IM // UR | HIYA // The Name

We swear this isn't an ironic listening. We love Beyoncé and 4. OK, we might unironically skip straight to track 5, 'Party', produced by Kanye West and with rap by Andre3000, because we ain't no stay-home-mums that need all those ballads about being broken hearted and finding the right person. But, after that, the album turns into a beautiful compilation of classic r'n'b, soul and a bit of sweat-inducing booty tracks - not too many though - that sound surprisingly courageous considering the actual state of pop music. And for that, we bow down and hail Queen B. P.S. Get the deluxe version, for those extra couple of amazing tracks.

WE // R \\ WEARING

The name of this label has been interpreted in many ways; from 'bass-seekey' to 'base-ike', but the correct way describes exactly what this label is about: BASIC. Bassike delivers easily breezily cut staples with an interesting little twist that keeps them from being your run of the mill. For those that live in climates like that of Australia (where Bassike hails from) or Brazil, you'll know how easy it is to make fashion faux pas when the weather gets hot and the prospect of wearing anything but a bathing suit becomes slightly unappealing; Bassike is all and everything you need.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Before watching HBO's Game of Thrones, I assumed the series would tend a bit more towards the blood-dripping Danish movie Valhalla Rising rather than fairy-tale stories a lá 'Lord of the Rings'; and for that I didn't really like the series at the beginning. But slowly, I found myself submitting to tales of bad kings, midget juggernauts, savage warriors and... dragons. And that happened probably because there aren't exactly good guys and bad guys here, like there are in Tolkien stories - and that is, of course, a simplification of his work. Another reason I relented to this series is because of the intriguing political backstage element that leads to the ever-happening dance of thrones. Oh, and did I mention the gratuitous nekkid-ness?

WE // R \\ GOING

Of the slew of new spots having opened up in Sydney in the last six months, The Norfolk on Cleveland St in Surry Hills has been one fated with success. Owned by some of the same kids that have brought The Flinders back to life (and currently, it's incredibly quick onset of 'The Norms'), you'll undoubtedly find The Norfolk rammed with all kinds, vying for a bite, a beer and a spot in the garden out back. The aim of the game is to cultivate Aussie pub culture at it's best; and it's doing a pretty decent job so far - if only you could get a table!

WE // R \\ READING

Super Sad True Love Story is the third book from the writer of the best selling Absurdistan, Gary Shteyngart. Incidentally, I read him name dropped in Flavorpill's Ultimate Hipster Reading list and in the same sentence as James Franco (they're buds, apaprently) just before I finished his latest offering. Don't let any of that put you off, or take away any of the sad scary brilliance of Super Sad True Love Story; written from the perspective of one 39 year old Lenny Abramov, son of Russian immigrants and in love with the impossibly cute and cruel Eunice Park. A satire that cuts to the bone, Super Sad True Love Story is exactly it's title. And it's good.

HIYA // The Name

Friday // February 18, 2011 at 15:17 // filed under Music

Partying in the USA

It’s really easy to hate something close to you. You can like the Danish dude locked in his room making weird music, but you'll give the band next door a hard time about their efforts. At least, this is something that I find myself doing quite often. But it’s not a problem exclusive to me and my personal taste. It's just that new Brazilian bands tend to be quite amateur about releasing music. Fortunately, I found an exception lying in my inbox.

The Name are a band from the countryside of São Paulo and have been going on for a little while; but after being signed by a really cool indie label in Brazil, Vigilante, they are producing and releasing some of their best music. Let The Things Go is their latest EP, and it features two new tracks and two remixes.

‘Let The Things Go’, the single, really defines the influences of the band: a dash of Liquid Liquid, a bit of The Rapture and some Hot Hot Heat during their short-but-delicious pop phase. It's discopunk with fat bass, tinkling cowbell and early-DFA synthesizer. Definitely not trying to do anything new here, but at least doing it really well.

Flash Content

The Name - Let The Things Go [mp3]

If you prefer disco to discopunk, there's a remix from The Babel Orchestra, the new project from Jim Adam, ex-Lullabies In The Dark (the band that also featured Aeroplane’s Vito de Luca). It’s very chill - the perfect club opener. The intro though reminds me a lot of a slower dub version of Madonna’s ‘Material Girl’, but in a good way. NOT in a Lady Gaga ‘Born This Way’ sort of fashion.

Flash Content

The Name - Let The Things Go (Babel Orchestra Remix) [mp3]

The second song by The Name is ‘Time For Fun’ and musically it’s more interesting than ‘Let The Things Go’. There are a couple of unpredictable breaks; like when one of the electronic drums does a sharp u-turn and a whole lotta cowbell, with a fatter bass at the wheel of this immediate and energetic track that quite feasibly has the potential to be adored by NME readers.

Flash Content

The Name - Time For Fun [mp3]

The remix for this song comes from Carpark Records' latest signing, Young Magic. Echoey drums, dark vibes and gothic vocals make it sound like some wanna-be These New Puritans going witch house...an idea which was probably a better in theory than in actuality. Anyway, a 180º change from the band’s original sound.

Flash Content

The Name - Time For Fun (Young Magic Remix) [mp3]

Let The Things Go will be released on the first week of March via Vigilante.

POSTED BY RAPHAEL CAFFARENA

TAGS: The Name, Babel Orchestra, Young Magic, Vigilante // LINKS: The Name, Babel Orchestra, Young Magic