Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album on a New Label

Pet Shop Boys have left Parlophone Records after a ground-breaking 28 years and have signed their forthcoming studio album “Electric” to Kobalt Label Services in a global deal. Their new album “Electric” is produced by Stuart Price and will be released in June 2013. Further information about the album will be announced soon. Kobalt Label Service’s first international album release, “Push The Sky Away” by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds recently debuted at number one in seven countries and top four in thirteen other countries.

 

Next Wave: Exotic Club

Exotic Club is an electronic dance duo consisting of Simon Lowzy and Rémi Rose. Since 2010, Simon and Rémi have been travelling back and forth from their home town of Paris, France to their new residence of choice Portland. Exotic Club's goal is to make noisy, synth infused, dance tracks that embraces the cryptic irony of pop in favor of a darkly dangerous apathy. Their style melds the energy of post-punk, the experimental aspects of noise, the raw emotion of dark disco and cold wave, and the primal rage of punk and rap core.

They are currently engaged in the production of a series of singles and music videos. The previous release Memories, a 2 track mini EP, was released on Romance Moderne, a Belgian label based in Brussels. Their latest track "Stars, Asteroïds, Moons and Comets" was recently premiered on Soundcloud and there is certainly more to come.

  

In Conversation: The Present Moment

When you think of L.A., what are some things that come to mind? Sunshine? Beverly Hills? The beach? Hollywood? The Walk of Fame? Let's forget them all, for now, as i would like to focus your attention in a different direction. The Present Moment are a bit of a hidden gem but very much loved by those in the know. That said, i've chosen to shine some very well deserved light their way. Comprised of main man and songwriter, Milton Scott, who crafts an infectious blend of melodic, dark, atmospheric, electronic goodness. And may i add shimmering abstract undertones in some places. Well, that's what i get out of it. I urge you to give them a listen and i'm sure you would highly agree.

Scott is a very busy man as he's in the process of finishing up a soon to be released LP. This will actually be his third and the follow up to 2010's "The High Road" and 2011's masterpiece, "Loyal To A Fault". Back in September, he reissued the debut album with the addition of four bonus tracks, two music videos, and some utterly flawless repackaging. Limited to 150 hand numbered pressings, you'll be very lucky and oh so happy to find a copy. Doing the reissue honors was German label, Hidden Treasure Music, who also played the role of booking agent, along with Antistars Booking, for last years very successful European tour. You can check out several tracks and purchase a digital download copy at Hidden Treasure Music @ Bandcamp if you're so inclined.

Being that he had a few days off, Scott agreed to answer some questions i threw his way. I was genuinely interested in finding out more than what i've shared with you. Let's see what he has to say, shall we?

Next Wave: October Dance

October Dance are back with their debut EP '7 Moon' which is out this week. If you follow our blog, you might remember the dance floor filler "Houses Falling", which we introduced last October. Just a quick reminder that October Dance is an art/music concept which includes a collaboration between three Danish musicians and the artwork of the Austrian graphic designer Hans Tolford. The sound of October Dance has many references to the 1980's European art scene and it is an assembly of seductive electro beats, synthesizer hooks and unique art forms. The group interprets the Tolfordian universe, and draws upon the bottomless reservoir of creativity, which shapes the ensuing music. Follow the links for more info and updates.

www.octoberdance.dk
www.facebook.com/octoberdance


More info on Hans Tolford:
www.hanstolford.com

Next Wave: Inouwee

Inouwee is a Danish indie pop electro duo from Copenhagen consisting of Kaare Hansen and Signe Marike. Their passion for music brought them together and they launched Inouwee in 2009. Since then they were continuously making songs, developing their music and growing with their name. 

Their music is reflecting the matter of life, death, loss, hopes and ambitions. Signe's soft and honest vocal, combined with heavy beats and Kaare's melodic guitar and keyboard, creates a genre somewhere in between trip-hop and electro and delivers a pure nordic excellence in sound. . Their debut EP 'Ghosts and Shadows' is out now while their album "Based On An Untrue Story" is expected to be released by the end of the year. 

 

www.facebook.com/inouwee
https://twitter.com/inouwee
 

In Conversation: WAZU

Back in September we introduced the Australian/American industrial pop duo WAZU. Since their formation in 2010, they were building up their distinctive music style which tends to be alternative and pop at the same time mixing electro and rock with high level of a dark tones. Earlier this week, on Halloween they released their debut album 'Robobo' and they  are currently touring the USA. On top of all this, here is our very special WAZU interview where they reveal more about the band, their influences, their debut album and more. Enjoy!

Next Wave: Second Planet

From Germany comes our next band to watch out for. It's the Second Planet by Danilo Roost who has been quite around with his minimal electro-pop project in the recent years releasing three albums on his label. New album by Second Planet is entitled Work Processing and it was officially released earlier this year on SkullLine. Several songs on the album were already featured on the previous releases and altogether it makes 17 track total on the new album.

http://www.myspace.com/second-planet 

WAW: Sally Dige- Doppelgänger

Sally Dige is back with a brand new video for a German titled "Doppelgänger", a b-side of her debut single which is due for release this autumn. This is her second video and a follow up to "Immaculate Deception" which was also featured here a year ago. The single will be issued as a limited 7" on Fabrika Records.

Next Wave: The Phone

The Phone is a retro-analogue synth project by Jonni Mogul and Steve Lippert paying homage to some of the old heroes namely Soft Cell, Kraftwerk and the likes but with a rather unique sound in the end. Their music is minimal synth-wave with Casio VL-1 sounds, rhythms and samples. To this date, they have released two singles on Attractive, “Discreet Affair” and a powerful uptempo dancefloor filler "Cabaret Noire" which features Sharon Abbout from Poeme Electronique on vocals. Their debut album is called 'Songs From This Nuclear Age' and it is out on August 20th via Attractive. 

 http://www.facebook.com/phone

WAW: Sensual Harassment - Disco Heart

The Brooklyn based Sensual Harassment are back with a new dose of beat driven psych pop. Their latest video for the song "Disco Heart" was directed by Joel Fernando and it was premiered on August 2, 2012 on 'Vice'. It features sex blogger and Vice TV star Slutever (Karley Sciortino). The song is available as a free download via their official page. The band is currently working on a new album. Follow them on twitter to get the latest updates.

Pet Shop Boys Announce a New Album for September

Pet Shop Boys have announced the release of their brand new album Elysium for September. Their eleventh studio album was produced by Andrew Dawson and Pet Shop Boys in Los Angeles and it will be issued by Parlophone. To give an idea of the album’s sound, a short film for the album track “Invisible” can be viewed through their official website.

Section 25 to Reissue 'From The Hip' on Vinyl

Factory Records Ltd present a brand new vinyl edition of 'From The Hip' by Section 25, originally issued in the summer of 1984. The album was produced by Bernard Sumner of New Order an it marked band's  bold step toward the mainstream, combining smooth synthpop with seamless electro beats. Digitally re-mastered, this deluxe double vinyl edition features the original FACT 90 album plus a bonus 12” 45 rpm single coupling two versions of seminal single "Looking From A Hilltop". The album will be out on May 28, 2012. 

www.facebook.com/section25
 

Next Wave: Tropic of Cancer

Tropic of Cancer is essentially the solo project of LA-based Camella Lobo, with contributions from John Mendez and Taylor Burch. They have released two records for labels 'Blackest Ever Black' and 'Downwards' and established themselves in the modern post-punk and darkwave scene. The sound of Tropic of Cancer is always referred as gothic, cold wave, drone pop or anything else you can imagine. They will release a brand new three track EP entitled "Permissions Of Love 12"" on Mannequin. The EP is available digital through the Orchard in the most important digital stores. Official release date is set for May 28, 2012.
 http://www.facebook.com/tropicofcancer

Out This Week: Light Asylum- Light Asylum

Light Asylum are releasing their self titled debut album this week. The album will be out on May 1st and it is the follow-up to their 2011 EP 'In Tension'. First single from the album "Shallow Tears" was re-recorded and mixed w/ previously unreleased b-side "Genesis". The musical style is a rugged mixture of coldwave, EBM and electro-industrial structured through pop of the toughest sensibilities. The album is out on Mexican Summer.   

 www.lightasylum.com
 

WAW: No Ceremony ///- Heartbreaker

"Heartbreaker" is another track by the enigmatic Manchester based group or artist known by the name No Ceremony /// also NOC ///. The video shows baby dolls glowing in the dark in the play of neon lights. The music is noisy synth-pop electro lost in the shoegaze darkness. 

WAW: Chromatics- Into the Black

Chromatic have announced a new single, their second from the upcoming album 'Kill For Love'. The single is called "Into The Black" and it was written and performed by Neil Young. The video for it was directed by Alberto Rossini in Gemini Vision for 'Italian do it better' films.

Electronic Rumors Bring You The Best in Electro

Electronic rumors blog (electronicrumors.com) that has been serving up the latest and greatest news and tracks in the world of Electro/Disco/Indie/Dreamwave/Synth/Stuff/Thing/Pop has teamed up with respected Us ElectroPop label Ninthwave Records (Heaven17/White Town/The Modern) to release electronic rumors Volume 1, featuring of some of the best artists making Dreamwave, Nu-Disco, ElectroPop and Indie-Electro in the last twelve months including exclusive tracks from Ride The Universe (Dreamwave supergroup acclaimed, for their reMixes, with their début original), the much hyped Show Your Shoe, Futurecop!, beaumont, Substatic and Echoes and the first time on CD for Queen Of Hearts and Ronika, both tipped by the mainstream press for chart dominance in 2012. They feature alongside some of the most exciting electronic music that broke out in 2011.

  

Next Wave: Chairlift

Chairlift is New York based indie pop electro outfit consisting of Caroline Polachek and Patrick Wimberly. Originally they were a three piece group when they released their debut album. Last year Chairlift returned with the brilliant new single/video "Amanaemonesia". Their music is a cosmic fantasy, it shifts between analog and digital beats, it's pastoral and gothic at the same time. Their second album 'Everything' was released on January 24, 2011 through Columbia Records. 

http://www.chairlifted.com

80's Duets: Yello feat. Shirley Bassey- The Rhythm Divine

Back in 1987, Yello approached Shirley Bassey for a possible collaboration on one of their song which written specially with her voice in mind. She agreed to do the duet and so "The Rhythm Divine" was released during the same year and it also appeared on Yello's album One Second. Billy MacKenzie, lead singer of The Associates, who had previously worked with Yello on several occasions, also contributed on this song and he provided the backing vocals. 

 

Next Wave: Montage Populaire

Montage Populaire is a Southampton based indie pop group whose music is an electric vintage box packed with lots of diverse musical influences. Freewheeling dance beat and seductive rhythms which gets you on your feet. Their debut EP "Nothing Serious" was released on October 11, 2011. 

Find out more about the group by clicking the links below.

  Montage Populaire Facebook
  http://monpop.bandcamp.com