mp3

MP3: If a Train Was a Doctor Was a Song - The Whiskey Priest

A couple of weeks ago BlackPlastic reviewed the Whiskey Priest's new album Wave and Cloud, taking time to specifically highlight how bloody lovely the tune 'If a Train Was a Doctor Was a Song' is.

Well good news for you - the label Rainboot have offered the song up as a free download on Soundcloud.  You won't even need to part with any data.  BlackPlastic can't over-emphasise how good this is so take the opportunity to have a listen and then go and buy the album.

BP x

News: New Cut Copy track 'Where I'm Going' is out there...

So when Cut Copy recently alluded to the fact that they had been listening to Fleetwood Mac's Tusk a lot whilst making their new album BlackPlastic wasn't all that surprised. In fact BlackPlastic had always heard strains of Fleetwood Mac in the Copy's sophomore record In Ghost Colours.

But then we hadn't quite expected this. Cut Copy have just released the free download of 'Where I'm Going' on their site in exchange for your email address and it's a pleasant surprise. The influence of producer Ben Allen (Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley) is immediately apparent - the sound is generally more spacious, ambient and psychedelic - and the whole feel of the song is more organic, less electronic. And its bloody marvelous.

What makes Cut Copy so great is that every time they release a new record they sound like a brand new absolutely fantastic band. This track makes BlackPlastic super excited for the album.

Head over to the official Cut Copy website to download 'Where I'm Going'.

BP x

MP3: Water's Edge - Greg Paulus

Hopefully wherever you are this weekend the weather is as good as it is for BlackPlastic this weekend. Whilst soaking up the sun few things are better than a soundtrack of dubby house and as such we're extra stoked to be able to share this track from Greg Paules' What's Mine Is Yours EP.

Paulus originally got into jazz music via samples in hip-hop, listening to records by A Tribe Called Quest and J Dilla, and his listening habits manifest themselves in the playful rhythms and warmth of this record. James studied music and culture in Havana, Cuba, before moving to New York to continue studying jazz and classical where he has spent time studying and working with James Brown drummer Jabo Starks and Lauren Hill.

Following a period on tour with band Beirut Paulus has now settled in Brooklyn and is focusing on electronic music. He also records as Just One Night with Gadi Mizrahi of Wolf + Lamb, founder of Double Standard Records, on which this EP is released.

'Water's Edge' isn't a full on club track - take this one and keep it with you for poolside lounging and days on the beach... It's perfect for soaking up the summer sun to.

Download Greg Paulus' 'Water's Edge' on MP3 [right click, save as]. 

BP x

The What's Mine Is Yours EP is out now on Double Standard Records. 

Video / MP3: Grindin' - Nobody Beats the Drum

This new video for Nobody Beats the Drum's new track 'Grindin'' initially look like a simple, all be it cool, computer generated visualisation of the track... Only when you are a third in does it become apparent that it is actually stop frame animation.

The video is honestly seriously cool and really reminds BlackPlastic of Michel Gondry's work and since he is our favourite ever music video director that is glowing praise.  The video was actually made not by some high profile director but by the band's own VJ / visual artist Rogier van der Zwaag and it is comprised of 4,085 photos stitched together to create one continuous whole.  The end result is a bit of a head fuck - it seems to gradually build up until so much is happening that it becomes a little unnerving.

The tune itself is decent too, a nice wonky electro anthem.

Download Nobody Beats the Drum's 'Grindin'' on MP3 [right click, save as]

If you are interested in seeing how the video was made there is a making of short film on YouTube too.

BP x

Single Review: Shark's Tooth - Archie Bronson Outfit

The Archie Bronson Outfit's new track, taken from the forthcoming Coconut album (out 1 March), is exactly the kind of scratchy alienating music BlackPlastic hopes is playing when we finally lose the plot and the fine thread that keeps the world the right way up snaps.

It's angst then, but the best kind of angst - artsy and well dressed. With a wall of distorted guitar-work 'Shark's Tooth' manages to create a sound that actually feels like the serrated edge of its namesake.

The forthcoming album is produced by ex-DFA (yes, ex) darling Tim Goldsworthy. Judging by this effort it is likely to be a big departure from his work with Hercules & Love Affair and Cut Copy into the realm of jerky guitar post-punk. Which makes BlackPlastic excited. If it is all as good as this then it will be a significant achievement for both band a knob-twiddler.

Check it out the Ferry Gouw directed video above and, even better, head over to the Archie Bronson Outfit website to download the MP3 for free.  The 7" is out on Monday.

BP x