Cougar Microbes

It is quite fitting that we just featured an ode to the fertile musical territory that is Brooklyn because it continues to produce noteworthy artists. Not least mysterious trio Sensual Harassment who have taken the act of providing scarce information on oneself to a new level with a minimalist website and bio to boot.

This is largely irelevant because this bunch have a lot to show in the tunes department. Take the track ‘Boss‘, a personal favourite, with it’s Bronski Beat meets ‘Hot Fuzz‘ era The Killers (with all the influences that entails) melody and riff overlaid with some decidedly modern Justice-like beats for an example of the band’s multifaceted attack.

Elsewhere on tracks such as ‘Fever‘ the band channels Tears For Fears having a very public row with Passion Pit. Sensual Harassment juxtapose sounds that are rooted in two different eras in a captivating way that leans more towards an affirmation than a cheesy tribute.

The album ‘Alpha Draconis‘ is out now through the band’s website.

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When it comes to music, Brooklyn seems to be the land of cool. From The Velvet Underground to Sonic Youth, TV on the Radio through to MGMT (and this list can go on and on), whatever the generation, when you hail from BK you are seemingly ahead of the pack and, somehow, able to generate something new and ‘different’ that will shake the music world. Snowmine look set to follow this blueprint.

This indie psych-pop ensemble is set to release their debut album ‘Laminate Pet Animal‘ on the 3rd May, and something tells me they will not stay unnoticed. Fronted by new-classical music composer Grayson Sanders, the five-pice offers richness and diversity encompassing tribal beats, echo pedals and classical orchestrations.

The album shows a surprising ability to juggle between the pop-rock rhythms on tracks such as ‘Penny‘ to more afrobeat/tropical sounds on the likes of ‘The Hill‘. The strongest aspect is the frontman’s magically soothing voice which is reminiscent of Fleet Floxes‘ singer Robin Pecknold.

Needless to say that they will naturally be compared to the likes of fellow Brooklynites Yeasayer, Grizzly Bear or Dirty Projectors. Furthermore their sound undoubtedly fits that beach surf indie wave that is currently so en vogue. But instead of blindly following the current like countless other acts Snowmine’s intriguing style is representative, to follow the theme, of gloriously riding a wave.

Their inspiration comes from love, lost and found and forest trips, and this clearly transpires through their music. With its vibrant melodies ‘Laminate Pet Animal‘ is definitely a perfect record for this summer.

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Post by Olivia
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So long and thanks for all the shoes

You didn’t want to do it but you did it to say that you didn’t want to do it but you did anyway

Layla, got me on my knees.

It has been a while since we featured a good mashup and even longer since The White Panda graced these pages. In this time the boys have been keeping busy plugging their third album ‘Pandamonium‘ and filling dancefloors across North America.

I’ve argued before that in my mind what makes an ideal mashup is when I am familiar, and preferably love, the tracks involved. The Chicago based duo have a knack for doing just that.

For details on how to get their releases as well as live shows check The White Panda.

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Last week modern gods Radiohead also got themselves involved in the Record Store Day shenanigans releasing 2 new tracks from the ‘The King Of Limbs‘ sessions. Both ‘Supercollider‘ and ‘The Butcher‘ would be potential singles, rather than outtakes, for lesser bands.

Our reviews of ‘King Of Limbs‘ as well as The Strokes recent ‘Angles‘ album sparked an interesting discussion at Cougar Microbes HQ. The problem for bands such as Radiohead or The Strokes is that have given us, in my opinion, two of the best albums of all time early in their careers.

As fans we always come back to these and therefore expect so much from them. It seems that we are never satisfied and this is because we inevitably compare every subsequent release with the raw diamond that will inherently never be reproduced, and this is to point out that we sometimes fail to appreciate great music just because it is not another ‘Last Nite‘ or ‘Karma Police‘ .

Going through reviews for both these releases I found it almost impossible to find one which did not refer to the both band’s “golden egg“. It is as if we were asking them to recreate ‘Ok Computer‘ and ‘Is This It‘ over and over again, but in that case would these albums be as special as they are?

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Post by Olivia

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I have already argued that there must be something in the water in Georgia and Little Tybee are further proof of the area’s musical riches.

Frontman Brock Scott crafts beautiful introspective melodies that are embellished by his five cohort, including full time violinist Nirvana Kelly, whose presence adds something fragile yet incredibly contagious to the mix.

Having released their album ‘Humorous To Bees‘ earlier this month the band are notching up performances in key venues with across North America.

As a bonus check out the band playing the track ‘Strong Ears‘ for My Side Of The Mountain in a cafe in North Carolina. I secretly hope the little girl joins the band full time.

‘Humorous To Bees‘ is out now on Paper Garden Records

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