[Video] Purity Ring - Lofticries

Tom Vek - A Chore

It's been while since Tom Vek got us dancey with C-C (You Set the Fire in Me) and If You Want and finally he returns. As much as I rate this song, I can't help but think in a few months it'll have been devoured by endless repetition in Topshop stores as is the fate of so many songs (Most recently Infinity Guitars by Sleigh Bells). Still enjoy it while you can

[Review] Grimes & D'Eon - Darkbloom

First off... sorry about the disappearing act, dissertation meant no blog time or music time for that matter. Anyway it's ok because an exciting new record dropped today even if I have no idea about what new music actually is (just discovering Chillwave, its so totally rad).

It's a split 12" with the A-side featuring the multi-talented Grimes and the B-side featuring her fellow Montreal partner in crime D'Eon. Both styles of music appear to have the same 80's pop grounding, with the pair releasing their own debut LP's last year, at a time where their respective sounds were very much with the times... if not ahead. However, each have branched off on Darkbloom with Grimes pursuing a darker more theatrical sound and D'Eon having a retro feel with R&B influence.

I'll start with Grimes who has a penchant for juxtaposing her pre-pubescent ethereal voice with abstract synth chaos. She seems to have included the whole catalogue of sounds from whatever software program that was used to make her songs. Each song chops and changes frequently, save her voice which maintains the fluidity so the songs are in no way clumsy. The single Vanessa is a haunting dance tune which evokes similar emotions as what the likes of 'Holy Other' and 'How To Dress Well' do. However the real masterpiece is Urban Twilight which has an eery drone synth throughout against layered angelic voices and glitchy drums.

D'Eon has more nostalgic connotations which for me is symbolised by the use of an 808 cowbell on Tongues. Again contrast is emphasized on this track with the uptempo R&B beats and D'eons, sometimes wanky, voice. I really like Transparency which is buried in layers of retro synths- check out the video in which Grimes chomps on D'Eons hair.

In conclusion both artists deliver a couple of gems each but I'm not a fan of the avant-guard stuff (Orphia and Telepathy) which are just plain annoying. Still I'd recommend it for Grimes' experimentation and D'Eons early synthesizer revival.

7/10

D'Eon - Transparency

Grimes - Vanessa

Both videos directed by, and starring Grimes herself