Ennui has come a long way. What was once a criminally underappreciated four-piece recently morphed into a criminally underappreciated solo project, and with that lineup change has come a sort of renaissance. A loss in member quantity hasn’t proven detrimental to music quality, and in fact Jim Doutrich’s solo transformation has rendered Ennui’s already shimmering soundscapes grander, the atmospheric loops even dreamier. Ennui may have shrunk in stature, but sonically speaking it is soaring to new heights.
While Doutrich’s wistful, often aching vocal lines continue to serve as the cornerstone of Ennui’s output, you’ll notice a marked difference in accompaniment: The fuzzy guitars and a sparse drum kit present on 2011’s (excellent) Formation Of Tides have been traded in for an endless procession of lush synths. It’s an interesting progression, given that this is Ennui’s third album. Typically, synth-driven projects incorporate more traditional instruments later in their discography, as though making a push towards becoming a *real band* through the introduction of a full-piece live show. Here Doutrich has done the opposite, paring down a tighter, more manageable package. In doing so, the album feels almost like a half-decade throwback—the style harkens to the Hipster Runoff-christened “chillwave” movement. I loathe to categorize it was such, given that Doutrich’s musicality far surpasses any given 19 year old bedroom producer, but if you’re looking for that golden oldie sound of 2009 cultivated by the likes of Washed Out and Toro Y Moi, well, look no further. Anyone in need of a soundtrack to a day at the beach should have Telepathic Beat (due out in September on Mush) at the top of their list.
Ennui’s new work might feel somewhat nostalgic, but Doutrich is clearly looking ahead. On the album’s first single, Circles, he laments “I’m wasting away my years”, before launching into a credo of sorts, ”Turn away don’t give up / All the lines that you’ve crossed…Turn away, drift apart / Don’t go back to the start.” Given the history of the band, and Doutrich now embarking solo, it almost seems as a call to action; a self-motivating rallying cry. Change is hard, but Ennui is doing it for the better. Have a listen and see if you don’t agree.
Yeah me neither. But I have often felt that my feelings would best be expressed in song. You know which scenario I've always wished I had a song for? When old people ask what type of music I listen to, and when I subsequently tell them, why I don't like top-40 type tunes. Well, old people, this holiday season (during which we are bound to have such an exchange) I have an answer for you, and it would be best expressed in the song Radio from would-be pop darlings, Mansions On The Moon. With their flawless choruses and expert hooks, this band has all the necessary criteria for pop superstardom. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if one day they too were in the Top 40, but until that day comes, Radio will serve as somewhat of an indie anthem; harkening to early M83 and a synthesizer-backed Rogue Wave. parfait.
Mansions On The Moon just announced they'll be playing a show in Chicago at Bottom Lounge on December 13. Follow our Twitter or Facebook (or both!) for more information as we get it.
I could wax fanatic on the genius of Flight Facilities until I exceeded my bandwidth, but if you've ever heard their music (and you had better), there's really nothing more I need say that you don't already know.
At the end of the summer the boys announced they had signed with New York's illustrious Glassnote Records, joining the likes of Phoenix, Mumford & Sons, and Childish Gambino. Their first single with the label, Clair de Lune was released last week, followed by the music video earlier today. The song marks somewhat of a sonic departure for the duo, known for their hooky disco-pop, and sees them trading in funky bass and big choruses for swirling synths and ethereal vocals. But don't let that deter you. The seven-minute single (with no radio edit in sight) is a grower. It's one such a song that sneakily embeds itself into your subconscious - one you catch yourself singing without even thinking, at which point you have to immediately rush to your computer to find. The accompanying video, also clocking in at 7+ minutes, is a beautifully shot little story. Complete with - you guessed it - a 'pensively driving through a valley' montage.
I have a horrible habit: I tend to over-think.
Sound familiar? While I'm no expert, I'd venture to say its a near-universal plight of our current generation. How can over-thinking be avoided what with the countless streams of news and visuals and useless [as well as useful] information being thrown at us from all directions, at all times, by the click of a mouse or the push of a button? It seems that in the modern age we're expected to be at 110%, one hundred and ten percent of the time. And if taking a minute to decompress has become a luxury now, think about how much therapy our children are going to need in 30 years. But I digress.
The thing about over-thinking is, often it can jar your conscious to a screeching halt - like when you have so many windows open that eventually the rainbow wheel of doom appears and everything freezes up: your mac can't take it anymore. This happened to me in regards to LOOSE L!PS. I revamped a bit (can you tell?), got lazy, got busy, and suddenly it had been so long since I posted that instead of just picking up I froze; stuck wringing my proverbial hands worrying that I was too far behind and thus irrelevant. But then I remembered that not only am I my own editor, I'm my own webmaster. And seeing as I don't make any money from this venture, what the hell.
Moral of this story: Lets all get out of our own heads and take a minute to mull on some Beat Connection instead.
I'm well aware it's no longer Sunday, but it's Monday, which rhymes with Sunday--and not just a partial rhyme either--so no one better huff. Truth is, I fell asleep before I had a chance to post last night; but the thought was there.
This week's Comedown Sunday tune comes from Hard Mix (real name Noah Daniel Smith), a South Carolina-based producer who's smooth, sample-heavy beats have been earning him accolades among the Pitchfork types and electronica purists alike. Having been on the radar for a few years, I assumed he was a seasoned veteran. Surprise! Turns out he's barely legal, with his 21st birthday passing just last week. Nothing like learning a favorite artist is a year your junior to make you feel seriously under-accomplished. In celebration, he released the song All Again , a hazy little number that retains a fluid languor in spite of rattling percussion and staccato marimbas. Pretty sexy stuff.
If you like what you hear, be sure to download his Defaults LP, which is available for FREE if you 'Like' his label, Dovecote Records' Facebook Page.
It's backkkk.
For those of you new to the blog, welcome to Comedown Sunday. It's a weekly shtick featuring music to help combat your hangover, on the day when you need it most. This week we have the smoky and sultry Orange U High? from Orlando-based experimental hip hop outfit Great People (who are apparently friends of a friend; thanks for the introduction Rachael). The kinda cheesy play on words is forgiven in light of the smooth beats, sexy female chorus, and ever reliable stoner rhymes. As we all [hopefully] know there's no better hangover cure than my girl mary jane, so this song is pretty pertinent.
Orange U High? You should be.
Orange U High? comes from the album Patchouli, which Great People self-released last month. You can download the single below, and buy the album at their bandcamp.
A month ago I posted up the first-ever LOOSE L!PS M!X with the promise that there would be more to come. Well, here's the second! While last months was all about 'Spring Music,' this one is all for summer. Specifically, my favorite summertime activity: being completely and utterly useless while lounging by the pool. As far as I'm concerned, it isn't really summer until I'm propped up with a book by the side of that crystal-clear chlorinated water, smelling like tanning oil and without a care in the world. Here's a playlist for those moments. At just under an hour long and filled with breezy, dreamy electro. It's perfect, uplifting background music while also being chill enough to allow you to nod off for a mid-day nap. This mix is tested and true (though certainly not tired) : Though a few of these songs are new, the majority are from last summer, where they faithfully served as my daily playlist.
// You can preview/stream/listen-to-on-your-iPhone the entire mix via 8tracks. The player is embedded above. get it on your iPhone via the 8tracks App.
// You can download the entire playlist (minus the Moullinex track--you'll have to buy that on Beatport here) below in a Zip Folder.
// Or, if you're the type that doesn't like to commit to 12 new songs at once, you can download a choice handful by clicking on the track names in blue below.
LOOSE L!PS M!X 02: Take It To The Pool
An hour's worth of easy breezy dreamy music,
meant to accompany every poolside bronzing session of summer.
Tracklist:
1. Sometimes (G.L.O.V.E.S. Remix) - Miami Horror 2. Heatwave - Fabian
3. Cruisin' - Zimmer
4. Tear Club - Moullinex
5. Keep On Shining - CSLSX 6. Hot Girlz In Love - FM Attack
7. Unspoken (Anoraak Remix) - Pacific!
8. Proof - Banxter
9. I Think I Like U 2 - Jamaica
10. Hammock - Million Young 11. Destination Pt. 1 - Damn Arms
12. In Love With You - The Paradise
*If you like this mix, be sure to check out the blogs Binary and Kiyoshi. At least 50% of these songs of from one of those blogs. They're both fantastic. Binary also provided me with the sexy picture, so if you're into hot girls in minimal clothing to accompany your music, it is the blog for you.
Now, take it to the pool!
Like LOOSE L!PS on Facebook // Follow on the Hype Machine.
It's Monday, which means it's time for our Monday Mixer--a weekly, multi-blog themed playlist for your listening pleasure. While the Mixer started over at Metropolitan Jolt, recently it's been on the move, with hosting rotating between various members of the Mixer crew, and this week, it's landed right here at LOOSE L!PS. This week's theme deals with the drearier side of spring: April Showers. I thought this would be appropriate seeing as it's April, and although we've been extremely lucky weather-wise thus far, it's just a matter of time before cloudy skies descend. The Monday Mixer crew has you covered for when that happens, with a playlist of 11 songs that should see you through even the dreariest days.
You can stream all the songs right here courtesy of this 8tracks player, while you read about what each track means to us, below. All the links (in blue and bold) are available for download, just right-click like normal.
*Sidenote: If you are a music blogger, scroll to the bottom of this post for a message.
Ian from 1146 Miles Letting Go - Israel Cannan
Sometimes on rainy days, it's more about the mood than the weather. I think that's why I love that there's a bit of defiance that builds up over the young Australian's song. It's fighting the down urge and it's a pretty cathartic release once it climaxes. Letting Go is off of Israel's debut album Walk.
Chris from Daily Beatz Sylvia - The Antlers
Music for a rainy day is almost always sad and depressing, but I sort of prefer there to be a little beauty too, and nobody seems to capture depression and beauty in one neat package quite like The Antlers. Their 2009 album Hospice was undeniably depressing and beautiful at the same time and quickly became one of my favorite albums from that year.
Mikayla from LOOSE L!PS (me) I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Royksopp Remix) - Kings of Convenience *screwed this link up, click normally instead of right-clicking
Royksopp and rainy days are unequivocally synonymous for me. Their lush production style perfectly compliments my lazy days spent cooped up inside sprawled on my huge white sheepskin rug. Here they remix fellow Norwegians Kings of Convenience’s beautiful I Don’t Know What I Can Save You From. They take the original acoustic number and add an ethereal quality to it, with delicate whirls and trills, it’s almost tropical, but the kind of tropical that reminds me of laying on a placid beach while the sun is setting: the perfect counterpoint to the cloudy skies outside my window.
Frank from Lost In The Sound Huit Octobre 1971 - Cortex
I have to admit that I probably never would have heard Cortex's Huit Octobre 1971 had it not been sampled by the likes of MF Doom (One Beer), Wiz Khalifa (Visions), and Odd Future's Tyler, The Creator (Odd Toddlers). The song begins on a rather dark, melancholic note before transitioning into a more jazzy, upbeat song. It pretty much embodies the whole idea of "April showers bring May flowers."
Ben from Metropolitan Jolt You and I - Washed Out feat. Caroline Polachek
This track really embodies the melancholy vibes I get when rain keeps me inside. Caroline Polacheck added combined with Washed Out creates this amazingly relaxing tune. It's hard for me to put my finger on why I like it so much. On one hand, its melancholy feeling almost gives me a twinge of depression when I listen to it. But on the other hand, maybe it is that extreme emotional reaction that generates my appreciation for the track.
Marc from Mostly Junkfood Bill Withers - Can We Pretend
Obviously Ain't No Sunshine might be the more obvious pick from Bill's catalogue, but this song stands out in my mind as a quintessential rainy day track. The guitar and his vocals shine on this track, but my favorite part is the lyrics. "Paint a portrait of tomorrow with no colors from today." This song sounds like looking out the window and being optimistic about the future regardless of what you see. And that's why I love it!
Confusion from Pigeons & Planes River Man - Nick Drake
Rainy days trigger depression for me, but sometimes it's good to bask in a brooding state of mind. People that are happy all the time are obnoxious. They remind me more of simple animals like fish or chickens - things that are far separated from humanity and more fit for mass consumption. When I'm feeling down, Nick Drake is one of the artists that I always revisit. His haunting voice and heart-string-tugging melodies are perfect to pair with grey skies and the pattering of little drops.
David from SFCritic Summer Rain - Carl Thomas
More and more I'm realizing there is so much music of my past that in the needless urgency to find NEW music, I've strayed from the gems I used to love such as Carl Thomas' Summer Rain. In pop'est of pop, Summer Rain is Thomas' calling for a love regardless of rain or shine--as long as she comes back. What? There's nothing wrong with being a pop romantic.
Cory from Silence Nogood Stonyridge Terrace - Ian Pooley
Other than maybe music to rage to, music for a rainy day are my favorite! There's nothing I love more than relaxing outside on a rainy day and vibing off a chill, downtempo tune set against the sounds of a delicate storm. I have a whole playlist for this very occasion, but if I had to choose just one, it would be Ian Pooley's Stonyridge Terrace. You can best forget about everyone else's - this is the tune y'all have been looking for ;) But seriously, tell me this isn't the most tantalizing guitar playin you've ever heard? Go stick yourself out in the wilderness, wait for the rain (find shelter) and enjoy this track for a calm stormy weather.
Marc from Umstrum Brutal Hearts (ft. Coeur de Pirate) - Bedouin Soundclash
I have to say finding a song for his week's playlist proved more difficult than I thought. Not that I don't have "rainy day music", but I wanted to find a track that's more than your usual downer song, a track that makes you feel nostalgic and hopeful at the same time, just like "April Showers". Well, I think Brutal Hearts does just that: it creates this kind of cloudy atmosphere of longing but almost lets you see the sun reappearing on the horizon.
Owen from Wine and Bowties It’s the Chemicals (feat Scarub) - Inspired Flight
Did you know it's just that chemicals in our brain that cause us pain?" Wow, discovered this song a week ago and it's been on repeat ever since. The idea that "it's just chemicals" definitely resonates. It's like, yes this is all meaningless and arbitrary and that can be sad, but it's also great and beautiful because you are free. I dunno. It reminds me that things always be how I want and I dig it. I'm realizing that imperfections are crucial. They make something real, taking out the ego. I'm getting kinda philosophical, but essentially this song makes me want to make a fire with someone and look out at the rain.
*We're looking to add more people to the Monday Mixer ratpack. If you're a music blogger (it doesn't matter if you're big or small, rap or rave, crowded or minimalist) and interested in contributing, please email Ben from the Metropolitan Jolt, me, or really anyone on this list. We want you.
This happens every year: as the seasons change my music tastes shift from deep, complex electronic productions to simple, delicate acoustic numbers. It just feels appropriate what with the blooming glowers and the sunny skies and elongated days. I’ve been in a desperate search for some new music that fits this mood, as currently my ‘Spring Feelings’ playlist is dominated by songs from 2010. This morning I stumbled upon the work of transatlantic collaborators Early to Bed, and by god, I think I’ve finally found what I’ve been looking for. Early to Bed is a musical collaboration between two people—Meagan Day of Wisdom Tooth from the USA and Henry Toft of Me and The Horse I Rode On from Denmark. They’ve never met in real life, but rather collaborate solely via the internet, proof that good music knows no boundaries. Their song Weathervane is a gentle, dreamy gem, filled with themes of bittersweet longing and feelings of connectivity in spite of physical distance. I’m currently sitting by the window, staring outside at the tops of buildings and the endless blue sky, missing more than a couple people something fierce, and this song couldn’t be a more perfect soundtrack.
Early to Bed's first digital single is being released for free over at EardrumsPop. I highly suggest you head over there and get it. This collaboration seems to be the start of something beautiful.
Joan as Police Woman is the band led by miss Joan Wasser, a multi-instrumentalist from Brooklyn, NY. Her fourth studio album, The Deep Field, is already available for digital download, and due on CD and vinyl on April 12th. Magic, a slow-burner about “how crazy your head can get when you begin worrying about the future,” is the first single from the album. My good friend Connor of Sample This Music blog sent me the track about a month ago with the comment “Organs do wonders.” He is oh so right.
This week’s Comedown Sunday comes to you courtesy of Ireland’s Solar Bears and Greece’s Keep Shelly in Athens1. Cub is a beautiful little song, at just under 3 minutes it’s reminiscent of Elizabethan consort/early Baroque lute music, with a simple, plucked guitar line undercut by delicate panpipes. While Solar Bears aren’t musicians who fall into the ‘ambient’ genre such as it is normally defined, this song is distinctly ‘ambient’ to me in that in conjures a distinct, crystal clear vision and mood every time I hear it: it glimmers and flows like a lazy river, sparkling in the sunlight and rippled by the most delicate breeze. The Keep Shelly In Athens Remix takes this ambient quality and turns it ethereal, stretching the song to almost twice the original run time, and decorating it with unintelligible vocal samples, otherworldly synths, and a strong kick. If the original is a lazy river, the KSIA remix is the waterfall. The understated beauty of the original Cub serves as the perfect end to the weekend, which the glittering jubilation of the remix is an excellent kick start to the week ahead.
Cub comes from Solar Bears' 2010 LP, She Was Coloured In. Buy the album here on Juno.
It’s Sunday. Rough. We all know the feeling: you wake up after partying for two or three nights prior, and every part of you hurts. All you want are some pancakes, a shower, and for your raging headache to go away. After blasting pump-up club beats all weekend, the soundtrack for your Sunday should be mellow, melodic, and kept at a low decibel. In light of this I’m introducing Comedown Sundays. Need a soundtrack to your recouping, rehydrating, and refocusing on your responsibilities? Comedown Sunday Songs will serve that purpose.
This song comes from Chicago-based Houses. Following a recent trend in indie music, they’re a boyfriend-girlfriend duo. A while back, they relocated to a small hut in Hawaii, where they lived sustainably, showering with rainwater and powering their computers via solar panels. While there, working occasionally by candlelight (how romantic), they wrote and recorded a catalogue of music before moving back to Chicago a few months later. The product of that trip, their debut album All Night, is being released October 19th. Sonically it some seriously blissed out, chilled out, and romantic music that sounds quite appropriately….like it was written in a hut in Hawaii. Intimate and delicate, Soak It Up is a perfect background for lounging idly all day, preferably with someone else lying next to you.
