[slw.kng]
4/14/15
Listen: Kuro BC - "Rooms"
South London native Kuro BC stirs up deep ambience with his first single "Rooms," forthcoming on the Artifice EP out 5/12 via Color Station.
"Rooms" is an impressive meld of negative sounds that illuminate a rising talent not unlike James Blake: what erupts bold and clear, amidst a display of implosive production, are yearning vocals that rush the forefront. In soaring spurts, pleas of "you've been on my mind" ring, stir, and invoke animately a discussion between conveyer and listener. It's easy-access to an emotional sweet spot that Kuro BC seems effortlessly adept at achieving, a skill that leaves remnants of blistering highs and hollow lows by the track's end.
2/24/15
Listen: Akiine - "Destiny"
New Color Station signee Akiine shows off her sharp and versatile abilities on "Destiny," a jittery mid-tempo exploration of menacing tones and hitting synths. Her adeptness in traversing the brooding soundscape shows a control that grabs hold of listeners, disallowing the chaos to impede in the way it should. Akiine manages to diminish the disorderliness with a mesmerizing vocal display, one that, with its understated whisper-like qualities, arrests full attention and admiration. Resulting is a fully-realized display of slick composition and performance.
We can expect a full-length LP come summer later this year, but for now you can catch Akiine March 3rd at London's Old Blue with Color Station label-mate Bewilderbeast. Listen to/download (only for the first week) "Destiny" below.
2/23/15
Listen: Priest - "The Game"
From the unerring, gem-producing label Emotion comes the latest release from Priest (formerly x Priest x), purveyors of a genial 80's synth sound. Their Samurai EP snuck its way onto our best of list last year and they look poised to make a strong case again with their upcoming full length release (May 5th on Emotion) if debut single "The Game" is anything to go off of.
The track avoids an overindulgence in sonic bliss by virtue of Madeline Priest's ethereal voice—a presence that, although commendable for its delicacy, does not for a second relinquish it's captivating prowess. If the lush soundscape does its best to carry listeners upward, Priest's vocals anchor us in all the same. The delightful midway is an emitting beam of growing confidence and sureness on the part of the band, a feeling of subtle improvement befitting their slight name change. Listen to "The Game" below.
2/19/15
Listen: Yumi Zouma - "Song For Zoe & Gwen"
The growing confidence of New Zealand trio Yumi Zouma is a joy to witness. With the release of their highly anticipated EP II looming (out 3/10 on Cascine), they have put out the second single "Song For Zoe & Gwen." Immediately apparent is a bold clearness of vocal delivery now featured at the forefront of the tune, arresting with the similar glow that turned so many heads a year ago. Although conspicuously grander than previous endeavors, restraint is still masterfully present; in case listeners have forgotten, Yumi Zouma are still responsible for tracks like "The Brae" and "Sålka Gets Her Hopes Up," testaments to their control of whispering melodies. "Song For Zoe & Gwen," despite being noticeably forward, is still inextricably a part of their commanding and delicate breeze. It just hits a little harder. Listen to "Catastrophe," the first single from EP II here.
2/13/15
2/4/15
Listen: THEESatisfaction - "EarthEE (ft. Shabazz Palaces + Porter Ray)"
[THEESatisfaction ft. Shabazz Palaces + Porter Ray. EarthEE LP is out 2/24 on Sub Pop.]
2/1/15
Listen: Left Of Field Records - Vol. 3: A New Beginning, For All Of Us
Listen to Left Of Field Records' third installation in their compilation series, ft. Celadon City, POLO, A Sol Mechanic, + more. All proceeds go towards the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation. Accordingly, the compilation's themes fall within the exploration of music and its effects on mood. Props to the label for their consistent dedication to a wholly worthwhile cause.
"Our focus has always been on the awareness of mental health. After one year as a label this fact still has not changed. Artists from all around the globe have agreed to be apart of this monumental compilation that sees brilliant talents, big and small, showcasing the best of their abilities on one free to download album."
[The 32-track release can be downloaded here name-your-price.]
1/30/15
1/28/15
Listen: Diveo - "Summer Trees"
Ryan Hemsworth's Secret Songs completely dominated this month, putting out a solid single from MEISHI SMILE and releasing a new compilation (ft. Beat Culture, Ratking + more). It's only right, then, that the project closes out January with one of the best songs since its inception. Diveo's "Summer Trees," as Hemsworth puts it, is a perfect example of an artist "starting to lead this new form of mutated pop." While the sound is oft-done as of late, rarely has a producer shown the control Diveo does on this balancing act of melancholy tones and danceable melodies. Check out/download "Summer Trees" below.
1/27/15
Watch: Yumi Zouma - "Catastrophe"
Yumi Zouma have released the second single off their upcoming EP II 10" (out 3/10 on Cascine), following the stellar "Alena" late last year. "Catastrophe" is as expected from the New Zealand pop outfit, capturing the same innate wistfulness and fleeting breathlessness that put them on the blogosphere map. Check out the video above and preorder the release here. [Directed by Allie Avital Tsypin]
1/22/15
1/19/15
Listen: Redux - "Candy"
Check out a new blistering cut from one of our favorite rising producers Redux. As with previous work from the young Parisian beat-maker, "Candy" gently soars over with feathery soundscapes and a true realization of "chill-trap," a genre that Redux seems born to inhabit. It's altogether colorful, bouncy, and laced with proficiency. Listen to/download the track below for free.
1/15/15
Watch: Jay Prince - Notes. [Short Film]
Jay Prince's BeFor Our Time EP is out January 19th. [Directed by Jay Prince]
1/14/15
Listen: Travis Bretzer - "Lady Red"
Breezy, genuine, heartfelt, effortless. All words that describe Travis Bretzer's newest single "Lady Red," off the upcoming Waxing Romantic LP (out 2/3/15 via Mexican Summer). The singer-songwriter shows an early ability to capture fleeting melodies while floating over wistful guitar and piano progressions. It feels natural for the Canadian oddball to churn out effortless renditions of solid compositions, transmitting a glowing charisma through a likable vocal delivery. Bretzer is an airy character, so it's unsurprisingly easy to get swept up in all the simplicity; fortunately, the non-complexity of it all is the most redeeming quality. Stream the track below and pre-order Waxing Romantic here.
Listen: MEISHI SMILE - "Blank Ocean"
[Another great track from Ryan Hemsworth's Secret Songs, this time in the form of a blossoming MEISHI SMILE piece.]
1/13/15
Watch: Fear Of Men - "America"
Fear Of Men drop the self-edited video for "America," one of the best songs off our favorite album of 2015 Loom. The clip features scenes from the band's 2014 U.S. tour. [Edited by Daniel Falvey]
1/12/15
Listen: Lnrdcroy - Leisure Mix
Leisure Collective kicks off the new year in mixes with a 45-minute extraterrestrial exploration from Lnrdcroy. The spanning collection of diverse tones reaches distant galaxies in breadth, and serves as an enthralling medium for the producer's fascinating sonic musings. As always, shout out to Leisure Collective for working with premiere artists on consistently solid releases. Check out the full feature (including an in depth interview) here and stream the mix below.