Spotlight: M83

After having supported Depeche Mode and the Killers, Anthony Gonzalez is taking his synthpop to the next level. Now the sole creative force behind electronic pop group M83, Anthony has expanded his ambition over the years. M83’s sixth record, Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, is an epic, whimsical double album that is marked by its proggier space-rock excesses counterbalanced by incisive melodies.

“I feel like it’s very important to have movement when you’re listening to an album. I like to compose my albums like a movie soundtrack, with very intense moments and very ambient ones. For me this album is like a journey, with mountains and deserts. I love to create something with a lot of different atmospheres, different moments. I tried to add a lot of pop, epic songs, connected to slow, quiet, ambient ones.” said Anthony when asked about the approach he took with his new album.

The French electro-pop band M83 has been putting out consistently stellar work over the last decade, notably the tracks “Graveyard Girl,” “We Own the Sky” and “Kim and Jessie” from 2008’s Saturdays = Youth and “Don’t Save Us From the Flames” from 2005’s Before the Dawn Heals Us.

Although the latter is my personal favorite of their tracks — a song that I feel is arguably the track of that decade — none of these have quite struck a chord with listeners in the way that “Midnight City” has. The song is surrounded by terrific tunes on Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming, and the 80-minute, 22-track double album features the dance-party ready “Reunion,” the gorgeous ambience of “Steve McQueen” and the Zola Jesus-assisted “Intro.”

Having already impressed scores of fans who had packed in to see them at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival at various Australian cities and the final leg held right here in Singapore, M83 is set to conquer the rest of the world with its rollercoaster ride of glossy power rock, whirring electronica and moody folk-based ballads.

“I’m the happiest guy on the planet. I feel like I’m living a dream. People are responding to my work and there’s nothing more rewarding than being loved.”

M83 – Midnight City

M83 – We Own The Sky

By Nevin; 20 April 2012

Gotye – “Somebody That I Used To Know”

There is an aura of 80s pop that hangs over Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know.” The spare opening may remind a few pop fans of the intimate percussive feel of classic pop songs.

Gregarious 31-year-old Belgian-born, Australia-based artist Gotye (pronounced “Gauthier”) has come a long, long way after a 6 month-build of his breakout single.

That eureka moment came in the fall of 2010, and it took Gotye another six months to find the perfect female vocalist who could give the track its knockout punch. When Gotye dropped “Somebody That I Used to Know,” neither he nor his collaborator on the sad breakup track, Kimbra, had any idea how the song would resonate with fans.

Gotye and Kimbra perform the chart-topping “Somebody That I Used to Know” at the ARIAs at Allphones Arena, Sydney Olympic Park

“I don’t think either of us could have predicted the success of the song,” she said of Gotye.

But like all songs, Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” was inspired and had to germinate in the singer’s head. In fact, what we do know is that the track almost didn’t come together. The Belgium-born singer has described the struggles he faced in fleshing the song out and obtaining the perfect female foil for the counter verses, which is clear now, that nailed by Kimbra on the track and in the haunting video- in which both parties fade slowly into a painted background.

This is one track that we love, and one that will not fail to ring in our heads for months to pass.

By Nevin; 20 April 2012

The Dodos: Simple But Complexed.

This two peace American indie-folk band definitely seeks to entertain listeners on their records and their live shows too. Meric Long and Logan Kroeber have been playing together since 2005, released a total of 4 albums and 1 solo EP and continue to create this very uncommon sound you would get from a two piece. How you might ask? Lets find out.

One would assume that a two piece band cannot be as epic as maybe The White Stripes, The Ting Tings, Daft Punk or even the most recent The Black Keys. However, The Dodos have one of the most simple but unusually stupendous set-up. Meric creates fast paced folky tunes as he sings with vocal loops he does on the spot with a looping pedal at live shows. This is accompanied by Logan’s drums that only consist of a drum kit without a bass drum, playing often on the rims of the drums, and also a tambourine taped to his shoe at times.

Meric says “I think having limits on our set-up makes it more interesting for us to create sounds that can replace a usual band set-up that consists of at least a guitarist, bassist and drummer (that plays a full drum kit)”. This was the whole idea and concept that Meric had for The Dodos and in time their set-up has changed quite a bit but mostly sticking to their roots.

Logan Kroeber (drums, right), Meric Long (guitar, left)

Logan has commented that he now finds it weird when they play at venues which don’t allow him to use his usual drum set-up and instead use a full kit. Meric has also commented that he feels that his band is like a side-show-puppet-act, due to the fact that crowds these days do not really get into the mood of the music and just stand, watch & judge. Well, one thing is for sure that if they EVER come to Singapore, they won’t regret it.

If you are keen on widening your music spectrum, please do give The Dodos a listen with their albums as listed below:

• Beware of the Maniacs (2006)
• Visiter (2007)
• Time to Die (2009)
• No Color (2011)

And for those who wish to have a crash course on their music, here’s a typical live show from them:

The Dodos – Soirée à emporter #3 – Paris, La Blogotheque from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

By Eugene; 9 April 2012

Bombay Bicycle Club: The Perfect Bedroom Music Makers

Bombay Bicycle Club isn’t from India, nor will any of its members roll through the U.S. on bicycles during their upcoming tour. To hear Jack Steadman tell it, his band is already seasoned. Bombay Bicycle Club released “A Different Kind of Fix,’’ its third full-length album in just two years, last summer. But the four British indie rockers are bringing a new sound to the States — albeit one with echoes of The Stone Roses, Radiohead and other British rock acts of the past 20 years.

“I get so in love with a band that I just end up pretty much copying them,” says Jack, the band’s vocalist and songwriter. “I hope that the originality can come from the fact that you’re in love with a thousand bands, and they all sound completely different, so that when you copy all of them at once, that’s how you create something new.”

“I think I was a lot less self-conscious when I was a teenager,” Steadman says. “When I listen to those early songs, I feel like an adult, discovering that diary under your bed that you wrote when you were younger. You’re embarrassed by it, but at the time, you weren’t afraid to write all your feelings down in that way.”

With all its members still in their early 20s, Bombay Bicycle Club has been described as “a young band in a hurry.” With the release of this third record in as many years, the group is living up to that reputation.

Only at the end of a recent interview is it apparent how impressive all that is. Steadman, who fronts Bombay Bicycle Club as its songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist, casually mentions he is 22. He and his bandmates formed the band while still teens in high school as an extension of what Steadman had already been doing for years: making music on his own in his bedroom.

Steadman at the recent The People’s Party SG where Bombay played alongside acts like The Naked and Famous, UK hit Metronomy, The Jezabels and many more

“I think the most important thing is that we were all friends before the band started,’’ Steadman says earlier this week from New York. “We’ve always said that if we start not getting along, it’s not going to be worth carrying on the band. We’ll only do this as long as we’re enjoying it.’’

Bombay Bicycle Club can still sound like a band casting around amid the currents of alt-rock in search of a style.  Throwing in a chill wave of rhythmic hooks and having solidified their presence in the music scene with a succession of knock-out festival performances this summer,

With the band’s 2009 debut, “I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose’’ and its follow-up the next year threw a curveball. “Flaws’’ was an unvarnished folk gem, which Steadman recorded by himself at home; the band’s label didn’t even know it existed until Steadman presented it.

Truly, Bombay Bicycle Club has not revolutionised the indie music scene, it has set the standards for all aspiring bedroom music-makers.

“I think we’re still almost afraid of studios,’’ Steadman says. “There’s so much stuff you don’t understand in the studio, and it’s frustrating when you know exactly what you want in your head, but you have no idea how the studio can do it for you.’’

He adds, “It’s pretty special when someone comes up to you and says they were listening to you back then and they’ve grown up with you. In London, we even have people we recognize from shows four years ago.’’

By Nevin; 3 April 2012

The Sound of Craft Spells

I absolutely adore the various influences that Craft Spells have ingeniously grafted into their songs. This particular track opens with an echoey guitar riff that has a very Hawthorne, CA circa ’67 feel, if you know what I mean. Mix that with a low-fi version of New Order’s rhythms and distant Ian Curtis-esque vocals and you get a clear vision of where this Central California band’s heads are at. They don’t shy from wearing such influences on their sleeves either. Literally. Check out their album cover. Looks really familiar, right?

More power to them, I say. Such a flagrant display of their influences serve as a display of their confidence as artists and their ability to borrow and steal as such. That, and I’m just as geeked as they are about their pet sounds, and about Craft Spells’ crafty channeling of such.

The band recently announced their US tour with The Drums, plus released a single from their forthcoming EP, Gallery, due May 15th.

(via 3Hive)

Spotlight: The Naked and Famous

I know its abit late, but here it is, a write up on The Naked and Famous!

The New Zealand quintet exploded into the scene in 2010 with the release of their debut album “Passive Me, Aggressive You”. Driven by the popularity of their four singles “Young Blood”, “All of This”, “Punching In A Dream”, and “No Way”, the band has made themselves quite the fanbase across the world, despite being from, well, down under.

The Naked and Famous’ sound consists of back and forth and harmonising vocals between Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers, which adds to the power of the group’s songs, and also catchy choruses and synthesizers that reminds one of the classic 80’s synths. This all adds into one powerful package of an album which makes one feel like head-banging, dancing, jumping and singing along.

The Naked and Famous sonic soundscapes has won them many fans around the world,most notably being Mark Hoppus of Blink-182/+44 fame .I might add that it was Mark Hoppus linking “Young Blood” on his Facebook page that I discovered this band. The Naked and Famous also has a huge and dedicated following in their native New Zealand, with their second single “Young Blood” debuting at number 1 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

In closing, The Naked and Famous offers hours of sonic pleasure with their debut album. This is definitely one of my favourite indie albums I have listened to thus far. I leave you with a few stand out tracks from the album.

By Louis; 3rd April 2012

Two Door Cinema Club – “What You Know”

It’s hard to believe that Two Door Cinema Club have only been around for two years. Their debut album, Tourist History, was released in March 2010 and the response has been phenomenal. So much so that they’ve now sold out shows across the globe, including a headline slot at London’s Roundhouse on 12 March.

“What You Know” has been one of our favourite tracks from the record. The song highlights the band’s pop-rock influence and is a quick-paced tune with clean vocals and a finger snapping feel. The video is an homage to classic 50’s teen pop band set-ups, as well as early 1980’s dance videos.

By The Indie Intonation Team; 3 April 2012

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ New Album “Here” Available On iTunes!

Good news for all Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros fans out there, “HERE” is NOW available on iTunes as a pre sale album! Guess what, their single “That’s What’s Up” is also instantly downloadable!

By The Indie Intonation Team; 3 April 2012

Japandroids – “The House That Heaven Built”

Like other great Japandroids songs before it, “The House That Heaven Built” is a call-to-action that works beyond its surface-oriented sing-along potential. I dare you to hear this track, the first single from the duo’s upcoming album Celebration Rock, and withhold the urge to run a mile, get inked, or engage in some other impulsive affirmation of your own existence. This is a pummeling piece of anthemic guitar rock with thick, noisy chords and heavy-hitting drums that only gain momentum. It’s a rapturous head-banger, requiring only one, oft-repeated hook of clearheaded subversiveness: “And if they try to slow you down/ Tell them all, to go to hell.”

For all of the commentary regarding Japandroids and their “not particularly complex” approach to songcraft, “The House That Heaven Built” emphasizes the depth that comes along with this band’s emotional core. The song lyrically gets at life and death, love and hell, flesh and bone, within the context of forgotten nights and nocturnal, urban imagery. At the track’s three-minute peak, it breaks for a breath and quick cuts the drums. “It’s a lifeless life with no fixed address to give,” the singer, Brian King, screams, “but you’re not mine to die for anymore, so I must live.” That is some rare punk poetry, justifying all the more King’s recent nod to Paul Westerberg as an influence, and reminding us we’re lucky to still have rock singers willing to so thoroughly drain themselves into their material.

(via Pitchfork)

The Shins – Port of Morrow [Review]

It’s been five years since the well praised Wincing the Night Away and The Shins are back featuring a new line-up with Port of Morrow, arguably their strongest record yet.

Mercers dabblings with Danger Mouse on the superb 2010 Broken Bells record is evident with a slightly more electronic sound bubbling away in the background throughout, it’s never at the forefront but it’s noticeably subtle – a nice evolution of the sound Mercer has crafted for The Shins. It’s also unmercifully catchy; something The Shins have always managed and over time has become apparently easier for Mercer judging by how many of the tracks have been jammed in my mind the last two weeks. Vocal melodies bounce effortlessly along with the music (check out The Rifle’s Spiral (below) & Simple Song for prime examples) and this is really one of my favourite elements of the album. James Mercer really is a genius when it comes to the flow of his lyrics. It’s pretty straight up Indie Pop but goddamn it sounds effortless and so very, very confident.

Five years is a long time and if the sound of Port of Morrow is anything to go by it’s not just Mercers vocal melodies that have been honed, the production is sublime and a leap forward from previous efforts. It’s smooth, warm and well balanced, nothing is lost in the mix and it sounds bright and summery. It doesn’t sound like it’s taking elements from any one decade of the past 40 years but blending carefully the best of all of them. Pacing is well managed with a comfortable blend of slower mellow tracks and more upbeat singles helping the albums rhythm and never really outstaying its welcome. If there was ever any doubt after the line-up changes and five year gap between albums, it is very clear that James Mercer is back. He is The Shins and he’s back, familiar yet better in nearly every way.

If you’re a fan of The Shins you should be checking this album out, I have no doubt about that. If you don’t fall into that camp and you’re on the fence, then you could do a lot worse than checking out this brilliantly catchy Indie Pop record. Finally, it also benefits from excellent artwork courtesy of Jacob Escobedo who also worked on the Broken Bells artwork.

Track listing is as follows (complete with highlighted highlights).

1. The Rifle’s Spiral
2. Simple Song
3. It’s Only Life
4. Bait and Switch
5. September
6. No Way Down
7. For a Fool
8. Fall of ’82
9. 40 Mark Strasse
10. Port of Morrow

(via Universal Wax)