Klaxons - There Is No Other Time

2014 is the year of the comeback so far! Klaxons are the next band to release new material after a long, long break, and they've come back with a completely different sound! Coming to the fore with Myths of the Near Future in 2006, then following it up with Surfing the Void (2010), they've announced that we can expect to see a new album, in 2014. Let's pray it's not 2018 before we get the next one.

Produced by Gorgon City, 'There is No Other Time' is a synth-filled, electronic and generally summery anthem that is actually incredibly similar to something that The Other Tribe would put out. Not a bad thing of course. Single's out March 23rd.

Strange Talk - Young Hearts

One of the best things about the way the world works is the fact that it's always hot and sunny in at least one place in the world every day. When it's winter in the UK, it's summer in Australia. When it's winter in Australia, it's summer in the UK. By simple and stupid logic, this means that there is constantly a source of upbeat summery music being made.

This is no exception to that logic. Melbourne synth-pop group Strange Talk haven't left their summery and infectious enthusiasm in Australia, they took it to America with them! 'Young Hearts' is highly representative of the Strange Talk sound. It's shimmering, sunny pop at it's best.

Produced and co-written by Captain Cuts, this is a brand new track that forms part of the US release of Cast Away, their highly successful debut album that came out last year. Coming to the fore with 'Climbing Walls' and the Strange Talk EP, this band exemplifies everything we love about summer and their music is representative of that fact.

The Knocks - Comfortable (feat. X Ambassadors)

Brand new music from The Knocks! 'Comfortable' is the title track from their upcoming EP of the same name. Featuring Brooklyn's X Ambassadors on vocals, 'Comfortable' is a funk-filled cheeky indie dance track which is entirely different to their previous releases (well, in my opinion anyway).

Never a bad thing though! It simply demonstrates how versatile the New York duo are. This has a completely different sound to 'Modern Hearts' but follows a similar trajectory as their collaboration with Treasure Fingers (DYWT). Nonetheless, it still sounds excellent.

The Comfortable EP drops on February 18th, here's the tracklisting:

1. Comfortable (feat. X Ambassadors)
2. The One (feat. Sneaky Sound System)
3. Dreaming
4. Savoir (feat. Wes Miles / Ra Ra Riot)

Eagerly awaiting this release in little under 4 weeks, and hopefully it will kickstart a big year of funky dance music!

MØ - Don't Wanna Dance

Danish electro-pop queen MØ has dropped a brand new single, weeks before the release of her highly awaited début album No Mythologies To Follow.

'Don't Wanna Dance' is a slightly different approach, with a distinctly greater RnB feel to the bubbly indie-pop sound we recognise from previous releases. Still, if anything, it highlights her versatility to flit between various styles, an excellent attribute for an artist.

No Mythologies To Follow has been pushed back to March 10th sadly, but that give us 7 weeks or so to salivate over what's rapidly becoming one of the most exciting albums of the year already.

Chromeo - Come Alive (feat. Toro y Moi)

So today is 'Blue Monday', officially the most depressing day of the year. It's the first Monday after the new year, where you're back to work, you've pissed away your wages already and it's probably raining. Well, here in Swansea it's definitely raining.

But don't be disheartened! Instead, have a listen to this - brand new from Chromeo, featuring Toro y Moi! The electro-funk duo, hailing from New York and Montreal enlisted the assistance of chillwave champion Toro y Moi to showcase another one of their tracks from their upcoming LP.

It's proper Chromeo style. Synth-pop electro funk dance joy. Think of summer when you listen to this. It'll make the months feel like seconds.

Ghost Beach - On My Side

New York duo Ghost Beach have (finally) announced details for a debut album! Today they've confirmed that their first album, BLONDE, is due for release in North America on March 4th via Nettwerk Music Group and Crazy Heart Records. Hopefully a UK release will follow soon after that!

To whet appetites following this announcement, the duo of Josh Ocean and Doc Mendelsohn, who class their sound as 'tropical grit pop' have given us a little taster of what's to come, with the release of "On My Side". The Ghost Beach sound has progressively developed since their initial releases - there's definitely a greater shift towards a synth-tropical-grit-pop sound, which is perfect for me. This is the next of a long line of summery releases from the boys, and hopefully their album will follow this up and deliver.

Ed Zealous - Diamonds For Eyes

Earlier this week, Northern Irish electro-rockers Ed Zealous announced that the final single due out before the release of their debut album, Wired, would be a re-release of their first hit, "Diamonds For Eyes".

If you haven't been keeping up with this blog over the last couple of months, you probably don't know that I'm quite a big fan of Ed Zealous - both "Thanks A Million" and "Telepaths" have been featured in the last couple of months and get played all the time by me. Why not continue the trend then?

Originally surfacing online in the middle of 2012, "Diamonds For Eyes" was (and still somewhat is) a sign of what's to come for Ed Zealous. If you haven't heard them before, think 'Friendly Fires without Ed's voice, and with a shit-ton more synths' and you're sort of on the right track. And it's absolutely brilliant. "Diamonds for Eyes" is out as a single on January 20th, with Wired due to be released on February 3rd. We're so bloody excited, and if you're not, I don't think I can talk to you again.

The Other Tribe - Nobody Else

Friday night special delivery! The Other Tribe are back with yet another absolutely brilliant dance track! "Nobody Else" is the track that the Bristolian 5-piece have ended their sets with. These guys make funky indie-dance music that incorporates funky, vintage style synths and disco vibes in a way that screams "UP YOURS" to the mainstream dance genre.

"Nobody Else" continues on this trend, delivering a track full of summer throwbacks, with bongos and a whole array of tropical beats. With a sound similar to Australian dance group RÜFÜS, The Other Tribe have blessed us with a tropical ray of sunshine in an otherwise wet, dark and windy Britain, and it's well worth a listen.

New Arcades - Somewhere

So a track got sent my way this morning (oh wow I can actually say that, this is awesome) from London duo New Arcades. They're an electro/indie/synth-pop pairing who have just released their latest single "Somewhere", to set the ball rolling towards their second EP. Their self-titled début came out in summer and from what I've heard it's a dreamy, synth heavy portion of summer days and late nights of freedom.

Fast-forwarding to a slightly less summery November day, "Somewhere" is a perfectly timed track that just screams nostalgia and the desire to cling on to long summer experiences. With a sound not unlike LA's Carousel and NYC's Ghost Beach, New Arcades combine strong, soaring vocals, warm but heavy synth lines and a booming bassline in the background, and it's everything I love from a synth-pop track. Well played gents. Well played indeed.


Now with added internet love!

@GS_blog_ thanks for the great feature, really appreciate the support!
— New Arcades (@NewArcades) November 22, 2013

Carousel - Into The Night

Dainty electro-pop duo Carousel are back with another single, following on from the back of their hugely successful breakout Palms EP which came out in the summer. "Into The Night", which is seemingly the first track from their at-present-untitled second EP shows how far the pair have developed since their 26 Allston release back in 2011.

With a sound that's heading in the direction of synth-heavy Passion Pit, combining soft vocals and electronic melodies, Carousel are another band you need to keep your eye on, as you'd be mad not to. "Into The Night" is the sort of dreamy synth-pop track that I spent the summer thriving on, and when it sounds this good, it's worth it.

Winding down for the year with a few performances in California, they'll be back next year with the release of their second EP. I can't wait.

Ed Zealous - Telepaths

Phil Taggart adores this band. He's been quoted as saying that "if you don't...we can no longer be friends" and I'd absolutely have to agree with him! It's been an awesome few weeks for Ed Zealous fans - the new single "Thanks a Million" was released at the start of the week, their début album has been announced, and now fans have been introduced to their new upcoming single "Telepaths", which is due for release on November 18th!

"Telepaths" is the next in a long line of dance anthems from the boys from Belfast. Incorporating the sounds we've come to know and love (synths, drums, samples and an absolutely mental background guitar sound), they'll have you "dancing on the ceiling" and it'll be for good reason. If you've never listened to Ed Zealous, you need to start right now. If you're a big fan of indietronica, you'll love this - it's got a seriously in-your-face vibe...and it's mental.

Listen to "Telepaths" here (from 17:55): Phil Taggart and Alice Levine - BBC Radio 1
Listen to "Telepaths" directly from the Ed Zealous Soundcloud page here.

Pre-order "Telepaths" here: iTunes
Listen to "Thanks A Million" here: Guerrilla Stereo
The début album, Wired, is set for release at the start of February.

Yasumo - I'm Missing You

It's hard to not love house music when it sounds like this! Melbourne duo Yasumo (aka Yanni Nair and Simon Salerno) have released this wonderfully summery tune which is delightfully simplistic - one of its main qualities! The press release stated "we're not going to overcomplicate this one" which is great with house music - you keep the bouncy, anthemic summer feel about it without overdoing it in other sections.

The first official release from the brand new Fall Street Records label, "I'm Missing You" is a great start. It's got a catchy hook, a wonderful tempo and it will bring a smile to your face when you listen to it. Guaranteed! Keep an eye on Yasumo's Soundcloud page for an upcoming remix package. Enjoy!

Neon Indian - Change of Coast

Another track from the GTA5 soundtrack! Earlier this week we posted "Sleepwalking" by The Chain Gang of 1974 (listen here) and now we've got another. "Change of Coast" is a new track from Texas' Neon Indian. It's not known if this is the start of a new project for the band of whether this is a one-off...either way it sounds incredible.

One of the best and most chilled tracks I've heard in a while, Alan Palomo's soft vocals just sound perfect. Obviously this track would be played over one of the fantastic radio stations in-game, and that's where I'd play this again and again - a summer roadtrip.

Hopefully we'll see a sequel to the hugely successful Era Extraña (2011) in the near future!

Suzuki Method - Sherbet (Swiss Lips Remix)

Something to perk you up on a Friday! 'Pop sorcerers' Swiss Lips have put their own spin on Suzuki Method's "Sherbet" and after listening to it you'll pinch yourself to make sure you're not in the 80s! Sounding like the credit song of any teenage movie in the 80s, heavy synths, guitar riffs and an infectious rhythm, the boys from Manchester have turned an already great track into something even greater. This will rock your world.


Swiss Lips are renowned for their ability to create infectious indie-pop dance tracks that will get you on your feet and dancing the night away - the fact that they can transfer this ability into other tracks can only be a good thing! Adam Leishman's vocals have a strong influence that wouldn't be unseen in the early 2000s with the pop-punk movement. Lovely stuff.

"Sherbet" will be officially released on October 20th.

Blende - Rikki

Following the success of last years nu-disco hit "Fake Love", London-based producer Blende is back with another disco anthem, "Rikki". If more music on the radio sounded like this as opposed to poor pop trash, more people would listen to the radio. Fact.

This is summer roadtrip music. Groovy disco synths, big vocal hooks and a general summery feel make this track an instant hit! This is the kind of song you'd sing and dance to when you're drunken and clubbing with all your friends...so why not go and do that!? Indie dance at its finest.

"Rikki" is out now on Eskimo Recording and Win Music.

Two Door Cinema Club - Changing of the Seasons (Monsieur Adi Remix)

Monsieur Adi can't stop pumping out amazing remixes! This remix of "Changing of the Seasons" is the next in a long line of superb electro-pop, dance heavy remixes. Totally transforming the feel of Two Door Cinema Club's comeback single by adding funky synths to the folk-like vocals of Alex Trimble, Monsieur Adi simply maintains the incredibly high standard of reworks, almost effortlessly!

Almost never going a month without belting out a quality remix or two, the Frenchman is going the way of RAC - remix after remix and it sounds sick.

Ed Zealous - Thanks A Million

With an album on the way early next year, another single on the way and the official release of this new single Thanks A Million (October 21), there's a lot for Ed Zealous fans to be excited about! The boys from Belfast have steadily been building momentum for a long time now, most recently with the epic Medicines, a release that really showed fans the new direction that the quartet have been working towards.

A great mix of guitars, synths and samples makes for a class dance tune and this will only further their reputation and make for an exciting album release (due before February for certain). Enjoy!




Track from http://thethinair.net/2013/10/exclusive-stream-and-qa-ed-zealous-thanks-a-million/

Sub Focus - Out of Reach (ft. JayEllDee)

The new Sub Focus album was released on Monday...finally! Sub Focus has been making music since 2003, but with only one self-titled album to his name...in 2009, it's been a while! After having listened to Torus, it's safe to say it was worth the wait. With collaborations on almost every single track of the album, and the hype built up from as early as last summer, it's an absolute joy to listen to.

With buzz for the album reaching tipping point after the success of "Endorphins" and "Turn it Around", Torus is polished, ordered brilliant and incredibly diverse with Nick Douwma (aka Sub Focus) attempting to branch into different genres that aren't drum and bass or dubstep.

That's where this track comes in. "Out of Reach" has the feel of an indie-dance anthem, with steel drums, catchy drum beats and the mandatory electro vibe - it has the feel of a Northeast Party House track (as well as a distinctly familiar Friendly Fires feel). With vocals from the extremely talented JayEllDee, (who has shared the stage with Basement Jaxx, opened for Lady Sovereign and collaborated with Wiley) this track just works.

Torus is out now on Virgin EMI.

Panama - Always

Brand new music from Panama! The boys from Sydney have just released their sophomore EP, the Always EP. "Always" is the lead track, and it's a good one! The new EP has a heavily piano influence, with the traditional Panama synths being almost entirely replaced by piano in the title track - it's a little bit slower than breakthrough tracks "Magic" and "We Have Love" but it's still great stuff.

The second track, "How We Feel" combines synths, samples and this brand new piano sound to make a super chill track, with Jarrah McCleary's vocals inviting us to "stay the night, it won't change anything". Late night bliss! The final track from the EP, "Destroyer" is another slowburner, but it's just as good as the other two tracks. A slightly different sound compared to the debut It's Not Over EP, but just as polished, and it sounds great!

If you like what you hear, you can name your price when you download the EP from Panama's Bandcamp page. It's lovely stuff, I'd definitely recommend a listen!

Chad Valley - Real Time

Brand new single from Chad Valley. Following up on last years Young Hunger, Oxford-based Hugo Manuel is gearing up for a co-headline American tour with Keep Shelly in Athens - it kicks off next week! Picking up where he left off with some seriously upbeat melodies, it's a serious mood lifter!

If the last album was anything to go by, including collaborations with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, Twin Shadow and Active Child, any new material should be great!

Have a listen below and if you like what you hear, it's available for a free download on Soundcloud.