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New Musicreviews
December 28, 2019
almark

SUNFLOWER | ANGEL

Lo-fi is on the rise these days, but it doesn’t mean that it all has to sound the same. Enter Aussie artist SUNFLOWER who recently joined our artist roaster, full of soulful, hip-hop and smooth beats. Lo-fi has become an aesthetic these days, much like how Vaperwave first hit the scene in years past. Each song on ANGEL is somehow tied to itself, and at same point vocal interludes, looped samples of various rhythms and chilled jazzy beats fill your lonely soul. The album ANGEL takes us on a journey from long ago, with 70’s club hits, sax and urban music, usually composed on controllers such as MPC, though let your mind wander a bit. With the likes of Marvin Gaye and other soulful writers of yesterday, these days, artists can take from the past and write a new score for the mind to pick apart. I can compare some of this to St. Pepsi and other Vaperwave that is still considered quite obscure to the listener. Looping and interludes, 808 beats, kicks that fill the room or your car stereo and straightaway each song fades out and into the next, with a new idea, a new form. Vocal-driven songs such as Witchcrash, “You said you would…” sung in low key, mystery and sensual mystery.” Music like this you hear on the hi-fi record player, better yet record the music straight to your MiniDisc and place it on loop.

#WEATNU Digital Magazine – Dec 2019

Follow SUNFLOWER on Twitter @B0TULISM

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New Musicreviews
December 7, 2019
almark_weatnu

The New Pollution – Live at Creative Corner

‘Wham, Bam, Thank you Ma’am – With a hint of Stones, Blondie, late 70’s Punk coupled with Elvis Costello, and 90’s pavement, you get a hit straight out of NYC itself.’

I’ve been listening to music most of my life, starting with a journey of 70’s rock during the early 80’s, and well into my teen years, with bands such as R.E.M. – and various Alternative rock groups. The super-group The New Pollution finds our ears this month, formed not from NYC but outside their state of residence, put together as High School friends. There are hints of John Spencer’s Blues Explosion, and our ears go wandering via this avant-garde rock anomaly. This is clearly an 80’s recreation by influence. Since the album is one continuous long-play, ones ears just need to take them in the direction they wish to go. Before the album is complete, past the warm up, then you really get to hear the genius of The New Pollution, when the organ comes in on Sad Pricks, coupled with, jazz-related tones, saxophone infused melodies, noise, wonky off-beat intervals and even a tambourine. On the final song, basslines that take you back to songs from The Talking Heads, and big city club music, in dark setting. It’s much like those hip cats during the days of the beat generation, just doing their thing. Influenced by the likes of David Bowie, on the first track and throughout, taken from each member’s influence, (Joy Division, The Fall, Pere Ubu) – as related from their leader, even early synth-pop. It’s an acid-jazz, snappy drum beat, punk rock, ska, session, that reminds me of the type of music I get to listen to at the local coffee shop I frequent, playing on the flat-top disc machine, “they have an actual turn-table there, behind the counter you know, classic, ya dig?”

Almark – #WEATNU Digital Magazine
December 2019

Pick up the CD on WEATNU Records.
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reviews
November 25, 2019
almark

World (Step Inside My Dream) – Single by Fat Mavis

The first time I saw the film “Trainspotting”, I clearly remember its music, with the track Born Slippy, by Underworld, while hearing the deepest emotions of the group, I fell in love with the song. But this single, just released by Fat Mavis takes me back to that era during the 90’s. Fat Mavis sends us tracks now and then, so it was a real treat to hear this one. We have a mix between Pet Shop Boys, elements of classic dance, UK pop and electro. With a collaborative effort of Fat Mavis and friends, vocals from local musicians in the London area. The track takes you to the edge of Techno, lights flashing in the club, under the dark guise of the nightlife, and finishes off with a nice shot of sequined sequences. Spoken and repeated vocals continue with this catchy tune.  We hope to hear more from him in the near future. 

Purchase on Bandcamp
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Listen on Spotify

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Almark – #WEATNU Digital Magazine – November 2019

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New Musicreviews
November 24, 2019
JC Luff

Jazzykat – Never Stop… The Music

I have a soft spot for retro eighties synth wave music, and tonight, Jazzykat delivers in thumping fours on the floor percussion with all the right flavors of pads and leads. The electronic strings, cut with precise lines of evilness bass arpeggio bring about another level of high energy aural entertainment. I am very fond of the transitions in this album.

I feel a strong sense of passion in the keys and melodies used, but it’s not overkill. It’s enough to keep a party going until morning, rather. The use of octave differences makes for a potent melodic impact that keeps the vibe going through phases and songs that compliment each other perfectly, to weave a wordless narrative that will keep the listener engaged and then some.

The contrasts and sweeps build into quite the anticipation a few songs in, as the changes in leads keep things ethereal enough to relax, but the implementation of break beats keep things rhythmically satisfying enough to make the album appropriate for various contexts. The Low Frequency Oscillator is done justice in a subtle uplifting correctness of dance floor notoriety.

I am even pleased with the use of vintage electric toms (a rarity for your humble author!) . I am really enjoying the ebbs and flows of this work. The melodies are tight, and nothing is left to the imagination. Every patch makes a statement. If the mood strikes for something that is not overly emotive, but still potent enough to pull those neon heart strings, look no further.

Jazzykat is definitely an artist worth checking out. I am psyched to hear what will come next, as for with each song, boundaries are subtly and amiably pushed!

JC Luff – #WEATNU Digital Magazine – November 2019

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Archivesreviews
February 5, 2016
almark

Le Clotêt Avec Garcés – Techno Dancing in Hell

This month Spanish artist “Le Clotêt Avec Garcés”, comes to WEATNU with his shoegazesque dark and personal track Techno Dancing In Hell. Recorded during 2010 on an iPhone (the first to record on iPhone so I’ve been told.) What does this track really speak about? First you have to know who the artist is before you judge their work. Le Clotêt Avec Garcés keeps his heart in Seattle, where the Seattle sound was born, SUB-POP Records lies and a rich history of music still remains. Between it’s echo-like Cornell-influenced screams and almost personal mirage played to acoustic overtones and electric guitar, “Techno Dancing in Hell” which brings me back to the heyday of Radiohead’s Karma Police, brings us something new.  This is folkgrunge music, as writer Hussein Garcés most passionately calls it. There is much dissonance in-between the picked timbres and droning chords played over the backing melody. Distorted vocals show the struggle with something deep-seeded and disturbing, muttering something behind it all. Le Clotêt Avec Garcés(LCâG) continues a haunting moment with and without drums and seems to put us under a spell.

Almark – #WEATNU Digital Magazine – Feb 2016

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December 1, 2015
JC Luff

Roofy – Tweak Your Path

By JC Luff

“Tweak Your Path” from Corbin Roof ranks among the albums I used to keep in a wallet, with my Panasonic Shock Wave CD player. For me, Alt rock was about a re-arrangement of a number of genres into the kind of Rock that pushes the boundaries of both reality and broadcast (or publishing media), such that Alt Rock can change absolutely everything if it is embraced honestly. It’s about the right blend of tones, angst, and evolution. The layers of sounds and the experiences recounted in “Tweak Your Path” are a unique intersection of elements pure and twisted, and soul consuming… while life affirming, crafted brilliantly into a concept album that could influence Joe Camel to put down the cigarettes for a moment and consider his lungs.

When I went through a couple phases of bad experiences with the side effects of recreational chemicals, I decided that I would “Transmutate” (an Alchemical term, describing the transformation of lead into gold, for example) my fear, illness, and anger into electronic scenery and poetry. Over the years, I have met a few artists here and there who told me about their darkest hours being the brightest red lights in the jam rooms and such… However, Roofy delivers the full Monty in his exquisitely ordered, innovatively produced, and over all stone cold real cross-genre opus, “Tweak Your Path”.

I would not walk into a methadone clinic and suggest to everybody in the place that they write a concept album to heal from their conditions, but I would leave business cards for roofymusic.com anywhere I thought there could be people who think that they are struggling with their monsters alone… Or unsure how to build a creative foundation for their avant garde productions and / or recital careers… But, hold the phone ! I am not saying that “Tweak Your Path” is only an inspiration sewn from adversity, or a concept album that packs an emotional response to take the edge off, as if it were tailored to the fringe culture. I am also saying (typing quite loudly) that I am going to be blasting my advance copy at the next party without a DJ, because this album is flat out sick!

Roofy’s work (in context of broadcast value) Plays aces wild and is a versatile selection of room changing atmospheres and strategically engineered synthetic tones suitable for bar, or car, or office, or home, or in a box (and / or) with a fox.

It is very difficult to combine portamento synthesizer riffs, grunge over drive (guitars), strong lyrics, and iron clad counter-culture vocal harmony… And Then … To keep a trip together with the right meter flow and progression of keys and variants in percussion structures and such. I am inspired by this album on several fronts, and would suggest Roofy’s work to a diverse crowd, such that “Tweak Your Path” is a technical, artistic, and lyrical product that is packed with honesty, and all sorts of melodies to keep those keys tapping and add a good blend to the “CD changer” I work to.

All this having been said, I would like to tell all you cats out there in radio land that Corbin has been sober for over a year and three months, and that half of all proceeds of sales from “Tweak Your Path” will contribute to fellowships helping those who are struggling with addiction to give something back to society. There is absolutely no shame in being sober. Being an advocate for supporting individuals struggling with addiction shows society that even an artist named Roofy can create music that is worthwhile and serves a greater purpose.

You Can find “Tweak Your Path” on Bandcamp

Corbin Roof has created a gofundme campaign for the album to raise awareness for addiction. Even if the music is not your cup of tea, you can still help by going to the link below. Donations are appreciated.

https://www.gofundme.com/twcna538

 

Follow Roofy on Twitter. 

#WEATNU Digital Magazine Dec 2015

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November 3, 2015
JC Luff

Review : She’s Got Claws : Synthetic Emotion

By JC Luff

The arresting melange of patches, melodies, harmonies and drum samples setting stage in the “Synthetic Emotion” EP are most potent in their consonance with each other, materializing a sort of poetic design… something beyond electronica.

From the first note, this album has brought a magnetic tsunami to the table of my attention, including a myriad of philosophical considerations regarding the notion of artificial intelligence… and my relentlessly unexplainable desire to load “Synthetic Emotion” into my co-conspirators car stereo and take a midnight drive through the city, with a sub-woofer and more ice-coffee than any sane person would consider drinking, colored lights and the bewildered expressions of other travelers of the night trailing behind the windows to progress.

The synthesizer tones used are warm and well calibrated, with stereo imaging implicated brilliantly, invoking a genuine emotional response. The songs have both conceptual and musical dimensions of continuity through the album, keeping an engineered coherence most effective.

The percussion is well thought out in this album, as I detect analog hats, but could never for the life of me prove them to be there. The lyrics are most fascinating, and the vox is best in class. Transistor-clear vocals weave a neon clad and entrancing work of modern poetry, conjuring both deep thought and humbling silence simultaneously. “Synthetic Emotion” is a concept album of notable substance, a sure fire conversation-starter.

I have been listening to “Synthetic Emotion” on a loop for a while now, and with each play, another sonic nuance comes to light between pulses of the audio tapestry, rich with captivating signal processing and solid rhythm.

Listen on Soundcloud.

Buy on Google Play

Follow She’s Got Claw’s on Twitter.

#WEATNU Digital Magazine – Nov 3, 2015

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October 26, 2015
Michael O’Morah

Jazzykat – Action Reaction (A-B Side Single)

By Michael O’Morah 

For over 4 years Jazzykat has been an Electronic Musician and when I listen to her Music, I can definitely feel the Deep House, Chill-out Vibe that beats in her Heart. I took the time to truly appreciate some of Jazzykat’s earlier Releases and enjoyed listening to them greatly; but her latest, ‘Action Reaction’ (A-B Side Single) gets even better and these tracks are smooth as a dish of soft-serve Ice Cream!
This new Weatnu Records release, by Jazzykat, is fully instrumental and from my listening experience, the music speaks very well for itself. She is masterful in evoking musical imagery through her expression and to my ears, any vocals here would be extraneous.
Firstly, The A-Side, part of the single is, ‘Action Reaction,’ which appealed to me immediately as something I’d want to hear when I’m just warming up or just winding down. While ‘Action Reaction’ may make the moment mellow it certainly won’t put you to sleep! Driven by a subdued beat, Jazzykat hits you with an outstanding, (whether by accident or design), NuDisco Lead Guitar Homage to the early 80’s Disco and Michael Jackson “Thriller” Era!
Accompanying the Lead Guitar Riff on Track 1 is one unabashedly, phatty Synth Oscillator that sounds a little like a Tuba Player intermittently pumping in bright kinetic energy relentlessly pushing the music forward. Which not only reinforces the beat, but I also perceived how this Brassy Oscillator counterpoised the Keyboards. While by no means the equivalent of a Brass Band, I have to say it seriously reminded me of what a killer horn section can do for any song. Jazzykat’s Bass Guitar is steeped in soulful Tremolos which gently soothed the energy of Side – A: Action Reaction creating a regulated temperature and mood. What really made side-a gel is the Artist’s drawn out Synth Pads whereby she calls forth ’80’s memories and Mr. Fingers’ Feel for Deep House!
Flipping over to ‘Action Reaction’s B-Side, is Track 2, ‘Bad Dreams’. Here, Jazzykat lays down a bold Bass and Congas beat, while Doppler-like Synths zip, like traffic rushing by. Just when you’d think this makes for some grinding House. Jazzykat cleverly experiments with the Pregnant Pause to suspend the Listener and delve into Dark Ambiance! She then playfully tickles the Ivories for good measure before reengaging the rhythm. ‘Bad Dreams’ uses those previously mentioned auditory traffic cues to segue as the Listener floats through the ether from one sonic scene of a dream to another, randomly throughout the song.
The Atmosphere created by ‘Action Reaction’ becomes the perfect Climate of Grooves and Beats with some cool Drift. Further, Action Reaction, by Jazzkat, can tune you into a vibrant ambiance for your kicked-back hideaway. Need a moment to break away from the pulsating whirligig and pounding madness of Work and Night-life? Seize that moment where you can be laid-back and Chill with, ‘Action Reaction’ (A-B Side Single) by Jazzykat only on Weatnu Records.

Follow Jazzykat on Twitter

#WEATNU Digital Magazine – Oct 26, 2015

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October 22, 2015
Michael O’Morah

Uncles of Wise – Flyt

By Michael O’Morah

Uncles of Wise have landed with a paradoxically energetic yet relaxing EP entitled Flyt, released by Weatnu Records. Spawned from the Trivia Corporation. Uncles of Wise have been creating an exquisite brand of Electronica, House, Techno, Ambient and Dub since 1994 by direction of solo Sheffield artist, who simply goes by the same name.
Due to the eclectic style and methods by which Uncles of Wise composes music, I found it difficult to put my finger on any direct influences for this EP. However, Uncles of Wise have revealed, Underworld, Orbital, deadmau5, Daniel Avery, Chemical Brothers, The Black Dog and The Orb to be some of his favorite Artists. Now, it would be no surprise where I to learn that The Orb, Deadmau5, Chemical Brothers and the like, led Uncles of Wise to soar into these Techno-spheric Skies, but they are certainly a unique species themselves.
After I listened to the EP, Flyt, I decided to do a little reflecting back through the Uncles of Wise Discography. As indulged in this nostalgia, I could detect faint traces of Panopticon, and Circles evincing that Flyt has kept the line of Heredity strong and cogent. Uncles of Wise stand true to the’ Musical Style the UK artist has developed while ratcheting down the vocals a bit.
This Minimalist approach is most alluring, effectively enveloping the listener in a vortex of swirling, pulsating rhythms that lift you out of Urban drudgery. Flyt is an ambient journey that can whiz one through fast-moving Synthesizer Sequences which ripple by and spiral through scales of irresistible syncopation to the Rhythm of a clap and foot-thumping bass-driven Techno House and Big Beat. Meanwhile beckoning Female Vocals slip in and out with sultry echoes of siren song through the wormholes of your Conscious Mind.
I found the experience of listening to the three tracks of the EP to be an very engrossing experience. It felt warm and comfortable like I was ensconced in a booth near the back of the Mezzanine of a posh nightclub, while enjoying my drink with an old Friend or some new Companion! If you’re into Techno on the mellow side with a hot-house beat, then Flyt by Uncles of Wise will certainly take you where you want to be. Flyt is available on Weatnu Records.

Also on Bandcamp

Follow Uncles of Wise on Twitter.

#WEATNU Digital Magazine

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