What one might initially think are two paths going in different directions, have unexpectedly collided in this remix. The Golden Filter have taken their mitts to Yeasayer's new single 'Madder Red', making the most of that eerily pure vocal oooo-iness, speeding it up a tad and filling in the space between with rather a beefier version of their usual golden touch whilst Penny wraps her feather light vocal around Anand Wilder's.

The last third is EPIC! Winding it up into a 7 and a half minute jam, The Golden Filter get deep with the percussion, taking me back to Yeasayer's first album. A wicked interpretation, I really dig where this converged path goes. Check it:

'Hide Me' has been beautifully taken care of by its remixers; firstly by Rory Phillips and his amazing 90s dance remix, then Clock Opera and his atmospheric interpretation of the song and now it's time for Peter Bjorn & John and their highly experimental version.

The remix, which was named after John's project Hortlax Cobra, shares some similarities with the sound that the trio introduced on their latest album, Living Thing, but it's actually much more similar to the sterilised sound of Hortlax Cobra.

As John uses his own vocals more than Penelope's, we wonder if this should be better labeled as cover rather than a remix; but we're not too worried after taking the 4 minute and 31 second trip. It all starts as minimal as something with melody can be and it is goes slowly building around crystalline synthesizers and hard drums until you finally reach the whole to stare into its beauty.

You can stream Völuspà at The Golden Filter's website. We recommend it. 

'Hide Me', the lead single from The Golden Filter's Völuspà has been remixed by Londoners Guy Connelly as Clock Opera and Rory Phillips.

Clock Opera infuses the typically cool, signature TGF track with a fluently jangling warmth; softening 'Hide Me' with a really lovely and hopeful - though at times rather melodramatic - atmosphere, particularly when accompanied by the Richard Clayderman-esque piano. Alongside this element, the undulating synth that is one of the staples of TGF's sound is removed and replaced with a small choir of lovely, smoothly pealing bell-like synths.

Clock Opera

Melodious and rippling in a near-glissandic, slightly off kilter eddy is the muscle of this remix. Lovely.

Rory Phillips also throws in his lot with 'Hide Me', going the opposite way to Clock Opera and making the track even more aloof; almost as if the song narrows it's eyes and turns up it's nose slightly with Rory's touch. This remix goes oddly retro too, pulling out noises and effects from various eras to combine them in a thoroughly 'now' kinda way.

Rory Phillips

Po-faced and unruffled, this remix is for all the cool cats.

And it must be mentioned, the way that the ever interweb-savvy Golden Filter are handling their inevitable album leak is admirable; obviously prepared, they are providing plenty of incentive to go out and purchase the CD (or on vinyl...you also get the mp3 version straight away) which also has a couple of unseen videos too. And going down the Willy Wonka route, they've thrown in a personalised Polaroid they took, as well as naming - GET THIS - TWENTY STARS IN THE SKY with certificates to prove it, slipped into twenty random CD and vinyl copies of the album.

GO GET IT HERE!!

We are so excited that The Golden Filter debut is on the verge of being released; as it's been a long time since we found out about them, got enthusiastic about their mysteries, brought them to one of our parties and became life-time fans of Stephen and Penelope's project.

The duo made available on their website the first official release of Voluspa - to be released on the 26th of April via Brille (home of The Knife and Good Shoes).

'Hide Me' starts sexy and keeps building until we hear a mix of progressive and danceable synths, just as like they promised they would sound. But we still can feel the disco vibration of the beats as well as the beautiful and mysterious voice of Penelope. Listen to the track below.

In case you recognize this song, 'Hide Me' has been floating the web for ages as a demo track which you can hear and download below. Also check the great cover of Voluspa.

What's going on here then? After the last thing they dropped which was that killer remix of O Children's 'Disco Dancer', The Golden Filter are back again dropping hints. Always the tease, but never the whore...check it:

O Children

photography by Guy Stephens

Two of IM//A\\PARTY's acts O Children and The Golden Filter have combined their powers and created a haunting, yet glittering remix of O Children's lead single 'Dead Disco Dancer'.

O Children are serious like a heart attack, innit (see vid below). But you know what, they can get away with it cause 'Dead Disco Dancer' is great. The Golden Filter give the track their midas touch; adding the clarity of Penelope's bell-like vocal, casually throw in some epic drums to frame Tobi's equally epic voice and find a superb balance between these with their typically impeccable, slinky and sexy TGF production. Wicked.

Check the original if you haven't heard by now (shame on you if that's the case) - that riff is inescapably catchy.

Some months ago, I described the new Golden Filter single, 'Thunderbird', as "a five minute-long jam that starts with pulsating drums and poetic lines sensually proclaimed by Penelope." And now they finally have a video for it and it was shot again by the amazing Australian crew of Moop Jaw.

You may remember that the song is about "a bird of Native American mythology used in chant ceremonies symbolizing purification and healing" and the video shows a ritual to evoke this bird. It's as mysterious as you know this New York duo can be.

If you are looking for something spookier and less pop, you might find the dub version a lot better than the original. The drums feel stronger, the vocal less present and the synths much more psychedelic than the single version would like to be.

And that is not the only different version of the song, Golden Filter just released through the great RCRD LBL a new version of the song. The 'With Beauty Before Me, I Walk Mix' is a sexy blend of strong drums and crying guitars that reaches a totally different dark side for the duo. We sure'll be watching for TGF's debut album. 

Thunderbird

Saying that we love The Golden Filter is redundant. IM//A\\PARTY's latest stars are releasing a new single, and as you can expect it's a marvelous and mysterious trippy disco piece. 'Thunderbird' is a five minute-long jam that starts with pulsating drums and poetic lines sensually proclaimed by Penelope. It is so inviting and visual that I can almost see Penny evoking her stage persona and clapping her way into people's hearts whilst Stephen creates the synth aura of the music - or should I say musical journey.

The duo focus the release on the legendary bird figure of the Thunderbird, which according to the press release refers to a "bird of Native American mythology used in chant ceremonies symbolising purification and healing". And by now you should know that they really mean it.

'Thunderbird' is due to be released on the 16^th of November via Dummy Records, but you can download the single for free now (although you will have to wait for the high quality file). The b-side is their amazing cover of The White Stripes' 'The Hardest Button to Button' and a dub version of the single. Get excited!