Soundlounge Jukebox – August 14, 2009
The soundlounge jukebox is our outlet for sharing the cream of the music industry with all. Updated every few weeks, it offers a chance for people who don’t have much time to sample good quality music, whether new releases or hidden gems from the archives. We receive music from all the majors, indies, publishers and sometimes the artists themselves and will bring to your desk (and attention) some of the most interesting and diverse music out there.
Visit the soundlounge jukebox to hear the following tracks.
Love You Better – The MaccabeesAfter breaking onto the scene in 2004 with a song about a swimming pool, the Maccabees seem to have grown up. Their first album had a innocent charm in its angular songs and with the help of Orlando Weeks’ distinctive vocals they carved themselves a place in a scene full of bands trying to be the Libertines. Their second album sees the arrival of Markus Dravs, producer of such acts as Coldplay and the Arcade Fire and it’s his work with the latter that really comes through here. There’s a lot more to come from this lot so stay tuned.
Zero – Malcolm MiddletonMalcolm Middleton has been releasing music since 1995. Originally he was one half of folk rock outfit Arab Strap but since 2006, after six studio albums, he embarked on a solo career that’s has seen him release five albums. His most recent offering, from which this track is taken, sadly may be his last. He has stated that while he will continue with a career in music he may start to write for other people or simply change his name. For what it’s worth, I’d like him to carry on with his solo career so if you’re reading Malcolm, don’t stop making your musics.
Psychic City – YACHTJona Bechtolt formed YACHT in 2003 after leaving another Portland band, The Blow. Until 2008, YACHT was a solo act but for his most recent album, ‘See Mystery Lights’, he as teamed up with Claire L. Evans who contributes vocals to many of the new songs. The introduction of Claire seems to have allowed YACHT to evolve into a band with more pop sensibilities than before although the odd production quirks that give Bechtolt’s music so much character remain. It’s a weird one but well worth checking out.
Loading – KnucklesThis one’s a bit of fun. Taken from the ‘Loading EP’, Parisian electro producer Knuckles has turned out a real crowd pleaser. It’s a floor filler that almost guarantees to get the crowd jumping, something that the enigmatic DJ/Producer/remixer, Fake Blood has cottoned onto. He plays it live regularly and also included it in his Radio 1 essential mix. Something for the weekend. Enjoy.
Growls Garden – ClarkAnother recent Warp release, the new album from Clark sees him raise the bar for anyone else in his sphere. On previous albums like Boy Riddle and Clarence Park he experimented with abstract tones and textures and occasionally dropped in some of the hard tech that he’s known for now. His previous album, Turning Dragons, saw him go straight down the hard tech route, which belied his true talent. Here however he combines his original experimentation with some bone shattering beats and bass lines. Not for the faint hearted.
Lovers’ Carvings – BibioRecommended to Warp records by the now legendary Boards Of Canada this album is Bibio’s first release on the illustrious label. The recommendation seemed like an obvious one as his sound has always been close to the Scottish songsmiths’ but this album has seen him move away from this somewhat. He draws upon a huge variety of styles creating an endlessly eclectic mix of tracks that could sound like a compilation if it wasn’t for the lingering influence of the Boards Of Canada. One of the most interesting albums of the year so far.
Listen to these tracks on the soundlounge jukebox.
Sam Nicholson, Creative Assistant
soundlounge
