February Playlist

As much as I love writing about music, I love making playlists. Finding just the right combination of songs that sound awesome together to convey a particular mood or message. And it's another great way to share the music I love with the world.

So, I'm trying something new: Roxy talks Music monthly playlists. Once a month I'll post a collection of songs that mean something to me. Whether it's new music I've been listening to lately, old favourites I listen to all the time, or something that is particularly significant to me this day for whatever reason.

So I hope you enjoy the very first Roxy talks Music playlist, specially designed for the month of February. Happy listening!

If You Like It Dark...

If you prefer winter to summer, don’t mind the rain, and ask yourself which shade of black you should wear each morning; these artists are probably right up your (dark and foreboding) alley.

Savages

Described as post-punk revival noise rock, Savages are a four-piece band from London. The band formed in 2011 and consist of French vocalist Jehnny Beth, guitarist Gemma Thompson, bassist Ayse Hassan and drummer Faye Milton. Heavy on the reverb and distortion, Savages create a dark atmosphere reminiscent of Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees or early PJ Harvey.

Savages have two albums under their belt; ‘Silence Yourself’ released in 2013, and ‘Adore Life,’ released in 2016. Currently they are taking a break while members of the band explore other opportunities (NME). Interestingly, Damon Albarn enlisted Beth to collaborate on the new Gorillaz album ‘Humanz,’ on the track ‘We Got the Power,’ also with Noel Gallagher of Oasis.

Beth’s introspections about love against a backdrop of loud crunchy guitars, pounding bass and echoing darkness are the perfect companion for a night spent alone in the dark; reflecting on lost love and one’s place in the world.

Alexandra Savior

Alexandra Savior is a young American singer-songwriter from Portland, Oregon. Her debut album ‘Belladonna of Sadness,’ was released in April this year and has a very noir vibe. 1960’s dream pop with a gothic flavour, Savior has a voice as smooth as velvet.

Savior collaborated with Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys, whose signature retro sound is all over this. It’s heavy on the bass with doomy chord progressions, and maybe some organ and theremin thrown into the mix. After listening to this, you’ll want to don your sexiest dress or sharpest suit and hit the nearest classy cigar bar tout suite.

The Raveonettes

Danish indie rock duo from Copenhagen, The Raveonettes, are interesting in that they incorporate a variety of genres. Noise pop, surf rock, shoegaze and garage rock are some of the best descriptors. The Raveonettes feature Sune Rose Wagner on guitar, instruments and vocals, and Sharin Foo on bass, guitar and vocals.

The Raveonettes formed in 2001 and have produced eight studio albums. The latest of which, ‘2016 Atomised’ was released in February this year and introduces 1980’s electro pop into the band’s already eclectic repertoire.

The juxtaposition of a 1960’s pop sound with dark lyrical content, explosions of noise and a foreboding ambience is delightfully strange. If you like My Bloody Valentine, then The Raveonettes are for you.

Soviet Soviet

Soviet Soviet are a post-punk revival trio from Pesaro, Italy. With guitarist Alessandro Costantini, drummer Alessandro Ferri and bassist and vocalist Andrea Giometti; Soviet Soviet have a retro sound similar to the Psychedelic Furs or early New Order.

The band formed in 2008 and have released four albums. Their sound is characterized by crunchy melodic guitar and uptempo drumming, with a dark undertone. This is 1980’s goth rock for today. Expect to hear Soviet Soviet at the underground goth club you’d go to if only you could ever bring yourself to leave the house.

Album Review: Melody's Echo Chamber LP

2012
11 songs
Length: 44:30
Available to buy from Fat Possum Records

French musician, Melody Prochet, released her debut album as Melody's Echo Chamber in 2012. Described as psychedelic rock/dream pop, it was produced by Kevin Parker of Australian rock and roll band, Tame Impala. With her second album 'Bon Voyage,' due to be released this year, I figured now would be the perfect time to revisit Prochet's stunning debut.

Prochet began as a classical music student. She met Parker while supporting Tame Impala on their 2010 European tour with her previous act, My Bee's Garden. Prochet claimed that she found the study of classicism restrictive, so it was a natural progression for her to collaborate with someone with a rock and roll background (Fat Possum Records). The result is a psychedelic, space rock/dream pop adventure.

Prochet delivers beautiful melodies and sings with a sugary sweet voice. 'I Follow You' has an ethereal quality to it, the sweetness ruffled slightly by fuzzed out guitars and finishing off with a noisy riff reminiscent of that signature Dinosaur Jr. sound. 'Crystallized' begins with dreamlike, echoing melodies, before descending into psychedelic, distorted space rock madness. 'You Won't be Missing That Part of Me' sounds like rock and roll chamber music from space.

Prochet's classical background is apparent, meshing nicely with a rock and roll sound. 'Some Time Alone, Alone' pairs beautiful arpeggios with a heavier rock sound and the album's quintessential reverb. 'Quand Vas Tu Rentrer' incorporates beguiling chord arrangements that create a 1960’s French pop feel; a bit like Francoise Hardy or France Gall. 'Bisou Magique' employs musical texture to great effect, imbuing it with a dark, otherworldly quality.

The album delves into experimental territory on, 'IsThatWhatYouSaid,'a mish mash of distortion and effects that has the feeling of a bad acid trip; and 'Snowcapped Andes Crash,' which sharply veers away from the album's mostly pop rock sound. On 'Be Proud of Your Kids' we are treated to the prattle of a cute, little French kid, while Prochet croons in her sweet, girlish voice that we should show our children love every chance that we get.

'Melody's Echo Chamber,' is an interesting ride. The overall dream pop/space rock flavour works nicely with Prochet's sweet sounding voice and enchanting arrangements. The first half of the album is definitely stronger, with the second half losing focus towards the end. But it's well worth a listen (or thirty) and I'm looking forward to hearing more from Melody's Echo Chamber in the very near future.

Album Review: Molly Burch's 'Please Be Mine' LP

2017
10 songs
Length: 41:46
Available to buy from Bandcamp

Molly Burch is an American singer-songwriter based in Austin, Texas. Her debut album, ‘Please Be Mine’ is a collection of wistfully dreamy love songs; the perfect soundtrack to unwind to while you soak in the bath and let your cares slip away.

The album has a very nostalgic feel, reminiscent of 1960’s pop chanteuses like Dusty Springfield and Lulu, but with a country twist. Burch’s voice is complimented nicely by clean guitar licks and reverb that creates an otherworldly atmosphere. ‘Downhearted’ is the first track on the album and gives you a good indication of what to expect. Burch’s vocal range is fully realised here and the overall country, dream pop sound works wonderfully with her voice. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear this song on the soundtrack of Quentin Tarantino’s next film.

Burch gives you the impression that she is no stranger to heartbreak. Every song on this album speaks of longing and complicated love. On ‘Wrong For You,’ Burch warbles lamentations of why she can’t have someone she wants so much. ‘Please Forgive Me’ is a tale of regret and lost love capped off with a whimsical guitar solo. Her gorgeous voice has so much depth and range, and works so wonderfully with the charmingly retro guitar; you can’t help but fall under her melancholy spell.

Burch employs inflection masterfully throughout, effortlessly switching between different deliveries on every track. ‘Try’ has a lovely surf pop feel, while Burch gets a little more commanding in her vocal rendition. ‘Loneliest Heart’ is a beautiful, sleepy lullaby. I can picture Audrey Horne dreamily swaying back and forth to it while it plays on the jukebox at the Double R Diner. On ‘Fool,’ Burch spruiks the protestations of a jilted lover with a somewhat Patsy Cline vibe.

‘Please Be Mine’ introduces Molly Burch as a talented singer-songwriter. More polished than passionate, it displays the complete control that Burch has over her voice. It’s not the kind of record that serves up something different on every track; but it is a perfect representation of a flawlessly handled vocal instrument. And in the words of Audrey Horne, ‘isn’t it too dreamy?’