Video: A Leave Taking - Bill Ryder-Jones

File this under spellbinding. I didn't know who Bill Ryder-Jones was but a trip to Wikipedia soon had me informed that he used to play guitar for the Coral but that he quit for 'reasons unknown'. Being a bit of a hater of The Coral I'd like to think that he maybe just realised their twee folk psychedlia was shit. But that's probably just me being unfair.

Anyway, Bill appears to be heading into the realms of contemporary classical music and if this video, directed by Adeline Mai, is anything to go by then that is a good thing. I struggle to understand within the video what is real and what is post-production, but regardless it's pretty special. The combination of filters applied to the swimming couple feels like a brilliant visualisation of the sounds. Just a word of warning - the video is probably slightly NSFW.

You can download Ryder-Jones' EP, A Leave Taking, for free here. He will be releasing his debut album on Domino imprint Double 6 soon.

BP x

Video: Pulsator - Synthjunk

Whoever Synthjunk is, this is basically him showing off. This video shows off not just his composition skills but also an immense collection of synthesisers. I'm quite jealous.

The video itself is also really well put together - filmed in low light black & white it really lets all those blinking lights on the equipment do the talking.

Check out Synthjunk's YouTube channel for more.

BP x

Video: Overseas With Love - Kriget

Kriget hail from Sweden and their uncompromising mix of drums, bass and sax is an assault on the allegedly staid Swedish club scene (so says the press release). Unsurprising then perhaps that the name translates as 'the war'.

The band cite references as Suicide, DAF, Lee Scratch Perry and Gang of Four - all of which can be heard in single 'Overseas With Love' here. The pure distorted aggression on this track is brilliant - the drumming on its own is something else.

The video is fittingly fucked up - just a mash of projected imagery and real life to the point where it is difficult to tell which is what any more.

The single is out now to download and will be released on both a 7" and 12" at some point in the future, with the latter including a remix from JD Twitch of Optimo. The video was directed by Team Tony. You can purchase the album or get a bit more information on Kriget from their official site.

BP x

Overseas With Love is available from Amazon.co.uk on MP3 [affiliate link].

Video: Hawaiian Air - Friendly Fires

Friendly Fires' eponymous debut album was one of my favourite albums of 2008, their epic indie sound capturing the feeling of classic house perfectly. The band's sophomore album, Pala, came out a few weeks back - I'm aiming to do a full write up soon but suffice to say there are a few gems and 'Hawaiian Air', performed live above for the O2 Academy, is one such gem.

'Hawaiian Air' is Friendly Fires' next single and it does a cracking job of capturing the excitement that fuels a long flight to a far off land so it's definitely worth checking out the video above. You can also head over to YouTube for videos of 'Jump In The Pool' off the first album and another Pala highlight in 'Blue Cassette'.

Friendly Fires tour the UK in November this year - details are on the tour page on their site.

BP x

Video: Blue Lanterns on East Oxford - Mountains

Mountains - Blue Lanterns on East Oxford from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.

I've been checking out Mountains' new album having really enjoyed the last one and I have it sounds pretty special. This video for 'Blue Lanterns on East Oxford' seems to perfectly encapsulate what the duo are about, taking natural imagery and twisting it to make captivating patterns.

I particularly dig the clouds. Check it and prepare to zone-out.

BP x