Fresh Track: Takenobu “King of Camelot”
For lack of a more accurate description, I’ll call Takénobu‘s new album Climactica minimalist orchestral pop. The deceptively simple arrangements found within the album’s nine tracks are built around the cello play and vocals of frontman Nick Ogawa. Ogawa’s sound falls in line with the solo work of Final Fantasy alum Owen Pallett, with more accessible lyrics. Unlike Pallett or NPR favorite Kishi Bashi, Ogawa performs with the advantage of bandmates. This is Takénobu’s first release with Brian Harper on violin. However, if the songwriting feels similar to Pallett it’s not without merit, as the foundation for Climactica was laid down with little more than Ogawa’s cello and Akai MPC 2000XL.
“King of Camelot” serves as a shining example. The song is filled with lush swells of strings and a marching beat on drums, creating the illusion that Takénobu is bigger than a three-piece. It’s not until the music dissolves down to its elemental core near the track’s end that the listener realizes just how simple and straightforward the arrangement really is. Listen to “King of Camelot” below and download your copy of Climactica for $5.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Video: Earl Sweatshirt “Chum”
It was on every blog yesterday. It’s here today, because it’s good and it’s worth sharing. Long live Earl. Download “Chum” from iTunes.
Video: Tiga “Plush”
Yesterday, Montreal DJ and producer Tiga released a video for his latest single “Plush.” The video features models posing in a live painting. “Plush” is taken from Tiga’s Non Stop mix tape, released at the beginning of November. The track is driven by an entrancing backbeat that seems destined to play on repeat at any given club near you. Exuding the 1980s to the fullest, “Plush” will have you reaching for your dancing shoes and ravaging your desk drawer for the telephone number of your college coke hook-up. I tend to steer clear of dance music for the most part, but this track proves simply irresistible. Tiga had this to say in a press release for the video:
“’Plush’ was inspired by 80s dance TV shows like Pelvic Gold and The Bandana Patrol, as well as my undying love and respect for the city of Detroit. It’s the first of what I know will be many collaborations with Matthew Dear, a sort of musical friendship bracelet that will bind us unto eternity.”
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Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 