The world of electro-pop is, blatantly, full of utter shit. Fortunately, Neon Sleep and Electrovamp are two acts that have continuously proven their relevance in the exploding electronic music scene. With catchy hooks precisely spread over beats that make you cut a rug, you can expect great things from both of our featured artists. Read more inside!
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Soundenvision is changing…right under Heidi Montag’s nose! Click the title above to read more about our upcoming, full-scale launch.
White Lies are, speaking lightly, fucking fantastic. The perfect blend of alternative rock and electronic-cred (see: Crystal Castles remixed their latest single) has been achieved.
Hands up for lame headlines, we seem to be good at them lately! To stay on topic, take a look inside to see how you could win a Lady Gaga 12″ vinyl! US residents only, please.
My tastes, your tastes, new artists, music world developments, and so on. Anything and everything music can be found here…well, at least the stories I care enough to share.
Random shit we really couldn’t fit anywhere else (see: favorite things, miscellaneous lists, playlists, general rants, etcetera).
Updates, developments, and descriptions of my current design projects. There is nothing wrong with a bit of shameless self promotion, no?
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Easily. Download here (right click, save target as…as always).
Frankmusik “My Mind”
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Please excuse the title, as it is a bit of a misnomer. We understand the words shit and Frankmusik should, under no circumstances, be used in the same HTML line! On point, below is a review of the latest edition’s to 2009’s (surely to be) biggest success story’s Myspace player.
Pinch Myself
For, arguably, the most talented, upcoming electronic-pop producer of the times, boy sure knows how to create an epic pop ballad. “Pinch Myself” follows a bit in the footsteps of “Done Done”, a bit of a lesser version without having any relation other than the tempo, in other words. We’ll keep this one in mind when the album comes around in all its Island Records glory.
CONCLUSION: 8.75/10
My Mind
Easily the best of the newer tracks. Clever arrangements, pop production accessible as a Rachel Stevens record, and quick-witted lyrics make this an obvious favorite. I’m looking forward to that inevitable, late night, British talkshow performance of this one. Talk about hit written all over it.
CONCLUSION: 10+/10
Shoot The Breeze
This one has some serious mastering in store, hopefully.
CONCLUSION: 7/10
As a side note, we highly encourage you to sign up at Frankmusik’s BOMB ASS (yes, BOMB ASS!) official site by clicking the (second) link below. Just for joining, you receive a rather spectacular (and free) mixtape - how sweet is that? Even better, there’s an ADDITIONAL SIX MP3 DOWNLOADS on the ‘Musik’ section of the website…when you register, of course.
P.S. Expect another Frankmusik ‘review and download session’ tomorrow; he is putting up yet another EP titled ‘Fully Fledged’ for our mere, listening pleasure.
LISTEN & LEARN: Frankmusik’s Myspace, Official Site
It’s always nice to open your inbox and see a healthy 2,000 unread messages, in all seriousness! Over the past few days, here’s some juicy information we’ve received:
- Fresh from mtvU’s premiere box, Sia’s “Soon We’ll Be Found” (the latest release from the masterpiece that is ‘Some People Have Real Problems’) has gotten the full video treatment by the fabulous Claire Carre:
Likes: impeccable single choice, PAINT!, shadows, hands, outfits, the neon/inverted color scene; Dislikes: no footage of Sia with a nylon over her head, therefore pressing/mutilating her face into rather hilarious poses (see: “Buttons” video).
- Two years ago I’d never imagine writing ANYTHING about the following artist…nonetheless, Goldfrapp are performing at New York’s very own Radio City Music Hall…tomorrow night! Exciting. Even better, Martha Wainwright is the opener. This is something we’d all love to see, I’m sure. Below is a wonderful flyer, further American tour dates, and more exciting Goldfrapp news.
9/12: Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
9/14: Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON
9/16: Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC
9/17: Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA
9/20: Treasure Island Festival. San Francisco, CA
9/21: Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
In addition to all this, I’ve also received news that on September 30th, Goldfrapp will be releasing an exclusive, iTunes Originals SessionsEP to…well, iTunes. The release sounds very promising, shockingly! It’s set to include newly recorded versions of “Strict Machine”, “Ooh La La”, “Paper Bag”, “Eat Yourself”, “Road To Somewhere”, and “Little Bird” - all recorded at New York’s famous Electric Lady Studios. Look forward to some old album tracks and in-depth band commentary being chucked on at the end as well.
- The wonderfully talented Florence And The Machine has just signed with the equally wonderful people of IAMSOUNDin America (see: just signed Little Boots in America as well). Although, it looks like Florence has taken the whole American thing a bit too seriously. Nothing says America like stars and stripes with some fine ice cream! See the enlarged version of the picture to the right.
Furthermore, be sure to take a look at Florence And The Machine’s big-ol’ American competition by clicking here. We may enter ourselves. The prize in question is a personalized, live performance from the aforementioned.
LISTEN & LEARN: Florence & The Machine’s Official Myspace
- And last, but CERTAINLY not least, Justice have announced the final release date of their highly anticipated CD/DVD documentary extravaganza, ‘A Cross The Universe’. The package will be released November 10th and features footage from the band’s US tour last March. The whole thing’s directed by Romain Gavras (Simian Mobile Disco, “Stress” video, etc.) and So-me (”DVNO” video). Check the official trailer below, playa’.
In an attempt to save possible Google-related stress for our readers, we tried to find a direct link on how to order the set online…results were negative. We will get back to you on that!
Where DID we go? SERIOUSLY. The following will help explain.
Question One: Where have you been!?
Answer: Having a dance to the sound of Keri Hilson’s “Energy (Wideboys Remix)”. Join in!
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Question Two: Anything noteworthy happen since the last update?
Answer: Out of the material we’d normally cover…nothing groundbreaking, to be honest. Let’s just say we’ve been playing ‘Keep On’ (see: All Time Love, Who Am I) in anticipation for the new Will Young album. We also hear Mandy Moore has something new up her sleve.
Question Three: Did you see Lady Gaga on The Hills last night?
Answer: Yes. Those three seconds portrayed her as a horrible fierce bitch, unfortunately.
This is all you need to know. The rest is mere commentary.
EMI are shitting bricks…well, probably not - but the entire, original pressing of Annie’s sophomore effort ‘Don’t Stop’ leaked some days/a week ago. This won’t be that big of a problem, of course, if they’re having her “re-record” any significant amount of material.
This brings us to our (albeit, delayed) song of the week, Annie featuring Datarock’s Fredrik Soroea “I Can’t Let Go”. Songs as good as the featured are a dime a dozen on the album, both frankly and thankfully! As if we ever had any doubts…? The following would have been enough for us, extra tracks are fantastic bonuses:
01. Songs Remind Me Of You
02. Songs Remind Me Of You
03. Songs Remind Me Of You
04. Songs Remind Me Of You
05. Songs Remind Me Of You
06. Songs Remind Me Of You
07. Songs Remind Me Of You
08. Songs Remind Me Of You
09. Songs Remind Me Of You
10. Songs Remind Me Of You
11. Bad Times
12. Loco
Smack dab between two of the album’s strongest tracks, “Bad Times” and “Marie Cherie”, “I Can’t Let Go” stands out as Annie’s first studio/vocal collaboration. Not to mention it has some fine, slick, near-Datarock sounding production, imagine that? It’s a standout on the megamix, it’s a stand-out for the album, generally, it’s amazing.
Annie Featuring Fredrik Soroea ”I Can’t Let Go”
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A decidedly different post…but what’s life without a little teen drama? Not to mention today was a bit shit until it hit 90210 o’clock (aka 8:00 PM)! Shenae Grimes is the shit. Two thumbs up for Aunt Becky Lori Loughlin as well. 90210 AND America’s Next Top Model…IN THE SAME WEEK? Looks like the CW can actually bank on ratings out of the 80-120 ranges.
Loved the MGMT, Adele, and Ting Tings…by the way. And I’m sure this post makes us totally uncool, etc.
…alright, so the video above has nothing to do with the topic…but it’s neccessary nonetheless! Enter, horrible jheri curl. Right then.
See, I’m no BIG fan of Shwayze or anything…but AC Slater’s done a mind-blowing remix of “Buzzin”. A huge improvement on the original if I may say so myself, which I do enjoy.
Shwayze “Buzzin (AC Slater Remix)”
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Last time we featured AC Slater was on our MTMU Volume #1 - the song was “Touch” by Trash Yourself. Looks like more good stuff is on the way…AC’s remixing for major artists now? Impressive! We’ll keep you updated. Until then, check the following:
AC SLATER ELSEWHERE: Myspace
DOWNLOAD: AC Slater Kiss 100 Guest Mix (Div Share Link, Tracklisting @ AC’s Myspace)
LISTEN & LEARN: Myspace | Official Site
PURCHASE: iTunes
TEPR? Kissy Sell Out? Bitch, please. Punks Jump Up continuously deliver (see: Yelle, Robyn, etc.), lacking a single dull/uninspired mix throughout their entire back catalog. The latest example of their fine craftsmenship is posted below:
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I know, right?! We mentioned Man Like Me the other day, they’ve actually done a remix of “Carny” - which for some reason we didn’t mention - that you can listen to at their official Myspace (it’s in the flash player above the giant Man Like Me single cover).
And, as a sidenote, I’m dying to get my hands on one of these. Heads up to anyone who wants to send $60+ dollars my way! The second one’s only $40 something. No offers…Christmas…maybe?
It has to be said: finally owning a physical copy of the gorgeously packaged (and titled) sophomore Solange album, Sol-Angel & The Hadley St. Dreams, is quite the pleasure. Getting over the general ascetics of the artwork takes some time in itself, but, at the risk of sounding a bit cliche, what’s inside is just as good. The next step? Review it.
Sol-Angel And The Hadley St. Dreams
Released, August 26, 2008
“I’M NOT HER AND NEVER WILL BE” - a theme that opens the album, taken from the overtly Beyonce inspired God Given Name. Solange’s desire to break out of her sister’s inescapable shadow hardly overwhelms the lyrical content of the album, but it’s an ever present and understandable theme from an artist who has a true desire to make genuinely crafted music.
Strangely enough, Sol-Angel And The Hadley St. Dreams accomplishes exactly what Christina Aguilera fell short of on Back To Basics- a shocking enough statement. The unforced, smooth, Ronson-fied production methods and instrumental arrangements throughout the album are pre-60’s inspired, no doubt. Taking in the aforementioned, cupped with the obvious abandonment of daddy’s (that’s Matthew Knowles) media training evident in various interviews and press releases for the songstress, gives Solange a completely refreshing image that flawlessly transfers to the sound of the album - Lady Gaga, take notes!
The album’s second single is, without question, the most radio friendly on the entire effort. Written and produced by Soulshock & Karlin (Solange takes the backseat for the lyrics on this one, only co-writing as apposed to being lead lyricist as on the majority of the album), Sandcastle Disco’s summers-ending groove tempo is exactly what 2008 neo-soul should sound like. Valentines Day and 6 O’Clock Bluesare of similar nature, but take a more personal spin on Solange’s experiences - or at least her individual mindset.
Dancing In The Dark is a product, I’m sure, of Solange’s concert life; the girl loves some Justice, imagine that! The song keeps her story-telling songwriting style and spreads it over a beat you and your seventy year old grandma could simultaneously shimmy and shake to: thank you Square & Mr. Familiar - the producers of the track. Listeners looking for some dancing, unfortunately, won’t be graced with the urge for a second time until the end of the album, enter the epic explosion that is I Decided (Part II). The final song on the standard 13-track edition is better known as the Freemasons remix which, honestly, completely overshadows the original Neptunes production. Note, playing a continuous down-tempo loop under vocals begging for floor filling production does not make for an impressive first single.
Impressively, the filler content on the album is near non-existent, totaling to a single track. I Told You So is a bit of a sleeper, the droning chorus and rather uninspired beats are the only residues of your typical R&B formula on the entire album.
Final conclusion, Solange has created an album to be proud of. Living up to expectations, underground buzz, and other hoo-ha of the Internet music circuit, I can’t see why anyone would be disappointed by such an honest effort.
Playlist: T.O.N.Y., Dancing In The Dark, Sandcastle Disco, Valentines Day, 6 O’clock Blues, Cosmic Journey, This Bird, I Decided (Part II), ChampagneChronicNightcap (Bonus Track)
Skip: I Decided (Part I), I Told You So
Soundenvision’s favorite French-Canadian-psychedelic-electro-music-master, Tiga, has teamed up with Zyntherius to geniusly create an updated cover of Corey Hart’s classic “Sunglasses As Night”. As a heads up, the Alter Ego, Popof, and Konrad Black remixes are of the highest order!
Tiga Featuring Zyntherius “Sunglasses At Night”
(Right Click, Save Target As)
Fucking perfect, right? Just so you know, this was two hair lengths short of being song of the week. Tiga really does produce some high quality tuneage, I highly suggest you check his back catalog if you haven’t already.
PURCHASE ‘SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT’ EP: Beatport
MORE TIGA: Myspace | Official Site| iTunes
01. So bad.
02. So autotuned Rihanna’s done proud.
03. Yet sooo good.
Mad love for Lil Wayne though…even if he is ridiculously overrated. Oh, and the song’s Cassie’s latest (you remember, the gorgeous/monotone one that somehow hit it big a while back…no?), “Official Girl”. We should probably mention that.
Mixtape-Mashup Volume OneRESULTS & CONCLUSIONS
1. Seven people have fantastic taste in music.
2. Two people simply missed the option above.
3. One person is either EXTREMELY bad with their computer mouse…or simply upset we didn’t feature their favorite remix of “Electric”. Don’t expect to get that if you’re not British.
Please vote on poll number dos to the right!
Better late than never, yeah? Our latest Song Of The Week (which we will abbreviate as SOTW from now on, heads up for that), “Common Reaction” by LA’s very own Uh Huh Her, is good enough to hold the title forTWO weeks (gasp), let alone a few days.
Uh Huh Her’s tasty, lo-fi, electro-pop epitomises everything exciting about American music actually being exceptionally good again. Ever since the release of their well recieved, debut EP ‘I See Red’, Camila Grey and Leisha Hailey have earned themselves a slot in our “PAY ATTENTION TO THIS” book…which doesn’t exactly exist, but you get the picture.
“Common Reaction”, the title track from their album which you can purchase below, is one of the highlights on the entire project. Great build, an explosive chorus, and folk-like vocals lusciously spread over a bed of guitars and synths; the song is a good forerunner for what to expect on the entire album.
BUY & LISTEN, UH HUH HER: Myspace | iTunes | Amazon | Official Store
CONCLUSION: 8.5/10
It’s been a while since we’ve posted anything ‘genuinely’ house. Below’s your fix.
Foamo
Fidget house is, no doubt, taking over the bloggosphere. As a fan, it’s not only annoying to sift through hundreds of blogs promoting sub-par productions solely because they’re “being talked about”, but it’s a waste of time for everyone involved. Foamo, fortunately, is somewhat of an underground king of his genre. High Wycombe’s own Kye Gibbon’s second EP, featuring tracks “Rockerman” and “Everything Cool”, was OFFICIALLY released in late July; but his music’s been making the rounds on the scene for quite some time, and deservingly so. Don’t let us impose our opinions, check the music for yourself! Can you believe he’s only 21?
BEST TRACKS: Everything Cool (Can you say killer bassline?), Moving It Over Here, Rockerman
BUY, LISTEN, & LEARN: Myspace | Beatport | Juno Download
Where to start? We know so little about Man Like Me as people, how they got started, etcetera…but the music’s banging. Quality pop beats, vocal techniques Hadouken! SURELY have ripped off paid homage to, and general arrangements that keep your attention and your body moving. Forget everything that rushes to your mindset when you hear the words “underground” and “pop” in the same write-up, Man Like Me are indeed better than your expectations and preconcieved notions. Similar to Foamo, Man Like Me’s latest EP ‘Carny’ was released this past July, and is still making rounds on our mixes, playlists, and car rides home.
BEST TRACKS: Carny, Paloma, Fruit
BUY, LISTEN, & LEARN: Myspace | iTunes | Rough Trade Shops
Leave some feedback! Imput from the readers is half the equation.
Heidi Montag’s fly-on-the-wall life fascinates me, I’m completely flabbergasted by the thought that there are people out there that actually HATE her! Here at Soundenvision, we strive for the highest amounts of entertainment possible; M(r)s. Montag consistently delivers.
The Hills’ only ’character’ with any amount of personality (we’ll throw Lo a bone as well) released her latest single“Overdosin” just last week; however, there was very little news/buzz around the project. All of this is about to change. As you can see by the pictures above and below, Heidi Montag has taken inspiration from both Olivia Newton-John and Eric Prydz (essentially the same thing, we know) and done the best thing she’s put out since, erm, “Fashion”…her last project. Holla: RedOne & Heidi Montag, you are a creative geniuses.
The pictures really speak for themselves. They simply contain too many levels of amazing to put into words. You can bet your ass the video will be posted here the second it’s available.
*You have no idea how serious of a statement this is, you really don’t.
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