Sigur Ros - “Gobbledigook”
I don’t know how much of an introduction is needed for a band like Sigur Ros, so I’ll keep this brief: they’re an Icelandic band, they never sing in English, their music is most immediately classified as ethereal post-rock, and they do not suck.
This afternoon, Sigur Ros released the first track from their upcoming album Með Suð Í Eyrum Við Spilum Endalaust, and it’s called “Gobbledigook”. The track features plenty of hand-clapping, tribal drumming, and draws immediate comparisons to early Animal Collective. If the rest of the album lives up to the promise in this song, then expect to see this album on every worthwhile “best of” list come December.
The track is available for free from the band’s official page
Goldfrapp - “Caravan Girl”
This is the next single from Goldfrapp’s latest effort entitled Seventh Tree. The band plans to release the single on June 30th, which is also the date they plan to embark on a tour in support of the album. Seventh Tree explores a muted, more pensive and earthier side of Alison and her band.
“Caravan Girl” follows in this vein as a breezy pop song more suited for rides through the desert than the discotheques of Goldfrapp’s past.
M83 - Up!
M83’s new album Saturdays=Youth takes heavy cues from the dreamiest of the 80’s canon including the Cocteau Twins and a bevy of New Romantic optimists. This particular track, “Up!”, is clearly a tribute to the inimitable Kate Bush down to the vocal; there’s even a lyrical reference to the “hounds of love.” Yes, it’s all very obvious but the song gently envelops you in its gossamer synth bliss and reminds you of first crushes of the school year, golden autumns, and the gilded age of youth. Oh, to be young again and in the 80s…it’s everyone’s dream.
Air - Kelly Watch The Stars
Air’s Moon Safari turns ten in a few days, and they’ve set up a website to celebrate (or more appropriately: advertise; 3-disc collector’s edition, anyone?) the fact. Never one to miss out on a celebration, here’s my favourite from the album. Electro-pop will never be this good again.
Also, don’t miss the recently created — presumably to coincide with the anniversary — official Air Youtube channel, where you’ll also find the unmissable video for “Kelly Watch The Stars”.
Amplive - Weird Fishez
I’m not sure how this ended up on my iTunes, but I’m glad it did. Rainydayz is a collection of remixes inspired by In Rainbows. Every song is extremely mellow, making this the perfect album for just takin’ it easy. I’m starting my Friday off right by keeping this on repeat…
The Field - A Paw In My Face
It’s Sunday, which for me means “catalog diving”. This week’s catalog dive comes from a band that I judged prematurely (Pitchfork, however, recognized him as the 9th best album of last year). The Field specializes in a relatively straight-forward, house-style electronic music, but throws in some ambient sounds and glitches for good measure.
I had initially dismissed The Field as too “clubby”, but I’ve recently come to realize that I was way off. The latest album, From Here We Go Sublime, is perfect for the coming of Spring, and is highly recommended for anyone who needs something to remind them that Spring is just around the corner.
