Psychologist - Waves of OK - New Music "Introducing"

http://www.psychologistmusic.com/ 

2011 has been a great year for EP's already; the latest is by Psychologist who was until last week a complete unknown (to me). Entitled 'Waves of OK' and released via Not Even on digital and 12" etched Vinyl it's the first of two parts (the second in due in May).

'Waves of OK' is a majestic affair, containing five chucks of minimalist ambient electro-haze / piano led fragile ballads, the sort which propelled Perfume Genius to the top of many best of lists in 2010 and got James Blake in the BBC Sound of 2011 shortlist.

The centre-piece is the stunning "Comes in Waves", a delicate piano track which sees the Mike Hadreas similarities reoccur due to the aching, yearning melodies. Though, despite the heavyweight emotional honesty in the lyrics it never comes across as anything other than a truly beautiful piece of art which at times is quite uplifting, especially when the song expands over the latter half with celestial, sprawling layered vocal chants. "Comes in Waves" is a spine-tingling masterpiece and easily one of the best things you'll hear this year.

With an almost hymnal quality that will transfix you for its entire playtime it is no surprise to find that the EP was recorded in a church, never is that more apparent than on a cappella gospel closure "Song to the Siren", which to hone in on the church reference, is simply divine.

There is a little too much ambient weirdness going on in the opening track for my liking but the aforementioned tracks along with the subtle, eeriness of "Look After" is certainly making me look forward to that second EP.

Psychologist - Comes in Waves

Psychologist - Song to the Siren

Watch the rather unique (read strange) video below:

Comes In Waves from psychologist on Vimeo.

Boy Friend - New Music "Introducing"

http://boyfriendmusic.bandcamp.com/

Boy Friend is the side (new?) project from two-thirds of SLEEP ∞ OVER, who released a 7" vinyl to mass acclaim last year. Partly thanks to the label it came out on, Gorilla vs Bear's own label Forest Family Records, though to say that was the only reason for it's success would be unfair and inaccurate because "La Rose" was a beautiful hazy gem with a ghostly vocal that was gorgeous enough to make you weak at the knees.

The debut Boy Friend release certainly stays faithful to that formula; haunted dreamy pop, exemplified on "D'Arrest" where soft textures overlie a sleepy, slow-burning (almost Beach House) sound, yet the enchanting harmonies, echoed vocals and hazy synths do carry a darker shade to that of the Balitmore duo.

The airy mood continues much the same throughout the rest of the tracks. Perhaps "Spirit Burner's"  reverb-heavy organ and shimmering synths is my favourite of the four, though, "The False Cross" runs it very close; a more assessable track, mainly I think due to the fact you can make out more of the lyrics, the vocals are always enchanting but at times incomprehensible and certainly the track comes closest to a "proper" pop chorus.

I'm sure some people will be crying out for some proper production here, but for me the lo-fi basement feeling of the four tracks perfectly suits the bleak yet beautiful sound, one made for late-night isolated listening.

You can pre-order their first (limited) physical release via the ever-amazing Italian label HELL, YES!, the A-Side is a new track. You can also get their latest four releases for twenty euros including postage, considering one of those is by EMA, you'd be a fool not to do so!

Boy Friend - D'Arrest

Boy Friend - Spirit Burner

Mechanical Bride #2 - Colour of Fire

http://www.mechanical-bride.com/ 

I first posted about Mechanical Bride last November with news that Transgressive were to release her debut album, well we now have the first taster of that entitled "Colour of Fire" is now available, you can listen below / download free from her website on the link above:

Mechanical Bride is Lauren Dross and continuing this weeks overriding theme is based in Brighton, this lead track is a delicate, gorgeous melodic number with a warm and alluring vocal; a piano led beauty. One that certainly gets you exciting with anticipation for the album.

The debut album, 'Living With Ants', is released 6th of June, and “Colour of Fire” is its first single.

Mechanical Bride - Colour Of Fire by Stayloose

Her Name is Calla #4 - Live Video, Free Sampler, Maw EP

http://hernameiscalla.bandcamp.com/
http://www.denovali.com/hernameiscalla/

Just yesterday I mentioned a beautiful video for current Her Name is Calla tour-mates Birds of Passage, today is the turn of the headline act, there are three or four wonderful videos to be seen on the Interweb of their current tour, I've linked one below...

It's been a busy twelve months for the band, following from last years stunning album 'The Quiet Lamb' is a three track 10" EP entitled 'Maw'. "Maw" shows a new side to Her Name is Calla, a pounding rock song which at only three minutes long grows in intensity with slugging guitars and horns, it's a sharp, frenzied noise-fest. A more tradition Calla can be found on "The Beat That My Heart Skipped", a beautiful minimalist track which is delicate and heartfelt although again brief in duration (given the 10 tracks of 'The Quiet Lamb' came in at 70 minutes) although tradition length returns on the eleven minute self-titled 'rock-opera' (and part acoustic) wonder  that is "Dreamlands", another side of HNiC, and another successful experimental venture for one of the UK's most compelling acts. Stream two tracks off the EP on the bands Soundcloud.

Limited to just 300 copies with free MP3 download. You can order it direct from their label here. The 100 Gold have already gone so messing around isn't advised.  If you are new to the band, you've an amazing discovery ahead of yourself, to help that you can download a six track Calla sampler for free by heading here.

The band are currently in Europe and return to the UK in a couple of weeks, will certainly be at Union Chapel  and hoping to make the other London show, full UK dates:

14/4 London Rhythm Factory
15/4 Brighton The Green Door Store
16/4 London Union Chapel (free midday show)
16/4 Bristol Croft
17/4 York Duchess

Now is one of those brilliant videos, check out more here and some alternative ones on youtube.


1. Leeds - Her Name is Calla 2011 European Tour from Sebastien Dehesdin on Vimeo.

Her Name Is Calla - Thief

EMA - New Music "Introducing"

http://cameouttanowhere.com/

Came outta nowhere is the title of her blog and EMA (real name Erika M. Anderson and formerly part of a duo called Gowns according to her bio.) literally did for me, I stumbled across her music thanks to the excellent Quietus and an article written in January - why it took me till the end of March to read is my typical time-based problems...

Anyway, she has a two track single (although at over 23 minutes long it could be constituted an EP) available to purchase the single in iTunes now and after listening to it below, you'd be a fool not too.

"The Grey Ship" exhibits the same sort of craft that PJ Harvey did with 'Dry', variable structures and incredible guitar playing creating a heartfelt, raw and intimate ambience. The first half of "The Grey Ship" is like sailing in a melancholic but blissful, tranquil ocean that suddenly crashes in a thunderstorm during the second half with a throbbing bass introduction which continues with over-amped guitar rackets, crazed violin and thumping drums, when it gets down & dirty it's truly brilliant.

The B-side cover of Robert Johnson’s "Kind Heart" is the sort of song that words of useless for, it's far, far too good for my inane praise. At 16 (to coin the videprinter SIXTEEN) minutes in length it goes near the top of the longest tracks in my entire library, although not quite as long as the 21.38 12" version of Prince's "America". It uses its time wisely, creating a breathtaking voyage. From it's minimal, sparse beginnings with haunting and eerie vocals to its explosive peaks where you hear bluesy riffs full of grungy reverb and energy which suddenly crash back to a hush, all drenched in beautiful feedback and carried by a wonderful vocal that at times wails and howls and at others is a whispering beauty. If you are scared of a sixteen minute track sample the nine and a half minute peak of thrashing drums and guitars for an idea of the blissful noise.

If this isn't in my end of year favourite lists then fuck me, we are in for some year. (It will be!).

Listen below:
EMA - The Grey Ship

EMA - 'Kind Heart'

Debut UK shows have also been announced, TGE has one more essential act!:
May 11 The Macbeth, London
May 12 Cargo, London
May 13 Islington Mill, Manchester
May 14 The Great Escape, Brighton

An album 'Past Life Martyred Saints' is due in May via Souterrain Transmissions and I have gotta hear that soon! You can order it via Rough Trade with a four-track bonus CD and I've already done just that!
Here is the first video from it, "California", another raw, feedback bathed number, a new favourite I have found:


EMA - California (Official Video) from Souterrain Transmissions on Vimeo.

Birds of Passage #3 - Highwaymen in Midnight Masks (live)

Check out this live video from Birds of Passage recent European tour, it is absolutely stunning:

birds of passage - highwaymen in midnight masks from Sebastien Dehesdin on Vimeo.

Here is the demo audio version of the same song:
highwaymen in midnight masks (demo) by birds of passage

Order the exquisite album 'Without The World' here (read my original review) and catch her live whilst you still can over the next ten days or so in mainline Europe with the equally amazing Her Name is Calla - I'm gutted their wasn't a London show with Alicia on this tour - next time.