[EP/VIDEO] Humans – TRAPS (w/ “De Ciel”)

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i will never know and i will never show 

♫ Humans – De Ciel

  • Who: Peter & Robbie
  • What: Weirdo beat grooves, like LCD Soundsystem, Black Light DInner Party, Digits
  • Where: Vancouver, Canada + Facebook
  • When: The Traps EP is out.
  • Why: Did I mention that Humans kicked ass live on Thursday? I did? Good. Thats important. What’s also important is their new EP Traps which is full of the kind of loopy grooves and beats that I fell in love with on “Avec Mes Mecs.” Robbie’s voice wraps it all together into gloriously delicate and mesmerizing package. “De Ciel” bumps and pops straight into my core, igniting limb movement right off the bat. “Possession” is a big “oooh ooh” sing along number that dabbles in cowbell and stutter beats. The video for “Horizon” (below) is fine example of the band’s sensibilities. A blend of the serious and silly. Even though the songs are not overtly goofy I’ve seen few other bands have more giddy fun playing music than these two.

[EP] Polarsets – EXOTICA (w/ “Tropics”)

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and i fear i might forget this moment, let it breathe into the breeze

  • Who: Rob, Mickey, James
  • What: Atlantic-tropic rock, like Theme Park, Friendly Fires, Tanlines
  • Where: Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK + Facebook
  • When: The Exotica EP is out now.
  • Why: These guys not only put on a solid stage show at our SXSW parties this year, they saved the day with a lent audio cable that patched us through a day of technical issues. If all that awesome wasn’t enough they have since dropped the tight-as-a-drum Exotica EP which kicks off with the glistening cocktail of a jam “Tropics.” Much like it’s video, the audio light-as-air adventure float through beaches and forests filled with love and wonder. And just like the rest of the 4 song EP, it gets even better with repeated listens. For a band who didn’t initially catch my interest, they have grown on me immensely these past few months. Get this for your summer.

[EP] Black Light Dinner Party – BLDP (w/ “Leave It All”)

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coming soon, drop in the freezing air, laying down, clothes are off with your seductive stare

♫ Black Light Dinner Party – Leave It All

These mysterious NYC groove masters have a solid tradition of excellence despite only 4 tracks in the world. Their ID3 tage would have me believe there is a fifth but I haven’t found it. No matter, even if it was a total dud, the jams coming out of BLDP are so catchy and beautiful that it is easily one of the years best EPs. “Leave It All” kicks a big disco bounce as it unfurls into an upbeat oil-pump of good sounds. Grab “Gold Chain” and “Small Boxes” at their Soundcloud. Then give your speakers a good work out.

[EP] Meg Myers – DAUGHTER IN THE CHOIR (w/ “Adelaide”)

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i don’t wanna cry about it i dont wanna fight about it, i just wanna let you go

♫ Meg Myers – Adelaide

  • Who: Meg Myers
  • What: Rocking chick pop, like Foxes, Niki & The Dove, Icona Pop
  • Where: Los Angeles via Tennessee + Facebook
  • When: EP is out now.
  • Why: Our man Doctor Rosen Rosen has already established his chops as a remixer and solo artist. His ever expanding world now includes Tennessee native Meg Myers and her Rosen-produced EP Daughter In The Choir. From epic pop groovers (“Adelaide”) to piano-led ballads (“After You”) to strings and bellowing confessionals (“Monster”), her music is laced with a darkness that gives it a sturdy weight. This pop is solid.

[QUICKIE/COVER] Oberhofer – TIME CAPSULES II (w/ “I Could Go”) + “Runaway” (Kanye West cover)

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and I don’t have a clue what that look on your face is all about

It’s redundant ’cause you know I love Oberhofer but this album is sunshine and fast cars. Big, fun, and catchy as hell. Listen all summer.

♫ Oberhofer – Runaway (Kanye West cover)

Plus this Kanye cover is just further evidence of the talent at work here.

[Quickies are mini-reviews that can fit into a 140 character tweet. They are of albums that people already know of but perhaps are curious about our take on it. What did you think of the disc?]

[LIVE/EP] Midi Matilda – RED LIGHT DISTRICT EP (w/ “Red Light District”)

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i could be your lover, hold me till the next one at least

♫ Midi Matilda – Red Light District

You should remember San Francisco’s Midi Matilda from their stellar “Day Dreams” in January. If you don’t, then now is your chance to remember them from their also-stellar “Red Light District” and the impeccable EP named after it. The band’s style of shuffling grooves slip and bounce in perfect harmony with Kilborn’s tender vocals. It’s all endlessly catchy without suffering from largesse or overproduction. It’s kinda perfect really. A lot like Read more

[QUICKIE] Santigold – MASTER OF MY MAKE-BELIEVE

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now it’s all you to man up you see no way to hang on what you say

Some tracks don’t deliver but the ones that do bang hard. Gems are “Go” “Keepers” & obvs “Disparate Youth.” I’m glad she’s back for summer.

[Quickies are mini-reviews that can fit into a 140 character tweet. They are of albums that people already know of but perhaps are curious about our take on it. What did you think of the disc?]

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[EP] Foxes – WARRIOR (w/ “Warrior” & “Let Go For Tonight”)

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and you won’t know anything about it until you have to live without it

♫ Foxes – Let Go For Tonight (Demo)

More Foxes! This girl can basically do no wrong. Her debut EP Warrior is out now and while it is conspicuously missing the epic “Youth” it features the rousing “White Coats” as well as the sparser “Let Go For Tonight” and the piano-led “Warrior.” “In Her Arms” is the one track I haven’t heard yet but I can still name Warrior one of the years top EPs. More please!