MICHOACAN - In the Dark of the Night Cleaner

Michoacan is a retro electro disco funk band ala LCD Soundsystem from DFA. They hail from San Francisco, so we're surely behind it. More on these guys soon. Check out the new video for "In the Dark of the Night Cleaner" below. Directed by Alison Childs.

THE JUAN MACLEAN - The Future Will Come

The Juan Maclean will finally release their sophomore LP The Future Will Come via DFA on April 14th. The disc follows up the 2005 debut Less Than Human, a fantastic dance-electro album that deserves repeated listens.

On the new LP, Juan Maclean recruits vocalist Nancy Whang of LCD Soundsystem, as well as synth duo Holy Ghost! and !!! drummer Jerry Fuchs. Based on these facts, I'm thinking this is gonna be one hot and sweaty opus of a dance record. A single release for "One Day" is coming soon with a new video as well.

Sample a looped snippet of the closing track "Happy House" at thejuanmaclean.com.



The Future Will Come tracklist:

01 The Simple Life
02 The Future Will Come
03 One Day
04 A New Bot
05 Tonight
06 No Time
07 Accusations
08 The Station
09 Human Disaster
10 Happy House

ReviewHERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR - s/t 91%

At its core, the debut effort from Hercules and Love Affair, the brainchild of NYC-based DJ Andy Butler, is a great dance album. But there are a number of elements at work here that elevate the record from “just great” to “awe-inspiring”. Co-produced by this decade’s go-to electronic guru Tim Goldsworthy (Cut Copy, The Rapture, LCD Soundsystem), the album is as much a sincerely personal piece of detailed work as it is a solid collaborative effort.

With its feet firmly cemented to the ground, Hercules and Love Affair references the many eras of dance music-disco, Chicago House, and synth-pop to name a few. But Butler’s love of these sounds doesn’t just skim the surface. This is a man with a vast knowledge of those 12-inch crates of yesterday. The sounds produced here recall the hyper art disco of influential artists ranging from Arthur Russell, Frankie Knuckles, and the Paradise Garage days of Larry Levan.

The top of the album gets started with “Time Will”, as Antony Hegarty (of Antony & the Johnsons) in his most sultry, Alison Moyet-esque breathiness, commands:“Don’t lie to me, Don’t give it up”. Antony’s voice is instantly captivating. It almost seems like it was birthed to produce emotive disco tracks (his appearance on My Robot Friend’s “One More Try” a few years back was a good hint at this). Slowly, Goldsworthy’s production trickles in, lifting the track into an oddly gorgeous gay-torch-synth-ballad.

With “Hercules Theme” the fun really gets started. The track introduces one of the most impressive elements at work here-the fantastic use of live trumpets and trombones. The horns swirl into a state of frenzy around lush strings and the eloquent vocals of transsexual diva Nomi, who carries over into another standout track “You Belong”. With its soulful vocals and its genre defining high-hats and syncopated beats, you are instantly transported into a Chicago House club circa 1981.

But without a doubt, the highlight of the album is the breakout hit “Blind”. Decorated with lively horns and sweeping strings, everything comes together here in a stunning way, largely propelled by the phenomenal arrangement and, most importantly, the chilling vocals of Antony. Not only is it an essential dance track, it will absolutely be remembered as one of the best overall tracks of the year.

Perhaps what should be highlighted most about Hercules and Love Affair would be the knowledge and passion behind the work, something that justifies the so-called dance renaissance of now. Dance music has always been at its best when done with a curious intelligence and an outsider’s passion. The minds and souls at work here are very much worth paying attention to.

Originally published at kevchino.com.

CUT COPY - 'Lights & Music'

Cut Copy have announced the release of 'Lights & Music', the first official single from their second album "In Ghost Colours". Only problem is they don't say how or when the single will be released. In their own words, Cut Copy describe the single as "a trans-galactic voyage featuring epic synth breakdowns and more than a sprinkling of Goldsworthy magic". Tim Goldsworthy of DFA that is.

"In Ghost Colours" is due from Modular Records in March.

STREAM - Cut Copy - Lights & Music

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM - "Sound of Silver" 92%

I've been sitting on this one for some time now, but I've come to the conclusion that "Sound of Silver" is the first excellent album of the year. Not to take away from solid releases thus far from OF MONTREAL and yes, everyone's darling ARCADE FIRE, but neither of those records strike me with the dead-on brilliance of the new LCD SOUNDSYSTEM. Improving on the finer moments of the debut album, DFA legend James Murphy brings a vital urgency to most of these pulsating nine tracks, concluding the set with the angry, yet harrowing attack on the gentrification of NYC, "New York, I Love You".

This is one to buy...I might even go out and get a hard copy. Does anyone do that anymore?

Update - CUT COPY Recording at DFA

CUT COPY posted this message on myspace today. Check it out.

"Hi all!

Well we're in the thick of recording with Tim Goldsworthy here in New York and you can keep up to date with how things are going by dropping by www.cutcopy.net. We're keeping a diary of the recording process for all to enjoy.

The record is sounding beyond what we thought possible and Tim has been amazing to work with. James Murphy also bought an industry standard coffee machine so no large cups of black water or soy mocha/frappa/decaf from starbucks for us.nice.

Also available from the website is the limited edition Cut Copy/Claude Maus t shirt and hoodie which is close to selling out so be quick!

More news soon including 'hearts on fire' 12 inch release with an EPIC Joakim remix and touring dates!
Until then take care

cutters

x"

Can't freakin' wait for this album to drop!