James Yuill – Movement In A Storm
August 26th, 2010 | by Jennifer Kahn | published in acoustic, folktronica, indie pop | 3 comments
“Folktronica” is a troublesome and somewhat cringe-worthy label frequently used to describe the danceable synths and acoustic soulfulness of UK artist James Yuill. His newest album, Movement In A Storm, trades in some of the cuteness of earlier albums for a heavier tone and more aggressive beats.
Cibelle – The Shine of Dried Electric Leaves
August 13th, 2010 | by Tony Smith | published in female vocalists, folktronica, world music | 2 comments
A delightful Brazilian electronica album by Cibelle with a guest performance by Devendra Banhart.
Broadcast 2000 – Broadcast 2000
April 7th, 2010 | by Jess Alatorre | published in acoustic, folktronica, indie pop | 3 comments
Multitalented singer-songwriter Joe Steer is the main guy behind this music. He uses computer-generated looping to build lush arrangements with various acoustic instruments. The result? A smattering of folk, acoustic, indie musical layering. While in the past Steer played all the instruments, and then layered, this time he enlisted the help of violinist Tom Hobden of Noah and the Whale. His live shows feature a full live band, to recreate the songs he first composed.
Foxes in Fiction – Swung From The Branches
March 6th, 2010 | by Jason Grishkoff | published in experimental, folktronica, indie pop | no comments
Warren Hildebrand, the man behind Foxes in Fiction, is another in a line of them this year that have been flooding my inbox with their admirable work. Foxes in Fiction have released a 19 song album for free. The album is filled with dreamy songs that barely coalesce enough to call them songs.
February 13th, 2010 | by Jason Grishkoff | published in alternative, female vocalists, folktronica, trip hop | 1 comment
ased out of Helsinki, Finland, the five-piece group fuses alternative with trip hop, ultimately producing a pop sound reminiscent of Emiliana Torrini or a down-tempo Metric. The result is perfectly fitting for the terribly gloomy, winter weather that has gripped Washington, D.C. for the last few weeks. Ship of Light is their third release, following a reasonable amount of success with their sophomore release on Catskill, Ghost is Not Real.
Emiliana Torrini – Me and Armini
November 26th, 2009 | by Jason Grishkoff | published in alternative, female vocalists, folktronica, trip hop | 2 comments
An Icelandic female-vocalist doing something along the lines of a folk, downtempo Zero 7. You interested yet? Hell, just hit the play button to listen to Jungle Drum. Better yet, try out the second song I’ve got listed below, as that truly showcases the trip hop feel featured in much of this album. Me and Armini is Emilíana Torrini’s seventh full-length album, released in September 2008.
James Yuill – Turning Down Water For Air
November 23rd, 2009 | by Jess Alatorre | published in acoustic, folktronica, indie pop | 3 comments
This is a one-man attempt at electronica, and he’s nailed it. James Yuill has been on my playlist for months, but, as a sign that he’s not a one-week wonder for me, I’ve taken my time to listen, become accustomed to, and grow to love the sounds of folk and electronica
melting into one.
Bibio – The Apple and the Tooth
November 11th, 2009 | by Jason Grishkoff | published in ambient, experimental, folktronica, funk | no comments
It has been a matter of weeks since I first posted about Bibio, and his June 2009 album Ambivalence Avenue, and to be honest, the last thing that I was expecting was to see a new album released less than six months later. The feat is perhaps dampened by the fact that only four of these tracks are completely original to the artist, but the eight additional remixes featured on The Apple and the Tooth provide some real gems.
October 21st, 2009 | by Jason Grishkoff | published in ambient, experimental, folktronica, funk | 4 comments
Like English compatriots Bonobo and Caribou, Bibio has developed his own electronica style that is at once warm, funky, and full of all things experimental. Following a few releases that embodied a folk/field recording blend, Stephen Wilkinson signed with Warp records, home of my favorites, Boards of Canada. The product of his evolution stands in stark contrast to his prior work: it is as if he has evolved into a whole new beast.
Broadcast 2000 – Building Blocks EP
August 17th, 2009 | by Jess Alatorre | published in acoustic, folktronica, indie pop | 1 comment
The indie pop sounds of Broadcast 2000 include cello, glockenspiel, and guitar to create lovely upbeat melodies. Add some brit accented vocals and you have Sufjan Stevens if he were from London, but still, the sounds are original. From the likes of it, Broadcast 2000 is multi-instrumentalist Joe Steer with rotating friends supporting live sets.
