DOWNLOAD: Future Islands - Balance
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Serious pop songs: One of the best genres, but also one of the hardest to crack. Future Islands do them so well on a new album entitled On The Water coming October 11 on Thrill Jockey. "Balance" starts with a calm that could be waves or traffic and eventually breaks into a melancholic synth-heavy pop workout with melodies strong enough to please the biggest of New Order fans. "If you want something to change," croaks the group's singer Sam Herring. "You gotta change your life." Heady stuff, sure, but you will still dance alone to it in your bedroom.
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DOWNLOAD: Oberhofer - Gotta Go
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Oberhofer would never dare obscure a strong melody. That's immensely clear on the New York indie band's new single "Gotta Go." It mixes the rough innocence of garage rock and melancholic swells of new wave with a crunchy, surfed-out drum beat chugging underneath it all. Watch for Oberhofer's debut LP on its newly-adopted home Glassnote in early 2012. "Gotta Go," which was produced by Lewis Pesacov of Best Coast fame, is available in physical form October 4 via White Iris.
PREMIERE: Superhumanoids - Mikelah
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"Mikelah" is a marraige of genres, and LA's Superhumanoids the stoic priest. The new wave-leaning vocals of Cameron Parkins alone would have made for a worthy track, but in comes Sarah Chernoff's soprano, a dose of dream pop that sets the band apart from standard electro fare. With a percussive intro that seems to announce its shift from bedroom to big time, the new 7-inch is sure to provide the rest of the necessary evidence—grab it tomorrow from White Iris.
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PREMIERE: Alan Watts - Jukebox Dad
Alan Watts: British philosopher keen on bringing eastern beliefs to the western world. Alan Watts: Brooklyn trio keen on bringing inspired darkwave to a lulling city scene. The group has begun to make the rounds with its industrial-driven pop, paying homage to its short-lived first incarnation on a debut release titled Thank You, Spectral Void. "Jukebox Dad" forms around a throbbing, layered mix of guitar and drum machine that has already drawn comparisons to another Alan (Vega, of '70s pioneers Suicide). The upcoming EP is currently streaming on the band's Soundcloud. Fans can grab the physical tape when it's released in a limited pressing on House Of Aragon.
PREMIERE: SWTHRT - I Am In Misery
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I can't say I was very surprised to learn of SWTHRT's Beat Happening cover, as that's the obvious first comparison to make upon hearing them. Move on to the non-obvious, however, and the New Order starts creeping in, the North Carolina duo's a more raw, DIY take on new wave than we've heard in awhile. What began as a school project for keyboardist Becca High quickly took life with guitar and vocals by Museum Mouth-member Karl Kuehn, and "I Am In Misery" highlights the pair's hooks at their best. Catch the track on upcoming album Compact Disc, which will be available for free download starting April 25.
DOWNLOAD: The Chain Gang Of 1974 - Undercover
A less morose press pic and a less morose song from The Chain Gang Of 1974—the only new wave outfit that we’d stand in the rain clutching a boombox for. “Undercover” is a sudsy dance anthem: managing to pull off both filmy and fibrous as Kamtin Mohager’s epic baritone swells crash into a frenzy of keys and pop chords. Your Friday music starts now (and continues June 21, when the LP drops on Modern Art).
The Chain Gang Of 1974 - Undercover
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DOWNLOAD: Twin Shadow - Slow (Van Rivers Remix)
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Synth forces unite in this moody refit of Twin Shadow's "Slow," where frequent Fever Ray producer Van Rivers turns down the dance screws and fires up the smog machines. This one moves like new wave molasses: thick, dark, and smooth as can be. Pour liberally into your ears to sway along, and don't clean out until well into the new year.
Twin Shadow - Slow (Van Rivers Remix)
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DOWNLOAD: Anoraak - Try Me (Jupiter Remix)
French New Waver Anoraak is love sick on this one. And what's the best cure to get that unrequited love you're chasing after out of your mind? A getaway. Jupiter's remix of "Try Me" brings out subtle tropical, IDM feel to the piney tune. Even if you can't break out of town, this can transform your bedroom into the island beach bar or at least add a little bit pep to your lovelorn step. For the original and more electro-pop goodies, pick up Anoraak's first full-length, Wherever The Sun Sets, out now on Blanc/Naive.
Anoraak - Try Me (Jupiter Remix)
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