Panabrite: “Soft Terminal”.

01 Mar 2012 — Henning Lahmann

For someone who seems to have been around forever, not least on this blog, it came as a surprise to read that Soft Terminal is actually to be considered the proper debut LP by Seattle drone/ambient mainstay Norm Chambers aka Panabrite. What I've always admired most about his music is that despite all his playful experimentalism that frequently results in breathtakingly complex arrangements and layer over layer of analogue synthesis, each single track always remains instantly accessible and almost effortlessly enjoyable, and the eight tracks on Soft Terminal are no exception to this. In fact, maybe his music has even never been more accessible than on tracks like "Janus", which adds a finger-picked acoustic guitar to the mix, or the sublime album opener "Rainbow Sequence", which you may listen to below, that starts with a heavily processed voice and simple, delayed chords before the composition develops a massive, sprawling soundscape that can only be called jaw-dropping. This is a superb effort, something we cannot recommend enough. Soft Terminal is out today on Digitalis Recordings. You may order directly from the label (US and Canada) or via Boomkat (rest of the world). Read more → For someone who seems to have been around forever, not least on this blog, it came as a surprise to read that Soft Terminal is actually to be considered the proper debut LP by Seattle drone/ambient mainstay Norm Chambers aka Panabrite. What I've always admired most about his music is that despite all his playful experimentalism that frequently results in breathtakingly complex arrangements and layer over layer of analogue synthesis, each single track always remains instantly accessible and almost effortlessly enjoyable, and the eight tracks on Soft Terminal are no exception to this. In fact, maybe his music has even never been more accessible than on tracks like "Janus", which adds a finger-picked acoustic guitar to the mix, or the sublime album opener "Rainbow Sequence", which you may listen to below, that starts with a heavily processed voice and simple, delayed chords before the composition develops a massive, sprawling soundscape that can only be called jaw-dropping. This is a superb effort, something we cannot recommend enough. Soft Terminal is out today on Digitalis Recordings. You may order directly from the label (US and Canada) or via Boomkat (rest of the world).

Premiere: James & Evander - “Let’s Go”.

01 Mar 2012 — Tonje Thilesen

I can't believe it's already been two years since James & Evander dropped their splendid mini-album Sunlight & Cicuirty, an album cover so beautiful that it was easily recognized on several blogs' 2010 end of year lists, even though the hype around them wasn't exactly massive. Since then they've grown a little bit out from the synthpop pond and into bigger, glitchy waters, leaning more towards disco pop now than ever. Somehow they have still managed to keep their cape of spacey darkness intact, making you feel like your body is rushing through cities in fast-forward motion, with lines of light streaming towards you from every corner. "Let's Go" (below) is the A-side taken from a 7 inch vinyl that will be out on March 20th via Gold Robot Records. James & Evander - Let's Go Read more → I can't believe it's already been two years since James & Evander dropped their splendid mini-album Sunlight & Cicuirty, an album cover so beautiful that it was easily recognized on several blogs' 2010 end of year lists, even though the hype around them wasn't exactly massive. Since then they've grown a little bit out from the synthpop pond and into bigger, glitchy waters, leaning more towards disco pop now than ever. Somehow they have still managed to keep their cape of spacey darkness intact, making you feel like your body is rushing through cities in fast-forward motion, with lines of light streaming towards you from every corner. "Let's Go" (below) is the A-side taken from a 7 inch vinyl that will be out on March 20th via Gold Robot Records. James & Evander - Let's Go

Maundrie Fox: “I Miss”.

01 Mar 2012 — Tonje Thilesen

You might want to add these aching, Baths-meets-Shlohmo beats of Maundrie Fox on your list of new musical discoveries today, as we can guarantee it will not be the last time you'll hear from this guy. Originally from Philadelphia but currently based in South Korea working at the booking agency Super Color Super, the producer and multi-instrumentalist Eric Anderson creates soundwaves variying from minimal, organic flows to the slightly more synth-infused, Slow Magic esque future pop, but performs it in an elegant, exploring way. It might just as well have come out of Australia. His first self-titled EP release can be purchased via Bandcamp or streamed below. Read more → You might want to add these aching, Baths-meets-Shlohmo beats of Maundrie Fox on your list of new musical discoveries today, as we can guarantee it will not be the last time you'll hear from this guy. Originally from Philadelphia but currently based in South Korea working at the booking agency Super Color Super, the producer and multi-instrumentalist Eric Anderson creates soundwaves variying from minimal, organic flows to the slightly more synth-infused, Slow Magic esque future pop, but performs it in an elegant, exploring way. It might just as well have come out of Australia. His first self-titled EP release can be purchased via Bandcamp or streamed below.

Hear Hums: “Opens”.

01 Mar 2012 — Henning Lahmann

I know we're awfully late on this, but anyway we'd like to at least mention briefly that whatever you might be up to these days, you definitely shouldn't miss the latest full-length by Florida duo Hear Hums. These folks have constantly enchanted these pages their unique approach towards contemporary weirdo pop with their blend of shamanic, vocal-centered mystique and thriving rhythmic spectacle. This is convoluted, sprawling, and at times rather bulky, but all in the best way possible - it's hard to find something more playful and explorative today. Opens is available now via bandcamp. Hear Hums - Shrines Read more → I know we're awfully late on this, but anyway we'd like to at least mention briefly that whatever you might be up to these days, you definitely shouldn't miss the latest full-length by Florida duo Hear Hums. These folks have constantly enchanted these pages their unique approach towards contemporary weirdo pop with their blend of shamanic, vocal-centered mystique and thriving rhythmic spectacle. This is convoluted, sprawling, and at times rather bulky, but all in the best way possible - it's hard to find something more playful and explorative today. Opens is available now via bandcamp. Hear Hums - Shrines

Video: Colours - “In the Summer”.

01 Mar 2012 — Henning Lahmann

Distinctively shoegaze-informed, mildly melancholic dream-pop by Australia's Colours, here with a brand new video for the new track "In the Summer" (which is still about right if you're down under) which will appear on the forthcoming compilation by Electric Voice Records, that will also feature artists such as Femminielli, D'eon, Jef Barbara, or The KVB, or in other words, quite a few of our favorite artists. The compilation will be out on cassette as well as 12 inch vinyl, and pre-order will start March 10 over here. Watch the aptly colorful and psychedelic video below, made by Toto Vivian. Read more → Distinctively shoegaze-informed, mildly melancholic dream-pop by Australia's Colours, here with a brand new video for the new track "In the Summer" (which is still about right if you're down under) which will appear on the forthcoming compilation by Electric Voice Records, that will also feature artists such as Femminielli, D'eon, Jef Barbara, or The KVB, or in other words, quite a few of our favorite artists. The compilation will be out on cassette as well as 12 inch vinyl, and pre-order will start March 10 over here. Watch the aptly colorful and psychedelic video below, made by Toto Vivian.