Gui Boratto, "Take My Breath Away" (Kompakt)
Hyped on: Dream Big Dream Free; Consequence of Sound; Oh, Sweet Nothing
Official site
MySpace
Who: São Paulo native Gui Boratto studied to be an architect, but spent most of his adult life writing jingles and theme songs for the advertising industry. In 2005, he decided to branch out into the world of electronic music, where he made a huge international splash with his 2007 debut album, “Chromophobia.” “Take My Breath Away,” his second record for the influential German label Kompakt, is one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated techno releases.
What: Boratto’s love of New Wave–inspired synths sometimes gets him lumped into the über-trendy electro movement, but most of his tracks, with their Mobius strip loops and painstakingly layered percussion, are techno through and through. Moments of absolute gorgeousness abound, none better than the sublime, M83-like “No Turning Back,” which features lovely vocals by Boratto’s wife, Luciana Villanova (who also appeared on “Beautiful Life,” the standout track from “Chromophobia”). “Ballroom” is a marvel of dance floor engineering that’s both subtle and neck-snappingly propulsive, while the mutating beats of “Eggplant” and “Atomic Soda” prove there’s still room for innovation within techno’s rigid blueprint.
Made for: Fans of M83, Ulrich Schnauss, the Field, Matthew Dear and other techno and electronic producers who like their beats with a healthy dose of New Wave and shoegaze. DJs who appreciate that sometimes, a pretty melody can move the crowd as effectively as a banging beat.
X-Factor: Boratto is also developing a reputation as a top-notch remixer; he’s already juiced tracks by the likes of Goldfrapp and Adam Freeland, and most recently contributed a remix to the latest Pet Shop Boys single, “Love etc.” – AH
Sholi, "Sholi" (Quarterstick/Touch and Go)
Hyped on: The Needle Drop; Gimme Tinnitus; Dorks & Losers
Official site
MySpace
Who: The latest (and maybe last? see below) cool band brought to the masses courtesy of legendary Chicago indie label Quarterstick/Touch and Go Records, Sholi are a Northern California trio who make textured art rock that’s both enjoyably listenable and sufficiently complex to merit the heady categorization. Fronted by an Iranian-American ex-electrical engineer (who worked in a sleep and memory research lab while writing the band’s self-titled debut), Sholi bring a level of reflective depth to their indie rock without it sounding pretentious or forced.
What: Deerhoof’s Greg Saunier helped produce and mix the album, which could explain why it sounds so self-assured for a band right out of the gate. Ably led by Payam Bavafa and his Thom Yorke-y voice, Sholi aren’t afraid to go from quiet, neo-folk-infused indie to atmo-noise from one track to the next—and somehow, it’s not jarring. That the lyrics sound honest and introspective without turning obtuse, overt or twee is refreshing. Maybe the “indie Radiohead” comparisons aren’t so hyperbolic after all.
Made for: Cool kids in tight jeans who don’t like being called “hipsters.” Grad school art rockers. The edgier shows on NPR.
X-Factor: Much to the indie music community’s dismay, Quartersitck/Touch and Go Records recently announced that they are having significant business issues and will be shuttering their distribution arm, which was responsible for getting product from other labels like Drag City and Kill Rock Stars manufactured and on store shelves. The future of Quarterstick/Touch and Go’s label arm remains uncertain. They “hope” to release more records in the future, but Sholi’s debut may stand as one of the final additions to a historically important catalog. – KND
The Phantom Band, "Checkmate Savage" (Chemikal Underground)
Hyped on: Coke Machine Glow; The Line of Best Fit; Boldly Liberal
Official site
MySpace
Who: The six Glaswegians in the Phantom Band are pretty embedded in the art/music/social/trouble scene their city has become famous over the past 15 years. “Savage” was partially recorded at Franz Ferdinand’s “facility” and was engineered by Paul Savage of the Delgados. Big-name associates for a band that is a bit unsure of itself—before settling on the Phantom Band for this debut, they released music under a range of monikers including NRA, Les Crazy Boyz, Los Crayzee Boyz, Wooden Trees, Tower of Girls and our favorites…Robert Redford and Robert Louis Stevenson.
What: The identity crisis translates a bit to the group’s music. Folk is the root, with epic acoustic centerpiece “Island” being the best example—its minimal lyrics and crisp playing would be right at home on the new Neko Case album. Press materials refer to something called “proto-robofolk,” which we refuse to wrap our heads around. “Folk Song Oblivion” is a south-of-the-border rocker with bits of organ and upbeat guitar adding to the complexity. Our favorite track, “Throwing Bones,” explodes into rollicking psychedelictronica like the highpoints of oft-compared Super Furry Animals, ending in some barbershop sextet brilliance. Great song.
Made for: Fans of early Stereolab, heavy on the krautrock. Fans of Bis (R.I.P.)—who really have nothing to do with Phantom Band, besides being from Glasgow. But you should really check them out.
X-Factor: “The Phantom Band are the most self-destructive, directionless, negative collection of argumentative individuals I know, who go out of their way to mess up anything that might be working in their favor,” says the band’s organist Andy Wake. – MR
