Triple Thursday: The Mystic Underground - Albert af Ekenstam - Yael Borger

The Mystic Underground - Here In My House.

Background promo - Synths and sass. Pomp and circumstance. Two simple phrases. Two small glimpses into the minds of singer Vladimir Valette and producer Benedetto Socci. Together, the two combine to form the nucleus of indie electronic pop outfit The Mystic Underground. With inspiration found in the sounds of machines with the warmth and immediacy of the hummable melody, the New York band are primed to inscribe their mark on the pop landscape with their forthcoming LP entitled simply 'Protagonist' due out on the 18th of November on the band's Stereosonic label.

Ten songs. Ten tales of experience, lament and redemption. The Mystic Underground present an opus that beckons the heart, teases the mind, and tickles the feet. 'Protagonist' features the new single 'Here In My House' currently being serviced to radio and notable digital media outlets. A sultry mid-tempo ode to unrequited love, 'House' is a perfect primer for those yet to fall in love with TMU's brand of romantic, twinkle-eyed pop. Website here.

'Here In My House' is track number eight from the ten that make up Protagonist'. As a whole the album is a vibrant synth festival of sounds and oh so crafted vocals. Often energised and upbeat, the featured song is a little understated and gentler than the rest, but typifies the intense quality found throughout.

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Albert af Ekenstam - Made of Gold.

Background - Fresh from supporting Dan Michaelson and The Coastguards and performing at Reeperbahn festival, Albert af Ekenstam is pleased to share the video for current single 'Made Of Gold' taken from the forthcoming album 'Ashes' (out October 14th). Nine months have passed – have fallen like red autumn leaves to the ground –since I first heard Albert af Ekenstam’s melancholic solo material.

During this time Albert has, amongst other things, released two singles on Kning Disk (”Walking” and ”Angel Liz”), acted as a warm up act for The Posies and Bear’s Den, moved from Gothenburg to Stockholm and appeared in prestigious Swedish music magazines such as Sonic and HYMN.  Naming his influences as Explosions in the Sky, Bon Iver and Mogwai, it is more than easy to lose yourself over and over in his mournful guitars, grandiose arrangements, heartfelt voice and poignant lyricism.

On the 14th of October Albert of Ekenstam’s debut album ‘Ashes’ will meet its expectant audience. Singer/guitarist Sumie Nagano (whose self-titled album on Bella Union is a must for all who love unique voices), drummer/ keyboardist/producer Filip Leyman (who, together with Albert, make up the post-rock constellation Tempel) and trumpeter Max Lindahl (known from a number of jazz bands) have all helped Albert bring it to fruition. Website here.

We featured Albert af Ekenstam's 'The Devil Bird' a month ago saying at the time "First of all there are the vocals of Albert af Ekenstam. Genuine, intense, powerful and so good for the ears". 'Made of Gold' our second feature from tomorrows album release is more than equal to those thoughts.

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Yael Borger - Let Me Go.

Background - Yael Borger is a 24 year old singer, songwriter, and producer from Tel-Aviv, Israel. She began playing piano at the age of 3 and studied Jazz at the Thelma Yellin High School of Art. Since completing her military service in the IDF, Yael released her hit debut album Yael and performed alongside her brother and international DJ/producer Borgore at major festivals like Tomorrowland, Ultra, EDC, and more.

Yael was released in May 2015 to much acclaim. The album hit #10 on the iTunes Israel album charts, landed her as the The Hottest Thing In Music from TimeOut Israel, and AT Magazine selected her as “one of the 10 best young female musicians in Israel.” DJ Mag also featured Yael and her brother as one of the top EDM families.

With Electro Soul, Yael wanted to do everything on her own. Unlike her debut album, which was produced by multiple producers, the EP is completely produced by Yael. In fact, the first single from the EP, “Lost Without You,” was released only nine months after she first opened Abelton! Heavily influenced by her jazz background, Electro Soul features soulful, jazz leaning vocals on top of spacey, dubstep influenced production. Electro Soul is a promising offering from the budding Israeli singer-songwriter, producer. Website here.

The final song of five on the EP 'Let Me Go' is a fine example of the overall quality of the EP. Yael takes a variety of styles and builds totally likable songs, mixing melody and energy with hooks galore.

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Four More: Computer Magic - Art d'Ecco - Albert af Ekenstam - Brooklyn Doran

Computer Magic - Gone For The Weekend.

Background bio - Computer Magic consists of Danielle “Danz” Johnson. She is based out of Brooklyn, NY and was born and raised in the Catskills in upstate New York (in Woodridge, NY and Rock Hill, NY). She moved to Chinatown in New York City to attend Hunter College. In 2010 she moved to Tampa, FL to get away from city life. There, she taught herself how to make music and put up several EP’s for free online under the moniker of Computer Magic. 

Since then, Danz has released 8 EP’s worldwide and 4 LP’s in Japan. She has written numerous songs for commercials in Japan and tours there frequently. Her full length debut Davos came out on her own record label Channel 9 Records in late 2015. She is currently self-producing her next EP which will be out by the end of the year. Ignacio Rivas Bixio accompanies her for live shows on percussion and on some recordings.

Computer Magic's "Gone For The Weekend" is a unique synth-dance-dream taken from the forthcoming EP, Obscure But Visible due Oct 7th 2016.

'Gone For The Weekend' is an original sounding synth pop song, with a powerful soundtrack and Danielle's vocals immersed within, and occasionally rising above, the melodic wall of swirling sounds.

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Art d'Ecco - I'll Never Give You Up.

Background - Art d'Ecco released his debut album Day Fevers just a couple of days ago. To celebrate the release, Art d'Ecco premiered his new music video for "I'll Never Give You Up". The single is a synth heavy, '80s inspired dance track that's as haunting as it is electrifying. It's a distinct departure from d'Ecco's glam rock inspired single "She So Hot," showcasing his adaptability across genres.

Art d'Ecco's story is anything but usual. After a period of personal turmoil, d'Ecco escaped the city life and relocated to the Gulf Islands of British Columbia to embark on a journey of much needed soul searching and personal rediscovery. He spent the last three years in relative seclusion on the island retooling, writing, and overcoming the obstacles of isolation and regret.

With Day Fevers, d'Ecco peers through a lens of nostalgia with nods to glam rock, classic rock n roll, krautrock, spaghetti westerns, and new wave psychedelia. He sought to deliver an album across different genres with himself as the sonic rug that ties it all together, or rather a playlist. Starting with "Sunrise" and closing with "Sunset," Day Fevers travels through themes of desire, isolation, nostalgia, and personal discovery, taking listeners through all the lows and the highs.

"Formed during the three year period I spent in isolation, tucked away in a cabin on one of the Gulf Islands in British Columbia. I'd fled a bad scene in Vancouver – my life was spinning out of control and I needed a refresh. I was burnt out and over playing music. The scene. The Debauchery. I was emotionally hollowed out. Eventually, I discovered that feelings of alienation and desire were something I could channel into music. I've always been a man of extremes, so it was in this escape that I rediscovered myself as an artist. These songs came from months of writing and from being alone." - Art d'Ecco.

There is most definitely something of a retro 1980's synth vibe running through the hooky and melodic 'I'll Never Give You Up'. The video accentuate's this even further, it's a delight, as are all nine songs on the debut album.

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Albert af Ekenstam - The Devil Bird.

Background - On the 14th of October Albert of Ekenstam’s debut album ‘Ashes’ will meet its expectant audience. Singer/guitarist Sumie Nagano (whose self-titled album on Bella Union is a must for all who love unique voices), drummer/ keyboardist/producer Filip Leyman (who, together with Albert, make up the post-rock constellation Tempel) and trumpeter Max Lindahl (known from a number of jazz bands) have all helped Albert bring it to fruition.

Like Elliot Smith (rest in peace) and Damien Jurado before him, Albert is a brave and straightforward singer-songwriter. His melodies and lyrics are like uncensored and infinitely beautiful letters – without euphemisms and false chords they let you know what’s on his mind. At the same time, they’re universal – if you’ve loved and lost you can relate to them completely.

Albert’s mother died when he was 12 years old and him and his sister had to bring themselves up alone for the most part. Much of the album touches on loneliness and how he had to take responsibility early in his life in order to manage his own future –including his relationships and how he learnt to build a ‘safe point’ from within before relying on others. Songs like ‘The Devil Bird’ tell the tale of fighting to choose the right way you want to live and not living to the standards built up by outsiders.

They also stir the internal movie projector. With “Ashes” on the stereo and eyes closed, memory fragments, glowing emotions and pure dreams fly and stir through your soul. Filip’s production (which you’ve heard on Anna von Hausswolff’s two latest albums) is both intimate and grand at the same time, making this personal cinematic experience even more sensational.

First of all there are the vocals of Albert af Ekenstam. Genuine, intense, powerful and so good for the ears. Follow this with a song as pleasing as 'The Devil Bird' and you know your listening to something very special. Fabulous voice and song!

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Brooklyn Doran - Say The Words.

Background - Brooklyn Doran is an indie folk songstress, originally from Kenora, Ontario who is now based in Toronto. The singer-songwriter’s music presents a unique and harmonious blend of traditional folk and contemporary pop. Her live show weaves song and storytelling, from humorous anecdotes to emotional ballads, to delightfully folk-infused love songs.

Brooklyn Doran’s music has been featured extensively on CBC and radio throughout Canada, featured in music publications worldwide and Her debut 5 song EP “There’s A Light On” (2014) received a nomination at the Toronto Independent Music Awards for Best Adult Contemporary.

Brooklyn’s debut full-length album “These Paper Wings” was recorded at Catherine North Studios and is due for worldwide release September, 2016.

Brooklyn Doran's new album “These Paper Wings” was released last Friday, which seem's a good enough excuse to feature another track, from what is a finely crafted and produced collection of indie folk songs.   'Say The Words' is the final song in the collection, you can find out more on her Website here.

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