Cougar Microbes

 Belgian-Australian Wally De Backer found the winning formula with his 3rd album under the Gotye moniker. ‘Making Mirrors‘ saw the multi-instrumentalist bring his unique Sting-meets-Ceelo sampling appeal to a greater audience no doubt led by the success of lead single ‘Somebody That I Used To Know.

Cougar regular Emily, who also wrote this gushing review, added ‘Making Mirrors’ to her year end list describing it as “an enticing combination of Motown sensibilities, haunting vocals, and upbeat energies, all crafted through samples and warped instrumentation. Definitely my favourite new artist, or at least new to me.”

TRACKS:

Easy Way Out by Gotye

God this is good! Trying to sum this record up is almost as challenging as to listen to it without having to stop what you are doing, stare gleefully at the speakers & uncontrollably bob your head to the groove.

‘Omni‘ the bands first full length since 2007′s “Planet of Ice“, finds Minus the Bear in what feels & sounds like effortless full flight. It is this effortlessness, to this humble reviewers ears, that makes this album a marvel onto itself.

This album is detailed: Cascading soundscapes litter the “sometimes simple, sometimes progressive“ song structures. Every bleep, guitar chord or drum loop so carefully placed & with such precision you would think this was crafted by machine. Alas, it wasn’t, and thus like any art in the hands of master craftsmen is injected with as much soul as accuracy.

Trying to pin down the band’s sound as they march through the 10 cuts on offer here is a hard one. A vast array of influence come to mind when listening to the album in its entireity (as a side note, this album should be enjoyed as a total) but never do the band sound like they are struggling for a voice.

The locked but joyous chemistry between the drums and bass (Erin Tate & Cory Murchy respectively) provide such a solid platform that the rest of the band are allowed to inflect the Jimmy Eat World esque Indie rock with The Police inspired guitar lines & Daft Punk synth lines without tredding on the songs. There is even room for nods to early 70′s soul and aphex twin style broken beats creating something quite unique.

This is all stitched together magninificently by Joe Chiccarelli‘s (The White Stripes, My Morning Jacket) big yet airy production and Jake Sniders
understated yet hook riddled vocals.

Minus The Bear have managed to create something quite special with this record. Go. Listen!

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Post by the Dusseldorf bound Warren

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TRACKS:

Minus The Bear – Summer Angel

Zane Lowe’s Radio One listeners were last night treated to a live session by Oxford’s angular indie heroes Foals. Over here at Cougar HQ some of us love Foals, others love The Police and some of us hate them both. We managed to agree that this version of ‘The Bed’s Too Big Without You’ is pretty ace. Enjoy

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written by Kenny the manipulator

TRACK:

Foals – The Bed’s Too Big Without You (The Police cover)

Last year I launched a bit of an attack on the concept of Valentine’s Day itselfy, this year I have mellowed down a little bit. I still think you shouldn’t need an excuse to treat your significant other but it is nice to see all the couples around Camden.

If you forgot to buy him/her a special treat you are still in time to head over to Vouchercodes.co.uk and use their Amazon promo codes. Alternatively you can dedicate these songs to them (pretending they were from you)

For all you lovers out there enjoy your day!

TRACKS

Colin Hay – I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You

The Police – The Bed’s Too Big Without You

The Get Up Kids – Valentine