electronic posts

Moonbabies

Thursday, June 7th, 2007 by Paul Irish

dream pop // electronic

Swedish duo Ola Frick and Carina Johansson have been making dreamy, sophisticated pop for the better part of a decade. Hearing their latest album, a mix of lush orchestral swells, twinkling piano, and endearing guitar riffs, is not unlike seeing a rainbow. Bright and sweeping, it’s the sort of music you’d put on the playlist while drinking strawberry lemonade under the summer sun. And yet the lyrics, too, are worth more than a passing glance: warm and pensive, they make a fine counterpoint to the sweet melodies and often cover darker, more daring ground. Perhaps that lemonade could do with a touch of liquor.

Good, nearly clean fun
Moonbabies – Sun A.M.
Moonbabies – Take Me To The Ballroom

Music and words lovingly contributed by Natalia
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Sol Seppy

Friday, May 25th, 2007 by Julija

dream pop // laptop folk

Sophie Michalitsianos was born in England, studied contemporary composition and orchestration in Sydney, Australia, and currently is New York based singer-songwriter, a professional pianist and cellist. Her debut as Sol Seppy, The Bells Of 1 2 (2006), embodies gentle and dreamy folkly melodies, Goldfrapp-ish electro-pop tendencies, fuzzy electronic beats and gorgeous vocals. Sophie’s music varies from simple to odd and complex tunes, yet never overly eclectic.

Precious songs.
Sol Seppy – Farewell Your Heart
Sol Seppy – Move
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Cibelle

Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 by Paul Irish

brazilian folk // electronic indie

If you’ve been paying attention Cibelle (see-BELL-ee) has already caught your attention, I’m a little late on this but didn’t want to not post this songstress. São Paulo raised Cibelle crafts tunes that tell stories embellished by an instrumentation that won’t disappoint; ½ her album was produced by ½ of indie folk outfit Tunng. Her approach to song construction (somewhat explained on her myspace) reminds me of The Books and Psapp. You won’t hear her lovely vocals in Portuguese in the songs below, but that’s a treat, just the same.

Innovating on old-world beauty.
Cibelle – Waiting
Cibelle – Green Grass
Cibelle – London, London (feat. Devendra Banhart) (video)
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Felix Laband

Monday, March 26th, 2007 by Paul Irish

downtempo // ambient // south african electronica

One tune to wake up to, and another to drift into sleep with.

Felix Laband – Whistling in Tongues
Felix Laband – Radio Right Now

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Trost

Thursday, March 15th, 2007 by Julija

electro pop // eclectic electronic

Annika Line Trost is a charming and charismatic creature. You probably know her from the Berlin duo Cobra Killer, who began as a part of digital hardcore movement. You hear her voice, her sound, and her gorgeous style as you click on play her album Trust Me (2006) lead you into the world of the urban rhythms and the most elegant darkness. Trost tells you her stories of cheap lipstick and love in three languages, English, German and French.

Be aware, she’s an addictive one.
Trost – I was Wrong
Trost – In Diesem Raum
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Jumbonics

Tuesday, February 27th, 2007 by Paul Irish

downtempo // jazz // soul

I hate to be a label fanboy, but Brighton-based Tru Thoughts always seems to dominate in my best-of lists. Their roster is small and focused, but includes saucy downtempo heavyweights like Bonobo and Quantic. Jumbonics turns out an organic jazzy slip-n-slide, a pleasant distraction from your ruff-n-tumble day. It’s Money Mark meets Buddy Rich at the pad of Booker T and the MGs. It’s a deep soul ride.

Melody-led song-structures and a more mature soul sound.
Jumbonics – Bubble Drop
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Podington Bear

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007 by Paul Irish

comic electronic // downtempo // dream pop

Running in a similar vein to the cartoony electronic duo Toy, Podington Bear delights ears in crafting accessible and dynamic dream pop. Podington is a bear from Portland, Oregon. A bear who makes a new song for every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Typically, such prolificacy would indicate the songs must be subpar, but Bear surprised my expectations. The samples and synths aren’t anything innovative, but the songwriting reminds me of producers like William Orbit and Kaskade.

Friendly and lovely tunes from an unassuming bear.
Podington Bear – Steppin In
Podington Bear – Frogs In Tuxes
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CPI

Tuesday, February 6th, 2007 by Paul Irish

club // electro // dj mix

From for the last few years, Caitlyn (aka CPI) has been blending some very fine music into engaging mixes and releasing them for free. Based in Ottawa, her handiwork has lead me to discover downtempo maestro Mawglee, who I posted here a safe two years ago. Her newest mix turns up the dial to fiery hot, mixing electro with club and hip hop. M.I.A to The Knife, with Simian Mobile Disco and MSTRKRFT; Roots Manuva, Diplo, and DJ Ayres- to name a few. (Full tracklist in the comments)

Quite simply: shit to make you go bounce.
CPI – Give Me Cyborg Love (disc 1)
CPI – Give Me Cyborg Love (disc 2)
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Worm Is Green

Tuesday, December 5th, 2006 by Paul Irish

indie electronica // icelandic post-rock

Like being broadcast out of an Icelandic radio tower, Worm Is Green comes into frequency beset by tweaks, intermittent tones, and an ethereal voice. Then a lethargic squelch escorts you onto a slow but scenic dirge. These days I almost exclusively listen to music released in 2006 (blame it on the blog), but Green’s 2002 record Automagic is one of the few exceptions that won’t let go of me. Maybe its the sub-60bpm tempos. Perhaps its eclectic use of acoustic and electronic instruments. But what I really think is…

They’ve got a stranglehold on that feeling that you just can’t put words to.
Worm Is Green – The Robot Has Got The Blues
Worm Is Green – Undercover
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Toy

Monday, November 27th, 2006 by Paul Irish

kids tv + exotica + scandinavian electro

Psapp + The Books + Plink Plank Plunk might be a bit of an addition simplification, but you’ll hear those elements. Cute synth bleeps and bloops, casio rhythms, and all those samples of household items that the hipster kids love oh so much. Although it’s got the construction technique of Jorgen Traeen (who worked produced Sondre Lerche, Magnet and Jaga Jazzist), I’d call the music a bit too cocktail-party-in-outer-space to show up on Grey’s Anatomy or anything mainstream. But being a low brass man, I smile at their amateur euphonium work. Well played.

Frisky, frolicsome, impish, sportive, waggish.
Toy – Golden Fish In Pool
Toy – Rabbit Pushing Mower
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