Frantic, adventurous, eclectic are three words that best describe Detroit outfit, Prussia's first installment of their three part series, Poor English. A series of three 10"'s set to be released over three months, Part 1 of the trilogy is at its core chaotic yet composed, vulgar yet sweet, and above all ambitious. If you think that's a lot to take in, you're right!
If you're not familiar with Zee Avi, the 25 year-old Malaysian singer/songwriter, definitely deserves some attention with her striking song 'Concrete Wall' off her sophomore effort, Ghostbird. Bathed in a cappella accompaniment before slowly building in soft layers of pulsing synth, and pliable hand claps. It's laid-back simplicity makes for a refreshing and instantly pleasant tune. A stand-out worthy of attention.
Last week's V.T.W. (Video of the Week) featured Gotye getting a helping hand from Kimbra, the lovable Kiwi who's been slowly turning out bits and pieces of her debut album Vows. This week Kimbra takes center stage with her latest single to get the video treatment 'Good Intent.' The stylized throwback video is suiting given Kimbra's addictive vocals, a mix of St.Vincent and Blossom Dearie, coupled with the song's alluring blend of jazz and pop. A cleverly choreographedtug-of-war between good and evil, there is surely a few good things to be found here, an quirky, noir pop track and Kimbra, as gorgeous as ever.
Proving her success with Gotye on 'Somebody I Used To Know' wasn't a simple one off, there's plenty more to come from the New Zealand native with her debut Vows set for release in her homeland and Australia next week. Kimbra won't make it to North American shores till early 2012, until then enjoy a fun music video from one of Shattered Vinyl's 10 Artists To Watch in 2011!
Dan Mangan is getting set to follow-up his Polaris-nominated Nice, Nice, Very Nice with Oh Fortune on September 27th and to kick things off is 'Rows of Houses.' An ambitious, folk-rock track Mangan maintains his husky vocals, but boasts a bigger, anthemic sound including an electric guitar and a beat the chugs along. It is without a doubt more radio-friendly, but is still the Dan Mangan you've come to know and love.
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)
Musician Walter De Backer's (Aka. Gotye) second single 'Somebody That I Used To Know' off his forthcoming third album Making Mirrors, is already a number one hit in his native Australia. Accompanied by the always impressive Kimbra (Shattered Vinyl's 10 Artists To Watch In 2011) who joins in the third verse of Backer's tale of a failed romance. Using stop motion and body art, the simple yet alluring video compliments Gotye's hit single.
Check out the videos for Gotye's previous single from Making Mirrors 'Eyes Wide Open' and Kimbra's single 'Cameo Lover' below:
Los Angeles duo Pepper Rabbit, Luc Laurent and Xander Singh, bring together a kaleidoscope of sounds and elements creating an imaginative and unadulterate indie pop gem with Red Velvet Snowball.
Los Angeles duo DWNTWN's debut single 'Transition' starts out with warm hues of neon pulsing synth, a poppy beat and boy/girl vocals before colliding with supersonic flourishes and eerie chorus vocals. It's both a dancefloor summer jam, and a radio friendly pop tune.
Following the success of You & I, the debut album from New Zealand quartet Cut Off Your Hands, comes the release of their sophomore album Hollow. Brimming with a variety of sounds from post-punks brittle rhythms to atmospheric Brit-pop and tinges of Americana Hollow propels the band to new heights avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump.
Kicking off our newest installment, Oh Land, the Danish beauty and Shattered Vinyl favourite, is our first Video of the Week with the latest off her breakthrough self-titled debut, 'White Nights.' An imaginative new video for the charming and colourful single 'White Nights' is a visual wonderland full over choreographed dance numbers, numerous settings, and more costume changes than Lady Gaga. Building on 'White Nights' dreamy lyrical references, the video gives life to the quirky Oh Land with a lagoon of sparkly gold faced girls to tribal dances the creativity is impressive as the beautifully shot video makes for a sensory overload. The uber-talented Oh Land just keeps making us fall in love with her over and over again!
The electrifying, supremely talented Raphael Saadiq commands a style and sound all his own, drawing on classic R&B, soul and blues influences. His latest single and video treatment goes to 'Movin' Down The Line' an exquisitely crafted song, featuring Saadiq's gorgeous falsetto and a groove that'll have you jiving.
