Musical chameleon Santigold (formerly Santogold) returns with a sophomore album Master Of My Make-Believe almost as eclectic as her eponymous debut was. Opening is the glitchy “GO!” with shades of M.I.A alternating between cheerleader-style chants and martial beats. “Disparate Youth” is Dubby with keys, strings and bursts of guitar. Continuing in the Dub vein are the haunting “God From The Machine” (interspersed with martial beays), the spare “Fame” with clunky/skittery beats, the skeletal snaking “Freak Like Me,” and the glitch “Pirate In The Water”.
Like an unknown sub-genre, something somewhere between hip-hop, lounge rock, and the sound spray paint makes blasting from an aerosol can onto a street wall near a streetball court downtown in the night. That’s how I’d describe the lyrically-grounded, trance-inducing sounds of Janine and the Mixtape, the band formed by lead songstress Janine Foster.
Electric Guest are an LA duo comprising Asa Taccone (providing creamy androgynous vocals) and Mathew Compton. Their debut album Mondo is produced by producer du jour Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton and their airy incredibly catchy sound is reminiscent of MGMT or even Burton’s Broken Bells.
“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery – celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from – it’s where you take them to.”
- Jim Jamusch
Mr. Little Jeans video for “Runaway” is a swarm of imagery and subliminal messages nonetheless done in a very artistic manner. After my first time viewing the video, it’s clear that the story the song is trying to tell will not be easily told by the video. I believe, the video itself is a form of art. The beat demands your attention, although it does remind me of Bruno Mars “I Think I Wanna Marry You,” as she stares into a mirror/window/TV and then has a flashback to a drowning scene.
In a crowded electronic music scene it is easy to find different strokes for different folks. However, such an oversaturation of music can be a little daunting and hence a little exhausting to navigate. Sometimes all you need is an “in” into the sound and feel of an album before you invest your energy and time. Here at Art Nouveau, we have done that for you for some recent music we highly recommend. If you like the descriptions of any of these all you’ll need to do is jump in and enjoy. Make up your own mind.
In 2010, Of Monsters and Men won Músiktilraunir, Iceland’s nationwide battle-of-the-bands competition. For those that may not think of this as an impressive feat, keep in mind Iceland is the country that has given us the likes of Sigur Rós and Björk. Drawing early comparisons to Arcade Fire, Mumford and Sons, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Of Monsters and Men is an alternative folk sextet led by the vocal pair Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson. After a race between labels to sign the band, Of Monsters and Men landed with Universal Music Group and now their highly anticipated debut is finally here.
TEXT 1 (Query): Should I get that rum? / TEXT 2 (Reply): I think it is a good idea.
Saturday, April 6, 2012, the final evening of the U.S. leg of of Montreal’s world tour. Been some debate over whether the band is “Of Montreal” with a capital “O” or “of Montreal” started in lower case as fans have seen it more lately. What’s no longer up for debate is that this art attack of an Athens, GA act have mastered the art of crowd stimulation via visual performance by perfectly blending videos on screen, with light show video projections, with dance, with charismatic frontman stage presence, with exuberant band energy. Having a deep library of good songs helps, too.
Summer is my favorite season. My birthday, booty shorts, soothing swelter, beach side, pool side, any-side as long as it’s outside type of weather. NAIRA’s new single “Put Me On” is the perfect start to what looks like three months of epic behavior.
Let’s BEY honest, Gay men invented #SWAG. We are deep in fashion, art, literature, publishing and every other industry, but mainstream Hip-Hop. The question is always asked, is the world ready for an openly gay rapper? I’d say yes. It doesn’t matter if they’re fighting gender roles by donning six inch stilettos or Jerseys and Timbaland boots, as long as the music is exceptional anything can happen. That’s where artists like AB Soto come into play.
“Recorded an album in our bedrooms // released an album // played a few shows // recorded another album in a deserted house // toured all over europe // built a studio // built another studio // went to america // recorded an album in a proper studio”
Now a little over two years old, Art Nouveau Magazine & GREATeclectic’s Noise Porn music compilation still bangs. Take a look back at our first musical project as told by Swiper Bootz.
