This is the first of two songs that Small Black did with Heems of Das Racist. “Two Rivers” is the lead single off of Small Black’s upcoming mixtape Moon Killer, which will be available for download dropping Nov. 11. Really interested in hearing who else Small Black may have collaborated with for this mixtape.
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.
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 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.
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!
I am still not totally sold on the drag/witch house genre, but Balam Acab brings it with these tracks. He has a new album, Wander/Wonder, coming out August 29th on Tri Angle Records. The two tracks above are from the new record. I personally prefer "Apart" - it keeps a stronger bass/drum track. "Apart" would mix nicely with a couple tracks by The Weeknd, for one of the strangest late night cruising mixes in history. "Oh, Why" is a slightly quieter and more ambient track. If these two tracks are indication of the material on the album, it should be one of the best of the year. And just for good measure here is "Sea Birds (Moon)".
The good homie, Blackbird Blackbird, is back with the new track, "Calypso". Its a little slowerer, a little darker than previous tunes. I love that the man never stops evolving and working. I think the Halo album was funded so it should be comming out on vinyl. Thats a big win for everyone. Hopefully, he gets a deal. Can not wait for his new E.P., Passions.
It's slightly more than halfway through the year and its time to do some recap stuff this week. First, I want to highlight a couple of bands who have sent me new material that I have meant to post, but ended up getting lost in the shuffle:
Bwedge - Shrunken Head: Bwedge is a one man tropical/Florida pop project by Tim Peacock. I was sent the album forever ago and kept having it be the next thing I am going to write about. Shrunken Head is an album full of warm pop hooks and distant memories. Definitely worth checking out for a summer evening.
Adoptahighway - Chances, Circumstances, Conditions: This is an electronic project by Barry Paul Clark coming out of Milwaukee. I have no idea if Milwaukee has the same kind of electronic music tradition that other Midwestern cities have, but this project is awesome.
Grushenka is a band from Barcelona. They make tropical sounding music. I don't know much about them, but they sent me a pretty cool music video which you can see below.
Check out songs and videos after the jump. Apologies again for taking so long, but thank you and please keep sending me new music!
Araabmuzik is a Dipset/Jim Jones associate/beat maker. "Salute" by Dipset - that's his beat. Whats more interesting though is his new instrumental album. Its been described as taking Trance tunes and giving it a Dilla treatment, a fair description. That description does not give enough credit to how great these songs are though. "Streetz Tonight" has been getting love, as it rightfully should. It is what everyone always wanted trance rap to sound like. Rap drums mixing it up with big synths and the ever present cooing diva. I look forward to picking up his new album Electronic Dream.
Better late than never. I just learned about Unknown Mortal Orchestra through Pitchfork. The mixing of psych-pop and boogie funk has been tried before, but its never been as proposive or fun. If you find most Yeasayer songs lacking and Dam-Funk missing something, these guys might be your savior. The song "Ffunny Frends" might be the best new song I have heard in a long time. Tour Dates After the Jump!
Moving Mountains are a "majestic post-hardcore", their description not mine, band out of New York. While majestic post-hardcore would not be the exact description I would use, it is an accurate description. The band has evolved considerably over its lifetime, originally they were much more of a classic instrumental post-hardcore, think Red Sparrows, Pelican, or ISIS. Their first couple albums were quality instrumental hardcore music, but the band became tired of the loud-quiet-loud song structure. This evolution away has yielded an intriguing and powerful new album that will be reviewed in the next week or so. For now enjoy the posted tracks.
YES! New Stephen Malkmus and he seems engaged! I liked the last album well enough, but Malkmus seemed a little too disinterested. "The Senator" is much more up front and energetic. It still contains Malkmus' trademark wit and humor. This increases the expectations for the new album. The "Senator" makes me think that the new Beck produced album might be a little more Pavement and a little less loose jam fest. Time to get excited.
Yourself & The Air are a new band from Chicago that make the sort of quirky indie-pop that will never go out of style. They remind me of a bunch of bands, but I can not quite put my finger on which ones. I hear a bit of bit Passion Pit, a bit Oh No Oh My, and maybe even some MGMT, but not exactly any of them specifically. That is a long list of influential and creative bands up there, and Yourself & the Air remain unqiue and fresh. They have played with a much of cool bands like A Lull, Peter Bjorn and John, and Portugal. The Man. Yourself & The Air have a new EP out, Who's Who in the Zoo, that I will be reviewing in the next couple days. "Trampolines" is the lead off single from the new EP. Everyone should definitely check it out! Yourself & the Air play O'Briens in Allston June 7th. Follow the jump for more tour dates!
Young the Giant a pop alternative band out of Newport Beach, CA. I find it funny that I discover a band based 20 minutes away from where I grew up, when I live in Boston. The make summery pop that sounds perfect on your local rock or pop station. They have a very southern California sound: a little sunny, a little jaded, and a knack for catchy choruses. I am enjoying "Cough Syrup" and "My Body" lately. "My Body" is becoming a radio hit around Boston. I think that "Cough Syrup" is the natural follow up for "My Body" and will be another hit for this great young band. Young the Giant are playing WFNX's Clam Bake 2011 along with KROQ Weenie Roast. I see these guys doing big things and I am excited for them!
Razika are a group of four 19 year old girls from Norway, apparently there is a Scandanvian thing going on at NvN this week. They make music that is equal parts pop, ska, girl group, and about a dozen sub-genres. They remind me a lot of the Long Blondes for some reason. I have not heard a lot about Razika, but man they are so freakin good. The song "Nytt Paa Nytt" sounds like The Specials if they were fronted by Robyn. Their debut album, Program 91, is coming out August 19th on Smalltown Supersound. More songs and Program 91 track list after the jump!
The homie Blackbird Blackbird has posted a new track on his soundcloud. "Euphoria" is a 2:45 piece of blissful euphoria. The track is going in a slightly different direction than Blackbird Blackbird has previously gone. It is always exciting to hear the evolution of a promising young artist. Almost sounds like a late night beach party.
Philly's own The War on Drugs have a new album coming out, Slave Ambient. It is due August 16th on Secretly Canadian. A little bummed that we have to wait so long for this new record, but if the first song is any indication it will be worth the wait. The track, "Baby Missiles", has that classic Americana rock meets folk sound. Kurt Vile plays guitar on two tracks! This is deffinitely one of the more anticipate releases of the year. Track list after the jump.
If there is one genre of music that I have really not explored, despite enjoying every release that I get from it, it is metal. For whatever reason, I just have not listened to that much metal despite really enjoying Isis, Mastadon, Pelican, High On Fire, and other similar bands. While I doubt Liturgy will change me into a metal head, they certainly have been added to the previously mentioned list of bands. Thier new album, Aesthethica, is a master peice of mixing Black Metal with slew of different folk/native musics. I personally loved "Generation", "Returner", and "True Will". I see this becoming the next huge album for aggressive indie kids. The music is interesting and unexpected at all times, plus it allows for serious head banging. Tour Dates after the Jump!
The Flaming Lips have long been a favorite over here at Noise Verse Noise. They represent what is great about music - dedication, unique vision, extremely positive nature, an intense love for being bizarre. So I am very excited to see that they are coming to Boston! See the rest of the tour dates and a host of other Flaming Lips news after the jump!
Of Oceans is a one man band from Detroit. The put out the kind of hazy ambient beats that are timeless. They mix in a bunch of found sounds and other samples, but still maintain a sense of energy and movement. They have a couple songs up for free on their band camp. I highly recommend checking them out.
