ListenUp
From The Flaming Lips’ “Turning Violent” to Jesse Woods’ “Lazerburn,” our look at music this week
The Flaming Lips: Turning Violent
One of the Flaming Lips’ darkest works yet; the lyrics, instrumentation and video for “Turning Violent” are uncharacteristically reserved. Steven Drozd’s falsetto vocals and an oscillating bass synth lead you into a deceptive sense of lull, until the peace is shattered by noise feedback and bright flashing lights three minutes in, and Coyne—dressed in an electric blue alien-like suit with jeweled stickers on his face—adds his coarse voice to the anthem. Coinciding with the release is Coyne’s first adult comic book called “The Sun is Sick”, which adds to his oeuvre of different artistic endeavors—including screen-printing with his own blood.
El Perro del Mar: Change Of Heart
Hailing from Sweden’s port city of Gothenburg, Sarah Assbrin—better known as El Perro del Mar—has been crafting dreamy indie pop since she started recording on CD-R discs back in 2003, but her music has only recently gained traction outside of her homeland. Her 2009 track, “Change of Heart” reveals the Svenska artist at her finest. Somehow this calming yet addictive track fell through the cracks for many. Jazz-inspired piano and guitar riffs, coupled with Assbring’s soft vocals, call to mind Mazzy Star without the ’90s distortion. Look out for El Perro del Mar’s collaborations with fellow Swedish indie artists Jens Lekman and Lykke Li, with more sure to come.
The Preatures: Is This How You Feel (Classixx Remix)
A gorgeously sexy, “melt your clothes off” kind of groove, this Classixx remix of The Preatures’ “Is This How You Feel” is an instant love affair. With their Midas touch, Classixx transformed the Sydney-based band’s emotional yet light-hearted indie rock beat into an undeniably smooth, disco-inflected jam that penetrates your soul. Isabella Manfredi and Gideon Bensen’s impeccably-pitched vocals lay an ideal foundation for the synth-driven makeover; providing their delicately hysterical exchange, originally backed by guitar, with a more tightly controlled framework for greater aplomb.
Pure Bathing Culture: Dream the Dare
What do you get when you cross Beach House with Fleetwood Mac somewhere on the foggy coast of the Pacific Northwest? Portland’s Pure Bathing Culture melds celestial layered synths with late ’70s, dreamy pop rock. Their second single, “Dare to Dream,” from their upcoming full-length debut illustrates the duo’s musical potential. Backed by producer Richard Swift of The Shins, Pure Bathing Culture has already created a buzz online with their hypnotic choruses and mix of shimmering guitar and synth. Keep an eye out for their release Moon Tides, set for 20 August 2013.
Jesse Woods: Lazerburn
Former Texas A&M wide-receiver Jesse Woods didn’t take a traditional path to musical success. When a series of injuries rendered him unable to continue playing football, he turned from singing satirical songs in the locker to reduce the pre-game stress to building tension off the field through his moody blues. His poetically haunting vocals have graced several cover songs and original EPs, but his forthcoming album, Get Your Burdens Lifted, showcases a fully developed artist whose lyrics are as laudable as his distinctively unhurried sound. His nine-track journey takes listeners along on cattle drives, to a dangerous dancehall and, in “Lazerburn,” to a Sunday morning on Venice Beach.
