The Six O'Clock Shadow

Sound not sarcasm. thesixoclockshadow [at]gmail[dot]com If you like what you hear on this blog, I strongly encourage you to support the artists' hard work and dedication by visiting their official sites, buying their music/merchandise, and attending their concerts. To artists/rights holders: if you are not happy about your music being displayed here, please get in touch at the above email and we will remove it.

[thesixoclockshadow]

22 July 2014.  There seems to be a lot of fantastic, well-delivered soulful electronica coming out of London right now. Like the buses, today it's two in quick succession. Having just written about "Stones" by Barcelone, I  have now had the pleasure of listening to this gem. A couple of days ago, Londoner Barli posted her second song "Reach for me", a slow-burning, smouldering and soulful track. With a simple melody and select number of instruments, this is a great example of the spaces between the music being as important as the music itself. The tone is set with her hushed voice and church-like organ. In the main body of the track, the music is mixed close to and at time almost in front of the vocals. But far from detracting from the song, this, combined with Barli's distinctive voice, adds an intensity and passion while at the same time retaining the overall low-key, sultry atmosphere of the song. With clever production and a voice less "pop" and more "Erykah Badu", Barli has delivered some great music here.

[thesixoclockshadow]

22 July 2014. Updownleftrightstart Records have just this evening posted this sublime, poignant track, "Stones" by London-based anglo-spanish group Barcelone. From the aching organ chords that form the backbone of the song, to the hauntingly poetic lyrics delivered softly by singer Edsun Bayforth to the muffled kick-drum, pounding like the heartbeat of the narrator, this is a heavyweight and moving piece of work. The sombre mood of the music and lyrics in the verses is counterbalanced perfectly by the ultimately optimistic message of the bridge and outro, Bayforth's voice opening and lifting to accompany the lightly skipping glass bell melody. A beautiful and soulful piece of electronica.

[thesixoclockshadow]

17 July 2014. Los Porcos have produced a video for their free download "Fuckin' A Jones", which I posted about here the other day. If you like the sound of men in tight baseball pants, then this is for you...

[thesixoclockshadow]

17 July 2014. Ghostly label have just released this simple yet ingenious and beautiful video for the track "Arterial" by electronic artist Lusine, involving blood and a melting motherboard, and made by Christophe Thockler. Perfectly complemented by the video, this ambient, low-key and soothing track features on a 20 minute/4 track EP of the same name, out on 05 August and available to pre-order now on the Ghostly store website.

[thesixoclockshadow]

17 July 2014. Grmln is back with this brash, raucous, straight to the point and thoroughly energetic piece of garage rock. "Jaded" will be the first release from the Californian's upcoming second album "Soon away". The single is released on 16 September. The band will be touring the west coast of the USA in July and August.

[thesixoclockshadow]

15 July 2014. Thanks to Earmilk blog for introducing me to Russian electronic producer Alexey Devyanin aka Pixelord, through his video for the track "Answer". While not quite as dark as compatriot Ghostek, his music is equally atmospheric, skillfully constructed and well produced. The breakbeat percussive touches here, moving around and between the booming kick and sub-bass, conjour up images of mechanical insects scurrying around a cavernous deserted space station. The artist has also posted up a preview of his soon to be released EP "Polygon Fame" on Soundcloud, showcasing his range of electronic expertise, from Dave Angel-esque techno to future garage, to ambient and breakbeat. High level stuff...

[thesixoclockshadow]

15 July 2014. By no means new, but I love this song so much I felt I had to share it. In fact I only recently discovered this joyful and highly contagious gem after listening to a Soundcloud mix by Brighton dj Mr Slice. "Lagué moin" is by Guadeloupean/French zouk legends Kassav. The song feels like a celebration from start to finish. I confess to my ignorance in not previously knowing the group, but at the same time rejoice that there is so much incredible music out there from all corners of the globe...

[thesixoclockshadow]

15 July 2014. Ex-Wu Lyfers Los Porcos, have right this moment just posted a new track available for free download,  another chilled piece of funk-pop titled with tongue-in-cheek, "Fuckin' A Jones".

[thesixoclockshadow]

14 July 2014. Lot's of bands these days are creating a sound strongly influenced by the 80's, but I have heard none more genuine sounding than UK act La Cassette, who have just posted the track Electric Paradise. Singer Adam McNab's deep reverb-laden vocals could have been taken straight from a recording of at least one 80's new wave supergroup. A rich, well produced song, sounding like the soundtrack to a classic 80's movie. Hollywood via Leeds.... The act's album is available to buy now on Bandcamp.

[thesixoclockshadow]

13 July 2014. I must admit I have a soft spot for French music. Firstly, because there's a lot of great stuff out there, especially when it comes to house and electronica, and secondly because I love the language. "Garde Le Pour Toi" by Parisian duo Paradis, is a charming piece of pop-electronica, infused with sun and warmth - maybe influenced by their new home in the south of France. A nice blend of languid, soft vocals, energetic solid 4/4 rhythm - with extra spark given by the prominence of cymbals and hit-hat in the mix, a bouncing synth bass, and sweet chiming melody over the top. There's a hint of Erlend Oye in this track...which is never a bad thing.

[thesixoclockshadow]

18 June 2013. The endless fountain of musical talent that is the English (West) Midlands, gives us yet another fantastic offering in the form of "Gold" by Jaws. This is classic British guitar-indie, the chorused riffs and vocal reverb and vigourously played drums transporting me back to the heady early 90's heyday of many great British bands, from before the term "britpop" was coined. Youthful, dreamlike yet energetic, the style may not be revolutionary, but the composition and delivery is as fresh as it ever has been.

[thesixoclockshadow]

14 June 2014. Yesterday Record label Ghostly posted up this latest track, "Jetée" by Fort Romeau aka Londoner Mike Norris - in spite of the French-sounding moniker. This is a deep down and brooding piece of top notch house music, with tight, tight production by a man who clearly knows his trade.

[thesixoclockshadow]

14 June 2013. Future Classic's new signing Hayden James' first track "Permission to Love" is a smooth and sensual piece of soulful electronica, with a repeated vocal carried along throughout cushioned on a wide sweeping synthesizer, enhanced by some well layered additional rich sounds, guitar riff and pitch tweaking.

[thesixoclockshadow]

14 June 2013. With it's ethereal and luscious vocal at the centre, and chorused guitars at the edges,  The Night VI's debut single Thinking of You is a song that transports me away into a daydream of my own memories, just as the title would imply. A beautiful, low-key yet memorable song that will strike a chord with anyone who has ever longed for a missing lover. The band will play at The Old Blue Last in London on 25th June.

[thesixoclockshadow]

14 June 2013. Upbeat LA electro-pop seems to be coming thick and fast right now. Another one from a few weeks back, this time in the form of the duo Classixx. They describe their style as "boogie", and while I wouldn't share that view in the pure sense of the word, "All you're waiting for", featuring Nancy Wang on vocals, certainly borrows from that genre, with its bouncing fat retro synth basslines and riffs and it's percussive touches combining with more current synth-pop sounds to make a very enjoyable groove.

[thesixoclockshadow]

14 June 2013. "Dreaming" by LA four-piece Smallpools has been blogged to smithereens over this last month, and indeed reached number one on the Hype Machine listening charts. Since I've been otherwise engaged I haven't got round to adding my twopence worth until now. But this is such a joyous and optimistic piece of electro/guitar pop, that I think it's better late than never. In a similar vein to the recently blogged Pacific Air track, this song is thoroughly infused with catchiness and youthful energy from start to finish, bursting out the blocks and not once looking back. The track has been available to download since late May, by simply signing up to their email list. Smallpools will be touring the States with San Cisco this July and August.

[thesixoclockshadow]

04 June 2013

This track, "In my dreams we're almost touching" by Ricky Eat Acid - versatile Maryland musician and producer Sam Ray - has been around for a month, but I just stumbled across it via the Nothing Sounds Better blog.  As I learnt from the aforementioned blog, the sample used throughout the track is taken from a song by Drake. This is a deep and slow-burning track, which at the 2 minute mark breaks out into the melody which the intro hinted would be forthcoming. The filtered repeated sample and general "matt" feel to the mix give the track a warm, summery, balearic feel.