Top 5 list - this time with electro/glitch/chip/blip/synthpop/indie focus!
I know! I can hardly believe the awesomeness either!

1. Lion Hat - Unicorn Kid
2. Sponsored By Destiny - Slagsmålsklubben
3. Crimewave - Crystal Castles
4. Dead End - You Love Her Cuz She's Dead
5. Purple Cactus - Nobody Beats the Drum

As usual, the whole list is available on Spotify here.

And as usual I'll now present this compilation of musical goodness.

1.
Lion Hat. Just take a moment to reflect on the title... -_-'
Anyways, young Oliver Sabin from Edinburgh crafts wonderfully playful and naive blip-electro tunes under the moniker Unicorn Kid. It's dance music and it's fast, wild and crazy. Simply Irresistible.
An excellent way to kick off my electro/glitch/chip/blip/punk/indie list!
Unicorn Kid is exploding in the UK and probably soon the rest of the world. There will be fluffy lion hats all over the place. Something to keep your eyes on for sure.
Itunes Spotify
Not a video as such, but here is an interview with the “kid” from UK tv show “In the City”. Yes, he wears THE lion hat.


2.
Swedish, 7 piece, electronica collective Slagsmåsklubben (Fight Club) have been at it for quite some time in their native country, growing a large fan base and arriving at the top of the blippop/synthpop scene there. Serious international fame has eluded them, until now, when they are poised to make a breakthrough in style. Sponsored by Destiny is the main track and single from latest album Boss For Leader. Slagsmålsklubben is characterized by their playful, artful and highly energetic approach. Boss For Leader tinted the sound in a slightly darker shade but also elevated the bands technical skill to new heights.
Itunes Spotify
Awesome fan video for this song that I just had to share. Recognize the style? W00t!


3.
We move into slightly darker territory now, with Crystal Castles strange and haunting Crimewave. Taken from their eponymous debut album, the Canadian duo have made a killer album. Putting a strong focus on atmosphere and feeling instead of a clear message or, indeed, even audible lyrics. This might feel as a weakness initially but it actually shows a strong artistic intent and exciting creativity. Just listen and you'll see what I'm talking about. Crystal Castles are going from strength to strength and I predict a bright future for Alice and Ethan.
I really recommend checking out their entire album, it's so hard to just pick one track like this as they are all great.
Itunes Spotify
Crimewave in a TV-video. I'm very pleased by the fact that they play the song live.


4.
You Love Her Cuz She's Dead (UK) takes many cues from Crystal Castles but are something very different altogether. Dead End is taken from their debut EP Inner City Angst and is energetic, noisy and has a distinct punk-electro atmosphere. They are more straightforward than CC and puts a big focus on the upbeat choruses and sing-along lyrics. More party I guess, and more focused on the dance floor, not that many Dj's would have the stones to play them. I am eagerly awaiting their first full-length album, planned for a 2010 release. I believe that we are going to see a lot more of YLCSD.
Itunes Spotify
Love the video! The fox is a clear nod to the french label Kitsune that they are on. (Kitsune means fox in Japanese. Multicultural to say the least!)


5.
Nobody Beats the Drum is the coolest thing I've seen or heard for a long time. They are Dutch of course, that explains a lot (gotta love them). Purple Cactus is a typical NBTD track. Heavy breakbeats, sample-rich and playful. Edgy and raw. The track might not work on all dance floors perhaps but give it time! This sounds as crazy and fresh as Prodigy's first album did way back in the 90's. I would not be the least surprised if NBTD will be the Prodigies of the 2010's.
Itunes Spotify
Video to Purple Cactus. Warning! Video contains actual purple cacti, viewer discretion is advised.


Bonus video!The Drum by Nobody Beats the Drum – Explains who the Drum is, if you were wondering... well kind of ;) Now panic and freak out!


/Lo out