RxRY - RxRY

IDM is wonderful, it's an accepted fact. It must be the case as it has the word intelligent in it's title and however pretentious this maybe, it indicates a level of understanding and creativity that goes beyond the easy and obvious.

There are no excuses anymore as well with home production methods sophisticated enough to produce the most sonically pleasing albums on tightrope budgets in 13thfloor bedrooms (calling Aphex Twin, Aphex Twin to the forefront please...)

For better or worse, this has leveled the playing field, enabling all manner of producers to create endless remixes, mash ups and of course, their own creations. Remixes have never been more prevalent, diluting the pool of quality and every bedroom producer who has ever heard Selected Ambient Works has had a pop.

Fear not though, as there is plenty of original, interesting and most importantly, pleasurable, bedroom IDM being produced. I'd like to introduce RxRY.

Why the long intro to a new artist? Well, RxRY is a moniker for who knows, he's anonymous and that's likely to be the way it stays (Thanks NME for outing Burial, that was highly important journalism there).

He/She has however created a wonderfully textured and original-sounding album, each track a microcosm of the entire presentation. Each track differences in it's importance, from ambient drone to the more melodic up-tempo opener Baulkn Slihts. The album possesses a wonderful attention to detail, songs are often crowded to the point of exhaustion at attempting to identify each separate synth but this is by no means a bad thing. It forces you to listen hard and appreciate each purposeful element as your brain attempts to decide which part is really taking the lead. Alternatively, you can sit back and be swept away by the entirety, riding on the album's hazy and luscious wave.

RxRY, in his annonymity, has also offered the entire album up for free from his myspace. It's a gorgeous listen and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

JTS

The JTS is at the same time describable and intangible. It can be seen by some and not by others without the need for fancy glasses or special powers. Some have the JTS and some don't and it is entirely subjective.

JTS is the invention of Kate and stands for Justin Timberlake Sparkle. It is the closest you can get to describing that feeling when you first fall for girl that plays guitar (Charlotte Hatherley) or is irresistably quirky (Bjork). It is the best way to describe an attraction to someone that isn't necessarily all that attractive, they are greater than the sum of their parts.

Now, being a looker by no means eliminates you from JTS eleigibility; it's more of an umbrella term for those that go beyond the obvious attraction.

So, here is a video by, for me, the ultimate JTS holder Lykke Li. Her dancing is unconventional but completely natural (shouldn't all dancing be just that, dancing how the music makes you feel, not to impress others and with a prescribed set of moves.people that complain about dancing=VERY annoying.anyway.), she has a brilliantly enigmatic personality and she also happens to have a fine set of lungs.

Then, the JTS Spotify Playlist, a demonstration of those women who tickle my fancy in more than just the obvious ways.

Unexpected covers

I'm going a bit mad on the ol' video front on here recently. I've not traditionally filled my blog with videos but sometimes, you cant argue with the quality with which you're presented and luckily, that quality has been exceedingly high recently.

This is a cover by the hazy-electro NY based Twin Sister playing a last minute show atop a rooftop in Brooklyn. I've not seen a cover of a daft punk song that isn't HBFS and accapella which is a treat and this cover highlights their incredibly solid rhythm section.

Twin Sister - "Something About Us (Daft Punk)" from Ian Perlman on Vimeo.

The first of these amusing videos is by Australian "comedy" troupe Axis of Awesome. Lame name, slightly awkward banter but a great lesson on how to write a pop song! The guy on the keyboard is pretty damn talented too.

In a similar vein, presenting FreddeGredde's clever mixing of 22 TV theme tunes (and himslef, yes that is him on both piano and guitar)

This is how we do it...

Or at least the majestic Leeds band, worriedaboutsatan do it.
I recently received in the post their incredible new single Heart Monitor and upon opening the package, it was clear that this is how you encourage people to buy CD's. Now worriedaboutsatan, as marvellous as they, aren't the biggest band in the world. To put together a package like this on what must be a paper-thin budget should be admired and I've no qualms about paying £6 for a CD single when the band clearly put so much thought into the presentation.

With all the talk about the resurgence in vinyl and how music fans are looking for a tangible, engaging product again, it could easily leave smaller bands who don't have the budget for a vinyl run by the wayside. With a little creativity though, worriedaboutsatan have demonstrated just how to release a CD and make it a desirable product.
A quick run down of what's contained in such a small cardboard box and then some slightly crappy iPhone pictures:

1 cd containing 4 tracks and remix files
1 cardboard arigato style wallet
1 badge
1 page from a medical book about cardiology
1 hand stamp piece of material with the heart monitor artwork
1 tracklisting and credits
1 blank hospital form
1 piece of tracing paper to cover the form, piecing together the credits.

The single, with very few copies left, is still available here.
Also, worriedaboutsatan have just released a brilliant recording of their hometown show at Holy Trinity Church with the equally amazing Her Name Is Calla which is available to download here.

You're welcome.

Bjork - Unravel

I find it hard to pick my favourite Bjork song but this more often than not comes top of the list. It's hard to ignore the wonder that is Hyperballad, Venus As A Boy was my introduction and that will always hold a special place but this performance is breathtaking. Bjork's breathy, yearning vocals are perfectly on display here and the minimal instrumentation allows her to demonstrate what a wonderfully unique talent she has. Damn cute too ;-)

Most indicative of this tracks beauty perhaps is the calibre of artists to cover it. From Adem, through Radiohead to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, it truly is a song for the ages from one of the most forward thinking albums ever released. Mr Yorke even went as far as saying "It's one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard". Praise indeed.

So here are a few of my favourite performances of this heartbreaking and enchanting song

PS22 Chorus

The PS22 chorus feature on last year's Passion Pit release and have just gathered ridiculous momentum since then and deservedly so. They're as american as apple pie but wonderfully talented and obviously their choir master is very talented musically and has a great taste in music!

Here are a few of my favourite PS22 Chorus performances

Introducing: Foxes In Fiction

Foxes in Fiction is the output of Warren Hildebrand, a solo musician from Toronto, Ontario.

Joining the throngs of "chill-wave" (terrible genre name) that have been propelled by the relative success of The xx, both here and stateside, Foxes In Fiction is slightly more positive in it's output, whilst retaining the dreamy, echo laden production values.

Swung From The Branches is released on Hildebrand's own label, Orchid Tapes which specialises in the release of cassettes.

Clocking in at just over an hour, the album drifts along with the vocals hidden so low and so reverberated that they often just become part of the ethereal music as opposed to offering any message. This however was no problem for Sigur Ros, whose vocals were unintelligible but equally as important to their compositions.

The release is split into two parts, as is to be expected for a cassette based release. The first half is a much more ambient journey with each drack dissolving into the next, lacking direction and certainly not needing any. The second half is more individual pop songs who retain their individuality a little more but still contribute to the overall melancholy of the release.

Foxes In Fiction has a deft touch at manipulating the various dynamics within his programmed drums and synths to indicate the differing sections of his songs and to give the tracks varying levels of intensity and progression. The whole album is littered with looped drums, lo-fi, warping synths and beautifully warm and off-kilter guitar lines, emulating the opposite of feelings, late night insomnia and the swathes of summer day enjoyment.

There is also an excellent and insightful breakdown of each track by Warren himself, including the tales of where and why he wrote the lyrics for each track here.

The best part is the album is available for download free, from here:

http://www.foxesinfiction.com/2010/02/swung-from-branches.html

Flight Of The Conchords

I'm either late or early to popular things. I try and seek out as much new music as possible, not to be ahead of the trend but because that's what makes me happy.

Other things, I'm not always so hot on the tail of. It took me years to watch an episode of The Sopranos or The Wire and when people ask me if I've seen this film or that film, more often than not the answer is no.

This has extended to Flight Of The Conchords, introduced to me by only hearing the CD in a friend's car many years ago without hearing the songs in context. I thought it was pointless and didn't really "get" it. However, I've recently started watching the actual shows, from the beginning, with an open mind. I was wrong. So wrong.

I stand by my opinion that most of the songs don't work as stand alone tracks but put them into the context of the slightly surreal TV show and they work brilliantly. What also is highlighted is the musical craftsmanship of the duo. From the Pet Shop Boys inspired Inner City Pressure, through the Bowie tribute Bowie and the staple of their songs, the acoustic ballads. The pair obviously have a brilliant understanding of how to write a great parody song with the greatest of sincerity. So, these are a few of my favourite Flight of the Conchords songs and if you havent got around to watching it yet, do.

Slow Club - Giving Up On Love

The new video for the next Slow Club single, released on the always wonderful Moshi Moshi on May 24th. This version has been reworked slightly, much faster with new vocal takes and some other instruments added here and there. The video also stars Mackenzie Crook of The Office fame

Gil Scott-Heron

Only just caught hold of this but what a video, Scott-Heron's new album is wonderfully atmospheric but this video puts a whole new dark and intimidating level to his music

The Inevitable

Well it’s the inevitable breakup post and sadly, it’s going to come across as a cliché-filled stinker but that’s the problem with such an oft-covered situation, it’s hard to write about it originally. Hopefully these songs do a better job than I will.

Rejection in any form is never easy to deal with and this is the ultimate downtrodden, heartbroken moment. I always find comfort in music in these moments be it happy or sad music. The happy music cheers you up and the sad, less alone. Either way, it’s a terrible but for most people, inevitable situation to ever find yourself in.

So here we go, a collection of my favourite breakup songs chosen for their uplifting message, their poignant lyrics or for a lonely cry. Enjoy/burst into tears at the Spotify playlist, it’s not all bad moods though, honest.

Noah & the Whale - Stranger/Blue Skies

Another album full of break up songs after his split with folkstress Laura Marling, Stranger tells of that first regrettable, clumsy, unconvincing night in a desperate attempt to drag yourself forwards. However long it takes for that night to come, it never feels right and it is spent with your body in one place and mind in another. The lyrics to this song are brutally honest and direct but break up songs are often laden with clichés and metaphors and its honesty is refreshing. The song ends on an upbeat note with the refrain “In a year it’s gonna be better, I’m gonna be happy”, segueing perfectly into Blue Skies.

Blue Skies is perhaps my favourite song on this album and its poignancy and message has never been more relevant. It’s the first uplifting track on the album (love of an orchestra aside) and though its mood is still contemplative, the track offers hope and understanding that things will improve and that time will come, eventually. It begins with a statement of intent

“This is a song for anyone with a broken heart,

This is a song for anyone that can’t get out of bed

I’ll do anything to be happy,

Cause Blue Skies are calling but I know that it’s hard”

Colin Hay – I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You

Surprisingly not as depressing a song as you would imagine. More about acknowledging the effect someone has had on your life and accepting that however further you can move on, whatever changes in your life, there will always be a part of you attached to that person. I feel that if you’ve been in a long-term relationship, this is perfectly natural and something to rejoice in, instead of be wary of. There will always be that song, that restaurant, that film that will ring a warming, not warning, bell in the back of your head and make you smile and that’s a great thing to have. The song reflects on how life does indeed go on, things change and there will be other loves. It is fair though to really appreciate what that one person did for you and acknowledge that some people will never have that effect on you, ever again. It’s also important to realise that you should never settle for less than that, ever again.

Bloc Party – So Here We Are

This song will always be my favourite Bloc song and though it’s lyrics are short for a fairly lengthy song; it’s a breathtaking combination of emotional performance, stunning production and a wonderfully euphoric ending that make it such an unforgettable track. My personal highlight is the ending, the marrying of the more uplifting guitar lines with the percussive strikes, a differing bass line and Kele’s purging of his soul with “I can see again” are just breathtaking.
The song was never claimed to be written about a lost love but it can easily be imagined as so. It perfectly depicts the horrible, dark, pondering nights but finally you realise you made a difference and that person made a difference to you. Ultimately, isn’t that what life is all about?

“I caught a glimpse, but it’s been forgotten

So here we are again

I made a vow to carry you home

I really tried to do what you wanted

It all went wrong again

I made a vow to carry you home

If you fall sick, if you pass out

I figured it out, I can see again”

Death Cab for Cutie – A Lack of Color

An oft-forgotten song in my opinion by the wonderfully poetic Seattle band. Gibbard’s sense of innocence and honesty in this song is desperately palpable, culminating in a bittersweet moment harmonizing over his painful admission that he “should’ve given you a reason to stay”.

Bon Iver – The Wolves (Act I & II)

An album dripping in sadness, loneliness and that painfully contemplative feeling where you’re unsure who to blame, why, and if there’s any point blaming anyone.
Vernon’s wonderfully poetic lyrics are begging for the other person to share in the sadness and loneliness, though this feeling may not appear instantly, “Someday my pain will haunt you”. “Solace my game” represents the painful cheery front that must be portrayed whilst the loneliness is contained and swallowed to solitary moments that however depressingly, still “star you”.

The song culminates in a wonderfully expressive mess of crashing drums, definite guitar strikes and cathartic howls. The mix between the two songs characters, one chanting “What might have been lost” with the answer of “Don’t bother me” is that horrible begging scenario where one desperately fails to convince the other.

Vernon is left spent at the end, repeating the haunting phrase “someday my pain…”

James Yorkston – Woozy With Cider

A beautiful spoken word piece which is quite obviously taken from someone still in a relationship. However, the mood of the music and the quiet nature of the poem offer an honest and pondering atmosphere. The instrumentation of this track is perfect; a soft oboe perhaps, the arpeggio’d chords and light electronics set a beautifully relaxed and wandering atmosphere.
This song reminds me of those late nights/early mornings/free moments during a relationship where you stop and consider, who and what you have, where you soak everything in, every little noise, every tiny memory and revel in the happiness that person is able to bring to you.
It’s horribly easy to take things for granted and in those pondering moments where chills shoot over your body about just how lucky you’ve become, there are few feelings that come close.

So that's that, like I say, listen to the extended playlist if you can and take a moment to appreciate what you've got, had and will maybe come across one day in the future