Das Racist‘s free 2010 mixtapes had critics and fans scratching their heads over whether the trio were for real. The release of their official album ‘Relax‘, while simultaneously resembling a series of elaborate in-jokes, suggests the trio are genuine enough.
The Brooklyn band spit over a series of jagged beats produced by the likes of Anand Wilder (Yeasayer), Blood Diamonds, Diplo, El-P and Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) and still maintain that unique Das Racist charm.
Check the track ‘Michael Jackson‘ for example. They are in top form both when linking up seemingly nonsensical one-liners into genial verses or when reeling off on social/racial issues. This latter point is one that shouldn’t be underestimated as the Brooklynites challenge preconceptions on color and creed as well as what a rapper should behave/look like.
On your list of things to do for 2012 should be buying a copy of ‘Relax‘. It represents the moment Das Racist prove their underground success wasn’t merely a fluke.
There is no doubt that Scandinavian artists are currently at the forefront of the electronic and indie music scenes. The Knife, Bjork, Röyksopp and countless other major artists, musicians and djs have risen from the nordic states. In between these impressive names Denmark may appear to be a little out of step with its neighbours seemingly offering 90′s cheese-pop band Aqua as their most notorious export. This view is a little short sighted as the country is also host to worldwide renowned festival Roskilde in Copenhagen and has offered its fair share of great music; I’m thinking djs and electronic musicians Trentemøller, Lindstrøm, or bands such as the Raveonettes and Mew.
Because Denmark currently has so much to offe we wanted to introduce Danish Compilations; a website created by Mia Storm and Lukas Kaldan in order to promote their local acts. The duo had already been writing Danish language blog Wonders Make Joy; their idea was to launch a website in English thus making the local scene more accesible to us in the anglo world.
This concept is simple and effective and the website currently offers four themed compilation albums to enjoy. Being partial to Scandinavian electronic music I found ‘Vinter Wonders‘ to be a little jewel of electronica and minimal featuring artists Aebeloe, Andycap or Jonas K.P, who particularly caught my attention; I greatly recommend it if you enjoy the soothing and pure sounds of electronica.
Approximately the same electronic atmosphere but with a twist of rock is present on ‘ To Sider Af Samme Sommer‘, which again features Aebeloe and no-need-for-introductions maestro Trentemøller, but also four piece indie band Annasaid, strangely making me wonder if they could be the bastard child of Cassius‘s and Vampire Weekend.
If Indie rock is your thing, then Wonders Make Joy‘s second compilation ‘IndieanerMusik‘ should definitely please you. It should be noted that this album also features The Kissaway Trail; an old friend here at Cougar Microbes HQ. The vocals on Choir of Young Believers‘ ‘Hollow Talk‘, the musicality of Art of Ape‘s ‘Stuck in Freedom‘ or the spirituality of Chimes & Bells ‘Into Pieces of Wood‘… it seems that all the tracks on this album have something special about them and made me want to discover more about the artists behind them.
The fourth compilation ‘Lyden af Din Mormors Elsker‘ present another well-known aspect of scandinavian music: rock AND roll. The first featured band ‘The Band Bang Brain‘ sets the mood: this is about guitars, loud vocals, feeling young and free…. scotch, but on the rocks. With a touch of heaviness some tracks may seem overwhelming to some sensitive ears, but can be nonetheless soothed by the more delicate sounds and lyrics of Three Attacks ( ‘Love In The City‘) or 18th Dye ( ‘Amorines‘).
Putting all artists on the same level( from the worldwide famous to the little-known acts), gives us the chance to discover something new and fresh. With their themed albums the website ‘Danish Compilations‘ is a great initiative. … and all this, just for the love of music.
Maps & Atlases set aside their early math-rock tendencies for what an undoubtedly more accessible set of songs in 2010. The resulting album ‘Perch Patchwork‘ proved that the wild percussions and breakneck instrumental interchanges were not being entirely forgone by the band but instead were balanced with a knack for atmospherics and dynamics.
The shift from playing a thousand notes a minute to only revving it up at key segments is surprisingly smooth and frontman Dave Davison booming voice benefits most from the new found spotlight. Imagine Kings Of Leon’s Caleb Followill fronting a more daring Vampire Weekend and you may just begin to scratch the surface.
There is a lot going on on this album and it took me a few listens to digest it all but it is on the live stage that these songs truly begin to soar. With the band seemingly intent on recreating every note they recorded there is genuine tension and excitement in the air.
Add that to the fact they 4-pice are stand up guys and you have yourself a must hear album.
Jenny and Johnny should represent any music fan’s wet dream bringing together the talent of Rilo Kiley’s lovely Jenny Lewis and singer-songwriter Johnathan Rice. The resulting music is quite distant from the output you would associate with either artist and yet extremely logical given their much publicized relationship.
Jenny and Johnny clearly don’t believe in the old adage that one shouldnt mix love and work (as seen in their numerous collaborations) and frankly we should be quite thankful because their first official album as a duo showcases 11 fantastic pop songs.
Following support slots for VampireWeekend on their recent European tour the duo will be touring Britain at the start of December so catch them near you.
‘I’m Having Fun Now’ is out now on Warner Bros. Records
Following up on their 2008 debut was always going to be tough going for Vampire Weekend. Expectations for the followup were naturally set very high and to an extent I was left dissapointed.
‘Contra‘ is loaded with amazing tracks but at times feels like the band were trying hard to make it sound like VampireWeekend. Regardless of this slight critique ‘Holiday‘ is without a doubt one of the standout moments on the album and an obvious choice for a single.
A few weeks ago Papa Cougar and I shared an earphone each, and a tube journey home, as he played me Chicago’s Pet Lions. They were, he informed me, well overdue a review at Cougar HQ. Without hesitation I jumped at the opportunity to spout my opinionated take on debut EP ‘Soft Right’.
Let’s start off by addressing the elephant in the room; you’d be unlikely to listen to this release without immediately noticing striking similarities to The Strokes. Firstly, lead singer Karl Østby’s vocals are certainly delivered in a similar vein to Julian Casablancas’, though perhaps they lack some of the panache. This is compounded by guitar sounds borrowed from ‘Room On Fire’ and Moretti-esque, simple but effective, straight rock drum patterns.
However, PetLions are not rip-off merchants by any stretch of the imagination. ‘Soft Right’ unveils lyrical prowess and a knack for crafting inventive song structures. There is a strong college element to the whole affair but thankfully it is more Vampire Weekend than Wheatus. When married with confident meandering bass lines and a mature approach to space within music the overall result is a release that is more than worthy of a few spins.
Pet Lions’ ability to hammer out a catchy dynamic pop song suggests they may well graduate to bigger and better futures. If so it is more likely to be in the shape of ‘I Will Track You Down’ than the more immediate ‘Roman History’ which, despite sounding like a billboard contender, veers that little bit too close to Strokes territory.
the ‘Soft Right‘ EP is available by signing up to the band’s mailing list.
With the accessibility of music today, hearing bands and their influences through their music is inevitable and unsurprising. Unfortunately, for every appealing mockery you get 3,000 rip-offs. Robbers On High Street aping Spoon comes to mind and, of course, the popular rip-off artist of the moment Owl City, who practically admitted to copying ThePostal Service sound.
Occasionally there are the rare examples where you say to yourself, “Wow, this sounds exactly like , <insert popular, genre defining band> but it’s still great!” and that’s just it; an act can tastefully wear their influences on their sleeves without sounding talentless.
For example, without Joy Division‘s moody, melancholic expression there would be no Interpol. The Brothers Wilson paved the way for the Fleet Foxes with their intricate and lush harmonies. Regardless of how ridiculous it may seem for preppy, educated white kids to dabble in world and afrobeat rhythms, the Talking Heads beat Vampire Weekend to the punch by over 30 years.
Although on a much smaller scale, Daddy Lion fall into the latter category. The unsigned band from Washington D.C sound like all of their influences (listed on their myspace) and they’re all the better for it. A hint of JoyDivision can be heard on ‘Falling to Pieces‘, Hüsker Dü can be heard on ‘Just Die Young‘ and ‘Morning‘ could easily be a Dinosaur Jr. B-side slow burner.
According to NPR, it’s a bedroom breakup album by a semi-stalker using the name “Daddy Lion” as a pseudonym… you know… a typical stalker move. But stalker or not, his varying display of songs make for a good listen, and even though it’s a “break-up” album it doesn’t bog down with sadness.
Although they only have a 6-song EP to their credit, they cover a lot of ground in those precious 19 minutes, mining the past 30 years of pop influences. My hope is that they hone in on a specific genre for their follow-up, or risk falling into that previously mentioned latter category.
——–
This post written by Adam, aka Simon & Cougarfunkel
In 2008 Columbia graduates Vampire Weekend set the world alight with their self-titled debut album. The release, boasting a joyful blend of African beats, infectious pop hooks and youthful enthusiasm, eased its way into the US and UK Top 20 aided by a wave of blogosphere hysteria.
The New Yorkers’ 2010 sophomore effort ‘Contra’ sees a maturing from enthusiasm to subtlety and is typified by more contemplative lyrics while maintaining a playful sense of humour. Trademark off-beat guitars are still an uplifting quirk of their work but these are layered over a backbone of understated synthesised pulses rather than carnival-esque percussion. There is the occasional exception such as first single ‘Cousins’; a polka boogie complete with crude acoustic drums.
For those bemoaning expended festive joy, Xmas 2010 seems to have arrived 11 months early. You could say that, if 2008’s ‘Vampire Weekend’ is a soundtrack for summer, then ‘Contra’ is an equally apt soundtrack for winter.
We wouldn’t want to make any bold statements but ‘Contra’ is undoubtedly one of the best albums of the year so far.
to feature an array of amazing releases and artists (past, present, old and new) with the goal of promoting them to anyone interested and anyone who stumbles across this site.
If you like any of the tracks, please go buy the albums and help finance the artists producing this great music.
If there are any issues with the tracks featured do not hesitate to contact: "team (AT) Cougar Microbes (DOT) com and we will happily oblige.
