Ever since 2001, The National have been gifting us with one wonderful song after another. Songs that mark personal moments for everyone, that carve themselves deep in our hearts whether we want it or not. Their new album is not an exception. From the first track of this record you understand that once more you will cry, scream, beat up yourself, smile, love, separate and The National will be there, next to you, writing the soundtrack of your life. And of course Matt Benninger's characteristic voice is simply unsurpassed. It's difficult to pick songs that stand out, because they are all exceptional.
Selections: Conversation 16, Terrible Love, Anyone’s Ghost
James Murphy and his group give us their third (and rumoured last) album as LCD Soundsystem. Combining exquisite beats, electronic elements and Murphy's particular style, they do not disappoint - instead they pull you inside their world without giving you an escape route. This might not make you feel like exploring distant soundscapes like their previous one, but it fills you with aesthetic and sensual gusto. And in these days it is so very rare.
Selections: Dance Yrself Clean, Drunk Girls, Home
Some will say «Jack White's wife». Others will say «model». But if they put this album to play without knowing who Karen Elson is and listen to it in one go, from start till finish, they will adore it without a second guess.Mrs. White has crafted a small gem, embellishing our walls with her wonderful soundscapes, sometimes dark and sadly fragile, others more strong and demanding. And her distinctive voice is the link that threads her stories from beginning to end. And we listen to her.
Selections: The Ghost Who Walks, Stolen Roses, Cruel Summer
George Begas, Yiannis Kretsios, Yiannis Varelidis, Euripidis Papadopoulos and Antonis Vellios are members of a group that all of Thessaloniki (OK, all of "smart" Thessaloniki) was waiting impatiently to make their first CD. And finally we have it in our hands... and it's stuck on repeat! Gorgeous music with a view, style and balls that thousands of much more experienced groups would be jealous of, from both sides of the Atlantic. Pop? Yes, but also rock and electronica merging harmoniously. For those who cannot understand unless they compare one with another artist, I will give one name: Camera Obscura (yes they will be the opening act for them in Thessaloniki on the 29th of October). You want more? St. Etienne. OK, enough with ask the audience, now go get the CD!
Selections: Minimal, Underground, Highway Traffic
Panayiotis Pantazis is something of a Renessance artist - an architect with a phD in theoretical Architecture if you please), designer and writer of comics (his four wonderful Common Comics are published by Giganto Books) and musician. Self taught. Researching to the limits. For years he has been fighting with keyboards, samples, his inspiration, making dreamy or nightmarish soundscapes that accompany even his comic stories. For his first official album he gathered what he considers best from all the music he wrote these last few years, "freshened" it up and laid them out, nine pieces, only as a digital download, as his soul testament.
Selection: Never Gonna Happen, 5 Years, Wake Up With The Sun
One of the groups with defining influence over the dance scene of the last years returns with their latest album to find out if they still have their lucky charm. Even though they are American, Scissor Sisters members have european influences and references in their music, a thing that helps them achieve their target: beautiful riveting dance music with definite point of view a gay affair and what it entails. Dive deep and feel refreshed!
Selections: Fire With Fire, Whole New Way, Invisible light
Goldfrapp reach hopefully their fifth album. Alison Goldfrapp and her gang tale their obsession with Olivia Newton-John from her Xanadu era (the definitive gay cult musical) to it's limits – even the first single's cover , the rousing Rocket, is a direct reference to the film. The sound is brimming with electronic elements, very commercial and optimistic. I do not believe that there is a human being that will listen to this and will not want to get up and dance right away - you?
Selections: Rocket, Believer, Alive
Marina Diamandis is of Greek origin (her dad that is) but she grew up in the UK. And it definitely shows in her first album titled "Family Jewels" (we all know what this phrase means I guess!). Beautiful songs with the spunky and lively Marina spreading her characteristic voice with ease and guts on the 13 album tracks. It is not the perfect record but you have a great time listening to it! Do not miss!
Selections: Are You Satisfied?, Shampain, Mowgli’s Road
She became famous with the exceptional "With Every Heartbeat" in 2007. We saw her as the support act in Madonna's concert in Athens. This year she decided to release three full albums titled Body Talk, having of course her own recording company. The last one of them just came out and is essentially a concentration: five track from I & II each and five new ones. Rhythmic and dynamic tracks that get you up for dancing like crazy till falling exhausted on the dance floor. Ignore her at your own peril.
Selections: Indestructible, Dancing On My Own, Hang With Me.
Nika Rosa Danilova was "baptised" Zola Jesus to make a career in music beyond the opera she begun to study. Aged just 21, from Winsconsin USA, she is part of a small team that brings back the Goth aesthetics at the forefront, visually as well as sonically. Obviously influenced by the priestess Siouxsie (even her voice reminds of her a lot), with the guidance and support of James Stewart of Xiu Xiu fame (with whom she makes up the group Former Ghosts), Zola writes epic compositions, with stirring vocals, her music impressive and evocative at the same time, dark, menacing, rhythmic but also romantic, in a hellish, cursed way.
Selections: Night, I Can’t Stand, Lightsick.
