[Review] Phantogram: Voices
Due to the overwhelming amount of electro-pop rock outfits saturating the indie scene over the past couple years, I have had difficulty latching on to any one artist or album that I enjoyed thoroughly, not just that had a couple of catchy tracks. That being said, I have been constantly listening to Phantogram's latest album Voices on repeat, discovering deliciously desperate lyrics, alluring vocals, and knock-out beats with each go around. The more I listen, the more I like.
Josh Carter (guitar, vocals) and Sarah Barthel (keyboards, vocals) made their debut in 2009 with their album Eyelid Movies, sparking attention but somewhat living in the shadows of other electronic rock groups like Sleigh Bells. They gained more glances their way collaborating with heavy hitters like Big Boi and The Flaming Lips, but lacked a strong presence musically, almost like they were stuck in electro-pop limbo. Voices is the next step in the absolute right direction.
"Fall In Love," (the first single off of the record) is enchanting, dooming, and dance-y all in one. I literally can't stop singing the hook, which is perfectly simple in comparison to the melodic verses. And I must praise the vocal melodies on this album, so often with pop music we are presented with one or two note repetitive mutterings that march on to the chorus. But Phantogram achieves excellent song structure with compelling musical lines accompanied by tragically lovely lyrics. "The lines on my face ate away at my smile, could it be that I fell apart?"
Having two lead vocalists on a project can sometimes derail the flow or energy of an album, but when Carter popped up on "Never Going Home," I was delighted at the change of direction the album took. Stripped down and organic, the track possesses a Bon Iver/David Bazaan quality that pulls you out of the electronic heavy haze.
The album seems to teeter between reality and dreams/nightmares, with tracks like "Howling At The Moon," which gives off a very aggressive, sacrificial vibe. Barthel hollers and swoons over busy beats singing "And if I ever fall asleep I'll turn around and face the sea. And if I crucified my dreams to be on your side, to see you alive." Followed immediately by "Bad Dreams" which is less violent and more lyrical as Barthel confesses "Bad dreams never effect me I'm not afraid of the concrete... bad thoughts never arrest me, I'm just a flash in the memory." reality kicks in on the bass heavy "Celebrating Nothing," one of my favorites off the album. Barthel sings about failures and empty living, pleading for a reason to go on if there's nothing to look forward to or no one to celebrate with. "How many times will I blow it all? How many times will I burn it down? Give me a reason to stay alive."
The album pulls you through various emotions and sounds, breaking your heart and burning a fire in your brain. Voices is the complete package, each track executed flawlessly, proving the album to be the boost that Phantogram needed to land themselves at the top of the electro-pop chain. Get Voices here and be sure to listen from beginning to end.
Grimes Signs to Roc Nation
Canadian electro-pop sensation Grimes announced today that she has signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation imprint. It's becoming the chic thing to do lately, as Grimes joins a roster that already boasts M.I.A., Santigold, and HAIM, alongside his stable of superstar producers and athletes which include Robinson Cano who signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners last week at Jay's behest.
Few artists have been as prepared for a second act as the man who brought us "Encore". Already wealthy and powerful beyond his wildest dreams growing up in the Marcy Projects of Brookyln, Jay-Z is establishing himself as much more than just a businessman, entertainer or talent scout-he's all of that and more. While his rapping has certainly gotten less poignant since his "retirement" with The Black Album. Beyonce proved earlier this month that they are easily the most powerful couple in music today, if Jay keeps signing up all the talent he may not relinquish that throne soon.
[Video] Video Diary: Grimes & Default Genders' James Brooks
Vancouver-based electronic artists Grimes and James Brooks (Default Genders) have carved a niche for themselves over the past year or so, creating a crazy reality for the pair. This summer, while flying around the world from Canada, to Europe, to the VMAs, they had a camera and put together a short film detailing their travels throughout the summer months. Included are cameos from Angel Haze, Haim and, of course, some Drake and Miley footage. Check it out below.
http://youtu.be/jPAxpgaLCqI
SBTRKT: "IMO"
London-based indie pop act SBTRKT has been gaining international attention since the release of their 2011 self-titled album for their genre-bending, all-inclusive style that can appeal to a wide range of listeners. The duo of Aaron Jerome and Sampha are back with a new track, "IMO" which features less of the vocals of Sampha with a smattering of instrumental-tinged grooves. Check out the track below.
http://youtu.be/3H0498NNnUg
[RH Interview] Sandra Vu of SISU
Transitions aren't easy. For some, change comes easy and they slide into the new routine, for others it's a bit more difficult to adjust. Sandy Vu of the Los Angeles-based band Dum Dum Girls falls somewhere between the former and latter. Vu, who entered the scene as the drummer for Dee Dee Penny's all-female project steps out from behind the drum set on a new venture of her own, SISU. Where she was a moving part in the Dum Dum Girls, Vu is free to creatively express herself with the new band, moving about from on instrument to another and crafting a sound that is wholly hers. The transition hasn't been an easy one though. As anyone with a lot on their plate can attest to, starting a new band while in another is no easy task. I caught up with Sandy, who plays The Empty Bottle in Chicago tomorrow night, as she was just getting out on tour with Dirty Beaches in support of her upcoming album, Blood Tears, out on Mono Prism September 17th.
Jake: Tell me a bit about the tour and opening for Dirty Beaches.
Sandy: We have been super excited to play with Dirty Beaches, I met him about two years ago now when Dum Dum Girls did a tour with him and it's just going to be special because we're all family at this point. Their tout manager is our good friend and stuff so it's kind of like a big reunion party.
Jake: What was the transition like coming from the Dum Dum Girls?
Sandy: The Dum Dum Girls have been in town rehearsing and learning the new songs for the new record and we're doing rehearsals for the tour for SISU, so if I didn't have anything else to do and I just had to go to these rehearsals it wouldn't be that bad but my days are just stacked with things I needed to do to get ready for the tour. Switching gears is not hard, it's maybe a little bit stressful learning a lot of new material in a short amount of time. Going from Dum Dum Girls to SISU, in itself, isn't that big of a deal to me.
Jake: Do you ever find yourself at a Dum Dum Girls rehearsal accidentally playing a SISU song?
Sandy: No (laughs), I think it occupies two totally different areas of my brain to just play drums compared to leading the band so it feels so different. In Dum Dum Girls it's like I kind of turn off my brain a little bit. That band is set up so I just learn all of the songs and just play them (laughs).