It’s been 3 years since the release of Libraries; the follow up to the Love Language’s loud, fuzzy self-titled debut of 2008, and since then, little else has been heard of new material. Libraries left us off with the presentation of an expanded and eclectic approach to songcraft. Now, from what we’re shown by “Calm Down” of the upcoming Ruby Red, the Love Language continues to transform and enlarge their sound.
Where Libraries featured a number of expressive tracks emphasizing the atmosphere of each piece (“Wilmot,” “Blue Angel”), and The Love Language brought songs overflowing with rumbling, exclamatory energy (“Lalita,” “Sparxxx”), “Calm Down” seems to find a happy medium between the two. Propelled by a quick drumbeat and made dense by rich harmonization and layered guitars, “Calm Down” still maintains the same charming heartache of past records whilst giving us a look at a new and improved Love Language. Ruby Red, and the unveiling of the Love Language’s improving sound, is out July 23 off of Merge Records. Â
Interesting new video of The Features’ single “This Disorder,” previously reviewed HERE, featuring cool breakdance moves and a parrot. Look out for The Features at the Black Cat on 5/15, and get ready to dance your pants off in a room filled to the brim with that new album smell. Official release date is 5/14.
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Provo, Utah based band Polytype has caught our attention with a new single and video for “Cyclone”. With eerie sounds and visuals, blending artful electronic production with indie-pop style melodies, you get a hint of what is on their first full length release Basic//Complex out now. Grab the album, listen up, and stay tuned, as the band is touring this Summer and into the Fall promoting the new reocrd.
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MORE SWEETLIFE NEWS! Our friends at All Things Go are throwing a party tomorrow at U Street Music Hall on 5/9 to celebrate the upcoming Sweetlife Festival (more HERE) on May 11. Set includes our favorites MS MR, with Sir Sly and newcomers Magic Man backing ‘em up. Get tickets to the UHALL show HERE and be there!
Pay attention to disco in the coming months because it’s about to have another moment. As EDM is spiraling off into a thousand digital redundancies, back comes Daft Punk who rather than riding the cash wave of corporate ravers have released a disco single and are about to release a disco album. Live instrumentation is about to replace Skrillex. It’s not just the right moment musically, I agree with Manchester DJ legend Greg Wilson,
“Get Lucky has dropped at just the right moment. At a time of recession and austerity, the uplifting nature of Disco is at its most potent, as proved in the past. What must be remembered is that this was a movement that flourished in New York at a point when the city was on its knees, only just avoiding bankruptcy. Disco thrived through the hard times, the release it provided from the stresses and strains of the everyday…”
That’s not to say that the many forms of disco ever really went away. The line between house and disco is often very thin and in the last 10 years great disco has come from two places: New York City and Norway. Norwegian producers like Lindstrøm and Todd Terje have been releasing euphoric underground disco tracks and edits for almost a decade. New York’s disco output centers around James Murphy’s DFA records and a handful of NYC artists. DFA’s sound is really reflected in their motto, “Too old to be new, Too new to be a classic.”
DFA’s lineup includes Holy Ghost!. The duo have been releasing synthy disco-pop tracks since 2007 and have a serious knack for grooves. They use mostly live instrumentation and actually feel like a continuation of New York’s Disco heritage. More importantly, they are the perfect antidote to EDM’s aforementioned digital cliches and might become a centerpiece of the upcoming Summer of Disco. Check out their nearly shot for shot remake of New Order’s Confusion music video above and they put on a super fun live show so be sure to check them out at Sweetlife (more HERE) on May 11, and keep your disco eyes open in 2013.
There is no doubt that DC’s sundry music scene continues to flourish. With good reason, acts like the District’s own Paperhaus ought to be much more anticipated than the semi-disappointment that the capital’s renowned Cherry Blossoms annually provide.
Paperhaus drops their sophomore EP, “Lo Hi Lo”, later this month as they embark on a 50 date nationwide tour. The band’s new record will be slated for digital release on May 28th.
The four track follow-up to the band’s self titled album is an alt-blues teaser with some funky neo-psychedelic influences. Their single, “Helicopters,” buzzes with groovy guitar segments set atop a cool lo-fi backdrop. “Lo Hi Lo” also features the catchy tune “Corazon”, which is a bubbly pop-inspired gem. Collectively the EP provides a mellow feel properly suited for enhancing the season’s rooftop barbs and for gallivanting in the summer’s vibrant rays.
Be sure to join Paperhaus for their homecoming show at the Rock & Roll Hotel featuring other buzzing local bands Shark Week and Young Rapids on June 7th.
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