Pop Levi, that genuine maverick, arises with a new return to form, the avant-pop masterpiece “Never Never Love”. Recorded entirely in Hollywood at Quincy Jones’ old studio, Westlake, where both Thriller & Off The Wall were laid down, Poppy pours out an album about the mad spectrum of love. Curiously produced, lush yet rudimentary. Wonderfully narrated, shamelessly nude. Flamboyant, self-confident, completely his own man and so uninterested in the back and forth of fashion that everything of his is an instant classic, Pop Levi is in the building, but fully off his rocker, and we hop it stays that way. Who knows what brush will paint the next canvas of Pop's storied output? Surely Pop does, and of course it's outside the box. The album is unearthed on wax and plastic on August 26. Heed Never Never Love in digital form by clicking.
The Bug escapes London Zoo
In Gibson's Neuromancer, when Case & Molly meet the two surviving founders of Zion, there is talk of hearing a "mighty dub" in the Babel of tongues signaling the "final days". If indeed we're living in these ‘end times’, as many predict, then there can be no more of an appropriate soundtrack for the coming apocalypse than The Bug's "London Zoo". With its pinpointed and thunderous first attacks on North America (recent shows in Toronto and Montreal), the album and its purveyor storm to the top of the charts at iTunes and win the coveted approval of some influential critics – in all fairness, a bang on review. The infestation continues in the fall, with much extra bass being prepared for rapid migration.
Pop Levi's "Never Never Love" album is at long last upon us, arriving today the 26th, and to whet your appetite, Pop is offering the entirety of it to stream freely into your ears from his Myspace from now until soon. So, get on it. Thirteen of the luckiest songs you'll ever hear.
18.08.08The Death Set enter dangerous territory
In this episode of The Death Set's 'Worldwide' escapade, the band touches down in otherwise friendly Brooklyn-town, except for a posse of masked Ninjas on their chase. But PMA and cameos prevail, and all is well that ends on a rooftop, with family and Deathset brand malt liquor.
Oh, look, it's our good friend on the cover of XLR8R magazine, "the double life of Alfred Darlington, the dandy of the glitch dance underworld". If they say so. It's all one great story to us, one of Love To Make Music To, as is this video piece on XLR8R's website. Pick up the mag for the full interview and verbs of endearment. We are graced with a string of
15.08.08Roots & Reason
Roots Manuva will return with his 4th full-length, "Slime & Reason", on September 30. Critics are already comparing it to "Run Come Save Me", for its depth and impact, but something utterly unique that taps into the memory of that old Channel One, Studio One aesthetic. Collaborating with producers like Metronomy and Toddla T, like on the first single "Buff Nuff". And Manuva's own productions have reached an untold height of aplomb, as has his silly wit, seen here in the video for "Again and Again":
