News - Notable singles

A new feature from Jester Jay Music: periodic reviews of interesting singles I've come across. Enjoy and let me know what you think in the comments.

Asobi Seksu - Trails.mp3 (Fluorescence, due out 2/2011)
Yuki Chikudate, who sings and plays keys, infuses Trails with a joyous, ethereal sound that harks back to Debbie Harry's early work with Blondie. The thick pounding chords ground the song, with a subtle off-the-hook, distorted guitar fill hiding along the edges. It's post punk and experimental, but still shows some of the dream pop elements that Asobi Seksu is known for.

Trails is a taste of the Brooklyn quartet's upcoming album, Fluorescence, which is due out in February. The band also has a North American tour planned (info at TourTracker).

Download Trails here.

Creep - Days (12" disc and digital download with remixes in 1/2011)
Creep is an appropriate name for the producers on this cool taste of electronica. An ominous sounding groove sets the foundation. There are plenty of little breakdown sections, with cobwebs of quavery guitar drifting through. Romy Madley-Croft (The xx's) lends her low key, plaintive voice to Days, providing a perfect complement to the music.

Creep is the duo of Lauren Flax and Lauren Dillard, producers and DJs. Listen to Days on SoundCloud.

Jonquil - Fighting Smiles (One Hundred Suns EP)
"Paul Simon's take on The Smiths" is how Jonquil describe their sound. Maybe. Certainly, there is a touch of the Smiths, but Jonquil is far cheerier than Morrissey and company ever were. Fighting Smiles shows off their precise vocals and the muted jangle of their music. The drum work is unique, hitting an interesting balance between an organic acoustic tone and a busy digital style structure to the busy parts. The melody is catchy with good lyrical flow.

Jonquil's One Hundred Suns EP was released last month.

Jonquil - Fighting Smiles: on RCRD LBL