Cougar Microbes

A double album in this day and age is perhaps a tad over ambitious but if anyone could have pulled it off it had to be monsieur Anthony Gonzalez of M83 fame.

For his sixth album outing Gonzalez succeeding in making an album that would satisfy his loyal internet following as well as imprinting itself on the minds of causal listener. The result is a flurry of vaguely related genres delivered with majestic quality.

Our boy Thom said that “the sound of M83 can both rush me back to my eighties upbringing whilst harmoniously keeping my spirits high for the whole of the music industry. ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming‘ was as epic as the title suggests. ‘Midnight City‘ was my favorite single of the year“.

Olivia then concluded sweetly saying she “could go on and on about this album but I’ll make it short : it simply is my favourite for this year and probably one of the most breathtaking album I have ever listened to. Anthony Gonzalez at his best!’

TRACKS:

Midnight City by M83

September 13th was a difficult day for me. I was trying to recover from my weekend at Bestival when I opened my laptop to be confronted with the horrible news that Dj Mehdi had died during the night. He was actually performing at Bestival two earlier but I decided not to go see him this time because, being part French, I was sure ‘I could see him whenever‘. The circumstances of his death where also dismaying if not entirely clear; all we know is that he fell to his death whilst celebrating the birthday of his close friend Riton.

I highly respect Mehdi for his contribution to music and especially for his ability to successfully bridge over between hip-hop and electronic music where most would have easily failed. His influence over the French scene is undeniable, be it during his hip hop era where he collaborated with leading French rappers such as Booba or McSolar or when entering the Ed Banger clan which led to some of the most amazing electronic tunes such as ‘Signatune‘ or ‘ I Am Somebody‘.

Ed Banger, arguably the best electronic label at the moment, has lost one of its stars and all my thoughts go to his family and friends. I hope that his devotion and love for music will be remembered and inspire a new generation of talented DJs both in France and worldwide who are able to bridge the gap between genres in the way that he did.

R.I.P. DJ Mehdi
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Post by Olivia
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TRACKS:

Carte Blanche – Gare Du Nord

DJ Medhi – Lucky Boy feat. Fafi

In the unlikely case you missed the unveiling of M83‘s new track ‘Midnight City‘ here is the first taste of Anthony Gonzalez‘s upcoming double album ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming‘.

In my mind this represents an excellent union between the french touch and 80′s synth pop of the quality kind (think Talk Talk).

The use of the vocoder reminds me of Air‘s lyrical delivery although if I had to find a slight blemish I would say the boat has not been pushed far from the sound of ‘Kim & Jessie‘ from the previous album. Obviously thats me being nitpicky and as we watch the track blows up all over the internet you have got to say this is one kick ass single.

Catch Monsiour Gonzalez on an extensive North American tour in October and November. ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming‘ is out on October 18, 2011.

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Post by Mario

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TRACKS:

It sometimes happens that you come to be affectionate a band for no evident reason; they may not have the guitar skills of Jimmy Page, the vocal capacity of Otis Redding or the charisma of James Brown… and they probably won’t be remembered twenty years from now, but you will always appreciate those moments spent in the company of their music.

For me, The Dø is one of those bands. This franco-finnish couple/ duo Olivia Merilahti and Dan Levy has never stopped amazing me since I first discovered them in 2008 with their track ‘On My Shoulders‘.

Seeing them live a few years back at King’s College Student Union was probably one of the biggest musical surprises of my life. Some skeptics may find that they too similar to other folk act in their record collection but I have rarely seen such a magistral performance from a band and was literally blown away by Merilahti‘s charisma.

Their first album ‘A Mouthful‘ has proven to be quite a success in their home countries, France and Finland, but never really managed to conquer the English speaking world. Shame.

New album ‘Both Ways Open Jaws‘ carries on from the same spot, and once again shows the couple’s kaleidoscope of sounds, atmospheres and vocals. From catchy pop ballads such as  ’Too Insistent‘ and ‘ Was It A Dream‘ that would make any Lily Allens of this world jealous, to a M.I.A like haunting vibe on ‘Slippery Slope‘, or more electronic sounds on intro ‘B.W.O.J‘, the Dø have this incredible knack for eclecticism, partly made possible through Olivia‘s astonishing vocal capabilities.

Tune after tune this album is a little beauty full of sincerity, lyricism and a sample of what is best in current scandinavian music.

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Post by Olivia

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TRACKS:

You don’t have to be a forty year old at their own over blown Birthday party, drunk on gin to sob ‘This song was written all about me!‘

Some songs can just do that to you. The lyrics can echo your own glory or misery and the chord progressions can conjure up those images of the suburban ‘The Wonder Years‘ style Super-8 home movies (If a little gnarlier and less cupcake) or of your first shag in the bushes with the girl who knew some pretty perverted stuff for her age. Or something.

The song I am referring to is ‘Beavis‘, off Boolfight‘s latest effort ‘Multiple Devils‘.

‘Multiple Devils‘ is atmospheric and charming, and turns my listening to it on a warm, picturesque day, lieing in long grass into a hazy and apocolyptic grim fairy tale.

Boolfight‘s mix electro with Smith‘s style rock to perfection. They drop angular guitars and modern synths in the pot, to add to the potency of Kelvin Manu‘s inner monologue of human psychology and a head full of…Well multiple devils. “Behind my eyes, they dance” he dreads.

He has the demeanor of Morrisey with the imagination and manic ravings of Ian Curtis, his mourneful vocals are an authorititive whisper until they can’t take the inner turmoil anymore and wails chorus’ like ‘Knock yourself out, you can switch to the override mode‘ from ‘Override‘.

Manu‘s vocals are perfectly entwined in the mix, encouraging the listener to really pick out the writings of this trio of talented artists.

What’s great about this album is that it could see 50 percent slotted neatly in an 80′s John Carpenter movie but evokes an ear for more modern sounds with the remaining percent that could see it opening a modern indie movie with hip-kids and lots of ‘pondering scenes‘ over night landscapes. I mean this of course, in the best way possible, this album has alot to it not least the optmistic M83-like opener ‘Oh Forget It‘, before we tumble into Boolfight’s eerie and beautfiul world.

Clocking in at a modest 20 odd minutes, the EP closes with the beautifully surreal ‘Everybody Makes The Music‘ summing up what is a fascinating effort that makes an enjoyable task of trying to describe it with phrases like inaccessibly beautiful.

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Post by T.R. Wicks

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TRACKS:

As it is Valentine’s Day tomorrow I thought I would close off this episode of Weekend Videos with a love song. Air‘s ‘Moon Safari‘ has always been a strong contender for my Desert Island Album‘s list and ‘All I Need‘ is one of it’s most striking moments on the album with Beth Hirsch lending a timeless feel.

The video in itself is quite unique in its documentary approach following a young couple describing their perceptions of love. Happy Valentine’s Day!

TRACKS:

Continuing the theme of my favourites here is the Daft Punk classic ‘Around The World‘ from the summer of 97. Having already featured one Michel Gondry helmed video this weekend here is another track he got his dirty mittens involved in.

The deceivingly simple video is a great companion to the song with each “character” representing a different part of the song. If you don’t love this there is something wrong with you.

TRACKS:

Camden artist Leelou is bringing us a powerful slice of post- punk pop with her debut EP ‘Kiss. Death. Love. Come’. After working and touring with French legendary cover band Nouvelle Vague she’s made a welcome return to her solo roots and has meet her musical match in production partner Paul Simm’s.

Her first Single ‘Burn Your Houses Down’ (written about the MP housing scandal) is a catchy piece of unpretentious socio-political pop, believe it or not. With the pop accessibility of her tracks and her rich tremulous voice you could be fooled into likening Leelou to modern day artists such as Marina and the Diamonds but with her dark and charismatic sound comparisons to iconic artists such as Siouxsie would be far more fitting.

Of all the tracks ‘Gasoline‘ is less punchy than ‘Burn Your Houses Down’ and is probably the most indie of the EPs outputs but still manages to maintain some punkette percussion and edge. In contrast, ‘Kill For Your Love‘ and ‘Kiss Like Carnivores’ are stripped back, slower in pace and overlaid by a soft vocal drawl and that sees her move towards a more grunge inspired sound reminiscent of her cited influence Nirvana.

There’s is something very powerful about Leelou’s voice and indeed her song writing skills and in a market where post punk female artists are not common place I hope her offerings will go someway to filling the vacant void.

LeeLou’s debut EP ‘Kiss. Death. Love. Come’ is released on Enso Records on the 8th of November

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Post by the Clark Kent-esque Ruby

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TRACKS: