Nu Rave Brain Wave

Happy July 4th all my fellow Americans! I’m currently holed up in the dried up cornhusk that America came from, and I gotta say it’s kind of weird spending my first ever July 4th away from America. This year I will not be having any hot dogs (a tragedy of the highest order) nor will I watch any Cholo’s shooting fireworks out of like, cannons in the street in Culver City. But I decided to throw together this eclectic mixture of songs that remind me of the 4th of July, Summer and ridiculousness. Enjoy, over eat and set shit on fire. It’s what the forefathers wanted us to do.

01 Animal Collective – Fireworks
02 These New Puritans – Fire
03 Heavy Hawaii – Suicide Summer (Early Version)
04 King Tuff – She’s On Fire
05 Bo Diddley – Fireball
06 Johnny Cash & Bob Dylan – Ring of Fire
07 Mazes – Summer Hits Or J Plus J Don’t Like
08 Sauna Youth – Teenage Summer
09 Pavement – Summer Baby (7″ Version)
10 The Sundays – Summertime
11 Beach Boys – Kokomo
12 LFO – Summer Girls

mp3: NRBW x July 4th Mixtape

Photo Courtesy of | Wayne Fox

Not too long ago, we announced that These New Puritans were going to be playing their second album, Hidden, accompanied by the full ensemble of brass, woodwind and giant drums; the orchestra will be conducted by André de Ridder (Gorillaz) in England, France and Holland. Hopefully, you will be some of the lucky few to see these wonderous shows. If you aren’t, they’ve released a music video for one of my favorite songs of theirs,  and you can check out Jack Barnett in all his awkward glory below:

OCTOBER
23 The Barbican, London

NOVEMBER
20 Crossing Border Festival, Den Hague, Holland

DECEMBER
18 Centre Pompidou, Grande Salle de Concert, Paris

mp3 | These New Puritans - I Want To Be Tracey Emin

Photo Courtesy of | Gaelle Beri

We all know that These New Puritans released their great sophomoer effort ‘Hidden’ which was a semi-departure from the angular, Fall-influence that dominated their first album, ‘Beat Pyramid’. ‘Hidden’ featured 15-piece brass and woodwind ensemble, pianos, 6′ Taiko Drums and various other noises. In October, November, and December, These New Puritans will take this album to London, Paris and Holland as it was meant to be played: accompanied by the full ensemble of brass, woodwind and giant drums; the orchestra will be conducted by André de Ridder (Gorillaz).

The dates so far (there are more to come) are:

OCTOBER
23 The Barbican, London

NOVEMBER
20 Crossing Border Festival, Den Hague, Holland

DECEMBER
18 Centre Pompidou, Grande Salle de Concert, Paris

You can also catch the band this summer playing Lovebox, Latitude, 1234 Festival, Field Day, Kendal Calling, Standon Calling and Offset.

mp3 | These New Puritans - I Want To Be Tracey Emin

Full disclosure here, I’ve been a fan of These New Puritans for quite some time now. I’ve seen them live, oh gosh, seven times? Maybe six, but the point is, I’m quite well versed in their live show. On record, they’re dense and systematic. Sure, Beat Pyramid was angular and heavily influenced by the Fall, but they had a lot of really interesting ideas, they gave off a ton of clues (em, the brilliant pop song that is Elvis and the rhythmic Fire Fire Fire) that would let us all know that they had talent up their sleeves – they hinted at something more. And with their second album, Hidden, they made good on what was promised which surprised a lot of people but keen listeners would know that Jack Barnett has a ton of tricks and he’s not done pulling them out of the hat. Their new album sees them become even less accessible – everything is rigid, its well thought out and completely structured and live the same translates. Jack Barnett is a perfectionist – and in no way is that a bad thing. Their live show is intense, it’s a complete experience – not only sonically but visually with the smoke and the lighting that wholly compliments the music. Barnett and co., are completely silent save for a few thank yous but it’s that mystery, the mad scientist vibe that they give off just adds to the experience. And for anyone who is wondering and hasn’t heard, Hidden DOES translate live. See this band.

THESE NEW PURITANS PLAY at AUDIO FOR LEVI’S ONES TO WATCH @ 21:45 – 22:30.

DOWNLOAD -> These New Puritans – I Want To Be Tracey Emin

The Great Escape Festival runs in venues all over Brighton on May 13th, 14th, and 15th. Buy your tickets here.

OTHER BANDS WE RECOMMEND YOU SEE: Best Coast, King Charles, Fionn Regan and Avi Buffalo.

The band also release ‘Attack Music’ as a single on April 19. The song is taken from the band’s recent second album, ‘Hidden’.

Liverpool, Academy 2 (April 15)
Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire (16)
Sheffield, Leadmill (17)
Nottingham, Rescue Rooms (19)
London, Relentless Garage (20)

DOWNLOAD -> These New Puritans – I Want To Be Tracey Emin

Photo thanks to Roy Barber.

I’ve never felt that These New Puritans have been a hugely polarizing band. I’ve always considered them more of an…. assault. Tons of praise has been heaped on their new effort ‘Hidden’ which I absolutely agree with, it’s a fantastic album – but in no way are they pulling a ‘Horrors’. (God, how bad is it that phrase? But it gets what I mean across, no?) Their first album, ‘Beat Pyramid’ was almost criminally overlooked by most but ended up being one of my favorite albums of 2008. In BP they started something great – angular, uncompromising, layered, beautiful, and on Hidden, they flesh these things out with utter, primal dexterity. But the question on my mind (and many other people’s minds, surely) was whether the new material would translate live.

In two words, IT DID! The night started off really strangely with the doors opening at 7pm, and between the hours of 8pm and 9pm, there was no opening band. However, it gave plenty of time to the ample crowd to file in and when 9 o’clock finally hit and These New Puritans started wandering onto stage one-by-one (George first, then Thomas, then the new girl – and can I just say she looked the part, all dark hair and clothes and pale as can be) the crowd applauded gently. When Jack walked on, last and in a pedestrian black long-sleeve (rather than his showstopping Roman Gladiator outfit) the real applause began.

The show was more of a ‘live experience’ although that phrase kind of cheapens the effort that TNPS obviously put into the show. The lighting was fantastic – from the blue flashing lights coinciding with the primal drumming of ‘Three Thousand’, to the strobes flashing with smoke outpouring onto Jack’s weird hand-movements during ‘White Chords’, to the close-to-darkness of ‘Swords of Truth’ – it was the way TNPS were meant to be seen. That is – in a dingy, underground club, packed with fans, watching TNPS weave their weird magic. I think I need to comment on their stage presence, which in terms of charisma might be a bit lacking, but I think their way – statuesque, silent (the only thing Jack said all night was ‘Thanks’) intimidating, indifferent even works to their advantage. It’s all so uncompromising – kind of like their music. They just do what they do, which is what they always have done and it just fucking works for them.

I would hate for my next word to be misconstrued, but These New Puritans are just so consistent. Not in the way that they’ve been good and they’re just staying, well, good, but the fact that they started off doing such amazing things and have reached even greater heights – especially in the live realm – is something that isn’t commented on enough. The songs off ‘Hidden’ were just so epic: ‘We Want War’ was mind-blowingly on par with the recorded version; ‘Fire-Power’, which has always been a mainstay of TNPS sets, was magnified to new levels (I’m not even going to get into how grateful I am to have a good recording of it); but the height of the gig had to be ‘Three Thousand’ which was just so forceful, teeming with power and passion, and just primal. How These New Puritans manage to be so mighty and energetic whilst seeming like they’re exerting practically no energy is amazing and I’ll never know.

Although the gig was like 90% new material, they did play three choice cuts from ‘Beat Pyramid’. ‘Elvis’ is as big of a hit as it ever was – all bass (even if Thomas wasn’t playing an actual bass) and Jack’s paranoid shouting perfection. They also played ‘Swords of Truth’ and ‘Infinity Ytinfinity’ (I called that one!) which were as excellent live as they ever were. A friend told me that he thought These New Puritans were a live band – better than on record; and while I am in utter agreeance that they’re a fucking incredible live band (my other friend was literally shaking due to the awesomeness of the show), I think he’s dead wrong about the record, ‘Hidden’ is certainly going to be one of my albums of the year.

9/10

Can’t catch These New Puritans on their current UK tour? Download this choice version of Elvis from SXSW 2008 (I was present for the recording, for the record) below.

mp3 | These New Puritans – Elvis (live @ SXSW ’08)

Today is a celebratory day! I get to see These New Puritans for the first time since June of 2008! Holy shit, that’s a looong time. But the second album is just an amazing coming-together of what they’ve always been able to do (ie: weirdness) but now people are taking it very seriously. I don’t feel in any way that TNPS are ‘pulling a Horrors’ because the first album was amazing. Regardless, I bring to you an awesome old mp3 from their trip to SXSW 2008 where I saw them like 4 times in 5 days, so rest assured I was present for this mp3 recording and ITS. AWESOME.

ALSO, Don’t forget These New Puritans are playing TONIGHT at AUDIO in Brighton!

Donwload -> These New Puritans – Elvis (live @ SXSW ’08)

The band has recieved wholly awesome reviews for their new album ‘Hidden’ which most people are acting surprised about – but I really knew all along what these guys (and girl) had in store for us all. Definitely check them out above, I will for sure be seeing them on February 1st in Brighton – but don’t forget to bring earphones, srsly, they will deafen you.

These New Puritans are back! Finally! After their wonderful debut, ‘Beat Pyramid’, which took them around the UK and Europe and SXSW in support, they’re back with what’s sure to be an excellent follow-up, ‘Hidden’. ‘Hidden’ is produced by Jack and Graham Sutton (Bark Psychosis, Boymerang) and mixed by Dave Cooley (J Dilla, MF DOOM). ‘Hidden’ is released on Angular Recordings on January 18.

TOUR DATES
21/1 Rough Trade East Instore
25/1 London Bush Hall
1/2 Brighton Audio
2/2 Birmingham Hare and Hounds
3/2 Manchester Deaf Institute
4/2 Glasgow Captains Rest
5/2 Newcastle Jukebox
6/2 Leeds Brudnell Social Club