† time

I’ve been rocking 'Phantom pt. I' since late ‘06, and it’s still absolutely ace. This track is ‘Da Funk’ for the ‘00s. Now that Justice's album † has officially dropped in Europe all heck has broken loose; yet another solid 2007 electro release set to rub shoulders with LCD Soundsystem, The Field, Lindstrom, and many others on ‘Best of’ end-of-year mixes.

Justice - Phantom pt. I
Justice – Waters of Nazareth

If you haven’t already, listen to the above tracks immediately, but then check out ‘Valentine’. It’s a little slice of 80’s electro space-pop complete with bouncing synths, throbbing bass, and typically gritty Justice production that would fit nicely into the Clockwork Orange soundtrack.

Justice – Valentine

If you're near London, England this weekend be sure to catch Justice at Wild in the Country with Simian Mobile Disco, Tiga, Hot Chip, Underworld and others. North Americans, expect † Stateside July 11th and undoubtedly on an Internet near you right now.

- a.m.p.m.

Silence, please.

I've really been enjoying the track 'Silence' off the Field's album From Here We Go Sublime lately. Sure, the whole album is absolutely solid, but I can listen to all seven minutes and thirty-five seconds of this baby and still be yearning for more.

The Field - Silence

- a.m.p.m.

Admirable Love

As is the trend these days, the new Interpol album Our Love to Admire has leaked weeks before its intended July 10th official release. After just a few listens, it's clear that there are no weak tracks to be found here - first single 'Heinrich Maneuver' is classic high-energy Interpol, and bloggers are currently going bananas over album opener 'Pioneer to the Falls' and the introspective 'No I in Threesome'. However, in my opinon the real gems are to be found in the latter section of the album.

'Pace is the Trick' nods to the album's theme of predator vs. prey, love vs. lust. Soaring vocal tracks overlap, stating 'Now I select you, slow down and let you, see how I stun' while simultaeneously declaring 'I've seen love, and I follow the speed and the starlight'. The album's flawless production shines through particularly well on this one.

Penultimate track 'Wrecking Ball' is one of this year's best (thus far). Think 'NYC' with less New York and more Cares; while Interpol has always been sombre, the sad beauty here represents the band at their best. Regal horns, a swelling string section and Paul Banks' back-tracked vocals flitting from left to right close out the track in Arcade Fire-esque glory.

Do yourself a favour and pre-order your copy now or trot down to your local record store on July 10th. Make no mistake: this is one of the year's best albums.

Interpol - Pace is the Trick
Interpol - Wrecking Ball

As a side note, a series of menacing video clips featuring prey and predator in their natural habitat has been created to promote Our Love to Admire. Feast your eyes (and ears) on these two:

- a.m.p.m.

Remix Sunday

One of my favourite tracks of late, Justice's 'D.A.N.C.E', has been remixed by one of my favourite knob-twiddlers, MSTRKRFT. Unsurprisingly, the results are quite good. The track begins with the familiar catchy schoolchildren sample in almost original form, but MSTRKRFT apply their patented remix process by speeding the BPMs up just a smidge, chopping up the vocal samples, and adding even more French electro guitar and synth noodling. It all builds up to a head that predictably (but satisfyingly) culminates with a breakdown two thirds of the way through, but even at almost 5 minutes this one seems to end a little too soon.

Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (MSTRKRFT Remix)

- a.m.p.m.

Gripping

A new Go! Team track has made its debut on BBC1, and after repeated listens I believe it's up to par with Thunder Lightning Strike. Can't wait for the new album to drop in a few months.

The Go! Team - Grip Like A Vice

- a.m.p.m.

Rosuto

During my visit to Japan in April I was surprised by how many people I ran into that liked the same music as I do. In fact, the Japanese music scene (especially in Tokyo) is incredible and most Japanese indie kids listen to the same stuff as we Westerners, plus some other really cool shit you've never heard of. I hope to stay in contact with many of the amazing people I met there (thank you Facebook) and discover more amazing Japanese tunes.

To put it in perspective, note how fantastic the lineups at the Fuji Rock Festival and Summer Sonic are this year. They're pretty much the two largest music festivals in Japan and from all accounts are nothing short of incredible. Fuji Rock alone features Deerhoof, Chromeo, Kings of Leon, Ratatat, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Justice, Peter Bjorn and John, Electrelane, Feist, Chemical Brothers, The Album Leaf, !!!, The Shins, Simian Mobile Disco, Battles, and heaps more. I mean, come on. If you're in Japan this summer, be there or be shikaku.

-Andrew M

It's A Contender

Yes, The National's new album Boxer is tight. Yes, it'll likely be an album of the year. Yes, you can have a free song now.

The National - Slow Show

-Andrew M.

Boyz in the Hood

Bridging the Atlantic favourites The Hood Internet released their first mixtape album yesterday as a free download and it's a doozy. Fans of mashups will find plenty here to satisfy; the Timbaland/Hot Chip fusion 'Give It To My Boy From School' is particularly awesome. Do yourself a favour and grab it now - the price is right.

The Hood Internet - The Mixtape Volume One

-Andrew M

June Tunes

Summer's almost here, again. It feels like I was just saying that at the end of April, but now I'm saying it again about the summer course on Bollywood cinema I'm taking for two and a half more weeks. That combined with a bi-weekly commute to the camp I work at make for a lot of traveling and iPod charging.

Here are some tracks that have been in high rotation recently:

Kanye West - Stronger (feat. Daft Punk)

Justice - Phantom Pt. 2

The New Pornographers - My Rights Versus Yours
Handsome Furs - Dead+Rural
LCD Soundsystem - No Love Lost (Joy Division cover)
- LCD was solid-sounding live and played most of Sound of Silver along with a couple older tracks, like Movement, Yeah and Daft Punk (obviously).
Feist - Sea Lion Woman
Arcade Fire - Antichrist Television Blues
- I agree with Bowie that these guys are the best band in the world. I had a brutal seat but it was so worth it.

-Andrew W.

Radical, dude

I should have posted something about Radical Face way back in March, but completely forgot to. Sorry about that. Radical Face is actually the solo effort of one Ben Cooper who still makes up half of another project called Electric President with pal Alex Kane. The song 'Welcome Home' from Radical Face's newly release album Ghost is one of my top tracks of 2007 so far due to its gentle but infectiously catchy melody, beautiful vocal harmonies and lush orchestration. 'Wrapped in Piano Strings' is another sweet track that shouldn't be missed.

Radical Face - Welcome Home

-Andrew M