Exorcising My Demons

Ok, here we go. I've invested a vast sum of money (about 9 euro) in obtaining the sphericalnotions.com domain name and I'm determined to resuscitate my poor neglected plot of cyber-real estate.

A band whose debut album I've been meaning to rave about the past few months is Fenech Soler, who I first encountered via their remix of Marina and the Diamonds' 'Hollywood' this time last year.

Occupying a point on the musical spectrum somewhere between Klaxons and Friendly Fires, the band's eponymous debut is laden with glittering electropop gems, doused in shimmering synths and spluttering drumbeats.

Opening track Battlefields begins with choral-like vocals before breaking into a frenetic dance-beat tailor-made to set toes tapping. Anthemic ode to self-doubt Demons sounds like the most likely candidate to grant Fenech Soler chart success, while contemplative piano-led track Stone Bridge offers a rare reprieve from the frantic pace upheld for most of the album.



The band's trump card is undoubtedly frontman Ben Duffy's powerful vocals, which is especially impressive in the upper register and sets the band apart from the slew of keyboard-toting electropop acts currently clambering for our attention. In truth though, it's hard to fault any aspect of this package and Fenech Soler is one of the most impressive debuts of the year.

Fenech Soler - Demons (Yuksek Remix)

I Live Among The Creatures Of The Night

Every now and again, a frothy female pop singer comes along that captures the imagination of the remixer/producer elite.

We've seen the likes of Ellie Goulding, Lykke Li, La Roux and, more recently, Florrie re-swizzed by some of the big name beatmakers. Now, it seems, it's the turn of 21-year-old Jade Williams, aka Sunday Girl.

Her recent singles, 'Four Floors' and Laura Brannigan cover 'Self Control', are understated pop gems, but it's these remixes by the likes of Diplo and Fenech Soler that have really piqued my interest:

Sunday Girl - Self Control (Fenech Soler Remix)



Sunday Girl - Four Floors (Diplo Remix) (Free download via RCRD LBL)



Sunday Girl - Four Floors:

Giggidy, Giggidy, Giggidy

I've been putting my poor credit card under a fair amount of strain of late, but I'm placing the blame on the number of great gigs coming up in Dublin over the next few weeks...

Fenech Soler @ Crawdaddy

First up is Fenech Soler at Crawdaddy next Friday. I first came across Fenech Soler last year as a result of their stonking remix of Marina & the Diamonds' 'Hollywood. After further investigation, I discovered that they had an entire arsenal of killer electropop tunes of their own. I'm still at a loss as to why 'Lies' wasn't a monster hit but, with new single 'Stop and Stare' cherrypicked for the forthcoming installment of the ultra-trendy Kitsuné Maison music compilation, their star is certainly in the ascent. Tickets are a snip at €8.

01 Stop And Stare by itsmodamusic

03 Lies (Alex Metric Remix)by itsmodamusic2

Evelyn Evelyn @ The Academy

Next week, goth-pop princess Amanda Palmer's latest venture Evelyn Evelyn rolls into town. I first saw Amanda play with The Dresden Dolls in The Spiegeltent in Edinburgh a few years ago and it remains one of my all-time favourite gigs. Evelyn Evelyn is a collaboration between Amanda and a number of other artists, including musician Jason Webley. Honestly, I haven't had a chance to listen to the album properly but I fully intend to sink my teeth into it before the gig at The Academy on the 19th.

Evelyn Evelyn - "Have You Seen My Sister Evelyn?" by moderntonic.com (free download)

The Hundred In The Hands @ Crawdaddy

On the 2nd of May, The Hundred In The Hands play Crawdaddy, shortly before the release of their debut EP. Their track 'Dressed In Dresden' is one of my staple playlist inclusions so I've high hopes for their new material.

The Hundred In The Hands - Dressed In Dresden by charmfactory (free download)

Tegan & Sara @ The Olympia

A little further off, but probably the most likely to sell out, is Tegan & Sara on 15th of June. The Canadian sisters' album 'The Con' is one of my favourite records and they've a pretty solid reputation as a live act, so expect to find me screeching away to 'Back In Your Head' in The Olympia.

Tegan & Sara - Alligator (Morgan Page Remix) by morganpage (free download)

Soler Powered Sounds

Ever since coming across English quartet Fenech Soler as a result of their excellent remix of Marina and the Diamonds' 'Hollywood', I've slowly become enamoured with their own brand of slinky electropop.

Teaming dreamy synths and throbbing drumbeats with sleek vocals from from frontman Ben Duffy, the band occupy a point on the musical spectrum somewhere between Friendly Fires and Tesla Boy.

Their recent single 'Lies' is a delectable little ditty that, by rights, should have conquered the charts:



There's also a pretty corking Alex Metric mix of the track that went down a treat when Mr Metric played at Spy last Friday.



Meanwhile, Ben also shares vocal duties with Saint Saviour on 'Paper Romance', the decidedly decent new track from Groove Armada:

Oh. My. God.

I'm currently getting ready for some Stephen's Day silliness and my preparations are being soundtracked by a Marina & the Diamonds track on loop. Shocking, right?

Her forthcoming single 'Hollywood' has been remixed by English electro-pop wonderkids Fenech-Soler and the results are quite marvellous.

The re-swizz sees Marina's sprightly pop tune transformed into a housey club-monster, the 'Oh my god' breakdown in particular being a late contender for musical moment of the year.



Yum. Download the MP3 for free from the infallible Neon Gold.