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Music To Start the Week With #039
by: Diego Martínez
Every now and then, while resting in a hammock with red wine at hand and facing the dusty ceiling, yours truly tends to dabble on a major concern: what to say about the WILD playlist that hasn’t been said in the past 38 weeks. Should we add that it has a nice flavor? That it goes with almost any season of the year? That by hearing each and every song you’ll be ten times cooler than you already are? I admit it, it’s a constant mental struggle.
No other statement could be more important than the one you are familiar with: we bring ten different numbers each time, representing the hottest and freshest sounds, building up what we hope it would be the soundtrack to your weekly routine. This time is no exception.
Make way for a playlist filled with plenty of new acts and your occasional retro bit. From 1 to 10, here is this week’s list:
We begin with Canadian four-piece Hot Panda, who just announced the release of their third album Go Outside, out July 17th via Mint Records. The paranoic first single “Future Markets” sets the tone for a record that’s definitely more mature and thoughtful, tackling issues like cynicism, depression and close-mindedness while retaining the energy and humor of their earlier stuff.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: it’s a must to cool off with great music during this hot weather. It just so happens that “Slow Down,” first single off the forthcoming debut of Californian outfit Poolside, brings some necessary breeze to the Summer. Their synth/R&B-clapping jams are served best with a crystal-blue pool and a cocktail at hand. Poolside’s album, Pacific Standard Time, is scheduled for July 9.
3. Blackbird Blackbird – Happy With You
Things are happening in Mikey Maramag’s camp. A few days ago, he took on his Facebook page and posted a mysterious status that read “Just got signed.” He later commented on that status with a Soundcloud link to “Happy With You” and an even more mysterious message, “Label: Announcement Soon.” Details on his signing should indeed be announced within the next couple of days, hopefully. In the meantime, let’s rejoice on this summerish melody, off his upcoming EP entitled Boracay Planet.
Jack Tatum has made a name of himself since 2009 with his cool take on dreamy rock music. He’s sticking to his guns with Nocturne, the follow-up to 2010′s Gemini. It includes “Shadow,” a fabulous creation that shows off exactly what Wild Nothing do so well: hazy indie guitars, tight basslines, soft keyboards and Tatum’s wistful vocals. Perfect for any ‘lazy day’ soundtrack.
5. David Byrne & St. Vincent – Who
The match of Talking Heads’ legend David Byrne and singer-songwriter St. Vincent is one made in art rock heaven, although slightly troubled. They met three years ago at a Björk and Dirty Projectors charity show and were approached about working in a project together. Extensive writing sessions took place over the course of that time and soon, they were on to something quite epic. And a song like “Who” is as epic as you’ll ever get by merging both artists’ unique sounds. Love This Giant is out on September 10 via 4AD/Todo Mundo.
6. Ta-Ku – Higher (Flume Remix)
Feelgood tunes just keep on coming. From sunny Australia, young prodigy Flume reworked Ta-Ku’s “Higher” and set an impossibly higher bar by blending his electronic expertise on the beatmaker’s hip-hop sensibility. The end result is edgy and fresh, as anything Flume can produce and stream on his Soundcloud.
7. Charli XCX – Nuclear Seasons
Meet Marina & The Diamonds’ haunting cousin. The buzz over the sensual and electric Charli XCX has been picking up steam since her SXSW performances in March. This summer, she’ll be adding other festival gigs to her name, including the Justice/M83-headlined Hard Fest at Fort York in Toronto on August 4. “Nuclear Seasons,” from her You’re The One EP, is filled with heavy ’80s synth, dance beats and powerhouse vocals from the goth-pop goddess.
It’s been seriously hard to keep this 1984 Electropop classic out of my head once I rediscovered it in Midnight Shift, one of the latest in the Disco Discharge series. It is addictive as it is confusing. Did this German Hasselhoff just say he was “a cake that wants to be baked”? I thought dessert analogies began and ended with “MacArthur Park.” Still, it’s a damn mover.
9. Autoerotique – Roll The Drums (JFK Edit)
Yep, this is something that might revive someone from the dead. JFK (of MSTRKRFT fame) made a rave out of Autoerotique’s “Roll The Drums,” focusing on the enormous drum lines, epic build ups and synth leads of the original track. Want some? Grab a free download of the edit at Dim Mak Records’ Soundcloud and buy Autoerotique’s EKG EP on iTunes.
We bid farewell for this week with the NYC-based duo of Sky Barbarick and Matt Buszko, known as Noosa. This up-and-coming act has just released their debut EP on iTunes and one of its highlights is the opener “Walk On By.” Beginning with heavy piano and woozyly vocals reminiscent of Lana Del Rey, the tune beautifully evolves into complex and rich territory with the help of fast lyrics and lush strings. A pair of talents on the lookout, what a way to end things eh?
