The Sifting Pan

Helping you find those Indie Gems!

Tag Archives: Pop


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Josef Salvat – [Open Season] + [Shoot and Run]

Josef Salvat - Open Season + Shoot and Run

Josef Salvat is an Australian artist based out of London

Josef Salvat – Open Season:

Josef Salvat has proven himself more than capable of producing alternative pop music that is tremendously expansive in scope. Last year, he stunned the world with his haunting and wholesome song This Life. Now on his latest single, Open Season, Mr. Salvat seeks to push his creative boundaries to the very brink. This time by the provocation of heart swells and an overwhelming sense of invigoration. Yanking those heartstrings of yours into a steady rhythmic dance of self empowerment.

In fact, Josef Salvat’s entire new In Your Prime – EP echos this sensory entrancement. I’d say you’re quite likely to find yourself captured by the serenity and elation of it all. That’s because there is never a dull moment to be found on this four track slice of delectable experimental pop pie. Just be careful not to drown as you become awash in the overwhelming sultriness of Shoot and Run.

Josef Salvat – Shoot and Run:

Twitter Handle: @josefsalvat
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JosefSalvatMusic
Spotify: Josef Salvat


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Sleigh Bells – [Bitter Rivals]

Sleigh Bells - Bitter Rivals

Brooklyn based Sleigh Bells are back with their signature noise pop style

Sleigh Bells – Bitter Rivals:

In one hell of a revival the rambunctious noise pop duo Sleigh Bells released their newest single Bitter Rivals. I am glad to see the band has not lost their traditional childish sense of humor. Light noodling, firm gasps and ‘Ahs’, a barking dog, and finger snaps all build up to the familiar thrashing guitars of Derek Miller and the somewhat distorted vocals of Alexis Krauss we might expect by now.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
- from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens(1859)

Something is seemingly different this time around. But is it subtle or is it craftily not so obvious? Could it be those super electro “pew-pew” sounds flying all over the track? Or is it the fact that we actually get a chance, for once, to stop and breath at well placed points? Then again, that is a super heavy outro they’re dishing out onto one’s speakers, which is very much the norm for them.

It is nice to be able to see that the band has progressed as we approach album number three, which not so shockingly will be titled Bitter Rivals. Sleigh Bells is headed off into the trendy direction of more heavy production and leaving their “lo-fi”ness behind. This transition is in no way a bad thing. I believe we should all be excited to hear what a cleaner sounding Sleigh Bells is like. If the band’s sound becomes more palatable then it’s only a matter of time until mom & pop are jamming out to some damn good music too. But who knows what kinds of delicious treats await us on LP3 and if the band has truly ‘cleaned’ up their act. Not that I’ve ever been one to complain about the loud and gritty sound of Sleigh Bells in the past.

If you enjoyed Bitter Rivals then you should let Sleigh Bells know by giving them a ‘Like’ on their Facebok Page.

Or listen to Sleigh Bells on Spotify!


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Song of the Day! Florrie – Call of the Wild

Florrie gives the call of the wild from Bristol, UK

Don’t just play off Florrie like she’s your average British pop singer. Florrie is a bona fide drummer, model, and is now going to pursue a solo singer/songwriter career. On top of it all this Florrie refuses to sign with a major label and distributes all her music free to her fans from her website. The best part about Florrie isn’t that she’s a gorgeous model or even a talented drummer, but that her music is so damn appealing! Have you not heard that sick surf-style guitar slide in Call of the Wild? She brilliantly mixes elements of pop with electro beats and adds some trendy guitar riffs to bring it all together. This is the kind of music I wish broke out into the mainstream, because pop music like this I can more then handle. Call of the Wild can be found on Florrie’s first EP Introduction, which was released last november. Luckily we do not have to wait much longer for another release because according to her website she’ll be releasing her second EP in the coming weeks and like always it will be offered for free via her website.


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Song of the Day! The Ting Tings – Hands


The Ting Tings hold up two hands(x2) from the UK

Ever since The Ting Tings initial success from their debut album We Started Nothing it has been a nonstop journey of touring and promotion across the world. So it was quite liberating for The Ting Tings to find time in their busy schedule last year to record Hands, the first single from their upcoming album. Hands is a great example of how well the band blends the pop we love so much and elements of dance and electronic music to create infectious beats alongside lead singer Katie White’s commanding vocals. Another reason Hands is just that much more awesome is it was mixed by British electro-house artist Calvin Harris, of whom I am very much a fan. It seems this will the trend on the upcoming album that is not set to be released until August 1, 2011. The album will be produced with help from some big names like Jay-Z and Rihanna so who knows the interesting things that will come from these collaborations. If the new album stays the same course as Hands then we’ll be sure to bring our sweatbands and dancing shoes to release party because it’s going to be a hell of a banger!


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Song of the Day! The Asteroids Galaxy Tour – The Golden Age

The Asteroids Galaxy Tour keep us happy from Copenhagen, Denmark

Blissful indie percussion-based pop makes The Asteroids Galaxy Tour always a joy to indulge in. That unique voice likes to put a massive grin on my face as I can’t help but feel as bubbly as the music does. The Golden Age is a track that is by no means new, since it was originally released in late 2009 on the band’s debut album Fruit, but it is a song that did not quite get attention at the time due to the success of the band’s Ipod commercial featured single Around the Bend. Now The Asteroids Galaxy Tour have released The Golden Age EP which features three new tracks and two different versions of The Golden Age itself. The EP actually wasn’t due for release until April 18th but due to a leak on the inter-webs the band as decided to drop it early.

And if you like The Asteroids Galaxy Tour then you should check out the similar sound in the song Beautiful Trash by Lanu.