For the past few months I have been listening to nothing but electronic music. Not your crappy club going electronic, I am talking about the real unheard of albums by the common populous. There’s just something about those computer made beats, chirps, beeps and clanks that has captivated me. I remember watching one of the Geico ads with the caveman in the airport and listening to the song, that soothing downbeat song. I immediately went online to find out who the song was by but no such luck. I completely forgot about it until recently when I heard the song once again on last.fm online radio. That song happened to be “Remind me” by Royksopp, a Norwegian duo. Ever since I have been hooked. Here is a list of albums that I highly recommend to any music lover:

Pocket Symphony by Air. The frenchies’ are back with a new album mixing electronica, trip-hop, jazz and a hint of Serge Gainsbourg.

Andorra by Caribou. Enter a world of psychedelic influenced ambient electronica.

Talk to la Bomb by Brazilian girls. The funny thing is not one of the band members is Brazilian, oh yeah and there’s only one girl. They got the right blend of reggae, jazz and electronica.

Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned by the Prodigy. The black sheep of my suggestions, great album to get you pumped.

The Eraser by Thom Yorke. Yorke’s first solo album, feels more like Radiohead without the rock and a lot more melodramatic singing. Think Amnesiac v2.0.

Son by Juana Molina. A one woman show here, amazing musician and vocalist from Argentina combining the simplicity of her synths and elegance of her guitar. This is one musician you cannot pass on.

Melody A.M. by Royksopp. 1. They have crazy cool name which must mean something in Norwegian 2. The song from the Geico comercial is here. Enough said.

Interpol – Pioneer to the Falls (download here)

Interpol’s new album is not set to release until July 10th but here at Potatoes and Nicotine we have snatched an early copy. This marks Interpol’s first major label debut, no longer releasing the album with Matador Records but with Capitol instead, is a rather fresh change for the NYC based band. Although the first two albums were very similar, this new one brings a few new subtle surprises.

It is still Interpol at its core but the boys have emphasized more on percussion and incorporating other sounds such as piano, strings and handclaps! That’s right, handclapping. Yet they still maintain their melancholic, desolate and moody sound which many argue its the same sounds we have been hearing the past 2 albums. This is one of those albums you might have to listen 2 or 3 times and it will grow on you. Yes, it is still very similar the Antics and Turn on the Bright Lights but it’s a good album nonetheless.

Here is a track by track review by Rolling Stone:

1. “Pioneer to the Falls” This theatrical opening track showcases Interpol’s new love for swooping strings and chilled-out piano.

2. ROCK DAILY PICK: “No I In Threesome” An awesome, apocalypse-heralding track with still more warm, friendly piano.

3. “The Scale” A gothic, bass-drum-driven romp, with cryptic lyrics like, “I made you and now I take you back.”

4. “The Heinrich Maneuver” The album’s first single sounds like Interpol’s earlier stuff — noise rendered moody and elegant.

5. “Mammoth” This very pretty, very angry track is built around layers of relentless guitars and the refrain “spare me the suspense.”

6. ROCK DAILY PICK: “Pace is the Trick” This dark ballad starts out with the familiar spare echo of Daniel Kessler’s guitar and Paul Banks’s morose drawl and evolves into an anguished goth symphony.

7. “All Fired Up” This aggressive romp contains more angular guitars, and the lyrics are more violent and confrontational than typical Interpol (ex: “I dream of you draped in wires and leaning on the breaks). Also: handclaps!

8. ROCK DAILY PICK: “Rest My Chemistry” A classic Interpol track, with layered, maudlin vocals and restless guitars over pulsating bass lines.

9. “Who Do You Think” This banging track features urgent Kessler-patented guitar sounds and a spooky choir in the background

10. “Wrecking Ball” On this track, Interpol seem to use every uncharacteristically lighthearted noisemaking aparatus on hand, from lilting vocal harmonies to playful sound effects and strings. This could be the first optimistic Interpol track ever.

11. “The Lighthouse” We never thought we’d say this about any Interpol track, but “The Lighthouse” has a vaguely mariachi theme to it. If Ian Curtis laid down vocals to a Rodrigo y Gabriela tune played slowly on electric guitars loaded with effects, this is how it would sound.

Further reading:
Deaf Indie Elephants
Stereogum
Pitchfork Media
Rolling Stone