It’s hard to believe July is already here. The mid-point of the year has arrived, and for many sites like this it marks a time to evaluate 2011’s releases thus far and attempt to order them in some way. I consider doing so to be somewhat premature and unnecessary; I know of many albums the past few years that took several months to click, so why focus on past releases now? Instead, I tend to focus on relatively unknown acts this time of year.  The first five tracks on June’s compilation feature wonderful artists that are far from being a household name… at the moment at least. Still, their songs speak for themselves in showcasing extreme talents that will introduce them all — from the infectious electro-pop of Canopies to the intricate folk-rock leanings of Warm Weather — to the spotlight, and deservedly so. These groups all have what it takes to be something great. As a bonus, look for many of them to be featured in the future on an excellent new site I’m working with, GroopEase.

After some familiar names with fresh sounds (Junior Boys, Bon Iver) the compilation returns to a bunch of new acts, for the most part. Although Shabazz Palaces feature hip-hop vets like Digable Planets’ Butterfly and Southern All Stars are Japanese best-sellers, their music fits extraordinarily well with this time of year and the abundance of new quality acts emerging lately. There’s no need to ignore the fresh new sounds of The Demos, The Overcoat, and The Stanley Blacks; they all sound creative and energetic, each with their own unique stylistic traits. Finishing the compilation up is The Trade Winds’ classic “New York’s a Lonely Town”, one of the many excellent tracks on the Beach Boys sound-alike compilation That’s Not Me: Best of the Beach Bastards. Between this compilation and that one, they should help you get through the sweltering days of summer. I know I say this often, but I believe this is one of the most jam-packed and consistently enjoyable OS compilations to date. Enjoy!

01. Canopies – Rebels (post)
02. The Wind – Hathor (post)
03. Warm Weather – I Only Know (post)
04. Ennui – Coconino (post)
05. The Elliots – When Evil Happens (post)
06. Junior Boys – Banana Ripple (post)
07. Bon Iver – Calgary (post)
08. The Demos – Meet at Night (post)
09. The Overcoat – Kid’s Bones (post)
10. Shabazz Palaces – An Echo From the Hosts That Profess Infinitum (post)
11. Southern All Stars – You (post)
12. Them Changes – Lie to Me (post)
13. Fenech-Soler – Lies (post)
14. Figurines – Every Week (post)
15. The Stanley Blacks – In Sight (post)
16. The Trade Winds – New York’s a Lonely Town (post)

DOWNLOAD ENTIRE COMPILATION>>> (103 MB, .RAR)

The post Obscure Sound: Best of June 2011 appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.

Pittsburgh-based duo Ennui tout the shimmering guitar riffs, glossy reverb, and meekly pastoral vocals of many dream-pop acts, but labeling them singularly as a dream-pop group isn’t fully conclusive. Elements of alternative-rock, specifically the ambitious electronic-minded sort that emerged in the late ‘90s, are as equally prevalent in their music. Some of their efforts, like the Donnie Darko-ready “We Are Young”, even touch on a fusion of dance-pop and post-rock that was popular a decade earlier. Alongside a slew of other late ‘80s/early ‘90s influences, Ennui sit in the middle of two dream-pop classifications: acts that are led by guitars, and those that focus on more synth-laden soundscapes.

Ennui showcase tendencies of both approaches, whether it be the fluttery guitar-key arpeggio combos in the summery “Coconino” or the darkly ambitious “The Battle I’m In”, which instead of rapid note progressions involves gauzy layers of guitars and keys reminiscent of shoegaze. Past dream-pop artists share the same dreamy sentiments that help distinguish the style, but the subtleties inherent in differing modes of production – like the contrast between Mazzy Star’s acoustical drive and Cocteau Twins’ electric flurry – help show the diversity among peers, a primary reason why dream-pop has seen overwhelming success the past few years as a revitalized  style. Its varying degrees of notability are flexible enough to be latched onto by a younger generation of aspiring musicians.

Because of the subtle diversities present among dream-pop’s pioneers, Ennui are one of the few acts to resemble a full embodiment of the style. This even includes elements of dance and straight alternative, which makes grouping the duo into one genre somewhat problematic. Their second full-length, Formation of Tides, is a stunningly gorgeous representation of nostalgia. It’s not the re-hashed type though; beyond the new pair of paint awaits a variety of stylistic infusions, such as the twangy folk/spacey electro hybrid “Upstream” and the old-timey carnivale feel of “Lost Feeling” (which recalls trippy My Morning Jacket jams like “Steam Engine”). The psych-pop of “Walk (Heaven Slow)” is notably lush as well, easily arising Caribou comparisons. These semi-experimentations fit beautifully within a dream-pop mode of production, which enhances the quality and feel of the duo’s immensely talented songwriting.

Formation of Tides is a constantly engaging release that is at some points joyously optimistic and infectiously jumpy, and at others reflectively melancholic with layers and layers of gushing atmospheres and spacey progressions. The dream-pop of Beach House and Cocteau Twins is apparent, but so is the brilliant psychedelic guitar infusions of groups like Tame Impala. But who is the most accurate comparison? In my mind, it’s The Smashing Pumpkins. If they somehow followed up Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness with an album that combined the epic alt-rock of that with Adore’s forthcoming key-laden intimacy, it wouldn’t sound too far off from Ennui’s beautiful second album.

Stream Formation of Tides here if you don’t believe the acclaim. Then, after you realize that Ennui are for real, head on over to GroopEase and purchase the album for a mere $5, which is 44% off the price at other sites.

RIYL: The Radio Dept., The Smashing Pumpkins, Mazzy Star, Cut Copy, Cocteau Twins, Caribou, Beach House, My Morning Jacket, Tame Impala, MGMT, Canopies

Ennui – Coconino

Ennui – Step Out of Your Suit

Ennui – Walk (Heaven Slow)

Ennui – We Are Young

Ennui – Balance and Motion

Ennui – Lost/Falling

Official Site / MySpace / BUY / Stream

The post Ennui’s Formation of Tides appeared first on Obscure Sound: Indie Music Blog.

The completely unknown Canopies will not remain elusive for long. That much is easy to predict when listening to “Rebels”, a track that is bound to explode in the music blogosphere.  On their name-your-price EP (download it here), the Milwaukee-based trio have incorporated their love for ’80s synth-pop with recent indie-rock innovations, resulting in an infectious and danceable tour-de-force that should consummately satisfy electronic-minded audiences. The demographic needs something worthwhile to catch their attention, as the surplus of great ’80s throwback dance-pop albums is abundant this year and expectations are high for approval. Recent albums like Ford & Lopatin’s Channel Pressure, Cut Copy’s Zonoscope, and Toro Y Moi’s Underneath the Pine blend nostalgic components differently, but all triumph in crafting a style that borrows retrospective bliss rather than relying on it. These are not glamorized rip-offs of the past. Instead, they apply the past’s best within an modern revised formula; rather than relying entire on an imitation, these artists present a theme consistent with innovation and influence on equal pacing. Canopies are simply the latest, greatest, and most obscure (currently) to accomplish it.

Nolan Treolo, John Marston, and Craig Leren have an astute grasp of how hooks work in electronic pop. Many artists could say the same, but their results are often one-trick ponies with little dramatic flair. Canopies are much different, and it makes them stand up. “Rebels” has a plethora of moments that can send chills up your spine… or down to feet. Bass warbles and a fuzzy synth pad graciously open up it, as the words “raise your fist in the air, isn’t a scare?” are spoken. The slippery bass line alternates between two notes before a quickly intricate swipe concludes each verse, which is resoundingly effective when the icy key tremolo emerges (“Danny load your gun”). The chorus is then pushed forward with natural cohesion, anthemic to the point of fist-raising righteousness but not stuffy in the overly tributary way many electro-pop artists are, primarily in struggling toward their next hook. This format continues enjoyably for another minute, before the track’s triumphant conclusion. A bustling synth arpeggio gives the go-ahead for Marielle Allschwang’s vocals, full of both operatic and sensual range, à la Shara Nelson’s empowering performance on Massive Attack’s “Unfinished Sympathy“.

While “Rebels” is a track destined for popularity, that is not to say the EP’s other tracks are in any way inferior. Actually, they tend to showcase the band’s ambition and range in a broader scope. “Warrior” packs a strong punch as well, being even more of a throwback than “Rebels”. While the synth stabs during the chorus begins to resemble recent psych-pop acts like MGMT, the verses are pure ’80s bliss. The gauzy stretch of synths brings to mind names like Devo and Gary Numan. Yet, as mentioned earlier, the throwbacks are neither excessive nor daunting. The gradually added guitar licks help solidify this point, as does the percussion-led finale. “Strangers Glare” is polished and elegant, filled with stadium-sized hooks that steadily unveil themselves. An immediate comparison is to Talk Talk’s earlier synth-pop work, from the warmly sonorous synth pads to the key-led twinkle at the chorus’ end. The EP’s other two tracks, “Born to Your Device” and “Summer Amnesia”, are just as good; the latter’s energy is reminiscent of post-punk, especially if it was somehow infused into Takashi Tateishi’s Mega Man soundtrack. To close it off, The bouncy Tough Alliance-like pop “Summer Amnesia” is a perfect end to an outstanding debut.

It’s truly a demonstration of character when an unknown band offers their material for free. Especially when it’s a band this good. If you have some cash to spare and enjoy the EP, do these guys a favor and toss a few dollars their way. Regardless of what you do though, download the EP. It left me extremely impressed, and I feel it will do the same to most listeners.

RIYL: Cut Copy, Talk Talk, MGMT, The Tough Alliance, CEO, Washed Out, Gary Numan, Ford & Lopatin (Games), Devo, Massive Attack, Toro Y Moi, Crystal Castles, Neon Indian

Canopies – Rebels

Canopies – Strangers Glare

Canopies – Warrior

Canopies [EP]

Bandcamp

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