mount kimbie Archives - Various Small Flames

Wake the Deaf’s Top 15 Albums of 2013

Jon Doyle — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:51:00 +0000

The year’s drawing to a close, Christmas is done and dusted, which means it’s about time we got round to compiling our ‘best of’ list, beginning with our Top 15 Albums of 2013.

15). Kanye West – Yeezus

(Roc-A-Fella / Def Jam)

14). Implodes – Recurring Dream

(Kranky)

13). Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City

(XL)

12). Julia Holter – Loud City Song

(Domino)

11). John Moreland – In The Throes

(Last Chance)

10). Trouble Books – Love At Dusk

(MIE)

9). Darkside – Psychic

(Matador / Other People)

8). Mount Kimbie – Cold Spring Fault Less Youth

(Warp)

7). Jon Hopkins – Immunity

(Domino)

6). Phosphorescent – Muchacho

(Dead Oceans)

5). The Knife – Shaking the Habitual

(Mute / Brille / Rabid)

4). Fuck Buttons – Slow Focus

(ATP)

3). Typhoon – White Lighter

(Roll Call)

2). Chance the Rapper – Acid Rap

(Self-released)

1). The National – Trouble Will Find Me

(4AD)

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The Covers Mix: Volume #9

Jon Doyle — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 08:41:34 +0000

Welcome to the ninth volume of our covers mix series. As always there is an eclectic mix of genres and covered artists so hopefully there is something for everyone (yes, even you).

The two Jurado covers are from Slowcoustic’s fantastic Covers Project, the Rufus Wainwright one is from Pickwick’s Fuel/Friends Chapel Session and the Dire Straits cover was included after reading an article on the late Matt Ryd on Cover Lay Down. I have no idea what is going on in the Mac DeMarco track.

Tracklisting:

1. Falling (Twin Peaks Theme) – Field Mouse
2. You Took Your Time (Mount Kimbie Cover) – Julia Losfelt
3. Talamak (Toro y Moi Cover) – Houses
4. Thinking About You (Frank Ocean Cover) – Typhoon
5. Heysátan (Sigur Rós Cover) – Leif Vollebekk
6. No Other Love (Jo Stafford Cover) – Night Beds
7. Foolish Love (Rufus Wainwright Cover) – Pickwick
8. Beacon Hill (Damien Jurado Cover) – Small Houses (w/ Kevin Killen)
9. We All Make The Flowers Grow (Lee Hazelwood Cover) – Siskiyou
10. Father and Son (Cat Stevens Cover) – Johnny Cash & Fiona Apple
11. Indie Queens Are Waiting (Dan Mangan Cover) – Will Driving West
12. Fade Into You (Mazzy Star Cover) – J Mascis
13. Fit (Windmill Cover) – Snob Dylan
14. Don’t Let Them See You Cry (Manchester Orchestra Cover) – Ted Monday
15. Isolation (Joy Division Cover) – If Thousands
16. Medication (Damien Jurado Cover) – Wes Tirey
17. Drive All Night (Bruce Springsteen Cover) – The Swell Season
18. Romeo & Juliet (Dire Straits Cover) – Matt Ryd
19. Gypsy He-Witch (Jason Molina Cover) – Will Oldham
20. Medley (Various Covers) – Mac DeMarco

As always, the mix is intended as an introduction to these artists. I have put links in the tracklisting so you can explore a bit further. Enjoy!

The Covers Mix: Volume #9 from Wake The Deaf on 8tracks Radio.

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YYU – TIMETIMETIME&TIME

Liam Doyle — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:30:00 +0000

YYU is the project of Californian artist, Ben Straus. Back in May he released an album entitled TIMETIMETIME& TIME on a label called Beer On The Rug. It is very difficult to put this album into a genre in an attempt to describe what a listener might expect. I’ve read a few reviews that refer to it as “vaporwave”, although as someone unfamiliar with the genre that isn’t much help (please excuse my ignorance). Other attempts are vague and similarly unhelpful, although “post-dubstep” is the closest to something I would have suggested (probably due to my lack of knowledge in the area).

Anyway, pointless taxonomic arguments on genres aside, this is a very interesting album. Repetition is an important element here, the sound circles and repeats constantly, but it is put together in a way that seems entirely organic and affecting. Strummed guitars, delicate vocals and hushed pianos are all cut up and looped to beautiful effect. The continued repetition that should therefore seem robotic and digital actually comes across as natural and human (as in the continued repetition of a heart beat). The album also remains pretty accessible despite the largely experimental approach, and would, I believe, certainly appeal to fans of Burial and Mount Kimbie, and even Dirty Projectors. Listen to and buy the album from Bandcamp, and check out Beer On The Rug’s website for more information.

YYU has also just released a brand new song on his Soundcloud page which is definitely worth checking out. Stream it below:

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