"Bus" by Naked Roommate

 

Depending on the living arrangements you have had throughout your adult life, the notion of a naked roommate might be thrilling or frightening. But today we bring you an exciting (and completely non-threatening) Naked Roommate. The occasion is "Bus", the first single from the upcoming LP Pass the Loofah. And while non-threatening, it strikes our ears as sexy as hell and our feet can't stop moving. We cued it up first thing this morning and all our morning activities have been completed in record time. We may use the race shoes for the morning run!  Freewheeling and beat heavy, like Lizzy Mercier Descloux merged with Australia's No Zu.

The Oakland outfit's new album is due October 25 via Trouble In Mind Records.

TroubleInMind · Naked Roommate - Bus (Trouble In Mind Records)

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Vanishing Twin - Afternoon X

 

We are remiss in not writing sooner about Afternoon X by London trio Vanishing Twin. It has given us great delight for a couple of months and we still discover new joys with every listen. The band spreads its psychedelic arts across tracks that can be described as pop, trip hop, electronic pop, creating a soundscape that is both aurally colorful and pleasingly fluid. Even at its most experimental, and it definitely has plenty of such moments, it is playful and accessible. At some point, you may even think that you have begun to hallucinate. In fact, you may be hallucinating, but not to worry, it likely is just the music. Well, probably it is just the music. You do you, and we won't judge. However, we recommend that you give this album your ears. 

For this record Vanishing Twin is Cathy Lucas, Valentina Magaletti and Susumu Mukai. Afternoon X is out now via Fire Records.

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"Baby, We're Ascending" by HAAi

 

We needed this song to start the day. We mean, we really, really needed it. Swamped at work, exposed to COVID and feeling like we might not have dodged it and waiting for the slow PCR test confirmation. To understate it a bit, we needed a lift, and a lift we got via "Baby, We're Ascending". The song is the title track from the album by London-based DJ HAAi. A thrilling an uplifting dance floor delight, created with the assistance of Jon Hopkins, it is just the mood enhancement we needed. And now we are looking forward to the album.

Baby, We're Ascending will be out May 27 via Mute Records.

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Man Without Country - Bloods, Side A EP

 

Bloods, Side A is a testament to the power of electronic music to exude warmth, depth, emotion and color. The record is the work of Welsh artist Ryan A. James, recording as Man Without Country. James' music is detailed, playful and complete, offering a full package of melody, beats and crafted lyrics. In his 30s, James has had a solid career in collaboration with others, solo, and remixing. However, the quality of his work exceeds his fame. If justice is served, this EP will give him the recognition he deserves.

Bloods, Side A is out now in digital and CD formats.

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Sam Gellaitry - IV

 

Scottish producer and composer Sam Gellaitry has released the digital version of his new EP IV (the vinyl version comes in June), following the three EPs he released between 2015 and 2017. Well regarded as a master beatmaker, Sam steps up to the mic for the first time in this recording, and hits the bullseye vocally as well. IV consists of four tracks focusing on four different emotions. And all of them sparkle and dazzle with musical color. Last month we posted the excellent lead single "Duo" (link), so we will give you two of the other tracks today.

IV is released via Sam's Viewfinder Recording imprint via FFRR Records/Parlophone.

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“Seeds” by Yoke Lore

Here is a nice electronic song by New York solo artist Yoke Lore (Adrian Galvin) that builds slowly to a majestic soundscape. It's part of a soundtrack to a film called Pink Skies Ahead, scored by Galvin with collaborator Ariel Loh, which premiered on MTV over the weekend. It’s sort of a coming of age, self-discovery story about a young woman coming to grips with life and anxiety. The song, according to Galvin, is “about trying to love someone who’s going through a crisis.”

  

YOKE LORE · Seeds

Here is a link to a review of the film at EW, if you're interested to learn more. Among other things, Henry Winkler’s in it! 

  Yoke Lore "Seeds" streaming/download site

“The Man Who Sold the World” by The Hics (Bowie tribute Modern Love due out May 28)

 We’re happy to be able to tell you about this upcoming David Bowie tribute record, including covers by The Hics, Helado Negro, Khruangbin, We are KING and a host of other artists recording alternative versions of some well-known and some lesser-known cuts from Bowie’s oeuvre. As one of the Bobs put it so well, we celebrate the guy's entire catalog. Here is “The Man Who Sold the World” by The Hics. It creates a whole new mood around the song, sort of a low-key spy soundtrack feel:

BBE Music · The Hics - The Man Who Sold The World

And here is "Sound and Vision" by Helado Negro, a fairly catchy Latin-tinged slow and easy hip-hop track that highlights the melody of the original song while creating a new way to think about the lyrics of this 1977 Bowie classic. I like the idea of including this one in a jazz/hip hop/electronic music collection - Bowie was trying some new stuff on Low at the time, and this feels pretty true to the spirit:

 

 Finally (I'm just catching up) here is We are KING playing "Space Oddity" - a stretched out electronic version with breathy female vocals that ramps up the volume and layers in more sounds as it builds. Because the song's so well-known and loved, a cover would have to be pretty different, and this one is.

 

So hopes are high for the rest of this record. Definitely looking forward to the Khruangbin track.  The album is due out May 28 on BBE Records. 

BBE Music Website 

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Helado Negro website 

We Are KING website

"Duo" by Sam Gellaitry

 

Scottish producer Sam Gellaitry released three EPs between 2015 and 2017. An EP titled IV is scheduled for release May 14 in digital and June 11 on vinyl. A proven talent as a producer, the new EP will feature his voice for the first time. Sam's refreshingly innovative compositions reflect his penchant to think of expressing music as various color choices, as well as reflecting a broad array of influences. The first single from the upcoming EP is "Duo", which was inspired by French house. Try it out with the video below. "Duo" is out now via on Sam's own imprint Viewfinder Recordings via FFRR Records/Parlophone.

 

sam gellaitry · Duo

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Various links for "Duo"

"Like Butterflies" and "A Tall Tale" by Union of Knives

This week Scottish electronic act Union of Knives shared two new songs, "Like Butterflies" and "A Tall Tale", featuring Ladytron's Helen Marnie. Both songs also have been released with accompanying videos, with the video for "Like Butterflies" featuring an interpretative dance by Alexandra Tsiapi. The two songs can bookend your evening with different approaches to fill the dance floor. Both songs are taken from their new album Endless From The Start -- their first in 14 years -- which is out on either May 31 or June 4 (we have differing information) via Disco Piñata. Few bands can combine dance, soul, electronic and industrial like this trio, and we are thrilled with the promise of their return.

Union of Knives are Chris Gordon, Ant Thomaz (Dope Sick Fly), and Peter Kelly (of The Kills and Ladytron).

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Bandcamp for album (pre-order)

 

Mong Tong - Mystery 秘神

Mystery, the debut album by Taiwan's Mong Tong provides us with one of the more creative sets of music we have heard in a long time. Constructed of synths, bass, guitar, programming and a boatload of samples, it is playful, adventuresome, and inspiring. And its bass heavy segments decorated with psychedelic shards would earn the approval of even King Tubby and Scratch Perry..

The band consists of brothers Hom Yu and Jun Chi. Apparently the music was inspired by Taiwanese folklore and occult. Sadly, we don't have the background knowledge to further describe how the music illustrates the brothers' take on those subjects, but we assure you that no such knowledge is necessary to appreciate the product. Mystery is out now in vinyl and digital formats.







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Blue Tiles - Melancholitronica

Melancholitronica is constructed of contrasts: The vocal style of Stephen McLaren with the vocal style of Sean Ormsby; icy electronica and brisk percussion with warm synth textures; earthy male vocals with angelic choruses; and melancholy with bright, aural colors. The creators are Blue Tiles, a Edinburgh duo formerly known as Shards, and they have spent a long time creating a synth pop that should satisfy the listener for an equally long time. While a few of the songs could grace the dance floor, in the main this album aims for the head, not the feet. And while that strikes us as a trickier target, Blue Tiles doesn't appear to break into a sweat in scoring a direct hit. It challenges and relaxes, and always delights

Blue Tiles are Stephen McLaren and Sean Ormsby, with vocal assistance on "Headland" by Sarrah McLaren. Melancholitronica is released via Errant Media, presumably after protracted negotiations between artists McLaren and Ormsby with label honchos Ormsby and McLaren.








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"Club DZ" by Acid Arab

As fans of Acid Arab, the dudes that bring middle eastern and Parisian club music together in intoxicating fashion, we are thrilled that they have announce a new album.  Jdid will be available in October via label Crammed Discs.  Our first hint of the upcoming album is the thumping "Club DZ".  Start your week out with a great tune!

Acid Arab originally consisted of Guido Minisky and Herve Carvalho.  Their roster now includes Pierrot Casanova, Nicholas Borne, and Kenzi Bourras, as well.






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"Distance" by Matveï

Time for some travelling music for our evening commute, and the spot of honor goes to "Distance" by Montreal-based Frenchman Matveï.  The euphoric house track features delightful and unexpected accents and features vocals by UK singer Alyss.  The producer's debut EP will be available later this year via French label Kitsune.



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"Easy" by Subshine

Ole Gunnar Gundersen's musical reputation was originally attributable to his role as frontman for the band Lorraine.  Now working as a solo artist under the name Subshine, he will release his debut album, Easy Window, next month.  Inspired by the Norwegian landscape and crafted with vintage synthesizers, it promises to be inspiring music.  But you don't have to wait another couple of weeks to get a hint, because a lyric video for album track "Easy" is available right here, right now.  Enjoy!

Easy Window will be released on June 7 via Apollon Records.




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"Rock Paper Scissors" by Lemonade Kid

Here is some wonderfully dirty electro rock from Lemonade Kid.  The base track is "Rock Paper Scissors", but the record includes three diverse remixes.  It is late at night and I can't stop playing it.  I'm going to be a bit tired at my desk in the morning.

Lemonade Kid is Dominic Lack.  For "Rock Paper Scissors" he was assisted by Jarrod Jones on bass and guitar.




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"The Enemy" by Carl Lewis

We start our music day with our ears turned to Norway -- all the better to hear "The Enemy" by Carl Louis.  Carl has made a name for himself in the production/electronic/DJ genre as one half of  CLMD, but has launched his solo project under his own name.  With two previous EPs out in the world, he is preparing to release his debut LP this summer, and this single gives us our first taste.  We are advised to expect the synths to be supplemented with guitars, drums and Carl's own vocals to bridge between his past work and the Scandinavian indie pop of Miike Snow and The Radio Dept.  We expect good things.

"The Enemy" is out now via Norwegian label Toothfairy, and should be available at your preferred digital source.




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Honey 2 Honey - A Taste Of

This is a perfect way to slide into the weekend.  Canberra/Sydney four-piece Honey 2 Honey is priming our interest in their eventual full length with the tasty EP A Taste Of.  Consisting of one of our favorite songs so far this year, "Tone Of Voice", and three terrific supporting tracks.  The special sauce here is a hypnotic, dubby brand of electronic R&B.  This is a change of pace that all of us indie kids truly needed, and it has pasted a smile on all of our faces around here.

Honey 2 Honey are Rory Stenning, Luke Keanan-Brown, Del Lumanta, and Daryl Prondoso.  A Taste Of is out now in digital and vinyl formats via one of the finest indie labels in the business, Melbourne's Chapter Music.




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Various Artists - Kitsune Parisien

Ahhh ... springtime in Paris.  Except it isn't quite springtime, and we aren't in Paris.  We are, however, very much enjoying Kitsune Parisien, the fifth installment of up and coming French stars compiled by French-Japanese label Kitsune Musique.  The album consists of 14 vibrant and varied tracks that will keep us smiling up until spring and beyond.

Kitsune Parisien is out now as a digital release.  Take it for a test drive at the Soundcloud link -- you won't be disappointed.








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Benin City - Last Night

Late night -- a place in time, an event, a state of mind.  Last Night, by trio Benin City, is a surging, sparkling ode to London nightlife comprised of beats, spoken work, hip hop, electronica, and dance floor delights.  And it is one of our favorite discoveries this year.  Cue it up and push back the furniture.  This album is so good you may skip going out this evening.

Benin City are Joshua Idehen, Tom Leaper, and Shanaz Dorsett.  Last Night was released earlier this year via Moshi Moshi Music.








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"Seasons" by Natvrals

Today's first feature is "Seasons" by Spanish electronic duo Natvrals.  The track is taken from their debut EP, Loss Is Change.  Featuring swirling synths and dominant bass, it is a terrific start to our day. 

The band consists of Arturo and Gabriel, who reside in Madrid.





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