Niki N. Phaser » single

White Lies Are Preparing Something ‘Bigger Than Us’

Niki N. Phaser — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:05:33 +0000

One of 2009′s alternative promising revelations, White Lies, seem anxious to show the world that they are more than… well, one 2009′s alternative promising revelations. The indie trio, composed of the ever so serious Harry McVeigh, Charles Cave and Jack Lawrence-Brown, have been working on a new album, with producer Alan Moulder, after touring their debut To Lose My Life… as much as humanly possible.

The new album, named Ritual, will be in our reach early next year, so don’t spend all your gift cards this Christmas ! Just to assure us that they’re still as bleak as ever, despite not having ‘death’ in any of their new titles (though there is a track Holy Ghosts), White Lies have released the video to their first single from their sophomore effort, Bigger Than Us. Though still as profound and haunting as Death or Farewell to the Fairground, the new single promises a bigger sound, dilemmas of grander proportions than the intimate existential sighs from their debut. The video, which has a bit of a 1970′s human interest type SF drama feel to it, certainly strengthens this point.

Bigger Than HERE

Let’s Celebrate Marina’s 5th Single With ‘Shampain’

Niki N. Phaser — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:58:15 +0000

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

Biffy Clyro Shower Us With ‘Bubbles’

Niki N. Phaser — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:19:38 +0000

Scottish grunge revelation, Biffy Clyro, are about to release a new single from last year’s successful Only Revolutions . After the well-received singles That Golden Rule, The Captain and Many of Horror, it’s time for Bubbles (no connection to The Powerpuff Girls, I was told) to persuade another wave of listeners to check out this band. With some ‘backing’ guitars by Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme and a feelgood-in-a-small-town Thin Lizzy vibe, we are sure that Bubbles will do its duty. With honors (or horrors ?).

If indeed, you jump on board of the Biffy craze, you’ll get plenty of chances to see them rock out their heavy complex arrangements at this summer’s festivals. And from what I gathered, they do it quite nicely. But first, get a taste:

Chase and Pop BUBBLES here

Robyn Speaks Out For ‘Fembots’

Niki N. Phaser — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:27:10 +0000

After giving I Blame Coco her blessing, Swedish pop-deluxe revivalist, Robyn, is back again on our radar. She is streaming a first taste of her new album, that will be out this June. Her last album, the eponymous release of 2005, marked a definite international breakthrough, after a few previous scattered hits. The new song is called Fembot and, as you might have guessed from the title, is about robots of the female gender. There is plenty of Auto-Tune and robotics effects in this one, but it’s catchy as hell and makes us wonder if Robyn’s next album shares the same traits: one foot in the present, the other in the future. Of pop. Being for some time exposed to the international club culture and listening to Technotronic and early The Prodigy (Experience days), Robyn is bound to get us bust a robot move this summer.

FEMBOTS have feelings HERE

I Blame Coco Release Debut Single “Caesar”

Niki N. Phaser — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:52:22 +0000

A new Coco is born… Coco Sumner (Sting’s daughter) is taking her first steps in the industry with her band I Blame Coco. Maybe it’s not really important news, but in her defence, she did get some help from one ‘insider’ and no, I don’t mean her daddy. Caesar, the debut single in question, is a collaboration with Swedish pop-honey, Robyn.

It sure is an interesting way to begin a career with the lyrics “I want to annoy, And i’m going to enjoy it”. It might also be a promise of what to expect of I Blame Coco: stylized retro-pretty punk. And for what it’s worth, the video for Caesar does have Berlin late 70′s feel to it and I’m pretty sure that this is not an accident. If you want to see this new band in action you should know they are touring the UK with La Roux this spring. See if this charmingly underproduced track does it for you:

BLAME COCO Here

Amy Lee Promises New Evanescence Album

Niki N. Phaser — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:29:52 +0000

In a recent video message, Amy Lee gave the good news to fans all over the world: a new Evanescence album, the third, is in the works. They’ll start recording this month. And that’s not all. The band are also showcasing a new song, which is in fact an unreleased track from The Open Door, their 2006 LP. It is titled Together Again and it sounds like a perfect soundtrack for a Tim Burton horror animation (and I think you know what I mean). It was also available as a download, with the proceeds going to a Haiti benefit.

Being a B-side from their previous album, this might not be relevant in guessing what their current project will sound like. They have been writing throughout the summer “some pretty interesting stuff” and the new thing is expected to hit the stores sometime in the fall.

TOGETHER AGAIN here

Indochine Are Dining With Angels

Niki N. Phaser — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:54:18 +0000

Indochine are releasing yet another single from last year’s successful album, La Republique des Meteors, and their choice is quite good: Un Ange à ma Table. Though I was still rooting for Republika, it is great that this track received the special attention of being the fourth single. It’s a fast-paced rocky kind of tune, but it’s still the careening sounds of chorus synths that will stick to your mind. The French idols will be touring their homeland this spring, starting with March, the climax being a monster gig at Stade de France on June 26.

UN ANGE ICI

Gorillaz, The Return Of

Niki N. Phaser — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:05:48 +0000

Your favorite virtual, animated band of anti-heroes is making an official return. Gorillaz are to release their third album, Plastic Beach, this March. This will be the follow-up to the groudbreaking Demon Days, that had the world shakin’ it to the hit Feel Good, Inc. and pretty much everything else that was on that album. The new 16-tracker will feature an eclectic congregation of guest singers, like Mos Def, Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, of course De La Soul and plenty of other guests (more than ever). Lead single, Stylo, will be available for download in a few days. It’s quite a retro-jem, filled with catchy rollerskate-disconess and a synth bassline which will have 80′s veteran breakdancers, “the Fred Astaires of the street”, dust their tank tops. Listen at Gorillaz’s:

OFFICIAL SITE

Smashing Pumpkins Continue “Teargarden” Project

Niki N. Phaser — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:06:15 +0000

Smashing Pumpkins have premiered a new single, Widow Wake My Mind, through MySpace. The song is the second installment in Billy Corgan & co.’s 44 tracks project, entitled Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. It’s quite a different kind of tune than first single, A Song For a Son, which was made available as a free download last month. Maybe it’s just the infectious hopeful sound of this new track, but this diversity promises an interesting project. It is not set yet, but if this will be a one-by-month kind of venture, Smashing Pumpkins might become a favorited show, though waiting 30 days for a new episode is a bit frustrating. Anyway, it’s nice to always have a little pleasure to look forward to. Like the rest of the tracks which Teargarden by Kaleidyscope is comprised of, Widow Wake My Mind is a free download.

LISTEN TO THE WIDOW

Amy Macdonald Is Telling Us It’s Not Over

Niki N. Phaser — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:22:32 +0000

Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald has given us a first taste of her future album, still untitled, coming out on the 8th of March. First single, Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over, will be released on 1st March, but it has already made its presence known on Europe’s radios, to a very positive reaction. Though a bit more bigger-sounding (as in energetic) than her debut material, the new single retains the emotional verve that made her one of the most successful debutants of recent music history. Fans will not be disappointed by the new offering, only more eager to hear the new album.

There is more good news for those who really can’t handle the waiting. Macdonald will performe some showcase gigs, revealing the new material in the best way she knows: live. The first will be in Glasgow on January 28th (Barrowland Ballroom), after which she is heading to the UK for a similar show in London. If in doubt, though actually having the chance to attend one of these events, listen to the new single:

Don’t Tell Me That It’s Over