Tag: 80’s

[listen] GORILLAZ: “Aries” ft Peter Hook & Georgia

*waves hands enthusiastically*

Peter Hook bringing fantastic psychedelic synths, that classic New Order-esque bass line and  head bobbing percussion (hear those clickety-clicks?) to 2D’s more-than-usual, done-with-life vocals.

Damon Albarn, in his new series of musical collaborations in Sound Machine, ventures back in time, recreating Plastic Beach glory days of hailed Gorillaz sound. Is this Albarn’s way of joining in the 80s Nostalgia craze sweeping music and film today? Think Dua Lipa’s 80s pop album, Wonder Woman’s own New Order soundtrack, Stranger Things…

Though it is easy to dismiss the track as another attempt catering to nostalgia sheep (including myself), there’s something so likable about it that seems to separate itself from the rose-colored glasses that is nostalgia illusion. Perhaps its the contrast of the vocals with the synth backing or the framing and lyrics; it doesn’t listen as 80s New Wave re-packaged but more as re-interpreted. Give it a listen and stay tuned for more Gorillaz up to the end of the year.

~

This blog has been a clear fan of Synthpop and by extension, New Wave and therefore inevitably Peter Hook’s work in New Order. The band is credited to have been the first to make rock music for a dance crowd (or dance music for a rock crowd), uniting the two genres in a crowd-crazed, titillating synth and guitar vortex-inducing discography. More on New Order and Damon Albarn’s ouevre soon.

 

[Listen] JOHNNY UTAH: “Honeypie”

Image result for johnny utah artist

HONEY            ~!~

                                          HONEY            ~!~

HONEY       ~!~

                                                           PIE!

This song needs to be longer. Jamming in an fantastic falsetto, Johnny Utah coaxes, no coerces you into full body wiggles and head-bobbing for a full 2:26 seconds. The track is defined by sly, tongue-in-cheek and teasing lyrics matched with a snappy guitar riff, a new addition to the infamous ‘bedroom-pop’ genre dominating spotify and apple streaming services for most of 2019. Though lo-fi at heart, the sharp and snazzy production gives you an earworm for the ages.

Music like this, completely independently produced by artists who’ve never lived in a world without the internet, is a 2019 symptom of the decades-old changing climate of the industry. Now YOU can produce music DIY, and even if your production skills aren’t up to scratch and your bedroom soundproofing is somewhat problematic, any imperfection can contribute to an aesthetic choice.

An aesthetic, one of dreamy anachronism (due to your outdated or  vintage equipment adding ‘analogue warmth’) with streaks of quirk and authenticity… a complete contrast to the over-produced and chrome-finished pop tracks dominating the charts. It’s  an empowering production process and therefore an empowering listen.

Johnny Utah who was a regular guy with a regular bedroom but with 50 Mbps of internet speed, is now a musician with a substantial following, susceptible to the likes of Tik Tok. Garnering followers with his viral tweets, his internet personality of fun and antics is as much a part of his music.

Listen here:

An interview with Johnny Utah here:

http://www.papermag.com/johnny-utah-2620751965.html?rebelltitem=20#rebelltitem20

Read more about Bedroom Pop here:

https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/2018/04/bedroom-pop-diy-artists/

 

[Listen] ALL THE REST: “Our Youth”

Image result for all the rest our youth

“for anyone who doesn’t quite have their life together. Very rarely do we learn from any mistakes other than our own. Sometimes we make a mess, but that’s just how it goes”

⇑⇓

I knew as soon as I heard the very first 2 seconds of this track, that it would belong to my all-time favorite list: a list of songs that I maintain on those virtual post-its on PC, with one click could quite dangerously disappear and I’d have to rack my memory to start all over again.

All the Rest are the newest addition to this list, and its no wonder that this song resonated with me… much more than any other in the past few months. Most of these songs on my list follow a pattern; they have not much in common in terms of genre but more in tone, generally uplifting but existential, energetic but wistful. Songs to listen to so you can take time to momentarily sulk and feel sorry for yourself, but then move forward with life.

‘Our Youth’ draws pangs of familiarity, with sharply recognizable 80s chords (think Eurythmics), catchy, high-pitched vocals and body-swinging ‘pa-pa-para-para‘s. But this isn’t just another peppy indiepop track, as the lyrics mull over future unknowns, misfortunes and naivete just as much as the next brooding, millennial ballad to hit the charts. The exception is that the band packages disillusionment with some semblance of hope, leaving you optimistic rather than bereft.

Listen here:

More All the Rest to come.