DRC Music

  Ah Congo (featuring Jupiter Bokondji and Bokatola System) by DRC Music

Hallo (featuring Tout Puissant Mukalo and Nelly Liyemge) by DRC Music

Damon Albarn needs to slow down. He is making the rest of us look really bad. Between Blur, the Good the Bad the Queen, Gorillaz, Operas, and everything else then man is involved in - I am not sure he can sleep. Regardless, he has a new project out called DRC Music, a benefit album for the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The project has a rediculous collaboration list: T-E-E-D (Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs), Dan The Automator, Jneiro Jarel, Richard Russell, Actress, Marc Antoine, Alwest, Remi Kabaka, Rodaidh McDonald and Kwes, along with the best musicians from the DRC.  I wish I could describe the tracks, but I do not have words for them.  They are incredibly good and need to be heard to be understood.  I will say that "Ah Congo" is deep and dark.  Enjoy!

The Campfire Headphase: Kelly Pavan

  Steaming With Audrey by Kelly Pavan

Kelly Pavan is a beat maker out of France.  His style is initially very reminiscent of the LA brainfeeder crew - specifically the more accessible Gaslamp Killer mixed with Dam-FunK.  Yet, the more you listen, to more you hear the subtleties of his tunes.  "Steaming with Audrey" is a serious banger with a great middle break down and the accordion synths that I love.  I am sitting her bobbing a long like a lunatic - the dude has skills.

  Backward, AfterMath & Whatever by Kelly Pavan

Clearly, Kelly Pavan is an omnivore.  The man has consumed the bests of dusty vinyl, glitch beats, chill wave, and more - turning it into one mega mash of beat goodness.  He is the kind of producer who inspires others to start making music.  I really can not say enough positives about the man.

  Licking My Pink Dream by Kelly Pavan

Kelly Pavan is actually the reason behind the Campfire Headphase. He emailed me some tracks and I didn't want to just put it out as a general post.  So be sure to thank him if you enjoy the new column.

Cold Love

  Ready by Cold Love

  Velvet Veins by Cold Love

Dark and droney.  This is definitely the sort of music that goes well with fall or late at night.  Cold Love is a new project out of Oakland.  I do not know much info about them, however I learned about them from Blackbird Blackbird.  If it were this time last year, I am sure they would have gotten the "witchhouse"/"drag" label - I always thought those were stupid names.  All that matters is that these songs should be played late night in a car.  "Ready" sounds like you are being drowned in hot bubbling tar (I mean that in the most sincere and positive way possible).  "Velvet Veins" has a footwork/juke vibe, if it were done by Zola Jesus.  Both tracks are very strong and I am excited to hear whats next for the band - I know they were looking to do some remix work.

Interview: Summer Heart

  Hold On by SUMMER HEART 

Summer Heart is a one man band from Sweden that makes gorgeous chillwave.  Every song has a nice nostalgic feeling, but still retains coherence and driving force.  Unlike some projects, Summer Heart makes sure to always keep your attention.  I talked to him about how he makes music, Sweden, and social media apps - check it out!

The Campfire Headphase: Chris Δre

The Campfire Headphase is a new weekly column focused on the best new beatsmiths.  If you would like to be considered for The Campfire Headphase please submit you work to noiseversenoise@gmail.com.  All styles are welcome and will be considered.  Please leave comments about what types of beats and artists you would like to see more of.  Thanks!

Chris Δre is a beatsmith out of Philadelphia.  His beats are the kind of head nodding hip hop jams that are always inspiring to listen to.  They have just the right amount of space and dust, and probably spacedust, to feel futuristic without feeling dated.  His newest tape, A Brief History of the Future, is the kind of spacey beat tape that sound tracks a four o'clock chillout.  The album is an incredibly strong batch of two minute beats.  His samples are fresh and has picked some seriously great drum beats.  There are clear Brainfeeder and 90's hip hop influences, but Chris has clearly synthesized everything into his own style. Check out his bandcamp for the full tape. Thanks Chris Δre for kicking off the inaugural Campfire Headphase!

Fruit Bats

Fruit Bats - Tangie and Ray by subpop

The Fruit Bats are back and have a new record, Tripper, out now on . "Tangie and Ray" has a very 70's rock vibe, which is perfect because I have been jamming on the 70's lately.  Tripper is an album about the road and leaving town.  Check it out!

  Fruit Bats - My Unusual Friend by subpop

Woven Bones

  Woven Bones - I've Gotta Get by hardlyartrecords

  Woven Bones - Hey Kid by hardlyartrecords

Woven Bones are a garage band from the great state of Texas. They mine the always fertile ground of Jesus and Mary Chain, Spaceman 3, and Phil Spector soaked reverb for a distinctly defiant personalty.  They are loud, up front and perfect for basement parties. While they may not have the most original sound, these tunes are extremely enjoyable.  Woven Bones' debut LP, In and Out and Back Again, came out last year on Hozac Records, they also recently released above tracks on Hardly Art records.

Sun Araw

  Sun Araw - Crete by warszawarecords

  eternal tapestry & sun araw - night gallery (album preview) by experimedia

December by Sun Araw by Monofonus Press

Sun Araw is a musical project of Cameron Stallones.  It is all psychedelic/noise/primal style stuff - so if you like coherent structures and songs that have natural progressions, this is not for you.  However, if you are down with deep zoning and droning - well here is the best around.  The man is also hyper active: working as Sun Araw, running the Sun Ark label, side projects with Prince Rama/Eternal Tapestry/others people I haven't heard about, producing all sorts records, and just being whoa. The Eternal Tapestry and Sun Araw album, Ancient Romans, is out now on Thrill Jockey.  A new album from Sun Araw, Ancient Romans, is out August 23 on Sun Ark. 

Porcelain Raft

  Porcelain Raft - Despite Everything by ginobc

  Porcelain Raft - Dragonfly by artisaids

  "Amateur's Feeling" by Porcelain Raft by DOJAGSC

Porcelain Raft create beautifully fragile music.  Porcelain Raft is the bedroom pop project of one Mauro Remidi.  He is able to transcend many of the bedroom pop cliches and make incredibly touching and strong music.  "Despite Everything" reminds me a bit of Explosion's in the Sky's quieter moments, it is really stunning.  "Dargonfly" has the tropical bed room pop that provides a nice sense of levity and nostalgia.  "Amateur's Feeling" might be the best song - I do not have word that do the song justice.  Porcelain Raft is currently working on their debut record for Secretly Canadian.  They are about to go on tour with The War on Drugs and Yuck.  Another song and tour dates after the jump!

Cymbals Eat Guitars

  Cymbals Eat Guitars-Definite Darkness by Edgarpochakoz

  Cymbals Eat Guitars "Rifle Eyesight (Proper Name)" by Barsuk Records

Noise Verse Noise favorite's Cymbals Eat Guitars have a new album, Lenses Alien, coming out August 30th on Barsuk.  Check out the ultra-jammy first single "Rifle Eyesight (Proper Name)".  For a song 8 minutes long, "Rifle" never loses my attention.  I think "Definite Darkness", the second track released from the album, is even better. Its a little shorter, but its all crescendos and build ups.  Can not wait to hear the new album!  The band is going on an extensive American tour starting in September with Noise Verse Noise friends Hooray for Earth.  Check out tour dates and "... and the Hazy Sea" from Why There are Mountains after the jump. 

Ganglians

 Ganglians - Drop The Act by souterraintransmissions

Ganglians - Sleep by souterraintransmission

I don't know about everyone else, but I am eager to hear the new Ganglians album.  I love their lo-fi psych-folk sound.  I have been a fan for a couple years now, but recently "Jungle" has been on repeat.  Not entirely sure why, but who cares - its a great song.  The newest single,  "Drop the Act", is their best song yet.  It has a great pop hook and I love the girl group style drums.  "Sleep" is a little more subdued, but has an incredibly catchy buried piano line.  Ganglians latest album, Still Living, is due out August 23 on Lefse.  Check out "Jungle" and tour dates after the jump.

Mirror Lady

Shapes (Spiderwoman) by Mirror Lady

There is something about minimal lo-fi bedroom pop that I can not stop listening to. Mirror Lady is a new band from Brooklyn.  They are so new in fact, I think they only have one song. Regardless, "Shapes" is a very cool song. It has a sort of smokey, propulsive style that instantly captures your imagination. The drum breakdowns are also a fantastic touch.  It will be interesting to see how they evolve because "Shapes" is a great start.

The Black Bear Affiar

The Black Bear Affair - Glisten by the black bear affair

The Black Bear Affair - Breaking Wave by the black bear affair

The Black Bear Affair are a two man bedroom lo-fi pop band from Sarasota, FL.  Their songs employ the tried and true method of proper fuzz and a catchy guitar line.  "Glisten" is a slower number with a hook that reminds me of Pixies, though I can not exactly figure out why.  "Breaking Wave" is a more straight up rock track, with a fuzzy lo-fi feel.  I personally prefer "Breaking Wave", probably because the guitar line reminds me "Weird Fish" by Radiohead.  These guys are definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Southern Shores

Southern Shores - 03 Tangier Winds by CASCINE

I am not sure if this is Balearic, chillwave, or some other subgenre - all I know is that it is a great song.  It is specifically a great August song, something for those nights where it finally dips below 80 degrees.  "Tangier Winds" is from the Atlantic EP recent released on Cascine records.  I look forward to hearing more from these guys, really fantastic stuff.  Enjoy!