It seems like all of 2009 and 2010′s big names in chillwave are maturing and trying to push their sound away from the subgenre that everybody loves to hate. In this case, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
This Memory Tapes track was released on a compilation called LOVE SIC DISCO and it’s supposed to make an appearance on Memory Tapes’ follow up to ‘Seek Magic’
This is a really weird video from Cleveland rockers Cloud Nothings. I guess I would classify it as “braidcore porn.” Totally SFW, though. I think.
Polyvinyl artist Starfucker (or STRFKR for presumably promotional purposes) are releasing their second full length in March. Compared to their ambitious, self-titled debut, ‘Reptilians’ is a more relaxed and less spontaneous album. It’s the kind of album that I want to sit and listen to all the way through. It’s never overwhelming or challenging, and I mean that in a good way.
There are obvious standout tracks like “Death as a Fetish,” a beautiful pop song with more than just a great title. I doubt you’ll be hearing any songs from this album in a Target Pharmacy commercial, though. Those who are familiar with the band’s debut will recognize some of the samples that serve as transitions between songs. It’s a cool gimmick that I’m sure will be easily recreated in a live setting, which is where this band really shines anyway.
Tracks like “Bury Us Alive” and “The White of Noon” juxtapose lead singer Joshua Hodges’ subdued vocals with exploding synth lines and intense drum beats. Songs of this nature are plentiful in the album and make it a very worthy sophomore effort from a band that’s proven their ability to create innovative electronic pop music in a landscape that’s becoming littered with over-experimentation and copycat artists.
Listen to / download two tracks from the album below:
One of the best Chillwave acts of 2009 and 2010, MillionYoung aka Mike Diaz, is starting 2011 off strong with a debut LP composed of 11 sparkling sun-drenched gems during the coldest months of the year. MillionYoung has been a favorite of the lo-fi bedroom pop scene since his first EP ‘Sunndream’ which was released in 2009.
Diaz released ‘Be So True,’ the follow up to Sunndream, almost a year ago. Surprisingly, the hype hasn’t died down since then. For a community that has come to expect rapid-fire single releases (see: Blackbird Blackbird) and free EPs, MillionYoung has kept the level of anticipation high for his first full-length.
Everything on the album sounds a little more polished. Diaz’ vocals are cleaned up, but not necessarily the focus of most tracks. Synths sound brighter and smoother. Acoustic strums are replaced by distorted guitar lines and the drum loops are far more interesting and complex than on the past 2 releases.
If you’re a fan of any of MillionYoung’s work, you will like this album. You will like this album a lot. Almost every song is a winner. You’ll have no problem playing this well into summer.
Listen to / download “Easy Now” from Replicants below.
The press release has officially arrived. Teen Daze will be starting a digital label to help bring good, free music to the masses. I couldn’t be more excited about this project. As an added bonus, we get a new Teen Daze track from the label’s first release: a digital 7″ of two brand new songs.
Cultus Vibes website // Cultus Vibes on Tumblr // Cultus Vibes on Twitter // Cultus Vibes on Facebook
Listen to / download “Together” below. Read the full press release after that.
Blackbird Blackbird continues his prolific experimentation with a two and a half minute demo that was posted on Soundcloud today titled “The Clouds Are Rising” and a freaky Phantom of the Opera inspired track called “Sunsigns” which may be his weirdest song to date.
Yesterday he cleared up some of the confusion surrounding a lot of the songs he’s been releasing lately in a Tumblr post announcing “Sunsigns”
Sunsigns is yet another experimental song. This stuff is so different than the stuff on the new album.—But at the rate we’re making these tracks it seems like we should just release another one at around the same time. Well, whatever the case, whichever album we get done with sooner will be the one that will be released next
Listen to / download both new tracks below:
Blackbird Blackbird – Sunsigns
Blackbird Blackbird – The Clouds are Rising (Demo)
Looks like Best Coast has teamed up with I Can Has Cheezburger for the premiere of the video for their single ‘Crazy for You.’ It’s a perfect fit, as the video is filled with kittehs and lulz. Enjoy.
Panda Bear’s upcoming LP Tomboy doesn’t come out for another three months, but this song was found in a skateboard video. It’s a swirling psychedelic affair reminiscent of Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Listen to / download below. Warning: I’m pretty sure there are sounds from the video in this MP3, so stay tuned for a possibly better rip.
This song is perfect to listen to while watching it snow outside your window in the Chicago suburbs. The A-side from Keep Shelly In Athens’ upcoming 7″ on Transparent Records, ‘Hauntin’ Me’ is heavy on the dreaminess and light on distortion. Listen to / download below.
Keep Shelly in Athens – Hauntin’ Me
Buy a digital copy of Keep Shelly in Athens – In Love With Dusk from Amazon
Teen Daze is like a King Midas for my ears. Listen to / download below.
