Each week we select music from an independent artist we’re excited about and bring it to you, for free, as our Indie Free Download. Tycho is the name taken by San Francisco-based artist/designer/producer Scott Hansen. His new album, Dive, is a celebratory, hazed-over collection of digital pop snapshots. Taking the cold minimalism of both Brian Eno and Boards of Canada and injecting a moderate does of West Coast sunshine, Tycho has created the ultimate sounds for future road trips (real or imagined).
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
What if Prince had put down his guitar, picked up a drum machine, and scored Flashdance instead of Purple Rain? The climactic audition scene would sound like what Niki & the Dove presents in “The Drummer”: mystical electro-pop pinned with an infernal sexiness and a retro percussive stomp. The duo of Malin Dahlström and Gustaf Karlöf (yes, another cool Swedish export) embraces ethereal pathos on the dance floor, holding on by the thinnest of fingernails. “The Drummer” is the title track on the latest Niki & the Dove EP.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we’ll be selecting music from an independent artist we’re excited about and bringing it to you, for free, as our Indie Free Download. These soulful Swedes attracted serious shine last year when they appeared on Gorillaz’ Plastic Beach. Now Little Dragon unveils its latest full-length, Ritual Union, featuring the jam “Nightlight.” On this standout cut, the quirky quartet paints a kinetic, electro-soul vibe perfect for spinning at a late-night lounge or house party. Led by Yukimi Nagano’s icy-cool vocals, the swanky song reminds us of early Prince and ESG, updated with electronic flourishes.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Each week we’ll be picking selecting music from an independent artist who we’re excited about and bringing it to you, for free, as our Indie Spotlight Download. Though synth-pop suffers from a cold computerised stigma, Metronomy squeezes vintage keyboards for natural warmth, the way Giorgio Moroder did, and adds the spatial elasticity of Autechre. The result is an electronic groove that clicks on multiple platforms: the fashion-show runway, the crush-on-you playlist and the last 100 meters of a run. Check out this free Metronomy single, which appears on their latest album, The English Riviera
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
