Category Archives: music
Junction 27 – Reflections
Out on Grassfed Disco Records.
Is it progressive house? Is it breakbeat? Is it trance? We really don’t know, but whatever it is, Junction 27’s ‘Reflections’ is a brilliant, emotional production that evokes a sense of wonderment at the universe. This is an ego-dissolving track meant for transformative dessert sunrises, and late night dancefloor gatherings.
The Cinematic Orchestra – Lessons (Live)
The Cinematic Orchestra have shared a new live video for “Lessons” taken from their new album “To Believe”. Filmed by acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Brian “B+” Cross (Mochilla) whilst the band were in Joshua Tree, USA earlier this year.
B+ said of the video, “The desert has been an important reference for Jason and Dominic during the creation of this project. We took photos out there three years back in the beginning of the publicity for the campaign. It was wonderful to go back out to Joshua Tree and hear the music performed live by the full band. It was an honour to capture the energy in the room over six takes and then intercut it with some observational shots we created using a pretty sophisticated drone. Drone technology was created in Southern California and all the stark beauty it can capture underwritten by the military industrial narratives we live with here is present in the work. Thinking about these deeper themes is central to this new Cinematic project and it was a privilege to be part of these conversations.”
On the instrumental ‘Lessons’, a melodic, melancholic meditation is built around Luke Flowers’ drums, driving the track’s ebbs and flows of energy. Whilst the saxophonist is the ever present band member Tom Chant, who in many ways embodies the evolving symbiosis of the band: a friend-of-a-friend turned studio partner turned bedrock of the band’s live formation over two decades.
The Cinematic Orchestra (founded by Jason Swinscoe and now joined long-time collaborator and friend Dominic Smith), have always defied category and convention. Neither an orchestra nor a band, not a pure jazz act but full of its influence, not electronic but originally rooted in a London based electronic scene. Musical trends come and go but they have assuredly and defiantly stuck to their principles. A refusal to compromise, to bend to classification, to follow convention.
“To Believe” was released on 15th March on Ninja Tune to widespread acclaim
Tycho – Easy
Tycho’s 2016’s GRAMMY® nominated, Billboard-topping album, ‘Epoch’ saw huge success for the San Francisco-based group, building to two sold out nights at London’s 2000-capacity Electric Brixton followed by a date at The Roundhouse. Today, Tycho give a first glimpse at new material with brand new track “Easy.”
“Easy” is available now on Mom + Pop Music x Ninja Tune and sees Tycho’s trademark vibrant, cinematic electronics topped with hushed vocal descants, adding a new layer of instrumentation and hinting at a new direction for their next chapter, which is set to unfold over the summer of 2019. “Music can transport us to other realities but can also ground us firmly within ourselves” says Scott Hansen, Tycho’s primary composer, songwriter and producer. “After a trilogy of records spent exploring the outer reaches of experience I am focusing inward to reveal a human side to the music.”
“The past 13 years have seen Tycho evolve from the part-time solo project of a graphic designer into a band that achieved things far beyond any of our wildest expectations” he continues. “My journey as an artist has been defined by an iterative cycle with each album building on and refining an overarching vision. ‘Easy’ is about coming to terms with my past and defining a clear vision moving forward. It’s a comforting voice that reminds you not to get so lost in the work, but to take it easy and enjoy the ride. ‘Easy’ is the bridge to the future.”
Listen to “Easy” above.
Alex Banks – Chasms EP
‘Chasms’ is the lead single from the poignant and personal forthcoming album by Brighton-based artist Alex Banks. ‘Beneath The Surface’ is an eloquent, cohesive collection of tracks showcasing Banks’s unwavering ability to manipulate sound. The album features two collaborations with Icelandic singer Ásgeir, including lead single ‘Chasms’.
Hior – Neukölln
Greek producer Hior (aka Hior Chronik) is back with a new EP, Neukölln, featuring 3 beautiful piano-based instrumental tracks. Out today on Ki Records. Stream in full below:
Dervisis – Laundry Room / Yelde
A year after his debut EP, Dervisis returns with a new 12’’ from Trial&Error Records to add a clubbier side to his already diverse and genre-blending sound. Dervisis’ music sits somewhere between leftfield club and bedroom pop with polyrhythms influenced by the shared culture of the Balkans and Middle East.
The EP is packed with two original cuts and two remixes. “Laundry Room”, the release’s opener, is a sungazing abstract house pop anthem, while “Yelde” is a chiftetelli-influenced percussive slow burner with chopped vocal hooks and a Burial-esque drone bass.
Gramrcy’s rowdy banger “Fidget Mix” of “Laundry Room” and BFTT’s atmospheric “Gliding Slug” take on “Yelde” conclude the EP.
Released: 2019-05-10 / Trial&Error Records
Tracklist
01. Laundry Room
02. Yelde
03. Laundry Room (Gramrcy’s Fidget Mix)
04. Yelde (BFTT’s Gliding Slug Remix)
Video: Hot Chip – Hungry Child
Hot Chip – “Hungry Child”, from the new album ‘A Bath Full of Ecstasy’, out 21st June 2019 on Domino Record Co.
Video: RÜFÜS DU SOL – Treat You Better
Globally renowned live-electronic band RÜFÜS DU SOL have released a music video for their break-out track ‘Treat You Better’ off their ‘SOLACE’ LP out now via their own Rose Avenue imprint and Reprise Records. This follows the announcement of their headline show at London’s Alexandra Palace later this year.
The video welcomes fans into the emotive world in which the album was written – one defined by honesty and introspection. ‘Treat You Better’ leads the melancholy, yet dance driven LP as a euphoric ode to both the band’s loved-ones and themselves, a calling out for heartfelt self-improvement.
Shot in Mexico City, the new music video features intimate scenes of subjects lost in their own emotions, subsequently reaching within and outwardly to find solace in that which brings them joy. Viewers are left with a sense of yearning for passionate support and self-care that continues to define the band’s personal and sonic development.
The authenticity of the record has been felt far and wide in the live space as RÜFÜS have tantalized packed crowds around the globe on their SOLACE World Tour. The album run has already seen them dominate sold out performances at London’s Printworks, LA’s Shrine and New York City’s Terminal 5 three nights in a row, and is now heading towards their top billing return at this year’s Coachella Festival.
RÜFÜS DU SOL will play at Alexandra Palace, London on 25th October 2019
