Health- "Death Magic"

HEALTH is a musical conundrum by sheer definition.  Born out of a pastiche of cacophonous synths and percussive blasts of sheer noise, the band's latest album Death Magic, is elegantly violet and visceral from beginning to end.  Formed in 2007 and gaining rabid appreciation thanks in part to a remix from fellow avant-popsters Crystal Castles, HEALTH released their self-produced/self-titled debut to almost immediate critical acclaim.  Mixing contortionist noise rock and hack/slash electronics with unaffected, melodic vocals, the band has continuously reinvented itself with each of its albums and counterpart remix albums.

With nearly five years and no new material proper from the band (par for a surprisingly brilliant turn as soundtrack composers for the video game Max Payne 3), HEALTH quietly released the track "New Coke" to Sirius XM to surprising jubilation.  Death Magic  finds the band honing their patented sound and refining it to its most impacting and streamlined- embracing their adoration for modern pop hooks and crafting a record that balances both the menacing and the elegant.

Get your copy of HEALTH's "DEATH MAGIC" by clicking RIGHT HERE!

RATATAT- "Magnifique"

RATATAT, or the dynamic duo of Evan Mast and Mike Stroud, made a name for themselves in the Brooklyn underground through a series of self-released demos and remixes.  Their patented instrumental recipe of swirling distorted guitars over hip hop beats rapidly gained the attention of labelmakers and fellow artists alike, garnishing them a prolific touring circuit including a rare performance at the Guggenheim Museum.  The two released 4 albums within the span of their career before seemingly disappearing on an unspoken hiatus.  Nearly 5 years after their last album "LP4", RATATAT has finally returned with their follow-up, "Magnifique".

"Magnifique" is hardly a departure from the band's patented sound (which is a welcome break in the monotony of modern music's predilection for the melancholic)- what they've managed to emphasize this go-ground is dynamics.  Where most instrumental acts meander through soundscapes with elegance and grace, RATATAT punctuate with shrill guitars and keyboard work throughout- creating a unique sound  that's equal part excitement and exploration. 

Get your copy of RATATAT's "MAGNIFIQUE" by clicking RIGHT HERE!

Unknown Mortal Orchestra- "Multi-Love"

Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the brainchild of former Mint Chicks member Ruban Neilson, debuted their initial offering (the single track "Ffunny Ffreiends") anonymously on Bandcamp without explanation, source, or fanfare. Upon various blogs and curious parties' elevated interest, Neilson dubbed the track a product of Unknown Mortal Orchestra.  The remainder of their history seemingly attracts similar secrecy and a knowing lack of disclosure.  With firm roots in throwback psychedelia and steadfast experimental pop, their debut album and consequential follow-up "II" quickly became critical darlings.

Their latest offering, "Multi-Love", is a welcome-change of pace however.  Sprinkling hints of lo-fi synth tapestries, (meticulously) compressed drums and some of the finest production of the year- Neilson has broken his own patented formula by raiding the bins of avant-funk and deep soul.  The results are a surprisingly tactile bag of legitimate jams and bedroom eyed grooves that service the melancholic dancefloors and after hours clubs equally.

To get your copy of UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA's "MULTI-LOVE" CLICK HERE!

Skrillex and Diplo present "JACK U"

Skrillex and Diplo. Clear all preconceived notions you may have about the pair of prolific DJ's, whether you like them or not-- separately they have managed to undercut the world of modern EDM for better or worse to varying degrees.  Both have relentlessly spawned mass-cult followings and heightened their direction with each release- so the collaboration of the two could prove to be a team-up of box office super hero proportions- WHICH IT IS.

Admittedly, any reviewer is looking for an excuse to rip the titans down- but Jack ü makes it difficult to find any cracks in the surface.  With a barrage of guest spots including Keiza, 2 Chainz, Justin Bieber and Missy Elliot, the album hits all the right notes to be a perfect summer dance album; effortlessly incorporating silky r&b-laced chorus among patented Diplo/Skrillex beat drops.  This album is the epitome of two individual artists feeding off each others' frenetic energy to ensure the party never stops.

Full disclosure, this particular reviewer absolutely hated both Diplo and Skrillex prior to hearing this album- but now? I'd consider myself a convert.

Get your copy of Jack ü by Skrillex and Diplo RIGHT HERE!

Jamie XX- "In Colour"

Jamie XX has been an integral contributor to the select movement of indie artists unfurling genres to reignite the flames of their tired sounds.  As a founding member of bedroom-eyed slow jammers, The xx, Mister XX injected soulful gloom and R&B-inspired grooves into minimalist indie pop to create their cool, collected pastiche.  His library of remixes and collaborations with Gil-Scott Heron have proven his confidence behind the board as a producer as well-- layering songs with ethereal poise, always on the brink of breaking the subdued for the anthemic.

His debut full-length, "In Colour", boasts Jamie at the height of his wünderkid proficiency. Lacking the deliberate restraint he demonstrates with The xx, "Colour" is immediately striking with its dancefloor push; confidently reeling the listener in from the first few notes.  Above all else, the album should be a course-study for up-and-coming young producers as an exercise in mood & punctuation; XX's knack for elevating the listener with auditory purpose is unsurpassed.  Blissfulness and melancholy ride in tandem throughout the album, which is arguably Jamie XX's strength as both an artist and producer; which should prove to make for a hypnotic career to come.

CLICK HERE to get YOUR copy of JAMIE XX's "IN COLOUR"

Holly Herndon- "Platform"

In the world of experimental music it takes an undeniable polar shift to transpire new blood, let alone new ideas and execution.  The realm of uncovered sounds has become the uncompromising battlegrounds for synth patches, vocal samplings and unlimited noise chucked through filters and processors until they become unrecognizable from its source.  Enter Holly Herndon, the potential phoenix from the ashes of the modern avant garde movement.

With a guarded, logic-based approach to songcrafting, Herndon's penchant leans toward the melancholic side of the spectrum; swelling orchestrated electronics are punctuated with whisper-soft elegant vocals throughout, mindful of the prospects of truncated noise.  Forgoing the standard-issue cliches of your run-of-the-mill Pitchfork darlings for more organic and ethereal textures, Holly Herndon's body of work could easily stand to be a welcome beacon of change for the audio visual community, and what a welcome change it would be.

Grab your copy of HOLLY HERNDON'S "PLATFORM" here!

STS & RJD2- "STSxRJD2"

RJD2 (or Ramble Jon Krohn to his compatriots) has been a noteworthy slaughterhouse of infectiously tight production and beatmaking since breaking onto the scene with 2002's "Deadringer" and has consistently had a hand in making high-impact hip hop.  His solo career and various collaborations, including "Magnificent City" with Aceyalone (the instrumental for "A Beautiful Mine" has since been co-opted as the opening titles theme for a little show called Mad Men), has spanned a number of high-ranking footnotes in modern DJing. His knack for unleashing newcomers and showcasing their work as the elder-statesman brings us to his latest endeavor: "STSxRJD2".

Atlanta-bred, Philly-native rapper Silver Tongue Slim (STS) has the makings of a hip hop prodigy: lightning-fast rapid-fire delivery (think Andre3000 at the height of his game) and lyrical precision that rivals the best the underground has to offer. Easily one of the rap-game's best kept secrets, RJD2 embellishes the high points with the ease of a soundtrack composer and the two deliver an album of bouncy, high-energy soul-woven tracks primed for summer.

Grab YOUR copy of STSxRJD2 by clicking RIGHT HERE!