radioSpin

DAFT PUNK
Random Access Memories

Daft Punk‘s Random Access Memories was one of the most anticipated albums of not only the year, but maybe even ever. This of course begged the question: does it live up to the hype? The best saying for this is the good old “aim low and you’ll never be disappointed,” which, albeit somewhat demotivational, does allow for a “better than expected” result. The French duo were being very ambitious by creating such a buzz, but can we expect any less from Daft Punk? Maybe not. For everywhere Random Access Memories lacks, there is an equally smooth and velvety groove to combat it. Unfortunately, this creates a very inconsistent album that has too many lull moments for it to be an overall winner in disco music history. The whole album is layered with 70′s funk, reminiscent of those fuzzy guitar solos and sweet licks we all grew up on and this makes it an extremely fun and upbeat type of record that has been filled to the brink with A-list cameos (please see Pharrell Williams, Julian Casablancas, Nile Rodgers, Giorgio Moroder and so on). So, in the end, Daft Punk have delivered an exceptionally well marketed album, which unfortunately has an overall lacklustre feel. It is definitely worth a spin, but worth two spins? It’s up to you.

ARTIST: Daft Punk
TITLE: Random Access Memories
LABEL: Columbia
RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2013
TIME: 1:14:35 min.
WEB: http://www.daftpunk.com/
PURCHASE: price – 9.99$

01. Give Life Back to Music [04:34]
02. The Game of Love [05:22]
03. Giorgio by Moroder [09:05]
04. Within [03:49]
05. Instant Crush [05:38]
06. Lose Yourself to Dance [05:54]
07. Touch [08:19]
08. Get Lucky [06:10]
09. Beyond [04:50]
10. Motherboard [05:42]
11. Fragments of Time [04:40]
12. Doin’ It Right [04:11]
13. Contact [06:21]

PREVIEW: Daft Punk (feat. Julian Casablancas) – Instant Crush

get it here.

RS HOT SPOT – #14
Minilogue Live @ Länghult

Techno-minimal Swedish producers duo (Sebastian Mullaert and Marcus Henriksson) Minilogue are set to release their brand new studio album Blomma, but in the meantime they’ve decided to be generous. So, until then, we can enjoy this fresh live-improvisation played in Länghult a few months ago. You can download it here, or stream it down below. As they says: When You Feel It, You Own It.

verified source.

KAVINSKY
OutRun

Brand new album from one of the most talented artists of the French electro-scene. Kavinsky has played everywhere, opening for Daft Punk on their last worldwide tour. Kavinsky is also a comics character, immediately recognizable with his Teddy Jacket, jeans, sneakers, sunglasses and his cigarette. The brilliant album Outrun is produced by rising French DJ/producer Sebastian and Guy Manuel de Homem-Christo of Daft Punk. Kavinsky‘s single Nightcall was featured in the opening credits of the film Drive. Welcome to the future of the dancefloor.

ARTIST: Kavinsky
TITLE: OutRun
LABEL: Republic
RELEASE DATE: February 26, 2013
TIME: 44:34 min.
WEB: http://www.myspace.com/kavinsky
PURCHASE: price – 11.43$

01. Prélude [01:55]
02. Blizzard [03:28]
03. ProtoVision [03:26]
04. Odd Look [04:50]
05. Rampage [02:56]
06. Suburbia [03:29]
07. Testarossa Autodrive [03:38]
08. Deadcruiser [03:33]
09. Nightcall [04:18]
10. Grand Canyon [03:13]
11. First Blood [03:04]
12. Roadgame [03:44]
13. Endless [03:00]

PREVIEW: Kavinsky – Deadcruiser

get it here.

STRFKR
Miracle Mile

Portland, Oregon: who knew the Pacific Northwest could hold some of the most danceable and intellectual electronic pop od the country? Rain, evergreens and grey skies are apparently good for creative output, as evidenced by local musicians STRFKR (pronounced Starfucker, a slang term for someone who craves certain interactions with celebrities). Comparable to fellow indie electro-poppers Hot Chip and MGMT, Josh Hodges‘ STRFKR is what it would sound like if The Flaming Lip made a club-album. Miracle Mile is their 3rd studio release, and again it’s a party full of unbelievably catchy hooks and downright pretty pop melodies.

ARTIST: STRFKR
TITLE: Miracle Mile
LABEL: Polyvinyl
RELEASE DATE: February 3, 2013
TIME: 50:39 min.
WEB: http://strfkrmusic.com/
PURCHASE: price – 9.99$

01. While I’m Alive [03:48]
02. Sazed [03:25]
03. Malmö [03:34]
04. Beach Monster [02:10]
05. Isea [00:53]
06. YA YA YA [02:13]
07. Fortune’s Fool [02:06]
08. Kahlil Gibran [03:59]
09. Say to You [04:24]
10. Atlantis [02:29]
11. Leave It All Behind [03:15]
12. I Don’t Want to See [03:33]
13. Last Words [02:55]
14. Golden Light [04:43]
15. Nite Rite [07:12]

STRFKR – Sazed

get it here.

PAUL KALKBRENNER
Guten Tag

Paul Kalkbrenner’s fondness for the metronomic thud of the kickdrum is the real true trademark of this brand new Guten Tag. From past releases, here you can hear the balance improving, and as the patterns go by, you start to realise that the electronic arrangements are delicate and teeming with melancholy, and you’re left with the interesting juxtaposition of the reflective with big beat. Guten Tag seems to take on a different guise: is it an allegory about the shallowness of life as a superstar DJ? Probably not, but Kalkbrenner has created something far more immersive than the disposable quick fix you might have expected.

ARTIST: Paul Kalkbrenner
TITLE: Guten Tag
LABEL: PK / Paul Kalkbrenner Musik
RELEASE DATE: November 24, 2012
TIME: 58:25 min.
WEB: http://paulkalkbrenner.net/
PURCHASE: price – 8.99$

01. Schnurbi [00:57]
02. Der Stabsvцrnern [05:26]
03. Kernspalte [01:12]
04. Spitz-Auge [05:18]
05. Globale Gehung [01:06]
06. Das Gezabel [06:03]
07. Vцrnern-Anwдrter [03:03]
08. Hinrich Zur See [04:24]
09. Der Buhold [05:33]
10. Speiseberndchen [02:56]
11. Fochleise-Kassette [00:32]
12. Trьmmerung [05:35]
13. Datenzwerg [00:36]
14. Schwer Verbindlich [01:46]
15. Der Ast-Spink [05:19]
16. Des Bieres Meuse [03:01]
17. Das Gezabel De Luxe [05:38]

Paul Kalkbrenner – Speiseberndchen

get it here.

THE CRYSTAL ARK
The Crystal Ark

There’s a good chance you already love one-half of the twin creative force behind The Crystal Ark. Gavin Russom was a member of a little band called LCD Soundsystem, which popularized a particular nu-disco-meets-New Order sound endemic to New York-based boutique label DFA. As you may know, LCD has split up. Russom, accordingly, has found a new creative partner, telenovela director and artist Viva Ruiz. The result might be the best dance-pop album of the year. Period.

ARTIST: The Crystal Ark
TITLE: The Crystal Ark
LABEL: DFA
RELEASE DATE: October 30, 2012
TIME: 53:37 min.
WEB: http://it.myspace.com/gavinrussom
PURCHASE: http://www.amazon.com/

01. Ascension [05:40]
02. We Came To [08:24]
03. Morir Soñando [05:26]
04. Crossing [09:40]
05. Paradise [04:23]
06. Rhodes [08:38]
07. Rain [03:32]
08. Silver Cord [07:57]

The Crystal Ark – Paradise

get it here.

VITALIC
Rave Age

French producer-turned-artist Vitalic returns with a fresh assault on the dance world this week, with his smartest collection to date. Rave Age seems to have a number of links and similarities to Vitalic’s previous releases but is considerably less constructed and unique in contrast. However, this doesn’t detract from the artist’s strategic and astute control he has over delivering sounds. The album continues throughout with that European untreated and unrefined techno that stands out against many artists in his category, producing a merge of genres, which include indie, punk and disco, all layered on progressive techno floor fillers. Here below an exlusive minimix for RS readers.

ARTIST: Vitalic
TITLE: Rave Age
LABEL: Different Recordings
RELEASE DATE: November 13, 2012
TIME: 46:33 min.
WEB: http://www.vitalic.org/
PURCHASE: http://www.amazon.vom/

01. Rave Kids Go [04:15]
02. Stamina [03:42]
03. Fade Away [04:27]
04. Vigipirate [02:13]
05. Under Your Sun [04:02]
06. No More Sleep [03:41]
07. Nexus [05:07]
08. The March of Skabah [03:59]
09. Lucky Star [03:45]
10. La Mort Sur le Dancefloor [03:33]
11. The Legend of Kasper Hauser [04:11]

Vitalic – No More Sleep

get it here.

THE PRESETS
Pacifica

Long-awaited return for The Presets. Featuring ten prismatic, synth-laced songs, Pacifica sees the Australian duo boldly venture into new, uncharted musical territories. Traversing both light and shade in energy and emotion, the album was produced by the band (Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes) and mixed in Los Angeles with Tony Hoffer.
Here below an exlusive minimix for RS readers.

ARTIST: The Presets
TITLE: Pacifica
LABEL: Casablanca
RELEASE DATE: September 11, 2012
TIME: 48:28 min.
WEB: http://www.thepresets.com/
PURCHASE: http://www.amazon.com/

01. Youth in Trouble [06:20]
02. Ghosts [03:29]
03. Promises [04:59]
04. Push [04:03]
05. Fall [03:57]
06. It’s Cool [03:58]
07. A.O. [06:14]
08. Surrender [04:17]
09. Fast Seconds [05:14]
10. Fail Epic [05:57]

The Presets – Ghosts

get it here.

REDRUM ALONE
De Redrum Natura

“no guitars were used in making these tracks” could be the main statement this time: and it is. Redrum Alone is a Bari-based Italian duo who’s able to perfectly combine (if we have to necessarily be into music tags) electro-space, electro-funk, techno-ambient and indie-dance. In a few words, no guitars needed to put the focus on synthesizers, drum machines, sampler and vocoders (maybe a bit too much of vocoders: the ghost of Daft Punk is drifting – sweetly drifting, we must admit – along the whole album). De Redrum Natura is their first full-length and it is simply almost perfect: not dispersive but at the same time not annoying, it reveals the right balance between sonic experimentations and sounds tributes to such big ones as Justice and the whole Ed-Banger-style european electro scene. The icing on the cake is the presence of two smart and astonishing cover/remix: Joy Division‘s great classic She’s Lost Control and Emilia Paranoica, C.C.C.P.‘s Italian 80′s post-punk manifesto.
Let things take their course and you will get wind of Redrum Alone, that’s for sure.

ARTIST: Redrum Alone
TITLE: De Redrum Natura
LABEL: Ufo Solar
RELEASE DATE: June 28, 2012
TIME: 38:07 min.
WEB: http://www.myspace.com/redrumalone

01. Redrum Alone [02:26]
02. RevolutionAir [04:21]
03. She’s Lost Control [04:01]
04. Remote [04:02]
05. Emilia Paranoica [04:23]
06. User Interface [05:14]
07. No Guitars Were Used in Making These Tracks [03:22]
08. MidiNight [03:19]
09. OniricAct- part 3 (extended) [04:48]
10. Enola Murder [02:40]

Redrum Alone – Remote
Redrum Alone – Emilia Paranoica

get it here.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK – #115
as seen on radioSpin

ARTIST: Cyberpunkers
TITLE: Epic
ALBUM: Epic EP
WEB: YouTube

directed by Fabio Giagnoni

AA.VV.
DJ-Kicks: Digitalism

The latest installment of the DJ-Kicks series showcases Digitalism with their mix including six exclusive tracks and two never before heard remixes! This is the 41st entry in the !K7 DJ-Kicks series, making it the longest running mix compilation and is now in its 17th year. For RS readers a special edition featuring not only the single tracks selected by the German duo, but also a stunning bonus track: a complete mix of the entire release.
In a few words: 3 hours of music in only one download.

ARTIST: AA.VV. selected & mixed by Digitalism
TITLE: DJ-Kicks
LABEL: !K7
RELEASE DATE: July 10, 2012
TIME: 3:07:05 min.
WEB: http://www.dj-kicks.com/

01. AXEL LE BARON & KURBATOV – Menace [04:02]
02. SURRENDER – Travellers (sharooz remix) [04:13]
03. HEY TODAY! – 83 [05:34]
04. ALEX GOPHER – Brain Leech [03:43]
05. TWR72 – Summer [07:01]
06. DIGITALISM – Falling [04:32]
07. GAI BARONE – Alicudi (digitalism electro-clash remix) [04:45]
08. DIGITALISM – Simply Dead [04:28]
09. WHOMADEWHO – The Sun [04:17]
10. KÖLSH – Loreley [06:45]
11. GRAUZONE – Raum (ATA’s extended mix) [07:41]
12. THOMAS BARFOD – Came to Party [04:30]
13. DIGITALISM – A New Drug [03:11]
14. DIGITALISM – Silenz [04:46]
15. HIROKI ESASHIKA – Kazane [05:50]
16. VITALIC – Second Lives [04:25]
17. DIGITALISM – So Totally Good [04:22]
18. HOUSEMEISTER – Sommer [04:54]
19. THE RAPTURE – Sail Away (digitalism remix) [04:58]
20. THE SNEEKERS – Teddy [04:54]
21. AUTOTUNE – Keep It Wrong [05:28]
22. DIGITALISM – The Pictures [06:39]

23. DIGITALISM – DJ-Kicks Mix [76:57]

Digitalism – A New Drug

get it here.

SPINELESS LAUGH
LG4RS

Well, you know music industry’s insecure and completely afraid of music diffusion through the internet. They call it piracy and they’re not smart enough to turn it to its benefit. But it’s a long-time matter, an almost unsolvable issue. Anyway, one of the most influential electronic-music blog has got the bulk of it: LastGrooves has been removed just a few weeks ago. But our partner in crime Sick Mix is not the kind of buddy used to give up: when a place collapse, what’s better than building another one up as soon as possible? So please welcome on the net the brand new tumblr version of LastGrooves! And to celebrate such an event what’s better than a brand new mix? So listen and enjoy LG4RS, a stunning collection of electronic tracks selected by Sick Mix and mixed by Spineless Laugh. Pulsing beats and mid-time bpm.

ARTIST: AA.VV. selected by Sick Mix & mixed by Spineless Laugh
TITLE: LG4RS
LABEL: Spineless Media / Mu-Sick
RELEASE DATE: June 22, 2012
TIME: 60:26 min.
WEB: http://www.spinelesslaugh.com/

01. SPINELESS LAUGH – Intro (terratech mix) [@00:00]
02. GLITTERBUG – Undertow [@04:19]
03. TWO ARMADILLOS – These Feelings [@08:40]
04. GUI BORATTO – This Is Not the End (ame mix) [@14:25]
05. TENNIS – Make It Good (larry heard vocal mix) [@22:06]
06. TOM TRAGO – Being With You (linkwood remix) [@19:36]
07. TINI – Mine Has A Shower (pushar remake) [@33:00]
08. TERRANOVA – Paris Is For Lovers (mylove) [@36:26]
09. WHOMADEWHO – Running Man (dave dk mix) [@42:24]
10. YAKINE – Disaster Drop [@47:41]
11. MANO LE TOUGH – Even Now [@52:53]
12. SESSION VICTIM – Good Intentions [@57:50]

AA.VV. mixed by Spineless Laugh - LG4RS (promo mix)

get it here.

SCISSOR SISTERS
Magic Hour

No lesser an authority than Bono has called them “the best pop group in the world,” and their first three works have sold more than seven million units worldwide. This is the brand new studio album from Scissor Sisters, featuring the smash-hit single Only the Horses.

ARTIST: Scissor Sisters
TITLE: Magic Hours
LABEL: Polydor
RELEASE DATE: June 5, 2012
TIME: 57:37 min.
WEB: http://www.scissorsisters.com/

01. Baby Come Home [03:00]
02. Keep Your Shoes [02:52]
03. Inevitable [03:54]
04. Only the Horses [03:39]
05. Year of Living Dangerously [03:53]
06. Let’s Have a Kiki [03:50]
07. Shady Love [03:56]
08. San Luis Obispo [03:48]
09. Self Control [03:13]
10. Best in Me [03:44]
11. The Secret Life of Letters [03:49]
12. F*** Yeah [00:28]

12. Let’s Have a Kiki (dj nita remix) [06:54]
13. F*** Yeah (seamus haji remix) [03:53]

Scissor Sisters – Only the Horses
Scissor Sisters – Let’s Have a Kiki (dj nita remix)

get it here.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK – #105
as seen on radioSpin

ARTIST: Fiorious
TITLE: 7 Steps
ALBUM: Fiorious
WEB: Vimeo

directed by Roberto Ortu

SPINELESS LAUGH
X-Spine (vol.13)

It has been a long long time: did you miss it? Of course you missed it.
We’re quite late with the first X-Spine release of the year, but that’s it: anyway, here we are. So, get ready for #13, as usual a nasty’n'pumpin’ compilation of the newest remixes of the coolest indie tunes hardly mixed by Spineless Laugh, ready to be burned and to rock your parties. Spread the love and enjoy!

ARTIST: AA.VV. selected & mixed by Spineless Laugh
TITLE: X-Spine (vol.13)
LABEL: Spineless Media
RELEASE DATE: Apr 20, 2012
TIME: 79:23 min.
WEB: http://www.mixcloud.com/spineless/

01. SPINELESS LAUGH – Intro (comin’ remix) [@00:00]
02. KYLIE MINOGUE – Come Into My World (fisherspooner remix) [@03:00]
03. IMOGEN HEAP – Hide & Seek (hot noizes bootleg) [@06:24]
04. SIA – Clap Your Hands (fred falke remix) [@11:41]
05. GOTYE feat. KYMBRA – Somebofy that I Used to Know (dumme jungs remix) [@17:35]
06. VANDROID – Master/Slave (van she tech remix) [@22:04]
07. THE KNIFE – Heartbeats (rex the dog remix) [@26:38]
08. LA TOURETTE – Eclipse (the s remix) [@30:06]
09. THE IRREPRESSIBLES – In This Shirt (feature cuts remix) [@35:06]
10. MORNING PARADE – Us & Ourselves (st. lucia remix) [@38:22]
11. MARTIN SOLVEIG – The Night Out (a-trak remix) [@42:21]
12. DRAGONETTE – Let It Go (the knocks remix) [@48:05]
13. LILY ALLEN – Not Fair (wize remix) [@52:27]
14. SBTRKT – Hold On (joneses remix) [@55:27]
15. M83 – Reunion (mylo remix) [@60:56]
16. BIG CHARLIE – The Sun (spineless laugh numbers remix) [@65:24]
17. THE TOXIC AVENGER – Escape (the bloody beetroots remix) [@69:27]
18. FELIX CARTAL – Love (tits & clits remix) [@73:49]
19. SPINELESS LAUGH – Outro (echoin’ remix) [@78:50]

Spineless Laugh – Intro (comin’ remix)
Spineless Laugh – Outro (echoin’ remix)

get it here.

ORBITAL
Wonky

First new album in eight years from the undefeated champions of British electronic music. Recently reunited following a long sabbatical, Paul and Phil Hartnoll are back on fighting-fit form and ready to reclaim their title as lightheaded lords of the dance arena. Both timeless and contemporary, heartwarming and exhilarating, Wonky puts a vividly modern spin on their signature blend of richly melodic, deeply emotive Electronica. Confident, energized and eclectic, Wonky already sounds like the duo’s finest release to date: most of the gleaming, whooshing, shimmering tracks on this album will instantly tap into the warm-blooded rush and restless bounce of classic Orbital.

ARTIST: Orbital
TITLE: Wonky
LABEL: PID
RELEASE DATE: April 10, 2012
TIME: 50:43 min.
WEB: http://orbitalofficial.com/

01. One Big Moment [06:17]
02. Straight Sun [05:29]
03. Never [04:44]
04. New France [04:48]
05. Distractions [07:05]
06. Stringy Acid [05:20]
07. Beelzedub [04:55]
08. Wonky [06:14]
09. Where Is It Going? [05:51]

Orbital – Never

get it here.