Aurgasm

folk-pop // french acoustic

Former singer of Autour de Lucie, a rather well-known French indie-pop act, Valérie Leulliot has recorded her solo album entirely in one room, with instruments such as piano, acoustic guitars, banjo, percussions and a computer. Valérie’s “Mon Homme Blessé”, Caldeira (2007), possesses Mediterranean inspired arrangements and soft vocals along with an intimate feeling. In “Au Virage” Valérie meanders and slowly unfolds tranquil soundscapes, creating a beautifully melancholic atmosphere.

Hushed vocals glide between warm, quiet tones.
Valérie Leulliot – Mon Homme Blessé
Valérie Leulliot – Au Virage
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hip-hop // experimental

Imagine a soundtrack for the picture accompanying this post. Diego Chavez invents spare time for graphic design when not producing music as Aether, his other alias Otic Angst, with A.M. Architect, or for the hip-hop group Lotus Tribe and rock band The Panic Division. The diversity woven into Artifacts is mesmerizing; fusing grit with vibrance and molding casual, assured flows of conscious tranquility while keeping a youthful essence. Exponential describes this as a lovingly sculpted expression of beauty, love, tragedy, hope, and everything that makes us human.

Human elements of abstract hip-hop.
Aether – Orfeu Negro
Aether – Makeshift Sanctuary
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bedtime beats // pajama pop // indie folk

Shawn James Seymour and Yoshimi Tomida make up the husband and wife duo, Lullatone, from Nagoya, Japan. Lullatone’s first album was comprised of lullabies written by Shawn for Yoshimi, and their freshly recorded album is a collection of new lullabies for their child, Niko. Their appropriately self-dubbed “pajama pop,” is a playful blend of whispered vocals, unique instrumentals and carefully spaced beats. For the album, The Bedtime Beat, they mixed the ambient sounds of bedtime rituals, such as splashing bathwater and gentle snoring. Notably, in the song “Goodnight Train” they used a xylophone played with a violin bow to imitate the chug-chug of a train. Conceptual but not distancing, their comforting and alluring sound is far from boring. Rather, Lullatone’s songs are delightful gems that capture the familiar essence of home.

Sweet homemade lullabies.

Lullatone – The Bathtime Beat
Lullatone – Goodnight Train
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neo-soul // remixed rock

Sometimes on a fluke I’ll pick a song I like, and google the title along with “remix”. Generally it turns up plenty of results, but a dearth of quality. But I think I struck gold when looking around Radiohead’s “15 Steps”, as I found this cover by Amplive, a Bay Area remix specialist, and half of the hiphop duo, Zion I. Amplive put out Rainydayz Remixes, a solid collection of tracks, build from In Rainbows samples, and layered with hip hop vocalists. Featured in the Fukstronaut mix, “15 Stepz” is the most polished—Codany‘s baritone playing off an irresistible bassline.

Monsieur Yorke meets Bay Area soul.
Amplive – 15 Stepz (feat Codany Holiday) [Aurgasm quick edit]
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Four and a half years after its inception, Aurgasm is now sporting some new looks. I worked together with designer Tom Kershaw to craft a more engaging, more rich, and more 2009 look. Larger imagery, a fresh identity, and enhanced visual clarity join the usable music listening experience you’ve gotten used to.

This redesign is a gift from us at Aurgasm to you, our faithful readers. We truly enjoy sharing music with you. We hope you like the design. I’m still ironing out some bugs, but please leave a comment if you see something out of sorts.

Thanks!

singer-songwriter // indie folk

Cohen’s music is unmistakably one of a photographer and filmmaker: cinematic and bursting with story. His songs reflect a relationship of light and sound, and above all strive to reflect the beauty around us. Delicate and pure, each track is marked by the joy of simply making music. Whether he is playing the guitar (banjo, bass, ukulele or sitar), or photographing nature, Cohen’s art mirrors the simple beauty that surrounds all of us.

Delicate narratives and melodies.
Cohen – Owl Said
Cohen – I Have A Dream
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pop // soul

Scheduled to release in 2009, Anjulie’s forthcoming debut album is more than promising. “Boom”, from her recently released EP, encompasses classy 60’s vibe, catchy phrasing, smooth horn arrangements and overall excellent production. The seductive quality of her sound and delicately teasing style is comparable to Bitter:Sweet’s Shana Halligan. Anjulie comes as a charismatic and intriguing up-and-coming singer.

Refined arrangements and sultry vocals.
Anjulie – Boom
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jazz // turntablism

Several bands have called themselves Kobayashi, but for now let’s stick to the Montreal jazz/funk/hip-hop outfit that broke up (d’oh!) before I managed to blog ‘em. They’re still a gritty earful, though, with explosive blasts of horn, a plucky bass, and big, huge buckets of speaker hum that slosh around the drums; they also have a nifty female vocalist (not featured here) who sounds like a cross between Beth Gibbons and Blossom Dearie. Worth your holiday moolah!

Dark and brash and full of drive
Kobayashi – Shasta
Kobayashi – 2 Cent
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tango // bossa nova

The German-based producers and DJs of the Juju Orchestra make a mean cocktail of styles with great hooks and irresistible beats. As the trio blends live instruments and a variety of samples, “This Is Not A Tango” brings an uptempo Argentine dance interpretation evoking the smoky and passionate sound of Gotan Project. The softly funky Bossa groove of “Nâo Posso Demorar” reflects the influences of such music icons as Caetano Veloso and Stan Getz, while its easy going vibe makes it the perfect lounging tune. (Thanks, Philipp!)

Soulful tropical beats mixed with retro appeal.
The Juju Orchestra – This Is Not A Tango
The Juju Orchestra РN̢o Posso Demorar feat. Katia B (stream only)
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folk // singer-songwriter

Recorded in New Orleans with fellow Swede, producer Tobias Fröberg, Theresa Andersson’s album Hummingbird, Go! (2008) delivers a distinctive Swedish pop sound alongside a soulful southern vibe. Well-crafted retro-pop number “Birds Fly Away” showcases Theresa’s multi-instrumental skills as she uses everything from the looping vocals, violin, catchy hand claps to the funky drum sample of Smokey Johnson. DIY to the extreme, in her song “The Waltz” Theresa actually plays water-filled soda pop bottles in her kitchen.

Incredibly fresh, quirky folk melodies.
Theresa Andersson – Birds Fly Away
Theresa Andersson – The Waltz
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