So, one of my favourite artists; Blackbird Blackbird has a new track out Tear. It’s a euphoric piece of music that can make you feel the summer sun- even if it is horrifically cold and grim outside.
For the past few summers Blackbird Blackbird has provided the soundtrack. The music has this feeling that just makes you feel so peaceful and like you are floating on a bed of clouds. Tear is no exception, and you can grab yourself a FREE download of the track RIGHT HERE!
Expect an EP VERY VERY early next year from Blackbird Blackbird.
I’ve only cared about two sub-genres of music ; Shoegaze and Riot Grrrl. The latter isn’t really a sub-genre is it? More of a movement. One that was much needed, and it still needed. I still hope a wave of it takes over once again booting out all the shit in the music industry. Until then, I’ll just scream along with Kathleen Hanna in the comfort of my own home. It’s frowned upon whilst on a bus or train….apparently.
Over the past year and a bit a sub-genre has emerged. Some have dismissed it without listening, some claim it doesn’t exist and some actually love it. Now, those that are a fan of this sub-genre are frequently called “hipsters” and no feck all. I’m not a hipster and I’m pretty intelligent. So HA! In your FACE dumb music critics who slag things off just to look “cool.” I may rant, stick with me. I’ll try to keep on topic.
Chillwave. Where does one begin when talking about Chillwave. Yeah, the start would probably be wise. It all began a few years ago in America. As America has legit Summers- they can probably capture the Summer vibe, sunshine and beaches feel to their music better than an English band. Summer was a lovely day in England. Chillwave has a very 80s feel to it. Synths, electro, slightly distorted sound. I love it. I’m not sure why. I do think it could be that when I hear a GOOD Chillwave based act, I feel like I am sitting on a beach staring out at the sea- thinking about nothing and everything at the same time. Trust me, this happens about 5 times a day. Real life, you truly bore me.
I’m going to give you some artists that I love that fall into the Chillwave category. They should make you feel like you are floating and that nothing can touch you. I want you to listen to these songs and think about nothing and no one. The last thing/person you thought of- forget it/them. From now until you’ve listened to these songs- nothing matters.
I’ll start with one act that is probably one of the best Chilwave acts. Even those who dislike Chillwave love this guy.
Ernest Greene aka Washed Out has put out one of the best albums of the year. Within And Without is a close to perfection album, and he’s one of the stand-out acts in the Chillwave scene. His atmospheric tone just eases your soul. It’s pissing down with rain outside, but as I listen to his music- it just sends me off to some place beautiful. If you come to dislike Chillave music, I do hope you reserve some love for Washed Out as he’s truly wonderful.
Lay Bac’s music feels like a carnival, it’s just so joyful. Out of all the Chillwave artists I’ve been listening to for the past year or so, this guy is probably my number one. There’s something slightly different to his sound compared to others. His music feels like waves crashing as you watch from a cliff. It’s got this euphoric feel to it, I just love his sound a hell of a lot.
Blackbird Blackbird were another musical discovery at around 3am a while ago. That’s when I usually find new music to fall in love with. In under 3 minutes, this song defines Summer. The bass-line in this song is just simply gorgeous. It doesnt ripple through your chest, it just rocks your heart ever so gently. The music that Blackbird Blackbird create is so soothing and gentle. You just get this warm feeling inside when you listen to it.
If Beach House made a Chillave record, it would sound like this. Youth Lagoon’s take on Chillwave is much more emotional. That’s just what I take from it. I love the lyrics to July, “If I had never let go, then only God knows where I would be now. I made a bridge between us then I slowly burned it.” Aside from The Last Goodbye by The Kills, this song has my favourite lyric this year. It’s just a wonderfully haunting song, and his music is beautiful.
Okay, so Soft Powers isn’t Chillwave but I just wanted an excuse to include him. Who would’ve thought someone that was once in a Post-Hardcore band could create something like this? That’ll teach you to judge! If you like MGMT and Empire Of The Sun, you’ll love this.
I was reluctant to mention Teen Daze as I personally don’t regard them as Chillwave, but after going further into their career- they do have some aspects of it. For Paulina is their most Chillwave-type of song I think, it’s also one of my favourites. Saviour is a beautiful track, but For Paulina- the first time I heard it, I fell in love. For those less curious to explore Chillwave, listen to Teen Daze.
As somone is slowly growing tired of seeing people stand on a stage with an acoustic guitar singing awful love songs, I’m accepting Chillwave with open arms. The feel in the music is more haunting and distorting- the only person who could make an acoustic song sound haunting was Townes Van Zandt. Those NOW that stand about with an acoustic guitar just sing the same whiney songs, I don’t want to hear it anymore. With the dark nights coming early, I want to hear something that doesn’t make my bones feel cold and my soul tired. I’ll stick with Chillwave and Lo-Fi/Surfer-Pop. Oh, and I can’t be called one of those “Hipsters.” I don’t buy my clothes from charity shops- I think I’d feel uncomfortable knowing someone had died in what I was wearing. Oh, and just because it has a rip in it- doesn’t mean it is vintage. Stop wearing those MASSIVE glasses, you have 20/20 vision. Stop pouting in your photographs, you look like a dick.
The best thing about music is that it can make you feel so many things. Things another person has no chance of making you ever feel. For some it’s good, for others it’s bad. Personally, I don’t see it as a bad thing. There’s no disappointment within music. If you want to be disappointed, just go outside. Create something of your own, at least only you can take the blame and be responsible.
Touching on creating your own world, music helps with this in so many ways. When you go to a gig it makes you feel so good and so alive. A sense of euphoria just takes over and nothing matters to you. When you hear your favourite song being sung by your favourite singer in the world right in front of you, there is honestly no better feeling. It’s like all the reasons as to why you’re still breathing come alive as you witness it. You create what you want when you go to a gig. You could probably meet the best person in the world there. You have a mutual love for the band you are about to see- that alone could be the basis of any good friendship. The sea of people moving and singing along is such an amazing thing to witness and be part of. The world you create when you fall asleep at night whilst listening to your favourite band or just a song that you cannot imagine ever not hearing- nobody can ever take that from you, ever. It’s one of the very few things that no matter what, nobody will ever rob from you. It’s yours and yours alone. You don’t need to explain it to anyone and you don’t have to let anyone in. Sometimes you have to keep certain things to yourself. Sometimes you don’t feel the need to share anything with anyone. There’s nothing wrong with secrets, there’s nothing wrong with creating your own world.
With this odd introduction out of the way, I shall attempt to make it relate to the electro sounds of Blackbird Blackbird.
Mikey Maramag, formely known as Bye Bye Blackbird creates wonderful electro music that with first listen, just locks you in. I love music that, as strange as it sounds (mainly because I can’t bloody swim) makes you feel like you are rising above out of the sea and just floating. I think this is why I adore Warpaint and a hell of a lot of psychedelic music. That feeling that you are just floating away (or even into) something creates a wave of freedom that is sometimes hard, and rare to find. I think it’s why I struggle to actually put into words why I love certain bands because of how they make me feel.
Instantly, Blackbird Blackbird’s music comforts you. Even if you don’t need it, but you cannot deny that sometimes you just need a cuddle. His music, you can feel, is created with such love and passion. Dramatic description- it just feels like you are being surrounded by Angels or something when you listen to it. You feel protected, the music is so angelic. It’s a delicate kind of electro that surrounds you with such peace. Not a lot can do this, or have done it. If Spiritualized did electro, it would sound like this.
So, one of my favourite artists; Blackbird Blackbird has a new track out Tear. It’s a euphoric piece of music that can make you feel the summer sun- even if it is horrifically cold and grim outside.
Beat In My Bones. 