The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: Electronic


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Marian Hill – [Wasted] + [Lips]

Marian Hill - Wasted + Lips

Meet impressive Philadelphia based electronic pop duo Marian Hill.

Marian Hill – Wasted:

Marian Hill are a standout American duo that blend elements of jazz into sultry electronic music. Talented producer Jeremy Lloyd helps give life to the delightful vocals of Samantha Gongol that pierce across every track. One bite from any one of the tempting apples these two have concocted might leave one inoculated with their fresh brand of seductive indie pop. Wasted was the fruit of my downfall, and I suggest that you indulge into it as well.

Lips is another great example of the riptide allure the pair bring to the table. Combining delicious hooks with such a creative free flow of production is sure to gain them some well deserved attention. I just hope that listeners in the States are more prone to Marian Hill’s music than their similar sounding cousin’s across the pond AlunaGeorge. One listen of their newly released Sway EP and somehow I’m not that worried about anyone missing out. All seven tracks carry a special charm that can easily be enjoyed by us all.

Marian Hill – Lips:

Shout out to my local free format radio station 91.5 WPRK for introducing me to this lovely pair and their undeniable grip.

Twitter Handle: @MarianHillMusic
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MarianHillMusic
Spotify:  Marian Hill

Purity Ring - begin again


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Purity Ring – [begin again] + [push pull]

Purity Ring - begin again

The Canadian experimental electronic oddity known as Purity Ring has returned

Purity Ring – [begin again]:

The off beat magnetism of Purity Ring is presenting itself in full force on their latest release begin again. It’s as if a dark charm has begotten further adoration for Megan James and Corin Roddick and their crafty electronic nature. The new song does a tremendous job of striking a balance in the clash between their typical bizarre self and a new found sound that wouldn’t be too out of place at the local club. Personally, I find their mix of piano with a dance floor banger to be simply fun, but it has to be Megan James haunting vocals that keep me coming back to this addictive track again and again.

push pull is Purity Ring’s first release in two years and I would say is a quintessential example of the odd, but enchanting, sound the band is widely known for. The backdrop of electronic noises on this one aren’t so much a part of the background as they manage to pierce their way to forefront. That’s not to say Megan’s vocals are downplayed at all, because she, again, is a major pull in the listenability of this song. I just happen to prefer the new and exciting focus the band is taking over the old, but reliable, smorgasbord.

Purity Ring – [push and pull]:

Purity Ring have also announced the release date and title of their second album. Here is the ten track listing of Another Eternity which should be released on 3/3/15:

heartsigh 
bodyache
push pull
repetition
stranger than earth
begin again
dust hymn
flood on the floor
sea castle
stillness in woe

Twitter Handle: @PURITY_RING
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/purityringmusic
Spotify: Purity Ring

Jungle - Jungle


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Best Albums of 2014 #7.) Jungle – Jungle

Jungle - Jungle

released in July 2014 via XL Recordings

Deciding to take a chance on British electronic funksters Jungle turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made in 2014. In the realm of online music buzz these guys were being held up as a bright and creative beam of light, in what early on might have seemed like a slow beginning for our year in music. So after much avoidance (Because honestly I don’t usually care much for psychedelic dance music) I finally took a gamble and oh my did it ever pay off. Jump right into Busy Earnin’ and you will have trouble denying that there is something special going on here.

Jungle’s self-title debut contains a gorgeous cascade of many sounds, but with some that are most likely not made by any instrument that you or I posses any familiarity with. I highly suggest you go into this album open minded and ready for anything, because it will get weird. Not the uncomfortable kind of weird where you’ll want to leave the situation, but that certain kind that might spark a unknown curiosity inside you. There are some true gems on this album that stand out, but I highly recommend giving the whole record a spin before nitpicking.

Favorite Tracks:
Time
Julia
Busy Earnin'
Crumbler
Lemonade Lake

Twitter Handle: n/a
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jungle4eva
Spotify:  Jungle


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Big Data – [Dangerous] + [The Stroke of Return]

Big Data - Dangerous + The Stroke of Return

Big Data are the paranoid pair who bring us music for the coming era of big data analytics

Big Data – Dangerous:

Big Data is as much a public service announcement as it is an indie band. They’re here to inform us that we are being watched and monitored like never before.
Daniel Armbruster (of Joywave) and Alan Wilkis, who comprise the New York based electronic indie outfit, take a nonsensical approach to informing the masses of the breach in their privacy. Enlightening us to the glorious digital future already in our midst and all the new age voyeurism we subject ourselves willingly to when surfing the internet. What better way to prep us for the coming singularity then indie pop music? Ruggedly awesome and catchy indie pop music at that.

Dangerous has a bassline that’s about as dirty as the NSA’s secrets. So dirty that you can’t help but to delve deeper in again and again. Addicting and informative, this track is what happens when great potential meets proper execution. Everything about this song is so much larger than just a two man project. The level of production and thought put into Dangerous sometimes isn’t even seen on tracks by the bigger names in music. So kudos to you gents.

The music video for Dangerous is a great deal more then just your average music video. Rightly dubbed The Facehawk, the interactive music video is an experience in and of itself. Just let Big Data borrow the keys to your Facebook castle for 5 minutes and watch your timeline come to life in the form of a bird of prey. It’s alright to be nervous about sharing your personal information, in fact I think that is kind of the point of it anyways. If you do manage to muster up the courage to experience the video you might be left with an unsettlingly feeling afterwords from being faced with all the information about you that is in the public domain.

Big Data’s only two songs, Dangerous and The Stroke of Return, are going to see a proper release on the band’s up coming EP 1.0, which I’m sure will be released before 2014. I’m tremendously excited for more music from these guys and can’t wait to see what ingenious method they come up with this time for sharing it with the world.

Big Data – The Stroke of Return:

You’ve already let Big Data onto your Facebook so why not get onto theirs.

Or listen to Big Data on Spotify!

American Royalty


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American Royalty – [Matchstick] + [I’ve Been Fighting For You]

American Royalty

American Royalty are Los Angeleos based psychedelic-blues rockers

American Royalty – Matchstick:

I guess I should tell you upfront that this track has a bit of a build up, sixty seconds of ongoing pleasant piano riffs, but if you can handle then your ears surely will be rewarded with the wonderful changing of pace. That change of pace is the psychedelic electronic frenzy that seems to play a huge influence on the brand of alternative rock made by American Royalty. It’s true that I could sit here all day trying to list genres that this unique band might encompass, but if I were to pick two from the crowd they’d have to be electronic and blues. Makes for a hell-of-a combination as is clearly evident by the head spinning Matchstick. (I mean come on! Did you hear that breakdown?!) However, this is far from the only note worthy track made by American Royalty. I’d easily recommend any of the three songs found on the band’s latest record Matchstick EP. I know three doesn’t seem like much but we’re talking about three completely solid individual jams, and at $1 a piece that sounds like a steal. American Royalty know how to set the bar real high and I can not wait until I can see what these guys do with a full album. I also highly recommend giving the bonus track I’ve Been Fighting For You a listen.

BONUS: American Royalty – I’ve Been Fighting For You:

Don’t forget to support American Royalty by heading over to their Facebook Page and give them a Like!

Or listen to American Royalty on Spotify!