Indie synth-pop project Tee Dee Dees has just released his sophomore single, ‘Slim Bears’ via Alaska Music. This follows his single ‘War’ which was recently premiered by Clash Magazine.
Based in Tel-Aviv, writer, editor, and musician, Ori mark is the creative force behind Tee Dee Dee’s. His work has been likened to the likes of Interpol, Placebo and Depeche Mode.
The driving vocals and undulating rock tempo on ‘Slim Bears’ is a mix that really resonates, even if the ride can be a little jittery. The track centres around close personal relationships, the need for solitude, and realising when dreams should remain just that – dreams.
Ori Mark explains: “I have all kinds of non-realistic dreams, like starting a community in the desert – a lot of music, some sixties atmosphere, some Buddhism, I don’t know. Stupid dreams. In the end, I find it hard to keep close relationships even with my loved ones. I guess this song suggests to make some efforts and keep your circle close before choosing to be alone”.
Swedish dance-pop maestro Agnes has released her latest album Magic Still Exists via Universal music. The songstress has been in the spotlight since the tender age of 16, and her major global dancefloor hit ‘Release Me’ topped Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs, reached the Top Ten in charts worldwide and sold over 900,000 copies in the UK alone.
She has since gone on to release a string of hits – but Magic Still Exists is a stunning artistic leap forward. After taking a long break, this album release sees her making a strong statement of creativity, with a truly diverse tracklist. However, the LP has no shortage of commanding dance-pop vibes and certainly calls for repeated listens.
She explains the process behind it: “‘Magic Still Exists’ is a collection of epiphanies about what it means to be human and our need to constantly search for something bigger, something more. The album was made together with friends and the process has therefore been very intimate. Something that made me relax, let go and have fun with it”.
LP track ‘Here Comes The Night‘ features on the Spotify playlist POP_GROUND.fm
Psychedelic songstress ANIQO has released a video to accompany her new track ‘Fear.’ Directed by Matthias Pfeiffer (aka Pupillendriller) and produced by Guy Sternberg (Keane, Feist, Yoko Ono, Kings of Convenience) the video is a haunting visual translation of a potent track.
On ‘Fear’ ANIQO speaks of the control measures implemented by media, government, and religion, using masks and dimly-lit scenes as a literal translation. The evocative visuals are well suited to the atmosphere of the track, leaving the viewer with a strong message.
Speaking of the concept behind the video, ANIQO tells us: “The video symbolizes confrontations with various fears… Matthias and I have a similar perspective on the world, also in aesthetic terms. To visualize the feeling of a song is not easy but we managed to do that here. Fear has many faces and I became even more aware of that during the shoot.”
Halfnoise – the celebrated solo project of Zac Farro (Paramore) – announces their 4th studio album ‘Motif’,due November 5th, and shares new single ‘Superstition’.
Continuing from the sonic style of first single ‘Two Of Us’ (praised by DIY, DORK, Rocksound, Brooklyn Vegan and more), ‘Superstition’ is a swaggering, sexy confession of love punctuated with explosive bursts of vintage strings and funky rhythms that Farro’s smooth tenor vocals croon over the top of.
Motif, released via Zac’s own label Congrats Records is the soundtrack to a genuine, real life love affair. Inspired by his relationship with partner and collaborator Kayla Graninger, Motif charts the journey of new love…from infatuation to maturity, from New York to Los Angeles, from spontaneity to the everyday.
The story begins in medias res with the breezy, hand-holding, instrumental stroll fittingly titled, “Introduction.” From here, the record picks up with latest single, “Superstition,” setting the stage lyrically with the vulnerable, sincere adulations of a boy in love and way in over his head.
‘Motif’ unapologetically resides in the hi-fi mid-70s atmosphere of The Bee Gees, Gaye, Nilsson, Lennon and ELO, with swanky keys, nostalgic string arrangements, gushing sentiment and unrepentant saxophone — all without a hint of irony or parody. Noticeably forefront are the melodies, which find Farro louder in the mix than usual, more exposed, and stretching his vocal and poetic range. Meanwhile Halfnoise moves into previously unexplored musical and emotional territory with both passionate and playful abandon.
The album closes strong with Last Day on Earth, a dreamy, Mind Games-esque anthem combining the whole cast of instrumental characters in a rapturous, romantic crescendo as the two lovers fantasize about their relationship in apocalyptic metaphor. The story’s final image is of the couple gracefully accepting a world that is unaware of its own impending demise and indifferent to the warnings of the new lovers, who alone, in the purification of love, can see the truth.
Halfnoise was founded by Farro in 2010, and has gone through many different musical iterations. Acclaimed 2016 album ‘Sudden Feeling’ drew from elements of shimmering synth-pop, which quickly developed into 2019s ‘Natural Disguise’ which combined alternative rock, with disco elements, and which has led to the next chapter, beginning with ‘Two Of Us’ & ‘Supersition’.
Not one to rest on their laurels, since rejoining Paramore in 2017 Farro has released two EPs & one album under the Halfnoise moniker, as well as setting up his own label (Congrats) and producing the recent debut record from fellow Nashville artist and partner ELKE.
‘Motif’ is a bold new step for Farro & Halfnoise, exemplified by latest single ‘Superstition’.
