Mannequin Pussy Photo: Marcus Maddox
Floating Points, “LesAlpx”
[Ninja Tune, June 18]
Jesus, is it already possible to be nostalgic not just for the aughts, but for the decade’s latter half? We wouldn’t have thought so until we put on the new single by English electronic producer Floating Points. “LesAlpx” harks back to the twilight supernova of French house—when Ed Banger Records, Justice, and Vitalic’s riffy electro reigned—as well as the rubbery German tech house of Booka Shade and the starry Scandinavian minimalism of Lindstrøm. Then again, that’s when Sam Shepherd started making house music as Floating Points, so after spending some years paddling in more atmospheric ethers, it makes sense that he would return there. Head-clearing and floor-filling, “LesAlpx” is the textbook definition of back-to-basics, though there’s nothing academic about the bold, threshing groove that Shepherd throttles and filters, drains and saturates, so it growls and zaps around an irresistible giddy-up drum. The first time we hear a DJ abut this with “Like A G6,” we’re going to lose our shit. [Brian Howe]
Black Midi, Schlagenheim
[Rough Trade, June 21]
Black Midi’s volatile 2018 Brixton live shows got so many people talking that, with just one recorded song to its name, the band inked a record deal with Rough Trade. Debut album Schlagenheim encapsulates the London foursome’s live mania: Frequent dynamic and tempo shifts, unconventional song structures, and sounds danceable, anxious, or aggressive (or sometimes all three) return unpredictability to rock music. On “Reggae,” whispers and jittery guitar lines build to sneering and six-string slashing, before collapsing into a shrieking, mosh-worthy breakdown. “Western” is innocuous enough until its arid placidity explodes into twanging tremolo and impossibly rapid drumming, which itself gradually transitions into an abrasive instrumental free-for-all. On “953,” an extended false start leads to a ferocious groove that’s later reprised in double-time. Schlagenheim proves that, both live and on record, there’s no telling what Black Midi will do next. [Max Freedman]
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For anyone looking for some summertime bangers to blast in your car, check out The Lords of Flatbush 3 by The Underachievers that just dropped today
…while Alicia Keys gets a similarly impressive showcase for her talents in orchestral club track “Truth” (helped by The Last Artful and Dodgr).The Last Artful, Dodgr is the name of the musician. That comma isn’t there to separate two bands.
That Chelsea Wolfe song is as good as I’ve come to expect from her. Definitely hearing some Emma Ruth Rundle vibes there, another artist I really appreciate. Looking forward to hearing Wolfe’s new album.
Yeah, I was hoping someone else would feel like this had some Emma Ruth Rundleness to it! I think if the two of them ever made a record together with the Jay Jayle dudes filling out the band, it’d probably be my record of the decade.
I had never heard of Emma Ruth Rundle, though I’ve liked everything I’ve heard from Red Sparrowes. I guess I have some more music to check out now.
I’m so glad that Mannequin Pussy is getting some notice. I’ve been digging on that song for a few months, I really like it.
Man, them and Frederick Douglass.
I saw them play a show last year with Yowler and Lvl Up, it was a super small venue and they were the first ones playing. I have a feeling they’ll be in some bigger rooms soon. Which is good, because they need a bit more space for the amount of headbanging the bassist is doing.
Also out today: Titus Andronicus – An ObeliskAlso, YOU’RE a mannequin pussy.
“I Dare You” by the Regrettes is easily my favorite new song (and video) of the week.
That feels very Matt & Kim happy.