Baths - Cerulean

In the same vein as Flying Lotus and Gold Panda, California's 'Baths' makes off-kilter, beat heavy music with a focus on glitchy maximalism. Comprised of just one dude named Will, whose voice can sometimes get a bit Passion Pit-y, this debut album 'Cerulean' has been one of my go-to's for the past month or so. My favorite songs are the more instrumental ones. Watching videos of him perform live is really what put me over the edge, the man is obviously very talented.

Click below for live vids...
http://pitchfork.com/tv/#/episode/2730-baths
and here's his music video for my favorite track, Maximalist

Mansions On The Moon

'Mansions on the Moon' is the latest project from Lane Shaw and Ben Hazlegrove (of Pnuma Trio) along with singer/songwriter, Ted Wendler. The group formed a little over a year ago, developing their signature sound at studios in Atlanta and Virginia Beach and have since collaborated with N*E*R*D, Diplo, DJ Benzi and Chiddy Bang's Xaphoon Jones.'

I have been listening to this mixtape non stop for the last 3 days! 'Some tekkers are gooood, some tekkers are baaaaaaaad ... safe to say the boys have done good you know!'  ... Enjoy this as much as I am, available to download by clicking the arrow pointing down on the media player below.

 Diplo & DJ Benzi Present: Mansions on the Moon - Paradise Falls by Mansions on the Moon

Gayngs

'Who knows why the heart goes on?' ... Listen to Gayngs and you might figure out why.

A myriad hybrid of artists featuring Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, P.O.S, Mike Noyce members of Megafun, the Rosebuds and Solid Gold with Ryan Olsen leading the consortium. There are over 22 artists in this Gayng with their musical relaytions spanning across the genres...

Upon listening to the album 'Relayted' it's soft rock, 70's nostalgic sub-genre pop roots immediately come to the fore. Influences? Remember '10cc'? The classic heartbreak song... 'I'm Not In Love'? ... The pretenders covered it for the movie 'Indecent Proposal' ... still don't remember? As soon as you hear it you will recognise the record and probably begin humming along. Despite this comparison Gayngs succeed due to their lack of resemblance, where 10cc might sound cheesy, Gayngs are sexy yet sentimental.

Watch out for those almost pornographic Sax solos ...

Relayted currently out on the Jagjaguar record label.

Jono McCleery

Wow! 

I lay here with a cold. 'Sniffle sniffle' somewhat dazed as congestion aches the face ... you know the feeling? ... It matters not for I have a panacea oozing out of the speakers.

A strange simile but listening to the London based artist Jono Mccleery is as effective as combining Halls Soothers with Vicks Vapour Rub.

'Tomorrow' is quite simply just a wonderful record. Mccleery's sleepy soulful voice, summery guitar riffs, relaxed drum loops and plucked double bass inserts transcend into the body through the ears, brightening white once rosy eyes, sweeping clear nasal passages, soothing your throat, blissfully warming its way into your heart.

Check him out at http://www.jonomccleery.com/listen.html
 

Holy Ghost!

Turn Left for 'Cut Copy' or turn right for Chromeo....Mmmmmm Tough! but If I continue will I get anything new? Maybe if I continue I will get the latest ambassadors of James Murphy's DFA label???

Brooklyn Electronic duo Alex Frankel and Nick Millhiser who form 'Holy Ghost' drop their debut EP Static On The Wire. Handing over smooth 70s Tropical disco and 80s bright synth-pop. The basslines are showered with step-stone electronica.

Native New Yorkers, looks to kill, signed to DFA and Alex can sing his ass off. These guys got it all right now. As you can guess their Dj sets are full of Disco jewels and being compared to Phoenix and Chromeo no wonder these guys will be liked.

Currently touring around Germany but soon to be on our shores before Cliff Richard releases another Christmas hit...

3 Dec 2010

21:00

WHP Manchester, Manchester,

4 Dec 2010

22:00

XOYO - LIVE London, London,

Phantogram

Mouthful of Diamonds... Earful of gold.

When drinking a fine wine it's easy to gulp it down quickly, do so and miss out on all the subtle flavours, textures that make it delectable. Take Eyelid Movies, the debut album from Phantogram and let it swill... there is much to enjoy.

The sultry vocal of lead singer Sarah Barthel will seduce your auditory lust, sounds of Portishead sputter, drum loops remnant of DJ Shadow break-beat on and the boy-girl duo present parallels to the xx.

As the influences diverge and intersect we hear varying contours of a uniquely put together, essentially trip hop, sound-scape.

Eyelid Movies is the debut album from Phantogram.

Glasser

Have you ever been swooned?

Last night I went to a show not really paying much attention to the other two acts as Florence Welch was in the limelight... though she couldn't make it, not that it mattered much.

Glasser glistened as they performed to a crowd with glazed eyes gently swaying left to right. It was almost enchanting, as if one were swirling around a tribal campfire. The sound is metaphysical, profuse and emotional. Tropical pop, raucous tribal percussion, dreamy soaring vocals and varying fragments of electronica make for an interesting listen.

Ring is the debut album released on True Panther Records.

Mr. Scruff vs Kirsty Almeida

A shout out to Manchester, how I miss you!

Mr. Scruff... One of Ninja Tune's finest, combines forces with fellow Mancunian (a person originating from Manchester, UK) Kirsty Almeida to create 'Pickled Spider', a track which will definitely dust the cobwebs off your speakers.

Mr. Scruff is well known for his eclectic style and quirky visual animations. We 'see hear'... the visual from the video is equally as captivating as the sound. A grumbling dubstep framwork combined with some seismic bass, nominal string inserts and an evocative vocal, one can't help but nod and smile. It's a trip!

Check out more from Mr. Scruff and similar artists on the Solid Steel podcast!

Reeespec!