Aptly named London duo TENDER incite bedroom ardor simply and smoothly. A little dash of dysphoria via lyricism and drawn out synths and the deed is done.
TENDER//
indie
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Glasgow’s Tongues and modulated electro-pop go hand in hand. His use of synth, modulated vocals, and catchy rhythms lead to emotional swells that are a step above typical feel-good fare.
The Great Albatross – Roots (Tongues Remix)
Tongues//
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It’s always cool to see two producers with varying styles come together on a collaboration. Giraffage specializes in the smooth R&B and bass driven beats, while Viceroy’s dubbed “summertime, all the time” jams are uplifting, poolside-disco vibes. You can especially hear elements from both of them in this sultry, sexy tune. With the help of Patrick Baker on the vocals, this is surely set to be one of the defining songs of the summer.
Giraffage & Viceroy – Impression Of You (feat. Patrick Baker)
Giraffage//
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• Tickets • Ryn Weaver •
Ryn Weaver has been slowly, but steadily, making her way up the ranks in the indie and alternative music foreground. Her adorable social media antics, seething voice, and early-on producer support from the likes of Cashmere Cat & Passion Pit are all pushing her towards well deserved recognition.
Next Monday she makes her way to LA for an intimate performance at one of my favorite venues, the El Rey Theater. Is the “the” redundant? Who knows…who cares. Check below for your chance to win 2 tickets!
HOW TO ENTER
Standard procedure. The contest ends at 12PM Monday, July 13th!
••••••••••••••••••••
1. Tweet: “I want 2 tickets from @CtrlAltDelight to see @RynWeaver @elreytheatre on Monday 7/13! ”
2. Tag two friends in our Facebook post.
3. “Like” this post.
••••••••••••••••••••
Do 1, 2, or all of the above. As always, the more entries –> the better your chance to win. Be sure to be ready to check your inbox/twitter, because we’ll be giving it to the first person who responds when the contest is over. See you guys there!
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The summery sounds have been blooming since the weather turned. Yet as June settles in, the gloom begets touching upon the more emotional side of sound. Here are a few tracks to manage those moods.
Hayden James – Something About You (Ben Pearce Remix)
One of the best tracks of the past year, Hayden James’ ‘Something About You’ meets tech and bass stimulations thanks to Ben Pearce. The vocal cuts, as expected, add the feeling and flavour.
With Lantern, we hear Hudson Mohawke experimenting with his typically beat driven style. ‘Scud Books’ is a prime example of his take on a rousing and anthemic approach.
The Australian feel-good duo are back on the radar. After almost a year of silence, Bag Raiders release ‘Vapour Trails’ and its a perfect summer chiller that brings out sweeping emotion.
LEISURE‘s psychedelic love-soul sound has had us bad for the past few months. Newest heater ‘Hot Love’ only brings us deeper into their clutch.
Funky disco-pop from Favored Nations‘ newest track is poetically passionate. The catchy instrumentalism adds a nice level of grooves to ramp up the moves.
Left off Built on Glass, Chet Faker‘s ‘Bend’ is a experiment in clamor and mixed emotions. The internal dialogue fits perfectly as a single release jam-track.
Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars (Thero Remix)
This classic graduation tear jerker gets a summery spin from Thero. He adds modern electronics and smooth acoustics that bring the lyrics into the spotlight as truly timeless.
The Acid – RA (David August Remix)
David August adds his subtle and cerebral electronica style to this already heady track. The effect is a late night kicker suitable for those candid brain games.
Mansions on the Moon – The Truth (Eric Sharp and Tenova Remix)
Eric Sharp of RIS Labs and Tenova take Mansion on the Moon‘s hopelessly romantic single and lay on a house twist for those alone-on-the-dancefloor needs.
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This Friday, we’re getting Aussie Indie-pop-funky to celebrate the start of Summer. The Nu-Disco sounds of Miami Horror will be a welcome end to this crazy week of weather. There’s nothing quite like vocals with indie-disco sounds to set us in the perfect mood for the sunny months to come. The homies Torosbros and Wet Hand Dan will be leading off.
Come hang and enjoy some warm spirits!
HOW TO ENTER
Standard procedure. The contest ends at 12PM Friday June 12th!
••••••••••••••••••••
1. Tweet: “I want 3 tickets to see @miamihorror at @wayfarercm on 6/12! @CtrlAltDelight @follow_mda”
2. Tag three friends in our Facebook post.
3. “Like” this page
••••••••••••••••••••
Do 1, 2, or all of the above. As always, the more entries –> the better your chance to win. Be sure to be ready to check your inbox/twitter, because we’ll be giving it to the first person who responds when the contest is over. See you guys there!
Modern Disco Ambassadors//
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Ethereal. That’s the best way I can describe Jamie Smith’s genre-bending debut full-length LP, In Colour (Young Turks). The percussionist from your girlfriend’s favorite band, otherwise known as Jamie XX has given us one of the biggest auditory orgasms so far in 2015. Jamie’s masterful use of filters and reverb gives each song weight and definition, thus creating an album persona where no measure or tone feels wasted. If I were to over simplify, I would label this persona “Gospel Garage” with themes of UK nationalism and cockney sensibility.
One of Jamie’s signature production staples has always been his use of steel drums. He does not disappoint with ‘Obvs’ where the use of progressive melodic steel drum loops coupled with robust vocal samples bring to life visions of being on a tropical island during rainy season. While it may be pouring, the listener is under an umbrella smoking a cigarette and having a moment of tranquility.
‘Hold Tight’ is the less than proverbial B-boy track on the album. An echoing percussion clap over a rapidly ascending synth riff gives this breakbeat record a fast paced vibe that feels like you were stabbed in the ear drums with an adrenaline needle, which is a good thing. The two tracks featuring fellow The XX member Romy, ‘Loud Places’ and ‘Seesaw’ combine the female vocalist’s softer inflective style with Jamie’s canorous dark undertones perfectly. This marriage is especially evident in ‘Loud Places’ where Jamie fuses the gospel samples seamlessly with Romy’s more raspy delivery.
In a welcomed departure from the rest of the album we get ‘I Know There’s Gonna Be Good Times’ featuring Atlanta rapper, Young Thug. This track never tries to be anything more than it is, a contemporary rap record filled with finger snaps, a soulful chorus, and Thugger Thugger’s signature analogous prose. ‘I Know There’s Gonna Be Good Times’ is less a braggadocio track and more a celebration of these two emerging artists young careers.
I would have to say my biggest disappointment on the album was Jamie’s collaboration with XX bandmate Oliver Sim on ‘Stranger In A Room’. It’s not by any means a bad song but more so a disappointment that ends up sounding like an unfinished The XX album cut rather than something wholly Jamie’s. It’s a shame as I believe there was a lot of potential for an Oliver Sim feature if they kept it more with the album’s style as they did with Romy’s features.
In the end, Jamie now has a magnificent piece of art to embody his solo career, which up until now has included mostly remixes and one-off DJ sets. In Colour should be remembered as one of the best debut albums in recent memory and certainly shoots the hype through the roof for the next The XX album. Jamie XX took us to us to church and I have a feeling we will all be attending a lot more than just Christmas and Easter.
Tracklist
1. Gosh
2. Sleep Sound
3. Seesaw ft. Romy
4. Obvs
5. Just Saying
6. Stranger in a Room ft. Oliver Sim
7. Hold Tight
8. Loud Places ft. Romy
9. I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times) ft. Young Thug and Popcaan
10. The Rest is Noise
11. Girl
Jamie XX//
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