Echopark is the exciting new project from Italian musician Antonio
Elia Forte. Originally from Lecce in southern Italy, Forte is now finds
himself based in Whitechapel, east London. As such, Echopark’s music is
an interesting fusion of blissfully rich, summery vibes and cooler lo-fi
synths; curiously and definitively a creature of both sonic worlds.
Echopark’s dreamy lo-fi electronica is now really starting
to make waves in the indie music press, with The Line of Best Fit and
Under the Radar recently heralding the solo artist’s debut track
‘Teleportation’. This upbeat, balmy track features quirky synths and a
wash of rich, heavily layered vocals so vivid they might hopefully
herald some much needed hints of spring to our shores. This lead track,
along with Echopark’s forthcoming debut album has been created entirely
in stolen moments on days or weekends off in a tiny room with just a
handful of microphones, making the experience that extra bit more
romantic for the informed listener.
‘Teleportation’ is available for free download now, and the debut album ‘Trees’ is out on Enclaves on the 15th
April on physical release and to download. Echopark will soon also be
making the transition from bedroom to live venue. The artist’s debut UK
show is scheduled for The Monarch in Camden on 17th April, and is set to include a full band.
See this at MTTM at: http://www.morethanthemusic.co.uk/?p=16450&preview=true
Friday, 29 March 2013
THE GIRLS ARE POST: Ra Ra Riot - 'Beta Love' (Single Review)
Taken from the group’s recently released third album, ‘Beta Love’ is the new single from baroque-pop New Yorkers, Ra Ra Riot.
Like much of Ra Ra Riot’s work, this track is upbeat and defiantly positive. The single once again exhibits the band’s penchant for soft, facile and fun indie pop, just as commercial and accessible as contemporaries such as Vampire Weekend and The Vaccines. Indeed, this lighted hearted track would ideal for lightheaded, non-committal moments of summery ecstasy, drinking cider, dancing and laughing with friends.
The single is however far more synth-lead than any of the band’s previous efforts, drawing its sound nearer to the likes of Passion Pit than their other indie-pop contemporaries. The strings take a backseat with (perhaps due to the departure of cellist and founding member Alexandra Lawn), but what is particular notable with ‘Beta Love’ is the lack of indie guitar posturing so prevalent in the band’s previous work. With this single, Ra Ra Riot draw away from the their pleasant and moderately unusual indie/orchestral combination towards the incredibly usual synth lead indie pop, with standard “diverse” instrumentation. This approach would have sounded innovative in 2009, and sure, its sounds fine now and is enjoyable enough, but the style of the track is not overtly inspired (unless your frame of reference is restricted to Top 40 chart escapades).
‘Beta Love’ is available now to download, and the new album, similarly entitled Beta Love, is available as a physical release and to download on Barsuk. Ra Ra Riot are on the cusp of a US tour, but have no dates planned for the UK at present.
See this at TGA at: http://www.thegirlsare.com/2013/03/28/review-ra-ra-riot/
Like much of Ra Ra Riot’s work, this track is upbeat and defiantly positive. The single once again exhibits the band’s penchant for soft, facile and fun indie pop, just as commercial and accessible as contemporaries such as Vampire Weekend and The Vaccines. Indeed, this lighted hearted track would ideal for lightheaded, non-committal moments of summery ecstasy, drinking cider, dancing and laughing with friends.
The single is however far more synth-lead than any of the band’s previous efforts, drawing its sound nearer to the likes of Passion Pit than their other indie-pop contemporaries. The strings take a backseat with (perhaps due to the departure of cellist and founding member Alexandra Lawn), but what is particular notable with ‘Beta Love’ is the lack of indie guitar posturing so prevalent in the band’s previous work. With this single, Ra Ra Riot draw away from the their pleasant and moderately unusual indie/orchestral combination towards the incredibly usual synth lead indie pop, with standard “diverse” instrumentation. This approach would have sounded innovative in 2009, and sure, its sounds fine now and is enjoyable enough, but the style of the track is not overtly inspired (unless your frame of reference is restricted to Top 40 chart escapades).
‘Beta Love’ is available now to download, and the new album, similarly entitled Beta Love, is available as a physical release and to download on Barsuk. Ra Ra Riot are on the cusp of a US tour, but have no dates planned for the UK at present.
See this at TGA at: http://www.thegirlsare.com/2013/03/28/review-ra-ra-riot/
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