to prague with love from brighton

Tweet

I promised a very good friend that I'd post some music on here for them so here goes and I hope they like the selection.

FC Kahuna - 'Hayling (Max Cooper Remix)'

Box Office - 'Clar (Fait Divers Acoustic Session)

 

Here's a tune with some dancers pulling some great moves and it reminds me of the night I first met this wonderful, funny and clever friend where we danced like no-one was watching.

Ben Pearce - 'What I Might Do'

And lastly a song that I love so much not just because the song has a beautiful sentiment but also for this music video. It always lifts me when I feel down.

Wave Pictures - 'Like A Drummer'

ultimate painting - 'monday morning, somewhere central'

Tweet

Another great London band is Ultimate Painting with their own take on jangly guitar pop. 

anoushka shankar - 'land of gold (mogwai remix)'

Tweet

This quite excellent remix of Anoushka Shankar's track by Scottish post-rockers Mogwai reminds me of early Sinead O'Connor and I guess the message is probably the same. 

joan as policewoman & benjamin lazar davis - 'overloaded'

Tweet

It's one hell of a collaboration and the end result is one fantastic album that crosses a number of genres. 

foreign fields - 'weeping red devil'

Tweet

Another great new album is the presciently-titled 'Take Cover' which is probably the best advice anyone can take right now.

pajaro sunrise - 'man's the only bird who has no feathers'

Tweet

I like this track a lot, a good mix of electronica with some folky tinges and a kick arse hook to it.

safia - 'embracing me'

Tweet

How about this for a cracking new tune from Canberra three-piece Safia?

jim james - 'here in spirit'

Tweet

Lead singer of My Morning Jacket, Jim James has his second album out now and a lovely soulful affair it is too. There's a really vibe to it and none more so than with this track.

de montevert - 'forever'

Tweet

This track is so good, taken from her eponymously titled new album. If this Swedish singer doesn't ascend to great things then there really is no justice in this world.

the philly armada orchestra - 'for the love of money'

Tweet

This track really ought to have been a soundtrack to a kickass blaxploitation movie. Just listen to those guitars!

brodka - 'up in the hill'

Tweet

Polish singer Brodka is making a lot of waves in her home country but now it's good news for the rest of us as she expands her audience with this English-language tune taken from her 2016 album 'Clashes'.

crystal fighters - 'good girls'

Tweet

I've found the album a bit hit and miss, there are some cheesy MOR tracks in there but there are also beautifully crafted pop tunes such as this one.

lambchop - 'niv'

Tweet

There has been quite a hiatus since the last full-blooded Lambchop album and so it's a very welcome return to Kurt Wagner and co. The new album doesn't come with too many surprises except for liberal and deliberate use of vocoder but even that enhances the tunes rather than just flattening out the vocals. 

palace - 'bitter'

Tweet

I think the new album is out today but I managed to get an advance copy and have been enjoying listening to it for the past few couple of days and this particular track has been knocking around for a few years now.

michael mayer and roman flügel - 'we like to party'

Tweet

Taken from his new album '&' here is the ever brilliant Michael Mayer. 

hot chip - 'i feel better (max cooper remix)'

Tweet

This remix suits my mood right now. It's a very minimalistic interpretation of the Hot Chip tune and it works splendidly.

chrysta bell and david lynch - 'all the things'

Tweet

Ahead of the new series of the new series of Twin Peaks is an EP from actress/singer Chrysta Bell and the genius of David Lynch.

pascal pinon - 'forest'

Tweet

Saying goodnight to a great weekend with some Icelandic loveliness.

lowly - 'deer eyes'

Tweet

Danish band Lowly are new to me but after hearing this great track which is apparently an ode to Britney Spears I'm going to hunt out more about them.

the radio dept - 'occupied'

Tweet

Listening to The Radio Dept's new album 'Running Out Of Love' is a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

josienne clarke & ben walker - 'dark turn of mind'

Tweet

There's really nothing finer to wind down to than some folky blues. This is just superb.

fujiya and miyagi - 'serotonin rushes'

Tweet

A much under-rated Brighton are Fujiya and Miyagi. Their unique brand of English electronica really deserves as wide an audience as possible. I see they have simultaneously released 2 EPs - EP1 and EP2 and this particular track is taken from the first.

hundreds - 'spotless'

Tweet

One of my favourite German bands has a new song out and a great video to accompany it. It's great to see them back.

oneohtrix point never - 'animals (director's cut)'

Tweet

When you get Val Kilmer to star in your music video then you know you're onto a winner. Warning though - the video has strobe lights.

erik jonasson - 'autumn falls'

Tweet

Swedish singer Erik Jonasson brings us a timely Autumnal tune with a cracking guitar solo finale.

katie kim - 'some day'

Tweet

Taken from her new album SALT which is available via Bancamp here is Irish singer Katie Kim with a stunning track.

cass - 'you don't see'

Tweet

How about this for a tune to wake you up? It starts relatively innocuously as a piece of minimal techno but then morphs into something altogether darker. 

cyané - 'stand sol'

Tweet

Here's a fantastic musician who is completely new to me, Cyané, who hails from Guadalajara in Mexico. Her sound is similar to the more experimental downtempo electronica of Bjork, Goldfrapp, PlanningToRock and that ilk. This musician deserves as wide an audience as possible.

the wands - 'faces'

Tweet

Some great new psychedelia here from one of Denmark's finest bands.

the lemon twigs - 'as long as we’re together'

Tweet

Yup, I get why there's so much hype. It's a hell of a tune.

tall tales and the silver lining - 'unknown forces'

Tweet

There's something of Avi Buffalo about this LA-based band. It's a great sound if you can capture it well and this is particularly true with Tall Tales. This is the title track from their EP.

jabberwocky - 'photomatron'

Tweet

It's an oldie but still a goodie.

julia jacklin - 'same airport, different man'

Tweet

I am mightily impressed with Julia Jacklin's new album. One for Lana Del Ray fans, for sure.

zero 7 - 'speed dial no. 2'

Tweet

A sublime tune to help wind down of an evening.

helado negro - 'lengua larga'

Tweet

I must have written it dozens of times but Bandcamp is just about my favourite music website. I love the ethos and the variety of music on there. Here's another fairly well-known artist who is happy to keep a Bandcamp page and I've got to say, the new album is an absolute joy. 

blind pilot - 'joik #3'

Tweet

Last one from me for a bit so let's leave with a great song from Oregon indie-rockers Blind Pilot.

de la soul - 'pain (feat. snoop dogg)'

Tweet

I've found their new album a huge letdown with very few discernible tunes on it, instead a rambling mess that's neither one thing nor another but this is the one track from it that shines. 

stephen steinbrink - 'absent mind'

Tweet

The levity of the tunes belies an album that deals with a lot of tough subjects - addiction, mental illness and you can't help but warm to this fantastic album.

drive-by truckers - 'filthy and fried'

Tweet

I think this might be the first time that I've blogged about this particular Southern Rock band. I must confess that I find a lot of their music washes over me without much of a trace but this particular track certainly hits the right spot.

the amazing - 'perfect day for shrimp'

Tweet

The great music continues. The Amazing's new album 'Ambulance' is a melancholy delight.

fort frances - 'i'm building a wall'

Tweet

This tune is quite apt given the upcoming US elections.

benjamin francis leftwich - 'summer'

Tweet

Benjamin Francis Leftwich's album 'After The Rain' is something of a slow-burner. I've had it some time but have only recently come to appreciate just how good it really is.

charles x - 'can you do it?'

Tweet

So damn funky.

shonen knife - 'tasmanian devil'

Tweet

Possibly Japan's greatest ever rock band are still playing it loud and proud. Their 2016 album 'Adventure' sees no relenting in their domination of the Japanese music scene.

hunter/game - 'the path'

Tweet

And now for some minimalist techno, taken from their album 'Adaptation' here's the sublime Hunter/Game.

billie marten - 'emily'

Tweet

A British talent as prodigious as Laura Marling, Billie Marten's new album 'Writing of Blues and Yellows' is a collection of tunes whose maturity makes an absolute mockery of the teenage Ms Marten. This song is a particular favourite of mine.

hoops - 'gemini'

Tweet

This was a Bandcamp recommendation and looking at their feedback, are a band that are surely destined for great things. They are an Indiana band that play a lovely synth dream-pop, perfect for lazy Sundays.

omni - 'eyes on the floor'

Tweet

If you're a fan of Devo, Television and that ilk then I think you'll love Omni, their 2015 album 'Deluxe' is packed with great late 70s riffs and even the production sounds retro.

sarathy korwar - 'indefinite leave to remain'

Tweet

Sarathy Korwar is a Siddi, originally Bantu tribespeople brought to India as slaves and he combines the musical traditions of his ancestors together with Sufi and Western Jazz to bring a remarkable and unique sound.

woodkid and nils frahm - 'winter morning'

Tweet

Two of my favourite pianists/composers around are Nils Frahm and Woodkid. Together they make such uplifting music that it's impossible not to be moved.

ttng - 'coconut crab'

Tweet

Another band whose ill-advised choice of a band name has almost certainly cost them commercial success. It's great to see them revert to the initials (I shan't say what they were called but a quick google will give you the answer) and hope they go from strength to strength. This particular track is a quirky number with lots of little stops, starts and wonderful cameos. Love it.

drowners - 'dreams don't count'

Tweet

Taken from their 2016 album 'On Desire' this is the New York band at their very finest.

gold panda - 'stolen phone'

Tweet Have Gold Panda ever released a dull track? I don't think so; I love the understated but beautiful approach to their music.

beyond the wizard's sleeve - 'black crow'

Tweet

An album that has paradoxically won a lot of critical acclaim but yet still seems to have slipped under the radar for a lot of people is the Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve 'The Soft Bounce'. If you haven't heard it yet then you really should get around to it.

lewis del mar - 'loud(y)'

Tweet

A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon is listening to the new Lewis Del Mar album.

house of wolves - 'bandcamp'

Tweet

If you listen to just one new album on Bandcamp today then please make it the eponymously titled 'House of Wolves'. Blues-y Americana never sounded so good.

two door cinema club - 'are we ready (wreck)'

Tweet

If first songs on an album are anything to go by then Two Door Cinema Club's new album 'Gameshow' is bloody fantastic. Talk about up and at 'em, this track demands attention.

douglas dare - 'new york'

Tweet

The new Douglas Dare album 'Aforger' is a work of pure beauty. Kind of pitching itself somewhere near Crybaby vocals-wise and a bit like Woodkid on the instrumentation it's got a jazzy, lo-fi electronic feel to it that just grabs you by the lapels and insists you listen. 

josefin öhrn + the liberation - 'endless ocean'

Tweet

For all those who are still bemoaning the loss of Fever Ray and PlanningToRock, both of whom seem to be missing in action then the new album by Josefin Öhrn might just tide you over for some time to come. The whole album is extremely dense with psychedelic influences, bits of Suicide, Portishead and so much more. 

stina nordenstam - 'so this is goodbye'

Tweet

I miss Stina Nordenstam so much. I hope she returns to the recording studio one day. 

paul simon - 'wristband'

Tweet

I gave his 2016 album 'Stranger To Stranger' my first proper listen on the commute home tonight and it's an instant hit. He's still got lots of influences from African music but there's a bit more variety to this very strong album - a bit of funk, a few slowies, some acoustic tracks, instrumentals, Latin, African, a folky blues tune titled 'Duncan' that is very retro Simon and Garfunkel sounding and is quite glorious. I really do like this album a lot. I might ask for it as a Christmas present as I would love to have this on CD - I only have a digital copy presently.

This tune 'Wristband' is probably my fave on the album. I'm expecting a few remixes of this to appear soon. 

sälen - 'iilwmbf'

Tweet

I think I've found my new favourite thing. I can't get this tune out of my head, it's just bloody brilliant. Apparently they are from East London although they have a huge Scandinavian feel to them with huge nods to bands such as Little Dragon. Seriously...have you heard a better tune today?

alcest - 'eclosion'

Tweet

I'm a bit of a sucker for shoegaze albums and so I can heartily recommend the new album 'Kodama' from French band 'Alcest'. This tune in particular rocks like nobody's business. Great stuff.

regina spektor - 'black and white'

Tweet

I'm greatly enjoying listening to Ms Spektor's new album on this rainy October morning. It's certainly a bigger sounding album than I was expecting, it sounds like she has a full orchestra in there at times.

grandaddy - 'clear your history'

Tweet

I love discovering new Grandaddy tunes and here's one hot off the press, so to speak. It's the B-side to their new single 'Way We Won't'. 

lou rhodes - 'hope and glory'

Tweet

Her 2016 solo album just oozes quality. I hadn't listened to it in a while but it's been more than a happy return.

brent cobb - 'shine on rainy day'

Tweet

Gotta love the blues.

hope sandoval and the warm inventions - on the low'

Tweet

Hope Sandoval has been collaborating quite prolifically of late. There was the very recent Massive Attack EP and now I've just read that she has a new album out with Colm Ó Cíosóig from My Bloody Valentine soon under their moniker Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions and will feature the likes of Kurt Vie amongst others. Sadly I can't find a stream of that track but this oldie 'On The Low' is a more than adequate replacement.

krusoe - 'rivers run riot'

Tweet

How's this for a great track? Oxfordshire artist Krusoe with a monstrously catchy new tune.

fort knox five - 'whatcha gonna do (feat. mustafa akbar)'

Tweet

If disco and funk is your bag then you'll love this track from 2015.

nilüfer yanya - 'small crimes (bullion remix)'

Tweet

I must confess, I don't know too much about Nilüfer Yanya but from what I can gather she's a singer from London and connected to Owiny Sigoma Band, from whose Twitter page I got this recommendation. No big deal, the music is bloody excellent and that's what matters.

moby and the void pacific choir - 'are you lost in this world like me?'

Tweet

Moby is returning to his new wave synth roots with this the first track form an upcoming album with the Void Pacific Choir.

jenny hval - 'female vampire'

Tweet

Norwegian singer/songwriter Jenny Hval's new album is one of those that offers up a different experience with each listen. It's quite captivating. Avant-garde yet very listenable. I think it will probably be in my album of the year list, for sure.

nick cave and the bad seeds - 'cassiel's song'

Tweet

Happy birthday to the man who has been one of the biggest musical influences in my life.

renegades of jazz - 'afro cookie'

Tweet

Nice. Very nice.

wesen - 'beach boys'

Tweet

More new Icelandic pop for you. Love this track.

sin fang - 'never let me go'

Tweet

This is a live performance for KEXP together with the Seattle Rock Orchestra Quintet but sadly doesn't include Soley, the guest performer on the album version. Never mind, as lovely as Soley is (and she is one of my favourite Icelandic singers) this is a superb version nonetheless.

daniel steinberg - 'peace (official)'

Tweet

To coincide with International Day of Peace let's play this beautiful little anthem by my favourite DJ producer.

leonard cohen - 'you want it darker'

Tweet

There's a new Leonard Cohen album out on 21st October called 'You Want It Darker' and he's released the title track from it. Any pretence at singing has finally been given up but he's not lost any of his songwriting abilities and there are some killer lines in there - You want it darker, we kill the flame.

air - 'all i need'

Tweet

I forget just how good Air's 'Moon Safari' album is. Do yourself a favour and have a listen.

africaine 808 - 'crawfish got soul'

Tweet

West African electro-funk with a fresh new twist. It's from their new album 'Basar' and is a big party favourite.

smerz - 'blessed'

Tweet

I owe a lot of thanks to the website Ja Ja Ja Music - a site devoted to Nordic music and a lot of the bands that I blog about are because I've read and heard about them thanks to Ja Ja Ja. SO, it's a big thank you to them once again for bringing Smerz into my life. Norwegian music is in very safe hands with upcoming acts like Smerz around.

villa nah - 'spy'

Tweet

A big must for all retro-80s fans. The new track by Villa Nah is based on the soundtrack on the old 80s computer game Spy V Spy. The overall sound is early Depeche Mode or even Frazier Chorus in their more electro moments. 

prince buster in the mix

Tweet

I've been looking for a great way to celebrate the music of Prince Buster who passed away a few weeks back and I think I've found it. It's a great hour long mix by a fellow Brighton fan on his Ska-Beat-Soul radio show so it's doubly guaranteed to be quality. Seriously, give it a listen and just enjoy the music of one of music's true pioneers.

the white stripes - 'city lights'

Tweet

Sometimes less is more and this music video is proof of that. The music is excellent too and sees Jack White exploring his Americana roots once again.

c.w. stoneking - 'zombie'

Tweet

Watch out for them zombies.

ltj bukem - 'atmospherical jubilancy'

Tweet

Perfect Sunday morning chilled out vibes from this classic from LTJ Bukem.

zomby - 'thaw'

Tweet

I wish I could understand artists like Zomby better than I do. I've got the new album and I'm finding it a bit impenetrable but quite mesmerising nonetheless.

sxsxsx - 'up down (feat. milkywhale)'

Tweet

Icelandic music continues to produce innovators, boundary-pushers and musicians of extraordinary talent. This is a superb side project from rap act Úlfur Úlfur.

blondage - 'flf'

Tweet

Danish act Blondage have a sure-fire hit with this very radio and club-friendly tune. 

iamx - 'oh cruel darkness embrace me'

Tweet

I've just blagged a copy of their new album and I'm quite impressed. It sounds a bit like Muse with a heavy keyboard makeover. Lots of anthems and dance heavy ballads. Sadly, I can't find anywhere on the internet that has their new tracks so let's go with an older one from last year.

warhaus - 'the good lie'

Tweet

I've found a new favourite band. Belgian duo Warhaus mix Nick Cave, Alabama 3 and a whole host of other dark flavours for a great sound.

shilpa ray - 'burning bride'

Tweet

There's worse ways than spending the wee small hours of a Saturday morning than listening to Shilpa Ray. She's one hell of a talent.

wilco - 'if i ever was a child'

Tweet

The mellowness continues with a brand new tune from Wilco.

king creosote - 'you just want'

Tweet

Could there be anything more pleasing than listening to a King Creosote track on a quiet night in?

nick cave and the bad seeds - 'jesus alone'

Tweet

The first release from 'Skeleton Tree' sees Nick and Co. in intense, reflective mood. The song is a kind of hybrid of Tupelo and Jubilee Street. I like it. Fingers crossed the rest of the album is as good.

thalia sedek - 'by the hand'

Tweet

So many critics are raving about her new album 'Eve' and with very good reason; it's an absolute belter. The entire album is available on Bandcamp and I can't recommend it highly enough.

l.a. salami - 'no hallelujahs now'

Tweet

His new album is quite extraordinary in its breadth. It manages to encompass blues, folk, hip-hop and all manner of things in between. Every track tells its own story and the music is pretty damned good too. This is a quite brilliant album from the young Hackney lad.

vinyl williams - 'feedback delicates'

Tweet

The new album 'Brunei' is a very dancey affair but there's also lots of little nuggets hidden within each tune that does make me want to go back for more. And talking of little nuggets, this interactive video to accompany one of the songs from the album reminds me a lot of the hidden Easter egg in Excel 97, Ah, those were the days.

cool ghouls - 'sundial'

Tweet

You could easily think that the new Cool Ghouls album is an entirely authentic late 60s psych-rock band, heavily influenced by the Sgt Pepper album and decamped somewhere in North California on a spiritual journey to find themselves. Seriously, this album absolutely rocks. It's great when a band have a really great sound and this is it.