Tag Archives: Neon Indian

Playlist: Máni Orrason

Máni Orrason

Self-confessed emo kid Máni Orrason shares his latest ruminatory offering that captures his vulnerabilities through a frivolous lens in which he recounts the fascination of molding a new identity and the idea of erasing yourself to create something better: an untouchable Romeo wrapped in leather or a ghostly fabrication of effervescent cool.

We asked Máni to put together a playlist, which you can listen to below:

Francis and The Lights – You Still Take Me To The Light

A couple days ago I read this NYT interview with him from 2020. It’s a really moving article that gave me a new window into his music. I’ve been listening a lot to him the last few days. I love this song with Kanye, Bon Iver, Chance The Rapper and him.

Nicholas Britell – Agape

I always say that it’s really difficult to be anxious floating in the ocean. That’s kind of how I feel about listening this song. It forces me to breathe. It’s like dawn in spring. I listen to this all the time

Björk – I Remember You

I don’t need to fall in love as long as this song exists. Björk transcended the physical realm with this one. I get goosebumps every time. I feel one step closer to god when Björk belts like that.

Madlib – Slim’s Return

This song is on the “Shades Of Blue: Madlib Invades Blue Note” album. I found it randomly a couple weeks ago. Madlib was given access to the whole Blue Note discography and he made this album. It’s really brilliant. I just want to play chess and drink cognac by a fireplace when I hear it.

Yeat – Sorry Bout That

My 16 year old brother has been trying to get me into Yeat for a while. I kind of just got into him but it’s so good. Stylistically so on point. Insane heat.

Black Country, New Road – Good Will Hunting

An amazing song from an amazing album. This song feels like if Funeral and Arcade Fire made an album in 2022. Also feels like Cap’ n Jazz and those emo bands a bit.

Moondog – Pastoral II

I think most of the music I’ve been listening to has just been to get me through the winter. This song is so soothing. Harp music. Listen to this and tell me you don’t feel a bit better.

Clairo – Bambi

I think first of all this album sounds so incredible. These songs, the arrangements, the production is just so inspiring to me. I really love it.

Samaris – Góða Tungl

Samaris is an amazing Icelandic band. I bought the EP this song is on when it came out almost 10 years ago. I was recently going through my records at my parents house a few days ago and put this on. It’s so interesting listening to something you haven’t heard for 10 years and how differently you respond to it. It such a good song.

A$AP NAST, D33J – Designer Boi

I listen to this song on loop all the time. It’s perfect.

Overmono – Bby

I was in a trance with this song for a few days. I didn’t listen to anything else.

FKA twigs – meta angel

This new FKA twigs album fills the void of PC music Charli XCX. It feels like Pop 2 in some ways. This song is great.

George Jones – I’ve Aged Twenty Years In Five

I recently finished listening to season 2 of Cocaine and Rhinestones. It’s a podcast about country music and the new season focuses on George Jones. I really recommend it wether you like country or not. When you hear George Jones sing “I’ve seen the dark side of life”, he means it. It’s really heartbreaking music.

The Smile – The Smoke

I love that the most subversive thing Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke could do right now is start a rock band. I also love this song cause it fills the void of the Sault album not being on streaming platforms anymore.

Död Mark – Paranoid schizofren

I love Yung Lean. His project as jonatan leandoer96 is really inspiring to me. I really like this album too from his punk band.

Elliot Smith – Ballad Of Big Nothing

I was always scared of Elliot Smith, when I was young I heard how he died and it made me really scared of his music. Like there was a darkness to it I couldn’t handle. But I don’t think there’s an album I’ve listened to more the last year than Either/Or.

The Weeknd feat. Tyler, The Creator – Here We Go… Again

I get really emotional every time I hear the weekend sing “my new girl, she a movie star”. Don’t know why. Love this song.

Sounds like: Jesse, SUM41, The 1975, Neon Indian, Toro y Moi

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Roosevelt – Sign

Roosevelt by Joseph Strauch

Roosevelt by Joseph Strauch

Our favourite producer Roosevelt (aka Marius Lauber) returns with the first new single since his sophomore album ‘Young Romance’ in 2018, and we are OBSESSED.

The new single ‘Sign’ focuses on all things digital, as luscious drum and vocal loops lead us into his spine-tingling world of early house and vintage synth-pop. Sparse and dazzling at the same time, ‘Sign’ is a prime example of Roosevelt’s deft craftsmanship.

Speaking about the emotive new track, he explains,

“I wanted to make something intimate, so I started with these spherical Juno 60 chords. When I added rhythmical elements, I realised that the track could work in a dance music world – I normally record a lot of real drums but stripped this one back to just an 808 beat. A nice contrast between the intimate feeling of the synth and the dancefloor qualities of the vocal sample, bass line and 808 started to emerge. I found it really inspiring to make something that’s initially made for listening alone on your headphones, but that hopefully can come alive in the near future when played out at a dance club or festival and create a form of unity again.”

Sounds like: Cut Copy, Goldroom, Day Wave, The Whitest Boy Alive, Caribou, Tourist, Jagwar Ma, Washed Out, Neon Indian, Du Tonc, Joe Goddard, Classixx

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Beauty Queen – Two Of Us

Beauty Queen

Maui-born, LA-based singer/songwriter Beauty Queen – aka Katie Iannitello – crafts music on the sonic edges of dreamy lo-fi and alt-pop haziness, lost in the reveries of loneliness and unrequited love.

Inspired by 1950s pop and doo-wop, as well as more nostalgic decades and modern pop, her new single, ‘Two Of Us’, is out now and was written and produced in three days at husband-and-wife duo Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley of the band Tennis‘ Denver, Colorado home studio.

The visuals are a tale of two Sasquatches who are desperately in love and oblivious to the Sasquatch hunter on their tail. Watch below
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Sounds like: Chairlift, Tennis, Real Estate, The Aces, Haim, Neon Indian, Alvvays

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Weekly Gems 22

Georgi Kay – Guilty Pleasures

Georgi Kay

Singer Georgi Kay is warning us about guilty pleasures in her new single.

Quintessentially indietronica-based, ‘Guilty Pleasures’ is a song about falling in love with someone who, despite the deep emotional connection being mutual, is romantically tied down by another.

Sounds like: Fjer, Alpines

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Satin Jackets – Mirage

Satin Jackets - Mirage

The story goes something like “when we’re good, we’re good. And when we’re low, we’re low”. Sound familiar?

Satin Jackets is tapping into our relationship insecurities with a strangely upbeat melody in ‘Mirage’. I guess that’s kind of the definition of a mirage!

It’s out now via Eskimo Recordings.

Sounds like: Goldroom, RAC, Le Youth, Pink Feathers

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Slenderbodies – Amnesia

Slenderbodies

Exciting new Californian-based duo Slenderbodies share their new single, ‘Amnesia’.

Their music shares intricate guitar melodies and breathy vocal work that is both nostalgic and forward-thinking at the same time.

This is definitely one act you won’t forget in a long time.

Sounds like: Glass Animals, Alt-J

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LANNDS – Words

LANNDS by Jesse Brantman

LANNDS is Memphis-born artist Rania Woodard and she shares her exciting slow-burner called ‘Words’.

There is nothing brash about this type of music, it’s soothing in its intent as well as thought-provoking.

‘Words’ is the second song off her forthcoming EP, ‘LEGENDS’ (expected March 2018), released on Kobalt/Kitsuné.

Sounds like: Björk, Vök, Låpsley, The Japanese House, Daughter, TENDER

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Von Sell – Hell No

Von Sell

We have been huge fans of Brooklyn-based artist Von Sell for a long time, and we are extremely happy he is back well and singing again after a six month break due to vocal chord issues.

Von Sell takes more of a funky attitude in the production techniques of ‘Hell No’ but we dig it – we’re gonna call it his come-back track!

Sounds like: Summer Heart, Hazel English, Teen Daze

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Jayce Cantor – Done For Now

Jayce Cantor

Singer/songwriter/producer Jayce Cantor shares his radio-ready single ‘Done For Now’.

The song has elements of catchy R&B blended with modern indietronica-influenced production that works brilliantly with Jayce’s soulful vocals as he sings about love and heartbreak.

Sounds like: Craig David, Le Youth

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Bliss Nova – Now

Bliss Nova

…And finally, it’s time for some blissed-out music from Toledo-based duo, Bliss Nova.

Their second single called ‘Now’ hits you instantly with its chilled pop sensibilites and dreamy vocal harmonies.

Some exciting times ahead for these guys.

Sounds like: Summer Heart, Washed Out, Neon Indian, Porches, Cut Copy, Toro y Moi, Caribou, Wild Nothing, Phoenix, Tame Impala, Tuska

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Zhao – Lifetime

Zhao

Introducing Zhao, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist as pure as they come. Also the producer and vocalist of his solo project, Zhao’s new EP ‘Ride’ takes you on a journey blissful collection of upbeat love songs tinged with regret and doubt, effortlessly combining classical with modern electronic pop.

The first single release from the EP is called ‘Lifetime’ and is probably the most enchanting of the four tracks.

His EP ‘Ride’ is out on 27 October. Pre-order here.

Sounds like: Roosevelt, Summer Heart, Washed Out, Neon Indian, Honne, Thomas Azier, Hurts, Josef Salvat, Goldroom

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Night Drive – Trapeze Artist Regrets

Night Drive - Trapeze Artist Regrets

We have just been transported straight back to The Mighty Boosh days, where dark synth rock was cool. Well, we’ll let you into a secret. It still is cool and Night Drive would agree, having just dropped ‘Trapeze Artist Regrets’.

The Austin-based duo – comprised of Rodney Connell and Brandon Duhon – combine lo-fi sounds with sci-fi sensibilities,

“Trapeze Artist Regrets was never suppose to happen. We were writing something else for a short film and became bored, so we changed the bpm, started shifting things around and all of the sudden we had this groove we liked. We just started working backwards from there. The title came first, a sorta metaphor for disaster; it’s about watching someone you care about make the same mistake over and over again and not being able to do anything about it. Just hoping they pull through.”

Night Drive’s debut album is out June 16th via Roll Call Records.

Sounds like: M83, Neon Indian, Twin Shadow, Son Lux, Interpol

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Roosevelt – Colours / Moving On

Roosevelt

After watching Roosevelt play Iceland Airwaves some time ago, we’ve been slightly obsessed with the Greco-Roman / City Slang artist (ok, we were obsessed before, but the live show ramped the levels up quite a bit).

His latest retro-styled video (synonymous with Roosevelt’s visuals) has been directed by Elliott Arndt and combines two tracks from Roosevelt’s latest self-titled album. Despite the bursts of colour and dancing, the first section has an underlying sadness running throughout, as Roosevelt contemplates a partner leaving, taking all their colours with them on the way. ‘Moving On’ is the next chapter in the story, but it finishes early, leaving us to question has he really moved on?

Sounds like: Cut Copy, Goldroom, Day Wave, The Whitest Boy Alive, Caribou, Tourist., Jagwar Ma, Washed Out, Neon Indian, Du Tonc, Joe Goddard

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Playlist: Du Tonc

Du Tonc

Du Tonc

The Du Tonc disco boys have finally put together a playlist for us!

Du Tonc are still one of our favourites, which is handy as their new single, ‘Wonderland’ (which also features on the playlist), is one of their favourites too.

V – La Nouvelle Epoque
It’s pretty apparent we love the 80’s, can’t get enough of this gem. Modern 80’s vibes (if that makes sense).

Severed Heads – Dead Eyes Opened
If there is one track we’ve love to get the parts for and re work, it’s this.

Beyond The Wizards Sleeve – White Cow (Erol Allan Rework)
We’re big Wizard and Erol fans. This is stunning.

Charlie – Spacer Woman (Vocal)
More 80’s spaced out funkiness.

The Cure – A Forest
Think this tracks still get’s better overtime you listen to it.

Du Tonc – I’m On Fire (Bruce Springsteen Cover)
The only cover we’ve done and possibly our our favourite track.

Tears For Fears – Head Over Heals
Tears for Fears are a big inspiration to us, this track is genius (also featured in a rather awesome film).

Johnny Cash – Personal Jesus
Love the Depeche Mode version, but this is just filthy.

Du Tonc – Wonderland
Our favourite song we’ve written.

Midland – Final Credits
Effortless perfect dance floor record.

Sisterhood – Tunnels (Bicep Remix)
Still cane this, get’s better with each listen.

Sounds like: Kavinsky, ROOSEVELT, Summer Heart, MGMT, Day Wave, Washed Out, Yeasayer, Miike Snow, RAC, Goldroom, Set Mo, Luke Million, Neon Indian, Classixx, Holy Ghost!, Blood Orange

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Wishes – I Want To Be Alone With You

Wishes

Wishes

Combining acoustic and electronic music composition, meet Sydney-based producer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, Wishes (aka John Towey, formerly of low-fi pop quartet, Convaire).

‘I Want To Be Alone With You’ is a high-inducing number, with an intergalactic video to match.

Directed by Gareth Davies, the video for ‘I Want To Be Alone With You’ tells a visceral love story in an opulent display of smoke, lights and shadows.

Sounds like: Cut Copy, Passion Pit, MGMT, Foster the People, Neon Indian

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Playlist: Viigo

Viigo

Viigo

Viigo are used to fully documenting their emotions through vocalist, MJ Hancock’s lyrics.

Like so many musicians, Viigo use music to explore anxiety, despite there still being a taboo about the subject, and nothing says it better than their new single ‘Paranoia’, which we are sharing today along with an excellent playlist.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – First World Problem

This dude just keeps getting better and better. The horns on this new one are awesome and the hook is truly clever.

Tabu Ley Rochereau – Hafi Deo

I put this on at pretty much any family get together I attend. The backup vocal hook is super catchy, nice airy track with a sweet bridge a little over 3 minutes in.

Nohelani Cypriano – Lihue

The intro to this track gets me every time. Sweet dreamy vibes throughout.

Janet Jackson – Got ’Til It’s Gone

The descending bass line on this is perfect and outside the box. J Dilla ghost-produced this track, if by ghost-produced you mean he got his credit snaked by the powers that be.

Empress Of – Woman Is A Word

This one is hard as hard gets. Empress Of is our collective favorite going right now.

Nite-Funk – Let Me Be Me

Our new summer jam. Let’s you be you.

Neon Indian – News from the Sun

The whole album feels like a tape of a radio show passed from hand to hand, this closer is the Parade era Prince moment.

OutKast – Da Art Of Storytellin’

One of the most haunting tracks from the Dungeon Family, one of our biggest influences when we make Viigo tracks.

serpentwithfeet – flickering

This is just plain beautiful. The vocal is out of the park.

Viigo’s single, ‘Paranoia’ is out now via 10K Islands.

Sounds like: Leo Islo

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