Category Archives: Awesome

September 12, 2014 · 2:22 pm

Pre-order Sadnecessary from Milky Chance

milky chance

After building palpable buzz and drawing widespread critical acclaim, Milky Chance unlock the pre-order for their full-length debut, Sadnecessary [Republic Records]. Preorder and receive an instant download of “Flashed Junk Mind.” Following a special limited-edition vinyl release of the record on September 30, the album officially arrives in stores and at iTunes and all digital partners on October 14th.

Pre-order the album here: http://smarturl.it/MCSadnecessaryDA

Milky Chance have turned out to be the hottest ticket of fall 2014! Last week, the German duo revealed their first-ever North American tour dates at New York’s Bowery Ballroom [October 13], Toronto’s Virgin Mobile Mod Club [October 16], and Los Angeles’s Troubadour on [October 20]. All three shows literally sold out instantly, while New York and Los Angeles specifically sold out in less than five minutes.

Press continues to sing their praises. Rolling Stone recently named them one of “10 Artists You Need to Know Now”. Nylon called their first single “Stolen Dance” a “breakout smash”. Buzzfeed dubbed it one of the “songs you need in your life this summer”. Idolator declared it to be “absolutely undeniable”. Radio has already caught on to the international smash as it has hit #1 at Triple A (four weeks straight), and top 5 at Alternative.

Online “Stolen Dance” hit has gone viral with over 136 million streams across Spotify and YouTube. The smash song has taken over Spotify with over 75 million streams, hit #1 on the Spotify Viral Chart, and is currently #20 on the Spotify overall chart. However, the band is only beginning to make its mark on the United States. On YouTube, the official video for “Stolen Dance” just crossed the 61-million mark and counting. Check out the official video below.

In addition, the music community has embraced the group with Ásgeir recently covering “Stolen Dance” which accumulated over 200,000 views, while Imagine Dragons recently did their own live rendition of the song while performing in Hamburg, Germany with the crowd singing along. Check out those videos below.

Internationally, “Stolen Dance” has quickly become something of a sensation. To date it has gone double-platinum in Australia, platinum in Canada, Germany, and The Netherlands, and gold in Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, New Zealand, and Switzerland. Moreover, it landed in the Top 10 of iTunes in over 50 countries.

Longtime friends Clemens and Philipp came together during high school in Kassel, Germany and founded Milky Chance shortly after. Initially, they released Sadnecessary independently in Europe through their own label Lichtdicht Records and saw major success, hitting #1 in France and going Top 10 in 9 countries, while “Stolen Dance” took off online. Given their impressive debut and the power of “Stolen Dance”, they inked a deal with Republic Records earlier this year.

Sadnecessary is the beginning of something very special for MILKY CHANCE. Keep a close watch for a full- fledged North American tour in 2015.

Sadnecessary Tracklisting:

  1. Stunner
  2. Flashed Junk Mind
  3. Becoming
  4. Running
  5. Feathery (slow version)
  6. Indigo
  7. Sadnecessary
  8. Down By the River
  9. Sweet Sun
  10. Fairytale
  11. Stolen Dance
  12. Loveland (studio version)
  13. Feathery (bonus track)
  14. Loveland (bonus track)

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September 12, 2014 · 2:05 pm

Listen: Cathedrals – “In The Dark”

Cathedrals

 

“…an enigmatic, R&B-infused gem that features Jenkins and Hwin’s haunting vocals. The dichotomy of dark and light within the music makes for a catching, gorgeous track. – Interview Magazine

“…post-Aaliyah mood-making, pulsating bass, gorgeous harmonies, and XX-like guitar-play.” – SPIN Magazine

“…transitioning from psychedelic, distorted riffs to angelic whispers with ease.” – Indie Shuffle

Cathedrals, the San Francisco duo comprised of Brodie Jenkins and Johnny Hwin released their self-titled debut EP on Monday. You can hear the full EP HERE, including a Spotify exclusive acoustic version of “Want My Love”.

“Want My Love” marked Cathedrals’ first single with esteemed New York pop impresarios Neon Gold Records. Looking set to follow in the illustrious footsteps Neon Gold acts before them (Passion Pit, Ellie Goulding, Gotye, et. al), Cathedrals fit beautifully amongst the backdrop of the label’s more recent output (HAIM, Wet) and label founder Lizzy Plapinger’s own rising outfit, MS MR.

cathedrals hi res

Listen: Cathedrals – “In The Dark”

Cathedrals – Cathedrals EP (out now on Neon Gold):

01. Harlem
02. In The Dark
03. OOO AAA
04. Unbound
05. Want My Love

 

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September 12, 2014 · 1:43 pm

Newest Love: Ennui – “Feel It”

Ennui

Listen: Ennui – “Feel It”

“With a summer soundtrack like this, we don’t want it to end either.” – The Line of Best Fit

“Light, airy, and a little bit surreal, it’s like a synthpop radio single that’s been put through a taffy pull.” – Noisey

“…captures the lazy, romanticized days of summer with pensive synthesizer loops and heartbeat drums.” – Consequence of Sound

Ennui is the brainchild of renowned Pittsburgh-based musician and producer Jim Doutrich, and has been around in various incarnations since 2004.

The songs that comprise the new album, Telepathic Beat, stand out in style and substance, as roller-beats immersed in a bath of shimmering neo-shoegaze, creating a widescreen backdrop to act as home for brain-embedding melodies and subtly haunting lyrics.

With its sun-drenched feel, the album plays as the soundtrack to a summer spent balancing a narcotic life in clubs, with the possibilities that await when you skip work and head to the beach. It’s destined to be the album to reach for when you don’t want to admit that summer is over.

Telepathic Beat is Ennui’s debut for Mush Records and is nothing short of a rebirth for the band, with mastermind Jim Doutrich honing his infectious brand of synth-pop. The playfully yearning vocals, syncopated synth patterns, and distorted Euro-dance grooves bring to mind both ’80s new wave pop, and the youthful nostalgia of recent releases by glo-fi re-originators.

More songs from Ennui:

Ennui Circles

Listen: Ennui – “Circles”

Ennui Summer of Love

Listen: Ennui – “Summer Of Love”

artworks-000089282008-to4uwl-t200x200

Listen: Ennui – “Circles” (Sun Glitters Remix)

 

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September 12, 2014 · 1:30 pm

Listen: Elektromekanik – Are You Alright (Night Drive Remix)

Elektromekanik

“Cascading melodies and layer upon layer of arppegiated synth lines usher in Night Drive’s signature sound in the best possible way, most definitely the heaviest dance-floor cut on the release.”  – Discobelle

Almost exactly a year ago, Night Drive joined forces with Elektromekanik to create the Night Drive – Sea of Light (Elektromekanik Remix). Since then, the two acts have stayed in touch, and Night Drive is excited to announce their latest collaboration with the Romanian producer, Victor Gunta, AKA Elektromekanik, with their remix of “Are You Alright”. Released on Media Blackout Records the EP is a synth heavy, Italo, disco influenced collection of dance tracks perfect for late night strolls through the city and flashy dance clubs.

Listen: Elektromekanik – Are You Alright (Night Drive Remix)

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September 12, 2014 · 1:22 pm

Video: Sir Sly – “You Haunt Me”

Sir Sly

Los Angeles based alt-rock trio Sir Sly released the video for their lead single “You Haunt Me” today. Lead vocalist and songwriter, Landon Jacobs said of the video, “We wanted to capture the spirit of the song through energetic vignettes of different characters that all share a common unsettling darkness that they carry and exude.”

Sir Sly release their full length debut album You Haunt Me on Tuesday, September 16th  via Cherrytree / Interscope Records.

STREAM the new album HERE!

The band is currently on a national headline tour with label mates WOLF GANG.

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September 11, 2014 · 1:41 pm

New Album From Zoot Woman, Star Climbing

Zoot Woman

The British electronic pop trio Zoot Woman’s fourth album Star Climbing is out now on Embassy One Recordings and made an impressive debut on the iTunes chart reaching #21 on the Top 200 Albums list and #2 on the Electronic Albums list.

“We recorded Star Climbing over a three year period between our studios, working on songs and lyrics until we felt like we had found the albums direction. It is our most distinctive album to date, combining all our different tastes and styles into one.”  – Stuart Price, Zoot Woman

 

“We felt the need to challenge our own style, to open new doors creatively. It is without a doubt my favourite Zoot Woman album. The title ‘Star Climbing’ is about the idea of reaching for something beyond what you know.” – Johnny Blake, Zoot Woman

Zoot Woman is the British electronic synth pop combo comprising of famed producer Stuart Price (Madonna, The Killers, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, Chromeo, etc) and brothers Johnny (guitar, vocals) and Adam Blake (keyboards) who met at school in Reading, England. Their debut album Living In A Magazine (2001) was hailed as one of the most important forerunners of modern electronic pop music, with Hall & Oates/Pet Shop Boys infused singles such as “It’s Automatic” and “Information First” and their stylish conceptual aesthetic. Zoot Woman went on to release two more albums Zoot Woman (2003) and Things Are What They Used To Be (2009) touring relentlessly while remixing artists including Scissor Sisters and Madonna under the name of Paper Faces.

Their fourth long awaited new album Star Climbing is a significantly different offering, fresh and optimistic electronic pop with trademark suave vocals from Johnny Blake, written and recorded in four different studios across the UK and in Price’s LA studio.

“Zoot Woman are back with a bang.” – The Guardian

“A welcome late-summer treat.” – Thump Vice

“Star Climbing’s lead single is ‘Don’t Tear Yourself Apart,’ a pulsing slow-build that matches breathy, gorgeously glossy lead vocals with music that manages to sound desperately pretty without sacrificing urgency or power.” – Stereogum

“The trio—made up of brothers Johnny and Adam Blake, and Stuart Price—tipped its hat to the 80s without sounding redundant.” – Vice Noisey

“Fifteen years after emerging and five years after its last disc, this English pop project, featuring in-demand producer Stuart Price, dusts classic Depeche Mode and New Order sonics with a handful of ultramodern glitter.” – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Star Climbing

STAR CLIMBING TRACKLISTING

1. Don’t Tear Yourself Apart
2. Silhouette
3. Coming Up For Air
4. Nothing In The World
5. Rock & Roll Symphony
6. Chemistry
7. The Stars Are Bright
8. Real Real Love
9. Lifeline
10. Elusive
11. Waterfall Into The Fire

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September 10, 2014 · 3:22 pm

Video: The Van Doos – “Baby Be Brutal”

The Van Doos

Earlier this year, I posted a track from The Van Doos. Now, I’ve got a brand new track called “Baby Be Brutal” for you to check out. This video even stars British actor John Altman (who’s best known as the murdering/drug-addicted/faker of own death “Nasty” Nick Cotton in the UK soap Eastenders). John Altman will be making a sensational return from the dead to Albert Square later this year! So, until then, check him out here.

The Van Doos are: Simon Hutchinson (lead vocals, guitar), Louis Bamber (vocals, guitar), Fred Baty (bass), Dom Antony (drums), whose influences include Pulp, The Teardrop Explodes and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

 

 

 

 

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September 3, 2014 · 3:31 pm

Listen: Wolf Gang – “Lay Your Love Down”

Wolf Gang

Wolf Gang release their new single “Lay Your Love Down” today on Cherrytree Records. Initially formed as a solo project by London musician Max McElligott, Wolf Gang has since evolved into a full-on collaborative effort between its four members who also include Gavin Slater, James Wood and Lasse Petersen. The band’s debut album, Suego Faults, produced by Dave Fridmann (MGMT, The Flaming Lips) came out in 2011 to critical acclaim and Wolf Gang have quickly cultivated a dedicated and avid fan base through three years of nearly non-stop live performances, including headline tours where the band sold out the historic Troubadour in Los Angeles, support slots with Coldplay, Florence + The Machine, The Killers and most recently Bastille.  Wolf Gang are currently co-headlining the “Cherrytree Presents” Tour, along with label mates Sir Sly and special guests Secret Someones.  Fans who purchase the exclusive “Cherrytree Presents” Tour Bundle will receive a ticket to the show in their city, access to a special meet and greet with the artists, choice of early album pre-order by Sir Sly or Wolf Gang, instant MP3 downloads, and a limited edition Cherrytree tour poster. Please visit www.CherrytreePresents.com for all dates/info. Wolf Gang will release their sophomore album later this fall with British music producer Flood (U2, Nine Inch Nails, PJ Harvey) who recently won the award for producer of the year at the Brits.

 

Listen: Wolf Gang – “Lay Your Love Down” 

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September 3, 2014 · 3:07 pm

Must Hear: MONO – “Where We Begin”

mono

When MONO began in 1999, they set out with a simple mission: From bliss to bludgeon, no matter how long or winding the path may be. Their debut album, Under The Pipal Tree, outlined that mission in twisted, psychedelic fury. Subsequent albums would see the band honing their craft, mastering their mission, and ultimately abandoning that path in favor of more grandiose pursuits. Flanked by increasingly larger orchestras, MONO performed live at some of the most prestigious venues in New York City, London, Tokyo, and Australia. MONO had become an orchestral rock band, a spectacle of extreme melancholy and melodrama. By 2012’s For My Parents, the band had finally reached the logical conclusion of that era; it was time to remember where they started, and to rethink where they were heading. Less strings? No strings? Louder? Quieter? Lighter? Darker? Yes.

Remember their song “Life in Mono” that was in the movie Great Expectations with Ethan Hawke? I LOVEDDDDD that song!!!!

Here’s the video:

The Last Dawn and Rays of Darkness are a pair of new albums by MONO. Recorded simultaneously yet conceptually and creatively disparate, the two act as both opposing and complementary sides to a story. No strangers to narratives, the twin albums explore familiar themes for the band: Hope and hopelessness, love and loss, immense joy and unspeakable pain. Those elemental parts of life and the complicated relationships they create have never been more resonant through MONO’s music than they are here.

The Last Dawn is the first of these two companion albums, and is the “lighter” of the two, thematically and melodically. It contains undoubtedly some of MONO’s strongest songs ever, drawing on an array of influences from minimalist film score to vintage shoegaze. It is MONO at their absolute purest, executing an uncanny, unspoken dialogue with each other without the dozens of stringed instruments that have been so prominent throughout their catalog in recent years. The songs are also noticeably more efficient – there hasn’t been a MONO full-length record that fit on a single slab of vinyl since 2003’s One Step More And You Die – and the album benefits immeasurably from this streamlined approach. MONO have always been masters of telling compelling stories without words. But now they’ve proven they can do it without frills, too.

Listen: MONO – “Where We Begin” from The Last Dawn 

Preorder The Last Dawn

Rays of Darkness is the first MONO album in 15 years to feature no orchestral instruments whatsoever. That fact alone is remarkable given the band’s reputation for sweeping, dramatic instrumentals that recall Oscar-worthy film scores. Instead, Rays of Darkness more closely resembles a jet engine taking off inside a small, crowded auditorium. It is MONO’s blackest album ever, a collection of scorched riffs, doom rhythms, and an unexpected contribution from post-hardcore pioneer Tetsu Fukagawa of Envy. The album ends with the smoldering wreckage of distorted guitars and ominous drones playing out a eulogy to the days when MONO shot blinding rays of light through seemingly endless darkness.

Preorder Rays of Darkness

mono 1

THE LAST DAWN TRACKLISTING

1. The Land Between Tides / Glory

2. Kanata

3. Cyclone

4. Elysian Castles

5. Where We Begin

6. The Last Dawn

mono 2

RAYS OF DARKNESS TRACKLISTING

1. Recoil, Ignite

2. Surrender

3. The Hand That Holds the Truth

4. The Last Rays

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August 26, 2014 · 3:27 pm

Video: Charli XCX – “Break The Rules”

CharliXCX

“Charli XCX and her pop-perfect hooks have been just a little busy for the past two years, propelling artists like Icona Pop and Iggy Azalea up the charts. Now, after the success of “I Love It” and “Fancy,” it’s Charli’s turn to do some hit-making of her own.” —USA TODAY

“If her new song is any indication, ‘Sucker’ could be the British star’s breakout album that ushers her proper arrival.” —THE FADER

If Charli XCX’s 2014 had ended yesterday it would have been an unequivocally successful year for the singer/songwriter, but there’s still three and a half months to go, and today, Charli put another notch in the win column with the release of “Break the Rules” — one of the most straightforward songs she’s ever recorded, and one of the best. There’s some Joan Jett in here, and some Skrillex, and it’s fucking awesome. —STEREOGUM

Coming off an exciting weekend at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, where the 22 year old singer + songwriter performed her smash single, “Boom Clap” during the pre-show and scored five nominations for her two summer hits (including “Fancy” which she co-wrote with Iggy Azalea); Charli XCX drops a new video for her latest single, “Break the Rules” arriving on her sophomore album, Sucker out October 21st via Neon Gold/Atlantic Records.  The video accompaniment for the sweet rebel anthem features cameos from Rose McGowan as well as gal-pal Kitten front-woman Chloe Chaidez, catch the prom scene here:

“I was inspired by movies like” Jawbreaker” and “Carrie” for the “Break the Rules” video. I never went to prom when I was at school so this was kind of me living out my weird fantasy of what prom would be like in my head. I asked Rose McGowan to be in the video and I never ever thought she would say yes, but she did… so she came to prom too… And she trashed it ;)”

– Charli XCX

Over the last 18 months Charli’s rise to international pop stardom has been nothing short of meteoric. From releasing her dark-pop record True Romance in 2013 to a wealth of critical acclaim, Charli has toured the globe with the likes of Coldplay and Ellie Goulding, written and featured on one of 2013’s biggest hits “I Love It” with Swedish duo Icona Pop, co-written and featured on the global, four million-selling hit “Fancy” with Iggy Azalea, scored a UK and US Top 10 hit with “Boom Clap” + more.

“Boom Clap,” “Fancy” and “I Love It” combined have sold over 14 Million copies worldwide.

North American Headline Tour Dates

  • September 26th – Orlando, FL @ The Social (TICKETS)
  • September 27th – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room (TICKETS)
  • September 29th – Jacksonville Beach, FL @ Freebird Live (TICKETS)
  • September 30th – Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend (TICKETS)
  • October 2nd – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club (TICKETS)
  • October 3rd – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of the Living Arts (TICKETS)
  • October 4th – Boston, MA @ Royale Boston (TICKETS)
  • October 7th – New York, NY @ Webster Hall (TICKETS)
  • October 9th – Montreal, QC @ Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre (TICKETS)
  • October 10th – Toronto, ON @ The Hoxton (TICKETS)
  • October 11th – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall  (TICKETS)
  • October 13th – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall (TICKETS)
  • October 14th – St. Louis, MO @ The Ready Room (TICKETS)
  • October 16th – Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Downstairs  (TICKETS)
  • October 17th – Austin, TX @ Emo’s (TICKETS)
  • October 18th – Dallas, TX @ Trees (TICKETS)
  • October 20th – Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom (TICKETS)
  • October 21st – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues  (TICKETS)
  • October 24th – Los Angeles, CA @ Mayan Theatre (TICKETS)
  • October 25th – San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s (TICKETS)

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