Nicos Gun - "Anything" [video]

As the time creeps forward towards Nicos Gun's first album release, these Philly-based up-and-comers haven't shied away from spitting out what's now their third music video.  The electronic punk meets psychedelic indie rock (as one astutely put it - Prince and Hot Chip had a lovechild) continues as "Anything" serves as another example of their versatile skills and unpredictability.  If you're in NYC tomorrow night, check them, and/or me, out live at Cameo Gallery.

My man Nick Plastik didn't make the cut for this vid; word on the street is he locked himself inside an undisclosed studio to drop beats for their next hit.

Lord Huron - Mighty EP

The EP dropped waaaay back in November, and last month's video release for "The Stranger" helped Lord Huron captivate us for this well-deserved post.

Mighty, the second of their first two EP's, features four rewarding songs.  Each track transforms the expected vibrance of indie folk rock into a seemingly tribal experience.  With emotionally-driven melodies and lyrical repetitions, Lord Huron's singer and writer Ben Schneider achieves exactly what Mighty was set out to accomplish, "I’m trying to develop the storytelling elements...the way in which the structures and sound choices complement the narrative...my hope is to make the songs as evocative as possible"

Lord Huron - "Mighty"

Lord Huron - "The Stranger"

I can't trust anyone or anything these days

Boy & Bear

Calling themselves "a combination of drivey indie folk and choral harmonies," Boy & Bear is the Local Natives of Australia. 

Formed as a one-man project in 2009, addictive riffs infused with banjo and mandolin create a unique twist on the folk rock sound.  Having already toured Australia with Mumford & Sons and The Hungry Kids of Hungary, amongst others, they're weeks away from returning to the states for this year's SXSW and furthering the enlightenment.  

Boy & Bear - "Storm"

Boy & Bear - "Rabbit Song"

Boy & Bear - "Mexican Mavis"

Don't fret about the limited number of tracks they have out there, in April they'll be back in the studio with producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, My Morning Jacket, The White Stripes) to record their debut album, set for release later in 2011.

Monday Facelift #9 - 2/21/11

California's Foster The People drop hit after hit, as the third track off of their recently released EP, "Houdini," is another infectious classic.  Enjoy it and the rest of Monday Facelift #9. 

Foster The People - "Houdini"

Dumbo Gets Mad - Elephants At The Door

Emerging from Northern Italy, Dumbo Gets Mad migrated to L.A.  last summer and dropped this mesmeric debut full-length, Elephants At The Door, two weeks ago.  They get it done via some old-school weapons, with analog synthesizers and tape machines, making it all the more authentic and impressive sounding.

Dumbo Gets Mad - "Eclectic Prawn"

this is the story of eclectic prawn / he wears a little pretty crown

Dumbo Gets Mad - "Plumy Tale"

Get the tracks for free here.

Click to read more ...

Foster The People - "Pumped Up Kicks" [video]

Foster The People officially dropped their phenomenal three track EP last month, and just put out this video for "Pumped Up Kicks" a few days ago.  These guys have a really bright future.

BBU & Das Racist - "Please, No Pictures"

The lyrically and everything else talented Brooklyn-based Das Racist collaborated with BBU to spit out this aptly-timed (released the day after the Grammy's) hot new track, "Pleeeeeease, No Pictures." 

White women say Das Racist are articulate for a reason, as they continue to drop pop culture-themed rhymes laced with complexities beyond their simplistic facade.

Catch me at the crib listening to Halo / I'm so excited Jesse Spano

At the forefront of brown philosophical theory / All whack lasik 20/20 clearly

Moon Duo - "Mazes"

Inspired by the legendary duo of John Coltrane (American jazz saxophonist/composer) and Rashied Aliby (avant-garde jazz drummer), Moon Duo was formed in 2009 and has their first full-length album due out next month.  The eight-track Mazes, recorded in San Fran and mixed in Berlin, will be delivered courtesy of Sacred Bones and early indications suggest greaaaat success.

"Utilizing primarily guitar, keyboards, and vocals, the Duo plays space against form to create a primeval sound experience." The below title track, "Mazes," follows that mold as Moon Duo has slightly turned the corner from their previously dark and goth-like EP releases, transitioning to a psych meets American rock form.

Moon Duo is well on their way to a prodigious ascent.

Moon Duo - "Mazes"

Give a gander to the info below to find out about the Mazes' upcoming tour and rumored tracklist.

Click to read more ...

The Casanova Wave EP

Unless you live in or around Waterford, Ireland, you probably haven't heard of The Casanova Wave yet.  A project of Brian McCartan, TCW emerged onto the Irish music scene late last year, and have begun to build a following as the EP makes it rounds online and more people see the gig live.

As described by TCW themselves, the sound is a "happy-go-lucky mix of warm electronica and fresh live instruments complimented by an array of sounds, melodies, bouncing rhythms, bright guitars and pulsing synths."  This self-titled The Casanova Wave EP garnered a mention in The Irish Times 'Best Irish Acts of 2010' list, and an appearance at Whelans' Ones To Watch 2011 festival.  Give these two tracks a chance and check out the rest of the EP at their bandcamp page.  Enjoy.

Lemaitre

2010 provided a ton of amazing musical discoveries, but Lemaitre was one of the best.  We first revealed these Norwegians in early December, and they've released two other singles since that post that you need to hear.  We've also included the intriguingly unique vid for "Come Again."

Hatters gonna hate /  let's make some shot - Lithuania visit

Lemaitre - 1:18

Lemaitre - Strobes Pt. 2

Absofacto - Kiko

Back in November we had the chance to "sit down" with Absofacto to find out who and what is behind the intriguing project - check it out here (also featured in Absofacto's press page).  Since then Jonathan has been grinding in the studio, emerging this week with two new expectantly addicting originals.  Released on Dovecote Records, Absofacto combined his "tuneful experimental pop" with the instrumental hip hop of 10k Cities (the duo of Zoomzip and Pollination) to create this limited edition split 7" vinyl called Kiko.    

After months of listening to Absofacto, the best way to describe the sound is to call it a rebellious and unconstrained version of Spoon, spruced by vocals reminiscent of an Americanized and contemplative James Mercer (of The Shins).  If you dig Ghostland Observatory you'll also enjoy Kiko's third track, created solely by 10k Cities.  Check them all out at Abso's bandcamp page. 

is not enough to get me over that chasm

where the gaudy wristwatch wrapped round your arm can slow

Cut Copy - Zonoscope

At the top of Australia's dance scene for years, Cut Copy's release of Zonoscope, their third studio album, will send their fine-tuned 80's-influenced synth-pop sounds into the ears of many new fans this year.  It wouldn't surprise me if it does for Cut Copy what Wolfgang Amadeus did for Phoenix - transform a hometown and blogosphere favorite into international stardom.

Despite the initial hesitation to post due to the high volume of press (Pitchfork gave it an 8.6), the album, officially released today, is too good to pass on (I give it a 9.2).  "Take Me Over" and "Where I'm Going" are the band's first title tracks, but the below two are playing on repeat in the troysnoise studio (picture forthcoming) this week.  Refreshingly, almost every song is longer than four minutes, with the fifteen minute, "Sun God," demanding introspection as an entrancing and ubiquitous album finale.  Modernizing all the beauty of 80's electro-pop, Cut Copy morphs their evolved sound into an addictive dance-rock masterpiece.  Support the crew and purchase Zonoscope.

Cut Copy - "Corner Of The Sky"

Update on Wednesday, February 9, 2011 by troysnoise

Part 4 of the documentary film about the making of Zonoscope.

Monday Facelift #8 2.07.11

Formerly signed to Sony, Walter Meego hasn't really been heard from since 2008.  Last month Meego emerged with a self-released album called Wondervalley, featuring a must-hear single called "Starlight."  It's one of the many good listens in Monday Facelift #8. 

Featured Track:

Walter Meego - "Starlight" 

Work Drugs - "Rad Racer"

Philadelphia's premier Bat Mitzvah and Quinceanera party band, Work Drugs, released their third single yesterday called "Rad Racer."  This "sedative-wave/smooth-fi," is a project compliments of Thomas Crystal and Benjamin Louisiana, claiming to make music specifically for dancing, boating, yachting, sexting, and living.  Rad.

Work Drugs - "Rad Racer"  (video)

and from Monday Facelift #7...Work Drugs - "Third Wave"

Craft Spells

Craft Spells - "After The Moment"

The Beach Boys are a heavy influence, they're from Seattle and sound something like Wild Nothing and The Radio Dept. with an extra layer of haziness.  They released the above single a few weeks ago, signed to Captured Tracks, Craft Spells's album is due out March 29, 2011.  

And one of their singles from last summer - "Party Talk"