“The Way We Touch” is new from (the aptly named) LA-based duo WE ARE TWIN. Bounding between several different genres and styles (current indie, classic soul & pop songwriting sensibilities), “The Way We Touch” is interesting not only for its variable stylistic qualities but for singer Gabi Christine’s excellent melodic/vocal choices. Good luck not humming this one for the rest of the day. WE ARE TWIN’s debut EP is out August 20th on A&M/Octone.
We Are Twin 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
“Unwise” is the Claude Debussy-meets-Air single from Brooklyn-based bedroom producer Josh Mease a/k/a Lapland. As inventive as it is lovely, “Unwise” is beautiful and comforting in its repetition and its groove. It’s also evocative and impressionistic in its tone and atmosphere. A very special track indeed.
Raccoon Fighter 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
UK bass vet Jakwob jumps on Dan Croll’s latest w/ this lush, way too good new mix for “In/Out”. Get it girl/boy.
Jakwob 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.1
The new look Yuck knock another A+ single between the posts w/ the superbly executed romantically detached gazewave of “Middle Sea”. The Yuckers new record is to be titled Glow & Behold and will get a release via Fat Possum on Oct. 1st.
Rating 8
The Phoenix hommes link up w/ their bro Robert Kelly (you may remember their impromptu collab at Coachella) for this new “Trying To Be Cool” remix and as you may have suspected, it’s awesome. Nobody gets rich off the remix like The R.
Phoenix 
(Facebook)
Rating 8.2
Easy Lover is a Brooklyn-based duo comprised of multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Wimmer and singer Kali Holloway. New song, “The Sweet” begins a gentle pulse and darkly glittered atmosphere carried along by Holloway’s lush melodic vocal, which unexpectedly strolls into pop song territory (of worthy replay value) with a triumphant brass lead refrain. The track is premiered here from the band’s forthcoming self-released and sophomore EP, The Night We Breathe.
As singer Kali Holloway eloquently puts it:
“There’s something about a pop melody, the way a classic pop melody can prop up a whole song. Even when it’s covered in dust and haze and warped by the lolling sounds around it — and we like all those things, too, very much — you can still hear it underneath in our songs, I think. It’s just such a nice sound to wrap yourself in.”
Easy Lover (Facebook)
Rating 8.8
The Foals’ festival of raves have continued throughout the Summer of 2013: Coachella, Bonnaroo, Download (which they headlined), Glastonbury, Lollapalooza–all of which have lauded Foals as weekend highlights. This past Friday night we witnessed a relatively more intimate show from Foals at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. The band did not disappoint, as they brought their festival game-faces and intensity to the smaller capacity venue. Their energy was off the charts, the playing was precise, and the lighting during the show was equally excellent. Guitarist Jimmy Smith raised eyebrows with heavier sounds on their most recent Holy Fire album and make no mistake about it… this was a serious rock show.
Garage-punk Drowners from the UK opened the night with a high energy blast. The sound didn’t do them any favors, but this band’s long-term potential did shine through. Leader singer Matt Hitt (great name) has star qualities. I also loved that they covered Love’s hit from the 60’s, “My Little Red Book”. LA’s Cayucas filled the middle slot on the evening, having gotten nice traction with their “High School Lover” single. Based on that track, one would expect a rather festive set. They were mostly low-key in a breezy, tropical, pina colada kind of way. A style that works well for those wanting the vibe of a mellow afternoon at the pool, but I wouldn’t have minded a little more espresso in the mix.
What seemed like a beefed up version of their “Prelude” song opened Foals’ performance and perfectly set the tone for the remainder of the evening. Holy Fire highlights included “My Number”, “Providence,” and “Inhaler”. The crowd also responded warmly to “Late Night”. The band added a surprise extension to “Providence”, which doubled the pleasure for a song that deserves more profile than it has received from most North American press. The guys played a nice blend of old and new songs. “Spanish Sahara” from Total Life Forever provided a sweet change of pace on the night. Lead singer Yannis Phillippakis was not a man of many spoken words, saying very little until he thanked the crowd for being “fucking awesome” before the band finally launched into “Inhaler”. “Two Steps Twice” perfectly closed the festivities.
The 2013 festival blitz for Foals may be further indication that the band is positioning themself to be headliner status for most major events. And I’d argue that there is a dire need for such fresh blood atop these mega line-ups. What we saw on Friday night at the Wiltern Theater indicates that Foals might be ready to attain that elite status if their next album is equally killer as its predecessors. A friend of mine remarked that they might be the next Muse. I wouldn’t yet go that far but I have to admit that their machine-like intensity did make me think of Muse on a few occasions.
Review and Photo by Bruce Rave
Foals 
(Official)
* Links and playlists from Rave’s weekly new music show can be found on his blog and be sure follow Bruce on Twitter too!
Stunning. Painstakingly stunning. “Chokehold” is the new track from London-based Alanna McArdle a/k/a Ides. The mix of the near, intimate lyrics and content of the track set against the bare, intense but still arm’s length solo electric guitar instrumental is special is just about every way.
Ides (Facebook)
Rating 8.2
