Eyedress - When I'm gone featuring GEoRGiA

Eyedress and GEoRGiA are favourites of mine. Eyedress' supernatural was one of 2014's defining EPs, and GEoRGiA shuck (my) electronic landscape last year.

Rarely is a collaboration just as good as each respective party's solo work, but when I'm gone does it. I love that bouncy, moist electronic sounds are layered with lyrics that repeat "my heart is getting dry".

Amazing video too - although I'm biased - my stuffed tiger's cousin makes a cameo as a hostage. Eyedress' debut album astral travelling man is available now. If you haven't already, subscribe to his insanely active YouTube channel.

 

iamamwhoiami - Blue

iamamwhoiami is like that kid who's friends with all your friends, constantly brought up in conversation, always there; but you've never been introduced, so you look upon with awkward suspicion. 6 months after the release of Blue, iamamwhoiami's 3rd album, I've finally introduced myself. 

iamamwhoiami has been compared to Bjork (surely not every white, female, nordic, electronic artist sounds like Bjork). But parts of this album remind me of Bat for lashes, especially the electronic moments in two suns. 

If you haven't already, go say hi, you won't regret it. 

TĀLĀ

TĀLĀ is a rising producer / artist from London via the Middle East.

All of her tracks add refreshing eastern twang that is always fresh and never stayed. She's already been compared to M.I.A. and Grimes, and why not? When there's only a handful of celebrated female producers, they're bound to be compared.

She's recently collaborated with How to dress well, and as amazing as that is, I really love some of her earlier solo work - On my own in Hua Hin is a standout track.  

Alex Keeney - Breathe

It's funny what you come across during random internet stalking sessions; an obsession with the Philippines, unrequested pornography, a theology of Heather Burns' eyebrows, the list goes on.
 

One of the better results of one of these sessions has been Alex Keeney. This guy is an absolute interweb recluse. Either way, young Alex reminds me of Idiot Glee in his wistful, young-male voice, and of a would-be Vampire Weekender. I like it a lot.

There's an album, stories, available via bandcamp, however it's his more recent track breathe that I can't get enough of. More please! 

Twin shadow - Turn me up

Twin shadow has finally, after months of long form Facebook posts regarding the direction of his future music, released a track.

Turn me up has more of an R&B flavour than any of George Lewis Jrs previous work, but is just as pleasingly nostalgic, oddly solitary and unrelentingly strong as anything else he's made.

If the upcoming LP Eclipse does indeed feature this summers magnificent To the top and Locked and loaded (1:01:45), it's going to be one heck of a doozey. Overwhelmingly excited doesn't nearly cover it.

Lana Del Ray - Big eyes

Beautiful, haunting, guilty-pleasure to all, Miss Lana Del Ray, has released 2 tracks from her contribution to the upcoming feature-film Big eyes.

In true Lana-style, they are instantly addictive in a way that makes you want to lock yourself away for hours listening to them on repeat.

Whilst I can fly has some high points, I do especially love the slight mariachi feel of Big eyes.

Enjoy!

All we are - Keep me alive

All we are are quickly ascending to one of my favourite bands.

Yesterday they released the video etc for their latest single Keep me alive. This track is instantly recognizable, just from the first few chords. Who doesn't love 3 chords that literally force a physical response? [They've made this a not-so-bad habit]

I officially can't wait for more from this band. *Obsessed*

Haley Blais - Home cover

Haley Blais is a young, spritely singing sensation from Kelowna, Canada via the YouTube.

Whilst I know that the powers that be at John Lewis have already decided on this year's Christmas advert's song, in my humble opinion, young Haley's rendition of Home (by Ed Sharpe and the magnetic zeroes - skip to 2:10 on the video) should have been this year's festive soundtrack.

So delicate, so emotional. 

Here's to next year Haley!

Yamaneko - Noises in the wave wires like the kissing of the sea (feat. Rimplton)

With perhaps the longest song title I've come across for some time, London newcomer Yamaneko (who?) has paired up with the mysterious Rimplton (who?) to create a track that is equal parts ethereal electro and grime-y witch-house.

Whilst both parties' resilient off-the-grid-ness is annoying for music bloggers, this collaboration is pure brilliance.

Yamaneko's debut album Pixel wave embrace was released earlier this week, and has already sold out.

Eaux - Plastics

London threesome Eaux (the most awkward band name to bring up in conversation "Ew? What? Who?") have been knocking around since early 2012 after the demise of the cult Sian Alice Group.

In keeping with their SAG roots, Eaux's take on post-punk is mesmerising, but - refreshingly - electronic. L.O.V.E.

They released Plastics in August, and to steal a quote from Noisey, it's seaux good.

Benjamin Clementine

Somehow, Benjamin Clementine reminds me of a young Adele, in the power of his voice and his obsession with London as a subject matter for his powerful ballads. 

Discovered busking on the street, Benjamin is a real talent, vocally, musically and lyrically. Unsurprisingly, he's been compared to Nina Simone. 

His first EP, Cornerstone, features the beautiful titletrack. He released the Glorious you EP in August, and it's equally sublime. 

Expect to hear a lot more from this promising new comer. 

Ariel Pink - Black ballerina

Think what you want about Ariel Pink's politics, his music is like a happy pill.

Black ballerina is my favourite of the released tracks from his upcoming album Pom pom (the bizarre put your number in my phone and the contemplative picture me gone have also been released). Black ballerina features a conversation around areola between a young man and a dancer... yup.

Disclaimer: I have had to suspend my feminist values to enjoy this song. But it's so good. Does it make it better if I dance to this whilst wearing a feminist t-shirt?... I don't care.

NZCA LINES - New atmosphere

NZCA LINES has been on my radar ever since 2012's brilliant Okinawa channels.

Now on Moshi moshi's roster, NZCA LINES' new atmosphere feels less carefree, but still bears the delightful hazy 90s sounds.

Look out for NZCA LINES' forthcoming 7" with Moshi moshi this December.

Zola Jesus - Taiga

Regular readers of this blog should be aware of my slightly Zola Jesus fangirl vibe, and her latest release Taiga has done nothing to dampen my love.

Taiga is definitely a slight departure from Zola's darker earlier work towards a more dance-pop (I can even imagine Rihanna singing on some of the tracks), but it's as triumphant, thoughtful and inspirational as any of her other work.

Stand-out tracks include Ego, Lawless and Hollow. 

Arrows of love - Everything's fucked

Arrows of love are perhaps the most attractive band around at the moment. The London five-piece garage punk band released their triumphant debut album - the brilliantly named Everything's fucked - earlier in 2014.

Most of the album follows a distinctly Jesus-and-Mary-chain-meets-Sonic-youth vibe. But there are also softer moments throughout. Their modern take on the male-female vocal dynamic is showcased beautifully in the knife.

I look forward to seeing - and hearing - more from these sexy rockers. 

 

Chad VanGaalen - Shrink dust

Continuing the unnatural phenomena of incredible Canadian acts, Chad VanGaalen hails from Calgary, Alberta and has been on the circuit since 2005.

Released in April this year, Chads brilliantly perverse fifth studio album Shrink dust brought him critical acclaim as a Polaris Prize nominee. 

The albums second track, where are you, is a particular highlight with its simultaneously familiar and fresh take on sixties rock and roll.

PS: the video to where are you, below, is extraordinary. Watch it.  



Hockeysmith - But blood

Hockeysmith are a sister duo from Cornwall, England and make some pretty strong-willed yet fuzzy music.

Their debut EP, But blood, features a set of catchy, fierce and experimental "pop music" that smacks of future success. Hesitate is my favourite track.

These chicks should be, without a doubt, ear-marked for future success. I'll be keeping an eye on them, that's for sure.

 

Paris suit yourself - Blackberries

While there has been a trickle of adamantly dub-step inspired tracks on their Soundcloud of late, three-piece Paris Suit Yourself have been very quiet since the release of their magnificent debut album My main shitstain in 2011. 

The French-US via Berlin trios sound back in 2011 was uniquely garage meets jazz meets world-dance, but from what they've shared of their up-coming EP Blackberries, they've sashayed away from the garage and are sticking by their take on world-pop meets dub-step. 

Stand-out tracks are Late 4 trap and Enlaces moi. 

Be sure to be on the look-put for any performances supporting the release of Blackberries, because if their My main shitstain gigs are anything to go by, they are going to be devastatingly good live. 

You heard it here first. 

Festival focus - End of the Road 2014

Come summer, the UK has no shortage of festivals to keep us all boogying. But for me, Dorset's End of the Road festival, held at the end of August every year, is a always a highlight, with 2011s lineup proving to be a true vintage.

Well this year I am finally attending EOTR instead of admiring from afar, and so have decided to share my homework with you. Over the next 6 weeks I will endeavour to review each and every music act at EOTR 2014 for both mine and your listening pleasure, which will culminate with a comprehensive playlist of all of each acts best tracks.

You never know, we might learn something.