissatisfaction'

If you can find a song cooler than this tonight then I'd like to hear it. Beautifully laid-back pop doesn't get much better than this. Taken from the brand new album 'Absolute Truth'.

lou rhodes - 'all the birds'

I've been enjoying her new album a lot, I thought at first it would be an ethereal affair with whispered vocals and tender guitar plucking but there's a bit more muscle to it and it's all the better for it, Her voice was very familiar to me and I couldn't help but think she reminded me of the lead singer of Lamb...and lo and behold, she IS the lead singer from Lamb! The break from electronica suits her, this is a great album.

22 July 2016

regina spektor - 'bleeding heart'

Ahead of her new album the brilliant Regina Spektor has released this track from it and bloody good it is too.

the cult of dom keller - 'broken arm of god'

Nottingham band The Cult of Dom Keller have a brand new album out and it's doom-tastic. There's influences from Suicide, Pink Floyd, Sisters of Mercy aplenty. Just check this monster of a tune.

tusks - 'false'

Emily Underhill aka Tusks is signed to the brilliant One Little Indian label and this is her second EP to date. It starts very mellow and stays there but the position it occupies is quite beautiful too. It has a wonderful 'morning after the night before' feel to it that wraps around you like a comfort blanket. Highly recommended.

17 July 2016

soft hearted scientists - 'golden omens'

This Cardiff band have been around for quite some time but I'm ashamed to say that their new album 'Golden Omens' is the very first I've heard of them. If Syd Barrett-infused psychedelic rock is your thing then you'll probably love them too.

darkstar - 'reformer (feat. emperor of)'

It's great to hear a new Darkstar production. This is taken from their new EP 'Made To Measure'.

depeche mode - 'condemnation'

We all need Depeche Mode in our lives.

ebo taylor & the sweet beans - 'odofo nyi akyiri biara'

Oh man, gotta love a bit of 70s Afro-funk.

12 July 2016

trevor sensor - 'when tammy spoke to martha'

I'm not too sure what the title refers to but there's few songs with such an in-your-face beginning than this. It genuinely shocked me! Great tune though.

metronomy - 'night owl'

Another great track released from their 2016 album 'Summer 08'.

grinderman - 'no pussy blues'

Fuck yeah! What a tune.

11 July 2016

esther phillips - 'home is where the hatred is?'

A quite brilliant uptempo cover of a Gil Scott-Heron classic.

10 July 2016

dj shadow - 'nobody move (feat. run the jewels)'

Definitely one of the highlights from the new album. It's an inspired collaboration.

cassy - 'back'

Not quite minimalist techno but it certainly steers in that direction. And can I add that it's very soulful too.

jamie isaac - 'last drip (remix feat. rejjie snow)

There are worse ways to spend a Sunday afternoon than chilling out and listening to the new Jamie Isaac album.

mull historical society - 'build another brick'

The 2016 album 'Dear Satellite' is firm favourite in this household and with tunes like this on it, it's not too difficult to see why.

ry x - 'shortline'

Just wonderful.

beth orton - 'wave'

Nothing beats Beth Orton.

stephen steinbrink - 'i'm turning inside out (live at little elephant)'

One album that seems to have snuck under the radar is the new Stephen Steinbrink album 'Anagrams'. The tunes are ostensibly portraits of addiction and mental illness but they are framed and executed so beautifully that you can marvel at them without a need to understand the back stories. Definitely one for fans of Avi Buffalo or Sufjan Stevens - and seeing as that includes me, I'm in!

thievery corporation - 'amerimacka (feat. notch)'

Sunday mornings were made for Thievery Corporation.

mirel wagner - 'to the bone'

This is how it's done. You play your part and I'll play mine.

the flaming lips - 'revenge'

Recorded 5 years ago with Danger Mouse producing this posthumous Sparklehorse album with various artists, this is The Flaming Lips at their very best. I just wish they would stop pissing about with mediocre covers of classic albums and their slightly creepy obsession with Miley Cyrus and get back to making great music.

09 July 2016

alex calder - 'sasaki'

I'm enjoying listening on Bandcamp to Alex Calder's new album 'Bend'. There's something of Syd Barrett about him and his leftfield style is a refreshing change from a lot of identikit musicians. This track is a quirky little instrumental that has a bit of a surf sound to it too.

sarathy korwar - 'bhajan'

I think this is an album that can partly be credited to Gilles Peterson for his championing of the Indian Sidi/Jazz/Electronica crossover band. It's quite remarkable in its breadth and depth and will have you going back to it time and again.

niki and the dove - 'you want the sun'

If you are looking for a fresh new album to soundtrack your summer then look no further than Niki and the Dove's 'Everybody's Heart Is Broken'. The Swedish duo are big and making a big statement with this long player.

omni - 'wire'

This sounds so good! Love it. Taken from their new album 'Deluxe'.

07 July 2016

gonjasufi - 'maniac depressant'

At last, Gonjasufi is back and there's a promise of a new album too. I really can't get enough of this man.

ryley walker - 'the roundabout'

He's released another tune from his upcoming album. Love it.

agnes obel - 'familiar'

Denmark's Agnes Obel has been somewhat elusive of late, she's been quiet for 3 years now but she's now back with this great new tune and video. I hope there's an album too in the offing.

quays - 'your side ft. nancy anderson'

Every once in a while a stop-start dubby dance tune grabs your attention and makes you think "fuck, yeah!" - this is one of those times.

syd barrett - 'wouldn't you miss me?'

He died 10 years ago today. Shine on you crazy diamond.

xylaroo - 'on my way'

Here's a band for all you Monsters and Men, First Aid Kit fans. They are from East London via Papua New Guinea. Lovely sunny indie-pop.

the abyssinians - 'declaration of rights'

Got to love a bit of roots reggae.

nick drake - 'black-eyed dog'

Taken from one of his final recording sessions and inspired from the infamous Churchill quote, this is a lovely and timeless tune from the late great Nick Drake.

ela orleans - 'ghosts and whispers'

Polish-born, Glasgow-resident Ela Orleans has vome up with an absolute peach of a concept album. Presumably set around Dante's Inferno the album 'Circles of Upper and Lower Hell' is a work of outstanding beauty. It's so compelling, it's not a soundtrack but it so could easily be.

stay - 'last time'

One for the fans of early 90s baggy Manchester bands. This is a Minneapolis band called Stay and the album is 'The Mean Solar Times' and from what I can gather have been around a little while but looks like they are picking up a lot of pace now. The album is produced by Owen Morris who also produced Definitely Maybe and The Verve's Northern Soul and the first track guest stars Andy Bell (presumably the one from Ride rather than Erasure) so there's a huge British influence and no doubt deliberately. The overall sound is Stone Roses, Charlatans, early Oasis in all their pomp. It's a glorious riot of jangly guitar riffs and long play-outs.

Yes, it's definitely retro but the important thing is the music is very good. The whole album is well worth checking out.

katie von schleicher - 'move through'

Her 2015 album 'Bleaksploitation' was released on cassette and has become such a big hit that thankfully she's been persuaded to release it in more conventional formats and it's also available through her Bandcamp page. Best described as dark, reverb-heavy break-up songs, there is definitely something quite magical about her music.

xeno and oaklander - 'marble'

It's great to see that New York minimalists Xeno and Oaklander are back and with a great new album. I've got one of their earlier albums but must confess they had slipped off my radar for quite some time now so it's a welcome return. This is the first track from their new album 'Topiary'.

06 July 2016

ladytron - 'ritual'

Haven't heard this in a while. Great tune from a seriously under-rated band.

the explorers' club - 'don't waste their time'

I must have played this 10 times already over the last few days. It's just right for the sunny summer we've belatedly been getting. Think Beach Boys tracks: 'In My Room' or 'Breakaway' and you have this album in a nutshell. There's catchy surf riffs, beautiful harmonies and killer lead vocals with 12 songs all coming in at the 3 minute mark. It's just perfect pop music and you'd think they were a Beach Boys tribute band, they're that good.

mick harvey - 'a day like any other'

His new album has got lots of great little moments in it and I;m especially taken with this tune.