Sleek, sexy electro that's perfect on a day like today when the ever elusive sun decides to grace us with an appearance. Mmm yes please.

Sound good to you?

If that hasn't convinced you then I'm sure the writhing girls in the video will (if you're that way inclined..).

Make sure you download The Wave Machines' debut album, it's out now and available to download on their site. I'm expecting grand things from these guys, they have that Hot Chip/LCD Soundsystem kind of vibe that's bound to set the Indie clubs ablazing.

I Don't Like Your Band

For anyone who loved the sleek synthpop of Little Boots, La Roux and Ladyhawke last year, you'll be pleased to find that there's a new girl on the scene, shaped in the petite form of Annie.

I really love this photo.

Annie Berge Strand is a Norwegian DJ and electro singer that's destined to become the new darling of mainstream pop music. Annie has been around for a while, (I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me is her fourth release since starting in 1999) but judging by her latest offering it's only a matter of time before she's competing with the likes of Ellie Goulding and Marina and the Diamonds for the love of the masses.

I really like what I've heard from Annie, it's fun pop music that you can dance about to on a night out, particularly this little ditty (see below). I also think her stuff is, on the whole, a lot stronger than Little Boots' debut (and I rather enjoyed that), so should hopefully stand a better chance of making a dent in the charts than Miss Heskweth managed. Of course you could make comparisons with other female singer songwriters until the cows come home, but why bother? This is cleverly crafted electro that's as cheeky as anything Uffie has produced (who, in case you didn't know, also has a single out- go buy it, it's ace). Plus it's one of those songs that you find yourself whistling along to, which is never a bad thing..

Expect to be hearing from Annie soon. You have been warned.

Definitely Not S.A.D

Let's be honest, this isn't exactly the most wonderful time of year. There's a chill in the air that doesn't yet hold that familiar festive excitement of winters past- more misery than merriment. The night engulfs us with an ever increasing vehemence and it's not even acceptable to be humming Fairytale of New York yet for fear of eternal ridicule.

Isn't November great?

However, there is a somewhat hazy light in the darkness in the shape of electro titans Asobi Seksu.

This is 3 minutes and 49 seconds of trippy, cathartic beauty. The song just screams summer and takes us back to the good old days when we actually saw the sun for more than half an hour and didn't have to dress like the Michelin Man everytime we ventured to the shops. The melody is gorgeous and has more than a hint of self-indulgence, (Yuki Chikudate's light and airy vocals make this track what it is, sends shivers down my spine) making this a very welcome antidote to the rather stodgy, heavy music that finds itself in the mainstream charts at the moment.

The video is also a perfect fit and makes one feel a certain sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of many a lazy sunny afternoon spent wandering through fields of wildflowers and blossom.. or at least a muddy field full of thousands of sweaty festival folk. Same diff.

In terms of their previous stuff Transparence is very laidback which I think works quite well for them, allowing the vocals to truly shine. I for one definitely prefer this calmer, more pensive side to Asobi Seksu.

What do you think?

Vive Le Revolution!

I should really be doing my Politics essay. But then, if I did, who would write about these two quirky bands set to cause mayhem in the electro-thrash scene?

HeartsRevolution

I ask you; how many bands do you know that tour with their customised ice cream van? And, of these bands, do any of them really make you want to pull a shape? No? Well, in that case you should definitely listen to this band, you're missing out. HeartsRevolution are Ben and Lo, a duo seen as the cuter and cuddlier Crystal Castles. However, you only need to hear 'Switchblade' to know that they may be cute, but cuddly they ain't. Lo oozes sexuality from behind a backdrop of whirly techno bleepings in this stylish yet savage track. With their sold out 6" glow in the dark vinyl and their van of wonders containing many a neon trinket, HeartsRevolution are definitely here to make an impact, whether you like it or not.

The Presets

Ok, so they're not exactly all brand new, but I discovered this infectious Electronica band whilst listening to my recommendations on Last.fm. In the Noughties it seems as if we have been invaded by 'retro' synth bands trying to recapture some of the 'fun' of the Eighties. (I wasn't around then, but from what I hear, legwarmers, The Smiths/Cure, good punk music,etc it wasn't all perms and Kylie Minogue.) However, amongst the dreary monotony, there have been some exciting creations, take The Presets for example. This band don't focus on what the mainstream audience want to hear, but rather on what sounds good; alas the two have no correlation these days for the majority of the Top 40. This Aussie pair create tracks rough enough to satisfy rock and Electro fans, and enough style to unite them on the dancefloor in one big Rectro cuddle. It's not often a band comes around who can mix techno, rock, indie and electro as effortlessly as The Presets.
This is my favourite song of theirs, My People, a jaunty, shouty call to arms for all those who want to move. Everybody scream!