Pop Fix: AlunaGeorge

AlunaGeorge

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"Little grey fairy tales
And little white lies
Everything you exhale is attracting flies

And you can go off the rails
And you can cry your eyes out
But everything you exhale is attracting flies"

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Uber cool English electronic duo AlunaGeorge, comprised of vocalist Aluna Francis and producer George Reid, casually entered the UK charts and airwaves last year and are now becoming regulars on stations across Australia.  Cheeky lyrics and a unique 90s RnB inspired sound has AlunaGeorge grabbing attention of lovers of pop, soul, house and rnb genres alike.

Collaborating with UK House DJs Disclosure for the smash hit "White Noise," saw AlunaGeorge make their mark on the musical map, and with their follow up single "You Know You Like It," the duo are working to truly cement their unique and funky sound.

Their debut album "Body Music" was released here in Australia July 26th, 2013 and has been lapped up by Aussie fans, currently holding a 4.5 star rating on itunes.  Reviews are so far positive and full of high praise for the duo, however many critics interested to see how AlunaGeorge will be received in the long term and if their music and sound will resonate with listeners over time.

"The entire album is sexy and strange and sugary all at once. That these songs were recorded over the course of a couple years (straddling a major-label deal) and still maintain total fluidity throughout speaks to the strength and maturity of the duo’s initial formula." - Pitchfork, 2013

AlunaGeorge will be coming to Australia very soon, along with collaborator Disclosure, for Listen Out Festival which will be taking place across the country throughout late September and early October.  When asked what fans can expect at a live show AlunaGeorge responded, "A louder, slightly more acoustic version of our songs. We try and keep as close as possible to the original recordings. We’ve got a live bass player, a live hybrid kit, live keys. It has some softer moments here and there."  But with Disclosure also on tour, who know - perhaps a joint onstage performance can be expected?

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Read the full interview with AlunaGeorge in anticipation of their Australian tour at the AUReview.com.  Find AlunaGeorge on Facebook and Twitter. 

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Daft Punk - Random Access Memories

French musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter

"Loaded with guest starts and dazzling hooks, Random Access Memories is the long-anticipated return of Daft Punk. For their latest album, the French duo calls of a list of collaborators that's every bit as unexpected as the music itself, including legendary Italian electro producer Giorgio Moroder, vocalist/producer Pharrell Williams and Singer Julian Casablancas of The Strokes."

So, that's what the description on iTunes tells us, but have you heard the new Daft Punk album?

The album 'leaked' online earlier this week, and sure enough shortly after the album was available for streaming online across the globe whilst the duo launched their album at a celebrity filled shindig at The Shard right here in London Town.

Random Access Memories Track listing:

1. Give Life Back to Music feat. Nile Rodgers
2. The Game of Love
3. Giorgio by Moroder feat. Giorgio Moroder
4. Within feat. Chilly Gonzales
5. Instant Crush feat. Julian Casablancas
6. Lose Yourself to Dance feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
7. Touch feat. Paul Williams
8. Get Lucky feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
9. Beyond
10. Motherhood
11. Fragments of Time feat. Todd Edwards
12. Doin’ It Right feat. Panda Bear
13. Contact feat. DJ Falcon

And what did we all think of the music?  Well it's safe to say a fair few million of us were blown away.  Reminding us exactly why they are so awesome, Daft Punk's house music roots are evident throughout the track, with tracks injected with enough disco and funk to keep your body groovin' into the wee hours of the morning. (yes - "groovin")

Give Life Back to Music Feat Nile Rodgers - The song that featured on the Random Access Memories  teaser trailer - is almostly ridiculously epic but the build up is warranted being that is has been 8 years since the duo's last studio album. 

The Game of Love, the second track on the album is slow, passionate and deep but stays true to the signature sounds of Daft Punk.  Classic disco drum kit dance beats take you to a dark room where music is being played live and drinks are served on the rocks.  So many of these songs transport you to another place and time - Random Access Memories perfect mix of classic and modern music.  Timeless.

Daft Punk - Coachella - 2013

By now we've all heard the smash hit Get Lucky ft. Pharrell Williams and the funky riffs have a presence throughout almost all the tracks on the album.  Vocals aren't constant throughout the album, but even without the lyrical elements and even without the monoluges it is as if a story is being told through the entire album, and as well as individual songs.  Touch in particular takes you right back to another time. It's romantic and beautiful.

Giorgio's monoluge is gorgeous though, inspirational and passionate. He speaks of disco techs and the desire to create music with the sounds of 50s, 60s,  70s and the sound of the future.  Enter the syntheniser -  the sound of the future, the sound of Daft Punk.

STAND OUT TRACKS? Runners up to Get Lucky include Lose Yourself To Dance and Doin' it Right.  Clearly the best tracks on the album.*

There are so many good tracks on this album - keep an eye and an ear out for remixes which no doubt will be hot on the heels of the album release, happening 17th May 2013.

Can't wait till then? stream the album here

Also, check out interviews with all the collaborators on Random Access Memories
at www.randomaccessmemories.com

*according to Zach Camilleri.

Feel the Dub: Rudimental

Tune into pretty much any radio station in 2012 and it is extremely likely that your ears will be exposed to music that is, features or is inspired by some kind of electronic and or dubstep beat.

Words like "Nero" and "Skrillex" have entered our vocabulary, and we have even recently seen traditionally hiphop acts sample doof doof bass lines *cough*nickminaj*cough* and rock bands such as Muse feature dubstep on their most recent album trailer - which you can checkout on the rantypemusic clips and pieces page.

Rudimental want to bring soul back to electronic music

But amongst all the noise and sounds that are trying to earn their place in this thing we call music, one group have made a bangarang on the electronic charts in the UK, and are bringing their soulful rhythms to Australian airwaves.

The modest foursome that make up Rudimental say their influences are everything from 90s music, to hip hop, to jazz and soul.  Their hit "Feel the Love"  (Featuring John Newman), is the perfect example of how these genres can collaborate beautifully, making you want to sway side-to-side and run on the spot all at the same time.

In a time when it's hard to be seen through the noise Rudimental's tracks stay true to their electronic - house genre, remaining creative enough to stand out from the crowd.

Their next hit is "Spoons" which features MNEK and Syron, and also literally features spoons as the main percussion. Rudimental also offer a variety of remixes, notably putting a new spin on fellow Brit Ed Sheeran's hit "Lego House."

To find out more about Rudimental you can check out their profile on Black Butter, or download some tracks from the Soundcloud page.

Rudimental are:

Piers Agget

Kesi Dryden

Amir Amore

DJ Locksmith