Crystal Fighters | Cave Rave | Tickets for LA 6/4

Folktronica phenoms Crystal Fighters’ follow up to Star of Love made its way to the masses last week. Since their first album came out in 2010, there had been little word of new material until the latter end of 2012, when they released their collaboration with Feed Me titled ‘Love is All I Got’. The sextet addressed their recess as a means of finding the roots of their sound amidst the drudgery of popular music. We’ll give that to them.

Cave Rave comes to us as a call to ‘the freedom of utopic spaces’. Thematically, the album progresses like an exotic fete filled with love, laughter, and smiles – the best of life, music, and people. Lively beats mixed in with catchy guitar riffs make for perfect celebration music no matter your aural preferences. Album opener ‘Wave’ is a triumphant cry to the universe and togetherness; it brings to mind Arcade Fire. The rising cheer continues until ‘Bridge of Bones’ where the tempo calms for a state of reflection – call this the sunset. ‘Are We One’ culminates as the most electro infused track, which fits perfectly with the sentiments that we are all one energy. It is nigh upon bizarre to consider frowning or resisting movement while listening to Cave Rave.

LA Residents, don’t miss their June 4th show at the El Rey Theatre. They play with CAD approved Australians: ALPINE. Buy your tickets here and enjoy a slice of utopia with us!

Tracklist

1. Wave
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/crystal%20fighters/01%20Wave.mp3]
2. LA Calling
3. You & I
4. Separator
5. No Man
6. Bridge of Bones
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/crystal%20fighters/06%20Bridge%20Of%20Bones.mp3]
7. Love Nature
8. Are We One
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/crystal%20fighters/08%20Are%20We%20One.mp3]
9. These Nights
10. Everywhere

Bonus

One of the coolest music videos ever.

Breakbot

There’s not much that needs to be said about this song that isn’t already apparent in the title. Phoenix and Breakbot have been holding it down in the French music scene, bringing out some of the country’s #1 export: dance music. Though both artists are specialized in their respective subgenre, their consistency continues to hold true with this song. Lucky for us, they’ve also released it as a free download, which you can do so below. This is the part where we thank Disco Jesus. Amen.

I have nothing official to say about this band because I can’t read French but I can say that their music is ridiculously catchy. I also have no idea what they are saying. Mystery lyrics aside, their music has a fresh sunny summer sound that I’ll definitely be over-playing for the next few months.

What So Not | Buy ‘The Quack’

What So Not have finally released their new ‘Quack EP’ via Skrillex’s OWSLA label. The duo (comprised of Sydney natives Flume and Emoh Instead) are no strangers to the electronic playground. Flume is currently blowing up in both his home country and America with his eponymous debut album, and Emoh is constantly remixing big names and gaining traction in his own right. With this release, the duo have created a bass heavy EP of ‘club dubs’.

The A-side “The Quack” is a thunderous trap banger that’s sure to get everybody bouncing, yet it retains that signature strange What So Not sound of 808s and peculiar synths. The B-side “High You Are” is a song that the two described as an experiment of pushing groove based house to the limit. “We wanted something that could hold its own, against the biggest ‘EDM’ hit, without compromising the feel & soul. The power to make people move, not just fist pump.” It’s definitely safe to say they succeeded and boy is it refreshing.

High You Are
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/What%20So%20Not/02%20High%20You%20Are%20Club%20Dub.mp3]

The Quack
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/What%20So%20Not/01%20The%20Quack%20Club%20Dub.mp3]

Classixx | Buy Hanging Gardens | Holy Ghost! | PHOTOS

Last Sunday in Orange County marked the first day of the Holy Ghost! / Classixx tour. With the recent release of the DFA Records mini doc and Classixx debut album Hanging Gardens, there was a considerable amount of hype around the evening. Classixx are no strangers to Southern California, and though many in attendance had seen them before (myself included), this was the dawn of their new era. Let’s just say they’re ready to take on the resurgence of LIVE music head on. With their synths lined up and mics at the ready, they took the crowd on a whole new journey. They even brought out a member of Holy Ghost to play the guitar! It couldn’t have been more rock and roll, despite playing a primarily house and dance music set; proving they were the choice openers for the big show.

Classixx – Holding On
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/03%20Holding%20On.mp3]

Holy Ghost! – Wait & See
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/02%20Wait%20And%20See.mp3]

Behind Classixx was a series of gadgets and gizmos seemingly towering over the stage. Control boards, synths galore, drums, pianos…It was like an electronic and tech nerd’s playground. Holy Ghost took the stage with 6 men strong and appropriately covered the entire stage. Throughout the performance, the members would switch between instruments, having their turn at everything the set up offered. There’s nothing that adds to the energy of a performance more than when the artists are moving around, staying active, and interacting with the crowd. This being Holy Ghost’s first club show in some time proved to bring the crowd together in a special way. Their live set up was one of the coolest, most interactive I’ve seen. Looking forward to both of these artists’ promising careers.

Louis La Roche | Scenery Mixtape 1-5

Last week Bret (AKA Louis La Roche) announced that he hoped we were ready for a heap of LLR tracks in the coming months. I think “ready” would be quite the understatement. We know he’s been wrapping up the production of his debut album; teasing us with mentions of it being finished during his uStreams. Looks like we’ll finally be getting a taste of what’s to come. Say You’re My No. 1 captures all the essence of the sound LLR is trying to create. Uplifting melodies. Soulful vocals. Funky synths. Everything a disco fiend could ask for. Best part is it’s a free download! Grab it below.

HARD Presents | Tickets

In preparation (and anticipation) for the wonder that will be HARD Summer 2013, the Gary Richards gang have started a mini mix series dubbed “Future Stars”. The first four mixes are by Paper Diamond, the boys over at Body High, Green Lantern, and Justin Jay. The artists definitely fit the mix series’ claim, if they are not already past it. Catch the details after the jump.

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