New Music Review: Phoenix’s Bankrupt!

You’ve gotta know something.

This week, I’m really diggin’ Phoenix’s new album, Bankrupt!

And who ever said that nothing good comes from France anymore? Well thanks to this group, you can’t say their music isn’t any good. Next observation: these Frenchman sing in English. Again, what kind of French dudes are these? Well, I’ll tell you: darn cool ones.

Their new album is exploding with synths.  The vocals and harmonizations remind me a lot of psychedelic Beatles era stuff, and the synths bring me back to early 90’s pop. Catchy, in-your-face. Michael Jackson-esque, at times.

But strap yourself in because this album is *loud*. Probably too loud. Wait… I’m listening to “S.O.S” right now… This album is definitely too loud. Yeah, ear fatigue, as they call it. Check it out. But be warned: it’s best played quietly, cuz this stuff will smash your brains in from both ears.

Take a deep breath when track six comes (Bankrupt!). It’s a much-needed ear break. And sounds pretty dang cool, too. It also helps that one of these guys knows music theory.

Here’s a link to the album on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bankrupt!-deluxe/id602320012

Late Nights and New Videos

For the last two, consecutive nights, I have stayed up late – past my bedtime – to work on a couple of new videos to post online. The first one, the live, studio session recording of “Welcome”, from my album, Fundamental, and the other, a real-time illustration (music video?) of my song “Orphans”, also from Fundamental. Am I happy with the results? Absolutely. Do I wish I were sleeping right now? Yes. Do I regret it? Not yet.

Please take just a few minutes to head on over to my YouTube channel to check out the new videos. And, comment on them and share them with your friends, please:

http://youtube.com/jaymathesmusic

Just FYI, only the “Welcome” video is currently available (as in, today, 10/5, at 2:25 AM). YouTube is doing some system maintenance and the “Orphans” video won’t go live until some time mid morning.

Thanks!

-Jay