Cool Hunting

Cut Copy -- Let's Try it Again
Here’s a case of maybe needing to listen to a CD more than a few times before making a solid judgment call. Or maybe actually believing other music lovers and giving a CD another shot when you’ve written it off yourself. Such is the case with Cut Copy’s Bright Like Neon Love. While listening to iTunes on shuffle the other day, I found myself...

Matthew Dear: Asa Breed Giveaway
In his new album, Asa Breed, electronic superstar Matthew Dear managed to jettison both the galactic techno tendencies of his Audion project and the more experimental glitches of his debut, Leave Luck to Heaven. What's left behind is a moody pop album with touches of early new wave, rock and the ghosts of his techno past. Live drum kits fill out familiar 4/4 rhythms,...

Ursula 1000: Here Comes Tomorrow
"Savoir Faire is everywhere!" Ever since I first met this very unassuming maestro back in 1999 at DC's infamous Eighteenth Street Lounge, I've always been impressed with the high contrast between Alex Gimeno's mild-mannered in person demeanor and his jet set persona "Ursula 1000," a name that is defined by swift navigation of stylistic currents, savvy sense of humor (in song titles, art work...

Gonzales: Solo Piano
Minimal, sparse, and beautiful, Solo Piano is unlike anything else I’m listening to right now. Canadian-born musician, producer, and rapper Gonzales has worked with everyone from Jane Birkin, to Daft Punk, to ex-label mate Peaches. Critics compared him to Eminem, Prince, and Beck when his debut record, Gonzales Uber Alles, came out with a bang in 2000. That being said, this one might throw...

Jazzanova: The Remixes 2002-2005
Following the stunning "Remixes 1997-2000," the eclectic album of originals "In Between," "In Between Remixed" and the dancefloor approved dj mix "Mixing," the Berlin-based six-member collective Jazzanova presents "The Remixes 2002-2005," a compilation of released, unreleased and brand new—if you haven't guessed it—remixes. Though shorter in number of tracks by far to the original "Remixes" collection, this new edition does not skimp on quality....

Boards of Canada : Campfire Headphase
Not new but worthy of mention here, the latest Boards Of Canada album "Campfire Headphase," released last month on Warp records is to me the music my dreams are made of. The new arrival of guitar (however warbled) to the BOC sound just adds a new layer of authenticity to their magical oeuvre. Its so easy to forget how cold it is outside when...