Showing posts with label Toro Y Moi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toro Y Moi. Show all posts
Picking Up The Slack For MTV: Toro Y Moi - "Rose Quartz"
Listener's Digest: Disclosure - "You & Me" (Toro Y Moi Remix)
Chaz Bundick’s house alter-ego, Les Sins, is responsible for his best music in a year when his much more popular main project, Toro Y Moi, released an album. So it was a nice surprise this morning to see Bundick, under the Toro Y Moi name, but erring much closer to Les Sins, remix UK Garage House revivalists' single “You & Me.” For this remix, Bundick slows things down a bit here, taking Disclosure's pristine single and perverting it, not allowing vocalist Eliza Doolittle to finish her lines, locking her into a hypnotic rhythm.
Picking Up The Slack For MTV: Toro Y Moi
The video for Toro Y Moi's "Never Matter," the latest single off of his 2013 release Anything In Return, is a funky, enjoyable, and a surprisingly twisted piece of music video art. Shot on grade Z VHS tape and featuring the good folks of a Southern swap meet, it works as a piece of video art, both visually and as a seemingly life affirming expression of our shared humanity and love of getting down to funky music. The clever and hilarious twist at the end of course upends the whole thing and recontextualizes it in an entirely different light, making it an even more satisfying and visceral experience. Ah... the pleasures of VHS tape. Enjoy!
Top Ten January Album Releases
Formed in Syracuse, NY, Ra Ra Riot are Upstate’s native sons of indie rock. They recently played a stellar show at Mohawk Place, touring behind songs off their new album, Beta Love. The record is currently streaming in full and sample tracks at the groups website, and upon first listen it seems that the band has stayed in line with their signature upbeat, pop style. Beta Love is out 1/22 via Barsuk.
Parquet Courts are a four-piece punk band from Texas that relocated to NYC and well, wanted to record a record, so they did and released it last August on Dull Tools. Right. So why are they releasing it again via What’s Your Rupture? on January 15, you say? Well, mostly because every major music source fell asleep on the excellent punk record last year, so...yeah. The awkwardness will fizzle out once you listen to "Stoned and Starving" below:
As I mentioned back in November when they released their debut EP Clusterchord, Sufjan Stevens collaborator DM Stith and John-Mark Lapham of The Earlies have teamed up to form a great new band called The Revival Hour and they will be dropping their debut record Scorpio Little Devil on 1/21. While its being called a pop record in theory, The Revival Hour’s debut is more of a fusion of 60s soul, doo-wop, and folk as Stith lends his hallucinatory vocal melodies and loops while Lapham offers a layered stew of instrumentation and catchy rhythms. Listen to “Hold Back” below:
Indie rock juggernauts Yo La Tengo will go ahead and release their thirteenth album of their nearly 30 year career on 1/15 via Matador. The album is called Fade and was produced by John McEntire (The Sea and Cake) instead of Roger Montenout, who has produced every album since 1993’s Matador debut, Painful. In an interview from 2009 Kaplan had this to say about the band’s relentless creativity: “You may think that you know everything that we do...we’ve thought of a few new things over the past couple of years.” Listen to the excellent new single off the new album in “Ohm” below:
Foxygen are another great new act that’s were signed by the folks at Jagjaguwar by way of handing their demo to producer Richard Swift after a show one night in NYC. Luckily, he got them in the studio for their debut album last year because they will already be releasing their follow-up We Are 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic on 1/22. They’ve cleverly been described as “the raw, de-Wes Andersonization of The Rolling Stones, Kinks, Velvets, Bowie, etc. that a whole mess of young people desperately need.” I probably can’t top that. Check out the Richard Swift directed video for “Shuggie” below:
After releasing the excellent sophomore record, Days, and hitting the road for almost a year as a part of his main gig playing lead guitar for Real Estate, Matthew Mondanile has been hard at work this summer on his third album under his drowsy, lo-fi moniker Ducktails. The Flower Lane is out 1/29, and while the recently released title track retains the groggy vibe that we’re familiar with from his prior two LPs, there is an undeniably stronger production quality to the track, as Mondanile has expanded his bedroom studio into a basement practice space, adding four band members. The Flower Lane is being released on Domino Records.
When Girls broke up back in July I was pretty saddened by the news. In three years, they had put out three incredible releases, and seemed to be only getting better and more prolific; the SF duo of Christopher Owens and JR White had created something that became one of my favorite bands of the last five years. Since the split, it was hard to know how quickly either would get back into making music, or if they would at all. White got back into producing pretty fast, and a few months later Owens announced the exciting (and speedy) news of a forthcoming solo record and shared a new track called “Here We Go.” The track takes on a similar soft rock guise, but a lot of the punk and gospel stylings of work as Girls are absent, and instead we’re left with an anchored, folkier song that still bleeds out every drop of emotion we’re used to experiencing with Owens. Listen to “Here We Go” below:
Three years ago a charming five-piece LA band calling themselves Local Natives released a killer debut album called Gorilla Manner that they recorded in their SoCal house, and then toured the shit out of it. Since they’ve garnered comparisons to big names like Grizzly Bear and Arcade Fire, there’s been a hum as to where they wound go next. In a way it’s not surprising that their first single off the forthcoming record, “Breakers,” feels so energetically stadium-ready. Co-produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner, the band has said that Hummingbird is a progressive change: “I definitely think the album represents a lot of growth for us as musicians we pushed ourselves a lot to try new thing, experiment. On a lyrical emotion level I feel we dug a whole lot deeper laid a lot more things bare and tried to be more honest.” Listen to “Breakers” below and decide for yourself:
As we mentioned back in October, Toro Y Moi aka Chaz Bundick has a crisp LP primed called Anything In Return due out 1/22 via Carpark. As he has modestly shifted his scope from late ’00 chillwaver to house, funk-hop beatsmith we’ve been following the prolific musician the entire way. First cuts off the record “So Many Details” and “Say That” both offer Bundick’s varied approach to intelligently danceable music that puts him in a chasm betwixt producer and songwriter. There’s little doubt that this is Bundick’s most anticipated record yet. Watch the video for “Say That” below:
Listener's Digest: December 28th - January 4th
Well, it appears to be 2013. Actually, I am not entirely sure at the moment. I went to a party on New Years Eve and don't remember anything until this morning, when Mac (buffaBLOG's fearless leader) tried to run me over with his car. He calmly explained that the attempted murder was well deserved, but I really have no recollection of what I did or why I have a tattoo of the Buffalo Bills logo filled in with an American flag and being ridden by a girl in a bikini. I think I had a fun holiday? Either way, the only thing I remember is a batch of new music for the first week of 2013.
Factory Floor - "Fall Back:" London's Factory Floor seem like they are SERIOUS and most likely VERY INTENSE people to be around. Their music is probably CUTTING EDGE and they probably wear muted t-shirts when they perform. The group will be releasing its first full length with DFA later this year. It will probably be VERY COOL. "Fall Back" is the first single off of that album and the first piece of new material they have released since 2011. It is sparse, a pulsing beat running through fragmented melodies for 8 minutes. Obviously, the vocal part is slightly distorted murmuring. You should probably listen to this with a SERIOUS LOOK ON YOUR FACE.
Fuzz - "This Time I Got a Reason:" Ty Segall seems to have been invented to give music journalists something to write about every few weeks as he does something new at least once a month at this point. Fuzz is his latest band, with an already sold-out 7" he attempted to release anonymously. However, you only have to listen to it for 10 seconds to realize that it is Ty Segall. In 2013, Ty Segall will probably release at least 4 albums and 2 EPs.
Octo Octa - "So Lux:" This is another song to listen to while you are driving around at night and probably wearing muted t-shirts and asymmetrical jackets. It kind of reminds me of the soundtrack to some lost Dreamcast game I played a lot in 2001. Now I am way cooler (so cool, like really cool) and ride around my all black car listening to this music. It's European, the car, Octo Octa is from Brooklyn. An enjoyable house track with a simple groove and minimal melody. Please make sure to shave the side of your head or put on one of those really oversized scarves before putting this on at a party. You know, for authenticity.
Toro Y Moi - "Say That:" Toro Y Moi is a gentle nerd who really wants to be smooth. He seems to have listened to a lot of house music after he realized this whole chillwave thing would not pan out and his latest album seems to also be very much in the vein of Michael Jackson/Prince (but with elements of house music). This is probably one of those songs you would listen to if you wanted to have sex in a library. You know, get the mood right but you don't really want to disturb anyone studying.
Potty Mouth - "Damage:" Potty Mouth is an awesome garage punk band who you may have caught, if you were lucky, in the basement of the Jungle Gym over the summer. They made a minimal, guitar driven 90s inflected garage punk song with a great driving bass line. You'll probably want to take off the oversized scarf for this one and maybe put on a torn up jean jacket. Maybe the jean jacket is a jean vest. Either way, it should have a bunch of pins.
Listener's Digest: October 12-19, 2012
So, I took a week off and have now returned with totally fresh jams for your Friday afternoon.
Wait, did you guys even notice I was gone? No? And now that I am back, you are kind of sad to see me? Well, fine. I see how it is, man you guys are unappreciative. Do you think I just do this for my own megalomania to satisfy my own twisted ego? Yes? Well well well, I see how it is.
Regardless, I am bound by my sense of duty and a 100 year contract I signed with the blog's founder back in the 2nd grade to deliver you new music, so here it is, jerks. I really wanted those fruit snacks. How was I supposed to know it would lead to this?
Toro Y Moi – “So
Many Details:” Moving further away from the chillwave of his earlier
work, Toro Y Moi appears to be going in a soulful direction. “So
Many Details” is a longer piece of electro-soul with a slow building groove and
shimmering melody. The song ratchets up the intensity at the half-way point as
the vocals become more forceful and the angry tone of the song starts to
become more prominent.
Naomi Punk – “Burned Body:” A “crunchy” grunge inflected
rock song with echoes of Ty Segall, “Burned Body” is this week’s heaviest
pick. The a-side to a limited 7” single, the track lurches forward, driven by
the distorted guitars and crashing drums. Captured Tracks will be giving the
Olympia band’s full length debut a wider release in November.
Sufjan Stevens – “Ding-a-ling-a-ring-a-ling:” Has anyone stopped to
think of the sheer volume, over the course of his career, of Sufjan Stevens’
holiday recordings? At this point, it is a sizable part of his discography.
Teasing out his holiday box set, Stevens has released a romping, very short,
woozy song that heavily emphasizes the rhyme scheme of the title.
Purity Ring w/Danny
Brown – “Belispeak II:” And in this week’s most unexpected collaboration,
Purity Ring teamed up with Danny Brown for a rap sequel to “Belispeak.” “Belispeak
II” speeds up the original, to excellent effect, and features Brown rapping one of his strongest contributions to date.
Local Natives – “Breakers:”
Finally, a brand new track from Local Natives, who recently announced a follow
up to Gorilla Manor. The track revolves
around a series of building moments, alternating between quiet and catharsis going back to quiet each time. This pattern dominates each section, from the lush opening
to the swirling chorus, each preceded by calm hints of what is to come. At the
center of all this is a light, almost percussive, guitar melody that moves the
track forward at each point.
Toro Y Moi Announces New Album
Since he released his sophomore LP Underneath the Pine last March, Toro Y Moi aka Chaz Bundick has been nonstop. The dynamic chillwaver has put out the Freaking Out EP and June 2009 compilation in the meantime, and now he's announced his latest LP entitled Anything In Return, which is due out January 22 on Carpark.
There hasn't been a single released from the album yet, but a track called "So Many Details" is said to be the culprit cut. According to Bundick, the record leans more toward the pop aspects of his sound using funk and hip-hop beats set against a darker backdrop.
Check out the tracklist from the new album and watch the video for "New Beat" below:
Anything in Return:
1. "Harm in Change"
2. "Say That"
3. "So Many Details"
4. "Rose Quartz"
5. "Touch"
6. "Cola"
7. "Studies"
8. "High Living"
9. "Grown Up Calls"
10. "Cake"
11. "Day One"
12. "Never Matter"
13. "How's It Wrong"
Listener's Digest: July 13-20
This week is all about surprises. In addition to new music from Menomena, Blood Diamonds, and Marie Minerva, there are unexpected but exciting collaborations between rappers and producers/electronic artists. These specific songs are great pairings and highlight each's unique talents and style well. Meanwhile, established act, Menomena, who I originally thought had broken up some time ago, returns as a duo with an incredibly powerful new song. Blood Diamonds and Marie Minerva continue a year of consistently great electronic music filled with newcomers. Please take some time and close out your week with a new Listener's Digest.
Menomena - "Heavy Is As Heavy Does:" When reports of the band not getting along surfaced a few years ago, I had, sadly, assumed that Menomena was over. However, now a duo, they are back with powerful new single. "Heavy Is As Heavy Does" begins simply, with vocals and piano, and then builds into a powerful dirge by the end with overpowering feedback laden guitars and drums. The crescendo is classic Menomena and only enhances the emotion evident in the song's beginning. Menomena seems to have lost none of their power in the shift in lineup and the time between releases.
Danny Brown & AraabMuzik - "Molly Ringwald:" One of two excellent collaborations between a rapper and popular producer this week. This track features the hyped up and over the top qualities of both parties. Brown raps fiercely over AraabMuzik's tightly wound beats, which seem on the brink of exploding at every point. They do not and the track has a overall tense feeling to it. A great coming together of two very talented individuals.
Blood Diamonds - "Ritual:" This is partially my own self imposed attempt at penance for forgetting to post the amazing single from Blood Diamonds and Grimes, "Phone Sex," a few weeks ago. If you have a few moments, please also check that single out. This is the B-side and no less worth your time. A bright mid tempo dance track featuring a chopped and alternating slowed down female vocal sample, "Ritual" is extremely infectious. The single comes out next week, featuring artwork, resembling the packaging to some sort of recently rediscovered Sega Genesis game, by Elite Gymnastics.
Toro Y Moi and Tyler the Creator - "Hey You:" The Odd Future camp had a rather productive week with new music from DomoGenesis, MellowHype, and Tyler the Creator as well as the announcement of a full tour (making a stop in Buffalo). A surprising and exciting collaboration that was accidently leaked before being finished, this track combines the strengths of both artists into something that seems like a natural fit. A smooth nocturnal track, Toro Y Moi's production is evident throughout. Tyler's own voice, more even than normal, sounds natural and well placed.
Marie Minerva - "The Sound:" A spacey dance track from the Not Not Fun artist, with an effectively used sample of a talk on transcendental meditation that sets the tone for the rest of the song. This hazy and entrancing song will be on her new album, to be released September 4.
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