Ylajali is the debut full-length from Syntaks, the Danish duo of Jakob Skott and Anna Cecilia. In Ylajali’s beautifully scorched sonic landscape, acres of drones run beneath Cecilia’s wordless sighs; Skott’s beats crunch like autumn leaves while synthesizers swell, flourish, and disappear. Songs either tramp through hazy forests until they fade into the dark (the Boards of Canada-esque, Love Camp 23), or stack tone upon tone like translucent building blocks, building to forceful, near-operatic crescendos.
The Cure / Plainsong This is probably the best album opener of all time. From the distant tinkle of bells to the huge synth-pad explosion, it’s a prime example of how to open the show. Everything sounds muddled together in just about a perfect way.
The Mary Onettes’ critically acclaimed debut was described as “the perfect mix between A-Ha and The Jesus and Mary Chain”. Their new album is entitled Islands. Imagine a Swedish equivalent of The National on a diet of speed, Planet Earth DVDs, and 80’s guitar pop singles and you’ll have a vague idea of how good this album is.
Kate Bush / Running Up That Hill I have such a clear memory of the first time I heard this. A friend of mine made a CD with his favorite songs for me, about six years ago. This song was number one, and I immediately fell in love with Kate Bush and her music. It had such a strong impact on me and I had never before felt that I could fall in love with a song like that. With the song Cloudbusting, I almost felt the same way. That summer I was listening to Hounds Of Love all the time and somehow I have never got tired of it.
White Rose Movement’s debut album, Kick, was produced by Paul Epworth, and is an eclectic fusion of electronics and bass driven guitars which divided the critics, both impressing and confusing them. They made their foray into Eastern Europe, with gigs in Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Ukraine, where they headlined a festival in front of 33,000 people. Despite the fact that their first album was never released outside the UK, with the help the internet, WRM have amassed a huge fan base and toured extensively throughout the world. Their USA tours have included gigs at Coachella, South X South West and the Bowery Ballroom, selling out the NY club before they had even arrived in the States.
This Mortal Coil / Song To A Siren It’s rare to find a cover better than the original, but this succeeds. Originally earmarked as a B-Side, Liz Frazer and Robin Guthrie’s cover of Tim Buckley’s Song To a Siren became an underground hit. Liz Frazer’s voice is so cold yet so emotive. Dripped in reverb, she sounds like she’s from another planet.
Depart From Me is the latest full-length album from underground/indie-rap legend Cage, aka Chris Palko. Cage’s music is truly reflective of a reality far stranger than fiction. On Depart From Me Cage illuminates the struggles he’s faced upon entering a world that continues to be a source of loss and confusion. He’s helped along in this task with production by El-P, F. Sean (Hatebreed), the late Camu Tao and Aesop Rock.
Deftones / My Own Summer This song reminds me of what it feels like to be on all my favorite drugs that I quit doing and the sadness that comes from failed romances that will never be again. I’m referring to the drugs, not the women.
If there ever was a buzz band, Danish rock n roll band The Raveonettes are it, whose sound is ‘hard-edged electric guitar overlaid with liberal doses of noise’.
Wu Tang Clan / Bring Da Ruckus An extremely intoxicating song, RZA’s production is awe-inspiring and real. I can still listen to this song over and over and over again. I firmly believe RZA could produce a genius Raveonettes album.
Breakbeat duo, Evil Nine’s new album, They Live!, is one of the stand out dance releases of the year. Having already received 5 star reviews from the UK press, They Live! is powerful second album after 2005’s, You Can Be Special Too, its gruesome lyrics paying homage to all those misunderstood zombies out there. Automatom selects the first four songs here, Pardytron the second four.
Toto / Africa The epitome of ’smooth’ music, words can’t express how much this song rules! When the synths come in and the drums echo in the night, I’m immediately transported back to my youth. Some people might say this is a guilty pleasure, but I don’t feel no guilt. I just stick it on and bask in their mellow might.
Zia McCabe from The Dandy Warhols personifies everything The Dandy Warhols stand for: sassy, cooly detached, and dripping in attitude. The keyboardist adds a lush sonic wash to the Dandy’s inherent popism, and keeps the lads in check as they wind their way through the stadiums of the world. Well, kinda. To be a fly on the wall on their tour bus! Some folk have all the fun.
Willie Nelson / On The Road Again I grew up listening to Willie Nelson, and this song was one of my first favorites. It’s perfect to sing along to and even more fun to dance to. Of course, now that being on the road is my life too, I can’t help but make it one of the theme songs for my life.
UK rock group, Stereophonics, apparently took their name from the manufacturer of former drummer Stuart Cable’s father’s record player. It’s pretty apt for a band that have churned our stereo friendly hits since their formation back in 1992 — as their recent Best of release, Decade in the Sun, proves.
Depeche Mode / Personal Jesus I also like the version that Johnny Cash did, but this time I am going to choose the original. Great mix between rock and electronica.
My Secret Playlist is a music discovery website and weekly email publication. We invite our favourite bands and musicians to give us the rundown on their eight favourite songs right now. These are their words on the music that inspires them.
