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Yay!

The {Fancy 4} is a new monthly series where we feature four artists of the moment!

You might discover someone about to become huge or maybe it’s just an artist you heard awhile back on Grey’s Anatomy (what? I don’t watch it either!). I write a lot about uber-indie musicians. But for those familiar with my mixtape, you know we’ll drop a Top 40 artist from time to time (hey, indie kids like their swagger, too)! Either way, the goal is to present 4 artists – musical and other – that are rockin’ the free world, as someone once said.

All four will be featured in the latest Music Hi Fi podcast. In the podcast, we take a listen to new tunes and talk about the latest news in music and tech. This week, we briefly touch on Google music, Soundcloud, and more. You can hear it in the player below or at http://feeds.feedburner.com/musichifi.

So without any kind of further-ness, let’s cut to it, shall we?

1. The Femme fatale

Produced by  long-time faves Simian Mobile Disco, Beth Ditto of The Gossip has a new EP out later this month that’s like a dream come true. It’s a place where dance meets electro, the videos are funky, and the lyrics decidedly relatable. With hook, song, and style, Beth further cements her superstar status.

2. The New School

When I did a Google search for “Braids Music”, I learned that Kim Kardashian is sporting “full on braids” for her upcoming music video. Whaaaa?  I mean, that must have been labor intensive. She must have sat for at least 4 hours for that! Thanks for reminding me about the hardship and many intricacies of ladies hairstyling, Google!

I discovered the actual band Braids not from Google but from someone else’s mixtape.  I then found the full-length on Spotify and becamed hooked.  These guys are sweetly mysterious because it’s hard to pin down their sound – they take you on a journey without losing their identity to genre constraints. Braids gives electronic music a new twist.

3. The Chameleons

These guys hooked me with “Na Na Ni” a few years back when I was going through a folksy, singer-songwriter phase. They’re still folky, and new upcoming album (find it here) takes an interestingly darker twist.

And some, like the folks over at RCRDLBL, seem to have their own take: “Fredrik is a new remarkable music sensation, casually capturing the spirit of classic storybook drama through a unique brand of experimental pop.” !!

4. The Rebels

Post-punk and dance collide in a world seemingly far, far, away from Brooklyn-it’s the new New Wave that’s dark, brooding and at times romantic. I picked this one up last week at Other Music and immediately fell in love. Besides the lovely artwork and simplistic packaging, it was a treat to unwrap the EP and discover 4 brilliantly written songs inside.

Restless People

There’s something about the debut from Brooklyn-based Restless People that makes me really, really happy. It’s a great listen for summertime and nails the global, big breezy dance sound happening right now (check “Days of Our Lives”, below, for a reference to bands in a similar vein like Delorean).

The four friends have been working together in the groups Tanlines, Professor Murder, and Family Edition before coming together on this project.

The first single “Victimless Crime” is available on their site.  I dig the description:

“Finger point / boogie / windmill / 2-step (??) / lie on bed & stare at ceiling / head bob / strut”

It makes me sympathize with artists in having to categorize their own music!

Get “Days of Our Lives” over at RCRDLBL.

The album is out September 14th (also National Cream Filled Donut Day! also my birthday! ) on IAMSOUND.

http://restlesspeople.com/

Andreya Triana

Andreya is a self-taught singer and songwriter from Brighton.

Her voice is soulful, hauntingly beautiful and put me in that “place” straight away. See for yourself, Andreya performing live with Simon Green aka Bonobo (also on the Ninja Tune label and producer of her debut album):

Visit her website for a free download of the tune “Lost Where I Belong” (the Flying Lotus Preview edit).

A Town Called Obsolete is set for release August 23rd on Ninja Tune.

http://www.ninjatune.net/andreyatriana/

@andreyatriana

Shit Robot

Irish born DJ Marcus Lambkin is Shit Robot. Co-founder to The Leaf label, he’s also co-conspiritor behind seminal NYC label DFA Records alongside LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy.

Guest vocalists on the album include LCD’s Nancy Whang, Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, James Murphy, and more.

The long-anticipated debut From The Cradle to the Rave is out September 21st.

Shit Robot on Facebook

Full selections:

Arcade Fire “The Suburbs (continued)”
Christopher Willits “You Are Always Surrounded by Stars”
B.O.B. “Generation Lost”
Kid CuDi “REVOFEV”
Baths “Animals”
Onra “Mechanical”
The Chemical Brothers “K+D+B”
Shit Robot “I Found Love (TBD Remix)”
Kele “12 EYW – RAC Remix”
!!! “Blue (Bonus Track)”
Restless People “Basic Needs”
Local Natives “Wide Eyes (Fool’s Gold Remix)”
Awesome New Republic “Dark Water”
Hugo “99 Problems (Jay-Z cover)”
The Drums “Let’s Go Surfing (The Raveonettes Remix)”
Bryan Ferry “You Can Dance”
Kisses “People Can Do The Most Amazing Things (Saint Etienne Remix)”
School of Seven Bells “Windstorm (A Place To Bury Strangers Remix)”
Musee Mecanique “Sleeping In Our Clothes”
Laura Veirs “Summer is The Champion”