James Blake: "A Case of You"

[mp3] James Blake: "The Wilhelm Scream"

We've been notoriously critical in regards to the heaps of praise lumped on James Blake's debut record. It's not that we thought it was bad per se, just that, despite its two or three highlights, the album wasn't as good as everyone thought it was. All that being said, when alone with a piano, Blake can be heartbreaking and truly outstanding. Nowhere is that more apparent than on his cover of Joni Mitchell's absolute classic "A Case of You" which deservingly received the full video treatment, and is included on his recent EP Enough Thunder, that has gotten far more play around here than his actual debut. What's it say though when your two best songs are covers?

Wild Beasts Prep Smother

[mp3] Wild Beasts: "Albatross"

Wild Beasts are truly an eclectic group of musicians that create left field pop-leaning melodies with thick beds of electric and acoustic instrumentation. Whereas their last extremely well-received effort Two Dancers, captured pulsing rhythms and upbeat falsetto vocals, their new album Smother (May 10, Domino), promises a more moody and laid-back affair, probably more akin to James Blake's new wave dubstep than to Cold Cave's dark edgy dance-pop. While many (Vince) will probably lament this apparent change, we can't take issue until we've heard the record. Hopefully it's not a Blake-ian snoozer. Somehow, we doubt it will be though. Wild Beasts just announced their first round of US tour dates check those and their new vid after the jump.


WILD BEASTS TOUR DATES
Tuesday, July 12 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live
Wednesday, July 13 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
Thursday, July 14 – New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
Saturday, July 16 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

New Video/New Music - Star Slinger - "Mornin'"

Star Slinger - Mornin' (Official Music Video) from Star Slinger on Vimeo.

I came across this video recently released by UK producer Star Slinger, for his track "Mornin'" (VIA.) I've managed to listen to this about 10 times since stumbling upon it, and since have been doing some digging to find out just who Star Slinger is. What is his deal? Well, long story short, there isn't much to go on other than Star Slinger manages to craft boyant, sunny-day pop, pseudo-mash up gems like this one above titled, "Mornin'" featured on his mix tape Volume 1. These tracks make "coolness" easy to obtain, especially if dropped at the right time during a hipster-house party. Everyone will wonder, 'Who is on the Hi Fi?' and you will look cool, unless of course, you aren't cool. Star Slinger's tunes also make for great amateur DJ fodder, easily placed somewhere between a track from MIA's new shitty mixtape, or a horrible James Blake song (wait, that entire record makes me wanted to eat my own vomit.) Happy whatever day it is.