Category Archives: new albums

December 7, 2011 · 4:55 pm

New Video: The Phenomenal Handclap Band – “The Unknown Faces at Father James Park”

Phenomenal Handclap Band speaks about the video:

As a teenager, Father James Park was the local park where my friends and I were able to go and not be bothered by our parents or other authority figures. We used to meet there as often as possible to hang out and clear our minds, and since there were no adults around, it also became the place we’d go to expand our minds. The Unknown Faces at Father James Park is about the inherent peer pressure, confusion, and tumultuous times that teenagers have. For the video, we thought the best way to reflect this subject matter would be to edit together found footage along the lines of the various PSA’s  we were subjected to in high school. They were so humorless and terrifying at the time, but looking back, it was a lot of unnecessary warning against what turned out to be healthy experimentation.

Phenomenal Handclap Band is also preparing the release of the follow-up to their acclaimed, self-titled debut album. Form & Control, PHB’s ambitious new work takes their clever fusion of international psych, soul, and cosmic disco a bold step forward.  With co-founders Daniel Collás and Sean Marquand at the production helm, Form & Control finds the band once again deftly mixing and matching seemingly disparate musical genres, with a musical palette that now includes prog-pop, new wave and modern leftfield dance.

Form and Control will be released February 14, 2012 on Tummy Touch Records.

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December 4, 2011 · 5:08 pm

Free Download: Housse de Racket – “Roman” (Alvin Risk remix)

For the first time ever, French synth-rock duo Housse de Racket will be stepping foot left of the Atlantic Ocean when they tour the United States with fellow Frenchmen, pop trio Yelle. The tour is following the release of their sophomore album, Alesia.  In honor of the tour, Housse de Racket is releasing a remix of their first single “Roman.”

De Racket, which translates in English to ‘tennis racket cover,’ are Victor Le Masne and Pierre Leroux. The two are highly sought-after musical collaborators with impressive resumes; they’ve worked with the likes of Chilly Gonzales, Phoenix, and Air. For Alesia, Housse de Racket has teamed up with French super-producer, Phillipe Zdar (Cassius, Phoenix, The Rapture) to create a collection of eleven electro-pop songs in the vein of the bands’ own wide range of musical influences; from Ennio Morricone to David Bowie. The result is a unique compilation of tracks that embody the sound Housse de Racket has made famous, both through their first album and their live show. Recorded half in French and half in English, Alesia is an evolution of sound; a bold new direction for the album.

Listen/download: Housse de Racket – “Roman” (Alvin Risk remix)

Housse De Racket Tour Dates w/ Yelle 

  • 12/04: Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits
  • 12/05: Atlanta, GA @ Loft
  • 12/07: Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
  • 12/08: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
  • 12/09: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
  • 12/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Transit

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November 15, 2011 · 12:15 pm

Check ‘Em Out: Remember Remember

Click to check out the album on iTunes

Glasgow’s instrumental ensemble Remember Remember released their new album The Quickening on October 11th through Mogwai’s Rock Action Records here in the US. Remember Remember’s musical journey, which began as one guy on stage with a loopstation and a bag of toys, now finds them here with The Quickening, a powerful and exciting listen that promises live experiences just as thrilling. Recorded in early 2011 at Chem 19 Studios in Scotland against a background of tumultuous global events, the new album sees Remember Remember return with the same seven-piece group heard on last year’s “RR Scorpii” EP.

The Quickening is still a playful, colourful record- the music dives deeper into darker, psychedelic territories hinted at on “RR Scorpii.” Pagan waltzes, apocalyptic Egyptian surf and Middle Eastern modes mingle with somber pianos and bleak string interludes, concluding with a duo of songs – “One Happier” and “John Candy,” both bittersweet and stratospheric, creating an ending made of pure, bright light.

Download: Remember Remember – “John Candy”

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November 9, 2011 · 3:01 pm

Upcoming: New EP from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

My Love is Easy: Remixes Pt. 2 Tracklisting:

1. Morning Thought (Phantasmagoria Remix)
2. Simple Girl (Tiger & Woods Remix)
3. Vocal Chords (Shout Out Out Out Out Remix)
4. Nothing But Our Love (Memory Tapes remix)
5. Simple Girl (Chuck Daniels Remix)
6. Nothing But Our Love (Pictureplane Remix)

 

Detroit duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. have announced their forthcoming remix EP, My Love Is Easy: Remixes Pt. 2 (the follow up to My Love Is Easy: Remixes Pt. 1). Featuring remixes by Memory Tapes, Tiger & Woods, Pictureplane and more — My Love Is Easy: Remixes Pt. 2 includes original tracks from their acclaimed debut LP, It’s A Corporate World noted by Pitchfork as “so well-engineered and aerodynamic” and is set for a November 15 release.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. spent most of the year of the road, completing a phenomenal second headlining tour including a sold-out NYC show, a summer festival circuit through Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and Philadelphia’s Popped! Festival, and a set of recent European performances.  The band also just played a lively DJ set at this year’s CMJ Music Marathon followed by a set of performances in Montreal and Toronto with Moby in continued support of It’s A Corporate World, which made one of Filter’s “Top 20 Records of 2011 (So Far..)” and the NPR Listeners Poll as “Best Of The Year.”
The track is also available for a free download in exchange for an email address or tweet — click here to head to their website and get it.
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November 9, 2011 · 2:48 pm

New Video: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “Major” (Live @ Bowery Ballroom)

Copenhagen’s The Asteroids Galaxy Tour have been winning over audiences globally with their unique brand of cutting edge, soulful, infectious pop. Since forming in 2007, the Danish group has racked up accomplishments that includes having singles featured in two global television ads and successful US tours. The band is now gearing up to release its second album, Out Of Frequency, January 31, 2012 on BMG Rights.

The band played to voracious crowds on their last US our including a sold show at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom. Check out the video above for “Major.” The slinky tune will seduce you with its 70’s blaxploitation-esque horn stabs and edgy vocals that are the perfect balance of commanding and sweet.

Brandishing a signature sound that infuses indie-pop with neo-psychedelia, dance and retro-futuristic soul, The Asteroids Galaxy Tour never fail to produce addictive tunes that don’t sacrifice imagination. They deliver yet another unforgettable anthem with “Heart Attack” with its instantly memorable melody and a caffeinated beat guaranteed to invade dance floors. Title track “Out Of Frequency” highlights the soulful side of the band with its smoky nostalgic atmosphere and  “Fantasy Friend Forever” has all the elements of an ecstatic psych-pop explosion with it’s thumpin’ beat and addictive hooks, making it nearly impossible for listeners not to get out of their seats.

Download: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – “Major” 

 

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November 8, 2011 · 2:33 pm

New Album: The Cure – Live at Bestival 2011

ATTENTION: All fans of The Cure (OMG – I’m so excited!!!)

Sunday Best Recordings is thrilled to announce the December 6th release of The Cure: Bestival Live 2011, a live recording of the iconic bands incredible, career-spanning two and a half hour set performed at this year’s Bestival.

The double album, which is split over two CDs and also available as a digital download is made up of thirty-two Cure classics, including “The Lovecats,” “The Caterpillar,” “Close To Me,” “Friday I’m In Love,” “Lullaby,” “The Hungry Ghost,” “The End Of The World,” “Just Like Heaven,” “Grinding Halt,” “Jumping Someone Else’s Train” and “Boys Don’t Cry.”

Of the live album, Robert Smith of The Cure says “We had such a great time in the Isle of Wight at Bestival that we wanted to release this show as a way of thanking fans and islanders alike. Bestival is the best!”

All profits from the sale of this album will go to the Isle of Wight Youth Trust (Reg Charity No: 1087163). The Isle of Wight Youth Trust is a charitable, independent and professional organization offering counseling, advice, information and support services to young people aged 25 and under on the Isle of Wight (the home of Bestival) and, in some cases, their parents or carers. The Youth Trust has been working on the Isle of Wight for 27 years and has made a positive input to the wellbeing of people locally. www.iowyouthtrust.co.uk

Eileen Monks, Director of The Isle of Wight Youth Trust, says; “What wonderful news that The Cure should choose us, an Island charity of 27 years, to benefit in this way. This came completely out of the blue and at a time when it is becoming extra hard to raise funds to support our work with children and young people on the Island, further cementing our association with young people in their many interests and aspects of their lives. We would like to thank Rob da Bank for his continuing support.”

Rob da Bank, founder of Bestival says “Since I was 15 and backcombing my hair, donning my sisters eyeliner and singing the lyrics to “A Forest” into my hairbrush I’ve had an unhealthy fascination with The Cure. To say it reached its peak at Bestival 2011 is an understatement, as after seven years of pestering I not only landed The Cure to headline Bestival, but now appear to be putting out one of their live records on my own record label. How strange! For any of the 50,000 who were at Bestival and saw all or some of the two and a half hour set, this live album will transport you back. For fans of The Cure who didn’t make it I know this will be a legendary addition to your Cure collection!”

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November 3, 2011 · 2:21 pm

New Track: Pretty Good Dance Moves – “8th Movement (I Wonder Why)”

Pretty Good Dance Moves was born when the group combined their analog synths and drum machine collections and began experimenting with electro/dance tracks in 2006. After a few years of experimenting the group cut some demos which were released by the group independently. These recordings caught the attention of Seattle’s influential KEXP radio station, which invited the band to do an in-studio while they were broadcasting in Chicago for a week. This dynamic performance, which was their first ever, immediately launched the band into the spotlight, with a KEXP staff member later naming it the best in-studio of the year. Meanwhile, Spin Magazine decided to premiere their video starring the correspondent from the Daily Show/ Flight of the Conchords personality Kristen Schaal.

Now, Pretty Good Dance Moves announce their new album LIMO to be released on February 7th, 2012. For this full-length, which will be released on MAD Dragon/Township, the band enlisted the sultry vocals of Brazilian Girls’ singer Sabina Sciubba. You can listen and download the closing track from the album, premiered exclusively by Stereogum HERE.

The synthy-electro dance band Pretty Good Dance Moves with Jimmy Giannopoulos and Aaron Allietta at the core, is based out of Brooklyn, NY and spent the last few years cutting tracks with dozens of collaborators, including Bjorn Yttling (Peter Bjorn & John), Lissy Trullie, Patience Hodgson (The Grates), Linnea Jonsson (Those Dancing Days) & Genevieve Schatz (Company of Thieves).  The band released their self-titled debut PGDM EP in 2010.

Pretty Good Dance Moves new album LIMO was cut at their Brooklyn apartment and in Paris, France. This new album crosses electro-experimental-ambient and disco boundaries and takes a different approach from their previous recordings. LIMO is 32 minutes long, composed of 8 movements and intended to be listened to as one complete work from start to finish.  PGDM’s intention was to make a record, not singles!  Sabina Sciubba of Brazilian Girls is the featured vocalist on LIMO and sings in 3 different languages (English, German and French).

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October 26, 2011 · 10:51 am

Wale and Diplo Leak New Track

Wale and Diplo are so proud of their hot new track “Slight Work” that they decided on Twitter to leak it.  “Slight Work,” which is on Wale’s Ambition (album drops on Tuesday, 11/1/11), features Big Sean and was produced by Diplo, who premiered the track yesterday on his Facebook.

 

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October 25, 2011 · 2:16 pm

New Music: Phenomenal Handclap Band – “Following”

On the heels of their US tour opening for the legendary Bryan Ferry, The Phenomenal Handclap Band have released “Following” – the first single off their forthcoming new album, Form & Control, out January 31st via Tummy Touch Records. The track finds the group taking the next step forward from the cosmic disco-funk and international, psychedelic soul of their critically acclaimed debut album.

The band will also be making their triumphant return to their hometown of New York on November 23rd to headline a show at Hiro Ballroom for Tummy Touch Records’ 15th year anniversary.  They will perform along with Horse Meat Disco and Bing Ji Ling, and the night will include DJ sets by Tummy Touch founder Tim “Love” Lee and other special guests.

“Following” was written in NYC while dancing at David Mancuso‘s legendary Loft Party and inspired by the sounds of Human League, Chic and Fern Kinney.   Sean Marquand, writer and co-producer of the song, recalls:  “At a truly great dance party, there is a moment when you can feel a certain energy take off in the room.  You can look around and see that everyone is in to the exact same thing at the exact same moment, it’s a unifying force.  The song is directed toward all of those who might want to join that moment and experience the same spirit.”

Stream/download: Phenomenal Handclap Band – “Following”

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October 21, 2011 · 10:55 am

Newest Love: Class Actress

Check out this video from Class Actress for “Journal of Ardency” — a single from last year on Class Actress’ EP Journal of Ardency on Terrible Records. Class Actress is Elizabeth Harper and when she set out on her glam-rock adventure, she decided to have a REAL early 80s feel to her music by using vintage drums and analog synths.

Have a listen at “Weekend” from her debut album, Rapprocher, out now through Carpark Records.

“sweetly spectral vocals over lush ’80s synths and beats.” – NYLON

“New York is no stranger to disco-influenced electro-pop, but there’s always room for another addition to the party….cool and collected vocal hooks from [Elizabeth] Harper’s sultry croon floating atop a straightforward dance beat rife with shimmering synths and bouncing basslines.” – XLR8R

Tracklist:

1. Keep You
2. Love Me Like You Used To
3. Weekend
4. Prove Me Wrong
5. Need To Know
6. Limousine
7. All The Saints
8. Bienvenue
9. Missed
10. Hangin’ On
11. Let Me In

 

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