There's something about the word "pants" that's just a little bit funny. The same is true with James Pants' music. Sarcastic, kitschy lyrics over crawly bass and fuzzed out beats make what Stones Throw asserts is one of their most eclectic releases to date.
Representing the dirty hipsters of BK, Santogold is like a slightly more pop version of political club-rap queen, M.I.A. Big, warbly basslines stumble drunkenly behind the lead singer's brassy, robot sass--and the end result is music you can rage out and endless drink Pabst to all night long.
Few critical darlings have been as plain darling as Stereolab, the enduringly interesting and perennially sweet London electroid pop act. Upcoming disc "Chemical Chords" adds still more dimensions to their kaleidoscopic dazzle of retro synths, snippy beats, and elegant vocals.
Just when you think you can't possibly stand to hear another electronic group that dances coyly over the line between indie and club culture, Cut Copy comes along and slices that notion to bits. The trio born from DJ Dan Whitford sound like Americans shopping in hot Paris record stores and blaring their selections over crackling amps with infectious excitement.
With so many other artists making that Earth-rocking apocalyptic electro (e.g. Justice and Busy P) that's so en vogue of late, Boyz Noise (aka Alex Ridha) stands out with his skilled hand behind the boards and the way he presents electro that's as toxically loud as it is pleasurably flawless. We bet genre godfathers Daft Punk are fans.
Anti Atlas sounds a little like the music you'd make if you spent too much time around Thom Yorke--which Radiohead manager Chris Hufford surely has. Hufford's return to recording is a narcotic--but never narcoleptic--brew of modern English down-tempo and classical strains.
Imagine Antony's kid sister on a Portishead kick and you'll be fairly introduced to the lulling tones of Shara Worden. In her MBD persona, Worden headlines a snatchy attic orchestra--part dream-pop troupe, part postmodern drum circle--with a whorl of quivering vocals.
How come disco never sounded this good when we were stuck in the middle of it? These NYC folks are helpfully selective with their '70s history, giving the old sleazy beats new cool by pointing up their soundtrack heritage. Beneath sharp blues licks, scented with city energy, these rhythms stick.
Madonna claims she's only got four minutes to save the world, but Nina B manages to squeeze out an extra 40 seconds or so. How like the remix heroine. The latest from Nina proves she has mastered the lyrical overlay, in which fierce flows get catapulted from unlikely host tracks.
What's up this week on Crossfade TV? Find out what Mike, Anngie, and Kurt have to say about soul-funk group Orgone (a "no-brainer," says Mike, for fans of Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse), Oxford dance-pop group Foals, and the dark, moody new Gutter Twins project, featuring former grunge gods Greg Dulli (of Afghan Whigs) and Mark Lanegan (of Screaming Trees).
Crossfade TV is a joint production of CNET TV and Download Music. Tune in each week for the lowdown on our favorite new bands.
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