Stuart Howard’s music feels accessible and removed all at once. Known more popularly as Lapalux, the Essex based producer has melded perfectly into Brainfeeder’s world of ambient, bass-filled downtempo stylings. We featured his music last year on Anon’s excellent mixtape. Unlike some of his contemporaries, the music of Lapalux never completely rests or relaxes. His songs swell with feeling only to enervate, emotional residue accumulating long after the song has ended.
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May 15, 2013 - See more posts by Alec
The hype for Daft Punk’s upcoming album Random Access Memory is kind of getting ridiculous at this point. I took a listen to the album yesterday and my initial thought is that they’ve ditched their electronic weirdness for pop stardom… le sigh. But time (and motivations) change and we’ll always have the older albums. So instead of pointing out any of the songs from the album, I wanted to shed light on this cover of “Get Lucky” by London-based band Daughter.
I think it would be hard for anyone to out-sexy Pharrell, Daughter’s lead signer Elena Tonra gives an amazing rendition that equally matches the original. Her voice is sensual and patient, slowly breathing out each word. If you’re into this you should also check out Daughter’s new album If You Leave. It’s powerful and brilliant along the lines of Bats For Lashes and Feist.
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May 14, 2013 - See more posts by Bobby
I came across London based DJ and producer Floating Points, real name Sam Shepard, and he’s quite an interesting fellow. Technically trained as a neuroscientist, interested specifically in genetics and pain, but he’s also a classically trained musician with a keen interest in jazz. I guess if you combine those interests together you may potentially get the incredible music that Floating Points creates.
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May 14, 2013 - See more posts by Bobby
For some reason Smith Westerns’ single “Varsity” passed me by last March on its release. Fortunately the Chicago indie rockers have followed it up with a brand new video and I’m now in love with the track. Filled with youthful swagger and a jangly pop sensibility, the song is a joyful celebration of young love and the perfect soundtrack to your summer.
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May 13, 2013 - See more posts by Philip
Photo by James Elliott Bailey
I was lucky enough to spend the last five days relaxing in Palm Springs with Kyle for his birthday, baking in the sun, eating many amazing things and enjoying many libations (if you follow me on Instgram you probably saw some of the adventures). Throughout the whole week though, I had one song on repeat in my head – “Paradise” by Jenny Lewis. Known as the lead singer of Rilo Kiley, this track is a B-Side from her first solo album Rabbit Fur Coat, so this might be a new gem for many folks.
The selling point for me on this song is the slide guitar and the heavy western influence, which backs up Jenny crooning the chorus of “Para-diiiyyyyiiise…” over and over. The song on it’s face is beautiful but in typical Jenny fashion she’s still having to deal with deadbeat guys who don’t get her. I really wish that Jenny Lewis would have made more tracks like this, both alone and with Rilo Kiley, as I haven’t been a fan of her work since this song, which was released almost seven years ago.
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May 12, 2013 - See more posts by Bobby