Top Tunes To Blog About 9

SATELLITE STORIES - "FAMILY"

Scandinavia and the Baltic states never cease to crank out brilliantly creative and talented musicians it would seem. Hailing from Oulu, Finland; Esa, Marko, Jyri and Olli-Pekka make up the delightfully tenacious and jittery band Satellite Stories; who have been making nicely sized ripples on the imaginary blogosphere lake since last year's release, the wonderfully vibrant and refreshing "Helsinki Art Scene". Since then Satellite Stories have been busy slogging it out in the recording studio to produce other pieces of musical brilliance such as "Family".

What is most striking about Satellite Stories is the feel you get when your ears connect to their infectious and seductively sugary indie-pop. There is no denying that Esa sounds unquestionably British, and locally dialectic with resounding comparisons to indie-pop heavyweights Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats and Pete And The Pirates. A Finnish band sounding British is rather juxtapositional, but the variance works dynamically and fits the band's niche with sublime accuracy. The appeal is in interpreting what this four-piece creates and when is most appropriate to listen to it; some would envisage "Family" being fit for listening on the beach, maybe at a BBQ, or in a rundown club. Either way Satellite Stories hold their own and justifiably so.

Latest single "Family" is a chirpy, surefooted tune that starts off rather bashful with immediate crashing and clattering of over-excited cymbals and drums that quickly bounds forth with a boisterous back beat and contagious drumming; stimulating an almost maniacal jolt of energy to get that foot tapping away. Between the skittish drumming and altogether rather clumsy instrument composition, Esa's crisp and clear simplistic vocals with plucky, joyous lyrics cements the song neatly whilst building up to the chorus. In fact, the slightly haphazard construction adds to the overall musical charm generating a refreshing vibe where the influx of competing and cluttered sounds makes "Family" and indeed Satellite Stories sound unique and fantastically vivacious. The chorus is a rambunctious thoroughfare with a conflagrative channeling together of youthful drums, schizophrenic guitaring, zealous bass and charming vocals.

From there on the song darts frenetically onwards; jabbing and lulling around with assured balance. If there was one constructive point to make it would be that Satellite Stories, from a UK perspective, lack some Finnish essence to truly separate them from the masses; these guys should let their Finnish culture blossom to truly solidify the Satellite Stories audio niche. All in all, "Family" establishes itself as a momentous, thrashing hound of an indie-pop track that is muzzled neatly into the perfect summer beach-time package; so start tapping that foot already.

Check out the song below and then visit the lads Facebook page and click the 'like" button, and show the guys some love along with having a peek at their Myspace and Youtube sites.

KRAUSE - "FOLLOW ME"

Krause is the alter-ego name of music extraordinaire Susanne Clermonts from Groningen in The Netherlands. Krause started the beginnings of her music career in punkrock bands, but hastily swept aside the rebellious guitar in favour of sultry electro and seductive synths. Since graduating at the Dutch Academy of Popculture, honing her music production skills, and signing to Sony Music, Krause has played alongside revered artists such as The Ting Tings and Kelis; passionately dishing out electro-pop treats for us to savour and enjoy. Now the UK should sit up and give the Dutch electro goddess some much deserved attention.

"Follow Me" has already been around for at least six months; a relatively old song when it comes to the new music blogosphere realms, and is the fifth single to be released from Clermonts' debut album "No Guts, No Glory". Despite its age, such a well constructed firecracker of a tune warrants some praise due to the sheer excellence at which Krause can sew together pieces of music and make it into a wondrous work of audio art. "Follow Me" is a handsomely understated slab of mellowed out electro that works itself up to a sparkling crescendo that tumbles on further till the last distant synth. From the offset, suggestive and laboured gasps from Krause herself laced with a subtle back beat and slithering synths creates a darker undertone; think neon lights and soliciting in dimly lit back alleys from a more glamorous angle, a rose-tinted Amsterdam perhaps.

The song remains relatively minimal with whispered vocals, succulent and alluring lyrics, tantalising the moody bassline and deliciously changeable synths that lassoes the opening tight and funnels it towards the anthemic chorus. The whole composition of the song is overwhelmingly hypnotic and conveys this with acquired skill and sultry elegance. The chorus in general is substantial, imposing and indirectly evokes a degree of vigor and energy with reference to lyrics such as "Reach out, lift me up, follow me, follow me", that surf the thunderous crest of bounding electro swoops, evasive beats and dexterous synthing. The result is an altogether ceaseless and dazzling array of audio-reactive brilliance, that specifically blends together infectious French electro, eloquent British synths and abrasive German dance and moulds it into a pugnacious Dutch musical hybrid; Little Boots meets Ellie Goulding meets Lykke Li. "Follow Me" carries on through with an assured verve till the last note, harnessing it's proven potential as an example of diligently crafted electro-pop in the modern era, rich in creative confidence and dynamic style provided by Krause herself. Follow her; you'd be unwise not to.

Check out the phenomenal video below and 'like' Krause's Facebook page etc.

STRANGE TALK - "CLIMBING WALLS"

Stephen, Gerard, Travis and Gillan make up the four piece Strange Talk; yet another seemingly incredible bunch of talented musicians hailing from Melbourne, Australia who are marching surefootedly behind the likes of Cut Copy, Gyspy And The Cat and Polygon Palace. The band have slowly amassed a loyal and avid fanbase; both on the blogosphere and within their native Australia. Shying away from the spotlight in some shape and form, these four lads remain predominantly elusive to the average music lover as there are very few websites and songs floating about regarding these guys. Either way, with growing interest from the likes of Kitsune, and a keen desire to notch up supercharged indie-pop anthems; Strange Talk will certainly become household names in the UK soon enough it is hoped.

As before, the initial release of "Climbing Walls" was some time ago at the turn of the year, but this song needs to be heard to be believed; sheer audio delight and euphoric sensory pleasure rolled into one amazing combination. The song starts off immediately with a brief dose of tentative guitar strumming before moving forwards with a resonant back beat, victorious drumming; full of euphoric drive and expressive trepidation, excellently moulded around tenacious keying and futuristic, encapsulating synths. Ultimately this creates a colossal vibe of spacey idealistic sensory overload as "Climbing Walls" flashes past in a dazzling explosion of perfected, modern electro-indie-pop. The vocals are sublime, both eloquent and charming; enhancing the silky stereotypical DNA of beautifully constructed electro elements. The "oohs", "ahhs" and characterful bleeps add a mysterious and uplifting facet to this song as the chorus sweeps in with a barrage of continuous and pounding drums that are complimented neatly with Goliath proportioned guitar string combos and effervescent synths; almost whimsical and irreverent. If in any doubt file next to Delphic, Friendly Fires, Late Of The Pier and Fenech-Soler; as Strange Talk undeniably possess the glittery musical makeup of such similar niche and alternative bands.

Lyrically the song is verging on the weaker side as the instruments of this vibrant tune imposingly take centre stage, but with lines such as "Looking at the past I try to push the words away" and "I keep trying to run away, from what you're saying", it is evident that there is depth and sensitive meaning behind "Climbing Walls", which consequently adds a welcome dimension to the song; some humane care and maturing thought it would seem. From here on in the song drifts giddily along releasing strain after strain of melodic synthesising, infectious drumming and glistening vocals. Strange Talk excel at masterfully sculpting electro-pop goodness with strong indie influences to create music enriched with powerful energy, mood stimulating rhythms and audio based emotional landscapes. Indeed, it is STRANGE that these guys are not TALKed about more; NME and the BBC will no doubt be lining up for interviews should this awesome Aussie band take off, let's hope they fasten their seatbelts in preparation.

Watch a fan video of the single on Youtube below and as always, show the guys some support by 'liking' their Facebook and viewing the Myspace page etc.