For almost 15 years David Bazan has (under his own name or the now retired Pedro the Lion) made music full of emotion displaying his own unique brand of storytelling, and of embracing and rejecting faith. Whilst his previous album, 2009 effort Curse Your Branches was a bitter personal battle against issues with alcohol and moving further away from devout Christanity to a more agnostic perspective on life; his new album is more outward looking, querying human behaviour in a society full of contradiction, despair and disillusionment. Whilst this may appear to be a bleak listen, he has by all accounts made an upbeat rock record joined by now permanent band members; bassist Andy Fitts and drummer Alex Westcoat. Like every man and his wife seem to be doing nowadays, a new cut off the album is available before it's release absolutely free. 'Wolves at the Door' can be downloaded from Bazan's own Soundcloud page below. He gave these comments regarding the track to online music hub NPR during a recent interview: -
"It’s clear now that “trickle down” is actually “vacuum up” and yet working class people continue to vote against their own economic interests. Wake up! Anyone whose primary vocation is “making money” is a predator: they may wrestle around with you for a while but eventually they’re gonna go with their instincts and kill and eat you. - David Bazan
The album drops in the United States on May 24th. Unsure yet about a UK release, but you can pre-order now here and receive an instant mp3 email of the album before the physical copy drops through your letterbox from the States. Bazan just never lets you down!
Got on to these tasty re-edits via nu-disco bloggin vault that is I Keep Forgettin'. Whilst the A side 'What I've Got' is a sensual slow ride of the original, the B side 'The Rush' picks it up a notch and in keeping the cracking keyboard loop from the original turns a minor hit for Luther into late night dancefloor gold. Click below for a free download from their Soundcloud page.
Also on their Soundcloud page is an absolute banging re-edit of 1992 hit 'Gonna Be Alright' from The King Street Crew (Danny Tengalia). It's been a few months since they uploaded anything, lets hope they are holed away working on more excellent tracks. Again, get on the free download below.
It's my pleasure to share this 1st ever mix from NicholasGirls. Includes hidden classic 80s disco and funk jams coupled with some excellent newer tracks from the likes of Aeroplane, Azari & III and Lindstrom. Hopefully it's the 1st of many.
