Must of these posts centre around the unlikely premise that we know exactly what is going to happen in the “music industry” in the next few months, but this one, focusing in on Brooklyn two piece Savoir Adore, is more of a confession that we’ve completely missed what’s been going on. Whilst we were still trying to figure out whether Hurts were an evil tentacle of a major label or a genuinely decent pop duo (verdict: more evil than Darth Hitler on mephedrone; consistently shit boy-band-rejected songs dressed up as cutting edge “Italo Pop” only confirm how pretentious, talentless and contrived they are) back last September, Savoir Adore released their debut album “In The Wooded Forest”. Casting our eyes back to what the internet was saying about them back then, it seems that all the right people with their eyes in all the right places were of the opinion that Savoir Adore were the best thing to happen to the Brooklyn music scene, well, ever.
As I said, at the time we were wasting precious minutes scouting out obscure Hurts songs, so we have only recently come to this conclusion. There are a couple of important points to make, though. Firstly, I’m pretty sure that Savoir Adore actually floated under most people’s radars, and are only just picking up pace after some great SXSW performances. Secondly, we do have the chance to repent as April 26th sees the release of their debut UK single, “Bodies”. To all those not in the UK, well, sorry, but you’re going to hell.
To call Savoir Adore an “indie” band could barely be more of an insult, but is just about the long and short of it. Though to most of us the word “indie” conjures up unpleasant memories of a foolish youth listening to major label approved spotty kids with telecasters and bad jokes, Brooklyn just doesn’t do things that way. Fortunately, Savoir Adore are more interested in brilliantly soaring melodies and enormous amounts of variation and originality than embarrassing haircuts and repetitive power chords. Creativity literally falls out of every song like an alcoholic out of a pub. But with more finesse.
If you have managed to avert your gaze from their steady rise to recognition then let the couple of mp3s below end that. No excuse exists; you can download three of their songs for free here. Finally, I’ve just found out that the debut album was never released in the UK, and its actual physical release is pencilled in for 5th July. Music related hell narrowly averted, no redemption necessary. Now officially New Noise, and one of our highest hopes for the year.
I’m certain that the increasing popularity of directing cynicism towards SXSW, based simply on the fact that it is relying more and more on the sponsorship money of large companies, is entirely based on jealousy. The recent emergence of Diamond Rings, aka John O’Regan, at SXSW continues to prove that whilst, yes, the event is being propped up by the money of soulless suits, and yes, it is a very good excuse for many people to gorge on free beer and food until they’re rolling around in the gutter smelling like a week old KFC bargain bucket, the festival continues to draw attention to the best in emerging talent.
After a split release 7” last year that saw him make his debut with the sentimental “All Yr Songs”, Diamond Rings released his debut solo single “Wait & See” on March 8th. Although all of the few reviews were positive, they lacked the fervour of his post SXSW buzz. The hype that is building now is more or less the direct result of “Wait & See” managing to come off endearingly grimy, yet totally accessible and energetic at the same time. Some of my obsession with it may also be down to its general feeling of despair and lack of direction; any of the many people who are similarly confused by themselves definitely need to give this song some time.
Yet the most encouraging aspect of Diamond Rings is not that he has written one sensational song – it’s that all 3 of the songs that we’ve heard are just as good. And as long as he keeps releasing tracks that stand between Bowie, Owen Pallett & Of Montreal, we’re happy that each year a lot of people consume a lot of free food and drink for, seemingly, all of our musical good.
You can buy the track ici. Credit where credit is due as well, so thanks to Jaimie Hodgson for bringing everyone’s attention to Diamond Rings via his Radar Blog (constantly the best section of the magazine).
You have probably noticed by now our tendency to introduce our favourite music by tenuously linking it to frustratingly dead end but thought provoking discussions about weighty topics such as the state of the music industry today / the culture of music blogs / how is it so possible for so many people to like Scouting For Girls. That’s all well and good, and we do enjoy pretending to know what’s going on, but sometimes, just sometimes, possibly at about 2 in the morning, we just feel the need to say: this, without a doubt, is a fucking amazing song. (and an equally encouraging album as well)
This is absolutely how I feel about Archie Bronson Outfit’s “Hoola” right now. (and the attached album, “Coconut”) There’s no way that, in this state, I can forge even a questionable link between it and the depressing state of music consumption today, or the future of the music industry. Quite simply, “Hoola” is one of those essential songs that you’ll look back on a years time and see how it defined a short period of your life. It’s a song that the repeat button was made for. It’s the sort of tune that you’ll look forward to all night as you grind it out (attempt to pass the time, not embarrassing hip gyration) at yet another average party.
Two fairly lengthy paragraphs down and I’ve not yet managed to even faintly describe what “Hoola”, or “Coconut” sounds like. But then, all of the above is just what the song means to me, and any ridiculous attempt to describe it would just again, be my interpretation. Ultimately, why would you bother reading clumsy words (it’s clear that words were almost definitely not invented to precisely describe music) when you can listen to it yourself and form your own opinions? In that sense, music journalism really is fucking useless. I’m not here to tell you what to think, just to recommend music that I genuinely love, but it’s up to your to establish your own position. Strangely, I seem to have gone from discussing how I’m not going to end up in a philosophical back alley this time, to ending up completely unintentionally in my pseudo-philosophical back alley. I just hope that you’re listening to “Hoola” by now – they’re 3 minutes of your life that you’re not going to want to get back from me.
PS: If you thought that was even slightly average, then you need to get “Coconut” in your life as well – it comes out on Monday on Domino, and we all know how everyone is swimming in money at the moment and all that, so crack out a wad of 10s. And oh yeah, it really is very very good. A proper description? Nah. Not only do I genuinely believe what I wrote above about forming your own opinions and trusting recommendations, but it has surpassed the 2 o’clock that I mentioned and I will not last much longer.
PPS: Lucky inhabitants of Liverpool can catch Archie Bronson Outfit in an incredible line up with Oh No Ono and White Hinterland on 19.05.10 and can get rid of more of that money stuff here. The whole thing is going to be occurring in The Kazimier as well, which is, in my opinion, one of the most original and therefore best venues in the country, and is probably worth the ticket price alone.
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