Julianna Barwick & Ikue Mori - Rejoinder

The atmospheric, fairytale-esque, rising chorus of looped vocals of Juliana Barwick are as captivating as ever on this recording from an installment at the White Columns Gallery, NY. RVGN Intl. curated the project as part of the FRKWYS series with Ikue Mori. Some of the sessions took place with Julianna and Ikue in seperate cubicles in the gallery and the other, from which the video is taken, shows the pair opposite each other. Julianna's angelic voice contrasted with the electronic chimes and bleeps envelops you in the kind of place that her LP The Magic Place takes you to.

Julianna Barwick & Ikue Mori - Rejoinder from RVNG Intl. on Vimeo.

[Live] Islet @ Undertone, Cardiff

Islet are a band shrouded in such mystery, who do not actively pursue extensive means of promotion or engage in any activity that does not agree with the bands ethos: 'to act in a way that people we admire do, to be true to ourselves, our ideals and beliefs. Which are mainly to enjoy being in a band!'. Considering this, Islet have managed to attract a lot of attention through eccentric live performances and sporadic releases of EPs, earning them a spot at Primevera Sound festival in Barcelona.

Their gig at undertone on Monday was the third I have seen, each with different levels of manic. The first time was the last act of Swn festival and was by far the most manic, with the floor of the Model Inn feeling like it was going to cave and the members of Islet climbing on the speakers and banging their sticks on the roof. The second was at Clwb Ifor Bach and was the least manic as their was a metaphorical barrier between audience and band maybe due to the bigger venue. In response to this, a gig and the gritty, sweaty, cramped setting of Undertone was anticipated to be very manic.

There is no ignoring Islets stage presence: somewhere between fear, respect and intrigue are my feelings as they beat the drum rims in a primeval manner whilst bouncing around the room (How they bounce so high I'm not sure). The band switches instruments when they fancy which shows their free flowing approach to music and it gives the impression that everything happens by chance and luckily, by chance, its bloody good. Sometimes the guy with the handlebar mustache comes bounding into the crowd chanting their tribal song, head banging and knocking peoples drinks all over the place. The crowds reaction to this is interesting, some find it amusing and some are just plain frightened. Unfortunately everyone was too nervous to start bouncing around with Islet and generally going mental, like Islet. It's not the standard of music wasn't good enough, just people we're intimidated by their unusual approach to live music. In terms of the actual performance, it was spectacular and I can't wait to see them again.

[Video] Battles - Ice Cream

[Review] Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - Rome

Broken Bells was one of my favorite albums from last year which was both due to the fact that I was hankering after new Shins material and because Mercer and Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse proved to be a formidable duo. Burton's torrent of creativity has not ceased to carve its path through various genres and will no-doubt influence many to come.

The first song, The Theme of Rome sets the tone for the album but its got about as much to do with the city as Clint Eastwood as it sounds like a Spaghetti Western Soundtrack. In fact the original choir from The Good the Bad and the Ugly have been resurrected for the backing vocals. However don't let this make you think its another variation of the 60's revival.

Given Burton's visionary approach to his musical endeavors, it makes sense that any guests on the album should be of similar prolificacy. Jack White, a man of equal ambition and who, like Burton seems to have endless talent, features on three of the songs. As the album is decidedly bluesy, White's delicate voice translates well. Also his theatrical nature fits the peculiar, psychedelic tone of the album. You will have heard first single Two Against One where Jack White sings about battling with the mind over struggles with self-loathing and insecurity. I particularly like the use of harpsichord contrasted with the themed Mexican feel.

Norah Jones similarly bluesy but more provocative voice has been used as a romantic counterpart for Jack White in this paritcular Spaghetti Western. Her country influence sits well with the imagery of ol' towns in the Sanatana Susana Pass in Ventura county, California.

A favorite of mine is The Gambling Priest which reminds me of music from the time of the vietnamese war. It also demonstrates, along with many other songs particularly the interludes, the influence of composer Daniele Luppi as they have the feel of a movie soundtrack. This is not to detriemntal effect but merely removes another boundary in that film scores are highly accomplished pieces of music and who says that style can't be incorporated into a chart album.

Burton takes on music from all eras and genres which can include at any time, Spaghetti Western, Baroque and blues rock. This combined with eery vocals does make the album have a deranged feel and makes it impossible to pigeon hole. But I guess that is Danger Mouse's game; pushing past genre boundaries, soaring above the squabbles over which music is what and creating something completely new.

8/10

Release date: 17/5

Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi - Rose With A Broken Neck feat. Jack White

Washed Out - Within or Without

A pioneer in that infectious, poorly named genre Chillwave that swept the blogging world in synchrony with the likes of Neon Indian and Toro Y Moi. Although retro is as popular as ever, it is remarkable how such a mushy, drowned out, synth heavy sound ever made it out alive. Its nostalgia inducing tone evokes emotions that are as familiar as they are unfamiliar?? That is, it's all about getting lost in that dreamy, slightly melancholy sound that leads us to think of the past. So dreamy that I'm surprised Life of Leisure wasn't the soundtrack to Inception and that when you listen it feels like you are in the fourth dream layer. I think due to the prolific rise, we all expected an imminent and not very dramtic fizzling out. However, think again all you haters. Toro Y Moi released their second LP with Memory Tapes set to release their follow up to Seek Magic.

And now Washed Out is keeping the ball rolling by announcing his debut full length called Within and Without. It's co-produced by the same guy that did Merriweather Post Pavillion and early reviews liken some of the songs to Caribou. Also a more singer/songwriter side has been explored, showcasing Ernest Greene's soulful voice. A single has been released for free download by Sub Pop and you can listen to it below. Album due 12/7

Washed Out - Eyes Be Closed

[Video] White Denim - Drug

[April Mix]

You know the drill, hit the triangle and listen your way through an hour of delectable tunes from April and beyond.




Tracklist:
Grimes - Sagrad
Keep Shelly in Athens - Cremonia Memories
Purity Ring - Lofticries
Prefuse 73 - The Only Valentines Failure
Brian Eno & David Byrne - Regiment
d'Eon - Transparency (How to Dress Well Rework)
Puro Instinct - No Mames
Grimes - Crystal Ball
TV on the Radio - You
The Kills - Baby Says
Yuck - Get Away
Eels - Susan's House