Hand Clap Movement

As The Neighbourhood are about to embark on their first U.S....

Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:36 -0400

As The Neighbourhood are about to embark on their first U.S. headlining tour, the band will be releasing a split 7” with tour mates Lovelife. The new track “West Coast” fully embraces the band’s hip-hop influences, as we are left with a chilly old school California appeal.

The band’s debut I Love You. is out now.

Maybe it reminds of me of my old pop-punk glory days, but...

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:22 -0400

Maybe it reminds of me of my old pop-punk glory days, but something is seriously clicking with this new Dave Sitek-produced The Orwells single “Other Voices”. Plentiful hooks abound over a raucous garage-rock background. Full of raw energy, this will be a fucking joy to see live.

Taken from their new EP Other Voices out June 25th on East End/Canvasback.

Fully aware that Summer is around the corner, DC’s Misun...

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:45 -0400

Fully aware that Summer is around the corner, DC’s Misun pick up the pace in a big way on new single “Sun Made”. The aquawave band set their sights on the glowing sun with blistering synths that surround you in a wall of glorious noise. An inspiring message against rough odds is used to perfect use, as the most hopeful of backdrops blare loud and clear. Picture seeing the ocean for the very first time in life, and you’ll get an idea of how shimmering this is. Not sure I’ve had this much fun in synth joy all year.

Nacey again delivers the stellar production.

Brooklyn-based act Silent Rider has released a beautiful cover...

Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:40 -0400

Brooklyn-based act Silent Rider has released a beautiful cover of Bon Iver’s career-turner “Skinny Love”. Using a subtle electronic background, Reed Kackley proves he can stand toe to toe with Justin Vernon in the vocal department. No longer do we feel like we’re all alone in a cabin but rather a dark, desolate night where winding roads never cease.

Listen and download below.

I want you to imagine that you are laying in a hammock on clouds...

Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:44 -0400

I want you to imagine that you are laying in a hammock on clouds while listening to the new single “Away” by Parisian artist Julia Losfelt. The floated, lapping vocals of Losfelt act as another instrument, perfectly in line with this gorgeous environment being created. The dream-induced synths slowly bring us to a world of endless possibilities as this becomes a truly transformative experience.

Strangers have just uploaded a rather fantastic cover of Rihanna...

Mon, 20 May 2013 03:00:37 -0400

Strangers have just uploaded a rather fantastic cover of Rihanna + Mikky Ekko’s “Stay”. Touching it up with their signature new-wave darkness, the track takes on a more eerie state than ever before. This new electronic background is just stunning, especially at 2:50 where pure bliss sets in.

Grab a free download below.

The Weeknd has delivered the eponymous track off his upcoming...

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:15:48 -0400

The Weeknd has delivered the eponymous track off his upcoming record Kiss Land. After entering this hedonism theme park, Abel Tesfaye so passionately croons away his most daring confessions. Amid various screams, the nearly 8 minute track quickly gains an aggressive path with an unrelenting thump of synth power. Alot of different beat changes on this, so listen closely to the horror.

There comes a song released around May every year that only...

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:15:00 -0400

There comes a song released around May every year that only needs one listen to see how much Summer hit potential it is. This year, LA’s brand new Smallpools have struck gold with their debut single “Dreaming”. This is synth-pop perfection that has massive crossover appeal and should be on every radio station in the country within weeks. Hooks that are instantaneously memorable, a huge bridge of “woah oh oh”, jangly riffs and sprightly synths all spell out the recipe for success on here. A west coast Ghost Beach comes to mind after a few listen. Sure I might hate this in a few months once this gets overplayed everywhere, but in the meantime it will stay stuck in my head.

I had this same feeling last year about Youngblood Hawke’s “We Come Running” and look where they are now. BIG THINGS are coming folks.

Stream and download below.

There’s not many more bands we love with all our heart in...

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:38 -0400

There’s not many more bands we love with all our heart in this world than Lexy and the Kill, and if you’ve been following HCM for any bit of time, you’ll know this adoration well. So today we are so happy to share the “We Can’t Dance Alone” B-Side, “The Ballad of Love & Hate”. A absolute powerhouse of a tune featuring a gigantic set of riffs, and Lexy’s soaring vocals that would all be appropriate in an arena setting. When her voice gets all raspy near the climax, my heart melts just a little bit. As these two most recent songs from the band show, Lexy and crew are reaching for the stars now with an amount of noise that most venues simply can’t control.

After recently being championed our British Invasions, the...

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:00:44 -0400

After recently being championed our British Invasions, the innovative trip Benin City debut the first single “Faithless” off their debut record Fires in the Park. The track is a darkly melodic play that uses Joshua Idehen’s Theophilus London-style vocals to spectacular use. Their signature ”electro bass” back play works wonders as the complex soundscape fools with all other emotions. Pretty much taking every gene and making something incredibly unique is what these guys do best, and this is just another demonstration on how good these guys are.

Leeds based Swimming Lessons has crafted a beautiful underwater...

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:00:35 -0400

Leeds based Swimming Lessons has crafted a beautiful underwater adventure on new single “Double”. Drowning yet evocative vocals from Ben Lewis light the way over a playful and expansive electronic landscape that feels as hopeful as it is adventurous. A hugely inspirational offering that can offer our dreams a chance at reality. Close your eyes and be ready to ingest all of this sparking magic.

While sadly we still don’t have any word of new The Naked...

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:00 -0400

While sadly we still don’t have any word of new The Naked and Famous music on the horizon, the band will release a remixes and B-Sides EP on May 20th. Peaking our interest is this Kids of 88 assisted “A Source of Light” which is a reworking of Passive Me Aggressive You track “The Source”. Yes, this is technically not a new song, but this does just enough to breathe new life into a 3 year old song.

Newly signed to her own Saint Records, Solange gives us a treat...

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:46 -0400

Newly signed to her own Saint Records, Solange gives us a treat in a collab with it-man Kendrick Lamar on a re-working of “Looks Good With Trouble” from last year’s Truth EP. The soulful, bedroom-approved cut has an eerie overlay that is especially noticeable once the Compton rapper starts up. Frequent collaborator Dev Hynes is once again masterfully behind the boards.

Buy the single now.

San Francisco The Dodos are gearing up to release their new...

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:00:19 -0400

San Francisco The Dodos are gearing up to release their new record Carrier August 28th on Polyvinyl. After the very sad death of their guitarist Christopher Reimer, a slightly more aggressive sound seems to have been introduced. The pop-aesthetic is still there, but just hiding in the shadows as a more guitar-centered sound is explored. Still a great track though, and it’s wonderful to see this band back in the limelight.

Gorgeously infectious spaghetti western vibes are in abundance...

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:43:00 -0400

Gorgeously infectious spaghetti western vibes are in abundance on the new track by London’s Men’s Adventures. The pondering of lost cowboys are on display as the sun is just about to hit the ground for the night. Never before has the feeling of giving up felt so exuberant and playful.

Their new Solitary Trip EP will be out June 24th on Dirty Bingo.

The Miami Horror-affiliated Honeymooon have dropped their 2nd...

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:24 -0400

The Miami Horror-affiliated Honeymooon have dropped their 2nd single “Sure Stuck”. It a delightfully sinful combination of 70’s pop with a 60’s era psych attitude that works best if you free your mind of any stresses. A pulsating groove that is heard throughout will help us all call for our inner-hippie out on the nearest beach.

An album will be out later this year.

He released one of the best songs of 2012 on “Pull Me...

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:15 -0400

He released one of the best songs of 2012 on “Pull Me Down”, even made a Rihanna song bearable to listen to and now the up and coming star Mikky Ekko releases a new demo “Disappear”. The gorgeous ambient underlay provides all the minimalist emotional scenery the man needs to use his incredible set of pipes to stunning use. The raw energy is captured in a swelling cinematic movement, one that builds to inescapable close. How anyone would not want to run away with this world class talent is mind-boggling.

After careful consideration, this might actually top the Clams Casino classic of last year. Brilliance on display here.

Manchester’s The 1975 continue to be the hardest working...

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:00:14 -0400

Manchester’s The 1975 continue to be the hardest working band in the business as their fourth EP IV is due out next week on Vagrant/Dirty Hit. The album closer “fallingforyou” is a tender love story told in a muggy R&B-flavored electronic soundscape. This band already knows how to write a song and make girls around the world melt in their presence, and this will heighten both of those claims.

Indie Babe of the Week The Australian-born, London-based up and...

Thu, 16 May 2013 03:00:12 -0400

Indie Babe of the Week

The Australian-born, London-based up and comer George Maple (who you might have heard on a Flume or Snakehips song) has stepped out on her own again and released the down right sultry “OPST”. A more mellow approach than her previous collaborative experiences, the beautifully soulful voice is given a static, piano-led playground to work with. A classical talent that fits perfectly in with a moody post-modern sound.

She’s currently working on her debut record with the likes of Bondax, Snakehips and Shadow Child.

The Channing Tatum of the production game, Ryan Hemsworth is set...

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:15:42 -0400

The Channing Tatum of the production game, Ryan Hemsworth is set to release a new EP Still Awake next week. Our first taste is the utterly romantic “Perfectly”. If there was any ever musical form to express the love for your one and only in life, this is it. The woozy samples show that sometimes feelings are too intense to be said through an easily interpretable language. The Canadian prince continues to prove how he can do no wrong.