Tag Archives: Ulrich Schnauss

Weekly Gems 131

Attawalpa – Done Hanging On

Attawalpa by Holly Whittaker

Attawalpa by Holly Whittaker

Very much a leftfield psychedelic visual and auditorial journey, former Jamie T guitarist Attawalpa shares the timeless hand-painted visuals for ‘Done Hanging On’, by modern visionaries Alex Gamsu Jenkins and Joe Taylor.

Sounds like: Jude Shuma, Alfie Templeman, Muck Spreader, Leonard Cohen

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Caspian Pool – Special Way Reloaded

Caspian Pool by Quentin Deronzier

Caspian Pool by Quentin Deronzier

Strongly influenced by 90’s French touch and techno, two French characters from Annecy, namely Low Bird (vocals) and Jimmy Q (guitars, synthesizers, production) – aka Caspian Pool, blast their contagious electronic cold wave in ‘Special Way Reloaded’.

Sounds like: FFO: Nimmo, The Chemical Brothers, Hercules & Love Affair, Goldfrapp, Joe Goddard, Chvrches, Digitalism, Holy Ghost!, Boys Noize, Little Dragon, Cut Copy, Icona Pop

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Lucia & The Best Boys – Forever Forget

Lucia & The Best Boys by Oli Erskine

Lucia & The Best Boys by Oli Erskine

The dreamy ‘Forever Forget’ is taken from Lucia & The Best Boys‘ new EP, ‘The State of Things’, and is a generous nod to the 80’s queens, Pat Benatar and Stevie Nicks.

Sounds like: Pat Benatar, Yonaka, Calva Louise, Courtney Love, Stevie Nicks, Kate Bush, Miley Cyrus

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Emanuel – Black Woman

Emanuel by Eric Miles

Emanuel by Eric Miles

Toronto R&B artist and songwriter Emanuel shares his new single ‘Black Woman’. Written a year ago, the message hasn’t changed – it’s a healing, celebratory ode to the resilience of Black women.

Sounds like: John Legend, Dylan Sinclair, Son Little, Michael Kiwanuka

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Sirens of Lesbos – PALA

Sirens Of Lesbos by Dominik Hodel

Sirens Of Lesbos by Dominik Hodel

Swiss sibling collective Sirens of Lesbos gear up to release their album, with the release of new single, ‘Pala’. It’s turned-on pop for a new psychedelic age.

Sounds like: De Hofnar, MYNGA, Talking Heads, Outkast

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Julia Church – Don’t Really Care What We Call It

Julia Church

South-African songwriter-producer Julia Church shares catchy pop gem ‘Don’t Really Care What We Call It’, a song about navigating those awkward feelings in a new relationship.

Sounds like: London Grammar, Emma McGrath, Violet Days, Birdy, GRACEY, Harlequin Gold, Millie Turner, Louise Burns, Tom Odell, Monogem

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Lissy Taylor – High

Lissy Taylor

British singer-songwriter Lissy Taylor shares her alluring single, ‘High’. Echoes of Lana Del Rey ooze from untamed Lissy, amongst the soft guitar riffs, driving rock percussions, and jangling tambourine.

Sounds like: Lana Del Rey

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Felix Räuber – Autsider

Felix Räuber by Madlen Krippendorf

Felix Räuber by Madlen Krippendorf

German multi-instrumentalist turned producer, Felix Räuber‘s bold new video aims to turn the preconceptions surrounding autism on its head, as it tells the story of an autistic character, deemed to be an outsider.

Sounds like: Aquilo, Solomon Grey, Son Lux, Nils Frahm, Ulrich Schnauss

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Space Above x So Below – Golden

Space Above x So Below

Well, this is just a brilliant piece of music, isn’t it?

Dramatic and cinematic through and through, ‘Golden’ is the new collaborative effort from New Zealand-born and Los Angeles-based Space Above (aka Aaron Short, formerly of The Naked And Famous) and So Below.

Two talents in their own right, their contrasting expressions within the electronic worlds collide into a wonderful stroke of ‘space tech’ and ‘goth pop’.

Sounds like: Sigor Ros, Ulrich Schnauss, Bat For Lashes, The Naked And Famous, Ryan Vail & Elma Orkestra, Phantogram, Broods

Space Above
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So Below
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Weekly Gems 100

TESSA – Bad Bad Love

TESSA

Australian artist Tessa Neale (fka Hoodlem) wants to leave her ego at the door whilst making music. Unfiltered and full of sass, this is TESSA at her core.

Produced with Jeff Hazin and featuring Toronto rapper Terrell Morris, her new single ‘Bad Bad Love’ is an upbeat anti-love song sending a message to the game-playing lovers everywhere…we see you.

Sounds like: Mahalia, Empress Of, Nao, Jessie Ware

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Francis Novotny – Someone I Wanted To Be

Francis Novotny

Young Swedish songwriter Francis Novotny shares the beautiful ‘Someone I Wanted To Be’.

With modern rings of The Cinematic Orchestra‘s ‘To Build A Home’, the cinematic approach to this stripped-back song – about love, regret, and new perspectives – is delicately composed with an emotional piano progression, whilst his vocals take centre stage.

Sounds like: The Cinematic Orchestra

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STRØM – Blurred Out

STRØM

After months of anticipation, Swedish artist STRØM finally unveils his earnest chops, whilst, ironically sharing his new single called ‘Blurred Out’, taken from his debut album, ‘Immortal’ out now via This is Scandinavia / Sony Music.

With a cascading beat of drums and vocal loops, the track gives us an intriguing glimpse into the album.

Sounds like: Ben Khan, TENDER, Solomon Grey, James Blake

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Benji Lewis – No Alibi

Benji Lewis

Sounds like: The 1975, The Kite String Tangle, Antony Hegarty, Active Child, Gallant, Sam Smith, Solomon Grey, James Blake, Yazz, Jack Garratt, Disclosure

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Christian Cohle – Breathe

Christian Cohle by Adrian Wojtas

Christian Cohle by Adrian Wojtas

Dublin-born Christian Cohle shares his haunting and melancholic debut single, ‘Breathe’.

Mixing majestic synthesizers and driving rhythms, ‘Breathe’ explores the emotional struggle of feeling interlinked with something that turns out to be artificial. Discussing the inspiration behind his new record, Cohle says: “Breathe was predominantly informed by experiences I was going through at the time, but also very much influenced by the neo-noir science fiction film, Blade Runner 2049.

Sounds like: James Blake, Sampha, Jai Paul, Solomon Grey

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Matthew Scott Ragland – Here and Now

Matthew Scott Ragland by Holly Peyton

Matthew Scott Ragland by Holly Peyton

Dallas-based songwriter, producer, recording artist and former band member of Austin based Nelo, Matthew Scott Ragland finds solace in a new project.

His double single, ‘Here and Now / Now is Here’ was written by Ragland from a purist point of view, where synthesizers, drum machines and string samples take the place of his trusted guitar.

Sounds like: The Stone Roses, Ulrich Schnauss, Jon Hopkins, Joe Goddard

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Pastel – Let You (Feat. Haoting)

Pastel - Let You (Feat. Haoting)

French-Polynesian singer and multi-instrumentalist Pastel unveils his impossibly smooth new single, ‘Let You’.

It’s a blissed out neo-jazz Bossa Nova fusion compiled alongside long-time friend and Taiwanese artist, Haoting.

Sounds like: FKJ, Miller Blue, Yakul, Easy Life, Hers, Tom Misch

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Weekly Gems 59

ODA – Don’t You Know

ODA

Norwegian artist ODA (pronounced “Oo-da”) takes us on a breathtaking journey with her new single, ‘Don’t You Know’.

Taking influences from an eclectic mix, including a love for the ethereal electronica of Sigur Rós, heartfelt lyrics of Bon Iver, and the indie energy of British bands such as Coldplay and Keane, ODA stands out from the crowd with her own take on electro-pop.

ODA’s highly anticipated EP, ‘Hide’, is out today.

Sounds like: ODESZA, Manila Killa, Louis Futon, Kasbo, Amanda Tenfjord, Dagny

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George Gretton – Tread Water

George Gretton by Imogen Harrison

George Gretton by Imogen Harrison

Nottingham-born multi-instrumentalist and singer George Gretton shares his stunning debut single ‘Tread Water’.

As a musician performing in bands, it wasn’t until he discovered production – which he taught himself – that he unlocked his creative potential. The result is a forward-thinking sound with expansive atypical arrangements, experimental processing and fitful drum samples.

Sounds like: Ben Khan, James Blake, Bon Iver

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Aimée – Don’t Bother

Aimée

Hold up. There is a new pop princess in town, and she goes by the name Aimée.

The Irish artist’s debut single ‘Don’t Bother’ is an anti-break up song, akin to empowering 90s pop such as Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.

Sounds like: JoJo, Zara Larsson, Justin Timberlake

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Felix Räuber – Running Out Of Time

Felix Raueber by Michael Miklas

Felix Raueber by Michael Miklas

Felix Räuber is one talent that you cannot ignore.

At the tender age of 13, he founded his first band in his basement that grew to become Polarkreis 18. Fronted by Räuber, their first studio album took them across Europe on tour, the second album achieved gold status, and single Allein Allein became one of the most successful German-language songs of all time (earning platinum status) and a global hit.

Räuber made the move to Berlin in 2012 to realign himself as an artist. Jump forward to 2012 , Räuber shares the video for his genre-pushing cineamtic pop new single, ‘Running Out Of Time’. Watch below.

Sounds like: Thomas Azier, Aquilo, Solomon Grey, Son Lux, Nils Frahm, Ulrich Schnauss

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Broken Back – Young Love

Broken Back by Emma Birski

Broken Back by Emma Birski

Broken Back (aka Jérôme Fagnet) is an advocate of friendly, tropical sounds, which may surprise you considering why he started making music.

His former life as a motivated entrepreneur and business student tragically came to an end when, at just 22 years old, his back gave out and he was confined to a bed. This free time was used to create music.

This flair for feel-good and infectious grooves, is perfectly showcases in his acoustic performance of ‘Young Love’.

Sounds like: Kygo, Kazy Lambist

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The Bliss – Nothing Scares Me Anymore

The Bliss by Zachary Gray

The Bliss by Zachary Gray

The electro-pop project The Bliss is the latest coalition of pop songstress TYSM (Chelsea Davenport) and hip-hop/electronic producer Felix Snow (Leona Lewis, SZA, Kiiara, Gallant, Icona Pop, Rita Ora) of the pop-trio Terror Jr.

While both artists are established within their own realm, this partnership brings them collectively to a whole new level of creativity and wonder.

Listen to ‘Nothing Scares Me Anymore’ below.

Sounds like: The Chainsmokers, Sofi Tukker

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Felix Räuber – WALL

Felix Räuber by Madlen Krippendorf

Meet German producer Felix Räuber.

No, his debut solo single ‘WALL’ is not a tech-house track, despite what his press shot may look like, but rather rich and fragile cinematic pop that builds and erupts into something simply mind-blowing.

‘WALL’ is neo-classical and electronic in its nature. Initially intended as a remix of the song of the same name by composer Nils Frahm, it quickly developed into a track of its own.

Sounds like: Aquilo, Solomon Grey, Son Lux, Nils Frahm, Ulrich Schnauss

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Weekly Gems 24

Weslee – Boy Like You

Weslee

Mysterious UK-based duo Weslee share their visuals for ‘Boy Like You’.

Another lip-smacking and dreamy song, the Alexandra Gavillet-directed video for ‘Boy Like You’ takes inspiration from Kanye West and centres on the infatuation of the lead male figure through a series of personal camcorder style shots filmed around a hazy American summer.

Sounds like: Ben Khan, Kacy Hill, Blood Orange, Wet, Off Bloom

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Scene Writers vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners – Real Life Baby

Scene Writers

Exciting Berlin-based duo Scene Writers (aka Christian Huerter and Sebastian Nouvortne) take inspiration from the art amidst the urban sprawl of Berlin.

They have produced a vibrant re-work of 3 Burners‘ ‘Real Life Baby’, which you can listen to below.

Sounds like: Becky Hill, Kungs, Draper

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joan – Tokyo

joan - Tokyo

We are still massively crushing on duo joan.

Continuing their knack for producing heartbreaking pop songs with a retro twist, ‘Tokyo’ is inspired by that moment of falling for someone but your time is running out. ​​​​​​​

Sounds like: Shura, Two Door Cinema Club, St. Lucia, LANY, Great Good Fine Ok, The 1975

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Argonaut & Wasp – Radio Sound

Argonaut & Wasp

Boom! Argonaut & Wasp are back with a funky new number called ‘Radio Sound’.

It is part of a double single, and combines elements of alternative, pop, indie, and funk to provide a bright sound, inspired by the bustling streets of Brooklyn.

It is released on the band’s own Bang! Jango Records.

Sounds like: The Strokes, Bad Sounds, Modest Mouse, Talking Heads, Phoenix, Miami Horror, Bag Raiders

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ELD – Desire

ELD - Desire

Swedish trio ELD share their brilliant new single ‘Desire’.

Creating a big emotions and an anthemic sound reminiscent of Arcade Fire and The National, ‘Desire’ amalgamates electronica with post punk elements, and even enters the shoegaze realm in parts.

Listen below and prepare to be blown away.

Sounds like: Arcade Fire, The National, Interpol, Ulrich Schnauss

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Amanda Mair – Empty Blockings

Amanda Mair

Rising Swedish teenager Amanda Mair shares ‘Empty Blockings’.

In the video, Amanda broaches the highly important topic of anxiety and depression,

“I wanted to show the feeling of the continuously searchers desperation. The every day hope for running away from anxiety and sorrow but the faith is to weak and puts you in a circle of running and running until you don’t know what you’re running away from.”

It’s out now via Despotz Records.

Sounds like: Susanne Sundfør, OH Land, Zola Jesus

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VILDE – Maintain

VILDE by Elin Ghersinich

Continuing with his monthly release schedule, VILDE, shares ‘Maintain’.

The music of VILDE – an innovative music project set up by Stockholm-based Thomas Savage, former member of Kins – is dutifully firm and ‘Maintain’ stands by that mentality with its racing drum beat and Savage’s claustrophobic vocals.

Elaborating on the themes behind ‘Maintain’, Vilde explains, “The subject matter of the song is somewhat of a crammed amalgamation of ideas. Part inspired by the film ‘Ace in the Hole’, where a news reporter begins to twist events in a dark way to gain fame through his portrayal of the story. There’s some pretty bleak imagery in the lyrics, yet bits of optimism seep through too, provoking a sense of solitude, release & calm.”

Live Dates

July 21 – Kantine Am Berghain, Berlin w/ Foreign/National
July 29 – Old Blue Last, London w/ Foreign/National

Sounds like: Wild Beasts, Spektor, Radiohead, Thomas Azier, James Blake, Ulrich Schnauss, TV on the Radio, BØRNS, Tim Hecker, Future Islands

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VILDE – Strictly Speaking

VILDE

VILDE

VILDE is the innovative music project of Stockholm-based Thomas Vilde, former member of Kins.

We have no idea what ‘study dance’ means, but this is how VILDE describes his new single, ‘Strictly Speaking’, and we dig.

It is the third in a series of monthly releases, following ‘Produce’ and ‘Dreamboat’.

Whilst ‘Strictly Speaking’ commences as an energetic rendition (Hayden Thorpe from Wild Beasts comes to mind), it soon takes an unexpected turn down a street of ominous and heavier bass lines, before taking yet another turn into an lighter, more ethereal landscape.

This is song construction that is not often seen within music these days, and it’s a very welcome change.

Sounds like: Wild Beasts, Spektor, Radiohead, Thomas Azier, James Blake, Ulrich Schnauss

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Jon Hopkins – Breathe This Air feat. Purity Ring

Jon Hopkins

Jon Hopkins

Jon Hopkins is a London-based electronic producer. His album, ‘Immunity’ has been shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Music Prize.

The album features the dusty techno track ‘Breathe This Air’ which has been reworked by Hopkins and now features the choral vocals of Purity Ring‘s Megan James.

The beautiful yet eerie video, directed by Anthony Dickenson, silently follows a story of two parallels. One of a young woman who is cleansing herself in a lake after suffering a loss, and one of a hunter who appears to be struggling during the aftermath of a car crash in which he has injured a deer.

The story lines unfold throughout the track until the abrupt ending. Watch below:

You can listen to the original ‘Breathe This Air’ on ‘Immunity’, which was released on 3 June 2013 via Domino Records.

Sounds like: Purity Ring, Lusine, Apparat, Gold Panda, Tycho, Ulrich Schnauss

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