Immolate Yourself

January 20, 2009 marks the release of Telefon Tel Aviv's (Charles Cooper and Joshua Eustis) newest LP titled Immolate Yourself. The album works to reconnect the more modern and minimal, glitch style that the duo is known for with a throwback of ephemeral vocals from their earlier work. The vocal stems and synth sets used to distort them are used in a manner similar to the stellar M83 album Saturdays = Youth from 2007.

Though still tying into classic Telefon Tel Aviv roots, Immolate Yourself is a definite shift of paradigm, almost like their own Human After All, wherein Daft Punk strayed from their comfort zone in an attempt for something fresh. However, Immolate is more reinforced as an album with strong continuity and persistent audio assaults of beautiful synth change-overs, a high saturation of ambient rhythm supporting the foreground, and powerful vocal breakdowns. This is especially notable in the opening track "The Birds", which builds up with muffled keys to a powerful pinch pattern, and again in "You Are the Worst Thing in the World."

A move to a new record label may also have contributed to a change in style. Now a member of BPitch Control, the team notes that:

"Gone are all of the high-definition micro-edit minutiae in favor of a new approach to texture for us - long form."

Tracklist

01 The Birds
02 Your Mouth
03 M
04 Helen of Troy
05 Mostly Translucent
06 Stay Away from Being Maybe
07 I Made a Tree on the Wold
08 Your Every Idol
09 You Are the Worst Thing in the World
10 Immolate Yourself

"This Lady...Does She Perhaps Have a Name?"

With the late 2008, self titled release, Pip Brown of Ladyhawke has prominently placed herself in a rising position within the electro-pop scene. The New Zealand native blends rhythmic guitars and bass with a pronounced and classical (almost vintage 1980's) feel of electro. Her lower, classical vocal range provides for a more unconventional, yet refreshing foreground to create a multi-modular cascade of sound, each element blending effortlessly with the other.

Though this release is a new addition to the game, by no means is Brown an inexperienced musician. She had previously been involved in two native Australian bands. Wellington was an initiative straight out of high school that she started with some friends, which led her to eventually pairing up with Nick Littlemore of Pnau to form Teenager. After two years collaborating with Nick, they parted ways so she could begin to focus on a conceptual solo effort dubbed Ladyhawke.

The album can be purchased both through Amazon and in the iTunes store. Click to preview a selection of tracks.

Featured Flashback Album: Ellen Allien - Thrills

Thrills is the fourth full length studio album from German electronic artist Ellen Allien. The ten tracks across the entire album feature blended elements of classic techno and new-age electro. The style of Allien has been said to be tough to pin to a specific genre, as she tends keep even the most flashiest of beats saturated with an experimental feel.

Though electronic in nature, Thrills also incorporates ethereal vocals to compliment the stylistic rhythms of her work. The opening track Come gives off a summative perspective on the album's musical intentions, as it uses heavy synth sets layered over a pronounced bass line. Definitely a good investment.

Tracklist for Tuesday December 23, 2008

Rex The Dog - Maximize 2008
The Knife - Silent Shout
Thunderheist - Bubblegum
Photophob - Huge Storm Coming
Ellen Allien and Apparat - Way Out
CFCF - Arctic
MSTRKRFT - Wow (Kylie Minogue)
Ladytron - Predict the Day
Deadmau5 - So There I Was
I Am Robot And Proud - Something To Write Home About
Danger - 19h11
Dosh - Don't Wait for the Needle to Drop
Junior Boys - Teach Me How To Fight
The Knife - Heartbeats (Rex The Dog Remix)
Headman - Catch Me If You Can (Bag Raiders Remix)
CFCF - Call Girl

Tracklist for Tuesday December 16, 2008

Justice - Phantom Pt. II
Junior Boys - In the Morning
Just a Band - We Are
Deadmau5 - Faxing Berlin
Deadmau5 - Not Exactly
Tycho - Sunrise Projector
MSTRKRFT - The Looks
Crystal Castles - Vanished
Danger - 11h30
MSTRKRFT - Street Justice (Essential Mix)
Mouse on Mars - Chartnok
Caribou - Lord Leopard
Concentrick - Undreamt
Headman - Catch Me if You Can (Bag Raiders Remix)
Apparat - Arcadia
Boys Noize - Oh! (A-Trak Remix)
Caribou - Pelican Narrows
Hot Chip - Hold On

Tracklist for Monday December 8, 2008

The Galvatrons - When We Were Kids (Bag Raiders Remix)
Boys Noize - Oh! (A-Trak Remix)
Crystal Castles - Black Panther
Deadmau5 - Complications
Some German Track I Can't Remember The Name Of
Kavinsky - Testarossa Autodrive (SebAstian Remix)
I Am Robot And Proud - The Catch
Tycho - The Daydream
Holy Fuck - Nude (Radiohead)

A Cross The Universe