Title: decay
Artist: albino deers
169 plays
Albino Deers // Albino Deers
I’ve been really fascinated with the French cassette tape label Carpi Records for a few weeks now. They have a gentle aesthetic and release mainly ambient music that is heavy on atmosphere. One of their more recent releases comes from a project called Albino Deers and, in keeping with the internet age of anonymity, there is little information to be found about the identity of the person(s) behind the curtain.
Dealing mostly in looped samples, Albino Deers has crafted an album whose tone has a surprising range. Tracks like “Fleurs” and “Fur, Fur” feel like gently falling bits of snow ala the cover artwork while tracks like “Oliver” and “Decay” are downright ominous (the latter even includes some 1950’s sci-fi synth work). They even found a way to put the crackle of vinyl scratches to good use. Being one who doesn’t dabble in ambient music all that much I was surprised at how rapt I was by the album (perhaps the short runtime helped). I’ll most likely be revisiting this one again in the coming wintry months.
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BANDCAMP | TUMBLR | BLOGGER
Mediafired // The Pathway Through Whatever
Wow, it’s been well over a year since the last time I featured anything from Mediafired. Since then the creative mind behind it and I have had a curious working relationship. We only communicated every couple of months with him sending me tracks every once in a while and me going “holy cow, this is awesome.” Other than Mediafired he has worked under numerous monikers like Spinning Beach Ball of Death, jccg, and most recently Sofa Pits (whose debut album is being released by Chill Mega Chill). Oh, and he also runs his own cassette tape label in Portugal called Exo Tapes. So yeah, busy guy, right!?
Earlier today he shot over this his latest release to me and whoa, dude’s stepped up his game. It’s called The Pathway Through Whatever and it’s easily his best work to date. Working primarily with samples, Mediafired is like 20 years worth of pop culture placed into a blender with the nob turned up to 10. His sample choices, his imagery, even the name he goes by is taken from the modern era, chopped and mashed up, and fed right back to culture that spawned it.
This sonic, internet-flavored milkshake is being released by the most awesome Beer On the Rug and I couldn’t think of a better suited roster for it if I tried. Stream the whole thing on their bandcamp site and then snatch a tape up quick.
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SOUNDCLOUD | TWITTER
Brown Bread // “Far North”
It’s been a good couple of months since we’ve heard anything from Rebecca Doerfer AKA Brown Bread. Her last track “Where Were You Last Night” really blew me away with its haunting beauty and also the growth that took place between the release of her EP Cucciola and that track hinted at a ton of promise. Taking further steps into that dreamy territory, Rebecca just shared with me this beyond amazing video.
The clip is literally nothing more than Rebecca sitting in her room wielding two weapons to devastating effect. The first in her arsenal is a simple looping machine. The second weapon happens to be her Excalibur: her voice. Watch the video as she slowly and meekly drapes layer after layer of ethereal vocals on top of each other. As it builds and swells it becomes a thing of staggering beauty. She claims that the video is “nothing special”, but if this is her just goofing off I can only imagine what her next release holds in store. It drops sometime this month so keep an ear to the ground.
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BANDCAMP | SOUNDCLOUD | TUMBLR
mediafired // “sein und zeit” & “pixies”
I love receiving mysterious music in my inbox. It sort of forces you to listen to the music and analyze it on its own terms. Forget any preconceived notions that you might have otherwise had just listen to the music. Well, that was the case with mediafired. I received an email with links to these two songs which I hastily downloaded. As soon as I heard them I knew that I wanted to share them with you.
If you are a fan of the BEKO Digital Singles Label like me, then you probably saw that they partnered with Amdiscs to release a double compilation album awhile back. On the second disc of that comp was the song “cinderella’s big score” by mediafired. The song consisted primarily of a single sample that was chopped, looped, layered, slowed up and sped down on top of itself. The result was a surprisingly engaging listen. Well the two songs that he emailed me follow the same basic pattern: just the masterful manipulation of a sample. You’ll no doubt recognize the sample from “sein und zeit” as Wham!’s “Careless Whisper”, but believe me, you’ve never heard it like this before. So keep mediafired on the radar because he plans on recording a few more jams for release in the near future.
Oh, and an interesting factoid is that he is the same dude behind Spinning Beach Ball of Death. If you haven’t heard his album VIVA§, then you are definitely missing out. You can snag it for free from either his bandcamp or Amdiscs.
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gimme more: “sein und zeit” // “pixies”
*PREMIERE*
Roman Ruins // “The Comedown” (Galapagos Remix)
My friends at Gold Robot Records just sent me this new Roman Ruins remix by Galapagos. It was actually kinda perfect timing since Jacob from Galapagos emailed me his stuff and I’d been planning on writing about anyways. However, instead of me telling you about him, go visit Tripp over at Cool Things I Find since he just today posted about Galapagos’ debut EP Sounds Vol. 1.
Now Roman Ruins is a great project from Graham Hill, who some of you might know as the drummer for Beach House and Papercuts. On his PASTOR/AL 7” he has a track called “The Comedown”, and I’ll be goshdarned if it isn’t a beautiful little dream pop gem. There’s some 1980’s nostalgia in there, but for the most part you’ll just find yourself feeling like your bouncing from cloud to cloud, high-fiveing angels as you pass them by.
Here, listen to it: “The Comedown”
Now, when Galapagos gets his salt-water soaked hands on the track he takes it someplace completely different. Bringing it down to earth, he chops and cuts and loops the song, bringing the beats to the forefront. The resulting track will find you bobbing your head in a similar manner as when you listen to one of Star Slinger’s masterful remixes.
And again: “The Comedown (Galapagos Remix)”
Johnny Hawaii - Smurf’s Up EP
Sometimes you listen to something and can’t help smiling. That’s how I feel with Johnny Hawaii. Here’s a short, four-song EP that, like a wonderful beach vacation, is over all too soon. The warmth of the sun just radiates off of these four songs in an almost palpable way.
The music follows a fairly simple concept. Beach rock guitar riffs with looped tropical/exotica samples. He even throws some sound clips of waves crashing in there for added mental imagery.
If you’re a fan of the tropical stylings of folks like Monster Rally or LAY BAC, then I would highly recommend Johnny Hawaii. It’s a pleasure cruise, man. You can download the free EP on bandcamp.
**Previously seen (many moons ago) on Unholy Rhythms**
mp3: “The Lonely Smurfer”
Fox Hands - Peoplenoswan EP
Right off the bat, this EP is all fuzzy beams of tropical light. Like Willy Wonka’s Fizzy Lifting Drink, one sip and you will be floating above the ground. Utilizing the looped sample format, Fox Hands manages to take a simple concept and make it utterly sublime. Waves of reverb echo all over the place as warm waves of color and noise gently massage your eardrums. The EP’s best moments even remind me of good ol’ Panda Bear.
On their bandcamp, you can pay whatever you wish for the EP. Believe me when I tell you that it is worth it. Also, check out the band’s myspace for some other free downloads.
mp3: “Peoplenoswan”
