The aptly titled “Superfunk” is the latest single from Paris-based artist Odaiba. The grooving success bridges past and present vigor; traditional funk meets electronic savvy. It makes sense that the artist, known for his prior projects with Soulchildren, is also an avid vinyl collector; there’s a firmly cohesive grasp of past and present sounds in the production, integrating electronica, funk, and disco with timeless appeal.

A popping bass line, dynamic synths, and a suave vocoder touch excel throughout the single. The rhythm section and suave guitar shimmers kickstart the effort, dazzling with synth-laden adornments and funk-ified rhythmic expansions thereafter. The mid-point vocoder involvement adds further depth and fun, evolving into a lovably vintage-sounding soundscape with lingering brass-like resonance. “Superfunk” is a stylishly infectious tour-de-force from Odaiba.

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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of November 2022’ Spotify playlist.

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Sun Yoto‘s “Salty Feet” kicks off with no hesitation. An initial Darren King drum sample expands alongside a fat, synth-y bass push and charismatic vocals. The touches of strings, alongside the funk-forward rhythmic push, make for an exciting sound — maintaining ample energy while still strutting a certain funk-forward suaveness. Based in Vienna, Austria, Sun Yoto certainly shows well here. Toward the track’s conclusion, a string-based pulsing and “she don’t care,” vocal shrug converge and build toward a fully satiating conclusion, reminding me of French duo Justice.

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“Salty Feet” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of August 2020’ Spotify playlist.

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“Lyra” is an entrancing track from Peter Anderson, a London-based producer, musician, and DJ. The effort comes via his debut EP Zafu. “Lyra” touts a vintage-sounding groove, with atmospheric synth tones and a funk-tinged rhythm section leading the way. Certainly, this track would feel at home on something like Todd Rundgren’s 1973 album A Wizard, a True Star. An effervescent melodic pull provides bookends to the track’s murky mid-section, as lush guitars and haunting wordless vocals assemble a satiating conclusion. Be sure to check out the rest of this atmospheric EP, streaming below:

Anderson also is in previously featured band Beach For Tiger, as a vocalist/guitarist.

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“Lyra” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of April 2020’ Spotify playlist.

The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Electronic.

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“Currency” touts a confident, driving groove led by funk-tinged guitar lines, a hypnotic wordless vocal repetition, and twinkling keys. Structurally, I’m reminded of LCD Soundsystem’s patiently developing approach, especially upon the “I don’t wanna steal from you,” percussive-forward escalation that commences past the two-minute mark. Shortly thereafter, the retro synth line during the “I’m no different,” vocal helps develop the climactic feel with added vigor.

“Currency” is the final single off the upcoming album Longest Slow Dance, from Canadian act Ferrari Garden. The album is certainly one I’m anticipating, as “Currency” and previously released “Bridge” show a memorable, infectious sound.

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“Currency” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of February 2020’ Spotify playlist.

The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Electronic and Synth-Pop.

The post Ferrari Garden – “Currency” appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.

The dazzlingly catchy “Soda Magique” is a new single from Teuteu, a French artist living in Montreal. “It’s very inspired by the classic French Boogie songs from the ’80s,” the artist notes, “but also by Daft Punk as I use a talkbox on the solo part.” The three-minute mark and onward certainly struts that Daft Punk-esque charm, with its soaring solo feel. Prior, two vocalists split each of the verses, each succeeding with a suavely melodic delivery — like Jacques Brel meets electro-laden boogie. The conversational vocal style aligns wonderfully with the clanging piano, funky bass, and all-out nostalgic feel. “Soda Magique” is bound to get stuck in your head.

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“Soda Magique” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of December 2019’ Spotify playlist.

The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Catchy Electro and Synth-Pop.

The post Teuteu – “Soda Magique” appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.

monkeybars is the captivating solo project of Brooklyn-based Eli Aleinikoff, who melds his formal saxophone training with a feeling for contemplative pop songwriting. The jazz-fueled soundscapes and melodic direction produces a concoction reminiscent of Talk Talk, especially as the sax hits in full force around the 02:30 mark. The track comes via the project’s debut EP Acrobats, which “explores the complexities that lie under the surface of a single moment.” “New Face” is a great introduction to the project, showcasing a seamlessly developing track that swirls with funky guitar licks, atmospheric synths, and hypnotic vocal presence. Check out the EP’s other two tracks below:

Regarding the track, the artist says the following: “Miles’s Tutu was a reference point for this one; some of these synth sounds were probably more LCD inspired than I’d care to admit; low sound on the chorus is trombone doubling the bass; this one feels the darkest / moodiest of the three (?); “no the damages don’t last long where they stem” is a lie (!); I think it’s kind of about alienation, vaguely…”

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“New Face” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of September 2019’ Spotify playlist.

The post monkeybars – “New Face” appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.

The latest track from producer/keyboardist pantology, “Lost Summer” fuses jazz, soul, and downtempo electronica with seamless precision. Funk bass and nocturnal electronic production impress within the consuming arsenal. The Brooklyn-based pantology grew up playing piano — raised by classical musicians — and eventually infused that experience with a love for jazz, soul, and funk. Debut single “Never Enough” drew praise for its smooth production and confident sound, and “Lost Summer” continues that trend for this promising project.

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“Lost Summer” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of August 2019’ Spotify playlist.

The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Lush Indie Electronic.

The post pantology – “Lost Summer” appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.

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“Say Hi” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of June 2019’ Spotify playlist.

The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Indie Funk, Soul, and R&B.

The post The Blemish – “Say Hi” appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.

Manchester seven-piece Ronald Raygun produce a lofty sound with elements of funk, jazz, psych-pop, and rock — all present on invigorating new track “Fruit.” Smooth brass and effervescent synths complement melodic vocals, with the “easy, I don’t think you want to know,” vocal line stretching out a bit for added serenity. The track finds a great balance between vibrant funk-tinged energy and laid-back pop. The stellar production and vocal performance, at times reminiscent of Junior Boys’ tonal delivery on their perkier tracks, help make “Fruit” a track with considerable replay value and a convincing aesthetic.

The track was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Sam Kennedy from the New Adelphi studios and his home studio in Manchester UK.

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“Fruit” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of June 2019’ Spotify playlist.

The post Ronald Raygun – “Fruit” appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.

“Feelings I Can’t Control” is a tender cut from Floral Couches’ latest, R&B-influenced EP, Glitter. The Chicago-based project of Cody Gray has impressed with his melodically downcast vein of synth-pop in the past, with tracks “Ketamine Dreaming” and “Dull Inside.” This new one touts a sensual, yearning vibe, described by Gray as “a sexy song about confusing lust and love when really the feeling is entirely unreciprocated from the other person but not letting go.” Melancholic, funk-tinged guitar twangs start to emerge past the one-minute mark, with the track’s moody R&B succeeding throughout, especially through the segments of more high-pitched vocals and increased guitar presence in the back-end. This forthcoming EP seems poised to continue Floral Couches’ penchant for atmospheric and melodic synth-pop with guitar flourishes.

Stream Glitter in full below:

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“Feelings I Can’t Control” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of May 2019’ Spotify playlist.

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