Tone Deaf » International Artists

I Fink U Freeky by Die Antwoord

Esther Semo — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:44:07 +0000

Die Antwoord – the South African three piece rap-rave crew everyone seems to be talking about – have released their new single ‘I Fink U Freeky’. Taken from their up-coming album ‘Tension’ their latest single has already proved popular on the internet, showing that the semi-controversial group have a steady – and increasing – fan base.

DIE ANTWOORD “I FINK U FREEKY” by Press Here

The group rose to notoriety in 2010 when their single ‘Enter The Nina’ went viral, and while their new single is far more dance-orientated than their original releases, the group have managed to stay relatively true to their sound.

After playing a slew of music festivals including 2011’s Big Day Out, the group have demonstrated that despite predictions that they were a one-hit Internet wonder, they can in fact produce music people want to listen to.

Even if it isn’t quite your everyday jam, Die Antwoord are reppin’ the Southern Hemisphere’s rave music unlike anyone else right now. That, and they have an incredibly hot she-rapper in the band who known to get her kit off on stage. Definitely worth a listen.

Open Eyes (Demo) by The xx

perri — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:24:13 +0000

The xx burst onto the scene in 2010 with their brilliant and much acclaimed debut ‘xx’. The Mercury Prize winners for best British and Irish album of the year haven’t been heard of much since then, but recently a demo has surfaced from the recording sessions of their much anticipated sophomore album.

The xx – Open Eyes (Demo) by mixtapemaestro

The demo titled ‘Open Eyes’ features the bands trademark minimalistic sounds, complete with fuzzy white noise, up against the soothing vocals of Romy Croft. While it’s still early days in the recording process it seems the band are very much sticking to the style that made them the success they are, so I guess the question is, will it be as charming the second time around?

Flower Bomb by Cosmonauts

ella — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:21:54 +0000

Okay, so Cosmonauts’ ‘Flower Bomb’ isn’t exactly the newest of tracks, having been released earlier this year in March, on their limited edition tape Psychic Denim. With all the attention Cosmonauts have been getting lately, (for instance, title track ‘Psychic Denim’ being used in a Gravis ad, and more recently being announced to be playing Christian Bland of The Black Angels’ Austin Psych Fest), they’re a band that couldn’t afford to be left out of this section though.

If guitar fuzz were a palpable substance you’d be thick in the midst of a rogue and unstoppable electrical storm when listening to this song. Hailing from Southern California’s sunny Fullerton, this and the rest of Cosmonauts’ repertoire is nothing but good old-fashioned up-tempo, spazzy surf rock, heavy on distortion and primal yelps. If there’s one thing better than listening to this track recorded, it’s seeing it live. Cosmonauts are known for their energetic live sets, which have seen them garnering a lot of attention across the states, and what is no doubt soon to be worldwide. Do yourself a favour and jump on this bandwagon before it gets rolling, because these guys are about to blow up.

Active Child – Diamond Heart

Zahra Khamissa — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:12:31 +0000

LA native Pat Grossi aka Active Child is due to re-release his debut LP, You Are All I See, with bonus tracks in early November including this absolute gem ‘Diamond Heart’ streaming for your blogging pleasure.

Active Child – ‘Diamond Heart’ by SpunkRecords

Active Child is also Australia-bound this summer with appearances on the St Jerome’s Laneway Festival 2012! Enjoy!

Reunion by M83

Esther Semo — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:46:56 +0000

Everyone’s favourite French band (no, not Phoenix, the other ones), M83 are back with their brand new single ‘Reunion’.

Staying true to their indie-electro sound, the band who are probably still most famous for their remixes are racking up quite the fan-base after having supported Kings of Leon and The Killers on tour.

M83 – Reunion (Album of the Week) by FBi Radio
Following the success of their popular single ‘ Midnight Sky’ off their latest record Hurry Up We’re Dreaming, the band’s latest single ‘Reunion’ while slightly more upbeat then the previous release, sounds like what would happen if Robert Smith produced a Phil Collins album.

While the vocals on ‘Reunion’ are still heavily layered and echno-y, they’re much more confident and varied then they have ben on previous releases.

Now that the weather is heating up, ‘Reunion’ feels the perfect summer song; catchy, upbeat but laid back enough to just have on in the background.

Narcissistic Cannibal by Korn (feat. Skrillex And Kill The Noise)

Melanie Lewis — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:57:33 +0000

Maybe when Korn announced that their tenth studio album, Path Of Totality, was going to meld their nu metal bread and butter with dubstep jams fans went, “Wah?” but so it has come to pass. Recruiting dubstep producers Datsik, Feed Me, Excision, 12th Planet, Downlink, Kill The Noise and Noisia, it was the record’s first cut Get Up, a collaboration with Skrillex that purportedly got tongues wagging at Coachella Festival. Now, we’ve got second single, again from the desk of Skrillex, Narcissistic Cannibal, for your listening pleasure.

We certainly reckon it’s an interesting direction. The blogosphere is falling over itself with praise for the concept, assuring anyone on the google machine that Korn have just developed themselves a brand new genre. Nu metal and dubstep together? Bizarrely enough, it actually makes sonic sense. Whaddya think?

Nagoya by Jonti & Hodgy Beats

Esther Semo — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 07:23:47 +0000

Odd Future’s Hodgy Beats and beloved Sydney boy Jonti have collaborated on a new single. The single war written and recorded in under 24 hours and of the whirlwind collaboration Jonti says “Hodgy sat down for five minutes, spat out a classic verse another five later.”

Hodgy Beats & Jonti – Nagoya by stonesthrow

Jonti’s first album Twirligig will be out next month on Stone’s Throw Records.

White Limo (Prodigy Remix) By Foo Fighters

Stephanie Lee — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 01:21:00 +0000

We’ve always loved Foo Fighters and we love The Prodigy too, so what happens when Dave Grohl asks Liam Howlett of the Prodigy to remix the Foo Fighters track White Limo? We weren’t sure what to expect but you can have a listen to it below.

Foo Fighters – White Limo – [The Prodigy remix] by theprodigy

Our first impression is that this song is in no way subtle. In fact it’s in your face loud and proud of it! And while it has the usual energy of the Prodigy this remix is likely to divide Prodigy and Foo Fighters fans. We’ve noticed quite a few people are skeptical in the blogosphere although we think it’s pretty catchy. Better than the sum of its parts? Probably not. But who cares?

They Might Be Giants – Can’t Keep Johnny Down

Stephanie Lee — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:55:54 +0000

They Might be Giants have been dabbling in children’s music as of late, however, their fifteenth studio album Join Us is their first ‘adult’ release since 2007. For fans of the band this album will be a welcome relief from the string of children’s albums including Here Come the ABCs, Here Comes the 123s and Here Comes Science, but it doesn’t offer anything as exciting as their earlier releases.

They Might Be Giants – Can’t Keep Johnny Down by musichype

Can’t Keep Johnny Down is a distinctly TMBGs track fun and energetic but unfortunately doesn’t have anything new to offer. For the first time I find the unusual vocals frustrating me yet the playful chorus sticks in my mind. For anyone new to They Might Be Giants I recommend looking at earlier albums such as 1990s Flood to get a better understanding of the playful and influential music of They Might Be Giants.

Hiding Tonight Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys

Stephanie Lee — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:32:52 +0000

Submarine is the debut film from Richard Ayoade (yes that’s the awkward yet loveable Moss from the IT Crowd). As far as indie films go this is a charming flick that is likely to leave you walking out of the cinema with a warm feeling and a smile upon your face. The film is accompanied by original songs written and performed by Arctic Monkeys leading man Alex Turner. Moving away from the garage rock influences of the Arctic Monkeys, Turner has opted for a softer acoustic appraoch for the six tracks that accompany the film. If anything this change in musical direction indicates a coming of age that effectively reflects the story behind the film.

Alex Turner – Hiding Tonight (Submarine OST) by FixYou

Quiet and charming Hiding Tonight by the Arctic Monkeys frontman accompanies the film perfectly and would have to be the stand out track of the soundtrack. Turners gentle vocals are both unobtrusive and self-reflective. Unfortunately I’m not sure how well the songs stand on their own and I would recommend spending a few extra dollars to see the film to appreciate this sophisticated soundtrack.