The Black Keys - El Camino

Made for walking down the street and feeling like a badass. Outstanding even on first listen.


Listen Here

Peaking Lights - Hey Sparrow

Burning the candle at both ends is a messy game, but it's surprisingly easy to clean off a library desk. The only real option in saving your sanity in these T-24 hours till exam scenarios is 3.56 minute bursts of escapism. For once this week, the numbers have come out just right.

Peaking Light's colours come from the duo Aaron and Indra from Rah Dunes and Numbers. Hey Sparrow's walking bass, reminiscent of 'Golden Brown', leads you by the hand through an enchanted forest of rolling feedback and endless echos. The foundation of this song is a beautifully sweet and simple pop song. So, drift off, press reset, and when you open your eyes again you'll have a smile pulling at the corners of your mouth.

Out now on Domino Records

Listen Here
Recommended Remix: Hey Sparrow (D'Eon Remix)

Jamie XX does it again...

Sourced from Pitchfork

I love the culture of remixing at the moment, especially the specially curated remix albums from the likes of Radiohead with 'TKOL RMX'. I feel its very similar in style to the way classical composers composed 'studies' and variations on previous composers, making something completely original and just as masterful as the original. Jamie XX variation on Bloom titled 'Bloom (Jamie xx rework 3)' is a perfect example. This track is a negative of his previous version, and like film negatives, it has it own aesthetic beauty. Jamie XX has done it again.

Bloom_Jamie xx Rework Part 3 by Radiohead

Wirtschaft Traume

Universitaet Mannheim does exam times before Christmas, this is why this post might seem a little bit premature. I love the course I do, but it doesn’t mean I dont need a little release from exam revision. So I've started making a little blues EP, currently going by the working title 'Something Blue and Something Borrowed'. Fear not, I won't subject you to that, remember I only put quality music on here...

What I do have is my sketchbook. I really hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I do.

 Listen here

 

Atlas Sound - Terra Incognita

The first notes on 'Terra Incognita' are crisper than any i've got out an ATM. They are physically trying to keep the rolling fuzz away; calm, collective, but still perspiring. Until eventually being enveloped by a wall of swirling vibrations. And with the fantastically self-conscious lyrics battling for the answer to what love has in store, it makes for a song that does the thinking for you.

James Blake at Vega, Copenhagen.

"Understated, humble, intimate and just plain beautiful. Goosebumps never felt so good."

- Camilla James, 14th November 2011

When Saints Go Machine - Konkylie LP

It would seem that Carlsberg and Tuborg are not Copenhagen’s only intoxicating export. The Danish synth-pop quartet When Saints Go Machine are achieving growing notoriety, despite their incomprehensible name. Fortunately, their most recent album Konkylie (meaning: Conch shell) released back in June, is not at all misunderstood. With an abundance of seductive ‘shakes and shivers’, front man Nikolaj Manuel Vonsilds’s quivering vocals inject a compelling vulnerability to the set, complementing the haunting synths, in tracks such as Parix and Konkylie. Comparable to the likes of the ethereal Anthony Hegarty (Anthony and the Johnsons) Nikolaj maintains an irreplaceably constant performance throughout this crescendo of an album.

Avoiding the trap of the, occasionally, contrived ‘electro-pop’ genre, this album is certainly not accidental either. The tracks effortlessly flow into one and other, with Jets serving as a pivot between the low tempo introduction, and the final high energy conclusion of the ensemble. The album lifts your mood unconsciously, and before you even realise it, you are grabbing a bottle and preparing to dance disastrously with yourself. Admittedly, this album takes a second listen before it really registers, and it may be lacking in intensity against its contemporaries. But as any GCSE English student will tell you, the conch in Lord of the Flies serves as a vessel, permitting an individual to talk. This album is the conch, and in my opinion, it deserves to be sat up and listened to. 

Words by Camilla James, Copenhagen Connection Correspondent.

Listen to Full LP 

Vondelpark - EP 'New York City Stuff New York City Bags'

Appearing as if by magic, like that stamp on your hand from last night. The only clue is a smudged insignia on your hand and the feedback recall nestled in your ear. What floats in the gap is a mixed bundle of light and sound strands. You put on Vondelpark: the strands seperate, vibrating in perfect harmony, creating a quantum landscape.

Science knows more about the higgs boson than the world knows about Vondelpark. Heres what I know. EP 'New York City Stuff New York City Bags'

Stream album online.

Words by Matthew Hardy

Playlist Problem Set #2 - 'Beats'

I had the wobble and bleeps of Venetian Snares as an earworm all night, like that pocket full of sand from your last holiday. The brief was simple: Big kicks, snares and splashes. Standout tracks for me:

1. I Put A Spell On You (Splatinum Remix) - Screamin' Jay Hawkins
2. Bug Powder Dust - Kruder Dorfmeister
3. 9 Dubs A Year - Roots Manuva

Unfortunately, we lost the original order, so shuffle will have to do for you!
Here you go, the beat that my heart skipped sounded like... This.

Words by Matthew Hardy 

The Low Anthem - (Don't) Tremble

 I have a unwritten rule, well I wrote it somewhere but I lost it, so I can't tell you what it is.. however, im pretty sure it would prevent me from posting this song. But, I think that sentence was convoluted enough, so i'll post it anyway.

This song is perfect.

Summer Camp - Welcome to Condale

'Welcome...' is an apt word for this album. Not only is it an introduction to the debut effort by Summer Camp, it's a welcome to the world that is 'Condale'. 'Welcome to Condale' is a musical soap-opera of love, lust and greed which puts you in the cast. "Better off without you", "I Want You" and "Nobody Knows You" are not only outstanding tracks, but they put you at the receiving end to the hate, love, and vindictiveness respectively. Importantly it does not isolate the people that say that the album format is dead. Summer Camp have sprinkled in some genuine pop hits. The beauty is in how well these tracks work as individual tracks, and as concept album.

Sketchbook

Hey, long time no see. Between the Endogenous Growth models, Germanic beer pong and the case system, i've not had much life spare. Even now im thinking about scarce resources and time allocation. To keep me on the Animal Collective side of insanity ive been making playlists. These are my sketchbooks. I've sourced songs from radio shows(6 music to be precise), from friends and from other recommendations. Some are new tracks, some are old, but they are all quality.

Playlist One: MFA #5

This was largely assembled by tracks that 6 Music has fed me, and also contains tracks from Radioheads playlist posted on www.radiohead.com. This is a real mix bag, so i recommend shuffle. You wouldn't just eat your jam then eat your toast would you, idiot.

Playlist Two: Melody

We weren't going to go out. In fact i was adamant that i wasn't. Nevertheless by the time DIOYY? and Test Icicles hit, we were tanked up and ready to roll out. Strictly no shuffle.

Playlist Three: Not Strictly new music...MFA #6

Just be in the mood for quality music, and i'm sure you'll enjoy. Play it straight for a blast from the past to some new music. Or go fucking mental and press shuffle.

James Blake - Enough Thunder EP

The EP might not arrive at your door in bubble wrap and tape, but make no mistake, it is fragile. Maybe its the economist in me, but James Blakes records have the trade mark of music made on the margin. There is nothing that could be added or taken away which would improve this record. 'A Case of You' is beautiful.

Beardyman - Oh! (feat. Foreign Beggars)

 'Turn it up because you know it be sounding nice'

I saw Beardyman last year at Leeds Festival, and it was easily one of the most talked about gigs of the festival. Just a beatboxer? He's nothing less than an entertainer. But I did wonder how his witty showman style would come across on a record. With in seconds of pressing play on 'Oh!', the 8th track on his new album 'I Done A Album', I realised, he doesn't need a show to back up his music.

Training on the bakers dozen of Chaos Box's has left him with magicians touch when it come to samples. Production is perfect. Lyrical licks. The beat is a ...fucking monster.

Best Comment

Just read NMEs story on Alan McGee, without a doubt he's a prick. But I did see a fantastic comment.

Dorina Bernstein · 24 years old

never trust anyone who doesn't like music.

Sums it all up with more eloquence i could muster.

Words from Matt Hardy

M83 - 'Raconte-Moi Une Histoire'

Less of a review but more just instructions:
 
i. Press play,
ii. Close your eyes.

I'll make it feel more like a review by saying something like "10/10".

Listen 

Words by Matt Hardy

Justice - Audio, Video, Disco

Every synth-orchestral drop of 'Audio, Video, Disco' is pure unrefined Justice. However there is no doubt that it is lacking the 'TThhee PPaarrttyy' factor. But the ever optimist inside of me hopes that it will work perfectly in the context of their new album.

Words by Matthew Hardy 

Morning Fader Anon. 4#

Nine songs, hand picked and carefully curated for your listening pleasure. Enjoy.
Listen to all the tracks here.

16 Bit - Twice 

Beautifully controlled post-dubstep at its finest. The piano riff keeps pace with thoughtful reflection and the vocals nestle perfectly giving a Zero 7 feel to the track.

Fleet Foxes - Lorelai

The only visual representation of Fleet Foxes music that i would except is the morning sun rising over a field busting with barley. Lorelai effortlessly pulls the strings of my folk heart. Summer love.

Smog - I Break Horses

This is a perfect example of a song being much more than the sum of its parts. You may just get hooked and listen to this on repeat, so beware.


Cut Copy - Where I'm Going

When you're instantly singing along to track, you must know you've hit a winner. Its irresistible not to join in with the chorus of 'yeah!'

The 2 Bears - Bear Hug

Tongue and cheek electro. You cant help but shuffle your shoulders to this, wait until it spins at your local discothèque and you'll be dancing like its 1999. Bear Hug is Joe Goddard (of electronic band Hot Chip) and Raf Rundell. If this is the first you have heard of this duo, check out their EP 'Follow the Bears'. Genius, sometimes music needs to be heavy to anchor your thoughts, and sometimes you just want a electro infused bearhug.

M83 - Midnight City

A perfect progression from 'Saturdays=Youth', and the sound of a band growing in every dimension. Even the Careless Whisper-esque sax does not tarnish a promising future.

The Horrors - Monica Gems

To describe this sonic explosion would be stupid when the song is there to be experience for yourself. This band is producing timeless classics today.

DJ Shadow - Coming On Riding (Through The Cosmos)

Pulling threads from all genres. There's elements of heavy rock, metal and progressive rock, bound together with effortless skill of DJ Shadow.

Scoobius Pip - Introdiction

You know what we think about this track...

Words by Matt Hardy

Florence and The Machine - What The Water Gave To Me

Florence and The Machine are officially back, offering a sumptuous slice from their greatly anticipated second album. The track, ‘What The Water Gave To Me’, progresses fleetingly from the first album 'Lungs', whilst maintaining their original brand of femininity and fraught romance. With its wonderfully haunting vocals, and epic instrumentals- it is unmistakably Florence- and her machine has clearly been spring cleaned and oiled up for the occasion- scrumptious.

Although the angry feminist inside me struggles to criticize this boisterous leading lady; I cannot help but feel slightly bereft after her latest offering. It is a soulful slap in the face, but it does not take long for the bruising to fade, and for your eyes to stop watering.

Admittedly, after three listens, the song has succeeded in permeating my brain, but it is spiralling round in a bizarre mash-up of ‘My Boy Builds Coffins’ and ‘Drumming Song’, and is quite frankly making me feel a little disorientated. Sorry Florence, I’m still going to buy your album, but right now I need to go and lie down.

Words from Camilla James


Live Version.

'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' songwriter Nickolas Ashford Passes Away

BBC News reports, The songwriter passed away yesterday (August 22) after a lengthy battle with throat cancer. Nickolas Ashford's pop music has transcended genre and race. The best way to remember anyone with such talent is to enjoy their legacy.

Words from Matt Hardy

Nero - Crush On You

BREAKING NEWS: Nero submits song for 90's club revival.

 

...Oh god he's not is he? Big drop, massive wobble...90s vox. Could this be the return of those lyrics that fed off the Saturday night shy interactions? Where the blue-coloured-sugared-shit-(alco)-pop forms mountains of plaque on your teeth and you dodge burning fag-ends nonchalantly discarded from zombified pillheads. Well if it sounds like that, and he continues to change the face the Top 40 like he is. Nice one.

Words from Matt Hardy 

Summer Camp - Better Off Without You

Since we spun 'I Want You' back in November 2010 Elizabeth Sankey's vox have been sweeping between my consciousness and sub-consciousness, humming these beautifully infectious pop melodies at all times of the day. Excited for a refreshing reunion to Summer Camps perfectly mastered sound, I was not dissapointed. The vocals scream Blondie, with supurbly blunt lyrics giving an insight into the mind of the girl that pulls the boys heart strings. What made me play the track 3 times on repeat? Hearing original pop music for the first time since the pop world swallowed itself and the Top 40 turned into a belching bile producing money making after thought. Some songs need a Facebook/Twitter campain to get themselves into the Top 10, I think this track could do it off its own back, and I also think we'd be much better off for it.

Words from Matt Hardy

Scroobius Pip - Introdiction

The masters of art have a strange ability to raise more questions than they answer. By luck or design Pip has done just this. No track yet made by Scroobius Pip beats the strength and indignation he possesses in 'Introdiction', which bodes well for his forthcoming solo album 'Distraction Pieces'. Its important not to be too distracted when listening though; the war drums and blitzkrieg guitars set an apocalyptic build-up to what could be something fantastic. "If your goal is always to improve on yourself", you've got your work cut out.

Words from Matt Hardy

This is for you.

This is almost like a test, but a test to find the answer to your question.

  

This

                                                                                         is

                                          for you.

Arctic Monkeys

Sitting at my desk, and the last note faded out. I spontaneously started clapping. That is my review.

Arctic Monkeys - Suck It and See (Sampler)

Student Radio Awards

The Morning Fader team has assembled a few clips of our ramblings, cut them together with a bit of magical radio fuzz in between and sent them off to the Student Radio Awards! Good luck us!

Problem Solved

I dont really like listening to songs on shuffle, theres no continuity to what you are listening to, it stops and starts, jumps and bounces around. I much prefer the flow of listening to a full album. Yesterday, somethings change. For the last 5 years ive used iPods, but there has always been something not quite right. The milli-second delay when you change traack, that dead air.

Yesterday things change. For the price of 59p my iPod has increased the personal worth of my iPod by an unbelievable amount. OnCue: You can easily add songs to a Spotify-like playing queue, and most importantly you can add a crossfade between songs. Well worth the dollar, especially when you're a freak like me...

RIP Gil Scott-Heron

RIP Gil Scott-Heron, here is a tribute better than I could ever say from The Independent.

Mission re-statement.

When you start a blog the golden rule is to pick a topic, something specific, something that you can focus on, give a new exciting angle and get your teeth stuck into. Well we; The Morning Fader team, started this blog as a subsidiary to the show that we did on LSRfm.com. The show started off largely as an enjoyment for ourselves, we didnt care whether anyone was listening, we were having fun! Then we started to get listeners; friends and family first, bored library goers second, and passionate music fans arrived somewhere in between. The long and short of it is that the radio show is over, and the three of us are moving our separate ways. So, what becomes of the now illegitimate off spring that is The Morning Fader Blog? What purpose does it serve?

Everyone loves to label things, and this especially applies to music. Every blogger, journalist, columnist, sees themselves as a music-lexicologist (We are just as guilty too). As a music blog you should focus on one of these sometimes frankensteinian genres and runaway with it. This begs the question, what is our focus? which genre?

We knew from day one that we could never be a genre specific new music show. We could see the merits of having a specific genre to focus on, but it wouldn't have been right for us. We were three different people, with our fingers in three different musical pies. I can only speak for myself on this, but I dare say the others feel the same. Quality music can allow you to see another side of reality, and this is what we search for. Whether it exemplifies or personifies mood you are in, this is the music we want to find and treasure. We could start looking anywhere for music for filling this criteria, at the beginning, the 60s, 90s rave... but theres a good argument for starting where you know. Luckily for us, that's now.

Explicitly, we are a quality New Music Guide. Take from that what you will. we hope you enjoy.

Morning Fader Anon. Playlist #3

Morning Fader Anon. Meeting

People say that you shouldnt feed birds in your garden. They get plump, they have more chicks. But then you go away for a week, you forget to buy some more feed. the chicks cant be sustained. With the radio show but a sepia stained memory we have a duty to keep you sustained, an obligation to keep you plump with the best in new music. So thats just what we'll do. Morning Fader Anon. Meeting start here, and will last forever.

Morning Fader Anon. Meeting One

Guilt

The only thing I can say is sorry. Its been far too long. I know it not much of an excuse to say weve been busy, but we have!

But, we do have a pretty good way of making it all back in one go...

Morning Fader Presents: A Retrospective (2009-11)

Metronomy - The Look

In between writing essays on the nature of intuition on deciding which moral theory to except, arguing whether absences exist and writing a script for a comedy cooking program in French, you find yourself gasping for a break, a chance to properly break free. This can come in big packages, and little packages. This one is both.

Metronomy - The Look

Slowly fading into realism, the blunt words that need to be said very once in a while to your closest friends. You know you should grow up, but is that really what you want to do. Long walks accompanied by yourself. The stabby promenade organ chords take you a place that always stays alive, juxtaposed with the flat snare strikes, the beating drum of life.

Listen here

Sensations in the Dark

Gruff Rhys

Sensations in the Dark

PIAS UK Sales

Now far removed from the Super Furry Animals, Gruff Rhys creates a romantic track to dance to, with an injection of horns, and lyrics with the innocent of a child, this record is sticky-sweet. Effortlessly beautiful melodies and perfect production, what more would you like?

Gruff Rhys - 'Sensations In The Dark' by PIAS UK Sales

Home Taping is Killing

Right everybody, stop it! You're 'killing' the music industry again. EMI have been taken over by Citigroup, restoring dignity and balance to the books, top record labels are missing millions off their profits, and we're to blame, again. 

But, before you imagine all your favourite artists disappearing from your record collection, or wish-lists for their latest album evaporating, just take time to remember this:

Musicians make music not profits. The first artists to leave our attention will be Chart Topping artists with massive advertising budgets, and music video allowances which could have been used to have thousands of lives all over the world (and probably create the same amount of publicity as a music video.).

How can you help? Illegally downloaded something you turn out to love? well just buy it after, maybe go to their gig when they come to town, and buy a tshirt (even if you're only going to wear it for bed.). In the meantime, just enjoy the freedom to try any type of music out there on this interconnected-intelligently-recommending-music-filled-60's-wet-dream called the internet.

 Seams review
A Juvenile Rush by seams

fuck it.

Quit Complaining

In an instant you escape from your worries, you notice the fresh air like it was a kiss from God. Something so fantastic from something so simple. Dog Is Dead a Nottingham down that make you want to run down the street and just see how high you can jump. Bouncy, Joyful and well executed.

So I'll stop complaining, there's hope.

Skip

Some days you are destined to just press skip. Sometimes I wish there was a direct comment button to the band as well..

Though, maybe I'm just up myself.

The Go! Team

Three and half years, I have genuinely been waiting and wondering when I can get my hands on the new record, The Go! Team - 'Rolling Blackouts. Late 2010 we teased you with the first single 'T.O.R.N.A.D.O'. The uplifting ensemble of guitars, horns and drums which we adore, beautifully held together with a voice which makes any day feel like summer. Although at points you don't think the formula has changed too much for The Go! Team, then you realise its all in the details. 'Rolling Blackouts' is all together more mature, with better recording and a more defined feel.

The Go! Team have everything that's chic, trend, cool going on about them. They're a party scene on a beach, they're drinks with your best friends, they're the band which will make your 2011

Out on Memphis Industries

Morning Fader Recommends:
'T.O.R.N.A.D.O'
'Voice Yr Choice'

(Preview on hypem.com now)

Cheat Sheet 2011

Exam time is here, so the Morning Fader has not been. To make up were giving you the bands to put on your wall this year. With a review short enough to scrawl up your arm in Biro, and cover with a long sleeve shirt.

Esben and the Witch

Dark, dark, dark. Drenched in distortion, thundering drums and powerful vocals, Esben and the Witch are a storm in a forest. Album Violet Cries out 31st January 2011 on Matador Records



Warpaint

Put they're stamp on the end of 2010, but the momentum will bring them fighting into the new year. Self-titled album, out now on Rough Trade



The Good Natured

Understanding your genre is paramount. Sarah McIntosh creates electro-pop full of energy and emotion, never forgetting the tongue in cheek and self-awareness that pop needs to stop it for becoming plastic. New EP out on Rough Trade.



The Knocks

Chic, happy, playful. That's what a New Year needs. The Knock will be the band you pray will wake you up, accompanied by a spring sunrise, a lot could be in store for these guys. Think 'The Go! Team' with flowers in their hair. Label: HeavyRoc Music

James Blake

James Blake represents everything that is good in progressive music, taking on the features that made 2010, James Blake will make 2011. A combination of Jazzy, Post-dubstep, electronic and Hip Hop beats.


James Blake - Limit To Your Love from James Blake on Vimeo.

Jamie Woon 

'Night Air' took me by surprise last year, a moment stopping song. A perfect blend of styles, which makes for an accessible yet completely original song. We want more. Polydor label.


Jamie Woon - "Night Air" from lorenzo fonda on Vimeo.

Naked and Famous

'Young Blood' takes from MGMT, Vampire Weekend and Empire of the Sun (remember them?) to make inspiring track that bubbles and screams out "play me again!". With their new album 'Passive Me, Aggressive You' we can only hope they can keep us inspired.

Suuns

Subdued, mysterious and exciting. Vocals that creep through the mix, relaxing and floating into your sub-conscience. Sounds Dangerous, but we like it like that, don't we? Label Secretly Canadian


Suuns "Up Past the Nursery" from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.

New Year

We're going to bring you our 2011 Cheat sheet within the next week, we're currently looking in our crystal ball!

Its also worth checking out www.bbc.co.uk Radio 1 who are nailing it with In New Music We Trust, replacing its usual plastic tat schedule!
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device