Double-bubble for your Phoebe Ryan needs today... We've got the new Jon Hoeg directed video for Mine, below, and it's every bit as lovely as you would expect. Below that we a Michael Keenan remix of the same track featuring a new verse from rapper Skizzy Mars. Nice.
Album Review: Late Night Tales - Jon Hopkins
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Jon Hopkins’ Immunity is undoubtedly one of my favourite albums of this decade so far. A haunting series of visions - a cinematic journey that transitions from something seemingly engineered to something altogether more human. It feels like since releasing that album Hopkins has been taking stock and evaluating what to do next: we have had re-imaginings of the material from Immunity and collaborations that saw guest vocals added to a handful of songs, the soundtrack to How I Live Now, but little that suggests what we should expect next from the artist Jon Hopkins, rather than the producer Jon Hopkins.
Perhaps this latest mix for Late Night Tales may point the way… Opening with the hauntingly familiar but previously unreleased Sleepers Beat Theme from composer Ben Lukas Boysen this is a mix more concerned with mood and cinematics than technique or obvious emotion… Fingers delicately weave across keys, hearts stir, time slows for a moment. And what follows is a series of interrelated moments and snapshots that alternate between the two styles Hopkins primarily operates within - dense leftfield electronic and melodic piano-based classical.
There are more great moments on this album than I have the time, space or desire to call out, but it is safe to say Hopkins has a firm handle on some of the best work of his contemporaries. Here on Late Night Tales he manages to combine them into a sense of narrative. Nils Frahm's More feels stark, ice-like and exposed, whilst Leatherette's After Dawn is a looping, emotive electronic wonder. There are contrasts at play, yet it all works, and manages to feel both sophisticated but utterly irresistible at the same time.
Hopkins also manages to introduce some recognisable pieces - Jónsi & Alex's Daniell In The Sea and School Of Seven Bells' Conjur. Along with Alela Diane's lady Divine these songs are woven into the wider album, create temporary centre pieces. Diane's track in particularly creates a earthy femininity that feels like a gentle touchdown after David Holmes' stellar and contemplative Hey Maggy.
And the influence of the curator of this album extends beyond the track selection and sequencing... As is customary with Late Night Tales albums Hopkins provides a new track in the form of a hauntingly minimal piano version of Yeasayer's I Remember. He also adds his own elements - paino and synths - to transition some of these songs. The overall thought that has gone into the selection and sequencing of this album is clear.
Late Night Tales mixes can sometimes feel disperate - a friend thumbing through their favourite records. Hopkins shoots for something more than that here, and the result is one of the strongest compilations and entries into the series in memory.
Jon Hopkins Late Night Tales is out on 2 March, available to pre-order on CD, LP or MP3 [affiliates links].
Stream: Chemical - Jack Garratt
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Another big release from one of this year's most exciting artists, Jack Garratt. Chemical is one of the most upfront dance tracks we've heard from Garratt so far, with some insane grime bass lines, syncopated rhythms and those trademark falsetto vocals coming together to mark a heartfelt bluesy dance-floor freak-out.
Chemical comes as Jack confirms the release of his sophomore EP, The Synesthesiac EP, due on Island Records on 13 April. The EP is also set to include The Love You're Given, which Jack previewed late last year - it can be heard via Soundcloud below and remains one of my favourite tracks of the past year.
Alongside the new release Jack has announced a second live date at London's Village Underground, after the first date sold out in under 48-hours. The new gig is scheduled for 25 May. The Village Underground dates come at the end of an also just announced full tour, and tickets can be grabbed here for just £8 (£10 in London). The full tour dates are as follows:
13th May – Exeter, Cavern
14th May – The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
15th May - The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
16th May – Oxford, Academy 2
18th May – Birmingham, Hare and Hounds
19th May – Manchester, Academy 3
20th May – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
21st May – Bristol, Thekla
25th May – Village Underground, London
26th May – Village Underground, London SOLD OUT
Download / Video: Red Diamond - Best Youth
Awesome video and sultry dream pop from Portuguese duo Best Youth. The group are offering Red Diamond as a free download in anticipation of their forthcoming debut album.
Check out the video below, or download the MP3 through Soundcloud at the bottom.
Stream: New Moon - Tom Aspaul
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Off the back of his first single to be lifted from Aspaul's forthcoming Revelation Mixtape, New Moon is another slice of cool electronic soul from the Wolverhampton-born, London-based singer.
New Moon is actually inspired by two different R&B tracks and if you listen you can pick them both out... The chord sequence is based on 80s groove of Carly Simon's Why, whilst the lyrics come from Brandy's Full Moon. Apaul adds his own touches and some nice lo-fi production.
Look out for the Revelation Mixtape later this month.