Tag: the ballet

Last Week’s Jams (8.7 – 8.11)

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Admittedly, we might have outdone ourselves last week; I’m fairly certain I’m the one to blame. Somehow, we tossed up 40 songs, though a few are unavailable in the streaming sites, so you’ve only got 38 tracks on this week’s playlist. There’s a ton of Austin stuff, with new music from Daiistar, Semihelix, Half Dream and more…obligatory A Giant Dog is in there and such. Plus, still continuously impressed by the magic that is Prewn. Oh, and Australia’s buzzing at the moment, and their music isn’t half-bad either, with new tracks from the Small Intestines and Soft Covers being considered as must listens. So, if you’ve got an hour or two to kill…go on and stream!

The Ballet Share At the Bathhouse Video

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You should already have the Ballet‘s Daddy Issues on your playlist, as its one of the hit pop records to have dropped this year, particularly if you imagine yourself as a fan of heavy synth pop. But, if not, we’ve got you covered, as they just dropped a fresh video for their standout single “At the Bathouse.” For me, and I’m sure Greg’s probably tired of the likeness being thrown out there, but this does feel like an early Magnetic Fields tune, albeit one dripping with hooks. That euphoria translates to the choreography created by Emmy-winner Al Blackstone, providing a voyeuristic approach to a bathhouse. But, in that Greg sees the song as detailing bathhouses as places that “can feel serious but also playful.” And in the end, the dancing alone might let you find yourself a home. So be it the groove or the video, be sure to check out Daddy Issues, available now via Fika Recordings.

 

Last Week’s Jams (4.17 – 4.20)

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If there is one song I want you to listen to it has to be the absolute smash hit from Maine’s Big Blood; I think I’ve listened to that track 1000 times since I’ve heard it, if not more. Of course, there’s other great tunes to enjoy as well, like that pop ditty from Tough Age, or Rama Lama’s new signing, Echo Ladies. Plus, Austin held its own again with new stuff from Dress Warm and RF Shannon. And, if you’re looking for something with some legs, there’s at least a handful of tunes stretching beyond the 4 minute mark, so indulge as you must.

The Ballet Announce Daddy Issues; Share At the Bathhouse

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I definitely can see where the comparisons with Stephin Merritt pop in when you listen to the Ballet, though I think that mostly revolves around some of the sexual themes and literary writing. For me, I think Greg Goldberg pulls on a slightly different hat though, with a much more electronic focus on the latest single. In listening here, there’s a definite bounce, perhaps a nod to acts like New Order, albeit spun through the lens of Goldberg and his writing partner Willse. They’ll be dropping their Daddy Issues on May 26th, courtesy of Fika Recordings.

More New Music from the Ballet

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After sharing the humorous sincerity of “But I’m a Top,” the Ballet return today with the other side of the coin, pulling back on the humor just a wee bit. The story here seems to be the anxiety of worrying about whether you love someone too much, and that feeling that things might not be reciprocated. The hooks are still in there, starring these light little keyboard notes maneuvering in and out behind that dancing guitar line. Sure Greg Goldberg has stylistic similarities to Stephin Merritt, but there’s this softness to his voice, a fragility that makes him feel just a touch more open and approachable. This is the second single from Matchy Matchy, out on May 17th via Fika Recordings.

The Ballet Announce New Album

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Maybe this is the year that The Ballet jumps onto everyone’s radar, and if not, I’ll at least be here to cover their latest release, Matchy Matchy. It’s the duo’s newest album, and their are obvious comparisons to the likes of Jens Lekman or Magnetic Fields, especially in the literary wit that comes with the songwriting…maybe even the self-deprecation of Stephin Merritt. There’s a little bit of kitsch to this track, which, in my opinion, means that everyone will find a piece of this track to latch onto, whether that be in the instrumentation or the song’s subject matter. Matchy Matchy will hit on May 17th via Fika Recordings.