Indie delight of the day

The second single to be released off Jón Þór Birgisson (Jónsi)’s upcoming CD, Go, is Go do.

The CD, Go, is to be released April 5 2010. Jonsi was formerly lead singer of Icelandic postrock gods Sigur Ros.

While not as catchy and beautiful as Boy Lilikoi, it is still an amazing song, and builds anticipation for the rest of the CD. It features delicate strings and amazing harmonies. Its sweet and soft, but still hits very hard.

In other news, Jónsi, is working with production company 59 productions to produce a promised ‘amazing life atmosphere.’ I’m sure this would be magical to see live as I’m sure he would do it very well, unfortunately it means my isolation in NZ means I will be very unlikely too.

At least I can put on his amazing songs, drift away in my headphones and enjoy.

Jónsi Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/jonthorbirgisson
Jónsi Website – http://www.jonsi.com/
Jónsi Live Tour production details – http://www.fiftynineproductions.co.uk/project?p=58

Jónsi – Go Do

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Jónsi – Boy Lilikoi

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Charlotte Gainsbourg is an strange one (All the best ones are).

A French actress/singer, Charlotte grew up making movies, and recording music (Including the song ‘lemon incest’ with her father when she was 13!) before releasing her solo CD 5.55 in 2006.

Her latest CD IDM has just been released, a collaboration with Beck, compared to her previous love songs, this CD is far darker, focusing on Charlotte’s near death experience over the last year. I am not normally a fan of female vocalists, but I instantly fell for this CD.

These songs provide a great starting point to the rest of the CD. IDM is a dark almost electro track, featuring Charlotte singing over trippy synths and drums. It’s intense, short and to the point.

Heaven Can Wait shows the Beck influences more, they both sing, over guitar & tambourine, the happy upbeat music juxtaposed against the somber lyrics.

If you normally like girls, you will adore this CD.

Charlotte Gainsbourg Website : http://www.charlottegainsbourg.com/
Charlotte Gainsbourg MySpace : http://www.myspace.com/charlottegainsbourg

IRM

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Heaven Can Wait

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Surfer Blood are a 5 piece indie rock band from Palm Beach, Florida, their debut CD, Astro Coast has just (January 19th) been released.

Surfer blood have built up a huge amount of buzz over the last year, this song Swim, is instantly catchy, and was a favourite of the blogosphere and featured on many top tracks of 2009 lists.

It features catchy hooks, sing along vocals, and a stadium filling rock sound. It will fit into every scene, both the hipsters and the dull rock boys will happily enjoy it together.

I have yet to hear the rest of the CD, but based on this track it sounds like it is going to amazing.

For the record, the name Surfer Blood came from the intense dislike of the surfer kids in Florida, making their high school years hell. If you are reading this, you can probably relate.

Listen if you like: General Fuzzy Garage Rock Bands – Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon, The Strokes.

Surfer Blood Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/surferblood

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Owen Pallett used to be known as Final Fantasy, for whatever (likely boring legal) reasons, he is now releasing (& rereleasing previous) music under his birth name.

Owen’s third CD, Heartland was released on January 11 2010, to instant critical success. It won a best new music award on pitchfork, as well as scores of 90% on several blogs.

He has a completely unique sound, using sequencers to loop sounds he has created, whether basic percussion made through tapping his violin or plucked violin for rhythm, which is backed up by a basic drum machine. This is then complimented by Owen’s passionate singing, and skilled violin over the top.

Heartland has a common theme throughout, all the songs based on  Owen’s narrative to a fictional ultra violent farmer called Lewis. Concept albums are very much in fashion at the moment, but often put artistic intentions above quality of the music.  On heartland, these two aspects are combined perfectly.

The 2 songs here are quite different.

Midnight Detectives is the first song on the CD. It starts off slowly and simply, building with the multiple layers, before moving into an almost classical section towards the end of the song.

Lewis Takes Action, is a more poppy song, all the sounds fit together perfectly, and Owens skills at playing complex violin pieces while singing over top make it a delight to listen to.

Have a listen, buy the CD, listen, and then listen some more.

Each listen through the disk reveals more hidden gems, ensuring this will be a CD I will return to again and again.

Owen Pallett Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/owenpallettmusic
Website: http://www.owenpalletteternal.com/

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