TRACKS OF THE WEEK - 29/01/2012

Four tracks that steamed up our specs this week. Let us know what yours are in the comments!

SFW:-
M83 - 'Midnight City' (2011)

This track has been getting quite a bit of air time on Radio 1 recently and I must admit I've fallen for it's 80's/Euro feel.  M83 is the musical output of the french musician Anthony Gonzalez who has also remixed bands such as Bloc Party, Depeche Mode & Goldfrapp - which I'll certainly be checking out!

Shell Hunter:-
Django Django - 'Default' (2012)

There seems to be a bit of an 80's revival going on with all the electro pop out at the moment. If that's not your cup of tea, check out this little number. It is so mega catchy and despite the 80's style stop motion video, I get a 60's vibe from it with some nice retro guitar strummage. I've been trying to find out what their influences or sound can be compared to but I can't even find a quote from the band themselves to describe it! I guess it'll be a voyage of discovery but definitely an interesting one! Their debut album is out on 30th January and you can catch them at XOYO in London on 27th February. Download a track called 'Skies Over Cairo' from RCRDLBL here free!

Flycasual:-
Mark Lanegan Band - 'Gravedigger's Song' (2011)

I heard this song last week, it made me stop what I was doing and check who it was (an instant hit, a very good sign). I thought it was Nine Inch Nails but I was surprised to see it was, self confessed grumpy man of Rock, Mark Lanegan. Surprised because considering how long he's been around, I'm not too familiar with his music, apart from collaborations with Isobel Campbell and QOTSA and disappointed that I haven't paid attention to his stuff any earlier, especially if this is anything to go by. It's rhythmic, pulsating, almost tribal beat throughout the song along with Mark's gravelly voice gives it this dark and edgy feel to it, right up my street. Bizarrely, when I was listening to it on the way home from work, the beat put me into a trance like state and I daydreamed I was running through a forest like Daniel Day Lewis in Last of the Mohicans, Christ only knows why! 

Can any of our 11 readers recommend any album or songs as a good starting point for Mark Lanegan?

Anyway, I'm looking forward to checking out his forthcoming album 'Blues Funeral' out on February 6th. Mr Lanegan is a nice man, as in the mean time you can register your email and download the song from the official website all for free. Much better than being scalped!

marklanegan.com//

Grumpy? I'm giving you a gaddamn track for free!

Old Pa's :- 
Laura Gibson - 'La Grande' (2012)

This is a nice bit of Americana from an album by Laura Gibson called La Grande and this is the title track. I have sampled the rest of the album and it is excellent. Great playing and interesting songs, apparently Joey Burns of Calexico guest on some of the tracks and his influence is apparent. The track has a swaggering, percussive backbone with all sorts of haunting sounds going on in the background all complimented by Laura's lovely voice. It reminds me of Bill Callahan's the 'Drover' from last year. It has the same atmosphere and feel about it.

Check out more tracks of the week immediately here!