Joe Thompson

thewhiteboardproject:

Title: Trouble

Label: Polydor

Release: 2nd May 2011 ( Digital, 20th June physical.)

Rating: 8.2

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs,*breathe*, are back with their first track of 2011 (not counting remixes), set to be released on the 2^nd of May. It’s called ‘Trouble’ and it has all the makings to be as great as their previous electro synth-pop tunes - although slightly more futuristic.

The creator of this techno giant also has a rather long name, and that’s Orlando Higginbottom. He’s done remixes for the likes of Darwin Deez, Professor Green and Katy Perry, but with this new track I feel it’s his time to shine.

Track ‘Trouble’ opens with an ominous, dark, eerie synth resonance before breaking into a house-style funky groove that infects the nerves making it impossible not to wiggle and frolic about.

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thewhiteboardproject:

The growth of Foster The People has been quite alarming. Never has a song about a high school massacre had people bobbing along in a happy trance, but this trio have managed to entrance us all with their infectious melody to such an extent that the harrowing subject matter takes a back seat. The band stopped by Saturday Night Live at the weekend. Have a look at them performing Pumped Up Kicks and Houdini below.  The latter with the help of Kenny G!

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thewhiteboardproject:

Title : Faking Jazz Together

Label : Phantasy / Because Music

Release : October 17th

Rating : 7.3

This track begins with ominous chimes that lead into an eerie psychedelic jam of liquefied salsa rhythms and dreamy guitar licks; all the while Mockasin’s alien vocals croon over the top like this song is a ghostly transmission from the cosmos.

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The track begins with ominous chimes that lead into an eerie psychedelic jam of liquefied salsa rhythms and dreamy guitar licks; all the while Mockasin’s alien vocals croon over the top like this song is a ghostly transmission from the cosmos.

The whole six minutes keeps to a slow pace, like a leisurely amble through an enchanted forest, except for a moment when the mosey turns into am almost, complete stop. The silence seems more sinister than the eerie psychedelic resonances, akin to Screamadelica era Primal Scream.

Whether ‘Faking Jazz Together’ makes you believe Connan Mockasin is toying with the edges of musical convention – or it simply makes you sleepy – it’s an interesting listen, with its abstract sounds and strange vocals.

This innovator is releasing this single, taken from his debut album on October 17^th, and has made plans to tour. Catch him before he immaterialises into the strange cosmos his music comes from.

Review by Joe Thompson

Fresh new band from the capitals lo-fi pop scene, Novella, are set to release their new single ‘The Things You Do’ on August 15^th.

The song opens with a nonchalant, murky guitar riff and a galloping drum fill, setting the scene for the front woman to begin with her whispery, indifferent vocals that glide along the underlying harmonies with sophistication.

A minute in the riff changes to signal the chorus, which isn’t much different to the rest of the song. However this isn’t a complaint, as it keeps in with the smooth, effortless style Novella portray though out this song, comparing them to other girl band Warpaint (whom we all should love).

My favourite thing about this song is that instead of just fading out at the end, the aforementioned drum and guitar fills come alive and explode into a twenty second vocal free jamming session that’s, quite frankly, just awesome.

An altogether ‘ok’ song that I could happily listen to many times, even if sometimes I would end up just skipping to the final 30 seconds.  

Review by Joe Thompson

The song captivates you right from the start with its instantly clear and distinctive avant-garde take on electro pop. The singers brooding voice textured with ominous piano chords and electro beats create a promising opening that leads into a full blown, mystifying collaboration of different beats and hazy keyboard sounds.

These sombre beats intertwine beautifully with singer Catherine’s pure, rich voice as she croons ‘I gave you all you wanted, didn’t I love?’

Emotional lyrics echo the moving, fiery, passionate feel of the underlying keys - creating the perfect song for the theme of lost love and desperation.

The pair’s aesthetic and mesmerising sounds build to a busy climax before ending abruptly, leaving the listeners ears stunned and imploring for more from this south-west London duo.

A little research tells me they are currently putting the finishing touches on their debut album, which has the potential to be brilliant if Alpine stick to their beautifully fresh take on electro pop. 

Review by Joe Thompson

In addition to their well-received new album Sun And Shade, the lo-fi rockers, Woods, have also released “Find Them Empty” as a companion single.

To sum up, it’s odd. The track is jarring, containing sweet harmonious vocals that fight to be heard over an overpowering screechy guitar sound (think of fingernails scratching a blackboard) and clanging symbols.

As well as this, a psych-rock organ hums in the background adding thicker texture and melody.

I can’t quite hear the lyrics to work out what the song is about, but the different sounds mixed in together makes it curiously attractive and engaging enough on its own.

It’s an interesting song that gives an I’m-in-a-band-that-experiments-with-drugs feel, well worth a listen. 

Review by Joe Thompson

http://soundcloud.com/thelittleidiot/lie-down-in-darkness

I’m glad I’ve been given this song to review, because it is absolutely beautiful - and I very much doubt id have come across it otherwise, considering Moby wouldn’t be the first artist I’d type into YouTube’s search engine when on a hunt for new music.

This track is an electronic symphony masterpiece brimming with emotion, perfectly mixing longing violin sounds with mournful electro resonances, creating a textured song that inspires sombre images of a beautiful and desolate place.

These sorrowful images are evoked even more strongly when Joy Malcolm’s serene voice croons with a tone of longing, maybe for a lost loved one with ‘now that your gone, the sun will be no more’.

The lyrics talk of a cold and dark place, which is echoed though the ever-lonely sounding, soft electro resonance Moby creates in this song.

An incredibly moving and expressive song that conjures images of the secluded and forlorn place that loss can send us too.

Review by Joe Thompson