The Flaming Lips’ strange and compelling journey has entered a new stage with the unveiling of their anticipated new double album Embryonic. The album is the latest in a selection of classic collections from the Grammy winning and Brit nominated Oklahoma band.
The album features eighteen new songs, the sound is immediately recognisable as the Flaming Lips but once more push the boundaries of sound into unchartered new territory. Embryonic also highlights a number of special guest appearances including; The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O provides additional singing, screaming and noises on a few tracks whilst MGMT contribute additional playing and singing to track Worm Mountain.
Released 12th October 2009.
By Sophie Stratford
In just a few short months 19 year old Tommy Reilly from Torrance near Glasgow has sold out two Scottish headline tours, played Glastonbury and T in the Park and has his debut single Gimmie A Call (which is on the album) in the top 20 of the national singles chart. The albums story is fairly downbeat, his lyrics reflect; rejection by girls, and being let down – which he happily admits is a greater inspiration than striking lucky. It’s that unquestionable optimism perhaps that makes Tommy such an instinctive writer of pop songs.
Tracks such as Grab Me By The Collar, Kick The Covers and Jackets are all stand outs on the album. Like I mentioned before the lyrics are depressing but the tunes always upbeat. There’s no doubt that Tommy Reilly is the hottest new breakthrough artist to come out of Scotland for years.
Out Now.
By Sophie Stratford
Deadmau5, his name may conjure up images of a lifeless rodent, but this Canadian born self confessed techno geek punches like a Heavyweight. Having had a meteoric rise, he has gone from near obscurity to becoming one of the most in demand producers on the face of the planet and an innovative electronic live performer.
He performs using music production software, Ableton, and controls this with a Lemur. No not the animal but a futuristic music controller. And of course, not forgetting the giant tailor made Mau5head.
Deadmau5’s has a new compilation album, For Lack Of A Better Name, this isn’t his Artist album, this is more a collection of random works that he’s produced individually. A few have been out previously, but there are some new surprises in there as well. The tracks are segued together, so in a way reflect his current live show. 2009 sees Deadmau5 continuing to break boundaries in the music world. The concept of his live show reflects the changing face of dance music.
Released 5th October 2009.
By Sophie Stratford
One eskimO are a four piece indie rock band from London, and despite a small fan base their music is a unique melodic mix of funky soft riffs and powerful vocals. One eskimO are a band accompanied by animation created by Passion Picture, the team that brought us Gorillaz, each member of the band is represented by a cartoon character, a penguin, eskimo, giraffe and a comical monkey. The animation is always shown at their live performances on a large screen behind the band and the music is the soundtrack to the film giving their performances a unique modern take on the silent movie.
Frontman Kristian Leontiou embarked on the One eskimO project. He said: “I wanted to create a sound of my own: magical, ambient, filmic, acoustic, beautiful and meaningful. I wanted to write about how I felt about life, love, losses and failures, highs and lows, even heartbreaks. But also about how amazing human life is and how mind-blowing our very existence is.”
Somehow their music is honest and it seems like the band mean every word they sing. One eskimO are an outstanding band and yes there is room for improvement on their live performances but they certainly deserve more recognition than they are getting.
By Sophie Stratford
Copenhagen’s retro soul pop stars ‘The Asteroids Galaxy Tour’ are back with a new single ‘The Golden Age’ and a new album to follow ‘Fruit’. The album is a woozy musical delight of happy soul and kaleidoscopic pop triumphs with a psychedelic blend of retro funky beats and brass band mayhem. Since fronting the Apple iPod Touch advert worldwide with song ‘Around the Bend’ and having their tracks featured on US TV shows, the band has gone from strength to strength.
‘Fruit’ is full of catchy, sing-a-long choruses, and includes singles ‘Around The Bend’, the ‘Golden Age’ as well as more melancholic tracks like ‘Satellite’ and the deliciously groovy ‘Lady Jesus’ a song based on a real life event of a scary Danish religious leader who lived nearby. ‘The Asteroids Galaxy Tour’ are the latest exciting instalment in the new wave of hip Scandinavian pop hitting the UK and are heading for fame faster than the speed of light.
Released 21st September 2009.
By Sophie Stratford
