Tuesday Tunes--August 30, 2016
Shaun Cordingley
There's a little something for everyone once again this week, as I continue in my quest to frustrate and anger future me...you know, the guy who has to build all of these songs into an Apple Music Playlist...
The Guys From do not hold the rights to any of these songs, it is more our hope to expose our readers to new and different music, or re-expose them to things they may have forgotten about.
At the top of each section, will be the song name, followed by the artists' name linked to their website, so you can fall down the rabbit hole, finding and supporting what you dig.
Wonder - Alex the Flipper
Leading us off this week is Austrian "Producer, Composer and Face Melter" Alex the Flipper, who has delivered an absolutely stunning dance track in "Wonder". I'm not going to lie: if I was still spinning, this song would instantly have been put into high rotation for me, as there's a subtle connection here that so many EDM songs miss. The combination of a very unique synth, with a very straight, melodic vocal, matched impeccably in several different energy shifts makes "Wonder" a song that I have figuratively not stopped listening to since I found it.
What's also nice, is that "Wonder" is a track that is not overly insistent; you're not going to see a 'Technoviking' break out here, but you should be seeing this at the better clubs. If you're not, well then you send those lazy DJs my way, and I'll set 'em straight for you.
In My Head - We Are Scientists
New York based indie rock band We Are Scientists recently returned with their fifth studio album Helter Seltzer, and this track, "In My Head" is yet another reason why I am so fond of this band. There are hints of Sloan in "In My Head", plus it still features what has always made We Are Scientists one of those indie bands that I always like to keep an eye on: their excellent guitar (slightly heavy) and rhythm section, juxtaposed (while at the same time completely supporting and emphasizing) Keith Murray's smooth vocals, that always seem to ache to be sung along with.
As We Are Scientists have been making music for roughly 16 years now, I would imagine there is a good chance you have already heard of them, specifically from one of their bigger hits, like "After Hours" off of their 2008 album Brain Thrust Mastery.
rock + roll - EDEN
Dublin, Ireland's EDEN is hard to categorize, which is clearly evidenced in "rock + roll"--you need to promise me that you listen to the whole track, because it is going to surprise you. EDEN is an incredibly dynamic musician who takes R&B, Electronic, and gritty, Lo-Fi Rock and blends them all together into this brilliant piece of music. While this does sound like expertly produced pop music, there's something in "rock + roll" that still feels personal, feels stripped back, and just feels right....and that guitar....MM.
If you dig "rock + roll" you owe it to yourself to check out the EP i think you think too much of me that released this past June.
Exile - Yalta Club
"Exile" by Parisian pop sextet Yalta Club, off of their latest EP Midas is...look this is really one of those tracks that you need to listen to for any explanation to make sense. You will most likely get a bit of an Animal Collective vibe from "Exile", but there's a subtlety; a depth to Yalta Club's track that really makes "Exile" something special. I had mentioned when talking about "Wonder" about different energies, and "Exile" has that in spades, however Yalta Club are using this song as more of a ramp--it builds, in energy and intensity to eventually grow into a powerful electro-pop track that is absolutely perfect for almost any situation, from modern dance show, to road trip, to, hell, when you just need a great track.
Oh, and if you search for 'Yalta Club' on your own, just be aware that there is a club in Sofia, Bulgaria called 'Yalta Club' which might not be what you're looking for.
Sycamore Tree - The Hunna
Wrapping up this month of Tuesday Tunes is the return of London based indie pop-rock group The Hunna with their song "Sycamore Tree". You may remember when I first talked about The Hunna, and "Sycamore Tree" offers a complete change of pace, being something of a ballad for the group, which slots in as a nice change of pace on their recently released (seriously, it came out on Friday) debut album 100. The Hunna have delivered a really well rounded pop-rock debut in 100, that really highlights their very well produced and slick sound, even if they are still relatively simplistic when it comes to lyrics.
At the end of the day, this is a near radio perfect pop-rock ballad, and sometimes you just need one.
Here's the Apple Music Playlist for July 2016! I have done my best to mix it all together like I'm spinning a set for you, but as that is hard to do without being able to fade, mix, or talk through the transitions, you will have to forgive a few hard edges...weirdly enough, I started from the bottom with this one, which never usually works...but here we are.
Remember, if you want me to put these playlists on other services (like Spotify), let me know on Twitter (I've linked it below)
If you're looking for more Tuesday Tunes, are late to the party, or just want more theguysfrom.com in your day, here are the playlists for:
December 2015 & January 2016 (because I felt crazy)
Support what you dig! It's soooo much cheaper than anything else out there. You cannot even buy a Black Widow comic for what one of the songs listed here would cost you....I just recently read the most recent (?) series, and it's pretty damn great....but SONGS ARE STILL CHEAPER!
We will see you again next week with 5 more Tuesday Tunes, as well as one of those giant, 5-week playlists I...love...so much...
-S (@Shauncord)