Jordan Bolton: “Lull”.

27 Jul 2011 — Tonje Thilesen

Young DIY musicians is not a new phenomenon these days, but we still find it hard to believe that Manchester's Jordan Bolton is only 18 years of age, especially after discovering the amazing pop tune Lull (below) at his soundcloud page earlier this week. After exploring different sounds and genres, Bolton released his debut EP Jazz Hands in late 2010, however slowly to find his own, more particular signature in the splendid little four-track EP Silver Age in February this year. We'll get back to you with a brand, new track of his in August, so stay tuned until then. Jordan Bolton - Lull Read more →

Young DIY musicians is not a new phenomenon these days, but we still find it hard to believe that Manchester's Jordan Bolton is only 18 years of age, especially after discovering the amazing pop tune Lull (below) at his soundcloud page earlier this week. After exploring different sounds and genres, Bolton released his debut EP Jazz Hands in late 2010, however slowly to find his own, more particular signature in the splendid little four-track EP Silver Age in February this year. We'll get back to you with a brand, new track of his in August, so stay tuned until then. Jordan Bolton - Lull

NFOP loves: Dakotafish.

25 Jul 2011 — Tonje Thilesen

I think it's about time we give the LA based three-piece Dakotafish a few more good words, especially after the release of their (in my opinion) long-awaited debut full-lenght Many Moons, which most definitely deserves more than only 4600 plays on last.fm. Our good friends over at I Guess I'm Floating even introduced us to Mike Fish and his band as early as three years ago, but didn't for some reason get any more blog hype around their music before releasing the ridiculously catchy single Jitter earlier last year. This time, Dakotafish is back with a stronger and more organic sound than ever, now with bigger drums, less synths and bright, polyphonic vocals; leaning towards both psychedelic rock and electronic/indie pop, however with an exception of the old single and first track Jitter, which differs from the rest of the album with its dancy, synthpoppy sound. I might even go as far as saying we are witnessing a pop group being born in front of our eyes, so don't let this record leave you unheard. You can even download it for free right here. Dakotafish - Midnight Lemonade Dakotafish - Strange Symmetry Dakotafish - Jitter Read more → I think it's about time we give the LA based three-piece Dakotafish a few more good words, especially after the release of their (in my opinion) long-awaited debut full-lenght Many Moons, which most definitely deserves more than only 4600 plays on last.fm. Our good friends over at I Guess I'm Floating even introduced us to Mike Fish and his band as early as three years ago, but didn't for some reason get any more blog hype around their music before releasing the ridiculously catchy single Jitter earlier last year. This time, Dakotafish is back with a stronger and more organic sound than ever, now with bigger drums, less synths and bright, polyphonic vocals; leaning towards both psychedelic rock and electronic/indie pop, however with an exception of the old single and first track Jitter, which differs from the rest of the album with its dancy, synthpoppy sound. I might even go as far as saying we are witnessing a pop group being born in front of our eyes, so don't let this record leave you unheard. You can even download it for free right here. Dakotafish - Midnight Lemonade Dakotafish - Strange Symmetry Dakotafish - Jitter

Two Bicycles: “Window”.

24 Jul 2011 — Tonje Thilesen

During the sad days that has passed since the terrorist attacks in Oslo that cost over 90 human lives, 86 of them of our most valuable younger generation, I couldn't find a better way to swallow the sadness than listening to our finest ambient tunemaker Two Bicycles newest LP Window while watching the ocean all day. Our love goes out to friends and families whom have lost their loved ones in this meaningless tragedy. Download this pretty little gem via our friends at The Apiary. Two Bicycles - Window #1 Two Bicycles - Window #2 Read more →

During the sad days that has passed since the terrorist attacks in Oslo that cost over 90 human lives, 86 of them of our most valuable younger generation, I couldn't find a better way to swallow the sadness than listening to our finest ambient tunemaker Two Bicycles newest LP Window while watching the ocean all day. Our love goes out to friends and families whom have lost their loved ones in this meaningless tragedy. Download this pretty little gem via our friends at The Apiary. Two Bicycles - Window #1 Two Bicycles - Window #2

Water Moccasins: “Gone / Stay Here”.

23 Jul 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Remember The CQ? That pretty incredible Bedford, New Hampshire duo consisting of the two staggeringly young teenagers Kris and Aaron whose dead honest shoegaze devotionalism stirred up some considerable blog buzz last summer? If not, nevermind: We just heard the news that "The CQ is no more". Don't be sad though, as Aaron Neveu has already started another thing, and the stuff he's dropped with his solo project Water Moccasins yesterday easily continues to amaze us, featuring everything we adored The CQ for, the astonishing knack for energy-laden, heavily fuzzed-out washes of guitar and synth, the beautiful melodies and the overall tone of self-sufficient excitement. In fact, these unexpected gems are some of the best new pure power pop music I've come across in a while. Cop Gone and Stay Here below, and get the (instrumental) rest of Water Moccasins' short debut EP Broken Tone over at bandcamp. Water Moccasins - Gone Water Moccasins - Stay Here Read more → Remember The CQ? That pretty incredible Bedford, New Hampshire duo consisting of the two staggeringly young teenagers Kris and Aaron whose dead honest shoegaze devotionalism stirred up some considerable blog buzz last summer? If not, nevermind: We just heard the news that "The CQ is no more". Don't be sad though, as Aaron Neveu has already started another thing, and the stuff he's dropped with his solo project Water Moccasins yesterday easily continues to amaze us, featuring everything we adored The CQ for, the astonishing knack for energy-laden, heavily fuzzed-out washes of guitar and synth, the beautiful melodies and the overall tone of self-sufficient excitement. In fact, these unexpected gems are some of the best new pure power pop music I've come across in a while. Cop Gone and Stay Here below, and get the (instrumental) rest of Water Moccasins' short debut EP Broken Tone over at bandcamp. Water Moccasins - Gone Water Moccasins - Stay Here

Meadowlands: “Tinkerbell”.

23 Jul 2011 — Henning Lahmann

La Grande Nation's national day is all over already, but here's a gentle synth incursion Michael McGregor recorded on Bastille Day - in celebration of the occasion, as both above Paris city map and the set's title, Bon 14 Juillet, suggest - under his Meadowlands moniker, but these repetitive analog loops that are spread across a warm bed of tape hiss are highly contemplating and will continue to be a very worthwhile listen even when the Parisians have long returned from their coastal refuges by the end of August. The set's other, equally great track Candelaria is up over here. Meadowlands - Tinkerbell Read more → La Grande Nation's national day is all over already, but here's a gentle synth incursion Michael McGregor recorded on Bastille Day - in celebration of the occasion, as both above Paris city map and the set's title, Bon 14 Juillet, suggest - under his Meadowlands moniker, but these repetitive analog loops that are spread across a warm bed of tape hiss are highly contemplating and will continue to be a very worthwhile listen even when the Parisians have long returned from their coastal refuges by the end of August. The set's other, equally great track Candelaria is up over here. Meadowlands - Tinkerbell

Video Premiere: MSOTT - “Dreamcatcher”.

22 Jul 2011 — Henning Lahmann

In case you haven't noticed it until today, Rachel Evans is killing it this year. Only a mere month after the release of her utterly brilliant Digitalis LP Luminaries (more here), she's already on it again with her solo project Motion Sickness Of Time Travel, firmly establishing herself as one of today's most relevant female exponents of experimental music. Dreamcatcher is the title track of her forthcoming cassette on Montréal's Hobo Cult Records that's due sometime in early August. The nature-heavy video (as well as above artwork) was made by Hobo Cult's own Francesco de Gallo aka Moduli TV, perfectly capturing the tune's tone and atmosphere, delicately putting the viewer into a dreamlike state. Dreamcatcher will be released in an edition of 200 pro-dubbed and pro-imprinted cassettes. Watch this space for ordering details soon. Read more → In case you haven't noticed it until today, Rachel Evans is killing it this year. Only a mere month after the release of her utterly brilliant Digitalis LP Luminaries (more here), she's already on it again with her solo project Motion Sickness Of Time Travel, firmly establishing herself as one of today's most relevant female exponents of experimental music. Dreamcatcher is the title track of her forthcoming cassette on Montréal's Hobo Cult Records that's due sometime in early August. The nature-heavy video (as well as above artwork) was made by Hobo Cult's own Francesco de Gallo aka Moduli TV, perfectly capturing the tune's tone and atmosphere, delicately putting the viewer into a dreamlike state. Dreamcatcher will be released in an edition of 200 pro-dubbed and pro-imprinted cassettes. Watch this space for ordering details soon.

Holy Spirits: “Handmade Sun”.

22 Jul 2011 — Henning Lahmann

Way back about a year ago, Brooklyn outfit Holy Spirits blew us right away with Bridges from their brilliant debut EP The Afternoon's Blood, an otherworldly beautiful track that literally came out of nowhere. September brought another sensational effort with their collaborative single with NFOP favorites Gem Club, Fingertips, but then it took the guys till May to come up with another selection of beauties. However, it was clearly worth the wait: Mutual Spirits, their aptly titled split 12 inch with Mutual Benefit, comprises four new Holy Spirits tunes that all feature the group's signature harmony-driven pop. With its complex arrangements and cinemascope-like construction, Handmade Sun is the EP's standout song, an absolutely marvelous and utterly breathtaking effort. Mutual Sprits is out on Father/Daughter Records and can be ordered here. Holy Spirits - Handmade Sun Read more → Way back about a year ago, Brooklyn outfit Holy Spirits blew us right away with Bridges from their brilliant debut EP The Afternoon's Blood, an otherworldly beautiful track that literally came out of nowhere. September brought another sensational effort with their collaborative single with NFOP favorites Gem Club, Fingertips, but then it took the guys till May to come up with another selection of beauties. However, it was clearly worth the wait: Mutual Spirits, their aptly titled split 12 inch with Mutual Benefit, comprises four new Holy Spirits tunes that all feature the group's signature harmony-driven pop. With its complex arrangements and cinemascope-like construction, Handmade Sun is the EP's standout song, an absolutely marvelous and utterly breathtaking effort. Mutual Sprits is out on Father/Daughter Records and can be ordered here. Holy Spirits - Handmade Sun