ZHU | Buy THE NIGHTDAY.

After he announced his role in ‘Moves like Ms. Jackson’, ZHU’s name came dripping off everyone’s tongue. ZHU chooses to stay covered by the shroud of his sound; the whole faceless aspect just adds to the deep, dark, and crunchy tech beat and high-pitched vocals. His EP THE NIGHTDAY. just came out and its a superb production of R&B influenced ghetto/deep house for sultry scenes in dark rooms the world over.

Our senses are sated for the time-being. But rest assured, ZHU and his mysterious ‘Generation Why’ movement will be staying in our limelight.

¯\_( ? )_/¯

ZHU – Moves Like Ms. Jackson (OutKast Cover)

THE NIGHTDAY.

1. Stay Closer.
2. Faded.

3. Paradise Awaits.

4. Superfriends.
5. The One.
6. Cocaine Model.

Illum Sphere | Buy Ghosts of Then and Now

Manchester’s Ryan Hunn, better known as Illum Sphere, presses the boundaries of music in his newest release: Ghosts of Then and Now. It shows him taking a dystopian sci-fi approach to music. The entire album gives off a Bladerunner (‘Sleeprunner’) vibe.

Much as the title [track] suggests, you’ll find allusions to the sounds of old by way of shamanistic tempos and divine chorals rife throughout. Still, an eerie discordance via subtle electronic underpinnings serves to remind us that these are merely industrial representations of a past long gone. The vaporeal vocals of ShadowBox and Mai Nestor drive home that the soul of sound follows in time, no matter how it may change.

We know it’s still the first quarter, but feel free to quote us on saying this album will be among the year’s best. I’m personally hoping for a non-vocal feature (e.g. Inter5tella 5555, but far more neo-noir) to illustrate Ghosts of Then and Now.

Tracklist

1. Liquesce
2. At Night (ft. Mai Nestor)
3. Sleeprunner
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/illum%20sphere/03%20Sleeprunner.mp3]
4. The Earth Is Blind (Prelude)
5. The Road (ft. ShadowBox)
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/illum%20sphere/05%20The%20Road%20%28feat.%20Shadowbox%29.mp3]
6. Ra_Light
7. It’ll Be Over Soon
8. One Letter From Death
9. Ghosts Of Then And Now
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/illum%20sphere/09%20Ghosts%20Of%20Then%20%26%20Now.mp3]
10. Love Theme From Foreverness (ft. ShadowBox)
11. Lights Out / In Shinjuku
12. Near The End
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/illum%20sphere/12%20Near%20The%20End.mp3]
13. Embryonic (ft. ShadowBox)

Haim | Buy ‘Days Are Gone’

Ever since Haim dropped their debut EP Forever early in 2012, their buzz has been real. Since then, the hype for the three San Fernando Valley sisters has increased exponentially. I can gladly say they exceeded all expectations with the release of their LP aptly titled Days Are Gone. The trio’s first full length album is a diverse concoction of influences. From indie, soft rock, and pop to RnB and punk, the girls manage to create their own unique sound.

The first three tracks off the album will be familiar to anyone who has gotten to know the band over the years, but that certainly isn’t a bad thing. Standout tracks on the album include ‘The Wire,’ a stadium ready rock song, ‘Days Are Gone’ a modern take on indie disco, the riff heavy ‘My Song 5’, and the RnB influenced ‘Let Me Go’. Overall, the sisters have really outdone themselves with this release. I was lucky enough to catch them live at Treasure Island Festival last week, and wow…they are truly something to witness live. Their energy and stage presence is something you need to be a part of first hand. Haim has nowhere to go but up, and I plan on seeing them topping festivals as a regular in the future.

TRACKLIST

1. Falling
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Haim/Falling.mp3]
2. Forever
3. The Wire
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Haim/The%20Wire.mp3]
4. If I Could Change Your Mind
5. Honey & I
6. Don’t Save Me
7. Days Are Gone
8. My Song 5
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Haim/My%20Song%205.mp3]
9. Go Slow
10. Let Me Go
11. Running If You Call My Name

Cults | Buy Static

There are few bands as aptly named as Cults. With a completely unique sound–which to be frank, only they could ever pull off–the Manhattan duo and their 2011 self-titled debut took the indie scene by storm. Their sound is difficult to define, and their influence not easy to pinpoint. There’s a frosty sweetness to the girl-pop of bygone days, mixed with a haunting distortion, akin to the washed out static of an old television set. Their music has a way of transporting you to a place vaguely familiar, yet unrecognizable. Two years since the release of their fuzzy, yet pleasantly optimistic debut, the two-piece is back, this time with a noteworthy edge of bitterness.

The second album, while well-polished and beautifully composed seems slightly jaded and almost sexually frustrated, with lyrics such as “I wonder how you sleep at night” and “I can hardly make you mine.” The idealized romance might be gone in their sophomore album but they have certainly maintained their Cultsy charm. The album is pulsing and charged and electric and lo-fi and…well, static. While the album is undeniably full of post-breakup regret, it is also undeniably wonderful.

Cults – I Can Hardly Make You Mine
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/2013/CULTS/02%20I%20Can%20Hardly%20Make%20You%20Mine.mp3]

Cults – So Far
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/2013/CULTS/06%20So%20Far.mp3]

Cults – Keep Your Head Up
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/2013/CULTS/07%20Keep%20Your%20Head%20Up.mp3]

RAC | Buy Don’t Talk To

It’s been two years in the making, and the anticipation for RAC’s EP was completely worth it. While the EP only showcases 2 new tracks, the 2 previously released singles on it don’t remove any of the luster.

There’s something about the somber lyrics – and wonderful vocalists – backed by the addictive cheery exterior instrumentals that keep us wanting more. We’re really digging We Belong ft. Katie Herzig; although the voice of David Monks of Tokyo Police Club on Tourist brings RAC’s sound together in a very special way. Hopefully we’ll see some of you at one of the SOLD OUT live shows! Check some of their covers after the jump.

Tracklist

1| Let Go ft. Kele Okereke and MNDR
2| Hollywood ft. Penguin Prison
3| Tourist ft. Tokyo Police Club
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/1-03%20Tourist%20%28feat.%20Tokyo%20Police%20Club%20%29.mp3]
4| We Belong ft. Katie Herzig

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PartyFine | Cave Rave | Oliver

Dance season is upon us; here are 3 new songs to prove it. Two up-and-coming releases, Yuksek’s PartyFine label and Crystal Fighters’ Cave Rave, will make sure you have an ample supply of tunes to groove to in the summer sun. Oliver also released their take on a childhood classic that will definitely have its fair share of plays in the coming months. Have at it, friends.

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Jeg snakker ikke norsk, og heller ikke du. Hvis du kan lese dette har du sannsynligvis brukt en oversetter. That’s Norwegian for “if you didn’t chuckle a little at this band’s name you are more mature than I am.” Just kidding. But really, I love when a band has a good sense of humor and humor just so happens to be at the core of Kakkmaddafakka’s music. They’re the kind of band you want to be friends with. They released their debut “Hest” last February and have gained a bit of attention for their funky music and energized live performances. Their sound is derived from a number of influences but its general appeal is carefree indie pop/indie rock. This is feel-good music. They’re not taking things too seriously (clearly, I can’t say their name out loud without laughing). Pick up the album and put on your dancing shoes cause this is the kind of stuff you’ll wanna wiggle to.

Tracklist

1. Restless
2. Your Girl
3. Self-Esteem
4. Make the First Move
5. Is She
6. Touching
7. Heidelberg
8. Gangsta
9. Dro So