#22 on the 2015 Bacon Top 31

Savage Hills Ballroom by Youth Lagoon

The band at #22 is difficult to categorize. Experimental, psychedelic, dreamy — these words come close, but don’t seem to fit quite right. Youth Lagoon, the stage name of Trevor Powers, is from Boise, Idaho, but given his sound, you’d be forgiven if you’d guessed Brooklyn.

Playing with a mix of electronic and analog sounds (trumpet, piano, and cello all feature throughout), it’s Powers’ high, sometimes cracking falsetto that sets this music apart from others that came before. There’s a little Arcade Fire, a little Destroyer, even some Kishi Bashi in there if you tilt your head just right.

Savage Hills Ballroom is Youth Lagoon’s third album. I haven’t heard his previous albums, but from what I’ve read, it doesn’t sound like I need to. It appears this album is a good departure from his previous work. If you do end up going into his back catalog, or if you have heard it and have an opinion about it, do share, won’t you?

_____________________________________________

23. Not Real by Stealing Sheep
24. Beat the Champ by The Mountain Goats
25. Gliss Riffer by Dan Deacon
26. Dark Bird is Home by The Tallest Man on Earth
27. Gunnera by Pfarmers
28. Swimmer to a Liquid Armchair by Ricked Wickey
29. To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
30. Live in Seattle by Moufang / Czamanski
31. High by Royal Headache

What is the Bacon Top 31?
Past years’ Top 31s

Kishi Bashi — Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!

Production value is everything when it comes to Kishi Bashi. And this video demonstrates this beautifully. His new album, Lighght (pronounced “Light,” apparently), comes out May 13, and he’ll be playing the Showbox a week later, on May 20. His live show is every bit as lush as his recorded work, and he is the master of the digital sequencer. It’s impossible to describe how amazing it is to watch someone sing multiple harmonies with themself on stage, live. Go, and marvel at the results.

My current favorite musician, Shugo Tokumaru, who I’ve been listening to non-stop for the past month, has launched this new, mind-blowing video for his song “Katachi.”

And not only has it been featured on Pitchfork, it’s also being picked up in non-music circles, such as the awesome technology blog The Verge. The blow up is happening faster than I expected, but I’m excited that others are finding this awesome musician. His new album, In Focus?, came out this past Tuesday in the US. Buy it now — it is great, even if you can’t understand a word he’s singing.

Lastly, Shugo opens for Kishi Bashi at the Croc on February 22. I have a hunch this is going to sell out, so get your tickets now.

update: The video was created by Polish director(s?) Kijek/Adamski, who appear to have some amazing video-making chops.

I’ve been in love with this song for a very long time, thanks to one Windows 8 commercial in which the song prominently features. And I’ve only just stumbled upon it now.

You see, my current favorite, Shugo Tokumaru, whose album In Focus? has been in constant rotation since I wrapped up the 2012 Calendar, is going on tour with Kishi Bashi, the person responsible for the song above.

Catch Shugo Tokumaru and Kishi Bashi at their first stop together here in Seattle, at the Croc, on February 22. See you there! This is going to be one hell of a show.