Cougar Microbes

Just in case you wanted clarifications on how to pronounce the name of multi-talented Theophilus London offers his video ‘Last Name London‘ to help.

The Brooklyn raised rapper/producer has dropped the mixtapes ‘This Charming Mixtape’ and ‘I Want You’ to garner online success before the release of ‘Lovers Holiday‘ EP earlier this year. With collaborations with Gorillaz as and Mark Ronson under his belt already the 22 year old’s star looks set to keep rising.

Theophilus’ debut album ‘Timez Are Weird These Days’ later this year and boasts work from a bunch of A-listers producers such John Hill (Santogold), Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio), Jokke (Swedish House Mafia) and Ariel Rechstshaid (Murs)

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“Did you ever know that you’re my hero? You are the wind beneath my wings.”

Brilliant? Yes. Entirely irrelevant? No. At least not quite. But nearly.

One of my musical heros said that bands and artists nowadays take no risks. One of my other musical heros said that bands and artists have lost their mystery.

The mysterious Norwegian ‘Ungdomskulen‘ have made a bold musical statement and in turn, taken a bold risk with thir playful new 7″ project. 10 Tracks long and a minute long each. They released these songs every Monday and Friday starting back from May 2nd on their website and on Soundcloud. The EP is named ‘Gimme Ten‘.

I’ll start by saying what an exciting and tricky task it must have been to write this material. Or maybe not. Maybe this was as easy and painless as writing can get? Never the less, no other band to my knowledge have successfully tried this before and what a cool sound Ungdonskulen have to work with.

Sometimes during certain songs, there are middle eights and bridges and parts that you really want to go on forever. However isn’t that what makes a song exciting? Making you want to listen to them again even if it is just for that one part that makes you want to go crazy or that tingles your spine?

One example I can think of is the middle eight to ‘Feel Good Inc‘ by the Gorillaz. Or perhaps a cooler example; the outro to ‘Groovy Kind Of Love‘ by Phil Collins. Just kidding….(I bloody love you Collins.)

By creating ten artistic pieces that you barely get a chance to get into you get this very effective feel that you’ve just listened to a full album stacked with melody, rhythm, original ideas and balls. It just turns out ‘Gimme Ten‘ is a solid prog album without the wankerage.

‘Self Made Woman‘ sounds like Battles smothering Pink Floyd but with more an idea of where they are going. The melodies are simple but strong.

‘Tears Of Joy‘ musically sounds like the coolest sega mega drive game soundtrack with hints of eighties vocal play, drowning in the sea of anglular rhythms.

‘Walking The Dog‘ feels like Manu Chau has been round for a beer and messed with your favourite Beatles song, while you were too drunk to notice. It’s mellow but feels like there is a dark undertone to it all.

‘It’s Official‘ is a loaded gun just gone off whilst ‘Elle‘ guitar finger taps it’s way down a loan highway at night (Be it the shortest highway in the world.)

The gem in this EP for me was the Queens Of The Stone Age-like ‘Number One‘. I love the experimental sounds, but I have to say this straight out rocker is a live opener and a hit in it’s own right. Considering it’s only a minute long, it had me wanting to go mental right from the off. It’s like the best ever and shortest quickie in the world. Like when your missus has been away on holiday and just got back. Anyways….

It got me thinking though (Not much does), that is it just my favourite as it is the most accessible? Am I eating the very words my musical heros said by going straight for the song I understand and can relate other music to?

So cheers Ungdomskulen, you gave me an awesome little EP and made me think (for an hour.)

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Post by T.R. Wicks

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TRACKS:

Following a refreshing break in the sun Cougar Microbes should be back in full swing soon. Here’s a sweet cover by Gorillaz to bring us back with a bang.

TRACKS:

The Amplifietes can be considered a sort of supergroup having shared production work for the likes of Kelis, Madonna, Grandmaster Flash and fellow Swedes Peter Bjorn and John. It is on their own effort that the 4 piece have successfully married up a skilful blend of electro pop and punk that will have you flocking to the chapel this year.

At first play the electro popiness of ‘Something New’ , clearly the stand out track, draws comparisons to Miike Snow‘s dynamism whereas ‘Whizz Kid’ manages to drive through both Elvis Costello and Kraftwerk in just over 3 minutes. Their debut single ‘It’s My Life’ has an element of Gorillaz production to it and boasts a freaky robot tripping chorus that would lead any hedonistic urbanite to the dancefloor.

With a happening sound and lyrical wit The Amplifetes are a true delight so be sure to expect more and more of them this year, in the meantime wrap your chops around their latest EP, ‘Somebody New‘, out now.

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Post written by the patient Ruby

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TRACKS:

The Amplifetes – Somebody New