New Is Always Better
Indie
Twitter (And I) React to Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’
7 days
Ok so today seems to be National Daft Punk Day (ironically on the same day The National’s album leaked…post hopefully coming soon) and with seemingly every artist weighing in on this monstrous album, we felt it necessary to highlight some of our favorite insights thus far via Twitter.
DotEXE starts it off with probably the most obvious of observations. In an era where Twitter gives everyone an “equal” voice amongst the internet, even the most uneducated of music listeners will take the opportunity to express how they think this album is “boring” because there are no “epic drops”. Go home “bro”.
Daft Punk’s album leak today… Proving anybody with ears is now a music critic
— DotEXE (@DotEXE) May 13, 2013
While it’s impossible not to love Zedd’s troll-like sense of humor, this is actually probably one of the most accurate statements to come out of the day. Growing up in a house with a father that LOVES jazz (dinner as a kid was accompanied by a soundtrack of David Benoit, Kenny G, David Sanborn etc.), it’s impossible to not make connections to great jazz guitarists like George Benson. A+ review from Anton Zaslavski.
If u like the new Daft Punk album I highly recommend also checking out “Best Of George Benson”. You will love it! itunes.apple.com/us/album/best-…
— Zedd (@Zedd) May 13, 2013
While I am admittedly part of “the youth” and a relatively new listener to dance music, it has been disturbing me as a lifelong music fan that live instrumentation was seemingly being phased out of popular music. Kids are treating music like it can only be enjoyed with the assistance of MDMA and even rap music (whose entire value is in the LYRICS for me) is rapping about their favorite girl Molly. Pharrell Williams himself said it and it’s refreshingly true in the case of RAM, “You don’t need MDMA to enjoy this music.”
To me the Daft album is for the youth.
— DJ Foot Massage (@atrak) May 13, 2013
Let me begin by saying I am a HUGE fan of the art of sound design. Teaching yourself is a time-consuming task that requires tons of trial and error, risks, and TERRIBLE sounds coming out of the speakers but when done correctly it has the ability to take your music to the next level. Aritsts like Porter Robinson, Knife Party, Synchronice & KOAN Sound come to mind as prime examples off the top of my head but that’s not to say I’m not missing some. Point is that in the haze of this “EDM” movement, it sometimes seems that people forget the musicality and human passion that poured out of the songs we loved before. Goldroom articulates this perfectly.
Everyone’s underwhelmed because everyone has become programmed to only respond to advances in sound design, not musicianship or songwriting.
— Goldroom (@goldroom) May 13, 2013
And this album is way soft on production/sound design and way heavy on musicianship and songwriting. Appreciate it for what it DOES do.
— Goldroom (@goldroom) May 13, 2013
Hit the jump for some other favorite responses that may or may not be updated as the rest of the Twitter-verse decides to weight in on Daft Punk’s latest album. Fire back in the comments to tell me you agree, don’t get what I’m saying or just wanna tell me to fall in a hole. Feedback is always welcome.
Written by: @randymcrandell | @thatnewjam
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Daft Punk – Random Access Memories (Full Album Stream)
7 days
It’s HERE!! After months of waiting, painstaking advertisement, marketing and hype-building, we have the full Random Access Memories album from Daft Punk available for full streaming! I don’t wanna sway your bias but after 5 songs through, I appreciate the entire aesthetic of the album and needless to say they bring the disco full force. While it’s not in your face festival sized raging music, half of the appeal is in the process knowing that these two guys used all physical tools in a studio to create these sounds rather than the suite of computer-based synthesizers that have taken their place for bedroom producers. Leave feedback in the comments, preorder the album officially here and hit the jump to listen to the full album!
Written by: @randymcrandell | @thatnewjam
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Capital Cities – Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees Cover)
12 days
Nothing like a little funk for your Wednesday. Capital Cities switched things up and decided to unleash this refreshed version of The Bee Gee’s classic song staying alive with all the flavor you’d come to expect out of the California duo.
Capital Cities: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
Capital Cities – Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees Cover)
Written by: @randymcrandell | @thatnewjam
Lorde – Royals
13 days
by Alex Goldman
in Indie Pop
She may only be sixteen, but she’s ‘in love with being Queen.’ Lorde is a New Zealand teen and singer expressing her high and mighty ego with an eclectic combination of sounds through her track ‘Royals.’ The young singer reminds me a bit of of Icelandic singer Emiliana Torrini with the swag and attitude of M.I.A. The following track is rebellious, badass, yet completely laid back. If you know you’re a f–king boss, this is the perfect track for you.
Lorde – Royals
Written by: @AlexGoldman | @thatnewjam
Phoenix – Trying To Be Cool (The Chainsmokers Remix)
14 days
Meet one of my new favorite production duos The Chainsmokers. Their remix of Phoenix’s single Trying To Be Cool has all the summer fun you crave and their SoundCloud decriptions are A+ material. Hit the jump for the production stems courtesy of the band themselves!
We opened our gmail and were surprised to receive these stems for the tune… I mean its bloody Phoenix, if you get Phoenix stems you get excited and use them ASAP. That aside, Phoenix has one of the most unique popular sounds in music and Thomas Mars’ voice has to be one of the most recognizable so to have an opportunity to put a Chainsmoker’s touch on one of their songs was really a treat, particularly since our focus thus far has been this blending of progressive house/dance, indie music and pop music sounds and no band exemplifies that more than a band like Phoenix…
The Chainsmokers: Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
Phoenix – Trying To Be Cool (The Chainsmokers Remix)
Written by: @randymcrandell | @thatnewjam
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Marina and The Diamonds + Charli XCX – Just Desserts
19 days
Not a huge follower of Marina and The Diamonds but it comes with good reasons why artists such as Zeds Dead have chosen to remix them. This track combines beautiful vocals with all sorts of sounds and textures from pulsating electric basses to guitar and piano makes this real refreshing for me.
Marina and The Diamonds + Charli XCX – Just Desserts
Written by: @randymcrandell | @thatnewjam
Steel Train – You Are Dangerous (RAC Mix)
20 days
This song kinda hits me somewhere between a downtempo Pierce Fulton track, something that The M Machine could possibly make and a Death Cab for Cutie vibe. Call it what you will, every track from RAC is pure gold and although I’m not entirely familiar with the original, I’m fairly certain this will find it’s way to the front of my playlists as the lazy summer days start coming.
Steel Train – You Are Dangerous (RAC Mix)
Written by: @randymcrandell | @thatnewjam
Beat Connection – Saola (Odesza Remix)
25 days
Beat Connection – an indie electronic Seattle band with a name deriving from an LCD Soundsystem song. Odesza – a fellow Seattle production duo consisting of both Catacombkid and BeachesBeaches.
Together the two will tour this Spring/Summer, surely playing their latest, blissful and impressive collaboration ‘Saola.’ Odesza’s dance-worthy and refreshing remix of Beat Connection’s original ‘Saola’ is bright, upbeat, synthy and beautifully crafted. The sun is shining on NYC, and it is the perfect day for such a summery, euphoric track.
Beat Connection – Saola (Odesza Remix)
Written by: @alexgoldman | @thatnewjam
Cory Hueston – American Dream (Official Video)
26 days
To those who have already had the pleasure of listening to the sultry yet raspy voice of Florida-native Cory Hueston, they’ve no doubt realized his raw and very real talent. Those within the music industry have begun to agree as well, as Hueston’s had meetings with the likes of Sony Music and is currently signed to independent Alistair Records. Nonetheless, his newest single “American Dream” is on that could truly catapult him to the next level – one that effortlessly fits into the mainstream music landscape without feeling forced. Now all it needs is a little momentum. Check it out below and support good music.
Facebook | YouTube | ReverbNation | Official Website
Cory Hueston – American Dream (Official Video)
Written by: @aimxhigh | @thatnewjam
Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautiful
29 days
While snippets of Lana Del Rey’s “Young & Beautiful” single from The Great Gatsby soundtrack has been circulating the internet for a few days, today marks the full release of the song for all to enjoy. Letting her natural vocals do all of the work, Rey sings over the stripped-down instrumental, providing listeners with a beautiful, dark melody. And with the Florence and the Machine single, “Over The Love”, surfacing earlier this week, it’s looking like this upcoming soundtrack is shaping up quite nicely. The The Great Gatsby soundtrack is set to hit shelves on May 7, with the Baz Luhrmann-directed film landing on the big screen May 10.
Lana Del Rey – Young & Beautiful – DOWNLOAD LINK
Written by: @aimxhigh | @thatnewjam
