Hey there ladies and gents. For those of you who were wondering what the hell has been going on at AndygoesdowntoChinatown for the past few months. For those of you who've been banging on the gates demanding to know why it's been so quiet on the blogging front, here's your answer. AndygoesdowntoChinatown is dead. It lived a good life and in true reincarnation style came back as an even more awesome site called What's on Rotation.
That's right; What's on Rotation. "Where all your dreams may come true".
Sure it'll have the same intense level of super-high quality writing that Ex.fm once called "funny".
Sure it'll have music that you might never want to hear, but are forced to listen to because you don't want to miss out on all the super-high quality writing that someone else once called "alright-ish" but all in allthis is about YOU and ME baby, you and me. So let's head off on this journey together and don't stop believin'.
Instead of studying for up 'n coming exams I've been wanking about making the perfect playlist to cover all the emotions I want and expect to feel at roughly 3am when I'm off my tits "lost in the moment" at the coolest warehouse party in history.
I present to thee,Late Night Bass - The Playlist. Whether you're just in your living room and fancy a little euphoria or you're having an aces afterparty and you wanna well piss off your neighbours then this is pretty comprehensive. Just remember to crank up that bass.
Tracklist:
Martyn - Twice As Machinedrum - No Respect Phaeleh & Soundmouse - Afterglow Cloud Boat - Lions on the Beach Joy Orbison - The Shrew Would Have Cushioned the Blow Pariah - Orpheus Throwing Snow - Un Vingt Burial - Fostercare Mosca - Done Me Wrong Clubroot - Orbiting Sepalcure - Fleur Mount Kimbie - Serged Floating Points - Danger Kode 9 - 9 Samurai Four Tet - Love Cry (Joy Orbison remix) Zomby - Natalia's Song Theo Parrish - That Day Motor City Drum Ensemble - Get Slapped Up Space Dimension Controller - Transatlantic Landing Bay Ramadanman - Tempest
Having vowed to save up money for a little r&r trip to Mexico in the summer, going around spending all my money isn't exactly the best way to go about this task, but what can you really do when people keep waving shit like this in front of your face:
What is it? Well, nothing. Just a white label; but that crappy little picture represents something much, much more. 'Tis "only" the super-ultimate-incredible limited edition test pressing 12" of Bonobo's 'Kiara'.
If you're unfamiliar with Kiara, it's one of the finer tunes off Bonobo's very fine indeed 'Black Sands' album from a few years ago and it goes a little something like this
My shopaholism doesn't end there though. I thought I might as well, "while I'm here", preorder the new James Blake EP 'Love What Happened here'.
Like me, you might be pleased to hear the new EP, which is out on Belgian R&S Records, is a step away from the whiny albeit very good repetition of his LP and a step towards his previous releases such as 'CMYK' and 'Air & Lack Thereof' on R&S and Hemlock respectively. Good news, ya?
This is 'At Birth' off the new EP. Kind of reminds me of Caribou's 'Bowls'
The good people over at Rough Trade put together this interesting collection of various electronic artists. The only thing really connecting the 22 tunes on this record is that at some point someone on every track has most probably whipped out a synth/midi keyboard/sampler and started pounding away. Other than that there's no real theme to the compilation if you don't count being awesome as a recurring theme. Slightly less recognisable names (Prurient, Marcus Schmickler?) effortlessly side by side with some more "bigger" (Flying Lotus, Hercules & Love Affair) names.
If you fancy hearing what "bleep-bleep music" of 2011 sounded like through the ears of the the big dogs over at Rough Trade then this is the album for you. So you could buy it of course or because I'm a bit of a loser with not a lot going on for me right now I put them all (well most of them as not all were on Spotify) together as a playlist which you can listen to here
Just got this delightful little number sent over. 'Sol' by Anglo-Italian band Mausi is a cheerful ol' summery tune, kind of like a female-fronted Delorean. Maybe it's that stabbing house piano or all that "doop doop doop" -ing in the chorus which makes it so damn upbeat. One to brush away those winter cobwebs this is. Until the next time you look out the window that is..
Bear Cavalry's vocal parts bear an uncanny resemblance to Cajun Dance Party's but don't you dare let that put you off the Gosport four-piece and their new "Maple Trails" EP because you really shouldn't sleep on this.
They mix their melodic dance-pop with a just a tinge of tropical punk ending up with complex, exciting and not to mention super awesome results.
Head over to their Facebook page for free downloads and the likes. http://www.facebook.com/bearcavalryband
I don't even know why I never posted Blondfire's first single "Where the Kids Are" when I heard it a few months back. What happened because I loved the song? They've got a great sound which should appeal to any fan of Dragonette or Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Anyway luckily they got back in touch with their new song "Walking With Giants" which is a great excuse to finally get round to showing them the love they much deserve.
Blondfire are a brother and sister duo. Don't you just love sibling bands? All that musical talent bursting out of just one womb. Brilliant. I mean think about it; for starters we've got the Jonas brothers and Hanson. I do often find myself asking: "What is it that makes sibling acts just so damn hot?"
The observant amongst you will have noted that Lucy Rose already made it onto my best of 2011 list with her first single "Middle of the Bed" and that I also fancy her to bits. So what's a better way to kick of AndygoesdowntoChintown's new year and it's probably/hopefully fantastic hosting of music with Lucy's new song "Red Face".
It feels like ages since 2011. It already feels soooo last year and the year seems like a vast blurry haze. Most of me wants to concentrate on new up and coming stuff, you know, music- and life-wise but part of me feels like I should celebrate and champion some of the great tunes from last year, because let's face it, there were some great tunes released last year.
Not being one for entire albums and I'll go ahead and blame these modern days of consumerism, where people haven't got time for entire albums and will just stick on a playlist of their favourite mp3s, my "Top Hits of 2011" list is comprised of albums, singles and EPs and whatever I found brilliant throughout the year. I think 30 should be sufficiently long and not too long and boring? Good. Let's get to work.
# 30 Timber Timbre - Creep On Creepin' On
"Creep On Creepin' On" was Timber Timbre's fourth full length album and showed off their full ability to create shit-scary blues-ey folk-noir. (Fuck that's a lot of hyphens). The title track is the definite epitomization of that fucked up carnival you and I and everyone used to have nightmares about. (Yes, I'm thinking of Silent Hill and shitting myself again, oh hell)
# 29 Doldrums - I'm Homesick Sitting Up Here in My Satellite
Last time I posted about Doldrums I had no idea who or what was behind them. All I knew was "I'm Homesick Sitting Up Here in My Satellite" was an absolute scorcher of a track. Now I know Doldrums is the brainchild of Canadian Airick Woodhead and if this track is anything to go by, Doldrums should blow up in 2012. For the love of Pete, just check out the drums, man!
2011 was the year Fleet Foxes made their mighty triumphant return with Helplessness Blues and what an album it was! Then along came Australian pretenders Cloud Control bursting onto the scene with their song "Ghost Story" sounding like Fleet Foxes with a jagged edge. I could even imagine what they looked like: Lumberjack shirts and huge beards à la Fleet Foxes but with kick-ass tattoos of rad shit like snakes in skulls and naked pin up girls having sex with snakes in skulls tattoo'ed onto their fists and faces. Turns out I was way off the mark.
# 27 Cold Specks
More "one to look out for in 2012" than a best of 2011, but Cold Specks released "Holland" last year which is a beautiful gut-wrenching song about, um, Holland. Like I say, one for the future.
# 26 James Vincent McMorrow - Early in the Morning
You need something special to get heard as a singer songwriter but it seems to help if you're Irish. J-V McMoz recorded "Early in the Morning" somewhere secluded and pretty much on his own. Or so they tell me. The results? Astonishing melodies backed up by his oh-so-sexy husky tone. Mmm yeah.
# 25 Rubik - Solar
Unfortunately the only Finnish entry on this list although a few others wouldn't be far behind. What a year it's been for these boys, eh? A huge tour of America and some massive festival slots (Primavera anyone?). Solar is a masterclass in Finnish pop songs and standout track "Laws of Gravity" just does it for me.
My favourite tropical punks finally came up with their debut album. T'was a mighty refreshing blast in the face in this era of reverbed fuzz and although some of Everything is Dancing was a bit same-ey the album's still a cracker. I mean you can't really go wrong with tracks like "Almost Island" and "Eden Rock".
When electronic producer Hiatus teamed up with songstress Shura the results were pretty much breathtaking. Combining his beats with her guitar and vocals Fortune's Fool is something so haunting you might want to break up with your other half just to get into the right mindset for this.
Considering how music is so shortlasting these days. who'd have thought back in 2008 that Friendly Fires would have made such an accomplished return with 2011 album "Pala"? Right from the off with "Live Those Days Tonight", Friendly Fires let you know what they're all about: Making you dance with a huge shit-eating grin on your face.
# 21 Naked & Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You
The interweb insists that "Passive Me. Aggressive You" was released in 2010. That might be the case in their native New Zealand but they came to the rest of the world's knowledge in 2011 which has been their year so far. They've got a huge sound and seriously if you've been able to avoid the absolutely HUGE tune "Young Blood" then I'm seriously wondering what rock you've been living under.
A handful of songs out last year and an album rumoured to be released some time this year, this is not the last you've heard of Kyla la Grange. Seriously I must have had "Walk Through Walls" on repeat for almost the entire year. Pretty much the ultimate air-grabbing power ballad of 2011.
# 19 Cults - Cults
Yes, "Go Outside" was used in every single fucking advert under the sun, but it doesn't mean it's still not a great song. Cults' debut album was a subtle reminder of how good 60's doo wop still is and that it can be replicated to make almost any hipster cream their excruciatingly tight pants. Still, I saw these guys last May and it only went to confirm my love for the album. It starts to repeat itself towards the end so maybe pushing the concept is in order for album #2?
# 18 Braids - Native Speaker
Another band I chanced to see earlier last year, Canadians Braids released "Native Speaker" so early last year that I was afraid I'd forget all about it come the end of the year polls. No chance of that happening because Native Speaker has that listen and then listen again quality about it. If you want to describe them as the female-fronted Animal Collective then so be it. Personally I think there's so much more to them. Beautiful stuff.
# 17 Ghostpoet - Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam
I can see a pattern forming here. I saw Ghostpoet earlier in the year too which cemented "Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam's" place on this list. Raps about everyday normal life over bleak bass-heavy post dubstep breaks. Special.
Lana Del Rey's been quite the force of nature. Unavoidable and controversial. "OMG has she had her lips filled?" "OMG is she authentic?" "OMG am I allowed to listen to her?"
Sure you can deny that "Video Games" and "Blue Jeans" are good songs but luckily this is my list and I'm not denying it thus they're on the list. Dig it.
# 15 Fixers - Here's 2001 So Let's All Head For the Sun EP
So again, I saw these guys last year and even though they were unfortunately mixed to sound like a sack of shit playing the bagpipes, you could still, through the awful sonic mess, get the idea that these guys really have a knack for a catchy melody. Their studio recordings thankfully sound miles better and this EP does it all really.
For Bon Iver's second album it seems Justin Vernon finally got over his break up with Emma and recorded an album which is essentially a list of his favourite places. In fact the track list reads a bit like all the places your creepy older relative has been. You know, the one who sends you weird postcards of lakes and cottages from everywhere they go.
# 13 Peaking Lights - 936
This duo's amazing lo-fi record hit me out of the blue some time last year. Well the song "All the Sun That Shines" hit me out of the blue with it's hypnotic bass groove and the rest of the album followed suite. "936" is THE summer chill album that still goes nicely even though I'll probably not see the sun again for a few months.
Sadly the legendary Gil Scott-Heron passed away last year and his 2010 "I'm New Here" album will remain the genius' last in a career spanning 5 decades. "We're New Here" is a collaboration between Scott-Heron and Jamie XX ie. the producer behind The XX which revamps I'm New Here and adds elements of house, dubstep and hip hop. It just goes to show that even at the age of 60, Scott-Heron wouldn't rest on his laurels and was open and ready to embrace new ideas.
# 11 James Blake - s/t
So what if Blake's reinvented his sound for his debut album? For a few EPs Blake was one of the most exciting dubstep producers around and then he came out with this, this soft self-versed album of phrases repeated ad infinitum. Some said he'd sold out, some were freaked out by the fact he actually sang on the album himself, some said "James Blake" was fucking boring. Some impressionable young women and me said it's a wonderfully beautiful record with incredible production. You just have to listen to it, like.
SBTRKT made this album by getting all his favourite singing buddies together, stuck masks on their faces and made them sing along to him playing the drums. An easy concept with great results. "Pharaohs" has been my alarm clock tone for ages now meaning wherever I am there's a party from the moment I wake up. Oh yeah, you know it, baby.
# 9 WU LYF - Go Tell Fire to the Mountain
The Mancunian four piece sing about god-knows-what because singer Ellery Roberts' vocal style is so damn sluggish you can't make a word out. This is a bit of a shame on "We Bros" because it's such a fucking catchy tune you just want to sing along. So the chorus goes a little something like this: "We bros nn aase, we bros nnnn nono no. we wear yo guns nn weeee, aseen no ssooo." '
I remember when I was younger and had a massive crush on Kate Nash. Anyone remember her?
Anyway I thought I was past all that silly crushes on redheaded celebrities business. I'm a grown man damn it. Then along came Lucy Rose and "Middle of the Bed" and there I was again like puberty was yet again a blessing of the present. Awww isn't she cute? Oh and getting back to business it's an ace tune too.
# 7 M83 - Midnight City
Alright so I knew this tune was a winner when I checked out my cousin's Last.fm profile and saw he'd listened to "Midnight City" 100 times in 24 hours, but didn't really get into it until that scene in How to Make it in America where (spoiler alert!!) Ben has sexy time with the never-ageing sex vixen Gina Gershon. Ooh that was one damn hot scene. I love you Gina.
# 6 Gang Gang Dance - MindKilla
During the summer I attempted an ambitious appeal to get Gang Gang Dance's "MindKilla" played on my mum's favourite radio station. It failed horribly meaning my mum didn't get to appreciate to sonic amazing-ness that the song is but at least the rest of us can still enjoy it.
# 5 The Antlers - Burst Apart
A heavyweight contender for album of the year, The Antlers' "Burst Apart" is a stunning collection of songs, each more impressive than the last one. If you thought their last album "Hospice" was good then you're in for a huge fuck-off treat here. It might have been a dream but I'm pretty sure album ender "Putting the Dog to Sleep" has made me cry at least once and then I realised it wasn't actually about putting a dog to sleep and I was fine with it.
"Corsicana" is as beautiful as it gets.
# 4 Burial - Street Halo
For a person who considers Burial's "Untrue" to be one of the greatest pieces of music ever created, hearing the man's new "Street Halo" EP was like going to Disneyland, Alton Towers, Legoland and Moomin World all at the same time. No great change to anything he's done before but why change something that works like a fucking charm?
# 3 Psychologist - Comes in Waves
What a tune! How to make a song about a man giving birth sound so damn touching is beyond me, but Psychologist does it. The "Waves of OK" EP is practically the man behind the alias wailing in an empty church. Does that sound appealing? Well it should because it's incredible. Sometimes the vocals are reminiscent of Jeff Buckley at his rawest and sometimes they're layered to self harmonise, but always they are amazing.
This could be considered cheating because I've entered Zomby's new EP "Nothing" here as well as his LP "Dedication" so he gets two entries but when genre mish-mashing is as good as it is on these two records then they both warrant a spot way up on this list. Mixing elements of UK rave, dubstep, garage and D'n'B these are both brilliantly eclectic musical treasure troves perfect for either those late night clubs nights or just lounging about in your underpants on a rainy sunday afternoon.
# 1 Daughter - His Young Heart
Finally, damn it. It's taken me bloody ages to compile this list so you'd best flipping enjoy it. Even if some of the entries on the list were "boring" or "obvious" I'm pretty sure you'll love this. If Daughter's still an unfamiliar name/face then it's the moniker of Elena Tonra who sings the most beautiful songs you'll hear. Of all the releases from last year, Daughter's "His Young Heart" EP still strikes me as the most important. It's just so personal and close and damn perfect. However many times I listen to first track "Landfill" it honestly always sends shivers down my spine. Haunting and sad, but the most beautiful kind of sadness.
