The Hall EP

Ready for another new French release? No, this isn’t from some big name label or a 2008-resurgence. Rather, this is an example of some of the exciting new guard from the country with a golden touch. Pyramid is a young producer from Lyon who gained some attention this past winter with his artful remixes of Air and Daft Punk. Today he expands from the world of remix artist to solo enfant terrible with his debut release, The Hall EP. With five songs and just over 25 minutes of playtime, The Hall EP is a delightful, spacey house affair. There are obvious similarities between Pyramid’s production style and Daft Punk, but as a young French producer (or any young producer for that matter), I don’t see how one could resist their influence. As Pyramid is also a seemingly ardent fan of strings, deep synths, and arpeggios, The Hall EP harkens strongly to the TRON Legacy Soundtrack (though granted, without the thousands of dollars worth of production equipment at his disposal). Clearly Pyramid draws a lot of inspiration from the Daft boys, but he has enough raw talent and vision to make his works more nods to his heroes than mimicry of them. Track 7 Suns sounds like it could be Solar Sailor II, and the stomping In Charge (probably my favorite track on the album) reminds me a more powerful End of Line. All the songs on the EP have quite a large feel—tracks run an average of 5 minutes per track, with the shortest still clocking in at over 4—the pieces seem function more as movements than as singles. Take, for example, the first single, Solar (which Pyramid is graciously giving away for free).

Solar--Pyramid


Clocking in at just over 6 minutes, Solar is divided into three distinct parts. There is firstly the celestial intro, decorated by arpeggios and a powerful kick drum. Then, three minutes in, you’re caught completely off guard by a new pattern of bouncing synth lines and hollow drums. It hops and buzzes for a solid two minutes before winding down, but suddenly switches on you yet again. Finally there’s a coda of sorts, characterized by a sharp, metallic melody and sparse accompaniment. The song ends and you don’t quite know what just hit you—it’s clearly a house/electro track, but it’s not anything like the pop-style prominent in the scene today. There’s no chorus, there’s little repetition of verse, and it’s a bit experimental thematically. But it works. For all of its abnormalities, it sticks with you. The whole EP echoes this feel. Honestly it’s a bit ADD in places, but Pyramid manages to hold the tracks (movements) together such that despite their discrepancies, they feel wholly communal. That said though, you can hear Pyramid’s greenness in the EP; at times it feels that the abrupt pattern changes or thematic shift of a song is due to Pyramid’s indecision rather than careful calculation, but give the kid time to find his stride. This is, after all, his first effort. And if this were a test, in my book he would pass with flying colors. The Hall EP showcases a new, budding talent, who, with a bit more time and experience under his belt, will undoubtedly develop a stronger sense of personal style and at that point will become perhaps unstoppable. The Hall EP is available on Juno here, and on Amazon here. Hop on the bandwagon now, my money is on this kid.

And as if I needed to demonstrate the Daft Punk similarities any more, here is a bonus remix he did of the classic Something About Us. Now, mind you, I usually hate Daft remixes. Why remix perfection, I always say. But this one? This one is oh so right.

Something About Us (Pyramid Remix)--Daft Punk

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Belong

Photo by Timothy Keen

I’ll admit, before I started writing for this blog, I had lost touch with new music. I’d listen to some new stuff here or there, but not like years back when I was up to date by the hour. In my post-college years, I fell into the safety net of ‘90s post-punk and straight up alternative. I think I used it as a security blanket, trying to steer clear of super loud, noise-rock stuff like Health, Wavves and bands I didn’t (and still don’t) quite get. Now that I’ve trekked back into the land of the more adventurous sound, I’ve found a lot of amazing bands that I can wrap my head around. It’s awesome to see shoegaze back in full effect, and no one has piqued my interest in its resurrection than The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.

The New York-based indie rockers take me back into the latter part of the 20th century, even if it's only for the four-minute span of new song “Belong.” The title track to the band’s new record (out this week on Slumberland) opens up with a sound that could fit right in on The Jesus & Mary Chain’s Honey’s Dead or easily exist as a B-side from The Smiths. The quick introduction of heavier, buzzing guitars in the chorus and fills invokes My Bloody Valentine and Smashing Pumpkins. There’s definitely a lot of rad influences going on in the song. Still, what Belong boils down to that The Pains of Being Pure at Heart aren’t really ripping anything off – they just know the right bands to channel to make a track that totally rules.

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Belong by Slumberland Records

Idealistic (A-Trak Remix)

Not to be outdone by the recent Ed Banger hooplah, COOP Music has announced the return of German electro rock duo Digitalism. (Yesssss.) Their 2nd LP is due on June 20th. It’s going to be called I Love You, Dude, and features a track co-written by Julian Casablancas (of The Strokes) entitled Forrest Gump. Yeah, I’m serious. That’s actually what the press release says. Three cheers to the Germans—a notoriously grumpy lot—for having a sense of humor on this one.

Honestly though, expect this to be fantastic. I know I do. You know why? Because Digitalism are fantastic. Their 2007 Idealism album still sounds just as fresh today as it did four years ago. And while it might not be quite ‘fresh’, I’ve had A-Trak’s remix of their classic Idealistic stuck in my head all day. Have at it, and get psyched for the return.

Idealistic (A-Trak Remix)--Digitalism


Digitalism are playing two back-to-back ‘comeback’ shows on June 13th at XOYO, London, and June 14th at Nouveau Casino, Paris. Be sure to check your local retailer (lolz, the internet) for tickets.

Can't Stop Loving You

Photo by Thomas Van Der Zaag

Oh wow, I’ve been holding out on you guys. I didn’t mean to, I could have sworn I posted this last week…but apparently I didn’t. Well, the good news is I’m posting it now. The bad news is that you’ve been missing out for the past 5 or so days. Fresh from our friends at FRΞNCH ΞXPRΞSS comes the debut release of Mr. Chris Malinchak. Malinchak is a New York city-based (born and raised) classically trained musician. At 4 years old he began playing piano, and now more than two decades later, he’s producing disco. Now that’s a Cinderella story if I’ve ever heard one. His classical training is still evident in his music though, as he treats his productions moreso like compositions. His Renaissance EP is deep without being overwhelming, and catchy without being cliché. The first single, Can’t Stop Loving You, is a charging, sparkling dance-fest, filled with filtered vocal samples and a throbbing bass line. It’s got an undeniable sexiness enhanced by a marked level of professionalism. Clearly, Malinchak knows his stuff. To celebrate his solo debut, FRΞNCH ΞXPRΞSS is giving out Can’t Stop Loving You for free, in glorious 320k, while the rest of the album is available on iTunes here. Be sure to show the label and disco's hot new thing some love by buying it; especially so as not to miss the track Talk About It, which has a bit of a Together feel, and is totally awesome.

Can't Stop Loving You--Chris Malinchak


Speaking of totally awesome...FE bossman Leon is both a genius and has too much time on his hands. The result is this music/Top Gun fangirl video, set to Malinchak's music. Check it.

Civilization

Photo by Christian Weber

It's here.

The new Justice track, courtesy of Ed Banger Records.

Civilization--Justice * in 320


*Make sure to buy Justice music on iTunes.

Comedown Sunday: Belongings

Photo by Hannah Davis

Clock Opera are a band. That isn’t so novel because, well, I feature a lot of bands on here. This is a music blog, after all. What is novel is that they just might become my new favorite band. I know that’s a big superlative, and maybe it’s stretching it a little, but whatever these guys do they do it right, and they’ve got me hooked. In the past 48 hours I have downloaded every one of their singles I could find, preordered their latest 7”, and laid in bed, stared at the ceiling, and listened to their songs on repeat for far too long (the perfect Comedown Sunday activity). Clock Opera are from England, and as far as bands go, they seem pretty generic on paper. There’s 4 guys, one on drums, one on bass, one on synths/keys, one on guitar/vocals. But these four guys are actually anything but generic, and together craft lush electronic rock, tied together by singer Guy Connelly’s velvety and emotive vocals. God, that voice. Their soundscapes range from intimate to sprawling, or sometimes both, like in the track of the month (maybe the year), Belongings. What starts as a reflective, piano-driven near whisper of a song swells to colossal proportions at 3:45, exploding in a flurry of sparkling synths and powerful drums. Every time I hear it I get that fluttering gut feeling that you get when you discover something so perfect it’s almost painful.

Belongings is being released on May 9th on Moshi Moshi Records. You can pre-order the vinyl here, and stream it via SoundCloud below:

Belongings by moshi moshi music

Bonus:
In addition to superb original work, Clock Opera also dabbles in remixes as well. This remix of Tracey Thorn’s You Are a Lover was just released yesterday for streaming. It should round off your weekend nicely.
Tracey Thorn / 'You Are A Lover' (Clock Opera Remix) by buzzinfly

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Dystopia

"The Earth is on fire."

To be honest, I had never heard Oregon's YACHT until I got a promotional email about them earlier today. In a rare display of timeliness, I listened to the track within a few minutes of receiving it…and oh my goodness. How had I not heard this group before?? Their first single off their upcoming album Shangri-La (out June 21st on DFA Records), Dystopia, is nothing short of kickass. I fell in love a mere 8 seconds into the song, when singer Claire Evans spits, "Let the motherfucker burn." Then entered a funky, bouncing synth line, and the case was closed. YACHT describes Dystopia as a 'post-apocalyptic fight song', which is quite appropriate given the nature of the minimalistic synths and marching drum line serving to highlight the addictive, all-too-timely lyrics. If all of YACHT's songs are this good, I have some serious catching up to do. If you're like me and were previously unfamiliar with the band, be sure to go check them out.

Dystopia--YACHT