CLOUD CONTROL - DREAM CAVE.

Cloud Control's highly anticipated sophomore release Dream Cave is a boundary-pushing album that seeks to shake up the band's poppy sound.

We had quite high expectations for this album, considering the critical success of their debut album Bliss Release. The lead single, 'Dojo Rising', while not as initially as catchy as 2010's 'There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight', is a more experimental and floaty track. In fact, the entire album is a bit of a musical trip, filled with weird vocal wobbles and swirling backing tracks.

The whole trippy feel of the album is great. It definitely pushes the boundaries of the band's easy-going dream pop sound, dipping into dark percussion on 'Island Living' and reverting to further exploration of an iconic sound on 'Ice Age Heatwave'. There are beautiful sections within songs where the lyrics and musical craftmanship mould together with delicacy or anthemic vigour or sheer energy, and there is the continual sculpting of the eponymous 'dream cave', with the addition of (sometimes rather odd) drips of water and arching vocals.

Overall, the entire album does a very sensory justice to the cave, and adventures to very exciting places with the sweeping vocals, sweet harmonies, dreamy backing and eclectic percussion. At times, however, it just feels a bit disconnected and wandering into too many different dimensions - in their pursuit of a new sound they seem to have been a bit confused as to which sound that is. However, it is still a very solid release that I can say I did indeed enjoy.

UNEARTHED HIGH.

Today was the highly anticipated announcement of the Triple J Unearthed High finalists for 2013!
Congratulations to Lunatics On Pogosticks (NSW), Cypher (QLD), Under Scarlet Skies (VIC), Vancouver Sleep Clinic (QLD), Jaysways (NSW) and When We Were Small (VIC). These six talented acts have blown us all away with the brilliance of their songs.

My favourite act however has got to be When We Were Small with their catchy indie pop-rock. It's so energetic and easy to listen to.

I was actually listening out in the morning and religiously checking during any breaks I had to see who the finalists were. The anticipation of the finalists was almost overshadowed by the anticipation of the new Doctor.


Ladies and gentlemen, meet Peter Capaldi.

SHRIEK! After the jumpy liveliness of the lovely David Tennant and the quirky barminess of Matt Smith, we were getting used to these younger Doctors. Even beginning to enjoy them (and OTP them with their companions). But now any sort of ship will probably be classified under unlawful carnal knowledge.

He was in Skins (and Sid was in the series so it would've been a good series) but I am going to be contemptuous and refuse to accept this Doctor until he shows us what he is made of. I'm only being like this because I really hoped that the Time Lord would be a multiracial woman. It would've made for good telly, okay?

Releases

On music releases, I've been a bit slack but here's the lowdown:

Indie darlings Cub Scouts released their new 'Paradise' EP on August 2, featuring the Triple J hit 'Paradise'. This is such a promising EP, showcasing the stellar vocals of Tim Nelson and adding such fantastic developments on the future classic sounds of Cub Scouts. Listen to the single 'Paradise' here on Soundcloud.
I cannot wait to see them support Jinja Safari on their tour in September. They'll be in Sydney on the 21 September at the Metro (all ages). Neo-soul artist Okenyo will also be supporting.

Also, Sydney dream-poppers Cloud Control drop their sophomore release this week, titled 'Dream Cave'. The singles released from the album and the highly promising Triple J Like A Versions have amounted to huge anticipation from fans and newcomers alike. You can listen to it streamed at Triple J here or wait till Friday August 9 for the full release. Ah!

'Scar' is one of my favourite songs of the month. Hear it below.





I think I'm beginning to deviate a little from the Music Hauls and Songs Of The Week but I kind of like this new arrangement :) leave a comment if you have any suggestions! Till then, take care. Garnier.

MUSIC HAUL #10.

Hi guys! Here we have yet another Music Haul for you, so enjoy :)

Catherine Traicos - Drunk On Your Breath

There is simply nothing quite like when you discover a really good new artist.

But even this isn't as good as finding an artist you discovered years ago but lost/forgot.
Catherine is one of these artists. (Others are MGMT, Bag Raiders and Architecture In Helsinki. Darn them electronic acts - it seems that typing in beep boop blerp into Google doesn't have the same effects as song lyrics.)

Her smoky, crooning voice captures you quicker than you can say her name (which actually took me a while because the ai dipthong is more often than not a very beguiling mystery.)

In fact, I find the bulk of her work a beguiling mystery - beautifully crafted and performed, but it is enjoyed more when you try to unravel the delicious tunes and lyrics.

Here is 'Drunk On Your Breath'. Buy her music from the label An Ocean Awaits here. And the tote bag looks so good.

The Swiss - Elouisa

Bringing back disco with a spectacular vibrancy, The Swiss make impossibly danceable tunes (even for me!)

The shrill vocals push the throbbing bass down with energy, and when the chorus comes back around you know you're hooked.

The feel good, summery vibe of the song has done an awesome job of keeping me bopping through this disgusting rainy weather lately. In fact, the entire EP (which is Elouisa, two remixes and Peach Pit) has such a good feel I am simply dying for Spring and Summer.

Here is 'Elouisa'. Buy it here from iTunes or here from the uber-cool Kitsuné. Seriously. This label is my life (albeit rather expensive. Maybe it's my life if I sold my kidneys or something.)

Van She - Jamaica

I'm still in a bit of a dancey mood so here is my dance jam of 2012 from one of my favourite dance artists. Van She have this rich, luxurious sound that effortlessly combines dance and electronica with experimental indie.

The opening riff and recurring motif of this song, the marimba ostinato, really sets off the Jamaican, exotic aura of the song. It's not so much a song by the chorus but a bright soundscape with the most inspiring, powerful vocals.

The chorus is fun and easy to sing along to (but not in that really creepy Aussie pub karaoke style. Think more anthemic. Or party sing along.) It's fresh, tropical and oh-so-catchy.

This song is fantastic to play at when you're chilling with friends at the beach, or if you're lucky enough to have one, in a convertible with the windows down as you drive down a highway. Not in Sydney of course - highways are more like free parking nowadays.

Here is 'Jamaica', man. Buy it here from Modular People.

Cloud Control - There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight

I've been listening to this song as I earnestly await the ocean release of their second album, 'Dream Cave'. The lilting, easy melodic pop of the band has such a strange, otherworldly quality to it, which draws you in and is so beautifully addictive.

The music is exciting, exhilarating and beautifully crafted. It has depth and is grounded, yet the innovative melodies and vocals are a breath of fresh air. The music is rich in texture without being too heavy handed with production or sickeningly decadent.

I was really hoping to catch them in September but since I also have my eye on Jinja Safari a week later (with Cub Scouts supporting) I think I'm going to have to make a very difficult decision. Yet Cloud Control are still such a fresh act, and with such an original, recognisable sound, I think they have the makings of a future classic.

Buy 'There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight' or the album, 'Bliss Release' (2010) here from Ivy League Records.