New Order “Singularity” (From “Music Complete”)
A New Order album in 2015 sounded like a risky prospect. After the messy exit of founding member Peter Hook, whose deeply melodic basslines were an integral part of classic New Order and Joy Division tracks, expectations were lowered for me. However, New Order are a band who sprung from the ashes of Joy Division after singer Ian Curtis committed suicide, and used that tragedy as a fulcrum to create some of the most lasting music of the 1980’s; so perhaps the most recent restructuring was the catalyst for this pretty great new record. “Music Complete” is, for my money, the best New Order album since 1989’s “Technique”, and it is certainly more consistently invigorated than anything they have released in the past two decades. “Singularity” is one of two successful collaborations with The Chemical Brothers’ Tom Rowlands on the record, and it’s a monster track.
DIIV – “Dopamine” (From “Is the Is Are”)
DIIV’s debut album “Oshin” was a strong record nearly overshadowed by Zachary Cole Smith’s modeling career, relationship with Sky Ferreira, and his troubles with addiction. All of that internet gossip detritus could have led to implosion, but the band has returned with this glorious song, aptly titled “Dopamine”. The shoegazing elements remain, but underneath the haze lies one of the band’s most satisfying and tightly constructed pop songs yet.
Julia Holter – “Betsy On The Roof” (From “Have You In My Wilderness”)
“Have You In My Wilderness” is yet another winning entry in the increasingly fascinating discography of Julia Holter. She creates beguiling, bewitchingly pretty avant-pop that has only grown more refined and delightful with each release. She gets compared to everyone from Laurie Anderson to Kate Bush to Grouper, but, while she is every bit as inventive as those artists, she does so without really sounding like any of them.
Carla Morrison – “Un Beso”
Carla Morrison is already a star of some note in her native Mexico, with two Latin Grammys and several successful albums under her belt, but her new single is further proof that she makes music without borders, able to break through any language barrier. A slow-burning, evocative track that surges with the intense sensuality found in the best work of Bat for Lashes or Lykke Li, “Un Beso”, and whatever follows it, should help to open her up to a wider audience.
Life With Dee Playlist Vol. 3
Tracklist:
1. Joy Division – “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (From “Substance”)
2. New Order – “Singularity” (From “Music Complete”)
3. LCD Soundsystem – “All My Friends” (From “Sound of Silver”)
4. Slowdive – “When the Sun Hits” (From “Souvlaki”)
5. DIIV – “Dopamine” (From “Is the Is Are”)
6. Yo La Tengo – “From a Motel 6” (From “Painful”)
7. Joni Mitchell – “Hejira” (From “Hejira”)
8. Julia Holter – “Betsy On The Roof” (From “Have You In My Wilderness”)
9. Judy Collins – “Albatross” (From “Wildflowers”)
10. Kate Bush – “How To Be Invisible” (From “Aerial”)
11. Carla Morrison – “Un Beso”
12. Bat For Lashes – “Siren Song” (From “Two Suns”)
Christopher Piercy used to blog at Silence in Architecture and his mother keeps hoping he will revive the site. In the meantime, for a glimpse of how music has impacted his life, you can read “A Personal Music History” which he wrote a few years ago. It also explains quite a bit about our weird family.
I’m really looking forward to these posts and playlists each week!
I’m enjoying them, too. Chris does such a good job finding new music to share.