news: Björk Björk Björk.

Wanderlust was far from my favourite track on Björk's 2007 offering Volta. However the video, directed by Encyclopedia Pictura (famous for the excellent Grizzly Bear - Knife video, check them out here) is something quite special. The video was filmed in stereoscopic 3D and involved large-scale puppeteering, live action acrobatics, miniatures and CGI. It sees a helmet- laden Björk floating down a river, doing flips with a strange figure clinging
to her back and facing all manner of fantastical creatures along the way. The video will accompany the DVD single version of Wanderlust, and will include necessary glasses to watch in 3D.

Björk arguably has one of the greatest videographies in the history of the music video, working with the likes of Michel Gondry (Human Behavior, Army of Me, Isobel, Hyperballad, Joga, Bachelorette and Declare Independence), Spike Jonze (It's Oh So Quiet, It's In Our Hands and Triumph of a Heart) and Chris Cunningham (All Is Full of Love). Wanderlust certainly keeps in theme with this.

Here is the brand spanking new video:
 


In other Björk news...



Today saw the online release of Enjoyed: A Tribute To Björk's Post over at Stereogum. A lucky 13 years after its original release, the album, compiled and presented by the kind folk of Stereogum contains a track by track tribute to the phenomenal 1995 album and features contributions from the likes of Liars, Xiu Xiu and No Age.It is the third in a series of covers-tribute projects compiled by Stereogum following Radiohead's OK Computer and R.E.M's Automatic for the People. Tracklisting:

1. Liars - Army Of Me
2. Dirty Projectors - Hyperballad
3. High Places - Modern Things
4. Bell - It's Oh So Quiet
5. Pattern Is Movement - Enjoy
6. Evangelicals - You've Been Flirting Again
7. Xiu Xiu - Isobel
8. Final Fantasy & Ed Droste - Possibly Maybe
9. White Hinderland - I Miss You
10. El Guincho - Cover Me
11. Atlas Sound - Headphones
12. No Age - It's Oh So Quiet (Alternate Take)


For more info including liner notes from all of the contributing artists, essays and interviews, head over to Stereogum now. I think the whole project was a superb idea with an excellent outcome. Thank you Stereogum. I do think the idea of online tribute-cover albums is a fantastic one, the question is, what albums would you like to see covered? Do let me know. In the meantime here are my picks of the album in mp3 format for your pleasure. Enjoy!


Liars - Army Of Me (Björk cover)
Final Fantasy & Ed Droste - Possibly Maybe (Björk cover)
No Age - It's Oh So Quiet (Alternate Take) (Björk cover)

March in Albums.

Well, the month has come to an end, which of course means its time to round up the best releases of the past 31 days. March has seen a banquet of impressive releases, many of which I'm almost certain will appear in end-of-year-lists come December time. It was extremely hard narrowing it down to 5, but here they are. March in albums:

Why? - Alopecia

Anticon

Alopecia sees Why?'s line up beefed up from a trio to a five-piece with the addition of Fog's Andrew Broder and Mark Erickson. The bands fusion of indie rock, abstract hip-hop and Yoni Wolf's sometimes inscrutable rhymes defies genre and expectations at nearly every turn. The bands third offering is perhaps their strongest yet.

mp3: Why? - The Hollows 

Hercules & Love Affair - Hercules & Love Affair

DFA Records

H&LA is the musical brainchild of New York DJ Andy Butler. His debut is a self-assured and self-contained set that runs vintage disco styles through restless compositions to create something startlingly unique. The album features production from DFAs own Tim Goldsworthy and guest vocals from Antony (of Johnsons fame).

mp3: Hercules & Love Affair - Blind

Mystery Jets - Twenty One

679 Records

Everybody's favorite Eel Pie residents return (Henry-less) after their much overlooked debut Making Dens with Erol Alkan produced pop magic. The band have traded a lot of their original prog tendencies in favor of pop sensibilities, resulting in a fantastic record, bursting with colour and personality. 

mp3: Mystery Jets - Young Love (feat. Laura Marling)

Foals - Antidotes

Transgressive 

After controversially overthrowing Dave Siteks production in favor of their own final mix. Foals finally release their highly anticipated debut Antidotes through Transgressive. Although not quite living up to their live tour-de-force, Foals certainly have delivered, with a superb collection comprising of beefed-up versions of early fan favorites and new material. Highly recommended. 

mp3: Foals - Red Socks Pugie

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: 

Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing

ATP Recordings

Album of the month for me goes to Fuck Buttons remarkable debut Street Horrrsing. The duos devout repetition of pounding beats, chugging synths, blissful keyboards and distorted screams gets stronger with every listen. I really cannot get enough of this record, definitely a strong contender for album of the year. Full a full review, see below. 

mp3: Fuck Buttons - Colours Move

introducing: Konono Nº1.

I feel a bit silly introducing Konono Nº1, seeing as this space is usually reserved for new acts and such, and these guys have been playing music together for over 30 years. But it just has to be done. Konono hail from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. They combine electric likembe (a traditional instrument sometimes known as a 'thumb piano'), with voices, dancers and percussion instruments made out of items salvaged from junkyards (including a microphone carved out of wood fitted with a magnet from an automobile alternator). 

Nowadays, the band can count the likes of Radiohead, Foals and Bjork among their many fans (Bjork even invited the band to play on her last album Volta and to join her on a string of live dates to promote the record). However, a couple of years ago, the band had all but ceased to exist. The only external evidence that a band called Konono Nº1 had ever existed was a solitary 26-minute long track recorded in 1978 by a French radio station and later included on a long forgotten French compilation of music from Kinshasa. That would have presumably been the end of Konono Nº1 had it not been for Vincent Kenis. Kenis is a former Belgian punk-musician turned record producer, who was so impressed by what he heard on the French broadcast (he described it as "kind of African punk music") that he vowed to go to Kinshasa and track the band down. After two fruitless visits in 1989 and 1996, Kenis finally got in touch with the band in early 2000. He persuaded the band to record an album with him, which resulted in the amazing Congotronics, which was released to much critical acclaim on specialist Belgian label Crammed Discs in early 2005. The album caused a global sensation and earned the band the BBC World Music prize for that year (only 27 years into their career).

Since then the band have toured/recorded with Bjork (as afore mentioned), released another superb album on Crammed Discs Live at Couleur Cafe (2007) and built up a very impressive fan base. With Konono's music you can hear oddly familiar sounds of krautrock and electronic music. Their rhythms are as pure as Bo Diddley and the sheer intensity of their sound recalls White Light/White Heat-era Velvet Underground. Needless to say, the members of the band have never heard any of these artists. Lead singer Mawangu Mingiedi (who is 75) once publicly stated "I didn't know there was such thing as electronic music". Konono make authentic, traditional, completely original music, and it is very very special. Listen for yourself:

mp3: Konono Nº1 - Lufuala Ndonga.

from the vault: PiL - Flowers of Romance.

Ever get the feeling you've been cheated? It seems that reunited-Sex Pistols dates are rearing their little ugly heads all over the place these days. The band have already confirmed two UK festival dates this summer, as well as a handful of other warm-up dates. I won't even bother to begin explaining to you as to why Im so very anti the third (or fourth, I've lost count) Pistols come-back. Instead, I have dug up an old PiL performance for your viewing pleasure. Public Limited Image were John Lydons post-Sex Pistols outfit and are often regarded as one of the most challenging and innovative bands of the post-punk period. Here is a classic Top Of The Pops performance of the bands 1981 single Flowers of Romance. Enjoy.

mp3: Public Image Limited - Flowers of Romance

news: Liars cancel London date plus more.

Fresh from releasing Fuck Buttons spectacular debut (see below) and organizing/curating shit loads of amazing concerts and festivals, those lovely guys at ATP had some bad news to deliver this morning. LA noise-rockers Liars have pulled out of their support slot with Battles in London this May as well as their position on the impressive lineup of the Explosions In The Sky-curated ATP festival. Why? Why? Why? Well, Angus and the gang have been bagged as the main support slot for Radiohead's forthcoming mammoth-sized tour of America. Hail to the thief indeed. Bad news for me (and whoever else was looking forward to seeing them support Battles or playing at the EITS ATP fest), amazing news for the band, who have bagged arguably the biggest support slot of 2008, playing up to 20,000 people a night. The question is, will the Radiohead fans dig Liars noise-rock? I honestly do think so, whats not to like? Judge for yourself. Here are some mp3s taken from last years superb self-titled album. enjoy:

Liars - Plaster Casts Of Everything

Liars - Clear Island

Now, whilst this is sad news, I for one was very excited to see Liars as I have not yet seen them live. Battles and Fuck Buttons is still an immense line-up for the night anyway (I'd still fucking go if it was just John Stanier and his drum kit), and ATP will have a replacement act announced by the end of the week, so it is not the end of the world as previously thought. However, ATP are offering refunds on tickets if this really has ruined your night. For more information, click here.

introducing: Invisible Conga People.

Invisible Conga People are the latest offering from New Jersey's flawless Italians Do It Better label, home of dark-disco acts such as Glass Candy and Chromatics (two of last years most essential new bands). In contrast to their silly name, ICP's Eric Tsai and Justin Simon make very subtle, kraut-inspired electronic music. Their new double A-side Weird Pains/Cable Dazed is available now on 12" through Italians Do It Better, and it is rather good.

Both tracks take ages to build, but when they do, the thin blankets of burbling, affected guitars on top of haunting beats flow like an electronic steam of consciousness. The better of the two tracks, Cable Dazed draws similarities to The Knifes Silent Shout through its mystical, tranced-out beats and dead-pan vocals, yet ICP's more stripped down approach adds a greater air of mystery to the song. I would certainly keep an eye on ICP, as I believe they are set to follow in the footsteps of their Italians Do It Better counterparts, and do something very special.

mp3: Invisible Congo People - Cable Dazed

review: Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing.

Fuck Buttons - Street Horrrsing

ATP Recordings

Fuck Buttons (don't worry, you'll grow to love it) are a two piece experimental noise group who formed in Bristol in 2004. The band - Andrew Hung and Benjamin John Power - successfully combine nihilistic noise-tendencies with melodic rhythms to create a sounds that is very special. Street Horrrsing, their incredible debut offering was originally available on the bands website (under a now-forgotten alternate title) before they were snapped up by ATP recordings in 2007. Limited edition 7" single Bright Tomorrow was released to much critical acclaim last November, resulting in the band featuring in many "hot tip" lists at the turn of the year. The duos surprisingly welcoming mix of dreamy melody and abrasive climax has evoked comparisons to Yo La Tengo, Ministry, Black Dice and My Bloody Valentine. Yet Fuck Buttons sound is highly unique, and like I have already said, very very special.

For 50 minutes spread over six tracks, Fuck Buttons have built an album upon blunt and simplistic repetition of metronomic drum-machine, chugging synth, blissful keyboards and distorted screams. This sounds like a formula for tedium, however the album seems to get stronger with every listen. Long chords drift over oscillating tones and pounding beats, sounds and ideas repeat constantly, yet Street Horrrsing never sounds redundant. From the pulsing drone of opener Sweet Love For Planet Earth to the dissolving loop of album closer Colours Move, vigorously sticking to what has been described as "devout repetition", Fuck Buttons have crafted a spectacular record. The production of Street Horrrsing was in good hands - recorded by John Cummings of Mogwai and mastered by Bob Weston of Shellac, its hard to see how the album couldn't of been good anyway..

Now, I do have the tendency to get caught up in excitement, thats fo' sho. However, I've had Street Horrrsing on repeat for about 4 hours now, and I can honestly say it's one of the most exciting albums I've heard in a while, and I do advise that you buy it. Now. 

9/10.

mp3: Fuck Buttons - Bright Tomorrow

preview: Four Tet - Ringer EP.

Kieran Hebden is somewhat of a genius. He has been making groundbreaking electronic music under the name of Four Tet for quite some time, and alongside his own material, he has remixed the likes of Bloc Party, Thom Yorke, Battles, Andrew Bird and Radiohead to name but a few. 

He has certainly been busy of late, 2008 has already seen Hebden team up with his "musical soul mate" veteran jazz drummer Steve Reid for another improvisational experiment Daxaar (out now on Domino), as well as working with Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor on the production of the Letter G's Its Gone single, AND recording a singles session with hot oxford five-piece - Foals. On top of all of this, Hebden has found the time to record mini-album Ringer - out April 21st on Domino. Although described as a mini-album, the release only contains four songs, but they do clock in at a total of 32 minutes. Tracklisting as follows:

1. Ringer

2. Ribbons

3. Swimmer

4. Wing Body Wing

You can catch Hebden live on April 24th, where he will be headlining a London show at the Indig02, with impressive support coming from Sunburned Hand Of The Man, Kode9, James Holden, OOIOOO and Fairmont. Tickets are avaliable now priced £12.50.

Here is a little taster of what to expect from Ringer, as well as some other Hebden related treats. mp3s:

Four Tet - Ribbons

Letter G - Its Gone (feat. Kieran Hebden & Alexis Taylor)

Foals - Cassius (produced by Kieran Hebden) 

Thom Yorke - Atoms For Peace (Four Tet Remix)

label profile: Warp Records.

Warp Records is a pioneering independent label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the most enduring artists in electronic music. To this day, the label has released 187 albums, planting its roots in the world of electronic music, but also branching out into IDM (intelligent dance music), Dance-Punk, Experiemental Rock, Indie and Drum & Bass. The bands roster includes Aphex Twin, Autechre, Battles, Boards of Canada, Grizzly Bear, Prefuse73, Red Snapper and Squarepusher. 

2007 was a great year for Warp, with the release of !!!'s Myth Takes, Grizzly Bear's Friend EP and the extraordinary and hugely popular Mirrored by Battles. This year is set to be equally as big for the label with three already very solid album releases in the form of Clark's Turning Dragon, Born Ruffians Red, Yellow & Blue and Autechre's Quastrice. From this, I'm certainly enthusiastic about what the rest of the year will bring.

Here are five reasons why I love Warp. I hope you learn to love them too. mp3s:

!!! (Chk Chk Chk) - Heart of Hearts

Aphex Twin - Windowlicker

Autechre - PLC

Battles - Atlas

Clark - Truncation Horn 

Want more info? Check the official Warp site.

preview: Boris - Smile.

Boris hail from Tokyo, Japan and have been enjoying cult fame for quite some time. Their latest and seventeenth LP Smile (out now in Japan import-buffs) is to be released in the west sometime next month by experimental metal moguls Southern Lord (home of bands such as Sun O))) and Earth). With influences as diverse as Nick Cave, The Melvins and Venom, the Band - Atsuo, Takeshi and Wata - are most commonly associated with doom and sludge rock, however whilst maintaining an identifiable sound and quality, the band have explored many different genres ranging from psychedelic and stoner rock to noise and ambient music. 

The band use a code to help fans decipher their work. BORIS (caps) albums are likely to lean towards the more conventional side, while Boris or boris edge out on the experimental. Smile appears to be another more experimental offering from the band, and judging from what I've heard so far, this can only be a good thing.

Below is an mp3 for your pleasure, but do be careful, as the intro of the track is likely to melt your face. 

mp3: Boris - Shoot! (Laser Beam)

You can catch a rare and very special live Boris performance at Londons ULU on the 23rd April. Check here for more details.

review: Foals - Astoria - 17th March.

17th March is St.Patricks Day - the worldwide celebration of the patron saint of Ireland, celebrated by the Irish and (increasingly) non-Irish alike - what to do? In Ireland everybody has the day off work, In Chicago they dye the river green and In most parts of the world, everybody over-indulges in traditional Irish foodstuffs and drinks drinks drinks in commemoration. I however left my big leafy-green shamrock hat at home, and ventured to the soon-to-be-gone Astoria in Charing Cross Road to see Oxfords best export since some band called Radiohead - Foals. 

Support for this evening came from Foals-pals Youthmovies and ex-Ladyfuzz man Ben Esser under his Esser guise. I regretfully only caught the end of Youthmovies set, however what I did see was impressive. Their debut LP Good Nature is out now on Drowned in Sound recordings - look out for a review later in the week. I did however catch all of the Esser set. I won't lie to you, I was a Ladyfuzz fan back in he day, and upon their split, I remember hearing that guitarist Ben was pursuing solo, however I never followed it up, so last night was in fact my first dose of Esser. And what started out as quite weak performance, ended in a string of delightfully brazen pop songs. Check him out here.

Yannis, Jimmy, Jack, Walter and Edwin (joined again by a small and quirky, yet highly unnecessary brass section) graced the stage of the Astoria at 9.15 on the dot, and launched into a fantastic beefed-up version of The French Open. They blasted through a 50 minute set comprising of fan favorites, such as Two-Steps Twice, Balloons and Hummer and lesser known, but equally as amazing tracks from their soon to be released album such as Olympic Airwaves and Red Socks Pugie (next single release fo' sure). However, the highlight of the night for me came in the form of Electric Bloom, the last track of the bands astonishing set (before a Mathletics encore). For the track, Yannis brought a floor-tom to the front of the stage, which he proceeded to bang throughout the track, the duel drumming produced an incredible sound, and alongside the rest of the bands jerky stage moves, proved quite the spectacle. At the end of the night, the band announced that this would be their last London date for quite some time, so for me, festival season couldn't come any quicker. Long live Foals.

mp3: Foals - Electric Bloom

Foals debut album Antidotes is out on Transgressive next week.

introducing: El Guincho.

El Guincho (real name Pablo Diaz-Reixa) makes music that has been music described as 'space-age exotica', I dont really know what that means, but what I do know is that its really, really good. Drawing from influences as diverse Afrobeat, Dub and Tropicalia, El Guincho's debut Alegranza! does two things. On the one hand, it reminds you so much of other music you love, and on the other, it sounds like nothing you have heard before.

Alegranza! has been compared heavily to Panda Bears Person Pitch, which I can see as both records do share a hazy, sampladelic love-in feel. Alergranza!'s  hypnotic sample loops, happy childlike chants and auto-harmonizing pop song chorus are somewhat irresistible. With El Gunicho's music, you are swept along with the rhythm, its happy, its fun and its really fucking good. I cannot recommend it enough, however, good luck trying to bag a copy of Alegranza!, last I heard, Rough Trade had about 10 copies left!

In the mean time, here are some mp3's:

El Guincho - Palmitos Park

El Guincho - Fata Morgana

review: Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago.

Bon Iver (french for 'good winter') is the stage and recording name of singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. Vernon self-released his debut For Emma, Forever Ago in October last year. The album garnered much critical acclaim and was picked up by Jagjaguwar for a stateside re-release earlier this year. 

The majority of the album was recorded over a four month period in a remote cabin in Wisconsin. Vernon's four month hibernation resulted in a collection of hushed, intricate folk songs, dealing with "All of his personal trouble, lack of perspective, heartache, longing, love, loss and guilt". Despite its seeming complexity, the record was created with nothing more than a few microphones and some aged recording equipment. Bon Iver is likely to draw comparisons to Iron & Wine for his quiet folk and and tranquil intimacy,  but in fact, Vernon's adopted falsetto is worlds apart, sounding more like TV on the Radio's Tunde Adebimpe, not just in his vocal timbre, but in the way his voice grows grainier as it gets louder. For Emma, Forever Ago is a stunning and beautiful record, and although technically released in 07, is fast become one of my favorite albums of the year. Its set for a UK in May on 4AD. I strongly recommend you pick it up. 

8/10.

mp3: Bon Iver - Flume

preview: Animal Collective - Water Curses EP.

Animal Collective return after last years much loved Strawberry Jam with long-promised new EP Water Curses. The EP released by Domino, is due May 5th in the UK and May 6th in the US and will be available on 12" and CD. A press release has stated "All tracks find Animal Collective exploring strange new waters" and judging by lead track 'Water Curses', this certainly sounds about right.

Water Curses tracklisting:

1. Water Curses

2. Streetflash

3. Cobwebs

4. Seal Eyeing

Here is a little taster of whats instore..

mp3: Animal Collective - Water Curses