100% Silk records

100% Silk is a new Not Not Fun related label ('sister label' is the relationship) that specializes in the more dancey end of the spectrum. Still skwewed, still forward thinking, it keeps in line with the interesting/challenging releases offered by Not Not Fun. So far 100% Silk has been one of the highlight labels of the year for me. Specializing in sort of left leaning electro, and more specifically: a little italo-disco referencing. To date 100% Silk has released four 12"s ( all of which play at 45rpm) and all of which have been stellar. Seriously. This is a label to keep your eye on. Gorgeous art + killer tracks = mandatory. And these things are only $8 (US) per 12"!

First up on the player we have Maria Minerva with Disko Bliss which sounds like Olde English Spelling Bee gone disco. It's a lose and percussive affair with a serious FM bent to it. Layered and punchy, but also possessing a pastiche-like quality, it's disco for those that do or do not love disco sounds.

Then we have Cuticle dropping Flair a bouncey, squelchy electro number that again is forward thinking enough to have those that don't normally like 'this sort of thing' re-thinking their stance. And as a PS I HIGHLY suggest you click the link below from Boomkat to preview more of the Cuticle tracks...wow!

For more sneak peeks check out the labels discography via Boomkat

Hiit up the label's homepage at http://listentosilk.blogspot.com/

Odd Future on Fallon/Cut Copy/Gold Panda - VIDEO ROUNDUP

Alice Gun - Not made for this world

Perfume Genius may just have the perfect touring buddy. This is just lovely.

http://www.myspace.com/alicegun

Alice Gun - Not Made For This World (Single Edit) by ambiguousrecords

Monster Rally - Coral (full album)

Monster Rally remind me of: Avalanches/Madlib/Air/Air France/Onra/etc. Yet, Monster Rally is its own beast. Below is the whole album "Coral" for your listening pleasure. I recommend you hit play and give this one a taste. This is a great one to get lost in and is sure to elevate all those with the winter blues.

If you want the 12" (and you ought to) grab it from Gold Robot.

Rainbow Arabia -- Without You

Years ago Rainbow Arabia added me as a friend on myspace. I always kept an eye on them, and now they have a new album due on Kompakt. This is good news. Kompakt is a forward thinking label mostly associated with techno, yet always brave enough to delve into the peripheries of electronic music. "Without You" is the first single we are hearing from Rainbow Arabia's soon to be released (Feb 2011!) album Boys and Diamonds and it is damn impressive. RA have evolved and have found their own niche within the overcrowded world of electronic-tinged pop. This is special stuff. Needless to say, keep this album on your radar.

Pre-order via Insound (US) or Boomkat (UK)
RAINBOW ARABIA -WITHOUT YOU by Kompakt. Uploaded with BandPage by RootMusic

Visions of Trees - Sometimes It Kills

Visions of Trees have been on my radar for quite some time, mainly due to Osker and his wicked blog no modest bear. Now we have this lovely new 7" out on Moshi Moshi. "Sometimes It Kills" is ethereal and glitchy. Two words that don't normally go together, sure, but I guess all it really took was waiting for a band that had the right touch. Enjoy!
Sometimes It Kills by Visions of Trees

Punks Jump Up - Blockhead

Punks Jump Up - Blockhead (Official Kitsune) from Mustashrik Mahbub on Vimeo.

Memory Tapes - Today is Our Life

New stuff. New album to follow as well. Yes!

Memory Tapes : "Today Is Our Life" from Jamie Harley on Vimeo.

Glass Vaults - New Space

Glass Vaults are from New Zealand and make ambient/big bat/shoegaze music according to their myspace page. I hear quite a bit of a balearic influence in there as well. Ambient balearic; a rare combination I think. Anyway, their Glass EP is a great little offering that you can snag for FREE via their bandcamp or better yet purchase from JUKBOXR. New Space is the 5 song EPs mid-point and could you write a better midpoint to an EP of this sort? The slow build to that huge beat and those slow swells of bealearic beats n' busy-ness. Great stuff! DO NOT MISS. Remember: I said FREE.

Keep Shelly In Athens - Hauntin Me

The new Keep Shelly In Athens 7" is being put out by the consistenetly-on-point Transparent recs and is up for pre-order at Puregroove.co.uk right here. KSIA released one of my favourite songs of 2010 with Cremona Memories and Hauntin' Me is another winner from these guys. Order away because their 12" on Forest Family Recs sold out so quick it broke my heart.
Keep Shelly in Athens - Hauntin' Me by TransparentRecs

Two Door Cinema - What You Know (music video)

I thought this genre had been exhausted. Apparently some weird rhythms and cool percussion touches were all it took. Kitsune still has the touch.