Ouff. So 2012 went by in a heartbeat. There were a great number of albums I really liked, and only few who didn’t live up to the expectations I had. Like Egyptian Hip Hop’s debut was a bit of a let down (maybe it’s a grower?) for me after the great EPs they had released. On the other hand, we saw many great debut albums and many great sophomore albums as well which is maybe even harder to deliver after a good debut LP.
So anyway, here we go, a highly subjective list of the 15 albums released in the past 12 months that Team Poule enjoyed most. Not a single doubt in my mind about who finishes first. [continue reading…]
Apparently Petite Noir has been around the greater blogosphere for almost half the year. Somehow this little great EP only now made onto the Poule’s radar. Disappear is this chap’s second single. A great blend of indie-sound and soul elements, definitely reminds me of something else. Can’t quite put my finger on it. Maybe Kindness? Twin Shadow? Certainly one to keep an eye on, a debut album will be out next year.
So this is actually quite exciting – Alexis Taylor, head of Hot Chip obviously, dropped some new solo recordings last week. An EP titled Nayim from the Halfway Line – which is a bit of a peculiar title. Surely, you will recall 1995’s UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup Final between Arsenal London and spanish side Real Zaragoza. With the match tied after 90 minutes it went into overtime and Nayim scored the winning goal for Zaragoza in the final minute of the game: beating Arsenal’s David Seaman from the halfway line (btw, HOW good is David Seaman’s pose after the fact?! Casual.). Ever since, ‘Nayim from the halfway line’ is a popular taunt among Tottenham Hotspur supporters directed at their North London rivals. So if Alexis Taylor isn’t a closet Spurs fan, this might just be the most randomly-named release.
However, this EP is more than just a slap in the Gunners’ faces. Four great tracks, all single-handedly produced by Mr Taylor himself. There is this special groove to it that certainly marks a lot of Hot Chip’s productions too, which I guess is little surprising. So overall, it feels a bit like an experimental Hot Chip EP. Which is great. I really enjoy Alexis Taylor’s solo efforts. He released a full album in 2008 – which I’m not sure created that much attention. This song Baby from it is pure bliss, check it out.
Back to this new football-influenced EP though. Four great songs that’ll be stuck in your head. Nayim from the Halfway Line is out now on Domino as a 12 inch, stream in full below.
Sunday bliss by Philadelphia’s Work Drugs. Celebrating their second anniversary as a band, they released Young Lungs. Bit more upbeat than their last songs. Super good. If the Mayans messed up their calculations, the duo will play Glasslands in Brooklyn on December 22nd. Look out.
The Skins are a soulful rockband from New York City. They are all between 13 and 19 and are on a pretty good track of making real and good music. If you like what you hear then you can support The Skins here to crowdfund their first album and tour through France in February! Everyone who donates will get their album. I’ll definately reserve me a copy.
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So this is actually quite exciting – 
Music from Beyond. Musings by 
Sunday bliss by Philadelphia’s 
