Music Archive: October 2011
Here is a very small selection of the new music we've been playlisting this month
Crazy P- When We On (2020 Vision)
Crazy P's fifth(!) album comes out this month, and what a piece of work it is. Packed with potential singles and sounding like what Prince would sound like making rave music, 'When We On' is a massive step forward for the band. The layers, the harmonies, the songwriting- everything adds up to the sound of a band finding their footing and taking their sound to the next level. This is an accomplished, assured coming of age for a band truly in their element.
Remember Remember- The Quickening (Rock Action)
Having developed from a one-man-band to a veritable Glasgow indie supergroup, Remember Remember's second album is surely set to propel Graeme Ronald's shimmering indie electronics to the mainstream. Smart people making smart music that is simultaneously poignant and psychedelic, this might well be the record to eclipse Mogwai's position as the primary outfit on Rock Action.
Sabrina Malheiros- The Dreaming (Far Out)
This is gorgeous Brazilian electronic soul from the daughter of Azymuth's Alex Malheiros, but it isn't a record borne of association. Ms Malheiros is undoubtably one of the finest songwriters of her generation, and 'The Dreaming' is testament to this- it's the greatest set of blissful bossa soul-folk you'll hear this side of Astrud Gilberto, and it's going to be getting a lot of play from us here at Open Ear.
Fink- Perfect Darness/Berlin Sunrise (Ninja Tune)
Folk favourite Fink returns, with this double A side for the mighty Ninja Tune, featuring the vocals of sultry soulful labelmate Andreya Triana. Melancholic atmospherics here, a 21st century take on vintage folk acoustics with a gorgeous, lethargic soulful twist.
Vindahl- Serendipity (Tokyo Dawn)
Open Ear favourites Tokyo Dawn come up with the goods again, this time in the shape of Ronni Vindahl's (of Boom Clap Bachelors) debut LP. Modern electronic indie-pop in the style of Talking Heads or Trevor Horn, this is going to be on heavy rotation on our playlists. Modern, intelligent pop for a discerning audience.
Yacht- Shangri-La (DFA)
Another fifth album, this time from Yacht (Young Americans Challenging High Technology), and it's that rare beast in 2011- a concept album. 'Shangri-La' was written at the time of the BP oil spill and is laced with apocalyptic post-utopian notions, yet insists optimism upon the listener. Bubbling synths and bouncing bass keep the album positive and the quality we've come to expect from DFA is maintained. Headphones or dancefloor, there's nothing not to enjoy about this.
Real Estate- Days (Domino)
The hotly-tipped Real Estate finally treat us to their album for Domino, and it's well worth the wait. Recorded in New York by Kevin MacMahon (of The Walkmen), 'Days' is a beautiful set of dazzling indie-pop reminiscent of Television at their prime, or early My Bloody Valentine. Masterful song-writing and lush production throughout leaves us with one of the most exciting guitar albums for a long time. Grab the download, CD, LP or cassette and see for yourself!
Tarwater- Inside the Ships (Bureau B)
We're delighted to welcome Berlin's Tapete family of labels to our roster, and what an excellent release to start with. Built over two years, 'Inside The Ships' has already inspired a film. Unusual, since Tarwater have been spending a big part of the last fifteen years composing music for existing films. This is the German duo at their finest, analogue electronica for a vintage future that never existed.
The Stepkids- The Stepkids (Stones Throw)
Rarely does a month go by without an outstanding Stones Throw release, and this Stepkids record is a treat. Soul, jazz, golden-era hip-hop drenched in the sound of seventies west-coast psychedlia, we don't know where Stones Throw find this stuff, but we're glad they do. Stepkids are currently touring with The Horrors, so get a listen to this before the mainstream wrenches them to their inevitable deserved stardom.
Caged Animals- Eat Their Own (Lucky Number)
You might know lead single 'Teflon Heart', but there's much more to Caged Animals than that. Swooping, swooning songs in the style of Animal Collective or Deerhunter, this is accomplished, mature, innovative modern pop. Cinematic songwriting that sounds like it could come from a hazy day in a 1970s New York loft, and a likely candidate for the end-of-year 'best of' lists