Author Archives: Clare Williams

[Indie] Koop & Coconut Records Say Goodbye To Summer

Posted by Clare Williams - September 7, 2011

Celebrated blog Indieshuffle recently put up a post of ‘Five Songs To Bid Summer Adieu’, featuring some brilliant tracks. Just like these two. Swedish duo Koop’s ‘Summer Sun’ is a jazz-infused little number that just oozes charm. It’s an utter delight to listen to, and demands repeated listening to appreciate the work Koop have put into each individual sample. ‘Summer Sun’ is quite a contrast to the lo-fi ‘Summer Day’ by Coconut Records, Jason Schwartzman’s musical project. Featuring Kirsten Dunst, this is a mellow slice of indie-pop with somewhat Phil Spector-esque production, guaranteed to get toes tapping. In short, both tracks are must-haves for your ‘End of Summer’ playlist.

  Koop – Summer Sun by Playground Music

Coconut Records – Summer Day

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[Electronic] Grouper – Water People

Posted by Clare Williams - September 5, 2011

Liz Harris, AKA Grouper, is another one of the stars in Portland’s underground scene. She’s been around for a while, releasing ambient/electro tracks, but she’s never really broken the mainstream. On the basis of ‘Water People’, however, we reckon she’ll reach incredible acclaim. A ghostly track with whispering vocals that haunt the melody, ‘Water People’ could soundtrack a million suspense-filled scenes. The atmospheric guitar lines make this a darkly blissful song, and are set to put Grouper truly on the map. Watch this space for more news on this astonishing act.

  Grouper – Water People by pmwtumblr

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[Rock] Tokyo Police Club – All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem Cover)

Posted by Clare Williams - September 2, 2011

Canadian post-punk quartet Tokyo Police Club are currently involved in “10 Songs. 10 Hours. 10 Days. 10 Years.”, a project which has seen the band perform cover versions of songs from the past ten years, including tracks by Phoenix and Kelly Clarkson. TPC’s version of LCD Soundsystem’s ‘All My Friends’ is a triumph, and a definite highlight of the project. Taking what is essentially an electro classic and turning it into a fantastic rock track is no mean feat, yet these guys make it look oh-so-easy. Killer riffs and earnest vocals drive the song, until the subdued final minute, where David Monks’ whisperings close ‘All My Friend’s to beautiful effect. ‘All My Friends’ is bound to be a sure-fire winner with fans of both bands, and is especially poignant since the demise of LCD Soundsystem.

  All My Friends by TokyoPoliceClub

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[Electronic] Trophy Wife – Canopy Shade

Posted by Clare Williams - September 2, 2011

Young indie upstarts Trophy Wife can do wrong in the eyes of the blogosphere, and on the basis of ‘Canopy Shade’, it’s easy to see why. A slice of sharp electro, this track follows in a similar vein as fellow Oxonians Foals’ earlier work, with energetic bleeps and infectious choruses swamping the listener in the most delicious manner. Produced by one of the trio’s longtime musical idols, Plaid, ‘Canopy Shade’ is set to be a hit in indie discos the world over. ‘Canopy Shade’ is featured on the forthcoming EP, ‘Bruxism’, available October 17 on Blessing Force.

  Trophy Wife – Canopy Shade (Produced by Plaid and Trophy Wife) by trophywifeband

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[Folk] James Vincent McMorrow – Higher Love (Steve Winwood Cover)

Posted by Clare Williams - September 2, 2011

Dublin native and Ninja favourite James Vincent McMorrow has garnered acclaim for his work since the release of his album ‘Early In The Morning’. Now he’s back, with a haunting cover of the Steve Winwood classic, ‘Higher Love’. Stripped down to the bare bones of McMorrow’s wavering falsetto and a piano, the track sounds like a more uncertain, and therefore human, take on love than the original. Guaranteed to send shivers down the spine of even the stoniest-hearted anti-romantic, ‘Higher Love’ is a must for all folk-lovers.

James Vincent McMorrow – Higher Love (Steve Winwood Cover)

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[Rock] Introducing Priory

Posted by Clare Williams - September 1, 2011

Portland four-piece Priory released their debut EP, ‘Cold Hands’, last year. Now they’re back with a self-titled follow-up, and what a stellar return they’ve made. Record highlights ‘Lady of Late’ and ‘Kings of Troy’ are brilliant examples of Priory’s songwriting craft. Bursting with inventive melodies and gripping hooks, these tracks deal with darker issues than their instrumentation would lead you to believe. Singer and bassist Brandon Johnson drives the songs with his earnest vocals, taking Priory onto a whole new level. This band has the tunes to make the big time, and will no doubt gather many fans on future tours. ‘Kings of Troy’ and ‘Lady of Late’ feature on the album ‘Priory’, available from Expunged Records.

Priory – Kings of Troy

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Priory – Lady of Late

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[Experimental] Com Truise – Datebar

Posted by Clare Williams - August 29, 2011

The brilliantly-monikered Com Truise (AKA Seth Haley) has dug out ‘Datebar’ from his collection of synth and experimental music, and we’re very grateful that he did. Peppered with vocal samples and disjointed beats, this track is similar to early krautrock, yet sits perfectly in place with the current music scene. Admittedly, Haley’s work will be an acquired taste, yet ‘Datebar’ occasionally veers close to the more melodic side of avant-garde. Keep watching this space for more on Com Truise, the man determined to bring you a new wave of modern experimentalism.
 
Com Truise – Datebar

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