The combination of only hearing from the same set of new artists, me not really looking very hard and having a spare hour has lead me to popping up a catch-up post. The majority of the artists below picked up some decent mainstream recognition over ’09, so you’ve quite possibly heard something from all of them, in which case, just enjoy the free downloads (it’s the down arrow link on the right of the songs). But if not, here’s my brief list of artists that reared their heads from the underground last year ala opening shot of Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles.

Joy Orbison

Despite seeing this track written everywhere, I’ve never actually heard it pronounced, so I have no idea how to say it. This is the kind of text book indie synth that we came to expect of ’09, but it’s slow burner dancefloor twist ensured it found favour in sets of big name DJ’s across the land last year. A standout of 2009, even if the title was spelt by Stevie Wonder.

Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo

Dirty Projectors

I don’t quite know how these guys aren’t a lot bigger, you could argue that perhaps the bands strength in transcending multiple genre’s is also hindering their ascension, but I’d only really argue this to use the word transcend. Beyonce’s sister Solange’s choice to cover this track earlier in the year demonstrates its pop credentials, but pop this is not. Dirty Projectors just have a sound I can’t really describe, which obviously isn’t very handy when I elect to write about them, I dunno, every aspect of ‘Stillness is the Move’ is so disjointed and juxtaposed it works. Hear for yourself.

Dirty Projectors – Stillness is the Move

Frightened Rabbit

Scottish band Frightened Rabbit are about to release their 3rd album, and so definitely aren’t ‘new music’. Still, I only picked up on them last year with this little gem; ‘Swim Until You Can’t See Land’. The new album see’s former Make Model member Gorden Skeene join the line-up and keep the band’s to-date tradition of adding a new member for each album. ‘The Winter of Mixed Drinks’ came out this month, and I’d also very strongly recommend picking up their second album ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’. I haven’t heard the first one, probably rubbish.

Frightened Rabbit – Swim Until You Can’t see Land

Girls

Yeah you’ve heard this story. Grew up in some God squad/communist… Commune where his mum’s role was to fuck everyone, Owens run’s away and sleeps rough for a while. I’m definitely blurring details, but regardless of the exact back story, the end product is the same; despondent moanings of a man who was a tramp for a bit and whose mum’s role was to fuck in a commune (or similar).

Not selling it? Well it’s really, really good. He called his band ‘Girls’ and his album ‘Album’ which is exactly what I would have liked to of done, had I had a band (or musical talent). I’d like to quote a particular lyric but every line frontman Christopher Owens grumbles sounds as depressing as the last. In all honesty, the whole thing sounds like a failed pilot kid’s TV show where the costumed characters get together and sing something motivational with an adult, only in this case the adult is Brian Wilson, after he went mad. Probably sitting in a bath of his own shit with a xylophone forcing crying children to make tunes with tooth brushes and taps (I said failed). Just listen, it’s on every major indie music institution’s top tracks of the year, and in many cases, decade.

Ps. Google image searching for this band was a long, but ultimately rewarding process.

Girls – Hellhole Ratrace

Washed Out

Above is a picture of Washed Out, looking Washed Out. Below is a track from Washed Out; ‘Feel it All Around’, which sounds quite synthy and washed out. This description is not washed out.

Washed Out – Feel it all Around

Fever Ray

Now I don’t usually like female vocals, hence I’m not big on Bjork. So when I say Fever Ray is the Knife’s female vocalist branching out solo and sounding like Bjork, (only darker and even crazier) I surprise myself with the follow-up sentence; this is really fucking good. Now to my untrained ear, it just sounds like a Knife track. But I really like The Knife, so I’m happy.

Fever Ray – If I Had A Heart

HEALTH

Ending on a high is HEALTH. You may well have heard them all the way back in 2007, when their Crystal Castles collaboration ‘Crimewave’ actually made the UK top 10. (I don’t remember either).

Once more, theirs is a sound that’s difficult to put a bracket on, so more often than not they’re labelled ‘experimental’ or ‘noise rock’. To quote somebody else, it’s ‘artfully crafted noise and raw synth, haunting monotone vocals, and drum skills that are borderline insane’. I say, it’s beepy, neurotic, and difficult to dance to; fascinating and above all, cool.

HEALTH – Die Slow

So there’s some bands. I hope Palmer doesn’t post an Ellie Goulding video again.

I fancy her.

This is good too.

Rusko - Woo Boost (Subskrpt Remix)

A new decade sets in but it's still the 2009 buzz artists making all the noise, and the last few weeks have seen one of my favourite acts of '09 Theophilus London pop back onto the radar, lending his veritable hip-hop talents to some UK indie. First a name which never strays too far from any new music blog’s virtual lips these days; lady of the moment Ellie Goulding.

With a relatively limited song base, that we hear so very much of miss Goulding is testament to the number of high profile remixers out there wanting to work with her material. This time Ellie's whoring her work out to New York, and its Theophilus London and Penguin Prison providing the double team. Stripping the original of Starsmith's synth-laden pop production, Penguin Prison transforms the track into an after hours disco burner, complete with a huge feature from our hero, yes it’s Brooklyn hip hop phenom Theophilus London. Great Scott!

Penguin, Ellie and Theo (yeah we're on first names) are already three of the most hyped new names in music in their own right, and on this evidence, it’s clear why. There’s a download link to the right of all the tracks

Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed (Penguin Prison RMX ft. Theophilus London)

Next up, people’s band (I think that means they’re ugly) ‘The XX’. Now while I do happen to think they look like the goth kids from South Park, the XX make damn good music, serial. Here, much like their recent re-working of ‘You’ve Got the Love’, they’ve taken an upbeat indie hit in the form of Jack ‘adhd’ Penate’s ‘Pull My Heart Away’ sunk their teeth deep into it’s neck, sucked away it’s very life and soul to create a soundscape of sheer, utter, abject bleakness.

Enter Theophilus London. Arriving just in the nick of time, (that’s around 0:44 when you’re about to turn it off) Theo fends off the vampires with some slick bars (uhuh) to give this track another shot at life. In a way he’s a lot like Blade.

The XX – Pull My Heart Away (Jack Penate) ft. Theophilus London

Now I’ve spoken of Theophilus quite a few times over the last year, but in case you missed him, here’s a couple more tracks from ep ‘This Charming Mixtape’. Its title and artwork an amalgamative nod to indie titans Elvis Costello and the Smiths, thus ensuring NME and Pitchfork (and me) pick up on him. Is that Hindi-Hop I hear? Anyway, here’s ‘Hum Drum’ & ‘Grey X Sage’. Don’t say I’m not good to you.

Theophilus London – Hum Drum ft. Futurecop!

Theophilus London – Grey X Sage (Misty Night)

For all of you dubsteppers out there read one read all! I must admit I’m not always all for the dubs but there is a time and a place to appreciate every type of music. Well maybe not all music. Don’t get me wrong, I am definitely no music fascist; I actually have quite a liberal music taste. Every kind of music has incentive and can give insight into our culture and history. Taste depends how this particular insight applies to you, or whether it’s worthwhile. Sometimes it’s not. Basically we can all agree that there’s nothing worse than a prick abusing music’s good name.

Having written this, there are quite a few dj’s out there that do understand the true potential of those sweet sounds of the baseline. One of the many I have chosen to post here today is the wonder and beauty that surrounds the sound of MT EDEN. Jesse Cooper, the man well on his journey to catch the attention of the dub step world, released an online album by his group on YouTube that is definitely worth checking out. The album presents us with some great tracks two of which I have provided the link below. These tracks embody the lighter and melodic side if dubstep rather than then ravey heavy stuff. No worries, I do not discriminate. There’s nothing quite like skanking to some crackin dubstep at a rave. But for the times you want to chill, sit back, and immerse yourself with some melodic and catchy beats these are the tunes for you. Go ahead and turn that bass all the way up.

Mt Eden - Sierra Leone

Mt Eden - Still Alive

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek (Mt. Eden Remix)

With their eyes on the future, Mt Eden have some pretty bouncin ideas for the next decade in dance. One in particular is their relatively new thoughts on Vjing; unfortunately lads no euphemism here. This is a new concept for the raves, clubs and music videos that see the live and recorded visual mixing of background and conceptual art on screen; Graphic design that is mixed live to the music playing that adds another dimension to the performance. A pretty trippy example of his new style is the new track below. The idea is there but it does need some work. The song is one of his few DnB tracks, but the main aspect to look out for in the vid is the way he mixes the song with the clips of lighting. Mt Edens has plans in the future to mix visuals at raves that incorporate action sequences in old school cartoons and anime. It's not there yet but he is definately on the right track!

Mt. Eden - Chasing Shadows feat. Este Bit

Also worth a gander is in my opinion a much better DnB track, but unfortunately this has no visuals.

Mt. Eden - When Will the Storm Begin

For any more coverage on the group definitely checkout the YouTube channel. Definately keep up the support as they are still iunsigned and deserve to be. Respect and shouts to Mt Eden! Keep on giving us that bassline! Also if you are keen to the sounds of dubstep check out this website. You can find anything from radio to exclusive mixes from artsits liek Hatcha, Skream, Toddla T etc. Great Dubstep Mixes!

Now, as we celebrate the start of a new year and the second decade of this century, next week I will provide you all with a special on the future of liquid DnB. NETSKY.

Also, have fun with this cheeky preview of my next entry. A special treat for all af those heading out to Optic tommorow, do us a favour and add this to your pre - party playlist.

Miike Snow - Black and Blue (NETSKY REMIX)

Peace and love to all of you for the new year!

It’s January, and so it seems only fair that a new music blog should present some kind’ve tips for 2010, so here’s four brand spanking new bands (well, strictly three brand spanking new, one’s vaguely new) I think’ll be big this year. Kicking off with…

Gold Future Joy Machine

Saving the best ‘til first, here's my personal fave Gold Future Joy Machine. This east London five piece have got record labels and the media and falling over themselves to try and get a piece of these guys. How? By being as unmarketable as possible - apparently a very marketable trait. (Treat ‘em mean, keep ‘em keen and all that.)

Their MySpace yields little information too; There's one solitary photo, not of the band; an empty 'about me' section, and a blog entry that reads “fuck blogs”. Charming.

They spent their 2009 locked away in a bedroom studio in Hackney recording, occasionally straying outside to show what they'd be getting up to at invite-only gigs for friends.

Anyway I've got like no more info on these guys, so check ‘Pariah’; the bass is so good, like Peter Hook on bootlegs good.

Gold Future Joy Machine – Pariah

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Talking Pictures

Talking Pictures too aren’t big fans of media attention it would seem, and as such don’t really have any pictures.

So to combat such a problem I’ve used a picture of Sting’s daughter, whom under moniker ‘I Blame Coco’ Talking Pictures are supporting later this month. (Plus she’s fit, and following Ben’s post I like the idea that including a picture of an attractive lady could become a staple.)

Simply, it’s indie synth-pop. And following the tail-end of 2009 you know there’s gonna be a lot of that this year. Talking Pictures have all the hooks and bleepy noises of Delphic, married up with the simplistic naïve swoonings of MGMT’s Andrew Van-Wyngarden, and it goes together very well. Check it out fo’yo’self (and you can download this one):

Talking Pictures – Back In Time (Demo)

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Velo

Velo are so hot off the press that they haven’t even made their live debut, though you’d never know it to listen to them; these guys are brrrrimmed with confidence.

Totally at ease matching electronic production with organic instruments whilst maintaining an ear for a hook and a radio-friendly chorus. Basically, Velo’s sound is the UK’s answer to the kind’ve astute popsters places like France, Sweden and Australia are use to exporting. So have yourself a gander at the UK’s Sebastien Tellier/Shout Out Louds/Empire of the Sun…Kylie.

Velo – Trading Alibis

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Young Fathers

So Young Fathers are my kind’ve cheat one, as a little Youtube search yielded a clip of them performing on Big Brother’s Little Brother over the summer, but I’ve just heard them, and I’m still sure they’ll be big this year. (Plus, being around a little longer means I can actually get a picture of them, hoorah!)

Following on from such 2009 breakthroughs as Theophilus London and Cool Kids, Young Fathers have got that kind’ve indie hip-hop mix (Hindi-hop? Perhaps not) thing going on, y’know, hi-tops and skinny jeans, 80’s MTV style videos, and cross genre collaborations, so if you like what you hear below then have a search for Simian Mobile Disco’s ‘Turn Up The Dial’ featuring the Scottish Trio

I think they’ve got a really cool name.

Young Fathers – Straight Back On It

So there we have it, four tips for 2010 and an overly long post. Sleep well