First Look: Post War Years

admin — Mon, 12 May 2008 11:27:30 +0000

Post War Years live in an abandoned hairdresser/Russian social club (obviously the two go hand in hand) in Leamington Spa, England, a place I’ve never heard of that probably isn’t quite as relaxing as it sounds. Having cruised into the new year on a wave of significant buzz, they’re debut single sees release today on shit-hot London imprint Chess Club, fresh off the release of last months’ mega-hyped White Lies single. “The Black Morning”, as it’s called, bounces along on a repetitious piano riff that borders on experimental ambiance, but quickly establishes itself as decidedly livelier fare on the strength of an animated drumbeat and a chorus of cascading synths and handclaps that goes down as one of the best in recent memory. Produced by fellow Leamington Spa up-and-comers Mysterons, the whole affair is highly reminiscent of Tom Vek’s eclectic sonic tapestries, but B-side “You And Me Both” could straight-up be a lost cut off Vek’s We Have Sound and those eagerly awaiting news of the reclusive multi-instrumentalist’s still-unannounced sophomore album would do well to get all up into this Post War Years’ single in the meantime.

MP3: “The Black Morning” – Post War Years
MP3: “You And Me Both” – Post War Years

In other news, Lykke Li’s debut UK single “I’m Good I’m Gone” hit the DJ circuit this past week with the circulation of the remix EP that will be supporting the single when its out via 679 June 2nd. Highlights include a remarkably decent Black Kids remix, but anyone throwing that up on the blogs is likely just trying to melt the hype machine with a track uniting the two biggest blog superstars of the new year, since it’s Fred Falke’s epic rework that completely steals the show here. Wait for the 4:20 mark when the lows drop out and Falke gets all atmospheric on your ass, before bringing the beat back harder then ever 40 seconds later. This is gold, folks.

MP3: “I’m Good I’m Gone” (Fred Falke Remix) – Lykke Li [link removed]
Finally, here’s another Good Weather exclusive courtesy of the I Was A Cub Scout bros and our friends over at Abeano Music. “Close To Me” is an undoubtedly unfuckwithable classic, but the Cub Scout guys do a pretty great job on this just-finished cover, the result of some found studio time and creative restlessness as they bask in the critical acclaim for their debut album, I Want You To Know That There Is Always Hope. They stay pretty faithful to the original, but that’s hardly a bad thing, and this is a great track to rock in this remarkably glorious springtime whether we’ve been enjoying for the past few weeks.

MP3: “Close To Me” – I Was A Cub Scout [exclusive]

ATP ruled harder than you can even imagine. Full report in the coming days, assuming I can find some time between finals tomorrow and heading down to Brighton for the Great Escape on Thursday.

First Look: Marina & The Diamonds

admin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:36:12 +0000

Female singer-songwriters had a banner year in 2007, with figureheads in this post-Lily-Allen-or-whatever movement like Kate Nash and Laura Marling killing it with major label deals, sold out tours, critically acclaimed releases and all kinds of other next-level shit. 2008 seems to be yielding more of the same, with industry heads shitting themselves over the likes of Lykke Li, Florence & The Machine and other left-field pop talents of their ilk. One such artist who’s flown under the radar to this point is Marina & The Diamonds, but her star is very much on the rise and you better believe you’ll be hearing a lot more about the Welsh-born chanteuse in 2008.

More Kate Bush than Kate Nash, Marina writes, sings, records and produces haunting piano-based tracks in her bedroom and the results are totally ace. Though I’ve heard but a scant three tracks, I don’t think it’s too soon to declare her a special talent worth writing the fuck home about. Tracks like “We’ve Got Obsessions” and “Hermit The Frog” establish her as a beacon of hope in the oversaturated and increasingly dull London singer-songwriter scene, her endearing personality shining through in her winning lyricism, and her powerful vocals and excellent lo-fi production validating her as the total package. Below is “We’ve Got Obsessions”, arguably her strongest track and, somewhat surprisingly, my most listened to song of 2008. Vulnerable, beautiful and damn near perfect. I get chills every third listen or so when that part when the beat drops after the first verse hits.

GWfA » First Look

First Look: Post War Years

First Look: Marina & The Diamonds