Tag Archives: The Human League

Weekly Gems 92

Younger Hunger – Second Best

Younger Hunger

Younger Hunger is making waves with new single ‘Second Best’.

Inspired by 90’s indie-rock guitars, chart-topping pop hooks, and emo lyricism, their sound is quite difficult to pin down, especially when they refuse to make the same song twice.

Musically sitting somewhere between APRE and Sea Girls, the Orange Country-based upstarts present us with a perfect contradiction.

Sounds like: APRE, Sea Girls, Low Island

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Urchin – Without No Fear

Urchin - Without No Fear

Blog-house promoter Urchin (aka London-based producer Leo Appleyard) shares his new single, ‘Without No Fear’, out now on BonFire Records.

‘Without No Fear’ is the third track from the jazz-turned-indietronica musician’s sophomore EP, due out in January 2020, and features luxurious R&B vocals from Black Rose.

Sounds like: Kudu Blue, Kllo, Two Door Cinema Club, Von Sell, Ratatat

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Birthh – Yello / Concrete

Birthh - Yello / Concrete

Jazz and neo-soul musician Birthh (real name Alice Bisi) was raised in Florence on a diet of Tom Waits and Bob Dylan.

The new video for her single ‘Yello / Concrete’ was filmed between the Tuscan countryside and Milan and, as the visuals suggest, merge two unconventional sounds

Sounds like: Mallrat

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I AM KARATE – Hey Love

I AM KARATE

Swedish duo I AM KARATE (aka producer and songwriters, Marta Pettersson and Erika Ahlström) shares new single, ‘Hey Love’.

Speaking about insecurity, the girls explain,

“The song is about insecurity and not feeling sure you’re being honest with your love. Like he’s got a secret world when he’s dreaming that you’re not a part of, and you wonder if it’s more than just dreams.”

Sounds like: Ralph, Say Lou Lou, MIYNT, Doe Paoro, Sirena, Susanne Sundfør, Shura, Kyla La Grange

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NoMBe – Paint California

NoMBe

German born, Los Angeles-based artist NoMBe shares his vibrant new single, ‘Paint California’, the first single from his sophomore breakup album, ‘Chromotopia’.

The leftfield leaning pop single perfectly encapsulates NoMBe’s butter-smooth vocals over the intricately created arrangement.

Sounds like: Du Tonc, Friendly Fires, Jungle, Vampire Weekend, Local Natives

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Ronika – Solitaire

Ronika - Solitaire

Nottingham-born singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Ronika is back and sounding distinctively disco-noir.

Continuing Ronika’s inclination for all things funk and dream pop, the track features spoken-word contribution from Lee-Ann Curren (a French female pro-surfer and fellow musician) whilst also forming part of Ronika’s latest longer-form project.

Sounds like: ABBA, Chaka Khan, Aeroplane, Breakbot, Ballet School, Ladyhawke, Color War, The Human League, Little Boots, Bananarama, Annie

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George Eve – One Track Mind

George Eve - One Track Mind

George Eve‘s music is quite frankly a melting pot of different sounds and rhythms.

From bold, expansive and inventive melodies to candid lyrics touching on love, heartbreak and isolation, it’s clear Eve will be forming his own path in the industry.

He has teamed up with Sam Duckworth as co-producer for the brooding single, ‘One track Mind’.

Sounds like: Metronomy, Glass Animals

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Constance – Work Hard

Constance - Work Hard

Canadian singer/songwriter Constance shares her effervescent sophomore single, ‘Work Hard’.

With smooth electronic production and lush vocals, her music continues to shed light through her raw and emotional lyricism exploring heartbreak, love, and loss.

Sounds like: Lorde, NEONHEART, Billie Eilish

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Nina Chuba – Lips Shut

Nina Chuba

20 year old Berlin-based artist Nina Chuba shares her most vulnerable release to date.

Written about treating herself better and muting those negative voices in her head, ‘Lips Shut’ is another urban leaning pop hymn from the unique artist.

Sounds like: Lorde, Billie Eilish, Lauren Sanderson

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KOKO – Freak (Acoustic)

KOKO - Freak

Bristol-born pop three-piece KOKO have a natural wall of energy which they call the “KOKO traingle”.

They’ve just dropped the acoustic version of their debut single, ‘Freak’. Stripping back the electro-tinged original of their debut singl, it’s all about embracing individuality – “It’s a FU to the man!”

Sounds like: Everyone You Know, 10 O’Clock Chemical, Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar

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Gigi Rowe – Promises

Gigi Rowe by Chase Leonard

Gigi Rowe by Chase Leonard

Has Gigi Rowe travelled from the 80’s just to release ‘Promises’? We think so.

The bright and eclectic artist brings the retro/futuristic sounds of that decade to life in the new single, as she boldly showcases her hot pink characteristics.

Sounds like: Ralph, Great Good Fine Ok, LANY

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Playlist: Σtella

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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Kaleida – Detune

Kaleida

Kaleida

London-based Kaleida returns with ‘Detune’.

Taking it down a notch, the girls draw deeper into their musical souls to create more of a minimal sound, but one that still has the discernible, powerful lead vocals we love.

‘Detune’ is the first single to be taken from their second EP.

Sounds like: Aquilo, New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League, VÉRITÉ, Salt Ashes, Evvy, Monogem, Paperwhite, Chvrches, Palmedo, Prinze George, Nina Yasmineh, Day Wave, Poliça, Rhye, MS MR, Roisin Murphy

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Σtella – Picking Words

Σtella

Σtella

There maybe a financial crisis in Greece at the moment, but there certainly isn’t one with their musical offerings.

Athenian electro-pop singer Σtella (pronounced Stella) is making waves.

Her latest track, ‘Picking Words’, is simple yet effective. It has a new wave vibe and a predominant bass line throughout.

Watch the video below and fall in love with Σtella like we have.

Her album, ‘Σtella’, is out on yellow vinyl, cd and digital album from Inner Ear.

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

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Kaleida – Aliaa

Kaleida

Kaleida

Continuing in their fight for equal rights through their music, Kaleida returns with ‘Aliaa’.

The track is based on the story of the Egyptian feminist and activist Aliaa Elmahdy, who, in 2011, posted a nude self portrait on her blog as a protest against – in her words – “a society of violence, racism, sexism, sexual harassment and hypocrisy”. The post received of 2 million hits within a short period during the Arab Spring and was the subject of intense controversy and criticism. Aliaa faced a backlash of death threats, and escaped both a kidnapping and rape attempt. She was eventually granted political asylum in Sweden.

Sounds like: New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League, VÉRITÉ, Salt Ashes, Evvy, Monogem, Paperwhite, Chvrches, Palmedo, Prinze George, Nina Yasmineh, Day Wave, Poliça, Rhye, MS MR, Roisin Murphy

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West Nile – Turnt 2 Cult

West Nile

West Nile

We love a bedroom band and West Nile is exactly that; a glistening synth pop girl/boy bedroom duo from London, Ontario.

Just starting out, they wish to remain anonymous, but it’s clear that they are determined to make it big.

Their latest single, ‘Turnt 2 Cult’, is a highly energised and 80’s driven gem with echoey vox.

The next single is due out in May, and the EP is set for release in September.

Sounds like: BLSHS, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Chvrches

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Priest – Broken

Priest - Broken

Priest – Broken

It’s been a while since we wrote about some synth pop, but it’s spring time, so why not!

Florida-based synth pop duo Priest (formerly X priest X) have released brand new track ‘Broken’.

It’s modern pop that glides subtly between 80s lo-fi pop and sharply syncopated rhythms that fit like a glove for a John Hughes film soundtrack.

It is second single from their forthcoming debut album ‘Priest’, which is to be released on 5 May via Swedish label Emotion.

Sounds like: BLSHS, The Human League, Crozet, Chvrches, Zola Jesus, Sky Ferreira, Grimes, College

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Kaleida – Ruby

Kaleida

Kaleida

Synthpop duo KALEIDA is the combined talents of London based Christina Wood (vocals,
lyrics) and Cicely Goulder (keys & production, lyrics).

Their music acts as a voice for feminist and political rights.

New track ‘Ruby’ is the perfect showcase for Wood’s rosy and unique vocals, as well as Goulder’s effortless skills on keys. Combined, the girls have created a track worthy of being from the 80s.

KALEIDA will release their debut EP ‘THINK’ on 6 April through LEX Records.

Tour Dates:

11 April – Birthdays, London – Kaleida EP Launch
12 May – Gorilla, Manchester (Roisin Murphy support)
13 May – Concorde 2, Brighton (Roisin Murphy support)
14 May – The Trinity Centre, Bristol (Roisin Murphy support)

Sounds like: New Order, Depeche Mode, The Human League, VÉRITÉ, Salt Ashes, Evvy, Monogem, Paperwhite, Chvrches, Palmedo, Prinze George, Nina Yasmineh, Day Wave, Poliça, Rhye, MS MR, Roisin Murphy

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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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