Music for Perfect People

As a follow-up to this year’s Ventriloquizzing, the electro-pop four-piece Fujiya & Miyagi have released a new single “Ecstatic Dancer.” According to singer/guitarist David Best, “the title came from a drawing by Oskar Kokoschka. Lyrically it takes its cues from fifties songs which described dance moves, like the mash potato etc.” [via] In typical F&M fashion, the interaction between the drums, synth, and guitar drive the single and David Best’s vocals sound more like a conversation than singing.

Below, we have Fujiya & Miyagi’s live rendition of “Ecstatic Dancer,” which sounds much grittier than the studio single as the guitar in the video is overly fuzzy.

“Ecstatic Dancer” is currently available to download at iTunes, Yep Roc Records, and Amazon.

Stay connected with Fujiya & Miyagi:: website | facebook | twitter

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• Blackbird Blackbird releases mixtape + new single
• BAND TO WATCH :: Electric Guest
• Holy Ghost! release “Hold My Breath” + remixes

Earlier today, Prefix premiered the Tear mixtape from Blackbird Blackbird, which provides 45-minutes of delicious dreamy pop music from an array of different artists, along with “Tear,” the first single from BB’s forthcoming Boracay Planet EP.

Tear Mixtape Tracklist::
Blackbird Blackbird – “Tear”
The Antlers – “Putting The Dog To Sleep”
Clams Casino – “All I Need”
Blood Diamonds – “Grins”
The Radio Dept. – “This Past Week”
Atlas Sound – “Shelia”
Keep Shelly in Athens – “Our Own Dream”
Sun Glitters – “There”
Hope Sandoval & the Warm Intentions – “Lose me on the Way”

Here is the single “Tear” for those who do not want to download the entire mix. To me, the single is calming yet exciting all at the same time. More importantly, how do you feel about “Tear”? Let me know!

Stay connected with Blackbird Blackbird:: website | facebook | twitter

Related Posts:

• Fujiya & Miyagi release new single “Ecstatic Dancer”
• STREAMING:: Phantogram – ‘Nightlife’ EP
• DOWNLOAD :: Sloan – “Follow the Leader”
• [NEW SINGLE] DOWNLOAD :: Hank and Cupcakes – “Hit”
• DOWNLOAD :: Foster The People – “Helena Beat”

Back in 1966 and 1967, the Beach Boys recorded a number of sessions that were intended to be released as a follow-up to 1966′s Pet Sounds. The recordings were dubbed Smile but were never released due to “clashes within the group and their leader Brian Wilson’s deteriorating mental health.” [via] That is until now! The Smile Sessions are currently streaming here, but you only have a few more days to listen!

Recently, Robert Capria created and animated a music video for The Smile Sessions‘ single “Heroes and Villains”, which can be seen below. My favorite part of the video is around the 28 second mark where a group of skeletons shoot multi-colored beams of light into the air, which later becomes the rotating background for a hula dancer to bust her moves infront of.

The Smile Sessions box set is currently available for purchase at Amazon.

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• Fujiya & Miyagi release new single “Ecstatic Dancer”
• Blackbird Blackbird releases mixtape + new single

After my first listen through the LA-duo Electric Guest‘s tracks “Troubleman” and “American Daydream,” I thought to myself that their sound was very similar to Broken Bells‘ mellow pop with its crisp guitar and drum lines, haunting vocals, and wonderful accents of organ/synths. Then, much to my surprise, I stumbled upon the following post by KCRW:

“Despite being virtually unknown, they are one of the most promising unsigned bands in the world, aided by the fact that they’re managed by Monotone Inc. (Jack White, Vampire Weekend, The Shins, Cold War Kids) and produced by Brian Burton (AKA Danger Mouse).”

Danger Mouse? You mean half of Broken Bells? Apparently, my ears did not fool me!

Check out “Troubleman” and “American Daydream” (both in the player below), and make sure to take in all the electro, soul, and pop that the duo currently has to offer. Electric Guest’s debut LP will be released through Downtown Records at some point in 2012 (The AudioPerv points towards a release in Spring 2012.)

Stay connected with Electric Guest:: website | facebook | twitter

Related Posts:

• STREAMING:: Phantogram – ‘Nightlife’ EP
• Fujiya & Miyagi release new single “Ecstatic Dancer”
• Holy Ghost! release “Hold My Breath” + remixes
• WATCH/DOWNLOAD :: Aloe Blacc – “I Need A Dollar” [Voodoo Farm REMIX]
• VIDEO :: iamamiwhoami – “; john”

While Jonathan Visger is known as a member of the group Mason Proper, the singer/songwriter also releases music under his solo project Absofacto. Visger’s songs instantly make your day better as each release consistently features his ability to write and record pop music, and usually includes some insight as to the inspiration for each track.

For Absofacto’s latest release, “If You Want”, Visger included a story about how his family used to watch the movie Harold and Maude and how the music Cat Stevens wrote for the film has always stuck with him. While I have neither seen the movie, nor heard the Cat Steven’s tracks associated with it, I am still thoroughly enjoying “If You Want.” The beat is up-tempo, the vocals are uplifting, and the best part of all is that it was created and recorded by a single person.

For more music from Absofacto, head to his bandcamp. I recommend the Sinking Islands EP as a good starting point as it features eight singles that were remastered and reworked, along with two new tracks.

Get connected with Absofacto:: website | facebook | twitter

Related Posts:

• ALBUM STREAM:: Absofacto – ‘Sinking Islands’
• LISTEN :: Absofacto + 10k Cities 7” split
• STREAM :: Lissi Dancefloor Disaster – ‘As We Plz’ EP
• MP3 :: Absofacto – “Nobody on the Subway”
• LISTEN :: Absofacto – “Triangle 3″

Lissi Dancefloor Disaster, the experimental art pop duo hailing from Uppsala, Sweden, have released their latest EP As We Plz, which features an excellent blend of dance-pop. Stream the EP below, and keep an ear out for our favorite track “Glowing Hearts.”

Thanks to Disco Naïveté for the heads up!

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• LISTEN:: Absofacto – “If You Want”
• STREAMING:: Phantogram – ‘Nightlife’ EP
• ALBUM STREAM:: Absofacto – ‘Sinking Islands’

Holy Ghost! are set to head out on their month-long tour of the US, but they aren’t leaving without dropping their latest single “Hold My Breath.” Included with the single are remixes from Tiger & Woods, Cosmic Kids, and Falty DL.

“In its original form, Holy Ghost!’s debut album cut “Hold My Breath” is, pure and simple, great dancefloor electronic pop; in the hands of shadowy duo Tiger & Woods, the song has been totally reshaped and refracted through ’80s R&B radio. Cosmic Kids have taken the track in a more tensely dramatic direction. Finally, there’s Falty DL’s re-envisioning, which goes down awfully smooth for a track so full of the big, thick, bumping bass beats. It’s an aural pleasure to find yourself dreamily lost in the Brooklyn, New York producer/DJ’s halls of reverberating sound. - Kali Holloway” [via]

BUY:: DFA Records | iTunes | Juno Records | Amazon | Beatport

LISTEN:: Holy Ghost! – “Hold My Breath” + REMIXES

Holy Ghost! tour::
10-29 New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
10-30 Orono, ME – University of Maine
10-31 Montreal, Quebec – Belmont on the Boulevard
11-01 Toronto, Ontario – 69 Bathurst
11-03 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick
11-04 Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
11-05 Chicago, IL – Double Door
11-08 Vancouver, British Columbia – Fortune Sound Club
11-09 Portland, OR – Holocene
11-10 San Francisco, CA – Slim’s
11-11 Los Angeles, CA – Music Box
11-13 San Diego, CA – Voyeur Night Club
11-16 Dallas, TX – Prophet Bar
11-17 Austin, TX – The Parish
11-18 Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s
11-19 New Orleans, LA – Parish at House of Blues
11-21 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
11-23 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
11-25 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
11-26 Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg

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• The White Stripes [ft. 2Pac, Biggie, Big L] – “In The Cold, Cold Night” [Voodoo Farm REMIX]
• Fujiya & Miyagi release new single “Ecstatic Dancer”
• BAND TO WATCH :: Electric Guest

Earlier this month, we posted about the singles “16 Years” and “Don’t Move,” which will be featured on Phantogram‘s forthcoming mini-LP Nightlife. While hearing two of the six tracks from Nightlife held us over for a short while, we are pleased to announce that the wait is over as the band has now included a stream of the entire EP over on their facebook page.

STREAM:: Phantogram – Nightlife EP

Nightlife will be available on November 1 through Barsuk Records and can be pre-ordered through iTunes.

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Over the past year or so, Jonathon Visger (of Mason Proper) has released a number of experimental pop singles under the name Absofacto. Back in August, he compiled 8 of these singles, remastered them to flow as an album, and added two new tracks, “Feathers (Don’t Change on Me)” and “I’m Gonna Make My Move.” The end result is his Sinking Islands LP, which can be streamed below.

Enjoy Absofacto’s blend of indie rock, which combines hip hop production, layered harmonies, and electronic effects. Also, you can pick up a digital copy of the LP here.

Sinking Islands Track Listing::
1. No Power
2. The Breath and the Bell
3. Gnat Years
4. Synthesocietal
5. Triangle 3
6. Whose Side Are You On Anyway?
7. Nobody on the Subway
8. Punk Drunk on Black Mold
9. Feathers (Don’t Change on Me)
10. I’m Gonna Make My Move

Keep an eye out for more new releases from Absofacto! According to a recent facebook post, Absofacto is planning to “release a new song very soon… One of them is starting to rattle its cage door incessantly.”

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• STREAM :: Lissi Dancefloor Disaster – ‘As We Plz’ EP

Thanks to NPR, fans who were displeased with the announcement that Björk‘s Biophilia was getting its official release pushed back to October 10th, can now stream the album in its entirety. According to Björk, the album, which was created as a collaboration between iPad apps, needed some fine tuning after the Icelandic pop musician played some of the material live.

ALBUM STREAM::  Björk - Biophilia [via NPR]

According to NPR, “Audio for this feature is no longer available at the request of Nonesuch Records.” 

Related Posts:

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After spending years perfecting his style as an electronica musician and DJ/producer, Aman Ellis has decided to turn the knobs in a different direction, and with this change comes a new moniker. AIMES is the name that the Alabama native and Brooklyn resident has taken on, and his sound features references to the late 70′s Manhattan disco circuit, as well as the current UK bassline scene.

His first single, “Every Time When I See You,” was released earlier this week through ModyWorks, and features the b-side “Is A Good Friend?.” Both tracks are filled with nostalgic beats that include an array of lush synths, and bubbly bass lines. Currently, the single, along with the b-side, are available for purchase through iTunes, Beatport, Amazon, and Juno.

AIMES debut release Your Floor Is Now A Tree will be available on August 2nd through ModyWorks, and is currently available for pre-order.

Keep up to date with AIMES here: facebook | twitter | soundcloud

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• DOWNLOAD :: YACHT – “Utopia”
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Unknown Mortal Orchestra have been on the road for the past few months, and will continue on for a few more, in support of their recent self-titled, debut release. Being that Modcast is a fan of UMO, they brought in singer Ruban Nielson to throw together a mix. Grab a listen below, and enjoy, because “it’s Bobby Brown in a spacesuit, it’s rhythm-n-blue-skies, it’s the darkside of psychedelia mixed with crystal clear pop acapellas.” [via]

Modcast #82: Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Tracklist::
Grayson Gilmore – I Am A Light (UMO Remix)
DOM – Jesus (UMO Remix)
Brandy – I Wanna Be Down (UMO Remix)
SWV – Weak (UMO Remix)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Moebius’ Theme
Bone Thugs N Harmony – First Of Tha Month (UMO Remix)
Brandy & Monica – The Boy Is Mine (UMO Remix)
Neneh Cherry – Buffalo Stance (UMO Remix)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Iris’ Theme
Aaliyah – Try Again (UMO Remix)

Related Posts:

• ALBUM STREAM :: Unknown Mortal Orchestra – ‘Unknown Mortal Orchestra’
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• VIDEO :: The Beach Boys – “Heroes and Villains”
• BAND TO WATCH :: Electric Guest

After one listen through Washed Out‘s Sub Pop debut Within and Without, you will get the sense that Ernest Greene’s one-man, bedroom project has evolved in a big way. Where earlier recordings give the sense that Greene was “trapped” in a room, with nothing more than an array of synthesizers, Within and Without features a larger sound that holds true to Washed Out’s distinct brand of lo-fi, chillwave, pop music.

ALBUM STREAM :: Washed Out – Within and Without [via]

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• Washed Out performs live set on KEXP

The synth pop outfit Milky Sway & Candy Starlight have released a video for their single ”///BEAT FREAK*,” which happens to put a large focus on the derrieres of some 80′s cheerleaders. The visuals fit well with the the band’s sound, which can be described as “cosmic,” “disco,” and my personal favorite, “make-out party music.”

If you’re looking for more from Milky Sway & Candy Starlight, check out their Fantasy Night EP on bandcamp.

Many thanks to Disco Naïveté for the heads up!

Related Posts:

• LISTEN :: AIMES – “Every Time When I See You” + “Is A Good Friend?”
• DOWNLOAD :: YACHT – “Utopia”
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• VIDEO :: Dom – “Living In America”
• ALBUM STREAM :: YACHT – ‘Shangri-La’

Earlier this week, we brought the full album stream of YACHT‘s forthcoming Shangri-La to your attention. Now, the pop duo have released a music video for their singles “Utopia,” and “Dystopia (The Earth Is On Fire),” which features YACHT jamming “Utopia” while travelling through an odd world that somewhat reminds me of the episode of the Simpsons where Homer turns 3D. Suddenly, the world is destroyed, and “Dystopia” kicks in with its wonderfully catchy synth ..

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• DOWNLOAD :: YACHT – “Utopia”
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• STREAMING:: The Parallax View – ‘Hip Slop’ EP + “Aging” [ft. Bluebird Handwriting] video