quick audio picks: 12
Kitsune's baaaack. It hasn't been long has it? They seem to consistently be pumping out releases. This here is the second one from London's indie electro outfit, Autokratz. "1000 Things(1)" is the harder of the two tracks - more of
the fist...
expand review pumping variety. The video game generation is going to be amped on this one, with lost of blips and bleeps. You get a nice little vocal hook and your set. Almost sounds like a Klaxons remix. "Last Show(2)" is a bit more calm, but still built for the dance floor. It sounds like what those new Depeche Mode tracks I imagine would sound like in a better world, if Timbo moved to Germany for a year and lost a bunch of weight and muscle mass through measured anorexia. A nice guitar line at the end adds an extra dimension to the band that you might not find with a lot of the newer electro groups. -Rezound
quick audio picks: 1234567
If you missed out on any of AutoKratz' singles for Kitsune over the past year or so, here's your chance to catch up and find out why these two Londoners have been blowing heads with their electro-rock / digital house productions. Along...
expand review with the new track "Hearts(1)," Down & Out includes every A- and B-side from their four 12"s, including the electro-rock carpet ride of "Reaktor(2)," blippy "1,000 Things(3)," the dirty techno of "French Girls Play Guitar(4)" and "Pardon Garcon(5)." Comes in a unique red and black jewel case - check under the tray for a surprise. 9 tracks; 46 minutes -Van Hammersly
quick audio picks: 12
They just released a 12" of this song featuring some hot remixers (Vicarious Bliss, Streetlife and Autokratz) but truthfully I don't know what's more appealing than the original. You can digitally chop something to death but it's kinda like stretching out the...
expand review ingredients in a recipe, don't ya think? The original has the youthful energy of the band, and although it may not be as dancefloor friendly, it still bangs. Here you have the original track(1) and the bonus track "Both Sides (Version 1)(2)" on the flip. Both songs are prime examples of the guitar based rock energy this band holds. Hype basslines, crispy drums and raw guitar riffs make the backbone, with a vocalist that'll turn the underground's ears as well as pop-minded peeps.
-C'mish
quick audio picks: 1234
Don't know if you keep up with the guitar bands overseas, but these London dudes are causing a stir with their tight, sharp licks, addictive melodies, and dance energy. This is their second appearance on Kitsune since their "Poor Innocent Boys" track...
expand review on Maison 2, and it seems they've only gotten more potent. Check their heavy chords and riffs on "To Cut A Long Story Short(1)." They've got monster sounds! To follow that up you've got Vicarious Bliss doing two remixes(2, 3), that slow it down and add a dense instrumental touch. Pure fire for the French-Electro minded. Streetlife, who did a sick remix for CSS' "Let's Make Love And Listen To Death From Above" earlier this year, also turns in a vox chop ballistic missle of a remix(4) that deserves an stadium sized audience. Autokratz turns in a choppy 80s flavored remix(5) that's a little more jamminâ™ than his tasty 12" earlier this year. All in all, a powerful original track with some insane remixers on wax can't be a bad look. Break out the strobe lights and cigarettes, it's party hardy time! -C'mish
quick audio picks: 1234
From the Avalanches, to AC/DC and especially to Kylie Minogue, Australian exports always manage to capture my man Roger Yamaha's heart. So when we got in this "Future(1) " single by Melbourne's Cut Copy, it wasn't hard to guess who would be...
expand review first in line to cop one. I can't blame him though. The quartet's slightly electro, synth-pop sound is incredibly catchy. They manage to subtly incorporate 80's production techniques while maintaining a sound that stays futuristic, thus avoiding the throwback label that many groups find themselves trying to escape these days. They further separate themselves from the pack by coming with lyrics that are interesting and a vocalist who can actually sing (as opposed to shriek), making an instrumental version unnecessary. To insure they get their point across they enlist three different groups/producers from three different countries for remix duties. The "Zongamin Remix(2) " is the most appealing, finding its sound in the simplicity of late 70's dance-rock. If you're a fan of Chromeo's Cameo-laced funk you'll appreciate their remix(3) ; and the fellas from !!! (Chk Chk Chk) offer another viable option on their almost entirely instrumental version (4). With four mixes that go in four separate directions, this is a pretty easy one to cop. -JMS
quick audio picks: 123
Lucky bastards. You get another shot at this Digitalism heater from last year. "Idealistic(1)" is textbook electro: big drum intro, new wave vocals, and Digitalism's patented synth weave. This duo is some of the best when it comes to putting synth...
expand review sounds together; also check out those drums, they mix in a natural kit for extra feel. There's two additional remixes(1,2), both sick, as expected. Digitalism does no wrong. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
More Digitalism! We've had "Idealistic(1)" before as a 12", but who can resist the perfect packaging on this little 7"? Open it up and feast your eyes on the sweet lime green colored vinyl. It's like candaay. Sure, the A-Trak remix on...
expand review the 12" was look, but WhoMadeWho's(2) is the slept on heat and it bangs just as hard. Plus, it's Kitsune. They never do you dirt. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 1
Take our word on it, this is going to be the electro track of the summer. Digitalism basically has not put out a dud since he's been featured at the Lab, and for Kitsune's 37th release, he's put out a crack smoker....
expand review Like most Digitalism tracks, "Jupiter Room(1)" starts off innocently, nice drums and some squigglies. The track pops its demonic head out at the midway point, where a synth build-up leads up to a preschool orgy of death! This shit is soooo mental, one of those tracks that will shake the foundations. Viva La France! Special one-sided single with deluxe etching on the b-side by Jence. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1234
Kitsune gives us four brand new mixes of Digitalism's 2007 crusher "Pogo," including the duo's own juiced up "Pogo Robotic Remix(1)." Their labelmates Hey Today!(2) come with a real heavy Ed Banger-style mix, while CSS mastermind Adriano Cintra's remix(3) lends a more...
expand review upbeat and typically CSS-ish feel to the proceedings. Also includes the "Beni's Re Edit Re Work Re Mix(4)" from Beni Single. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 123
"What does it cost to live a life of your dreams?" "How long will I be wondering of how I can be?" Just some of the real talk lyrics on this new single from that crazy electroclash duo Fischerspooner. I...
expand review know they've been dormant for a bit, but when I first started working here in 2005 they were HUGE! I couldn't look anywhere without seeing their name. It's now '08 and they're now on the fashionable electro rock label Kitsune, backed by two of their spotlight producers. The original of "The Best Revenge(1) is is sure to wet the palette of thier fans, but seeing how all music is cross pollinating, Autokratz' electro rave remix(2) is sure to get hipster DJ's sniffing out the goods. The real fire though is on the flip, where Alex Gopher(3) of "Motorcycle" fame, turns it into a super extended bass version, where escalating heartbeats and crunchy basslines lie. Just one last comment about the artwork, isn't dripping paint all over your face mad toxic? -C'mish