Brooklyn-based Paperwhite doesn’t come off as the type of duo to make audacious, Kanyesque claims of invincibility, greatness, or invulnerability, but maybe they should.
Certainly they’re dipping their toes into such water with the aptly titled new single “Unstoppable,” an uncharacteristically kinetic number that sees the Marshall siblings trading in their massive mid-tempo cuts for a bona fide dance-pop number that can’t be stopped if you tried.
On cuts like “Galaxy,” “Magic,” and “Get Away,” Katie and Ben crafted colorful and gorgeous synth-pop cuts that could fill the Grand Canyon with their celestial expanses. This time, they’re homing in on a club situated at the foot of the canyon, focusing on the tighter quarters that serve to isolate their talents to the danceable part of things.
And it works well, too! Artists don’t always make a smooth transition from straight-forward pop to dance-pop or any sort of dance-floor scenario, but the Marshalls have no problem with this. At this point, I get the impression they could mine the better angels of Ride and My Blood Valentine and come out with something that would impress.
Keep an eye out for Paperwhite’s second EP, Escape, which is slated for release very soon. In the meantime, sample earlier work like “Take Me Back” or the recently released “Get Away.” My favorite song of theirs is “Galaxy,” but I can’t find it on SoundCloud so you’ll need to activate Spotify or just buy it like we used to when I was a kid.
Savoir Adore – ‘Lovers Wake’
While we’re at it, did you know that Paperwhite’s Ben Marshall is also in the downright stunning Brooklyn band Savoir Adore? And did you know that less than two weeks ago they released the brilliant “Lovers Wake”?
The thing is that Savoir Adore is damn good, and I’ve been waiting a while to see what they had in store. Turns out they were working on something rather intimate, special, and extraordinary. Take a listen.
New Order Announces Live Shows
Last year New Order released the Music Complete LP, their best album in years (despite a lack of founding bassist Pete Hook, who’s been in a Mike Love-esque relationship with them for nearly a decade).
This week, they announced they were playing select American venues next month. This current lineup — with original members Bernard Sumner, Gillian Gilbert, and Stephen Morris, along with longtime member Phil Cunningham and Hook replacement Tom Chapman — was fucking excellent in Brooklyn in 2013. They sound better live than they have in decades. I urge you to go see them if they’re anywhere near your town.
Details are below, copied from the New Order site:
Having completed an overwhelmingly successful set of dates in 2015 in the UK and Europe, the band are delighted to announce their March 2016 US Tour.
US TOUR
10 March – New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall –
12 March – Philadelphia, PA – Tower Theater – http://bit.ly/1WXUQ3D
16 March – Chicago IL – Chicago Theater – http://bit.ly/1JTQlW7
19 March – Los Angeles CA – Shrine Auditorium – http://bit.ly/1nIIlgU
21 March – Las Vegas NV – The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan – http://bit.ly/1p6FK9V
23 March – Miami Beach FL – Fillmore Miami Beach – http://bit.ly/1UDvLd5
Tickets go on sale 10am local time Feb 5th, except for New York on Feb 13th.
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-Secret Destroyers
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