Pete Derek (Chromacore) – Hedonist Blues
From the neo-noir feel to the lush orchestration, Hedonist Blues sounds like the work of an American retreating to Paris and surviving on a diet of non-filter cigarettes, mysterious, romantic meetings and Serge Gainsbourg records.
This is the impression I got even before hearing the singing. If you’re an obsessed music listener, then you may hear a lot of vocalists today, but you are unlikely to forget Mr Derek who does a convincing number that I like to call Elvis singing the blues.
The sound ricochets off the eardrums like snowing falling off cliffs. Hedonist Blues is an interesting look back to the lyrical baritone singers of old. By the time it ends, you’ll swear you’ll need all the instruments you hear tuned down a few steps.
Suave Punk – Dreams of Losing Teeth
Suave Punk’s Dreams of Losing Teeth is a cinematic stroll through a world of nasty hallucinations described in song by tender vocals. The fact that this could successfully soundtrack an indie movie that shares the lo-fi production of the music is of no surprise. Justin J. Kim, the man behind the Suave Punk, is a film student seemingly using his fascination for strange imagery as a jump-off point for his music.
Much like the mental images themselves, the riff that stands at the heart of the song has the density of quicksand dragging the listener down into Kim’s terrifying, yet comfortably-delivered visions.
The vocals are reverb-drenched as per dream-pop norms, but from the lyrics and the blend of acoustic and electric instruments, there are plenty of elements to keep you on your toes with this one.
