Electronic
Track: Zero 7 – 400 Blows
Yes, you read that right. New music from Sam Hardaker and Harry Binns, aka Zero 7. It comes in the form of an EP, called (funnily enough) E.P.3, and follows on from EP numbers 1 & 2, which date from before their major label days. It also comes ahead of their first album in five …
Album Review: Melanie De Biasio – No Deal (Remixed)
Beligian/Italian singer Melanie de Biasio made a record last year, No Deal, a record that showcased her singing, songwriting, even flute playing. With a voice that approached both Karen Carpenter and (more pertinently) Nina Simone, at least stylistically, it was a wake up call that soul jazz was very much alive and well. Despite picking …
Track: Portico – 101 feat. Joe Newman, plus UK tour dates
Now minus the quartet, London trio Portico return with a new album ‘Living Fields’, out on 30th March (a week earlier than originally planned) through the constantly brilliant Ninja Tune label. The three piece, Duncan Bellamy, Milo Fitzpatrick and Jack Wyllie aren’t treating the album as a continuation of their work as/in a quartet, rather …
See: Young Karin release video for ‘Sirens’
One of the debut EP’s of the year last year came from Icelandic duo Logi Pedro Stefansson and Karin Sveinsdottir, aka Young Karin. After meeting at a song contest, the pair locked themselves away in a Reykjavík studio, reappearing with the n1 EP, and (more recently) winning awards at the Icelandic Music Awards. It starts …
Track: Lisbon – “I Don’t Know”
Lisbon are Matthew, Joe, Alex and Gaz, hailing from the North East and are on the verge of breaking through into the big leagues. Their music is infectious, euphoric and fits neatly into the current trend of upbeat, melodic, synth-driven pop alongside Two Door Cinema Club, the 1975 and Foals. I caught them as support …
Track: Hot Chip “Huarache Lights”
Electropop heroes Hot Chip are making a confident return to the music scene with new track “Huarache Lights” and inititally the late night house synths seem to be suggesting a slightly more conventional track than the quirky math-rock-esque material they normally tend towards. However, this is soon accompanied by Hot Chip’s usual pitch-bending chords, harmonies …
News: Warp to reissue Broadcast back catalogue
Following the tragic death of frontwoman Trish Keenan in 2011 left fans wondering what would happen to Birmingham kitch soul popsters Broadcast, it was of some comfort that the sole remaining member James Cargill has kept the fires burning, with the brilliant scores to Berbarian Sound Studio and the upcoming Duke Of Burgundy, as well …
Meet: A Conversation With Jon Kennedy
Being a music writer, I get the chance to hear and meet some pretty amazing artists. Just when I think I’ve heard it all here comes five other musicians that blow me away. Artists doing their own thing in a unique way. And not only that, but my eyes are opened to music and music …
Album Review: Ibeyi – Ibeyi
There’s been a fair bit of fuss about Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Díaz, known to us as Ibeyi and to some as daughters of famed percussionist Anga Díaz. Their first album, a self-titled affair is out today (February 16th) on the XL label and is a joyous mix of their own roots – the French Cuban …
Album Review: Jonas Munk – Absorb Fabric Cascade
Jonas Munk has very few contemporaries exploring aural landscapes in quite the same way that he does. He seems to create musical canvases that are labyrinthine in scope; yet still as intimate as a warm embrace. His first solo outing, Pan, was warm and bubbling. It floated along a cloud of analog synth chugs and phased …