Dan Michaelson & The Coastguards take the top spot with a blinding new LP.
1 (5) DAN MICHAELSON & THE COASTGUARDS – BLINDSPOT –
THE STATE 51 CONSPIRACY
A heartbreaking and intimate LP that bares it’s soul with just the right amount of sparse instrumentation, alongside honest lyrics and a tender cracked voice that puts a lump in your throat. “You’re scared of growing old without someone who knew you were beautiful before…” “Even though my sheets are wearing thin, I wrap you up so you can feel loved again…” http://youtu.be/74SRGY3JJZs
2 (7) PRIMAL SCREAM – 2013 – IGNITION
Bobby Gillespie and the gang make a triumphant return with David Holmes on production duties. Coming on like a blast from Roxy music’s past, caught up in 21st century chaos and a phasing psychedelic blizzard. Andrew Weatherall the Screamadelica wizard cooks up the remixes, adding various electronic lotions & potions over simmering beats, brewing up a heady stew that’s gonna put a spell on you. http://youtu.be/bdCraT9_wk4
3 (1) CHARLIE BOYER AND THE VOYEURS – THINGS WE BE – HEAVENLY
Another slice of near on pop perfection where smutty 70’s New York punk shimmies alongside glamorous 21st century psychedelia, creating a fuzzy sonic wall of jangling delights and a we don’t give a fuck attitude, but we do really. Be there or be square. http://youtu.be/VUbeV4q4G_Q
4 (8) FUZZY LIGHTS – THE HOUR / BLIND (HARMONIUM VERSION) –
LITTLE RED RABBIT
The Harmonium Version of Blind is absolutely stunning, it is totally heartfelt and breathtakingly beautiful. Take a deep breath and prepare to be blown away.
5 (6) JONAS RATHSMAN – BRINGING YOU DOWN – FRENCH EXPRESS
Lush and expensive sounding house with plenty of old school influences. It’s got quality ecstasy, big grins and good times written all over it. http://youtu.be/Ms4agFWvd6Q
6 (NEW) CHICKEN LIPS – ALL THAT YOU DO – SOUTHERN FRIED
The dynamic duo serve up a fine slice of retro futurist disco with a synth hook that Daft Punk would be proud of, percussion licks that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Sleeping Bag Records classic, and soulful vocals from Charmaine Baines. Joe Goddard of Hot Chip and The 2 Bears fame is up first at the mixing desk, housing it up and adding a bassline to die for. Ben Pearce goes for a skipping garage feel with slightly strung out effects. Andy Meecham dons his Emperor Machine hat and goes for some booty shaking electro acid house, and Dean Meredith rounds off proceedings with bleeps & zaps in his Rhythm Odyssey guise. Phew! What a scorcher.
7 (10) THE EMPEROR MACHINE – LIKE A MACHINE – SOUTHERN FRIED
Andy Meecham makes a welcome return to the firing on all cylinders driving seat, delivering a racy pulsing 90’s influenced fat slab of punk funk electronic disco, complete with Erotic Vocal and Erotic Dub. Andrew Weatherall steps up to the mixing desk for a fiddle and poke, serving up macho vocals and rigid beats marching through wonky arpeggios for some back room action. Bonus cut System Seven Hundred leaves us suitably open mouthed and spaced out. The Sabresonic revival starts here.
8 (4) SKY FERREIRA – EVERYTHING IS EMBARASSING – POLYDOR / CAPITOL
After becoming a cult hit and winning loads of plaudits in the U.S. The American press dharlings single of 2012 is getting a U.K. release. Modern teen pop gets a new dimension with out there mixes care of Timmy The Terror and UMO. http://youtu.be/1jtTeMgWNhA
9 (15) SID LE ROCK – FOREIGN LOVE – MY FAVORITE ROBOT
Atmospheric pulsing synths riding on a shuffling 4/4 groove, work their way around a treated part spoken emotive vocal, and it’s topped off with a key riff that is quite simply to die for. Acid Pauli delivers a beautiful floating in outer space mix. Lovely stuff.
http://youtu.be/XgLDBp2N-7Y http://youtu.be/ec2yDQ97zmc
10 (14) A/T/O/S/ – A TASTE OF STRUGGLE – DEEP MEDI
A sumptuous production and a haunting song, with breathy yet powerful vocals, eerie atmospheric drones and pads, all intertwining around deep bass tones, treacle coated beats and sticky clicks. http://youtu.be/hGqo5ICsNqM
11 (11) JAMES TEEJ – LIKING YOUR DISORDER – LAST NIGHT ON EARTH
Timo Maas delivers a classic remix that teases and builds, layering rhythms alongside organic synths. It’s got an early Underworld feel about it. Nice.
12 (13) GRIZZLY BEAR – GUN SHY – WARP
The Brooklyn four piece serve up a fine slice of whimsical psychedelic pop from their critically acclaimed LP Shields. It comes with a funky progressive disco wizard work out care of Lindstrom. http://youtu.be/wIyGBQW_9Pc http://youtu.be/x9Fju9_BePM
13 (29) MIKE DOUGHTY – THE FLIP IS ANOTHER HONEY – SNACK BAR / HORNBLOW
An LP of inspired covers, versions and samples, that comes over like a dusty road trip in the blazing sunshine, taking in amongst others John Denver, The Stone Roses, Low, Red House Painters and 15 60 75 The Numbers Band along the way. http://youtu.be/bP9TAc8rPl0
14 (16) STUBBORN HEART – BETTER THAN THIS – ONE LITTLE INDIAN
An electronic yet organic slice of futuristic melancholy steeped in rustic charm, lifted from their critically acclaimed eponymous debut LP. Graham Massey delivers a simmering stripped back remix, and it comes with dark and sumptuous new song Do Tomorrow. http://youtu.be/KEDwgr5v-2Y
15 (NEW) MISE EN SCENE – HEY VELVET EP – PIPE & HAT
Canadian girl duo of boisterous guitars, rolling feel good drums and soaring vocals deliver a stunning UK only four track EP, which has got the energy of punk, the fuzz of garage and the melodies of 60’s pop. These girls have got it going on. http://youtu.be/BoL0cF5ZEzU
16 (22) ALAN BRAXE – ONE MORE CHANCE – SCION AV
The master of French disco has delivered a great big slo-mo globule of glowing electronic dream pop that marries classic Prince with wide eyed MGMT and then some. Memory Tapes add ethereal fizz and sparkle. http://youtu.be/ARU5PoWETvM
17 (NEW) S.O.B. – ROLLED STONE / GIVIN – S.O.B.
S.O.B. is the alias for the new partnership of Dave Jarvis (Moton Records / Faith) alongside Richard Rogers (Black Booby). Rolled Stone opens like a phoenix rising from the ashes bathed in golden light, before shuffling rhythms and a hooky low slung bassline make you shake your rump to the funk. On the flip Givin is a swirling heady 4/4 number with soulful vocal licks. Limited edition clear vinyl 10” for Record Store Day.
18 (NEW) VITALIC – FADE AWAY – DIFFERENT
Chunky slab of electro pop dance that has got a certain Sparks No1 In Heaven feel about it. Remixes come from the man himself, who reaches into outer space, a drumtastic C2C, and a techy number courtesy of Noob. http://youtu.be/I_tgahMN46Q
19 (23) NIAGARA – OTTO – MONOTREME
Italy’s David Tomat and Gabriele Ottino are Niagara, and together they have made a powerful experimental debut LP, that has got hooky dream pop alongside strung out paranoid cuts and bouncing oompah psychedelic gems that tend to drift. Float on. http://youtu.be/dxjscsjvYrM
20 (18) CHRISTIAN VIVIANO – GATE 3 (ANTHEMS VOCAL MIX) – CHRONOVISION
The lead track on Chronovision’s Miami Sampler 2013 is packed with filthy old school flavours and enough energy to start up your own Lucozade factory. Brings Roxanne Shante’s Live On Stage to mind and then some. http://youtu.be/Z_4wFirMsK4
21 (21) TRWBADOR – TRWBADOR – OWLET
Debut LP from Welsh girl & boy duo, that have been creating quite a bit of a fuss with their ramshackle blend of gentle ethereal vocals, out there musicianship and happening beats. If Andy Warhol had produced a Pagan themed musical, it might of ended up a bit like this. http://youtu.be/lAx2JE5b9EQ
22 (26) BONOBO – THE NORTH BORDERS – NINJA TUNE
Simon Green delivers his fifth studio LP, taking forward thinking electronics into the world music arena. Guests include Erykah Badu, Grey Reverend, Szjerdene and Cornelia. Immerse yourself. http://youtu.be/WF34N4gJAKE
23 (NEW) JAKKIN’ RABBIT – ZION EP – No19 MUSIC
The opening track Mothership features house legend Robert Owens on guest vocals. The Truth goes for classic Chicago flavours, making great use of a 303, proper old school drum rolls, atmosphere building pads and a hooky soulful vocal line. How Deep brings the EP to a close with heady subtleties floating around shuffling rhythms.
24 (27) JAY TRIPWIRE – AUTOMATIC – SUPERFREQ
The opening cut on Superfreq’s Various EP gives The Last Poets a proper back in the day funky acid house going over.
25 (20) THE BURRELL BROTHERS – NON STOP/THE REMIXES – DANSE CLUB
Another U.S. 90’s gem is dusted down and spruced up for today’s floors. Just Be aka Matthew B of Layo & Bushwacka fame is up first with his percussive, clean cut & bouncing Insomniac Mix. Italy’s Lula Circus make good use of the soulful vocal, laying it on warm lush deepness, and Chubby Dubz gets raw and dirty with a peak time jackin’ number.
26 (NEW) MIDAS FALL – WILDERNESS – MONOTREME
Manchester trio deliver an LP of shimmering post rock Englishness, which gets a bit progressive as well as a bit folk in places, and features the strong soaring vocals of Elizabeth Heaton. http://youtu.be/jExJp7ng9Lo
27 (NEW) EMIKA – SEARCHING – NINJA TUNE
A sultry siren from Bristol but now based in Berlin, serves up a mature, edgy and sexy take on electronic R&B.
28 (30) THE SONIC AESTHETIC – TALES FROM THE NOCTURNE –
INTERNATIONAL FEEL
Does what it says on the tin really. Titles include Dark Of The Moon and The Paradol Chamber. Think pointy hats, shiny capes and banks of synthesizers. The 21st century electronic dance equivalent of 1960’s & 1970’s progressive rock.
29 (NEW) ED ZEALOUS – MEDICINES – LABEL FANDANGO
An over enthusiastic sounding four piece from Belfast, with an edgy slice of fuzzy electro pop bounding about on jittery paranoid rhythms, and a singer on cheap speed that doesn’t come up for air.
30 (NEW) BREATHLESS – PLEASE BE HAPPY – TENOR VOSSA
The title cut shimmers and glides effortlessly alongside Dominic Appleton’s velvet voiced lyrics as it wanders lonely corridors of past glory’s. The Same Rooms Without You gets remixed by Readers Wifes, and Next Time You Fall gets a Jim Sclavunos Remix. A 12” vinyl EP set for release on Record Store Day 20th April 2013. http://youtu.be/nY1wiJDURd8
To get your track submitted for consideration please contact Dean Thatcher at deanthatcher25@hotmail.com The Zzub Chart is physical. Vinyl & CD’s.
