Tag Archives: New Order

Weekly Gems 120

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Jude the Obscure – Strong Enough

Jude The Obscure

Manchester-based musician Jude The Obscure shows resilience in the face of adversity in jazz, hip-hop and soul-inspired track, ‘Strong Enough’.

Sounds like: Loyle Carner

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James Blake – Are You Even Real?

James Blake

James Blake releases the atmospheric ‘Are You Even Real?’, in partnership with Apple’s Behind The Mac campaign. Another contender to the evergrowing back catalogue of comforting masterpieces from the British producer and multi-instrumentalist.

Sounds like: Jamie Woon, Jamie XX, The Weeknd, SOHN

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Declan McKenna – Daniel, You’re Still A Child

Declan McKenna

We all know a Daniel, or perhaps we even are one – the one that gets “lost in the sauce, stoned, lost in some existential fear or lost his way in some VR game”, yet has so much to prove. Declan McKenna gives us a delicious taste of his forthcoming album, ‘Zeros’.

Sounds like: HUNNY, Sea Girls, Peach Pit, The Night Café, Chaz Cardigan, The Beatles, Circa Waves, The Magic Gang, Vistas, Love Fame Tragedy

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Connie Constance – James

Connie Constance

Refreshing alt-pop artist Connie Constance bares all and dives into “an ocean of narcotics” in new single ‘James’, summing up how we all want to feel and act right now – to get a bit squiffy and then crawl back to bed.

Sounds like: Kate Nash, Laura Misch, Joy Crookes, Rosie Lowe, Poppy Adjudha, Arlo Parks, Cleo Sol, Moses Sumney

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NZCA Lines – Prisoner Of Love

NZCA Lines by Aleksandra Kingo

NZCA Lines by Aleksandra Kingo

Time to get sweet and funky with NZCA Line‘s ‘Prisoner of Love’. We surrender to its smooth and delectable slice of opulent disco.

Sounds like: Metronomy, Gold Panda, New Order, Ronika, Thor Rixon, Hot Chip, Prince, Roosevelt

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Aquilo – Moving On

Aquilo by Morgan Hill-Murphy

Aquilo by Morgan Hill-Murphy

Sounding particularly Glass Animals, and more instrumentally upbeat than previous releases, duo Tom Higham and Ben Fletcher – aka Aquilo – return after a two-year hiatus with the ‘Sober’ EP, featuring ‘Moving On’.

Sounds like: SOHN, Great Good Fine Ok, Hurts, X&Y, Young Empires, Fenech Soler, Glass Animals

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MAX RAD – It’ll All Be Fine

MAX RAD

Singer and producer MAX RAD takes a positive stance with new single ‘It’ll All Be Fine’. Comparing the track to an out-of-body experience, he advises to look at the bigger picture, and stop internalising. Wise words.

Sounds like: Tash Sultana, Foals, Chet Faker, Honne, Ben Khan

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Weekly Gems 99

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Alfie Neale – Vices

Alfie Neale

Brighton-based singer/songwriter Alfie Neale shares his latest laid back and soul sweeping single, ‘Vices’.

It’s a song that describes the importance of the little things in life and a support network to help you through the fun times, and the more serious.

Sounds like: Yakul, Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei

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JupiterMoon – The Reason

JupiterMoon

Young Midlands-based quartet JupiterMoon is causing a bit of a ruckus.

Their energetic choruses and Asian influenced guitar hooks are written for sweaty, intimate venues. Conjuring up homegrown rock anthems at Blank Studios in Nercastle, their strongest track to date ‘The Reason’ is all the justification you need.

Sounds like: Foals, Blossoms

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A Is For Arrows – Roses

A Is For Arrows

Toronto electro-pop duo A Is For Arrows shares the lush new single, ‘Roses’.

Echoes of heartbreak glistened with a retro glow, this is easy listening electronica at its best. Listen below.

Sounds like: Lights, Jocelyn Alice, Goldroom, RAC, Le Youth, Broods

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Mokita – colorblind

Mokita

Nashville’s John-Luke Carter, aka Mokita, is a singer/songwriter/producer known for his lyrical and buoyant electronic-based pop.

Classically trained in piano in his youth, he later taught himself to play guitar and eventually transitioned into electronic music production. Taking a rewind to his classical routes, Mokita shares an orchestral version of ‘colorblind’ and it’s spellbounding.

Sounds like: Nirob Islam, EXES, Handsome Ghost, joan, FRND

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Tsar B – Unpaintable

Tsar B

Effortless and majestic with a highly cinematic yet vulnerable approach, Tsar B‘s single, ‘Unpaintable’, sees her functioning as a one-woman orchestra, songwriter, producer and singer.

An ode to the muddled emotions people that are too intelligent to just live a normal life feel; ‘They are uncatchable. They are unpaintable.”

Sounds like: GRAACE, Billie Eilish, FKA Twigs, ÄTNA

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Seafret – Magnetic

Seafret - Magnetic

The coastal town of Bridlington isn’t the first place in the UK that you think has a buzzing music scene, but we’ve stumbled upon the brilliant Seafret, who have proved us wrong.

Made up of Jack Sedman and Harry Draper, their new single ‘Magnetic’ is an indie-pop anthem at it’s finest – addictive vocal harmonies and commercial riffs, complete with a killer pop chorus

Sounds like: Kodaline, Amber Run, Imagine Dragons, Lewis Capaldi

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Luna Li – Trying

Luna Li - Trying

Luna Li (fka VEINS) shares the brooding new single, ‘Trying’.

A undeniable strong presence in the alt-pop world, Luna Li uses and blends her 14 years of classical piano and violin training with dreamy rock, to create a vulnerable and distorted sound.

Sounds like: Lykki Li, Niki & The Dove, Oh Land, Perfume Genius

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Matt Simons – Cold

Matt Simons

L.A Songwriter Matt Simons shares ‘Cold’ – a powerful piece of electronic pop that blends nostalgia and melancholic sentiment.

Speaking about the track, which has been released in time for any Valentine’s Day pessimist, he explains,

“People change, and change in any relationship is inevitable. The only question is, can the two people change together and adapt? Cold is about a relationship where they did not.”

Sounds like: Ruel, JP Cooper, Zak Abel

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Dräger – New Life

Dräger

An introvert at heart, Dräger creates unabashed synth pop bangers born from a modern heartbreak.

Co-produced by House producer LEFTI, the single ‘New Life’ marks a fresh start for the singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Spencer Draeger, as he uses sounds of the past to channel themes of the modern age, taking a satirical approach to the narcissisms and anxiety illuminated through technology.

Sounds like: New Order, Soft Cell, Holy Ghost!, Dansu, The Cure, White Lies, Cocteau Twins

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Georgia – Started Out

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Georgia by Rosie Marks

Georgia by Rosie Marks

Next on our Ones to Watch list for 2019 is Georgia.

Georgia was brought up in a housing co-operative with her mum and dad (Neil Barnes from Leftfield). She is now 27, and forging her own musical path.

In her new single ‘Started Out’, Georgia darts between the innocent anxiety of “making it”, giving herself personal pep talks, whilst also trying to tap into a tenacious angst and flair. The track is produced solely using analogue equipment, ripping up house roots, 90’s break beats and attitudes in a risk-taking manner. Funny that, as the track is about embracing the thrills of taking risks and being “young fools”, knowing that at least someone out there will love us for it.

Sounds like: Chase & Status, Madonna, New Order, Jungle, Kanye West, Santigold

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Jagara – Real Love

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Jagara

Jagara are three sisters from London making genre-bending mature pop music, or so their press release says.

When reviewing music, we usually enjoy having a good listen through what we get sent before we even cast our eyes on what we’re supposed to think about it, so putting the press release out of mind is a good starting point.

On first listen nothing about their new single ‘Real Love’ drags us in, then nothing is making us switch off either. Musically it is quite simple with an under-produced feel (in a good way), good arrangements with a strange and interesting appeal. There is a vague but pleasing sense of familiarity and that coupled with that by the third and fourth listens the vocals begin to become really catchy means that we can see how this three piece are building up a great reputation.

Jagara have recently been on tour supporting Bastille on their sold out arena tour and we can see and hear the link to a group like Bastille, and fans of Bastille will definitely be on board, even though we feel ‘Real Love’ displays a more pleasant subtlety to it than most of what we’ve heard from Bastille.

There are definite elements of past pop triumphs with plenty of influences rooted in the 80’s but Jagara have used only hints of these to give a sense of something you might know and their abilities as writers and musicians carry these through to make a good, albeit slightly uninspiring piece of music. On the whole ‘Real Love’ will no doubt push Jagara further to where they need to be, it’s catchy, it’s poppy, it’s familiar but it isn’t pushing the boundaries of their abilities let alone the boundaries of music. We feel there is much more to come from Jagara and we’re really looking forward to hearing how the next single or two develops from here.

Sounds like: Shura, Bastille, New Order, Grimes, Blondie

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Written by Pat Dooner

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April Towers – Takes One To Know One

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April Towers

This is one of our favourite bands. Nottingham-based April Towers return with a rebellious new number called ‘Takes One To Know One’.

Once again, the duo have cleverly blended new wave sounds with bold, modern electronica.

Expect their debut album ‘Certified Freaky’ (co-produced by Ben Pearce) to be released early next year.

Sounds like: New Order, LCD Soundsystem, Depeche Mode, Cut Copy, Hot Chip, OMD, Pet Shop Boys

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Playlist: Σtella

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Σtella

Σtella

Greek artist, Σtella has just released her highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Works For You’.

To celebrate, Σtella has put together a playlist for us. Enjoy!

Moscoman, Manfredas – Dévoué (Manfredas Remix)
First time I heard this song I kinda felt like I was tripping, in a good way. I’m happy to have shared the stage with Moscoman once.

Arthur Russell – Springfield
Arthur Russell will always remain a mystery to me. It ‘s music from outer space in a way.

Yello – Oh Yeah
Really don’t know how to comment on this. Just a good listen and a place for phantasies.

Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Multi-Love
“She don’t want to be a man or a woman”. Good for her.

Grace Jones – Pull Up To The Bumper
I love this song so much. It explodes in my head every time.

Julian Casablancas – 11th Dimension
This track takes me back in time, it’s got that heart ache feeling you just can’t miss.

KAYTRANADA – BREAKDANCE LESSON N.1
A DJ and a good friend of mine introduced me to this song by Kaytranada, and now I play it whenever I wanna shake my head a little.

Red Axes, Abrão – Balma (feat. Abrão)
Loving Red Axes this year, they did a show In Athens last month. Good boys.

Jean-Jacques Perrey – Cat In The Night
I sadly found out about Jean Jacques Perrey the day he died, late 2016. This man was a genius and is really worthy to listen to pretty much everything he’s done.

Toro y Moi – Lilly
“This place is up for grabs, I give it to you for free”, that line was stuck in my head for a long time. Really good sound.

Fleetwood Mac – Never Going Back Again – Remastered
The album “Rumours” has been one of my favorite albums ever, but just recently I gave a lot of attention to this track in the album. How sweet.

LA Priest – Lorry Park
LA Priest hit me in the stomach at around 0:50 with that beat, oh man, thanks.

Alan Hawkshaw – Beach Journey
Super fine tune by Mr Alan Hawkshaw. This track takes me places I didn’t know existed.

Vulfpeck – Back Pocket
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo to Volfpeck for this massive funky smart track.

‘Works For You’ is out now via Inner Ear Records and is seriously good. Listen to ‘Way To Go’ below.

Sounds like: Kaleida, Annie Lennox, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Cash+David, Christine & The Queens

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Rationale – Reciprocate

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Rationale - Reciprocate

Rationale – Reciprocate

Taking more of a dance direction with the last release of his ‘Vessels’ EP, Rationale shares ‘Reciprocate’.

A simple, yet punchy track, ‘Reciprocate’ shows how Rationale is really growing from strength to strength. It’s a joy to watch.

Sounds like: Seinabo Sey, Future Islands, New Order, Tracy Chapman, Rhodes, MAALA

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NINA – Beyond Memory

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NINA

NINA

Germany-born NINA returns with the video for ‘Beyond Memory’.

The release follows her recent work with esteemed producer, Richard X (Goldfrapp, Erasure, New Order, Lana del Rey, Kylie Minogue).

NINA began singing at the age of six and moved on to classical training during her teens. She then developed a talent for synth-based music. NINA has already supported Erasure, and will be touring with DE/VISION this Autumn.

The EP is out on 27th May via Aztec Records and available for pre-order on iTunes here.

Tour Dates

2nd September, 2016 – Orebro, Sweden Live at Heart
8th October, 2016 – Hamburg, Germany Markthalle (DE/VISION support)
14th October, 2016 – Erfurt, Germany HSD (DE/VISION support)
15th October, 2016 – Frankfurt, Germany Das Bett (DE/VISION support)
28th October, 2016 – Oberhausen, Germany Kulttempel (DE/VISION support)
29th October, 2016 – Munich, Germany Backstage (DE/VISION support)
26th November, 2016 – Dresden, Germany Kleinvieh (DE/VISION support)
2nd December, 2016 – Hannover, Germany Musikzentrum (DE/VISION support)

Sounds like: Aaron, Chelsea Lankes, Christa Vi, Leitbur, Erasure, Depeche Mode, Com Truise, Kavinsky

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Heath – The Outline of You

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HEATH

HEATH

HEATH are a reasonably new, self-producing three-piece from Brighton.

Despite the age of band, they create polished, piano-based pop, full of lush melodies and enticing vocals.

Watch the video for ‘The Outline of You’ below, also directed by HEATH.

Sounds like: Police, Half Moon Run, Daughter, Frightened Rabbit, New Order, Jack Garratt

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Interview: April Towers

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April Towers

April Towers

Following the huge success of ‘Modern Psyche’, Nottingham duo, April Towers, are back with their ‘Silent Fever’ EP, having worked with award winning producer, Catherine Marks (Wolf Alice, Foals).

We caught up with the boys.

April Towers only formed a couple of years a go. Tell us more about how April Towers came about.

We met at school when we were about 15/16 years old. Arctic Monkeys had just exploded and it seemed like everyone was picking up a guitar, We were paired together in a school biology project but just spent most the time writing songs before forming an indie band, Frontiers, of which we were members for about 5 years before our tastes became more electronic and we formed April Towers!

Describe your sound in three words.

Fun, Dance. Pop.

‘Modern Psych’ received a great response from blogs and fans. Have you set the bar too high for yourselves?!

Haha, I think the bar is set by others rather than ourselves. We just write what we feel are the best songs we can and it’s up to you guys to decide how high that bar is!!

Your EP, ‘Silent Fever’ is out in April on Lab Records. Tell us more about it.

Silent Fever is our first EP – it features five tracks (featuring previous singles A Little Bit Of Fear and Modern Psyche) as well as two remixes. We are really proud of it and feels it really represents us well as a band. We are also very honoured that LAB records are putting this EP out – Mark and the team have shown great faith in us and we really are grateful for that.

Where do you cite your musical influences from?

It’s a broad range of influences to be honest – from the golden era of the 80s with bands like New Order and Depeche Mode, to modern cutting edge electronic pop like LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip, with a bit of Cut Copy thrown in there!

We love new music at Indietronica. What new music are you listening to?

We are really into the new Steve Mason record at the moment – it’s so intelligently put together. Also really loving Theo Kottis, a Scottish producer who is making real waves in the dance scene right now!

If you fancy seeing April Towers perform, check out the dates below.

Tour Dates

18th March// Kasbah, Coventry
24th March//Picture House, Sheffield
26th March//Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
5th April//Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
6th April//King Tuts, Glasgow
9th April// 2Q Festival, Derby
14th April//Moles, Bath

Sounds like: New Order, Depeche Mode, Cut Copy, Hot Chip

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