The Interns / New Music Blog

La Roux releases second single, 'Uptight Downtown'

We may have waited five years for La Roux but now the new tracks are coming in thick and fast. Following in the demure, lovelorn, Let Me Down Gently, Elly Jackson has dropped Uptight Downtown, one for the dancefloor. The track kicks off with an instantly iconic guitar riff and a beat straight out of the '70s before adding brassy synths that '80s Bowie would be proud of. It's one that is likely to satisfy those who fell for Bulletproof and In For The Kill. While it doesn't explicitly look like a bid for the charts, it's almost impossible to see Uptight Downtown not repeating the same success as Bulletproof. And what a refreshing sound it would be to hear nestled in between some of the other fodder that radio is taking to presently. Do not click play on this if you're not ready to go uptown, downtown and turn the beat around town. This is a masterclass in pop music.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/la-roux-official/la-roux-uptight-downtown/[/soundcloud]

new music / videos

Video: MNEK- Every Little Word

albums, songs, eps / new music

Stream London RnB singer, SLK's 'Form' EP

As far as cohesive projects go, you don't get much better than this. SLK is a London-based RnB singer who is churning out quirky yet dark and brooding tunes with producer Embody. She has just made her new EP, Form, available for streaming and it's a corker. The EP sees UK Producer, Embody, lay down a moody, heavy-hitting atmosphere below SLK's gravelly, soul voice on each of the six tracks. It doesn't waver in its output, instead presenting a consistent body of work, similar in sound. MTV likened the singer's voice to Adele also calling her track, Call, "a weird and wonderfully textured production".

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/slk-music/intro-prod-by-embody?in=slk-music/sets/form-ep[/soundcloud]

The EP is available to buy on iTunes now.

albums, songs, eps / new music

Hear Actress' Remix of Kelis' 'Rumble'

Kelis' latest album Food is a large shift in direction for the singer as she moves away from the contemporary RnB/dance sounds that have defined her for the last decade. So far, the album tracks have been remixed by the likes of Mount Kimbie, Machine Drum and Breach. That run of stellar remixes continues with a remix by the elusive producer, Actress. It's a spacious and skittering rejig of the tune that allows Kelis' iconic vocal to sit comfortably atop some industrial production.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/ninja-tune/kelis-rumble-actress-sixinium-bootleg-mix[/soundcloud]

new music / videos

A Short Film Inspired and Soundtracked by Burial's 'River Dealer'

10348703_10154307582400495_6056010810044616177_o

albums, songs, eps / new music

Angus & Julia Stone unleash Rick Rubin produced, 'Heart Beats Slow'

Before now there were very little comparisons you could make between Kanye West and Angus & Julia Stone. One is a self-named God, the others are a shy brother-sister duo from the Sydney beaches. That's all changed. This morning, Angus & Julia Stone unveiled the first single, Heart Beats Slow, off their forthcoming third album, produced by the man who worked on Yeezus, Rick Rubin. It may sound like an odd combination on paper, but Rubin has brought out a more bluesy, confident sound from the pair. It's the first we've heard from the two since their ARIA award winning album, Down The Way which featured the Hottest 100-topping, Big Jet Plane. They've got a tough job ahead of them to top that but this one may just do the trick.

The album is out in Australia on 1 August. Catch their first show back at Splendour in the Grass.

features

Why your ears will enjoy June

If we're being truthful, June should be awful. It's the month when Winter finally hits you as a reality and you take to hot chocolates, Cheds and love handles. But, with the Northern Hemisphere joyfully ushering in Summer, we find ourselves receiving their music. Their content, Summer-ready, Festival-eyeing music. To think of the Brits whipping their shirts off when the thermometer hits 18 degrees is a sickening thought but the plethora of great records coming our way should soothe the pain. Over the next month we'll be treated to comebacks, debuts and a track called Fucked My Way To The Top (thanks Lana). It's going to busy, the headphones will hurt our ears but we'll forget Winter ever laid its frosty hands upon us. Here are ten of the most mouth-watering (ear-watering?) releases scheduled for June.

Klaxons- Love Frequency

13 June is the day when you will be able to set your ears upon the Klaxons' third record. The Bassist of the band, Jamie Reynolds told NME, “We have arrived. On the first two albums, we were taking off and this one is us flying. We are there.” And it certainly seems so. The band lined-up an impressive array of people to work on this album including James Murphy, Tom Rowlands of the Chemical Brothers, DJ/producer Erol Alkan and electro duo Gorgon City. The first tracks to surface off it, There Is No Other Time and Show Me A Miracle see the band embrace a more dance-orientated sound so you best get your best boogying shoes out.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/klaxons/show-me-a-miracle[/soundcloud]

Lana Del Rey- Ultraviolence

Fresh from being the headlining act at the Kimye wedding, Del Rey will release her second album on June 13. The ‘dark’ Ultraviolence features production from The Black Keys' Dan Auberach and has been preceded by the singles, West Coast and Shades of Cool. We can confirm that the album cover is the actual cover and not a casual holiday snap. We can also confirm that the tracklist is far more exciting than the cover. Fucked My Way Up to the Top and Money Power Glory have us putting faith in this record.

Kasabian- 48:13

With their last album, Velociraptor, Kasabian went from quirky, alt-rock band to arena-fillers. They're set to capitalise on that status with a headline set at Glastonbury and a new album. Oddly, it looks like 48:13 will step back from the arena-sound. It’s been described by the band as ‘stripped-back’, ‘bare’ and ‘direct’. The first single, Eez-eh is groovy and chaotic bound by a dictator-like vocal and travelling beat. It’ll be an interesting one, you can count on that. 13 June is when you can hear it, just in time for a mighty Glasto show.

Alexis Taylor- Await Barbarians

You may know Alexis Taylor from a little dance collective called Hot Chip. If so, then you’ll know his partner in crime, Joe Goddard, is constantly off producing and remixing everything under the sun, so Taylor has decided to pop out his second solo-album in the meantime. It’s set to be released on 13 June in Australia and features the two previously released tracks, Elvis Has Left The Building and Without A Crutch (2). If you pulled your boogy shoes out for Klaxons, put them back away for this one. It’ll be a demure but rewarding set.

Glass Animals- ZABA

British band Glass Animals set hearts-a-flutter when they visited Australia in April. Many of the shows sold out off the back of the wildly successful, Gooey. They also cranked out a pretty special cover of Kanye West’s Love Lockdown for Triple J’s Like A Version with frontman Dave Bayley sending girls gaga with his oddball voice. Since then, they’ve released the tropical flavoured, Pools and are now readying the release of ZABA. It’s geared for release on 3 June.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/glassanimals/pools[/soundcloud]

Jack White- Lazaretto

Mr. White has pulled out all the stops in the lead-up to the release of his second solo album. On Record Store Day he set the record for the world’s fastest recording when he delivered the title track in less than four hours. Then, last week, he called his former half of the White Stripes and ex-wife, Meg White, the “antithesis of a modern drummer” while he himself was called an “asshole” by The Black Keys' drummer Patrick Carney. Such is the life of a rockstar, I guess, and any bad press is good press in the lead-up to an album. If you know Jack White, you’ll no doubt already have guessed the sound of Lazaretto- howling vocals, raucous guitars and other bluesy instrumentation. We’ll be able to confirm that when it’s released on 6 June.

First Aid Kit- Stay Gold

Sweden’s not often the first place you look for Folk music with an Americana twang, but this duo is doing a damn fine job at it. Stay Gold is the third album from the pair, following on from their 2012 breakout The Lion's Roar. The first two singles, My Silver Lining and Cedar Lane suggest that they won't be changing up the sound too much, but it’s sure to be another beautifully harmonic and melodic record. The record is out on 6 June while they’ll be down under in July for Splendour in the Grass.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/firstaidkit/my-silver-lining[/soundcloud]

The Antlers- Familiars

After a balmy Summer, June is going to get cold. During those nights, you’ll need an album to accompany you. Look no further than Familiars. This is the Brooklyn band’s first release since 2011’s sprawling Burst Apart and it’s shaping up to be just as profound. If the first two singles, Palace and Hotel are anything to go by, it’s going to be an emotional one with tip-toeing keys, short jabs of brass and haunting melodies. Prepare to weep on 20 June.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/antirecords/the-antlers-hotel[/soundcloud]

How To Dress Well- What Is The Heart?

Poor ol’ Tom Krell looks sad on the album cover for What Is The Heart? And judging by the album title and first two singles, he probably is. Somewhat sadistically, it’s good news for us because the music he’s churning out is A+. Taking cues from late '90s/early millenium RnB, Repeat Pleasure and Words I Don’t Remember are melancholic strokes of genius. It won’t be a barrel of laughs, but you're not meant to be happy in Winter anyway, right? Get personal with Krell, 20 June.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/howtodresswell/repeat-pleasure[/soundcloud]

Remi- Raw x Infinity

Remi is the next big name of Australian hip-hop. His debut cut, Sangria, had Triple J audiences giddy, taking out Triple J Unearthed’s 2013 Award. It’s the feature album all this week on Triple J and from what we’ve heard so far it’s a raw yet politically and socially-charged listen, touching on everything from racism to drug-culture. Hear whether the Melbourne MC has delivered on the hype on 3 June.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/remzilla/tyson-1[/soundcloud]

Also I'll just gloss over the fact that Ed Sheeran, 50 Cent and 360 also have records coming out. These are very much avoidable. Please read, listen and buy the above. Your P.I.M.P days are far behind you.

features

Kimbra was inspired by Sesame St, and other things we learnt from her Twitter Q&A

KIMBRA2 Details about Kimbra’s sophomore album, The Golden Echo have so far been scarce. We’ve heard the first single, 90s Music, and been treated to the album cover but any hopes we had of hearing more were dashed when her tour with Janelle Monae was cancelled last week due to illness.

Today, Kimbra took to Twitter to answer questions about the new album. Here’s a few things we learnt from #AskKimbra:

The album is out in August

Mark your calendars, you’ve got about three months to wait.

The album was produced by herself, Rich Costey and friends

Kimbra has hinted at some pretty impressive guests on the album including Muse-frontman, Matt Bellamy on the latest single 90s Music. But the man behind most of the album is LA-producer Rich Costey. Costey’s production credits stem from Foster The People to Muse and The Vaccines, so he’s a pretty big deal.

Foster The People’s Mark Foster is also set to feature on the album as is Silverchair’s Daniel Johns and the Dirty Projecter’s Dave Longstreth. She worked with Thundercat on six of the songs while she was most excited to work with Bilal and the legendary Van Dyke Parks.

She also produced a song with Flying Lotus, however, it will not be on the album.

It’s gonna be a deep, thought-provoking, emotional ride

I hope you’re prepared.

According to #AskKimbra, she is most excited about showing us ‘The evolution of sounds & the deeper messages of the songs’. She added to that saying it was “more fearless, rhythmically driven, sonically adventurous!” Lyrically, “There's a strong, inspired sentiment. Starts in a place of youth & ventures many places.”

The Golden Echo’s inspirations stem far and wide

“Adventure, ideas of what is 'sacred', reflections (inward&outward)” are Kimbra's main inspirations for the album. It looks like we’ll be doing a lot of soul-searching with the Kiwi which will be nice and interpersonal.

She also revealed that she wanted 90s Music to sound like Deerhoof hanging out on Sesame St. and that the album was inspired by a dream she had and “A flower called Narcissus Golden Echo. Greek Mythology & Thomas Merton.” That is one chaotic mind.

There is a song that features a ‘boss’

She doesn’t say who it is but she can’t wait for us to hear it. Most would assume it’s Bruce Springsteen, however, somehow that seems pretty unattainable.

We will settle for Michael Scott.

It’s similar to Vows in ‘intention’ and ‘spirit’

So basically not at all.

She still has more names in mind to collaborate with

Phillip Glass or Wes Anderson are the men on her hit list.

There are 12 songs on the album

Plus a few cheeky bonus tracks. The last track on the album is her favourite.

And the one you’ve all been waiting for: there will be crazy polyrhythmic prog breakdowns in a time signature other than 6/8

Phew.

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first impressions / reviews

First Impressions 26 May

It seems new music is caught in a funk. In the best possible way. This week everything has been struck by the rhythm stick, with funky guitars, wobbling synths and MJ-esque vocals permeating the collection. Get out your favourite Disco Stu boots and let's boogie through this week's collection.

Juce - (H)ours

Sam: Juce are tomorrow’s big news. I’m getting flashbacks to All Saints, Jamiroquai and Macy Gray. I can understand how that combination sounds awful but I mean it in the best way. This is a modern, disco classic. 4

Bianca: I’m really enjoying the girl band revival that’s going on right now. Juce’s sound is kind of a disco and ‘90s hybrid which makes for a delightful funk when teamed with lead singer Chalin’s raspy vocals. Juce are certain to be the next big thing, with their unique groove, a touch of sass and a whole lotta girl power. 4

Lizzie:

This track really warms up after about 40 secs, so hang in there. It's a real flare-pant-wearing, hustle-inducing, head bopper. 4

Hannah: To be honest, I was really hesitant to get involved in this week's First Impressions, mainly because it would mean putting down Chromeo’s White Woman album for the first time in a long time. Having done so, I think we can safely say disco is having a very happy revival and I’m loving it. 4

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/annie-mac-presents/fmm-juce-hours[/soundcloud]

BANKS- Drowning

Sam: I’m struggling to keep finding different words of praise for BANKS. That bellowing voice, those ball-crushing lyrics, that skittering beat- it’s all perfect. This album needs to be in my ears stat. And I swear, if people start adding this to ‘chill’ playlists, I’ll burst a blood vessel. 4.5 Sam’s Pick

Bianca: The sultry vocals accompanied with the ratchety backbeat certainly paint a picture of Banks’ entrapment in a bad relationship, further hammered into us by the ghostly echo of her lyrics. Her style is verging slightly on Lana Del Rey territory but thankfully is unique in her right. 4.5

Lizzie: This is a darkly seductive track. A Lana Del Rey on steroids, Banks just oozes raw talent. You find yourself just melting into a song like this, I’m literally itching in excitement for the release of her debut album. 4 Lizzie’s Pick

Hannah: BANKS does Lana Del Ray better than Lana Del Rey. Let’s just go ahead and replace her on the Gatsby soundtrack and forget that god awful Young and Beautiful blip ever happened, Ok? Every hair on my body stands up as that bass drops heralding the chorus. Quite simply put, I’m hooked. 4.5 Hannah’s Pick

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/banksbanksbanks/banks-drowning[/soundcloud]

Chris Malinchak (Feat. Mikky Ekko)- Stranger

Sam: First things first, this will be a massive hit, no doubt. Secondly, it deserves to be. It’s got an effortless disco groove that’s only bettered by Ekko’s crystalline vocal. Malinchak and Ekko do MJ better than posthumous MJ does MJ. 3.5

Bianca: Digging the on-trend shimmering disco vibe of this track. Ekko’s going to find it hard to Xscape from Michael Jackson comparisons and, admittedly, his vocals are almost too ‘a-hee hee!’ for my liking but he’s definitely got something special going on. 3

Lizzie: What’s with the funk, disco vibe going around at the moment? It’s everywhere! It’s going to take every ounce of effort not say this song sounds like Michael Jackson. This is a glittery performance by the up and coming DJ/producer. It doesn’t shine as much as So Good To Me did for me last year, but I am still excited to see what else this guy offers up in 2014. 4

Hannah: Lizzie, apparently I don’t have the same restraint as you. This is a Jackson sound. This is a Daft Punk meets Pharrell sound. This is a Chromeo sound. This is a GREAT sound that makes you want to break out your brightest Lycra and throw on a Jane Fonda workout video or two but this is by no means a new sound. I like it because well, how can you not? Now where are my sweat bands? 3.5

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/chrismalinchak/stranger[/soundcloud]

Nicki Minaj- Pills and Potions

Sam: Minaj is a great rapper. It took Starships for people to forget her insane verse on Monster, but this one may regain her some cred. Its barebone production makes it hard to get overly excited but she’s heading in the right direction. 3

Bianca: This is somewhat different from Minaj’s other work. Good for her for trying something new, I guess. 1.5

Lizzie: Well, this is different. A big departure from her usual sassy geddup. This raw, stripped back track, is well…meh. Hats off for her trying something different, I just can’t see her fitting into the whole cookie-cutter vibe. 3

Hannah: When Rihanna momentarily steps down from her pop princess pedestal, she produces raw, stripped back, KILLER tracks like Stay that remind you why she’s held in such high esteem to begin with. When Minaj tries to do the same thing, you find yourself imploring her to jump back on her throne (slash Starship) and stick to what she knows. Who needs creative diversity anyway? I do like the bass though. 2

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/hits-only/nicki-minaj-pills-and-potions[/soundcloud]

Zeds Dead and Twin Shadow- Lost You

Sam: It’s very last-year-Disclosure, but as an imitation it does a good job. Twin Shadow’s vocal is wonderfully soulful and the chorus he musters is hands-in-the-air stuff but Zeds Dead’s production just feels a little bland. But I suppose who cares when you're getting down at 4am. 2.5

Bianca: The Disclosure-esque syncopated percussion could get me dancingbut can’t see this getting stuck in my head any time soon. 2.5

Lizzie: I totally agree with Sam on this one, it sounds like some un-released (shitty) Disclosure stuff.

Why it works? Great catchy vocals.

Why it doesn’t work? The backbeat runs too light and too fast fast for me - it doesn’t really pack a punch. 3

Hannah: Sam, we live in Sydney. Ain’t nobody getting at 4am these days. Why bother with imitation when the real thing is just so darn good at any time of the day or night? 2

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/zedsdead/zeds-dead-twin-shadow-lost-you-feat-dangelo-lacy/[/soundcloud]

Jungle- Time

Sam: Tune after tune after tune, Jungle are funking me over. I feel like the whole cast of Saturday Night Fever is marching fervently towards me to the beat, backing me into a dark corner. It’s awesome. 4

Bianca: Jungle win me over time and time again with their modern day Bee Gees vibe. 4.5 Bianca’S Pick

Lizzie: This is groovy track with some damn sexy vocals. I just want to break down and boogie! 4

Hannah: Something, something, disco. Something, something, funk. 3.5

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/pierre-della-monica/jungle-time[/soundcloud]

new music / videos

Video: Lana Del Rey- Shades Of Cool

new music / videos

Video: Sam Smith- Leave Your Lover

lists

10 Songs You Need to Hear This Week

10songs6 While big releases by Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey threatened to cloud the week, a few funk-inspired numbers came to the rescue, willingly boogying us into the weekend. Check out our top 10 tracks of the week below:

jungle

1. Jungle - Time

It seems it’s hard this week to find one song that’s not inspired by Funk or Disco. Given it’s a Friday evening, that sits very well with us. This one continues the mysterious Jungle’s winning streak in the lead up to their debut album. Shake ya groove thang.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/pierre-della-monica/jungle-time[/soundcloud]

2. Little Dragon- Paris (TEED Remix)

If you thought Little Dragon’s original was too minimal then you’ll surely be pleased by this pulsating remix. TEED takes Little Dragon right into four am with a dirty, four-to-the-floor beat but also makes sure he leaves room to let the breathy vocals of Yukimi Nagano prosper.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/littledragon/little-dragon-paristotally-enormous-extinct-dinosaurs-holiday-edit[/soundcloud]

3. Banks- Drowning

BANKS’ debut album isn’t due until September but already we have heard about half of it. And basically we’re listening and loving. It seems some guy has played her around pretty bad and now he’s getting his due karma. “You’re so bold while you're watching me moan” she sings like Taylor Swift with a gun. Jokes aside, this is stunning.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/banksbanksbanks/banks-drowning[/soundcloud]

juce

4. Juce- (H)ours

Juce are basically a cross between HAIM and Destiny’s Child and are pumping out ‘90s-inspired RnB. (H)ours follows a blistering debut in Call You Out and an equally exceptional follow-up Braindead. I guess this makes it three from three.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/annie-mac-presents/fmm-juce-hours[/soundcloud]

LAYLA

5. LAYLA - Smokestacks (Mountain of Youth Remix)

Garnering over one-hundred thousand plays in just the first month of its release, Smokestacks was LAYLA’s breakout hit. This, as the name suggests, is a remix. Mountain of Youth take it into deep house territory, but still use LAYLA’s vocal hook as the focal-point. Prepare yourself, this one gets pretty steamy.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/mountainofyouth/smokestacks[/soundcloud]

vicmensa

6. Vic Mensa- Down On My Luck

Vic Mensa has been named in XXL’s freshman class for 2014 alongside names like Chance The Rapper and Isaiah Rashad. It basically means there is a big hype bubble surrounding him right now. This one finds a sugar, melodic middle ground between rap and electronic music.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/fuck-vic-mensa/down-on-my-luck[/soundcloud]

chris

7. Chris Malinchak (Feat. Mikky Ekko)- Stranger

The week that MJ released his posthumous album, Chris Malinchak and Mikky Ekko beat him at his own game (not that he knows it’s his game). It’s got a funky bass-line, Nile Rodgers guitar-licks and a velvety vocal.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/chrismalinchak/stranger[/soundcloud]

samsm

8. Sam Smith - Stay with me (Rainer + Grimm Remix)

We begged for a remix back in First Impressions April 3 and our will has been done. It’s been done good.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/rainerandgrimm/sam-smith-stay-with-me-rainer[/soundcloud]

KING

9. King Avriel- Judgement Day // Valley Idols

The most important thing you should know about King Avriel is that she was the voice of Timberly in Hey Arnold. Let that sink in. Now, you should know she’s now a 23 year-old artist who’s about to release her debut album, thesis. This one’s presumably from it and it’s an organ-driven, RnB masterclass.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/kingavriel/judgment-day[/soundcloud]

airling

10. Airling- The Runner

Airling is signed to Big Scary’s record Pieater and is an Australian singer-songwriter. Aside from releasing this jazz-inspired electronic track this week, she’s also been touring with Irish crooner James Vincent McMorrow. This one will seep under your skin and rest there for at least a week.

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/pieater/airling-the-runner[/soundcloud]