MuzjiksRx (8.21)

In this new feature, Muzjiks will don its stethoscope and prescribe readers musical remedies. Trust us, it will make more sense once you see how it works...

Grouplove: Colours [alt]

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Beat Connection: In the Water [alt]

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Warm Waves: Drifter [alt]

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Tweet to yo' mother

Is that a banana in your pants, or did you just find out that Muzjiks is now on Twitter? Follow me for the latest updates on all things Muzjiks: what I'm listening to, what concerts I'm attending, what posts are in the works or have been published, and everything else that's going on in the Muzjiksosphere.

Witch Heezy

Every summer seems to give rise to a new microgenre. Past years have brought us no-fi shitgaze and chillwave, and now we find ourselves in the midst of witch house/drag. Characterized by drum machines, fuzzy female shrieks, and a clusterfuck of noise, the genre is definitely an acquired taste. However, if one approaches it as the amalgam of other styles that came before it—industrial, goth, punk—then perhaps its challenging sound will be a bit more palatable. Just as Toro y Moi, Washed Out, and Neon Indian led the chillwave movement, so do Salem, oOoOO, ///▲▲▲\\\ (now Horse Macgyver), and a host of other unGoogleable, ALT-code-happy monikers (see: ℑ⊇≥◊≤⊆ℜ) lead this latest microgenre. Arguably unlike any other type of music before, though, witch house is something that you really just need to hear to understand. The best description of it really comes by way of this image: it's what you'd imagine the undead listening to at a rave (other than Thriller).

oOoOO: No Summr4U [alt]
One of my single favorite tracks of the year, this more accessible offering from the witch house world is chock-full of little melodic synth lines and vampire sexy female vocals. And bass—dear God the bass. That said, your woofers haven't seen anything compared to...

Salem: King Night [alt]
I'd like to hereby declare Salem founding the "doomstep" microgenre with this song. I swear that there are zombies somewhere getting crunk to this. If Joker died, went to hell, and rose from the crypt with new material, this would be it.

GR†LLGR†LL: ...sLOwLickiN... [alt]
Like jj before them, GR†LLGR†LL flips the now-classic ascending melody that drives Lil Wayne's "Lollipop," but this time transforms it into a languid funeral procession. It gives a whole new meaning to hip hop honors.

New MMJ on the Way

Press releases have indicated that My Morning Jacket will release their follow up to the largely disappointing Evil Urges in May of 2011. I am an avid listener of the band and maintain faith that Jim James will come back around--he's just too damn talented. Read the NME link for a more detailed description of the "wholesome" new album. In the meantime, these were the days...

My Morning Jacket: "The Way He Sings" [Buy]


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Mandatory Reading: WTF

I don't know what's going in the world but I like it. From the Pitchfork interview with Justin Vernon..."just a bunch of über talented people and everyone was really nice and chill and just working on Kanye's record. I was literally in the back room rolling a spliff with Rick Ross talking about what to do on the next part of a song."

Can you make this shit up?

Milhoppin'

So I don't really like most post-rock. I get bored of the pattern that many past-rock bands fall into--a little too epic for my taste. There's something about this song though. Initially, I was attracted by the Moby-Dick inspired cover art I saw on Headphone Commute. I did some listening and something about "Supervulken" from Milhaven just grabbed me. Maybe its the minimalism, maybe I can envision Kanye West rapping over it on his next album--your guess is as good as mine.

Milhaven: "Supervulkan"
MySpace

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KillEmBrent

So Menomena made their TV debut a few nights ago on Fallon. They seemed to be a bit nervous but were great nonetheless. They performed the dramatic cut, "Killemall," from their new album Mines. Unfortunatley, NBC is a bunch of prudes with their video so I found a better version from KEXP. As a bonus, I have included a mp3 of Ramona Falls' (Brent Knopf's side project) "I Say Fever."



Ramona Falls: "I Say Fever" [Buy]

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Live in Cosmogramma

In the time I have spent not writing, my ears have taken me in many directions--many of them being diametrically opposed. This is one of those times. With my discovery, and more importantly exploration, of the Flying Lotus' music, I thought more and more of the lasting effect of John Coltrane and his music. If you weren't aware, Steven Ellison (FL) is the great nephew of John and Alice Coltrane and is part of the huge family of Coltrane music. Here are the two ends of the Coltrane sonic spectrum--the harsh, polyphonic textures of Flying Lotus and the Miles Davis-cum Revolver era Beatles music of Alice Coltrane. Have a bit of patience with these.

Flying Lotus: "Table Tennis" (feat. Laura Darlington) [Buy]

Alice Coltrane: "Something About John Coltrane"

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Hey Andre 3K!

I haven't written in quite some time, so forgive the rust dripping from my blogging chops.

With the release of the much acclaimed solo album, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty, Big Boi is again in the eyes and minds of the people. Though, it seems that the other half of the Atlanta duo is following closely behind. The track "I Do" comes ahead of some kind of album coming out at some point from Andre 3000-- sorry I had to be so specific. I hope you enjoy the music.

Andre 3000: "I Do"




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Operation Zebra

If you haven't heard of them, then you're missing out. Sugar Glyder is a four-piece from Charlotte, NC, that's putting out some of the most compelling new music around. Currently in the studio working on their follow-up to 2009's Poor Baby Zebra, their fourth release will be an EP likely featuring live cuts "One More Snow" and "Song Holiday." However, if you like what you hear, you don't have to wait until the end of 2010 when the as-yet-untitled extended play is released; instead, you can head over to the band's bandcamp page to download PBZ and 2008's stellar We Cracked the Sky in sparkling FLAC quality and find information on how to obtain physical copies of their releases.

While that FLAC is downloading, you might enjoy reading up on past Muzjiks write-ups on Sugar Glyder (below). As these previous features make clear, this is a special band. From show(wo)manship to painstaking attention to detail in the studio and live, these are four talented musicians doing it all the right way. Do yourself a favor and check out Daniel Howie, Chris Rigo, Emily Aoyagi, and Bobby Matthews as Sugar Glyder, your new favorite band.

Blackbeard Has Feelings Too [alt]
Poor Baby Zebra [alt]

See also...
Sugar Glyder: Soaring Beyond the Limits
Concert Review 12.31.09

Links
MySpace
Facebook
YouTube
PureVolume
Twitter
Bandcamp

Buy

Grimy, Filthy Dubstep

Picture completely unrelated.

If you're not already familiar with dubstep, you're missing out. A genre characterized by nasty basslines, crunchy synths, and neck-breaking head nod grooves, there's not a style of music better for testing out that new subwoofer. Perhaps what makes this genre so exciting, however, are the many variants that exist under the "dubstep" umbrella—from the desolate, alleyway house take of Burial to the drugged-out, hip hop fusion slant of Flying Lotus to club banger-meets-slaughterhouse floor style of Joker. Although it's impossible to cover all the bases, I'll try to offer a cross-section of what's out there in the world of dubstep...

Emalkay: When I Look at You [alt]
I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for drops. There's something carnal about that synth swell that explodes into a clusterfuck of bass and melody. If that description fits you too, then you're in for a treat. Hang in there for about a minute, and then prepare for your speakers to turn inside out.

Joker: Psychedelic Runway [alt]
An example of dubstep with a more distinct groove to it, this is what a UK drug kingpin might roll around town listening to. A little trippy, a lot gangsta, and criminally grimy.

Plan B: She Said (16Bit Remix) [alt]
A sort of sister genre to dubstep is grime, a UK take on hip hop that incorporates dubstep-esque beats with spitfire English emceeing. Here, 16Bit remixes rapper Plan B's "She Said" and takes it to whole other level of intensity.

Hyetal: Pixel Rainbow Sequence [alt]
Incorporating 8-bit samples from the original Donkey Kong and other nostalgic video game favorites, Hyetal offers another dubstep track with a sick buildup and release within the first minute of play. More laid back and less in-your-face than some other dubstep offerings, "Pixel Rainbow Sequence" is nevertheless super nod-worthy.

Flying Lotus: Massage Situation [alt]
Another more laid back track, "Massage Situation" features a soulful female vocal sample over a groove that builds, deconstructs, and rebuilds again. Although considerably less lysergic than, say, FlyLo's 2010 Cosmogramma, this song is nothing to scoff at.

Burial: Archangel [alt]
A dubstep primer would simply be incomplete without a sampling from Burial. Don't expect this to be part of your next party playlist. William Bevan, the man behind Burial, creates haunting soundscapes that are probably the club bangers of the underworld. As a brief aside, I must say that Burial holds a special place in my heart for the sole reason that his music was played as roadies set up Radiohead's equipment before I saw them in 2008. Burial's music is now forever synonymous with anticipation and happiness as the musical interlude to what would become the best night of my life beginning at 8:47 PM when Thom, Jonny, Ed, Colin, and Phil took the stage at Verizon Amphitheater in Charlotte, NC.

Summer Playlist Pt. 1

The story of my life...

It's the dog days of summer here in the great American Southeast, and there's not much better than speeding down the interstate with the A/C cranked, the windows rolled down, and the music blaring. Muzjiks is here to help you with that last part. Here's an assortment of summery, feel-good tunes we've had in heavy rotation lately...

Grouplove: Naked Kids [alt]
Although the entirety of Grouplove's self-titled EP could easily double as the soundtrack to your road trip, this track serves as an appropriate sampling of what the five song release has to offer.

The Radio Dept.: Where Damage Isn't Already Done [alt]
This reclusive Swedish dream pop outfit can do no wrong when it comes to wonderfully fuzzy melodies. If you haven't already done so, do yourself a favor and check out the band's most recent LP, Clinging to a Scheme, an album that will definitely contend for a top spot in Muzjiks' end-of-the-year honors. However, this offering comes from Radio Dept.'s critically acclaimed debut full length, Lesser Matters.

Gorillaz: Empire Ants [alt]
Having quickly skyrocketed among the ranks of my favorite songs of all time, this track off of Plastic Beach has one of the most mind-numbingly dope buildups ever. Listen to this and try not to dance—I dare you. Turn up the volume, turn up the bass, and throw your inhibitions to the wind because the guy at the red light next to you is about to look at you like you've got epilepsy when this thing hits the halfway mark and the groove overcomes you...

Deadmau5: Strobe [alt]
Arguably at the top of the electronic genre right now, mau5 is regarded as a must-see on the festival circuit. Listen to this track and you'll quickly understand why. Ideal for nighttime driving.

Tiesto (ft. Tegan and Sara): Feel It in My Bones [alt]
With it's pulsing bassline, trance synths, and sultry female vocals, this song has all the makings of an indie club banger. Once again, I dare you not to dance. Seriously. This thing is infectious.

Wiz Khalifa: Cabin Fever [alt]
Whether you toke or not, this song has one of the sickest beats I've heard this year. Along with Big Boi and Big K.R.I.T., Wiz has released some of the most exciting hip hop this year. Another staple of my nighttime driving playlist.

Third Eye Blind: Motorcycle Drive By [alt]
A summer playlist would not be complete without a nostalgic 90s tune, and there are few bands as quintessentially 90s as these Californians who blew up with "Semi-Charmed Life" and "Jumper." Another track off of their self-titled 1997 debut, "Motorcycle Drive By" features a beautiful acoustic guitar-driven buildup that goes perfectly with a sunny afternoon.

Keep your eyes peeled for more music worthy of participation in your summer memories here on Muzjiks because, frankly, we're sitting on some gems. After all, we can't pull out all the stops at once...

Extra! Extra!

According to Ed O'Brien of Radiohead, Thom and the gang are almost finished up with their much anticipated LP8, a follow-up to 2007's industry-revolutionizing In Rainbows, and expect to be releasing it by the end of this year. Fingers crossed for a 2011 world tour!

Read more on AtEase.

Sugar Glyder: WXOU 88.3 FM Interview

Muzjiks, a.k.a. purveyor of all things Sugar Glyder, would like to offer an entertaining and insightful interview of the Charlotte foursome that aired last night on Michigan's WXOU 88.3 FM. Enjoy, and please check out SG's music!

http://usershare.net/8t76vzelv502

Sitek's Maximum Balloon

With TV on the Radio currently on their planned one-year hiatus, the mastermind behind TVotR's sound has been hard at work with Aziz Ansari on a joke-rap mixtape titled Aaaaaaaangry and now a solo project as Maximum Balloon. Today, Muzjiks has the first listen on what Sitek has been cooking up under this new solo moniker. Combining a club-ready synth line with vocals from Aku (of Dragons of Zynth) that sound surprisingly similar to TVotR's Tunde Adebimpe, "Tiger" also is heavy on Sitek's characteristic funky guitar. While I know I speak for many when I say that Tunde, Kyp, and the rest of the TV on the Radio gang is greatly missed, this offering does a satisfying job at tiding fans over. Listen below.

















Tiger (ft. Aku)