In a perfect musical match, depressive house electronic producer, BAILE (aka Reed Kackley) teams up with Los Angeles-based vocalist, Kauf, who is best known for his ability to create music that can be so introvert and emotive, yet at the same time be sonic and mind-altering.
The new single ‘Leave Me’ starts out with simple chords (recorded by BAILE on an abandoned upright piano near the entrance of his rehearsal place) before the addition of empty beer bottles, analogue synths and acoustics bring the track to life. Kauf adds a narrative on impending heartache, beautifully articulating the agonising grief of lost love.
Listen below.
Sounds like: James Blake, Rhye, Fjord, SBTRKT, Asgeir, Solomon Grey
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
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.
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
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.
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
Louis Fulton – Kevin’s Heart Feat. Bellah, BXRBER & Armani White
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.
We do like a good festival, and after hearing that NOS Alive in Lisbon, Portugal is up there as one the world’s best music festivals, we decided to plan a trip in July to find out what all the fuss is about!
In the mean time, buckle up and check out our ones to watch within the indietronica genres (looks like we’ll mainly see you at the Sagres Stage then!).
THURSDAY 12 JULY
Friendly Fires, Sagres Stage
Energetic Brit boys Friendly Fires return to the festival circuit after a hiatus.
Having already had massive success with hits such as ‘Paris’, ‘Jump In The Pool’ and ‘Skeleton Boy’, their new single ‘Love Like Waves’ doesn’t disappoint and continues the theme of tropical-tinged synth sounds.
Expect a highly fun and bold performance at NOS Alive.
Jain is a multi-cultural singer/songwriter and self confessed beat-maker, originally from France, but who has also spent time in Dubai and The Congo.
Jain means achieving liberation of the soul, and that’s exactly what this music embodies with its flecked sounds of African rhythms with simple, yet vibrant vocals.
Watch the video for highly recognised song ‘Makeba’ below and catch Jain at the Sagres Stage on Thursday.
One artist we are super stoked to check out live is Khalid.
The American singer/songwriter originally started writing music during his college years, where he was also declared prom king. Amalgamating an array of sounds from classical, pop to hip hop, Khalid shows a real sense of urgency in his music.
We can’t get enough of his track with Billie Eilish, and can’t wait to see him perform at NOS Alive.
Sounds like: Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Father John Misty, Frank Ocean, Chance the Rapper, Lorde, James Blake, Billie Eilish
Indie rockers Wolf Alice have been our firm favourites from the UK for some time now. They never disappoint at a live show, fronted by a fresh-faced Ellie Rowsell’s seemingly blasé but endearingly nervous attitude.
Expect a set full of their most brilliant tunes…so that’s all of them then!
Sounds like: Black Honey, Peace, Superfood, Foals, Circa Waves, Harry
Sampha is to be one of the UK’s best musical exports in 2018.
He has a knack for writing songs with deep and personal lyrics of pain and reflection, some of which have unfortunately has stemmed from health hardships suffered with his family at home, and we can’t help but think we are supporting him on this journey.
Truly thought-provoking stuff, definitely worthy of a slot at NOS Alive.
Sounds like: Jessie Ware, Frank Ocean, Solange, Moses Sumney, James Blake, Chet Faker, SBTRKT, Dallas Green
Future Islands‘ front man Samuel T Herring’s dancing is reason enough to go watch these guys at NOS Alive. And of course, the US synthpop band are wildly brilliant in as many unique, refreshing and inspiration ways possible.
Feisty feminist attitudes and catchy lyrics is what CHVRCHES brings to the table.
Lauren Mayberry has faced her fair share of trolls online, but to her testament, the Scottish trio continue to go from strength to strength. We are very much looking forward to this show!
Sounds like: Kate Boy, Avec Sans, Purity Ring, Vogue Dots, R.A.B.B.I.I., Kaleida, Gems, IYES, For Esmé, ALMA, Pale Hands, Acre Tarn, Prinze George, Leitbur, Monogem, PALMEDO, NONONO, Still Corners, MUNA
Imagine if M83 and Joanna Newsom met one day and decided to make some music. The result would be the quirky and ambient tones of Portuguese Surma (aka Débora Umbelino).
Working with loop pedals, the solo artist works with analogue and digital sounds creating a primal yet sonic environment.
Kicking off Saturday’s ones to watch are Lisbon natives, Lotus Fever.
They fit somewhere in-between Alt-J and Pink Floyd and it’s really refreshing to hear. We are expecting a super tight performance, thanks to their longstanding stint together since 2011 and it being their local city.
Their music has tendencies to sway in the 60’s, psychedelic market – imagine riding on a surfboard in space. However, we expect their set at NOS Alive to be a relaxed affair, where you can chill out and have a cider…or ride a surfboard in space, whatever takes your fancy!
Less under the radar than the counterparts in this piece, but still worthy of a slot on one’s to watch at this year’s NOS Alive. The mighty MGMT!
The eclectic US-based duo are known for their otherworldly take on modern indie rock music, often combining psychedelic synths, crunchy guitars and stodgy vocals with fun videos.
Sounds like: Empire of the Sun, Foster the People, Tame Impala, Portugal. The Man
Covering topics such as sexual abuse, suicide and alcohol abuse, Perfume Genius (aka Mike Hadreas) is one such musical role model we want to be more involved with.
His music represents such struggles and recoveries in a camp but delightfully magnificent way.
Sounds like: Sufjan Stevens, St. Vincent, Kate Bush, M83, David Bowie, Future Islands, Fever Ray
With a warming lo-fi sound, Brooklyn-based dream team, Real Estate is our last act to consider watching at NOS Alive.
Run by childhood friends who played in their backyards during the summer months, Real Estate write simple and endearing songs full of luminous guitar riffs and delicate synths.
We envisage this show to be a perfect end to a perfect weekend.
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
Self-proclaimed desert electro-pop princess RAINDEAR is back with a new single called ‘Diamonds in My Chest’.
The daughter of two jazz musicians, RAINDEAR has been singing and writing since a young age. She also produces her own music, having self-produced her debut album ‘Embers’ in 2016.
The majority of RAINDEAR’s music has a dark undertone (perhaps it is the dark winters in her home town of Malmö?), but we absolutely love this, especially the deeply low falsettos in ‘Diamonds In My Chest’, as she continues to battle gritty topics such as feelings of desperation, destruction and uncomfortable desire.
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
Wildlife Festival returns for its third year at Shoreham Airport. Headed up by Disclosure and BlackButterRecords, expect this be the most fun year yet, not just because you now have an excuse to take the Friday off, but because the line up is quite simply awesome.
We’ve picked out our favourites, so you don’t have to. Check them out below.
ANNE-MARIE Wildlife Stage, Friday 9th June
Essex-born artist, Anne-Marie, has had numerous hits over the last couple of years. With her sweet vocals (she performed in Les Miserables when she was younger) and urban swagger, we expect her performance to be very special indeed.
Sounds like: Zara Larsson, K-Stewart, Kiiara, Mabel
We’ve been following Cambridge collective, Clean Bandit since they began, so it’s with great excitement that we see them playing the big stage Wildlife Festival this year.
They have gone from strength to strength with their collaborations, including a couple of other Wildlife artists.
Was ‘Hold My Hand’ the best song of 2015? Quite possibly, but regardless, it was definitely the song that put Jess Glynne on the global map, with a number of remixes secured with some key contenders in the dance industry.
With her stunning vocal tone and energy, Jess will be headlining the festival on Friday. Bring it on!
Sounds like: Clean Bandit, Anne-Marie, Ella Henderson
Lovely Londoner, Liv Dawson, is one of our favourite newcomers from 2016.
The sound and emotional depth of the late teen prove that she is undeniably wise and confident beyond her years, and it’s therefore no wonder that she’s been picked to play Wildlife amongst such other great acts.
MURA MASA Tropical / Sounds Of The Future Stage, Saturday 10th June
Electronic music producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Alex Crossan is Mura Masa.
He has a huge fan base (most, if not all of his singles have been used in various clothing adverts) and he is renowned for his glitchy production that incorporates Asian instruments, as well as incredible live shows.
Sounds like: Flume, Cashmere Cat, SBTRKT, FØRTE, The Knife
With a knack for choosing great vocalists, Rudimental are known for their bold, bassy and brassy sounds. In a massive contradiction to their name choice, this four-piece are anything basic.
They will be doing a DJ set at Wildlife.
Sounds like: Alex Clare, John Newman, Will Heard, MNEK, NIMMO, Leo Stannard, Oli Hannaford
SHY LUV Tropical / Sounds Of The Future Stage, Saturday 10th June
Shy Luv is the project of Manchester based Karma Kid and Armeria.
‘Time’ follows on from their ‘Shock Horror’ EP, but it’s live where the duo showcase their diverse range of influences including LCD Soundsystem, Arctic Monkeys, Metronomy and Friendly Fires.
Sounds like: Honne, Disclosure, Tame Impala, Hot Chip, Jagwar Ma, SG Lewis, LCD Soundsystem, Arctic Monkeys, Metronomy, Friendly Fires
Swedish born and based producer SQRD shares ‘Together’.
The track contains hypnotising loops of lo-fi electronic textures and minimalistic vocals.
SQRD says of the track, “I’d just moved back to Stockholm from Berlin, the winter nights were dark, cold, lonely, I was missing everyone I’d left behind in Germany and frantically listening to FKA Twigs and Låpsley on repeat. One night I’d just started writing ‘Together’ which turned out to be a song about my fear of losing someone very dear to me.”
It’s out now via Sommarhjärta.
Sounds like: Foals, James Blake, Honne, SBTRKT, RÜFÜS, Joe Goddard, The xx
