Weyes Blood – The Outside Room
April 27, 2011
Weyes Blood – The Outside Room
Like Prince changing his name to a symbol, Natalie Weyes Blood made a statement by changing the word “Bluhd” in her name to a more conventional spelling. In terms of pronunciation, nothing is different. But in appearance, her name now look more familiar, more approachable, and more timeless. Analogous is her new LP on Not Not Fun, one of the most instantly lovable albums I’ve heard all year. The ringing drones and warped ambience of her previous CD-Rs is thankfully very much present, but now Natalie’s awe-inspiring vocals, at times eerily channeling Nico (a huge complement from me), are pushed to the front, carrying the songs to new levels of immediacy. Honestly, I love everything about this record. Hugely recommended!
Weyes Blood – “Candy Boy”
Wet Hair – Radiant Lines
April 22, 2011
Wet Hair – Radiant Lines
Releases from Iowa duo Wet Hair are always essential, not just because of their magical blend of psychedelic pop music but also because of their distinct and iconic artwork that comes with every release. Now, Not Not Fun has pressed this 7″ with two new songs – both of which are total hits – and a 22-panel art book, containing some of their most gorgeous pieces. Believe me when I say that this release is a total blessing – with full coloring, a glossy cover, and delicious candy for the eyes and the ears. It truly deserves a spot in everyone’s collection.
Dylan Ettinger – Lion of Judah
April 18, 2011
Dylan Ettinger – Lion of Judah
Dylan Ettinger and vinyl go together like cookies and milk, so it’s truly a blessing that the folks at Not Not Fun are giving us a new wax transmission from the Indiana synth legend after last year’s list-topping epic New Age Outlaws. The viral a-side “Lion of Judah”, a.k.a. “#lionofjudah” (#swag), is without a doubt one of Ettinger’s most powerful recordings yet. It’s a gooey and futuristic slow jam, showing remarkable progress from Ettinger and serving as a promising omen for what’s to come. For only 4 dollars, there’s no reason not to grab this thing immediately. Crucial!
Xander Harris – Urban Gothic
April 5, 2011
Xander Harris – Urban Gothic
This new transmission from the Not Not Fun labs sold out almost immediately at the source, but, in a marvelous example of record-label-mercy, it is now back in stock for those of us who happened to blink our eyes last week. This LP, from the up and coming Buffy the Vampire Slayer-inspired Xander Harris, happens to fit very nicely in the dark-waving, VHS-obsessed, Italian-horror-movie-soundtrack school of synth music but it also brings a lot of new atmospherics and colors to the palette. For one, there’s the unbearably creepy and voyeuristic world that Xander Harris’s music inhabits (see: album cover, video below), and then Harris also gives an intensely danceable and cathartic vibe to most tracks, making this record totally irresistible.
Xander Harris – “Tanned Skin Dress”
