There are a couple of things that have caught my attention recently. And hey, at least two of them are available worldwide!
Worldwide
The Future/ The Human League The Golden Hour Of The Future I was really pleased to see this arrive today. This selection of super-early Human League stuff also has the honour of being the first musical gift my boyfriend ever gave me (swiftly followed by Kraftwerk’s Ralf and Florian - he knows me well.) This is the Human League in their pre-pop, pre-girls stage. Or, as Joe put it in an instant messenger conversation we had earlier today, “when they were in their quasi-Cabaret Voltaire stage.” A little rough around the edges, but a very good collection nonetheless.
Theresa Andersson Hummingbird, Go!; Theresa, apparently, is a Swedish musician living in New Orleans. I hadn’t heard of her before, but as Tobias Froberg, Allen Toussaint and Norwegian singer-songwriter Ane Brun were all listed as collaborators it seemed worth a listen. (Froberg, as it turns out, is also credited as the producer of Hummingbird, Go! ) Andersson very very occasionally verges a little towards the coffee shop, but on the whole her music is multi-layered and full of surprising sounds. Lush and lovely.
Europe Only
Friendly Fires Friendly Fires - A sort of nu-rave Gang of Four vibe going on here and the comparisons to the Klaxons and the Rapture are just screaming, but it’s a lot better and less scene-y that all of that suggests*. Out of the current crop of new bands, Friendly Fires remind me of Late of the Pier more than anyone else – good fun to dance to, but far from stupid.
UK Only
Mandarin My DIY The former Bis singer makes a return. This is quirky, fun electropop saved from total twee toothrot by the subject matter: the great Size Zero debate rears it’s tired and emaciated head again, but Manda has enough humour and cheek to make it fresh. Great review in The Guardian here.
* I do like Gang of Four, Klaxons and the Rapture – I just didn’t want to suggest Friendly Fires were hipster copycats.
I’ve been watching the site for Okkervil River and for Calexico today - just got The Stand-ins, but will we be seeing Carried to Dust up and running today?
Sorry, Randy. This was announced on the message boards a month or so back, but the Calexico has been held back from eMusic until later this year/early next. Sorry about that.
hey Anna, what’s happening with the new Basement Jaxx album? it’s listed on the home page as being available yesterday?
i’m not sure what that is either. we will have to wait for anna to get in tomorrow morning!
Good question Mr B - we were supposed to get it, but it hasn’t shown up yet. I’ve emailed the label, so watch this space.
That Friendly fires is a real grower. First few listens just passed me by, but just lately, it’s had me right dancing ’round the kitchen
The sad news on Basement Jaxx - it was an EP release that we initially thought would be going digital, but sadly it’s vinyl only now - so no one will be gettng it, except actual, physical record shops.
Really glad you liked Friendly Fires though Simon.