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
A couple of months back I linked to the Domino site where you could download album track 'ep' so I thought I'd share another track off the album. This one you (sadly) can't download but it is well worth a stream over at Soundcloud. 'Banana Ripple' is the album closer and blends the Boys' usual warm, soft sound with a loved up sense of Ballearia. It's pure summer joy and I love it.
Junior Boys - Banana Ripple by DominoRecordCo
Get excited: summer's here.
BP x
This dichotomy is perfectly epitomised by second track 'Tell Me Why (Part I)' and its sister track, the penultimate 'Tell Me Why (Part II)'. Both are dark, chugging tech-house numbers but the shorter, second part starts stripped of its beat and when it eventually throws a loose bass line into the mix it is accompanied by some jazzy vibes to create a disconcerting collage of sounds. It is both at once paranoid and blissfully unaware. Unfortunately the longer, earlier version has none of the subtlety - it aims for soulful but feels nagging and, sadly, dull. Kenny Glasgow's vocals just feel uninspired and turgid.
There are highlights however. 'Vampire Nightclub' is Art Department at their best. With a slow build and plenty of room, it feels much more like it takes its time than 'Tell Me Why' and that's because, at ten-minutes long, it does. The difference is that something actually happens during all of that time. What makers of modern day tech-house often miss when taking inspiration from their techno forefathers is the importance of progression. Early techno feels revelatory because of its overtly futuristic aesthetic, but it wouldn't have been anything if those early tracks, such as Derrick May's 'Strings of Life', didn't build and evolve. 'Vampire Nightclub' is the best track on this album because it doesn't stay in one place - unlike much here it builds and adds texture.
'In The Mood' also shines, taking the same break used in Q-Tip's 'Breath & Stop'. Here, in the context of The Drawing Board, its brief three-minutes feels raw, intimate and urgent.
Ultimately Art Department could do with taking a little advice from the sample that closes their own (admittedly great) 'What Does It Sound Like': "You gotta always remember the name of the game is what does is sound like?" Too often it feels like the duo believe their own hype.
The Drawing Board has promise but ultimately seriously misfires in a few places due to the over use of meaningless 'soulful' vocals and, sadly, a lack of ideas. Take half of this album and you have some well put together, intelligent dance music - just leave that other half.
I have no idea who Party Supplies is except for the fact he is on Fools Gold Records, hails from Brooklyn, New York and is clearly highly adept at using a drum machine. Check the video above for his awesome live remixing on Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros' 'Home'. Awesome stuff.
Check out Party Supplies' site for more.
BP x
I have no idea if Video Violence harbour some sort of deep affection for Minther's wholesome pop or if this is some sort of back-handed compliment. Or given the artwork maybe it's just a full-on insult. Whatever: it sounds deeply unwell, and for that I salute it. On SoundCloud Video Violence have tagged this as robostep, and that just about does it for us. Once this drops it's like dubstep for those of us with no heart. Married to Ulrik's sugary chorus this turns into something utterly ridiculous.
Ulrik Munther - Boys Don't Cry (Video Violence Remix) by videoviolence
BP x