New Releases - 2nd February

New Releases - 2nd February

28 January, 2009
by: Music Team

Teengirl Fantasy – Portofino
Merok

An immediate swirling ghostscape of atmosphere set on a planet far, far away, this track begins wonderfully, with an even-paced, gently plucked disco airiness.

A minute or two in and you hear what sounds like a few misplaced computerised bleeps and a five-year-old repeatedly plinking on his keyboard. The strength of this track though, is its fluidity, and the soft, gradual layering propels you forward, unblinking, to somewhere near the Northern Lights. Glacial and beautiful. LS


Daniel Merriweather featuring Wale – Change
Marlin Records, Allido Records

Earnest, young Mark-Ronson-sponsored singer Daniel Merriweather is no slouch. His latest song tackles the disastrous state of the planet and the complete lack of interest radiated by most of its population. 'I saw a dried up river and a rich man turning on a garden hose' he croons while dancing on a flatbed lorry belching out CO₂.

It's wishy-washy pop dressed up as soul with Ronson's trademark big band backing. Not my cup of tea, but it'll work for the young ladies no doubt. LC


Wavves – I'm So Bored
Young Turks

Dude, has anyone, like, noticed that the winter is shit. You can't skate, all the girls wrap up in big clothes, it rains all the time and it's like really cold.

This guy Wavves has. 'So Bored' sounds like No Age and Jay Reatard partying in a garage. If you're bummed out that you can't go outside and shred the mini-ramp as it's raining, this makes it OK as this song is so  rad that you stay in and dance to it instead. DH


Cage the Elephant – Back Against the Wall
Relentless

Hi, we're Cage the Elephant. You may remember us from such snot-rock drivel as In 'One Ear' and 'Ain't No Rest for the Wicked'. We also supported the Pigeon Detectives back in early 2008. Those were the glory years huh? Man, we rocked out on Everybody Loves Lil' Chris.

Anyway, we've got a new single out and boy does it suck. Not only is it generic twaddle, but we've also tried to go a bit sensitive. We'll be honest with you; it really hasn't worked. TJ


Coldplay – Life in Technicolor ii
Parlophone

Coldplay let the music run for a US radio-defying 1mins 14 secs (rebels!) before Chris comes in on this soaraway number, with jangly guitars, nice tabla, and the keyboard bit from 'With Or Without You' by U2.

Coldplay are the inheritors of the bland stadium rock mantle. Lyrics hark back to an earlier era, 'there's a cold war coming' sings Chris, using yogic powers to inhabit the brain of Bono in 1985 – he's about to write 'The Joshua Tree'. JH


Unicorn Kid – Lion Hat
Euphonios

As a fellow lion hat enthusiast I thought I might like this song but it's a little too rave-tastic for me.  While I appreciate his furry millinery I can't say I appreciate his use of synths.  But what do you expect with a name like Unicorn Kid?  He is after all only 17 and this does sound like something cooked up in a bedroom.

What I most love about this record is the discovery of its genre. 'Nintendocore' apparently. Big Shout Out to my main man Mario! EM


The 39Steps – Coming Clean
Bad Sneakers

Producer Kato lays down a nicely haunting urban soundscape for this track, with rolling snare drums, sinking percussion and squelch keys recalling Portishead, and vocalist Laura Fowles boasts a memorable voice, something original and haunting like a northern Skye Edwards.

However her vocals are amped up too high, and this brings a couple of problems to the fore. There are a few nasty out-of-tune moments and the lyrics are borderline twaddle. Great video, but the song just ain't ready. JH


N.A.S.A. featuring M.I.A., Santogold, Spank Rock & Nick Zinner – Whachadoin?
Anti

N.A.S.A. is a collaborative project between Sam Spiegel and DJ Zegon, joined here by a seemingly endless cast of super cool guest performers: M.I.A., Santogold, Spank Rock – it sounds too good to be true. And it is. Not that the track is bad – it's a decent enough slice of bass-heavy electro funk packed with catchy hooks and thumping beats.
 
Ultimately though, 'Whachadoin?' is less than the sum of its parts, leading to the conclusion that big names aren't everything. Just ask the Traveling Wilburys. MH


Beppe Loda – Volcano (The Revolving Eyes Light Year Disc)
People In The Sky

This remix of the original 1984 Italo-disco classic by reluctant afro-cosmician (check out his myspace) Beppe Loda has seen the track bought up to date and whipped into shape in a terrifyingly efficient way.

Revolving Eyes have essentially taken the original and done a major U-Turn, swinging round the back of the pacey disco beat and bumping it to the forefront of the track, whilst simultaneously waving goodbye to the croaking synths of yesteryear. LS


Fleet Foxes – Mykonos
Sub Pop

If Fleet Foxes ever actually go to Mykonos, they may well be distraught that their imagined 'visions of a gentle coast' have long since been replaced by visions of British tourists pissing on statues and being sick in the ocean.
 
Musically too, they are rooted firmly in the past, though the frequent Beach Boys comparisons are somewhat misleading – 'Mykonos' sounds more like it could be a catalyst for the long-overdue soft rock revival. We can but dream... MH


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Music Team