Tag Archives: Talk Talk

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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High Highs – How Could You Know

High Highs

High Highs

High Highs are a Sydney-based band consisiting of Jack Milas and Oli Chang.

Citing influences such as Talk Talk and Fleetwood Mac the duo create a range delicate synth soundscapes overlaid with multi layered vocal harmonies wrapped up an indie pop sensibility.

Jack Milas describes the creative process behind the track as such: “This tune was one of the first ones we wrote when we finished touring and went to the country to start writing. Its a simple song that came out really naturally. It was the song that bridged the gap between the first record and this one. Once we had How Could You Know I think we had the confidence to step further into unfamiliar territory for the rest of the record. We had a lot of fun playing this one in Oli’s living room with just a piano and 12 string guitar, and that method dictated how we wrote a lot of other songs on the album. It was important to us that they sounded great stripped right back.” 

The track has been taken from their new album ‘Cascades’ which is out on 5 February 2016.

The High Highs will be touring Australia and North America early Spring 2016 with UK dates to be announced soon.

Sounds like: Gypsy & The Cat, Empire of The Sun, Cut Copy, Ghost Beach, Sir Sly, Jagwar Ma, Miike Snow, Talk Talk, Fleetwood Mac

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Dralms – Shook

Dralms

Dralms

Dralms (a reinvention by Christopher Smith) has a knack of spawning brilliant videos to accompany its music.

Chris has directed video for Dralms’s new track, ‘Shook’. He says of the track, “Shook is that moment when everything changes. Where you hold on to what’s true to you for dear life, or let it all crumble, accept it, pick up the pieces and move on”.

The video is simple and allows the music speak for itself. It has just three features; Chris, a set of flowers, and a lover asleep in bed.

‘Shook’ has been taken from the new album of the same name, which is out on 2 October via Full Time Hobby (UK) / Boompa (North America).

Sounds like: James Blake, Boxed In, Talk Talk, Radiohead, The Antlers, Pink Floyd, Spiritualized

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Worldwide Premiere of Alphabetic – Human Too

Alphabetic

Alphabetic

Alphabetic has been slowly building up a dedicated following since 2014, when they played a number of shows including a five night stint at Secret Cinema’s production of ‘Back to The Future’.

Their sound, built around the singing partnership of Walter Heale and Becca Lever, fuses ambient pop with the dance savvy beats of mid 80’s disco and soul to create an enrapturing live sound, driven forward by the animated and energetic drummer Jon Baxter.

Following on from ‘Good Lovers‘, their first single from their forthcoming album and produced by Toby McLaren (Led Bib, The Heavy, Kelis), is ‘Human Too’.

Once again, the band is offering up an innovative day and night version of the latest release. The day version is a synth-ridden slow-drive track, whilst the night version is a 90’s new jack remix, courtesy of bassist and synthesist Raph.

Have a listen to the day version below:

Alphabetic is a perfect example of a band that can make waves despite having a shoestring budget.

You can catch Alphabetic at The Great Escape in April.

Sounds like: Talking Heads, The Cure, Metronomy, Talk Talk, Fantastic Fantastic, The Human League, The Macabees

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Alphabetic – Good Lovers

Alphabetic - Good Lovers

Alphabetic – Good Lovers

Inspiration from the 80’s seems to be here to stay in modern day music.

A perfect example of this is Alphabetic; a four-piece band that was initially dreamt up in a Motel bed in the Caribbean. After reworking the music from their childhood in a cabin in Italy, the rest is history.

Fronted by Walter Heale and Becca Lever, who take the vocal leads with effortless retro harmonies, Alphabetic plays very easy listening tracks by fusing 80’s disco and pop.

The uber catchy ‘Good Lovers’ is produced by Toby McLaren (Led Bib, The Heavy, Kelis).

This is the first single taken from their forthcoming album which was released via the bands own label Bibliotheque Records on 21 November 2014.

Sounds like: Talking Heads, The Cure, Metronomy, Talk Talk, Fantastic Fantastic, The Human League, The Macabees

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Zola Blood – Grace

Zola Blood

Zola Blood

Zola Blood is the latest signing to Pond Life Songs, the label synonymous with Talk Talk’s 1991 album ‘Laughing Stock’ and more recently Liverpool’s avant-pop trio Ninetails. Despite a 22-year hiatus, Pond Life’s passion for bold, inventive new music remains strong, as proved by their newest signing.

First track ‘Grace’ combines R&B with ambient electronica and haunting vocals similar to the that of Foals’ Yannis Philippakis.

Zola Blood’s intricate arrangements were developed over a year on a Hackney Wick industrial estate, dissecting mobile phone recordings and programming synthesisers.

Despite the allure, Zola Blood is a competent group with a bright future ahead.

Sounds like: The Foals, Portishead, Talk Talk, Ninetails, Elbow, New Navy, Mogwai, SOHN, James Blake

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