[SKOA Presents] Some Kind of Mixtape: February 2012

Another month gone by and another handful of music that your friends at SKOA are offering up for your listening pleasure. The February edition of the Some Kind of Mixtape series features artists from all over the world, some of which might not be known by many of you. Either way, give the mixtape a listen and let us know who you enjoyed, and perhaps who you didn't, and make sure to give us feedback on this relatively new monthly feature. Our mixtape is hosted on 8tracks, a favorite of ours in the world of music sharing communities, so make sure to head over there and show your support. In the "liner notes" you will find written explanations from each of the SKOA writers regarding their choices for the month.

We hope you enjoy Some Kind of Mixtape: February 2012!

Much love,

Kibbe, Shey & Adrian.

Some Kind of Mixtape - February 2012 from skoablog on 8tracks.

Hawk Eyes - "Skyspinners" (from their upcoming album Ideas)

 So, if you're a regular reader you may of realised I have a personal love for Leeds band Hawk Eyes and with their new album Ideas being released later this month my love has only grown. Their lead single "Skyspinners" is the perfect taste of what's to come on the album. Heart thumping drum lines and guitar riffs renascent of QOTSA in places thrown together with a lighter worthy slow breakdown make for the perfect little tease from the band. Look out for their new LP when it drops on March 26th. - Shey

Death Grips - "Get Got" (from their upcoming album The Money Store)

People loved these guys and their Exmilitary release and now with the announcement that Death Grips have signed to Epic and are to release two records this year I am one of those people falling for them. While they're not the most what you might call, radio friendly type group, the music they make just talks to me. It's brash and abrasive whilst managing to make you wanna turn it up loud to soak it all up. I'm hooked and I hope a few of you will be too. - Shey

Santigold - "Disparate Youth" (from Disparate Youth - Single)

What can I say about a track that just oozes awesome. Well let's see, the comeback track from Santigold sent the internet into a frenzy in a matter of minutes with the synthy intro and reverb filled snare leading into a beat you just simply cannot get a groove onto. Add to this a harsh guitar jab here and there and Santigold's vocal work it all ties into a track that is sure to be one of (hopefully) many this year that will be spun time and time again by not just me, but some of you too. Let's get excited for  her new album Master of My Make-Believe which comes out May 1st on Downtown/Atlantic. - Shey

Montage Populaire - "Reject Reinstall" (from their upcoming Not All Bombs Explode EP)

Southampton experimental pop five-piece Montage Populaire has latched onto my ear drums with their single, "Reject Reinstall" from their forthcoming debut EP Not All Bombs Explode. Hours after you've stopped listening to the song and left your house you will soon find yourself humming the melody and muttering to yourself, "Why can't I just listen to that again RIGHT NOW?!?!" To think that this EP was recorded and mixed over the summer of 2011 in an old meat locker that the band had been using as a rehearsal space just adds to their quirky wonderfulness for me. Not All Bombs Explode is set for release on March 19th courtesy of a joint venture between Popular Recordings, Tri-Tone & PIAS UK. - Kibbe

Computer Magic - "Moving Forward" (from Orion Minimix)

Computer Magic is simply fun and charming, with an upbeat and poppy 8-bit sound driving her music forward. The solo project of Toronto's Danielle Johnson, Computer Magic takes a note from the eccentric and quirky style of band's such as Lemon Jelly, and in every facet her Orion Minimix is just that. Specifically, her track "Moving Forward" is outright fun and enjoyable on so many levels, with 8-bit synths leading the show and odd sounds popping in at every possible opportunity. Add in the fact that Johnson's vocals are executed in such a simple and calm manner, and "Moving Forward" encapsulates everything that makes music entertaining. - Adrian

Bedroom - "You'll See" (from Toys EP)

When I first came across Noah Kittinger's (quite literal) bedroom project Bedroom, I was immediately intrigued, and since premiering his Toys EP last month, it's been amazing to see the blogosphere react to his music. His music perfectly embodies the simplicities and joys of life, the moments where you sit back and relish in the good times, despite the fact that these songs were written in a time of depression. With airy, distant vocals, entrancing acoustic guitar riffs, subtle percussion and an overall attitude of calm serenity, Bedroom's music has an incredibly alluring quality, and his song "You'll See" captures this perfectly. - Adrian

RxGibbs - "Futures" (from Futures EP)

From the EP of the same name, "Futures" is a chilltastic little gem that I've been keeping to myself this month. RxGibbs is a Michigan-based producer that recently signed to the ever-solid Cascine. I've continued to come back to this song all month because of its ability to clear your head almost instantly. The vocals that he's peppered in are so cool and soothing coupled with the laid back synths and beats. Futures dropped just this past week, so make sure you grab it here. - Kibbe

Lucius - "Don't Just Sit There" (from Lucius EP)

It has been a pleasure watching Lucius grow into their own on their new self-titled EP. The Brooklyn duo has gone from cramming friends and a few fans into Rockwood Music Hall to taking the stage at the Bowery Ballroom at such a natural pace that you can tell the amount of care that they have taken to carve out a sound of their own. Having heard "Don't Just Sit There" way back in 2010 as just a sketch of a song, these lovely ladies have transformed it into a full-blown piece of artwork that people of all types can connect with. Head over to their official website and show them some love - Kibbe

PANAMA - "Porcelain (Skinny Love)" (from Good Winter [A Bon Iver Remix Album])

Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago stands as one of my favorite albums, and the song "Skinny Love" as the standout track. When the rather unknown PANAMA released Good Winter, I was immediately excited to hear how they had remixed the aural beauty of Justin Vernon's work, and in no way was I disappointed. The album takes crucial elements of Bon Iver songs and reworks the rest in such a way that it is unique in its own merits, but still retains the recognizable stamp of the original. "Porcelain (Skinny Love)" is where the album shines, though, as it takes the original song's memorable guitar riff and combines it with the distinctive and captivating sounds of a glockenspiel to create a very simple yet powerful take on an already amazing song. - Adrian

[SKOA Presents] Some Kind of Mixtape: January 2012

Welcome to the first of many mixtapes from your blogger buddies at SKOA. The Some Kind of Mixtape series is a new monthly feature that will showcase both tracks from the month prior and tracks from albums that will be coming out this month. All of our mixtapes will be hosted on 8tracks, which is our one of our favorite communities for sharing mixes. Included in the "liner notes" of our mixtapes will be an explanation from each SKOA writer on their song selections for the month.

Since this is our first one, we encourage you to give us feedback on how we did. We hope you enjoy Some Kind of Mixtape: January 2012. We made it just for you!

<3

Kibbe, Shey, & Adrian

Some Kind of Mixtape - January 2012 from skoablog on 8tracks.

 

††† (Crosses) - "Purien†" (from EP ††)

When ††† (Crosses) came to be the internet blew up for a little while and the tag "witch house" started being thrown all over the project. The second EP, ††, from the pairing of Chino Moreno and Shaun Lopez offers more of the same from EP † with lashings of instrumentation to help mellow you out after the hardest of days and it's all held together by the haunting yet comforting vocal work of Chino. The subtle "woo" towards the climax of the song leads into a retro drum beat and guitar solo that are sure to elate you to a higher place. - Shey

Miike Snow - "Paddling Out" (from their upcoming album Happy To You)

When Swedish trip Miike Snow returned with the track "Devil's Work" back in December, I was immediately hooked and couldn't wait for more. Their second offering, "Paddling Out," delivered yet another tantalizing taste of the band's upcoming sophomore LP, Happy To You, and I was once again sucked into the world of Miike Snow. With catchy piano instrumentation, upbeat vocals combined with a fantastic chorus, and all kinds of synthesizer goodness, "Paddling Out" has made me even more excited for Happy To You. March 27th couldn't get here any sooner! - Adrian

Wazu - "Murder 1" (from WAZU EP)

From their debut self-tiled EP, Australian-American duo Wazu's single, "Murder 1" had me hooked within the first few seconds of the first time I tried them out. The Syndney-born now Brooklyn-based group has managed to develop a sound that, while it clearly draws inspiration from bands like Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, David Bowie, and Talking Heads, is still their very own. It's dark, gritty, and stupidly catchy. In addition to playing out more in the NYC area, Matt and Rizz are readying their upcoming debut album for a May release. If you're around in NYC next Monday (2/6), join me for their set at Piano's.  - Kibbe

Breton - "Sandpaper" (from The Blanket Rule EP)

London's Breton create art pop and are known to experiment with visuals during live performances with footage shot by the art-rock group in their bank-turned-base called BrentonLABS. While prepping for their upcoming release, Other People's Problems, which is out via FatCat Records on April 3rd, the band dropped The Blanket Rule EP for free in mid-January that featured "Sandpaper", which was tucked in almost at the end of the five-song EP. With it's sassy synths and pulsating beats, the song has the power to fill many a dancefloor. Consider me more than excited to see them on March 21st at Mercury Lounge. I will be there ready to party my face off. - Kibbe

Memoryhouse - "Walk With Me" (from their upcoming album The Slideshow Effect)

Toronto dream pop duo Memoryhouse have no trouble impressing with each new song they release from their upcoming debut album The Slideshow Effect. With only a month to go before the release of the album, their latest track "Walk With Me" will find itself being played repeatedly until that day. Evan Abeele and Denise Nouvion have crafted yet another kaleidoscope dreamscape that drifts in and out of reality, with instrumentation rising and flowing in an almost trance-like way. The slow build and eventual crescendo makes for a fantastic track that makes the February 28th release date of The Slideshow Effect seem much too far away. - Adrian

Wild Nothing - "Nowhere" (from the Nowhere 7")

Since the release of his debut album Gemini back in 2010, I'd almost completely forgotten about Wild Nothing, but Jack Tatum's one man dream pop project has returned and the wait was well worth it. "Nowhere," which features the vocals of Twin Sister's Andrea Estella, is a fantastic return to form for the artist, who has taken what he did so well on his studio debut, that is a gradual build of instrumentation and vocals, and delivers it in a much more upbeat and summery package. The addition of Estella's vocals, in combination with Tatum's vocals, gives the song a great amount of depth and diversity. Wild Nothing's sophomore LP is expected to drop later this year, and if "Nowhere" is any indication, the album will be a dream pop lovers fantasy. - Adrian

Sleigh Bells - "Comeback Kid" (from their upcoming album Reign of Terror)

With the noisy duo set to return fully with their sophomore LP, Reign of Terror, later this month they let us dip our toes into their mixing pot of goodness in the shape of the first single, "Comeback Kid". The ominous feedback opening leads into a big drum machine riff and distorted guitars before Alexis' vocal chimes in bringing the song to a head. Catchy, dirty with a perfect softened chorus. More please! - Shey

Pulled Apart By Horses - "Wolf Hand" (from Tough Love)

The cheeky chappies from Leeds launched their new album, Tough Love, with the explosive "V.E.N.O.M.", a perfect introduction for what was to come next. "Wolf Hand" shows a growth from the band, a step forward musically whilst lyrically they've kept their tongues firmly placed in their cheeks. From the offset this track is the perfect follow up to the shout along comeback single that was "V.E.N.O.M.". A heavy bass line and guitar riff accompanied by a thumping drum beat is all you need to cleanse the soul. This track, and this album need to be added to everyone's collection - Shey

Teen Daze - "Let's Groove" (from Let's Groove single, grab over here)

On New Years Eve 2012, Vancouver-based Teen Daze dropped "Let's Groove" which started everyone's new year off dancing until their feet couldn't take it anymore. Although the track doesn't really fit in with the current chilled out ethereal sound he's progressed to over the course of his many EPs, I for one am thankful that he took a moment to stop everything and just start dancing. Since then he also dropped his first single, "Brooklyn Sunburn", which is off his upcoming debut album, All Of Us, Together, which is due out on May 22, 2012 via Lefse Records. - Kibbe