You know the score, twice a year France’s fashion forward turned music imprint Kitsuné Maison releases a compilation which mixes together fresh productions from exciting newcomers and Kitsuné's in-house artists.
This collection, the 14th compilation in Kitsuné's seminal series, is a special one to take note of: it will mark Kitsuné's 10 year anniversary. And as the French already do so well, it'll be time to celebrate as the new edition epitomizes in many ways what Kitsuné is all about. Featuring Saint Lou Lou, Citizens!, Two Door Cinema Club, Friends, Is Tropical as well as remixes by Le Crayon, Jake Bullit, Gigamesh and more Kitsuné really has summed up 10 years of disco-pop & electro exploration into one special collection. For this occasion Kitsuné label boss Gildas Loaec sums it up well: “We treat ourselves by releasing the music that we like, hoping it’ll touch others too. Our fan base keeps on growing, we believe it is working out pretty well.”
In 10 years Kitsuné has developed a strong identity by associating forward-thinking sounds and timeless style. When asked about the label's biggest achievement Loaec is quick to reply, "Launching Two Door Cinema Club, we believe their second album ‘Beacon’ will become a classic. We also have great hopes for our latest protégés Citizens!, a great band with an exceptional singer. A tip? Curiosity. It’s essential.” On that note, Kitsuné will continue to explore new sounds as they pop off from different sides of the world and looking forward to the next 10 years, curiosity intact.
Track List:
SAINT LOU LOU - "Maybe You"Not two models off a 70s Jean Loup Sieff photoshoot, but two - just out of high school - twin sisters who split their time between Stockholm and Sydney. But don’t get fooled, these girls can craft a perfect pop tune. For proof the ethereal ‘Maybe You’, a sensual take off to a grand destination.
CITIZENS! - "True Romance (GIGAMESH remix)"If you’re a Kitsuné faithful, you’re well aware of Citizens! Produced by Franz Ferdinand’s Alex Kapranos, their album ‘Here We Come’ naturally connects the dots between a certain Brit tradition, classic melodies, catchy choruses, and freeform artistry keeping them away from any comfort zone.
FRIENDS - "I’m His Girl (JAKE BULLIT remix)"In a music world ruled by computer produced perfection and air-brushed mutant pop stars, it is highly refreshing to come across a band of FRIENDS! Who almost got together by accident and simply do it their way with what they have at hand. In all its amateur glory, New York’s latest sensation combine funk, tropical moods, sultry vocals and a modern feminine touch that’s all too rare.
REBECCA MOLINA - "Fall Right"Kitsuné never fails to fall for eccentric Scandinavians. This time, it is Danish singer/songwriter Rebecca Molina who makes our hearts go boom. An enigmatic character who pens beautiful, highly lyrical and evocative synth pop... as the dreamlike melodies of ‘Fall Right’ testify. Enjoy.
PLASTIC PLATES - "Things I Didn’t Know I Loved (feat. SIMON LORD)"Let us introduce you to Felix Bloxsom aka Plastic Plates, one of the most promising producers to have emerge this year. With one foot in pop and the other in clubs, this Aussie relocated to L.A. more recently. This gifted musician brushes on something quite special with his chirpy productions. Watch him fly.
LORENZ RHODE - "Any Kind Of Pressure (feat. JAMIE LIDELL) (radio edit)"The Daft generation is everywhere around us and shows no sign of drying out. In Düsseldorf Lorenz Rhode is doing his part and strikes gold. On ‘Any Kind Of Pressure’ he’s teamed up with Jamie Lidell who increasingly seems to fancy himself as Jamiroquai.
MOONLIGHT MATTERS - "Come For Me (feat. GUSTAPH) (PUNKS JUMP UP freestyle mix)"One of the Belgian scene’s stalwarts, Sebastiaan Vandevoorde aka Moonlight Matters might have a style difficult to pinpoint but certainly doesn’t lack personality. He’s long been honing his own sound – a mix of vintage sonorities, eurodisco melodies and a certain je-ne-sais-quoi that harps back to a glorious past of overpowering extreme emotions on the dance floor.
TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB - "Sun (GILDAS Kitsuné Club Night short remix)"Take three kids from nowhere who met at school and started to play music together. They get noticed, tour a lot and release an album that the world falls in love with. The story’s familiar, but this time the band is proper special. Two Door Cinema Club are of a rare bread as new album Beacon shows.
PETER & THE MAGICIAN - "Memory (LE CRAYON remix)"In case you didn’t know, Peter is Yuksek, France’s own electro-rock hero. The Magician is of course the world renowned producer who’s captivated us with his excellent and well-named magic tapes. Following on from the rather large ‘Twist’, their second single ‘Memory’ is equally as infectious and set to be as recurrent as its predecessor. Parisian Le Crayon gives it a French touch makeover that’s... well funky.
RÜFÜS - "This Summer (JBAG remix)"Already featured in Gildas & Jerry’s ‘Kitsuné Soleil’ mixed cd, Australia’s latest electro-pop-rock sensation RÜFÜS is back yet again this time remixed by London’s JBAG. In the hands of Bouthier and Gorgerino, ‘This Summer’ turns into a singalong an- them that’s catchier than chickenpox.
THOMAS AZIER - "Red Eyes (MIKE LUCK remix)"At 19, this young Dutchman moves to Berlin on a naïve and ambitious whim and starts to experiment with his voice, layering his productions with dramatic symphonic vocals and emotive, passionate, unabashed fervor. “I write so many melodies, I always end up with too many in the end, resulting in an orgy of melodies. I love that moment when everything comes together and seems to fit.”
SAINT MICHEL - "Friends" Two inspired musicians from Versailles’ golden suburb crafting magnificent organic songs, rich in depth and emotion. Rings a bell, doesn’t it? It’s not Air but the analogy goes such a long way that Philippe Thuillier and Emile Larroche could well be onto something truly exceptional. The delicate ‘Friends’ is stunning proof.
MONDE IDEAL - "Future Waits" More orchestral magic from another duo - this time from Sweden despite their French moniker - Alexander Sjödin and Andreas Löf Hermansson filed for a bank loan in order to hire a string section to record their first song. The result, the sublime ‘Future Waits’, is compelling to say the least.
WILDCAT! WILDCAT! - "Please And Thank You"Three childhood friends - Jesse Taylor, Michael Wilson and Jesse Carmichael - only recently decided to make music together as Wildcat! Wildcat! Another stunning exploration of the entanglements between beauty, joy and happiness. An orchestral mix of pop, indie and electro that makes you feel like falling in love... now!
— ENCORE —
IS TROPICAL - "Venezuela (feat. GET PEOPLE)"The best bands are often totally out there in a style of their own. That’s the case of London’s Is Tropical whose enthralled and possessed songs are like rare stones, reflective of a certain past and unique. In their studio, new- wave, rave, pop, psychedelia and what’ll have you flirt outrageously and get bastardized in uncontrollable bouts of energy.
PLAITUM - "Geisha"Comprising of childhood friends Matt and Abi, both 17 year olds, Plaitum come from Essex - often dubbed chav-central. They organize some form of resistance to fake bling culture and the likes. Keen and angry... like most vibrant teenagers.
