Tag Archives: Little Dragon

Weekly Gems 134

Posted on by

Caspian Pool – Insider

Caspian Pool

French synth-dance duo Caspian Pool likes to keep us on our toes with their wide-ranging selection of electronic music. Cue the colour-fuelled visuals for the foot-thumping ‘Insider’.

Sounds like: Nimmo, The Chemical Brothers, Hercules & Love Affair, Goldfrapp, Joe Goddard, Chvrches, Digitalism, Holy Ghost!, Boys Noize, Little Dragon, Cut Copy, Icona Pop

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Psyence – Retrospect

Psyence by Mark Vyse

Psyence by Mark Vyse

Anthemic alt-rock band Psyence returns with psychedelic sensibilities in rousing new single ‘Retrospect’, reminding us that every bitter end has a new beginning.

Sounds like: Queens of the Stone Age, Kasabian, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, The Blinders, Wolfmother

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Beharie – Me & My Lonely

Beharie

Distinctive Norwegian voice, Beharie shares his soulful, folk and ambient blend in the form of ‘Me and My Lonely’. Pastoral and beautiful, the track orbits a peaceful finger-picked acoustic riff.

Sounds like: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Bombay Bicycle Club

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Flechettes – Chasing Youth

Flechettes

Wigan-based four-piece Flechettes share the radio-ready and uplifting ‘Chasing Youth’, with blazing indie-pop guitar riffs and catchy vocals, making for a seriously dynamic record.

Sounds like: Sea Girls, Red Rum Club, The Blinders, Stanleys, Garden Party

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Chillhum – Dancing (Alone)

Chillhum

22-year-old producer, songwriter and musician Ethan Bedell – aka Chillhum – shares ‘Dancing Alone’, a stripped back and melodic blissed-out track that celebrates the joys of being alone.

Sounds like: Gaspar Narby, Couro, Flume, Ed Sheeran, Flume, Louis The Child, Petit Biscuit, Troye Sivan, Robotaki

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Bre Kennedy – Where Did Summer Go

Bre Kennedy by Lindsey Patkos

Bre Kennedy by Lindsey Patkos

Songwriting heavyweight Bre Kennedy winds down for the cooler months with her acoustic track ‘Where Did Summer Go’, a nostalgic ballad that symbolises the passing and loss of time and dreams that never got to see the heat of summer.

Sounds like: Charli Adams, Taylor Swift, HAIM, First Aid Kit

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Izza – Lows

IZZA by Sam Rockman

IZZA by Sam Rockman

Dark-pop artist Izza chronicles the ups and downs of dealing with anxiety and depression in a world where people are obsessed with the perceived perfection of their online selves, in new single ‘Lows’.

Sounds like: Dua Lipa, Gracey, Call Me Loop, Mabel

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Share on Tumblr

Playlist: Illyin Pipes

Posted on by

Illyin Pipes

Introducing Illyin Pipes, a blissed-out pop duo from Toronto.

Their mutual affinity for textured soundscapes, layered harmonies and heavy electronic synths, fully presents itself in their melancholic debut EP, ‘Waking Up’.

We asked Illyin Pipes to put together a playlist for Indietronica to coincide with the EP release.

Little Dragon – Feather
Have always loved Little Dragon and Feather feels like a dreamy modern take on 80s synth-pop meets 90s trip-hop. I love a vibey vocal and airy synth over a driving bass line.

Arthur Russel – That’s Us/Wild Combination
I heard this song for the first time two years ago and fell deeply in love with it. I had a challenging couple of months shortly after finding it and truly couldn’t listen to any other song. Just this over and over. And it’s still my very top favourite.

Radiohead – House of Cards
Everything Thom Yorke touches is a dream to me. His solo releases are beautiful and I love his contemporary dance music videos. House of Cards is on this list because it’s so perfectly vulnerable, and my top pick from “In Rainbow’s” which I come back to all the time.

Brian Eno – The Big Ship
I usually listen to Brian Eno’s hour-long tracks, but Big Ship is a cinematic, emotional shorty.

10CC – I’m Not In Love
I discovered this song in high school and burned it onto a CD with a bunch of my other favourites at the time. Still playlisting it a decade later! It’s so soft and I love the weird whisper section partway through.

Hundred Waters – Murmurs
I love Hundred Waters’ quiet vocals and acoustic piano over bold drum choices/effects.

Solange – Losing You
Such a sweet pop song. Dev Hyne’s nails the writing/production.

Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place/Naive Melody
David Byrne’s lyrics are amazing and the repetitive bass line makes me want to listen to it forever. The live version from “Stop Making Sense” is so good.

Jon Hopkins – Open Eye Signal
This song transports me to a dark club fantasy in my mind. I have closed my eyes and danced to this song many times.

Aphex Twin – #3 (Rhubarb)
This song is what got me into ambient music. Airy/calming/sweet/meditative. I often listen to it when I’m writing.

Blood Orange – Best to You Feat. Empress Of
Another Dev Hynes track but a duet with Empress of. So dancy!

Beach House – Sparks
I love the steady shoegaze-y guitar and alto vocals. I’m also a sucker for songs that don’t change chords at the bridge: altering the melody of the vocal for a moment, or going to an interlude is always my songwriting instinct.

Massive Attack – Teardrop
The vocals are an inspiration: so close they’re almost whispered, then building dynamically at all the right times.

Washed Out – Feel it All Around
Dreamy, lo-fi, psychedelic, synth-pop <3

The Cars – Drive
Total 80s heaven. I love the subtle and emotional lyrics. We’ve covered this live a couple of times and it feels really nice to play.

You can listen to the EP below.

Sounds like: Susanne Sundfør, Lykke Li, RALPH, Vera Blue, BANKS, Washed Out

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Continue reading →

Share on Tumblr

RAINDEAR – Grace

Posted on by

RAINDEAR

RAINDEAR is back with a new song and with an album out next week, to boot. Thank goodness!

The amazing ‘Grace’ is about breaking free and finding your new self through sharing your vulnerability, and this can be seen in a more confident release from the Swedish artist.

Her album ‘Skies To My Name’ was self-produced in an all-female studio collective called Oda Studios in central Stockholm. Expect it to be released on 14 June.

Sounds like: Little Dragon, Kate Boy, Lykke Li, Phantogram, Santigold, SBTRKT, CSS

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram

Share on Tumblr

Little People – Skies Turn Blue Feat. Tif Lamson

Posted on by

Little People - Skies Turn Blue Feat. Tif Lamson

Little People is the beautiful project of Laurent Clerc, who has just returned to the UK following a stint of residing in Portland, US.

Little People combines elements of tech with lush instrumental landscapes, which will rightfully draw comparisons to ODESZA (who he supported on their US tour), Little Dragon and Maribou State.

‘Skies Turn Blue’ is the second single taken from his upcoming ‘Landloper’ album and features Tif Lamson of the band GIVERS.

It’s out now on his own label, Future Archive Recordings, which was co-founded with Sun Glitters, Arms and Sleepers and CNJR. It is a collaboratively minded label, that looks to empower artists to release music as they see fit with the help, clout and structure of a label.

Sounds like: Little Dragon, The xx, Bonobo, Maribou State, ODESZA, RJD2

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Share on Tumblr

Little Dragon – Lover Chanting

Posted on by

Little Dragon

Little Dragon share their new single called ‘Lover Chanting’, the first release following the band’s signing to Ninja Tune.

Looping in bass-heavy electronica and R&B sensibilities, the Swedish group are exploring new sounds and seeking inspiration from the strangest of places,

“It started with Fred searching for a wedding march inspired by a Swedish prog funk folk keyboardist called Merit Hemmingson Erik got inspired by the track and started singing! After Erik wrote his vocal verses Yukimi got a bit worried about his lyrical abilities and stepped in to add her part on the song. Håkan flew to Germany to record a beautifully tuned clavinet. Once the clavinet was recorded Fred and Erik added their flavour with some drums and deep synth bass. For all the lovers out there, chant along! Dance for peace and unity in this world of madness.”

The three track ‘Lover Chanting’ EP is out on 9 November.

Sounds like: RAINDEAR, Phantogram, Santigold, SBTRKT, CSS, BADBADNOTGOOD, Kaytranada

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Youtube

Share on Tumblr

Jinka – Don’t Work Like That

Posted on by

JINKA

Jinka just ‘Don’t Work Like That’, or so she is stating in her new single.

On her way to claiming title as the German Sigrid, the producer/singer-songwriter’s trip-hop-pop banger is refreshingly fierce and kitsch. Swedish artist Ossian Melin (Yung Lean, Little Dragon) contributes the artwork to this project.

‘Don’t Work Like That’ will be the second single from Jinka’s debut EP, ‘Dr. Ara’ which is going to be released early January.

Sounds like: Kate Boy, I BREAK HORSES

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube | Instagram

Share on Tumblr

Weekly Gems 38

Posted on by

OTR and Blondage

OTR x Blondage - Cold Facts

We are super excited to share OTR‘s new single in which he has teamed up with Blondage.

Despite what the name suggests, ‘Cold Facts’ is a sensitive and positive piece of work, written about shedding toxic relationships, just as the snow melts and hearts thaw.

Sounds like: Charli XCX, Hotel Garuda, Gryffin, ODESZA, Petit Biscuit, Porter Robinson

OTR
Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Blondage
Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Anna Pancaldi – What I’ve Become

Anna Pancaldi

Luxury gin brand owner, Anna Pancaldi releases her new single ‘What I’ve Become’.

Much like it takes time to create a distinguished bottle of gin, Anna finely tunes her music, and constantly evolves as a singer/songwriter. This time round she gives the electric guitar a go.

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

RAINDEAR – Coins

RAINDEAR

One by one the coins fall by the wayside. RAINDEAR‘s latest jam continues the theme of authentic, experimental melodic pop.

It’s written about “the last efforts you give to someone before you (not a day too soon) give them up completely. Just like when you pay your last coins to something, you don’t really care where they go anymore cause you’re so exhausted and broke and have zero fucks left to give.” Damn right girl!

Sounds like: Little Dragon, Ballet School, Kate Boy, Lykke Li, Phantogram, Santigold, SBTRKT, CSS

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram

Fred Nicholas – C’est la vie

Fred Nicolas

From one pop-loaded self-examining Swede to another. Singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Fred Nicholas shares new single ‘C’est la vie’.

The track is lyric-driven and pop-loaded, and perfect for chilling out to with a nice glass of vino. Cheers!

Sounds like: Rationale, Seinabo Sey

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

SHE Major – Quiet House

SHE Major

Let’s slow it down a bit. Belgium-based artist SHE Major shows her quiet and more mature side in ‘Quiet House’.

Listen out for sultry vocals and R&B-infused electronica.

‘Quiet House’ will be part of SHE Major debut ‘Music In’ EP, which will be released on 6 July via [PIAS].

Sounds like: Banks

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube | Instagram

Louis Fulton – Kevin’s Heart Feat. Bellah, BXRBER & Armani White

Louis Fulton

Finally this week is ‘Kevin’s Heart’ by LA-based producer Louis Fulton.

We have no idea who Kevin is, but one thing this song does do is showcase Louis’s ability as a smooth talker and beat-maker, effortlessly flipping the J. Cole cover.

Sounds like: Ariana Grande

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Share on Tumblr

Weekly Gems 35

Posted on by

TESHA – Dreams

TESHA

Brooklyn-based TESHA shares her mesmerising new single, ‘Dreams’.

TESHA effortlessly displays breathless vocal whispers with imaginary Japanese strings and a steady electronic backbeat.

Listen below.

Sounds like: Björk, FKA Twigs, Lykke Li, Joanna Newsom

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

LUMINAR – Stand Down

Luminar

Dutch production duo LUMINAR shares ‘Stand Down’,

A slow starter, but bare with it, as ‘Stand Down’ does build and burn into a stream of dream pop with spacious synths and drums.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ, Sigur Rós, London Grammar

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Nina June – Out to Sea

Nina June - Out To Sea

Finding artistic inspiration during a 700 mile solitary walk through France and Spain, while listening to the film music of Thomas Newman (American Beauty) and Michael Nyman (The Piano), as well as the ethereal pop of Rhye and Zero 7, Nina June has created the cinematic pop song, ‘Out To Sea’.

Listen below.

Nina June’s album BON VOYAGE is out today.

Sounds like: Rhye, Seinabo Sey

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Superheart – After Midnight

Superheart - After Midnight

Superheart‘s new single ‘After Midnight’ has a serious sense of nostalgia to it, despite us not hearing it before today.

It reminds us a little of the music from The Beach soundtrack thanks to its warming vocals and subtly powerful tropical licks.

Sounds like: Brian Eno, Sugar Ray

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Joshua Worden – Tennessee

Joshua Worden

Adorned in flowers and a “no sweat” approach in his press shot, Joshua Worden oozes an effortlessly cool approach to his music.

Joshua’s new single release ‘Tennessee’ is both raw and organic, yet electronic and processed, and we’re not the slightest bit confused…in fact we can’t get enough of his nonchalant vibe.

Sounds like: The Strokes, James Blake, Toro y Moi, Jamie Woon, Sufjan Stevens, Tame Impala

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Retro Kid – Retro Kid (RK Version)

Retro Kid

So it turns out you can make music from literally anywhere, including a studio with equipment sitting on ironing boards!

Usually one for more indietronica stuff, the bedroom producer Retro Kid has pulled this one out the bag for his DJ set, which is to be aired on BBC Introducing’s Big Bangers weekend on 29 March.

The track takes influence from the many late nights in Copenhagen and was largely produced with a headache the day after.

Sounds like: Röyksopp, Jungle, Hot Chip, Little Dragon

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

JINKA – Countdown Forever

JINKA

Berlin-based artist JINKA shares the experimental and rather sporadic ‘Countdown Forever’, full of plonky synth sounds.

Speaking about the track, JINKA states,

“Countdown Forever is about an illusional state of infinite hedonistic experience. The title is paradoxical. But just because something is paradoxical it doesn’t mean you can’t explore the idea of it. I think, what I generally do when I’m writing is that I try to take a different perspective on the mundane, dip crude reality into some sort of surreal glossing, romanticize it without smoothening the contours.”

Sounds like: Kate Boy, I BREAK HORSES

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | YouTube | Instagram

Share on Tumblr

RAINDEAR – SKY

Posted on by

RAINDEAR

Electro-pop princess RAINDEAR today releases ‘SKY’, a song inspired by escapism and self-determination.

It follows on from the huge success of ‘Diamonds In My Chest’, and reminds us just how adventurous and quirky RAINDEAR is in both her songwriting and production skills.

Disclosure: I am RAINDEAR’s publicist at the time of writing.

Sounds like: Little Dragon, Ballet School, Kate Boy, Lykke Li, Phantogram, Santigold, SBTRKT, CSS

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram

Share on Tumblr

Retro Kid – Neon Colours

Posted on by

Retro Kid

Retro Kid is a quirky artist from Denmark.

A sporadic beat echoes throughout his new single, ‘Neon Colours’, as images of a smokey bodega full of interesting characters in Copenhagen are conjured up through additions of nostalgic gaming electronics.

Sounds like: Röyksopp, Jungle, Little Dragon

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Share on Tumblr