Next Wave: undertheskin

Underskin is a one man project from Poland based musician whose music was inspired by dark atmosphere and analogue sound of early 80's post punk. As the influence, his music is cold an dark expressed through drum machines, cold bass, guitar riffs and cold vocals. Undertheskin's debut album was which contains 6 atmospheric post-punk tracks was released in 2015 through the Alchera Visions. To feel it under your skin, check artist's bandcamp page.

Retrovision: DAF- Brothers

"Brothers" was the thirteenth single release for the German-American duo formation DAF which was released 30 years ago. The song was taken from the album '1st Step to Heaven' and it is one of our favorite tunes from them although it is considered as most commercial move in their career.

    

Air to Release a Twenthy Years Anthology in June

French electronic duo Air have announced the release of first ever anthology 'Twentyears'. The name itself reveals all as this is obviously Air's 20th anniversary and good occasion to celebrate. The two CD edition of 'Twentyears' features a ‘best of’ disc with classic selections from the Air discography, chosen by Nicolas Godin and Jean-Benoît Dunckel. The second CD in this set features 14 rarities including the previously unreleased Roger Song. There is also a third disc available in Superdeluxe edition which is the Air version of the Pet Shop Boys 'Disco 4'. The compilation is set for release on June 10th. 

Ultravox! 'The Island Years' Compilation Announced

Caroline International have announce the release of Ultravox! early work recorded for Island Records in 1977 and 1978. As most of you know this is known as pre Midge Ure Ultravox era when John Foxx was leading a band. This box set will include the first three albums namely 'Ultravox!', 'ha!-ha!-ha!' and 'Systems of Romance' plus and a bonus disc of rarities.  Each of the CDs are packaged in their own wallet and housed in a clamshell box. 'The Island Years' is released on 20 May 2016.

PRINCE 1958-2016

The lights were already purple everywhere when we received the News about Prince's passing away. On our Blog, we were not really following to what he was up to in the recent years, but he was always present in our retro charts. One is certain, the music world has lost another genius and true talent, the artist par excellence who has written and recorded most of his music. He will certainly live on in our hearts and be the inspiring star for the new generations with the opus that encompasses more than three decades. RIP

RIP

Duran Duran to Release 'Girls on Film' Demo EP

Los Angeles based record label Cleopatra Records has announced the release of 'Girls on Film Demo' 1979 EP. This release is an evidence of early Duran Duran recording material when the band was still unsigned and featured Andy Wickett on vocals. Two years later the band will release their official debut album and EP. "Girls on Film" might a bit raw and DIY compared to the later version which will score an international hit for Duran Duran. The EP is already out in the USA and will be relased in the UK on April 29th. 

Divine's 'Shoot Your Shot' Antology Announced

Cherry Red Records have announced the release of a brand new Divine compilation. It will be the first compilation release in twenty years entitled 'Shoot Your Shoot- Anthology'. It will include 27 songs including the biggest hits as well as remixes. This compilation also marks almost 30 years of death of Harris Glenn Milstead. The compilation release is set for April 29th.

WAW: Shearwater- Quiet Americans

Shearwater have released the band new album entitled 'Jet Plane and Oxbow' this year in January. "Quiet Americans" is the first unofficial song for which the band has recorded a video. The video was directed by Alex Rapine and it was produced by Jarod Taber.

   

ABC Announce the Release of 'Lexicon of Love 2'

ABC have a announced the release of possible sequel of their most successful and best selling album 'The Lexicon of Love'. The album was originally released in 1982 and featured the hits "Poison Arrow" and "The Look of Love". It is announced to be an 80's album with the modern twist to it. The band have also announced the release of the first single "Viva Love" which will have a promotional video to it. The album is set for release on May 2nd through Universal Records.

The Last Shadow Puppets'New Album... Ten More Days

We are just ted days away from the official release of the Last Shadow Puppets' new album. The Album will be entitled 'Everything You've Come to Expect' and it will be their second album and the follow up to their Mercury nominated debut from 2008, 'The Age of Understatement'. As for now we are pretty much impressed from what we have seen and heard in the promotional videos for the singles "Everything You've Come to Expect" and "Aviation" and "Bad Habit". It seems that the guys have adopted new indie sounds leaving their 60's image outfit behind. We look forward to the new album which will be out on Domino Records.

Next Wave: Decorum

As you know with Next wave, we always present new artist and we always tend to be more diverse in terms of musical styles and sound. This time we have an interesting post-punk trio hailing from Brooklyn New York for you. They are Decorum and they have been playing live since 2015, serving their very organic post punk sound incorporated with two basses, drums and mixing of male/female vocals. Their motifs are dark and their colour is black. 

Their debut EP 'Vail' will come out on 'Mirror Universe Tapes' on 04.15.16 at IDIO Gallery in Brooklyn. 

More about the band:
https://vimeo.com/decorumnyc
www.decorum.nyc

Bat For Lashes Announce New Album 'The Bride'

Bat for Lashes has announced the release of a brand new album 'The Bride' this year. This will be her fourth studio album and a follow up to 'The Haunted Man' which was released in 2012. Natasha Khan also worked on a side project Sexwitch with a producer Dan Carey and released a mini album last year. Two songs have already been announced from the new album, including the lead track "In God's House". The official release date is announced for July 1st.

Retrovision: Lush- Ladykillers

Twenty years ago Lush released their single "Ladykillers" on 4AD which became their best selling single. It is considered as one of the best Brit Pop tracks ever recorded during the 90's. A music video for the song, directed by Mark Pellington, was released in 1996 and it featured the band performing the song, as well as footage of praying mantises decapitating one another. On 19 February 2016, the band announced the 'Blind Spot' EP, the band's first new material since 1996.

The Associates Best of Compilation Announced

The Associates will release a band new 'The Very Best of' Compilation in more than ten years. It includes their early beginnings tracks "Boys Keep Swinging" and "The Affectionate Punch", their biggest hits "Party Fears Two" and "Club Country" and also some previously unreleased songs. along comes a detailed sleevenotes in an 8-page booklet. This Compilation will be released through Metro Select on April 15th and it is already available on pre-order. 

  www.unionsquaremusic.co.uk/shop

Cat's Eyes To Release New Album this Summer

Cat's Eyes have announced the release of a brand new album this June. The album will be entitled 'Treasure House' and it will be the follow up to their self titled debut album from 2011. Meanwhile the duo was active in music releasing 'The Duke of Burgundy' soundtrack last year. The lead track from the new album "Chameleon Queen" is already available with a very hypnotic lyric video and we love it. We hope that the album will include more excitements like this one.

Dinner Announces Debut Album 'Psychic Lovers'

The Danish producer and singer Anders Rhedin who we have already mentioned on several occasions last year, will release his debut album in March this year. Following his EP releases from last year, comes his debut album 'Psychic Lovers'. It will feature the single "Turn Me On" (below) and it will be out on Captured Tracks on April 1st, on CD and LP. 

WAW: Primal Scream ft. Sky Ferreira- Where The Light Gets In

Primal Scream are back with a brand new single "Where The Light Gets in". They have teamed up with Sky Ferreira to record the first single from the new album. Pretty much 80's inspired it revives new wave for a bit with the mixture of guitars and synths. The video was directed by Douglas Hart and produced by Margo Mars. This song also announces the new album 'Chaosmosis' which will be out March 18th 2016. 

The KVB Announce a New Album 'Of Desire'

London based duo The KVB have announced the release of a brand new album 'Desire' which is set for release in March. This is their fifth studio release and “their most fully formed record” as they have announced. The album will be out on Metropolis Records and according to the label, The KVB balance walls of blurred guitars washed on the machine rhythm of electronic pop, exploring the darker, neo-psychedelic edges of shoegaze and noise pop. 

The album will be out both on vinyl and on CD and it will be officially released on March 11th.

Next Wave: Samantha Urbani

Already last year Samantha Urbani caught quite a deal of attention with her song "1,2,3,4" released in April last year. It remains one of the most memorable dance tunes that has kept us on feet throughout 2015. At home in LA and NYC, she is a singer, songwriter, visual artist and skilled to so many things related to these. Her musical starts date back to 2010, when she formed internationally successful dance-punk band Friends. The band dissolved after releasing one album and several singles till 2013. Before launching her solo career, Samantha collaborated with Domino Records artist Dev Hynes. 

After two single releases as solo artist in 2015, she has surprised us yesterday when she revealed the video for possible new single "Milk Makeup". Hope there is more to follow and possible new EP or Album release. 

Stay updated and follow Samantha on Twitter and Facebook.

Pet Shop Boys Announce New Album 'Super'

Pet Shop Boys have announced the release of a brand new studio album 'Super'. This will be their 13th studio album and a direct follow up to 'Electric' released in 2013. The album was Produced and mixed by Stuart Price in Los Angeles, it features 12 new Tennant/Lowe compositions including the lead single, "The Pop Kids". It will be released on their own label, x2, through Kobalt Label Services on April 1st.

 

Best of 1986- The Album List

n the early months of 1985, the Pet Shop Boys made a significant impact on the UK charts with "West End Girls," a track that would go on to become their signature tune and biggest hit. Alongside Erasure, they played a pivotal role in transforming synth-pop into electro-dance, giving the genre a fresh and contemporary sound. The Communards also contributed to this evolving trend, as their cover of the disco classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" emerged as the best-selling single of the year.

Meanwhile, established artists like Madonna and George Michael continued to be among the best-selling acts, further shaping the pop genre. Madonna's third studio album, "True Blue," stood out as the best-selling album in the UK during this period, solidifying her status as a pop icon. The musical landscape of 1985 reflected a dynamic fusion of synth-pop, electro-dance, and enduring pop influences.

Lust for Youth - Announce the Release of a New Album in March

Lust for Youth have announced the release of a brand new studio album 'Compassion' in March. This will be their brand new studio album and a follow up to their album 'International' which was released in 2014. Based on the stream of the song "Stardom", they seem to continue with their perfect bland of moody and hypnotic post-synth sound which they stared on their second album. 'Compassion' is set for release on March 18th on Sacred Bones Records. 

Colin Vearncombe (Black) - 1962 - 2016

Another sad news for the music world, as yesterday it was announced that Colin Vearncombe from Black has passed away. The 53-year-old has had sustained swelling on his brain and was in coma after his car accident. "Wonderful Life" and "Everything is Coming Up Roses" are still great songs and alwyas bring up nice childhood memories. His early singles still remain as the obscure treasure which hopefully will be released on day. Last year, he released 8th and final album 'Blind Faith'.

In 2007 we did a small presentation with emphasis on early Black
http://burningflameblog.blogspot.rs/2007/10/black.html

Thanks for the great music!
RIP

Retrovision: Eurythmics- It's Alright

"It's Alright" was the final release for Eurythmics from the album 'Be Yourself Tonight' released in 1985. The song managed to chart in the UK during March 1986 so this is the 30th anniversary for the song release. Sadly the song did not have big impact on the US charts. The song's music video, directed by Willy Smax, was a combination of live shots with computer animation, an innovative look for a music video in the mid 1980s.

 

WAW: Get Well Soon- It's Love

Get Well Soon will return with a brand new album this month. This will be the fifth studio album for Konstantin Gropper's band and it will be entitled 'Love'. Here is the first video and possible single 'It's Love' which features the German Actor Udo Kier. The video was produced by Matthias Murmann. The album is going to be released though Caroline Records and it will be out on January 29th.

   

David Bowie 1947 - 2016

It was quite a shocking moment of morning coffee when my colleague told me the news about David Bowie's passing away. I was just thinking, that's not possible! Slowly, I begun to realize and was saddened by the news and the fact that the music world has lost it's biggest star ever. Six decades of music and body of artwork, more than 25 studio albums, more than 100 single releases, and more than 1000 fragments of colours, images and impressions.
You will be missed and your legacy will certainly live on. This has been a fantsastic voyage!
Thank you David!

Geneva Jacuzzi's New Album 'Technophelia' Announced

Medical Records have announced the release of a brand new Geneva Jacuzzi album in February this year. The album will be entitled 'Technophelia' and it will be her first full length album in five years. he album was co-produced by Chris Coady and features a blend of DiY and professional recordings, inspired by left-field wave such as Ronny and Gina X. The album will come one high-quality 180gram white vinyl and it will be out February 5th.

Hear it stream!

John Cale's 'Music for New Society' to be Reissued

It's been 46 years since John Cale released his first single and album. He never really left the music scene and was pretty much present in every decade. Now 33 years after the original release one of his most unique solo records 'Music for New Society' will be reissued. The Album has been completely re-mastered from the original files, while its download card includes three exclusive tracks. Along with the album comes M:Fans bonus which includes old tracks reworked in the new context to resonate with the digital age. 

In 1982, Music For A New Society sounded exactly like its title: something futuristic, a new kind of songwriting exercise. Today, M:FANS is exactly that too: full of electrical crackle and disturbed frequencies, a different kind of dystopian future awaits. 

Below you can see the video for the song 'Close Watch' which was one of our Top ten videos on 2015 and the original version from 1983.

john-cale.com