Niki N. Phaser

               Marina & The Diamonds is about to release the fifth single from her debut album, Family Jewels. The track is called Shampain and it’s no wonder that it was selected for this particular honor, which places it near jewels like Hollywood or I Am Not a Robot. It was officially released on October 11.

               It is the kind of retro-pop that sounds both fresh and like something you’ve been hearing since you were a kid, but never quite bought for your own collection. And by bought I mean… Marina’s debut album did not go unnoticed, but it should have been the revelation of 2010, considering the fine balance she reached between indie and catchy pop. However, it seems 2011 will bring the follow-up and there are plenty of bands who blossomed on their sophmore effort.

Feel Celestial HERE

                Your favourite British pop-nerds, Hot Chip, are releasing their fourth studio effort, One Life Stand. Even before we hear the album, we have to give them a thumbs up for finding such a tongue-in-cheek title. It’s coming out this week and by judging the already released material, Chip fans have nothing to worry about. The oddball electro outfit, who are celebrating a decade of existence, have plenty of pop hooks and over-plugged beats in store for us. Ready for the Floor‘s title as the most recognizable Chip track might be in danger.

                 First official single, the title track, is a valid proof of this. It does sound like the little brother of a Depeche Mode track and Alexis Taylor like a Dave Gahan who hasn’t yet grown into his reverb, but One Life Stand has the merit of combining mystery with fun. It doesn’t happen too often. Still, I must declare that my first contact with this song was through the video, so maybe that’s why I’m seeing more green than black.

ONE CLICK STAND

           Ladytron are one of those bands that seem to engage in a world of their own, that have such a well-defined sound that it’s impossible for their music to ever be outdated. Sure, we can call them synthpop or new wave or synth punk or whatever, but we all (those familiar with the band) know that labeling them is nothing but a convention. Any of Ladytron’s albums could testify for that, but I have to admit that Witching Hour has something slightly more mythical to it, maybe because you can find the band’s best stuff on it. Destroy Everything You Touch is, of course, the first to come to mind, but you can’t leave out Beauty *2 or the eerie good mood of White Light Generator.

             International Dateline has an unique sense of immediacy, while being as melancholic as lovers saying goodbye in the wintertime. The punkish beat will make you expect someone singing “Here comes Johnny, he’s gonna do another striptease”, but that’s just one of Ladytron’s area of expertise: raw energy administrated through delicate means. This track will make you think of endings, but endings you don’t want to end. Facing the silence at the end of these four minutes is always desolating.

LET’S END IT HERE