Album Review: Cloud Nothings - Turning On (March 1, 2010)

Cloud Nothings
Turning On (US - March 1, 2010)
Unsigned (album release via Speakertree/Bridgetown Records)
Chillwave/Lo-fi/Pop
File Next To - Wild Nothing/Beach Fossils/Wavves

The latest (and youngest) band to emerge from the lo-fi pop explosion of the US comes in the form of Cloud Nothings. Formed as the solo project of 18-year old Dylan Baldi, the band put on their first ever live show just last year, and dropped the self-released debut 'Turning On' via Speakertree and Bridgetown Records March 1, 2010. This year has already seen them play dates with Beach Fossils and Abe Vigoda, and a short tour with Nathan Williams (aka Wavves) will commence this coming June across the US. The Cleveland, Ohio pop band's debut record has undoubtedly been a success.

Whilst the vocals are mostly inaudible, and the guitar sound full and distorted, to call Turning On an aggressive or inaccessible album would be a grave mistake. The elements of punk which this album conveys come purely in the song structures - when the overall sound comes closer to the emerging surf pop scene out of California from this year and the last. 'Chillwave' as shaky as the term's definitions are, is certainly still vague enough to incorporate this band - especially when you take into account their associations. Memoryhouse, the Canadian dream pop project of Evan Abeele and Denise Nouvion, have done a wonderfully ambient remix of Hey Cool Kid (an original album track which I shared back in February), and the shows with ambient garage/surf band Beach Fossils move them closer on the scale to the aforementioned movement.

Standing at just 26 minutes, this scratchy lo-fi pop album sounds like the part-time work of a musician very closely associated with the scenes he now forms a part of - and the latest in a long line of dreamy overdriven pop bands to make a stunning debut this year. Opener Can't Stay Awake is perhaps the loudest and most punk-influenced track on an album which over its half hour development becomes a relaxed guitar pop album with few points of reference, you can pick up two tracks below and a remix, and check out my last post on this band, featuring personal favourite album track, and suitably sarcastic 'Hey Cool Kid'.

As Kevin informed us on the last post - Turning On is available now with free shipping from Bridgetown Records, a deal you shouldn't let get away.

Cloud Nothings - Can't Stay Awake (MP3)
Cloud Nothings - Turning On (MP3)
Cloud Nothings - Hey Cool Kid (Memoryhouse Remix) (MP3)

Midweek Round-Up #22/4 - Two Door Cinema Club, Best Coast, Lissie + more

Blog-favourite Best Coast really knows how to build hype - she dropped three new tracks last week on the Something In The Way EP (pick up two of them below) before going on to announce last week that her new single, featuring new tracks 'Far Away' and 'Everyone's Gone' will drop May 3 via Eskuche Headphones. She will also play Camden Crawl and Great Escape Festival 2010 as well as more than 25 other dates across Europe in May, on what is shaping up to be a potential breakthrough tour for the lo-fi pop duo. As if all this wasn't enough, the video for "When I'm With You" (featuring Ronald Mcdonald) has also premiered on MTVU - and you can watch it below. All these tasters, and still no album confirmed - just how much more can she play with us?

Best Coast - Something In The Way (MP3)

Best Coast - The Road (MP3)

Two Door Cinema Club's US tour with Phoenix begins this Saturday, and as if to mark the celebration ensuing from the undeniable success of last month's Tourist History, Kitsune has dropped us a lovely remix of Something Good Can Work courtesy of The Twelves. I've also included song What You Know, because as far as what I know goes - this song hasn't left my head for days. As much as I've tried to dismiss this band as 'NME friendly indie pop', I just know that when Reading Festival comes around I'm going to welcome the opportunity to see them play with open arms. Their debut album might just be my next purchase - and if you want to make it yours, look no further - Tourist History on Amazon.com

Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work (The Twelves Remix) (MP3)

Two Door Cinema Club - What You Know (MP3) 

In a new cover that couldn't more opposite to her last, Lissie Maurus (stage name Lissie) moves from Lady Gaga to Metallica for her latest cover - with an acoustic rendition of 'Nothing Else Matters'. On what Myspace are calling a 'Myspace Exclusive', even though she played it at SXSW and its all over Youtube, Lissie brings Metallica's anger down to acceptable levels.

In terms of new albums - there's a full album stream available of The Hold Steady's Heaven Is Whenever (due  May 4, 2010 via Vagrant/Rough Trade) and LCD Soundsystem's This Is Happening (due May 17, 2010 via Parlophone). Crystal Castles self-titled album number two, originally slated for a June release, has been pushed forwards following a leak to tomorrow (4/23). The National's new album has also leaked, and I can proudly say I haven't indulged, and don't intend to - despite this being the release I am most excited about from this year to date. Like good honest citizens, you can pre-order High Violet from Amazon.com on this link.


This Is Happening on Amazon.com

Heaven Is Whenever on Amazon.com

LCD Soundsystem - I Can Change (MP3)

The Hold Steady - The Sweet Part Of The City (MP3)

The National - Afraid of Everyone (MP3)

Looking to the week ahead, Monday sees the release of Performance's new single The Living, which you can listen to on this handy Soundcloud link. I feel a comparison to Cold Cave is appropriate - the euphoric electro lead line certainly sounds like something the New York duo would come out with, but this time mixed with Manchester vocals akin to other bands of the city such as The Whip, who incidentally were produced by band member Joe Cross. Another member co-wrote the upcoming Hurts album (which I've already featured) - and formed an 80s inspired side project called Kiss In Cities. The whole overdriven pop effect of this band  is huge and well worth a listen, so please do. As I mentioned earlier, 5-tracks are available via Soundcloud.

Weekend Round-up #18/4/2010 - Black Keys, Beach House, Slow Club + more.

The sixth Black Keys album comes out next month, and if you've bought tickets for their upcoming US tour - you'll have already received your two free downloads and totally free pre-order of the 12" LP 'Brothers'. As ever with this duo, its to be excited about - they might not have invented their genre, but they've certainly mastered it. Tighten Up and Next Girl are two garage-blues anthems from the 15-track, which was mixed at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Alabama, with contributions from long-time producer Dangermouse.

Black Keys - Tighten Up (MP3) from Brothers - May 18
Black Keys - Next Girl (MP3) from Brothers - May 18


Darwin Deez have popped up yet again in somewhere I wasn't expecting to see them, this time an advert on Channel 4 UK. Judging by the facts we have (the debut came out only this week, and, they are going to be on UK television) we have a potentially very successful band on our hands who are looking all set to do very well in the UK this festival season. I plan to rendez-vous with them at the Great Escape Brighton and Bestival, but until then...

Judging from the state of the Hype Machine's links to Darwin Deez posts, the record label (Lucky Number Music) are operating a no tolerance policy on friendly, promotional MP3 downloads. So I advise you strongly to take the advice of Its The Money Shot, and don't use any of his handy links to a full album download. Looks like the frankly irritating Sound Cloud is the way forward if I'm going to avoid trouble, sorry.

 Darwin Deez - Constellations by LuckyNumberMusic

 Darwin Deez - Radar Detector by LuckyNumberMusic


Darwin Deez came out on April 12, 2010 - buy Darwin Deez (CD) or Darwin Deez (MP3) via Amazon.com


Ben Lear contacted me earlier this week. He's a singer/songwriter who recorded his Lillian EP for a musical he's put together. Its going to première at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC on May 21st with a 15 piece band. As he put it: "its a 15-piece folk opera about a man, who scuba dives into the Great Pacific Garbage Patch to reclaim all he's ever lost" This kind of thing is exactly why I want to move to  New York City. If you're around, why not make a trip down. The music from the EP is also really nice. I don't have any MP3s, but you can listen to/pick up the 3-track Lillian EP from his bandcamp for just $2.99. Go ahead.

Slow Club dropped their latest video for 'Giving Up On Love' on Thursday morning, featuring an exclusive performance from Mackenzie Crook, who sits in deep thought, looking slightly bemused on a fairground ride for the duration of the video. 'Giving Up On Love' is the third single from the second album Yeah So, which came out on July 2009 on Moshi Moshi Records. Pretty soon they are heading out on tour with a few of my favourite underground acts at the moment - Veronica Falls and Spectrals, including a date at London's Koko. Record Store Day also sees the limited edition 12" vinyl re-release of Yeah So with hand-painted artwork and nine extra tracks. Very nice.

Slow Club - Giving Up On Love (MP3) single out May 24, 2010 on Moshi Moshi Records.



Canadian dream pop band Stars also had new material last week, dropping their new single 'Fixed' as the preview for their new album The Five Ghosts due via Soft Revolution (their own label) on June 22, 2010. Vocals of Amy Millan are immaculate as ever, but this time with music featuring much harder synth work and stronger beats than anything from 2007's In Our Bedroom After The War. Metric would be a rash comparison to make from one new song, but they certainly appear to be suddenly inclined that way. Pick up the new one below, and search Amazon.com for The Five Ghosts.

Stars - Fixed (MP3) from The Five Ghosts - June 22


Beach House also gave away a special edition 12" yesterday for Record Store Day, including the UK radio edit of Zebra and The Arrangement. There's only 500 Copies worldwide for release, but you can hear MP3s of The Arrangement and download Zebra (UK Radio Edit) below.

 Beach House - The Arrangement by Bella Union

Beach House - Zebra (UK Radio Edit) (MP3)

Buy Teen Dream via Amazon.com

Album Review: Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can (March 22, 2010)

Laura Marling
I Speak Because I Can (March 22, 2010)
Virgin Records (UK)
Folk/Indie Folk/Acoustic


Laura Marling is one of those distant public characters who whilst shunning the limelight in a celebrity sense, on the musical side of things never fail to impress with their innovation and creativity. Off the back of a stunning debut album Alas, I Cannot Swim.. the undisputed first lady of British folk attracted as much mainstream attention for her seventeen years as she did for her playing ability and lyrical prowess. At the time in a relationship with Charlie Fink of Noah & The Whale, the folk-pop band's lead singer in turn produced Marling's first album. But the demise of this relationship in the years following eventually led to not only Noah & The Whale's controversial 'First Days of Spring', a downbeat shoegazing album and partial tribute to their relationship, but also a long-standing break from her wealth of 2007 musical collaborations for the young musician. Growing closer to and frequently touring with Mumford & Sons - Marling eventually entered into a relationship with lead singer Marcus Mumford.

Perhaps linking music with high profile relationships is not standard practise for an album review, but when all three parties in this supposed London folk soap opera write so personally and beautifully about their inner emotions, these ties seem so much more relevant. I Speak Because I Can.. is filled with themes of depression "I'm clearing all the crap out of my room // trying desperately to figure out what it is that makes me blue" - the breakdown of relationships, as well as natural and religious imagery. Indeed the first track of the album, Devil's Spoke tells of lust and fragility through the medium of religious reference "hold your devil by his spoke and spin him to the ground". The sinister feel behind the lyrics of this song are matched and exceeded by some of the darkest folk chords Marling has recorded to date. In a similar vein to previous album opener 'Ghosts' - she tackles issues head on in 'Devil's Spoke' with a high tempo and emotionally strung song-writing unparalleled across the rest of the album.

Confrontational is the word to describe I Speak...The title is certainly suggestive of an empowering ability to take things into your own hands, an idea not so clear from Alas, I Cannot Swim. I Speak.. It has its tranquil moments, a lot of them - but it is often the calmest introductions which ultimately come to brood with the most sinister strums and the darkest of piano notes. This album is truly as turbulent as they come. Alpha Shadows brims with anger, "I'll fall and I'll fall and I'll fall" proceeding an intense and dynamic build up into the shades of personality that Marling's lyrics merely touch upon. Blackberry Stone and Made By Maid are more relaxed, and really bring out influences from Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell in the 60s folk recording style. The switch from Charlie Fink to Kings of Leon producer Ethan Johns certainly plays a part in this. As the acoustics have got crisper, so has the range and texture Laura Marling's voice - which through her polite song-writing, she manages to imply far more than she forces demonstrations. Notes and melodies which are comparatively simple Marling pulls off with a vocal sound and honest delivery like no other.

In short, I Speak.. certainly proves that a singer so offended by a one-time comment from a fan that her songs were "pretty folk songs about boys" could not be further from some of her given descriptions. I Speak.. displays ever-stronger poetic lyricism in better recorded, increasingly dynamic and mood-swinging traditional folk music. Laura Marling has exceeded all expectation in her follow-up.

Laura Marling - Blackberry Stone (MP3)
Laura Marling - Goodbye England (Covered In Snow) (MP3)

Midweek Round-up #15/4: New Deer Tick, LCD Soundsystem, The National, Crystal Castles + More

I spent the first half of this week locked-up at The Ranch Recording Studios in Southampton recording my band's first EP (more news on that coming soon), but despite this minor pre-occupation taking up twenty four hours of my last three days - what filtered through the blogs and news services in terms of new music certainly didn't pass me by. Monday saw the fantastic announcement from Reading Festival organisers that Surfer Blood, Girls and Wild Beasts were to be added to the already improved 2010 line-up; one which has already seen Yeasayer, Crystal Castles and Phoenix booked in on the Radio 1 Stage. The festival was at no point going to compete with the provisional Glastonbury, Great Escape, or even Bestival line-ups for this Summer, but perhaps in the light of these further announcements, my vain and naive hope that Reading Festival might become a collection of great musicians as well as a festival of under-age drinking, becomes ever so slightly more realistic.

Surfer Blood - Floating Vibes (MP3) from Astro Coast - Out Now

On the subject of Girls, in the lead up to Mates of State's projected release of 'Crushes (The Covers Mixtape)' - they've dropped us a cover of Laura from 2009's 'Album' to wet our appetite - and although slightly cringey at times, the boy-girl harmonies from the Peter Katis produced duo certainly bring out a different side to the surf-pop anthem. The National, yet another band on that coveted Katis roster, had news of their own this week when they revealed the star-studded collaboration list that May's High Violet will feature. According to The Quietus Justin Vernon is the main harmony on 'Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks' and Richard Reed Parry from the Arcade Fire also features heavily on the record. Sufjan Stevens also personally revamped 'Afraid of Everyone' on what is promising to be The National's strongest instalment yet.

Mates of State - Laura (Girls Cover) (MP3) from Crushes (The Covers Mixtape) - Summer

The National - Bloodbuzz Ohio (MP3) from High Violet - May 11

In terms of new tracks, the biggest news of the week came from LCD Soundsystem, whose new songs are sprouting up across the blogosphere. A radio-ripped version of erratic dance track Dance Yourself Clean politely reminds us that James Murphy belongs with Hot Chip, and official single I Can Change is sounding equally as good, if a bit Caribou-esque. Murphy has stated that 'This Is Happening' is most likely the last LCD Soundsystem album. As mentioned in the post title, Deer Tick also dropped a new track last week from his upcoming album, The Black Dirt Sessions. 20 Miles features a twangy acoustic guitar and soulful blues/country vocals. The new one is out May 8, 2010 via Partisan Records. 

LCD Soundsystem - I Can Change (MP3) from This Is Happening - May 17
Deer Tick - 20 Miles (MP3) from The Black Dirt Sessions - May 8.


As pictured at the top, my next update deals with new London based band The Shimmer, who have already created quite a stir with their lo-fi rock tracks No Surprise At All and Lovers Void. In return for your email address, they've agreed to hand over another free download - Crash. Its not got quite the same pop-vibe as the former tracks, but with a dark overdriven bassy sound, and distant vocals - The Shimmer use the Kasabian electronica formula to create captivating shoegaze pop music.

The Shimmer - Crash (MP3)

Crystal Castles aired their new track Doe Deer on Radio 1 this week, and I found a Radio 1 Rip this morning on We All Want Someone To Shout For. The post has got it pretty spot on, its short, bad sound quality and tagged up by Radio 1 DJs - but at least its food for thought for those of us too eager and intrigued to wait until Record Store Day to find out what the band have been up to musically since 2008. The song sounds like electro-thrash, with a short repetitive riff clipping the sound quality joined by aggressive and inhuman screams from Alice Glass. You have to hear it to believe it, the new album is definitely going to be interesting. Joining Doe Deer is the Midnight Conspiracy Remix of Crimewave, an airy French Disco influenced take on the 2008 hit from the Chicago-based remixers.


Crystal Castles - Doe Deer (MP3) (Radio 1 Rip via We All Want Someone To Shout For) from Crystal Castles - June 7, 2010.

Crystal Castles - Crimewave (Midnight Conspiracy Remix) (MP3)

Search Amazon.com for Crystal Castles

Finally, if you're a regular reader, you'll appreciate my love for Technoir MA. This week, they've dropped a new video for their track 'Sparks', shot in Boston and Somerville, Massachusetts by Evan Ragon. You can watch it below or read my 2/B EP Review, which the duo released themselves in 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbXvPwhwGRU (for some reason Youtube's embedding is failing today, however the link is well worth a click)