One of the biggest success stories our of France recently has been Rone, the young producer signed to InFiné music. His music has been praised by the greats, and he sports a unique European personality. Most importantly, he has a knack for taking songs and transcending them to a new level of reality. This is precisely what he did with his remix of Yael Naim’s “Coward.” Originally a typical Parisian-style ballad, with its a cappella, church-like choir, and a few piano notes here and there, Rone brings “Coward” into an era so modern, it’s basically the future. Punctuated, powerful, and prescient, it’s no surprise that this track was the most popular on Whyd this week!
This time it’s Greenroom who we need to thank for getting it to us. Thank you guys!
The next installment of our Playlist of Reference series turns up the volume. “Alt Rock” is a collection of bangers curated by our man Stefanos. As is the tradition, let’s get the story behind the curation:
When did you start listening to Alt Rock?
I was a rock fan since the 70’s . When I was a student in Glasgow, Scotland in the late 70’s and early 80’s I used to listen to BBC Radio 1 and the famous DJ John Peel who had his program every night.
Peel played many of the new groups who sent him their demo tapes. He gave them airplay and made them known.
I loved groups such as Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division, Siouxsee and the Banshees, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, etc…
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Alt Rock started speaking to you?
Yes. Echo and the Bunnymen and Siouxsee and the Banshees really impressed me.
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
On a long haul flight to a holiday destination.
When feeling a bit out of energy and needing a recharge.
Concentrating on the music on a good stereo. listening in the dark.
To make me optimistic and put me into a fighting mood.
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
This week’s EP Review sees the release of MiM’s new EP “Samsara.” Hailing from Paris, MiM made the music for the opening of the Canal+ series “Bref.” Now he’s teamed up with a bunch of talented artists and released “Samsara” on Chateau Bruyant Records. Let’s get to the details:
Released: April 20, 2015
Genres: hip hop, trap, grime, deep
Tracks: 5
Who would like this EP?
Fans of Grimes’s vocals and mixes, people who like The XX’s vibe
Our thoughts:
Never before in the history of music has there been such a convergence of trends and styles. Today it’s possible to take samples, spin them towards diverging directions, lay down some fat beats, get some seductive vocals and somehow you have music - music that actually sounds pretty good. MiM is the latest to follow in the steps of this trend. “Samsara” is like an international banquet of finger foods with each morsel delicately prepared and served on a toothpick for our enjoyment.
“Blow” featuring Anna Kova is without question the most poppy track, but it still manages to weave between a dozen genres and come out on the other side feeling complete - no easy feat.
Sometimes it feels like there is too much going on, and in these moments MiM’s personality gets a bit lost. This is the risk with being so eclectic. Luckily these moments are few and far between. The overall result is a satisfying adventure through the world’s urban cultures that leaves you wanting more.
Another week in the books, and another weekend on the horizon. The minutes of the clock tick slowly towards evening. With each tock the excitement builds. Layer upon layer, until the excitement explodes into the freedom of the weekend. Summing up this feeling of building is the experimental rock duo from Brooklyn: RATATAT, back on the world scene with “Cream on Chrome.”
For the fans of RATATAT who have known them since the days of “Loud Pipes,” you wont be disappointed with “Cream on Chrome” which carries the signature electric guitar, funky bass beat, and mathematical construction that enables RATATAT to weave stories and narratives through music with no lyrics. And that’s why it’s #1 on Whyd this week.
Thanks to Maxime M for getting his, like, 25th track of the weekend!
It’s one of the nicest days of the year here in Paris, and while we took advantage of the weather yesterday to light up the grill, today the sun just won’t stop pouring down on us. It’s the big blue sky, a quality of the world that begs for movement, for exploration, to keep going further and further – or just lay back and relax.
Among the potential soundtracks for days like this is Country, a genre that exudes travel, open spaces, being on the road. Harmonicas, guitar strums, songs about whiskey and cheap cigars. Today’s Country Playlist of Reference is curated by Hedd’zding, who was kind enough to give us the story behind the curation:
When did you start listening to Country music?
The first country songs that I listened to were in my father’s car when I was younger and when we were doing a lot of driving.
However, I rediscovered this music style thinks to Whyd and its passionate users.
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Country music started speaking to you?
Country music is a style which, whatever the song, transports me in a whirlwind of feelings and freedom. So when I take the car alone for a long trip, it’s sunny and the highway is all to me, country music is definitely speaking to me.
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
Like I just said, it’s awesome when you’re on the go.
But also, and it’s a bit contradictory but I love listening to country music when I’m working, it motivates me.
The third moment when I like to listen this playlist and country music in general, is the day after a night of partying when I’m tired. Some calm country songs are just incredibly peaceful and relaxing for this kind of moment.
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
It would be “I got a name” by Jim Croce for many reasons. It’s a beautiful song it represents one of the most beautiful scene of Django Unchained, a movie that I love, when J. Fox and C. Waltz cross the mountains to reach the Mississippi. This song really makes me think about the great American spaces, I love it!
Who’s going to be drinking some rosé tonight? These guys!
Yep, the sun is out here in Paris and even though our team is scattered around the world from San Francisco to Shanghai, we’re all feeling the spring vibe. Few bands so well evoke the hope and pleasure of spring and summer than Australia’s Tame Impala, whose debut album featured a picture of Paris’s Jardin des Plantes.
The psychedelic, shoe gaze group has been sprouting back onto the world scene recently with a few new singles, including their latest, the hottest track on Whyd this week. As light as a nap in the sunshine, “Cause I’m A Man” is weightless, lofty as a daydream, and sweeter than a fresh wild strawberry picked from deep in the woods.
The next installment in our Playlist of Reference series sees things get a bit more epic as we dive into the world of Trance music. This Trance playlist contains electronic rises and falls - a roller coaster of different energies accelerating through our ears, all curated by Mathis Lorenzo. As usual, let’s get the story behind the curation:
When did you start listening to Trance music?
I really discovered Trance during the first festivals I attended when I was 16 years old. I already knew a little bit about it then, of course, but it was during that specific time that the music took on a new dimension in my eyes.
Did you ever have a moment when you felt like Trance started speaking to you?
Yes, and not just once! The most interesting thing with Trance in my opinion is the internal voyage that it permits. Making you dance, galloping on a bewitching beat, it lets you have a certain experience, solitary and subjective, or “transcendence.”
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
I don’t always listen to this playlist, as opposed to others because I think that certain conditions are necessary to really appreciate it. So I normally listen to this playlist when I know that the quality and volume will be high, and then when the ambiance and I are ready to go!
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
I would say “Vitamin T” by Terranoise, because it’s the most representative sound for what I like in a genre where there is a lot of mix of numerous different sub-genres. With a fast and aggressive beat, I am incapable of keeping myself from dancing when I listen to it!
Our next EP review features the American alt duo Lyonn, who just released their debut EP “We’ll Light The Sky.” Let’s get to the details:
Released: March 31, 2015
Genres: alternative, alt pop, indie
Tracks: 4
Who would like this EP?
Fans of From Kid’s vocal harmonies, Two Door Cinema Club
Our thoughts:
There is something that happens when two musicians come together instead of one. Case in point: Lyonn’s project started as a single singer-songwriter but after chemisty percolated one became two. There is an added depth, sure, but there is much more energy. Lyonn, made up of Tyler Gelrud and Attila Yavuzer, have struck a path down the center of indie pop with “We’ll Light The Sky,” studded with positive harmonies and catchy hooks.
The first track, “Empty Bed” could have come out of the emo wave of the 90s and early 2000s, but nothing about it feels repetitive. The title track, “We’ll Light The Sky” hints at the “deep” trend that is rolling through contemporary music right now. It’s a mix of past and present, pushed over the edge by how earnest it all sounds.
Overall, for anyone looking for a solid group of alternative tracks, Lyonn will not disappoint.
It’s Good Friday, which is sort of an obvious way to refer to a Friday, since most people would consider Fridays to be good. It’s like saying “Bad Monday,” you can probably just say Monday and people get the idea.
Religious jokery aside, we’re looking forward to a long Easter weekend, some time with family, and of course some extended unwinding accompanied by great music. A perfect track for some solid relaxation comes from Whyd favorite Jamie XX, who has already held twotracks of the weekend. This time he teams up with his childhood skateboarding friend Romy for “Loud Places” which, by any objective measure, would seem like a ridiculous name for a song because of how calm it is. But by Jamie XX’s standards, this one is a thumper.
It’s time for our next installment of our Playlist of Reference series, this time taking a jaunt around the globe to exotic destinations. Like any voyage, the idea is to open our ears to new sounds, finding connections with our own societies, and enjoying everything new. Today’s World Music Playlist is curated by Sijelmassi Youssef. Let’s get the story behind the curation!
When did you start listening to World Music?
I started to listen to music very young thanks to my sister who introduced me to French music and to classic rock later. I enjoyed Supertramp, Queen, America, George Benson, James Taylor, Crosby Stills Nash and Young… the list is very long.
Then I had to work for few years on cruise ships where I was working next to people coming from different parts of the world. On a cruise ship you do work but also share with your coworkers – food, culture, tradition, and music. That is where i started to enjoy different sounds coming from different part of the world.
What are some example situations when you would listen to this playlist yourself?
For me there is a kind of music for every kind of mood you can be in. Even for my world music playlist there are different genres for different moods I can be in. Maybe some Latin sounds if i’m happy and maybe some Qawwali sounds from Pakistan if I’m looking for some serenity.
If you had to choose just one track from this playlist, which one would be your favorite?
If i have to choose one song from my world music playlist that would be a song from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan called “Allah Hoo.” Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan died few years ago, he is the most popular singer of a genre called Qawwali, the devotional music of the Sufis. Just have a seat, close your eyes, and enjoy!!!! His powerful and emotional voice will go deep inside you, and will bring peace and happiness.