GEMS – Scars

One of my favorite emerging acts of 2013 is back with a new single and new tour dates for the Southeast.  The cinematic dream pop duo GEMS quietly released Scars at midnight last night, a track that both follows an established trajectory and pushes them in new directions.  The first few strums of the reverby guitar are instantly recognizable as a GEMS track, unexpectedly offset by Lindsay’s dissonant introductory refrain.  The track quickly returns to its roots with a classically structured verse and hugely melodic chorus.  Lindsay and Cliff continue to have some of the most distinctive sounding pop songs around and a rock solid artistic identity and direction.  They continually stand out as one of the most exciting emerging acts, and I’m clamoring for their success over here.  Check them out in one of these towns, or head over to Hopscotch Festival in Raleigh this September.

 

Introducing: Litl Biird

To put it simply, John Magee, AKA Litl Biird, is a pianist and vocalist emerging from Brooklyn.  To delve deeper, Magee is a poet who carefully merges two worlds- the worlds of the organic and of the intellectual.   Magee emulates the soft and organic nature of our surroundings, as if heard through the ears of synesthesia.  He gently plucks inspiration from the most mundane or simple, which organized by the human brain into a poetic pattern becomes the center of our attention- beauty brought to the forefront.  As a result, hearing Magee’s music is like fine tuning our focus to the particles of sound around us, be it through the organization of the actions and words of man, or the utility of nature’s own symphony.  It doesn’t hurt that Magee has a dynamic and emotive voice, skillfully employed over his simple and touching orchestrations.  Most recently Litl Biird was the standout performer at Poptimism, a show organized by Kaiotic Music and Ponk Records.  You can come check him out, as well as another emerging NYC male vocalist Mattheu (who played at Kaiotic’s first show Tropical Paradiso), at Rock Shop on June 19th.

Check out some of my favorite tracks below.

 

 

 

Cathedrals – Want My Love

Releasing a track on Neon Gold is already a surefire way to ensure success, as MS MR and their own label have proven with previous endeavours.  The label seems to have a knack for picking talent with a unique sensibility but accessible styles, and Californian duo Cathedrals seem to have just that.  Yesterday saw the release of their third single, Want My Love, and it’s a slow burning, subtly growing track with some serious references.  Vocally and instrumentally there are many moments that shout out late 90s/early 00s R&B; I’m talking R.Kelly, Mary J. Blige, even some P.Diddy with Brodie Jenkins’ voice selling modernized soul, among very contemporary production.  At minute 1:53 the song breaks open for a guitar riff and Brodie’s voice into a moment that could be a Miguel track (or even Mariah’s #beautiful), meanwhile the lyrics say “Baby, please tell me you’re alone.  Cuz I know I’ve got this running deep in my bones“-  It’s so good, so popular R&B in a modern electronic package.  Is Cathedral’s style hack picking just the right style of R&B to appropriate from just long enough ago?  It’s no surprise to see decade old R&B making appearances almost everywhere, but what’s delectable is when someone does it in a new way with quality and style (Johnny Hwin is killing it)- that’s exactly what this track does, and while the previous two were intriguing, this one sells the duo as someone to watch in 2014.

Introducing: Mental Bend

Mental Bend breaks with our geo-musical steretypes.  Montreal & Sweden have established themselves as spearheaders for dreamy and electronic pop, while places like Berlin are clearly heralded for house & techno- but this duo fractures our preconceived notions of what comes out of the city of nightlife.  Instead of raves, this dreampop pair are creating anthemic heartbreak jams, with subtle and delicate nuances.  Take My Hand is front runner for most accessible single, but the second track on the EP, That’s What We Do, is the moment in which their romance becomes inescapable and completely captivating.  The EP as a whole is a well rounded debut, as if the film Melancholia became a dream pop record-  beautiful yet dark, ominous yet floral; an embrace of emotion funneled through restrained instrumentation.

Prinze George – Make Me

Prinze George has already proven itself to be a contender for big time action.  There’s a sound, for sure, that’s shared across many contemporary bands coming out of Brooklyn- Sylvan Esso and Wet come to mind specifically, but there are many things that are unique about Prinze George.  It’s Naomi Almquist’s voice, at times gender bending, and her nuanced interpretation of emotions- sometimes unpolished and raw, at others operatic and well curated.  It’s the poetic, almost old fashioned seduction of words, which like Naomi’s voice vacillates between sophisticated and cotidian.  It’s an electrifying combination and a charming experience.  Now the Brooklyn Pop band release their fourth single, Make Me, amidst a flurry of initial performances and blog buzz.  It’s another gorgeous Pop track, not quite summer hit, not quite ballad.  It’s a track of twisted yet enlightened self awareness, hidden beneath nostalgic naievete.  It’s captivating, and it’s production is a contrast like everything else about Prinze George.  At first glance the sound is hollow- but it’s misleading.  The subtle pulses and quiet waves of background sound suddenly become lush and engulfing.  Props Prinze George, I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Marlene – Indian Summer EP

Kaiotic has been gagging on Marlene‘s debut Bon Voyage for way too long now, and finally there is something substantial to gratify that tickle in the back of our throats.  Recorded in LA, Marlene’s debut EP, Indian Summer, is a delightful collection of Pop songs and powerful vocals.  Featuring previously shared tracks Bon Voyage and Stay Awake, the real selling points here are Indian Summer- a great title track pop ditty, the kind that makes you feel all alive and stuff, and I Do This For You, a minimalist R&B/Pop track with some Timbaland-esque production and intense belting.

Rae Morris & Fryars – Cold

The talented British pop whisperer Rae Morris has teamed up with R&B cool kid Fryars to craft this stunningly simple and approachable new track, Cold.  The second cut from Morris’ new album (out September 22nd) establishes this album as part of the forefront of British R&B/Pop tidal waves, likely to touch American shores soon enough.  Fryars co-wrote and co-produced the heartwrenching chasm the song paints for us (all with a hopeful silver lining and coddling melodies)- it’s a sweeping ride, likely to make your hair stand on end if you let it.

Jess Glynne – Right Here

Jess Glynne is back with a killer throwback dance track.  It falls somewhere between the new wave of Brit dance pop and 90s soul house (with some Disclosure flavor in there).  Her vocals are full and powerful, just what’s necessary to carry such a heavy and forward beat.  With some playful saxophone, perfectly placed snares, and undeniably danceable bass, Right Here is my new favorite party track.

Kodacrome – Buggy Bumper

Brooklyn duo Kodacrome is bumpin’ boogies on their new track Buggy Bumper, a darkly europop infused single.  Elissa Pociask’s vocals bring to mind Emily Haines while Ryan Casey’s production evokes The Presets, a combination that leads to a hauntingly sensual yet danceable experience.  As a building block atop Koda’s previous releases, Buggy Bumper feels like a step upwards, with a fantastic video to accompany it- the video teaser is an engulfing experience of pop colors contrasted with shadows, water, and dark ooze- much like the song itself.  The evolution of the track that begins at 1:50, stripping the song to a pulsating synth and adding quirky and ravey embellishments, is a money moment that leads perfectly to a necessary and desired climax.  Stellar track.

The Le Sigh, The Epoch, & Kaiotic Music Present SALES

 

Kaiotic Music is incredibly excited to announce that one of our Florida favorites, SALES, will be joining Brooklyn’s Florist, Small Wonder, & Told Slant for an amazing show at The Paper Box this summer, in association with The Le Sigh and The Epoch.  RSVP Here and get your tickets here.