We start out this weekends mixtape with an international vibe before moving into the best of the local releases. London based producer James Blake has given us the first taste from his soon to be release second album, French hottie Melody’s Echo Chamber has dropped a b-side, experimental Portlandian’s Akron/Family have a new track, Sydney sider Nick Pes has released his first single, Dan Webb brings us the second track from his 12 tracks in 12 months project and last but not least the Tiger & Me bring us their first release for 2013.
James Blake – Retrograde
London minimalist producer/songwriter James Blake has returned to sooth our ears with the first track ‘Retrograde’ from his forthcoming second album ‘Overgrown’ due for release in April. If you’re a James Blake ran you won’t be disappointed, if you don’t know who James Blake is, wrap your ears around this single. Combining soul, blues and dubstep, ‘Retrograde’ is simliar to the material off his debut, with haunting vocals, stripped back piano, looped handclaps building into intense synth moments and vocal loops before mellowing back out.
Melody’s Echo Chamber – Je Me Perds De Vue
Melody Prochet’s music is meant to remind you of something. That’s why she got Tame Impala’s king of nostalgia inducement, Kevin Parker to produce the otherwise saccharine record. Prochet’s vocals are reminiscent, if perhaps less adorably deadpan,of Broadcast’s late Trish Keenan – another band that rocked reminiscence to its core. ‘Je Me Perds De Vue’ is a b-side to the soon-to-be-released single ‘Crystalised’ taken from Prochet’s eponymous solo debut.
Akron/Family – No Room
The jam-like tune from the experimental Portland band takes a while to kick off (a minute and sixteen seconds to be exact) but once it does. it’s a ripper. Taken from their forthcoming and extremely anticipated record Sub Verses, ‘No Room’ sees no huge variance in Akron/Family’s older work. With experimental, echoing vocals and clean guitar tones, the band are back and we can’t wait to hear more.
Nick Pes – I Remember
This Sydney musician has found himself in summery synth territories for his latest single. With a sound that fits somewhere between local acts such as Voltaire Twins and Van She, ‘I Remember’ is an upbeat pop song with type of surfy guitars and electronica that brings to mind the weather that the track’s video exemplifies. With an EP on the way ‘I Remember’ foreshadows more dreamy pop tracks from Pes.
Dan Webb – Shadows Of A Manaic
In 2013 this artist is releasing 12 songs over 12 months and ‘Shadows Of A Maniac’ is the latest instalment in Webb’s project. The innovative musician has quickly made his name through songs which fuse jazzy horns and Webb’s keyboard. With a driving rhythm section ‘Shadows Of A Maniac’ has the musician declaring ‘I’m feeling fine’ throughout the chorus. The song which descends into a jazz furry before closing only makes the wait for next month’s track even harder.
Tiger & Me – Made It To The Harbour
Melbourne six piece The Tiger & Me have hit the ground running in 2013 with the release of ‘Made It To The Harbour’ from the band’s second full length album, The Drifter’s Dawn. A short but infectious folk track with a catchy guitar melody, that showcases the bands pop sensibility brought together by the wonderful hammond organ and chorus of singers. The band hit the road around Australia in March in support of this release.
