Jurassic 5 – The Way We Do It (Prod. by Heavy D)
Jurassic 5 is a band that defines my LA experience.
They’re one of the first bands I fell in love with when I moved here in 2000, they played one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen in this city (not including one at San Diego Street Scene in 2001 where I waited 20 minutes after the show to hug Chali 2na because I had just had a near-religious experience seeing them), and I was heartbroken when they parted.
But they’re baaaaaaaaack!
And this song – their first new one since the reunion – is everything I love about them rolled into one (including Cut Chemist’s dance moves in the video). It was produced by Heavy D during their “Feedback” recording sessions and apparently more music in on the way.
They play the Greek Theatre on July 12 and you know I’ll be there.
Wolf Alice – “Moaning Lisa Smile”
I spotted this band on DJ Dan Wilcox’s playlist and was taken by the name. After a bit more research, I discovered the London-based band have a new EP called “Creature Songs” and every song is excellent.
It’s in your face rock with a great female vocalist named Ellie Rowsell.
You can tell they listened to a good amount of grunge growing up.
It’s instantly engaging and, after garnering a good amount of buzz in their native UK, I hope they start gaining traction here.
Porter Robinson – “Sad Machine”
North Carolina native Porter Robinson is only 21 years old but he’s already amassed millions of followers on Soundcloud and will be playing the Shrine in September.
Fans of M83 should love his track “Sad Machine”, the second single from his album “Sea of Voices”. It features a duet between Robinson (his first time performing as a vocalist) and a synth called Vocaloid that recreates the human singing voice as the “female”.
It’s really good and I look forward to the full length release.
Glass Animals – “Pools”
Followers of this blog will know I’ve had my eye on these Oxford indie rockers for some time. Their debut “Zaba” is due on producer Paul Epworth’s label in early June and if “Pools” is any indication, we are really in for a treat.
Just when I thought “Gooey” was the best they could get, they share another awesome song – and with a cool claymation video no less.
RR