GOLD037: POP ETC

We’ve had boundless love for California this year, but it’s time to bring it back home for a hot second on our next release. Former west coasters now living in Brooklyn, the Morning Benders re-emerged earlier this year as the synth-fueled POP ETC, taking their already sun-blessed melodies to a whole new level of pop brilliance. At the center of the resurgence is "YoYo", one of our absolute favorite songs of 2012, and we're thrilled to be teaming up with Rough Trade to roll out the 7" on Neon Gold later this month. 

"YoYo" shines and stuns from the very first synth drop, like the ‘80s love child of Yes Giantess and Chromeo, complete with a spoken word bridge and some of the fiercest hooks we've ever heard this side of Top 40 radio. As it throttles from zero to ANTHEM in seconds flat, Chris Chu's future-tuned vocals float in on golden chords of nostalgia, and when the glittering chorus finally washes over you, it's clear that you've got a serious smash on your hands.

On the flip, mixtape highlight “Hungry Like The Wolf” provides the perfect counterpart to the breezy bliss of “YoYo” - all ravenous synths and skyscraping choruses - and together, they can brighten up literally any day of the year. The physical release drops next week just in time for their NYC live debut proper alongside HAIM at Popshop, but preorder is now available HERE, so get your order on and own a piece of the heat for yourself.

TIME ON MY SHOULDERS.

Another day, and yet another reason to salute St. Lucia as New York's new pop savior. With an outpouring of original material that's been nigh-on flawless to this point, it was only a matter of time before he took his talents to the remix trade, and in a turn of events that should come as a surprise to precisely no one, the result is exquisite. It's London's next huge things Morning Parade who are wise enough to join St. Lucia on his maiden voyage to the remix promiseland, and the NYC pop maestro doesn't disappoint here, taking the Parade's already epic stadium anthem of a new single and elevating it to even greater heights.

The original is a force to reckon with in its own right, and the remix steamrolls along like a younger, rougher-around-the-edges Thom Yorke, as St. Lucia effortlessly swaps the original's superpowered guitars for groaning synths and heartwrenching strings. You'd be forgiven for assuming the song's climax arrives with those uproariously massive choruses, but just wait for the breakdown. After a brief sonic respite, the electronics kick into high gear and escalate until they culminate in a legendary arpeggio that sounds like the product of Yes Giantess tripping spaceballs and George Lucas drinking from the fountain of youth. It's a special one, sounding at once vulnerable and simultaneously too big to fail, and we're proud to bring you the exclusive download ahead of The Saint's performance at Popshop Thursday night. Expect sonic miracles, and don't miss out on the last few $10 early bird tickets (less than ten remaining!) HERE.

MP3: "Us & Ourselves" (St. Lucia Remix) - Morning Parade [exclusive]

IN A TIDAL WAVE OF MYSTERY.

Don't know if y'all got the memo, but summer's here in a big way and it's time to throw the top back and turn the radio up on some serious summer anthems. Enter LA's Capital Cities, who arrive just in time with a little sonic head rush called "Safe + Sound", an easy, breezy, beautiful slice of effervescent electro-pop that even comes complete with a massive "trumpets in da club" bit that absolutely kills it. This is a full-bodied concoction of happy-go-lucky lyrics and syrupy cloud nine harmonies that have them coming off like Yes Giantess with the beards of My Morning Jacket and the solid gold hooks of Empire of the Sun to boot. NOT MAD.

MP3: "Safe + Sound" - Capital Cities

NEON GOLD PRESENTS: THE NAKED & FAMOUS.

After storming through London last week, our Kiwi heroes The Naked & Famous make their way to New York for their debut US shows this week, lighting up an already sold out show at the Mercury Lounge on Friday before taking it across the bridge to Brooklyn Bowl on Saturday. We're thrilled to announce we'll be putting on the latter (in affiliation with Filter and GBH), complete with Savoir Adore supporting live and our bros for life Yes Giantess on the decks all night long. It's a late show (just the way we like it) starting at 11:30 with bands on at 12 and 1, and with tickets only $5 on the door (or FREE WITH RSVP) it just might be the best night that money can buy next weekend. To ring in the occasion, we've got an exclusive remix of the band's triumphant Neon Gold anthem "Young Blood", courtesy of Australia's Thieves of Aon. It's 6 minutes of unadulterated hands-in-the-lasers dancefloor fury, the sonic equivalent of Lindsay Lohan on a three day coke-and-ecstasy bender. You've been warned.

MP3: "Young Blood" (Thieves of Aon Remix) - The Naked & Famous [exclusive]

USA IS FOR LOVERS.

There's a synth-pop epidemic taking over Massachuesetts and we're totally down with it. Carrying the torch lit by former Neon Gold alumni Passion Pit and Yes Giantess, Worcester newcomer Dom threatens to outshine both of them with his debut Sun Bronzed Greek Gods EP, out on Burning Mill Records next month. The whole thing is nothing short of amazing, but it's lead track "Living In America" that's dominating our stereo as one of the absolute best tracks we've heard all year. It basically sounds like Fear of Tigers producing that first Passion Pit EP, which as you can imagine is pretty much the best thing ever. Dom has completely and utterly restored our faith in new music, this shit is MAGIC.

MP3: "Living In America" - Dom

NEON GOLD AT SXSW 2010.

The time has come. We've mentioned it here and there over the past few weeks, but now it's time to formally bring back the curtain on our official showcase at SXSW 2010. Over the last few months we've pieced together a dream line up, plucking our favorite young talent from both sides of the Atlantic. We've got our go-to partystarters Yes Giantess crushing it in the late night slot, our main man Samuel getting things going early on, one of our favorite musicians of all time in Guillemots frontman Fyfe Dangerfield, and the one and only Marina & The Diamonds (hot on the heels of her NYC debut with us) headlining the night and rounding out what we expect to be one of the premier lineups of the week. Shit is going down Thursday night at Lamberts (401 W 2nd Street) from 10pm until late, official SXSW badge required for entry. Running times as follows:

10:00pm: Fyfe Dangerfield // MP3: "When You Walk In The Room"
11:00pm: Samuel // MP3: "Fader"
12:00am: Marina & The Diamonds // MP3: "Hollywood" (Gonzales Version)
01:00am: Yes Giantess // MP3: "The Ruins"

The venue is not large and will reach its capacity, so come early if you want a piece of the action.

SCATTERED BY YOUR HAND.

We alluded to the pretty sick remix package that's come together around our upcoming next single with Yes Giantess, and while Big Stereo debuted the brill Baby Monster remix last week, today we've got the undeniable highlight in the form of another out of this world rework by London's Fear of Tigers. The whole thing's basically just a high energy build up to the 2.5 minute mark, at which point Tigers just lets loose with an explosion of his signature electro fireworks, all screaming synths cascading back and forth across the night sky while Yes Giantess make out with your girlfriend on a picnic blanket on the field below.

MP3: "The Ruins" (Fear of Tigers Remix) - Yes Giantess [exclusive]

GOLD 014: YES GIANTESS

Yes Giantess first exploded onto the scene last summer with their triumphant AA-side single "Tuff N Stuff" / "You Were Young", which sold out faster than any other Neon Gold release to date and made them one of the most talked about new bands in the US pop scene. After two amazing sold out US tours supporting the likes of Little Boots and La Roux, as well as a coveted slot on last autumn's NME Radar Tour with Marina & The Diamonds and Golden Silvers, the guys are back with an explosive new single on Neon Gold next month.

A marked departure from the bro-pop party anthems that made up their debut single, "The Ruins" veers towards the other end of the pop spectrum, all dark, brooding synths and massive rumbling bass riffs. Fresh off his work as the principle producer on Ellie Goulding's hotly-anticipated debut album, Starsmith is at the reigns on the production here, turning in more of his signature synth wizardy and chart-ready dance beats. The flipside featurs "Call My Name", a babymaking jam for all the ladies out there, as frontman Jan Rosenfeld bumps and grinds like the R&B lothario he was born to be. Together they mark a distinct evolution for the band and an exciting taste of what's to come for Yes Giantess in 2010.

MP3: "The Ruins" - Yes Giantess

Sweetening the deal even further is a remix package featuring reworks from the likes of Neon Gold favorites Fear of Tigers, Baby Monster, Clock Opera and more, which we'll be unleashing over the coming weeks in advance of the single's March 8th release date. Limited to 500 copies worldwide as usual, preorder is available now from the Neon Gold Shop for our North American customers, while our international friends can find the single stocked exclusively through Puregroove. This Valentine's Day, give her the gift she'll never forget. A receipt for your preorder purchase of The Ruins 7". Seriously, do it.

MOVING MY HIPS LIKE YEAHHH.

Yes Giantess have been laying low for a minute getting their next single ready for release on Neon Gold next month, but an epic resurgence is imminent and it starts with the earth-shattering Miley Cyrus remix they launched via their blog today. As described by YG ringleader Jan Brosenfeld himself, "it's as though Miley finally went euroclubbing on Saturn", and to be honest that sounds pretty spot on to us. Your weekend starts here.

MP3: "Party In The USA" (Yes Giantess Remix) - Miley Cyrus

MAKE IT WORK.

Body Language are some of our favorite people in the world, so we're thrilled to see everything blowing up for them at the moment. Since we first wrote about them last year, their fantastic debut Speaks EP has dropped on Moodgadget, they've impressed NYC crowds supporting La Roux and locked in an upcoming tour with Zero 7. Suffice it to say, things are going pretty damn well. With that, we're thrilled to premier the brilliant Yes Giantess remix of EP standout "Work This City", which comes off like a brilliant italo-disco update of "Star Guitar", all urban atmospherics and late night grooves.

MP3: "Work This City" (Yes Giantess Remix) - Body Language

THIS IS GOING TO BE BIG.

Correction: this is going to be bigger than big. We've teamed up with Chess Club and GreenShoelace.com to put on what we hope to be one of the biggest parties of CMJ next week when we take over Santo's Party House (our favorite NYC venue) from 3pm-10pm Friday the 23rd. Two stages, 11 bands, drink specials galore, fresh DJ's, there's quite literally nothing more you could really ask for. Be there. Advance tickets are available now for $10, or cop yours for $12 on the door. Shit is about to get REALLY real.

UPSTAIRS
5:00pm: Alessi's Ark // MP3: "Simple Man"
6:00pm: Chief // MP3: "Mighty Proud"
7:00pm: Yes Giantess // MP3: "Tuff N Stuff"
8:00pm: Local Natives // MP3: "Airplanes"
9:00pm: Theophilus London // MP3: "Sandcastles" (Black x Blue)

DOWNSTAIRS
3:30pm: (The) Tony Castles // MP3: "Pirates"
4:30pm: Darwin Deez // MP3: "Bad Day" [expired]
5:30pm: Evan Voytas // MP3: "Getting Higher"
6:30pm: Body Language // MP3: "Huffy Ten Speed"
7:30pm: Baby Monster // MP3: "Curses"
8:30pm: Boy Crisis // MP3: "Dressed To Digress" (Demo)

Presale tickets are available HERE. Don't sleep, we're expecting a serious turn out for this one.

WHO BROUGHT YOU DOWN NOW.

There's been no shortage of Aussie love in these pages of late, but Tim & Jean have just rolled up without warning brandishing a massive slice of blissed-out synth-pop that warrants even more Oz-related gushing. Taking the best parts of Passion Pit and Yes Giantess and mixing them up with a healthy does of 90's boy band nostalgia, "Come Around" is a technicolor blast of late-summer euphoria that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face, even as the days roll on towards the inevitable gray of winter. And when you keep in mind dudes are but 18 and 15 years of age (respectively) it becomes clear just how exciting Tim & Jean really are. Thanks to Hyperbole for the tip.

MP3: "Come Around" - Tim & Jean

DEEP INTO THIS SHIT.

Erik Hassle and Yes Giantess are probably the best things to happen to pop music in 2009, so the union of the two in the Giantess remix of Hassle's debut UK single "Don't Bring Flowers" is the stuff dreams are made of. Hassle is the next global pop sensation (just try to tell us "Hurtful" doesn't have the makings an international number one) and he sounds even better over a barrage of thugged-out Yes Giantess synths. Get this on your headphones and you're ready for the weekend.

MP3: "Don't Bring Flowers" (Yes Giantess Remix) - Erik Hassle [exclusive]

NEON GOLD UPCOMING PT. III

This one isn't a Neon Gold event per se as we had nothing to do with putting it on, promoting or booking it, but the fine people behind Scandalism have chosen to launch their brand new night with a very Neon Gold-centric lineup and we couldn't be more excited. Marina & The Diamonds, Wolf Gang and Yes Giantess will all be throwing down live, with further live action coming from Telepathe, Tommy Sparks, Plugs and more. It all goes down tomorrow night at Scala and this is without a doubt the hottest ticket in town, so book now before it's too late. This Scandalism shit is going to be MASSIVE, kind of like this Yes Giantess remix of Wolf Gang's "Pieces of You".

MP3: "Pieces of You" (Yes Giantess Remix) - Wolf Gang

MIXTAPE.

After a successful first conquest of the UK last month, everyone's favorite electro playboys Yes Giantess return to England next month for further synth-pop escapades, but first they've got an oven fresh mixtape to drop for y'all. Mixed by London DJ powerhouse Kris Di Angelis and featuring tracks from the band's biggest influences mixed in with fresh new hits and some of their own original material, The Mixtape is 60 minutes of pure elation. There's Journey, there's Phoenix, a little Mariah, some Kylie, not to mention artwork featuring some totally badass, totally bloodthirsty wolves... What more could you ask for? Check the tracklist and download the mix below, fire up the grill and turn up the stereo, your perfect summer playlist just arrived.

Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
Muscles - Sweaty (Shazam Remix)
Yes Giantess - You Were Young (Acapella)
Michael Jackson - P.Y.T.
Kylie Minogue - Boombox (JBAG Mix)
Kylie Minogue - Wow (Single Mix)
Prince - Little Red Corvette
Yes Giantess - Demons
Gui Boratto - Beautiful Life
Phoenix - Heat Wave
autoKratz - Always More (Goshi Goshi Mix)
Giorgio Moroder - What A Night
Yo! Majesty - Don't Let Go (Acapella)
Lily Allen - Not Fair (Kris Di Angelis & Ben Dobie's Circus Mix)
Yes Giantess - You Were Young
Erasure - A Little Respect
Mariah Carey + Jay-Z - Heartbreaker
Yes Giantess - Tuff N Stuff
A-Ha - Take On Me (Twelves Remix)

Brilliant.

MP3: Yes Giantess: The Mixtape [exclusive]

In other Yes Giantess news, the band make their triumphant return to New York this Thursday opening for Fake Blood at what is sure to be the week's hottest party. Presented by the imitable Palms Out Sounds crew, the show is going down at a new, as-yet-unnamed venue located at 213 N. 8th Street. Yes Giantess take the stage at 9:45, there's an open bar on vodka from 9-11 and, um, it's fucking free before 11 with a RSVP to list@gbh.tv. Let's be real, you quite literally have no excuse not to be there.

MP3: "Stuck On Repeat" (Fake Blood Remix) - Little Boots

GOLD 005: WOLF GANG

And so the relentless onslaught of summer releases continues. Not unlike previous Neon Gold all-stars Passion Pit and Yes Giantess, the story of Wolf Gang began with Max McElligott penning massive pop anthems in the solitary confines of his bedroom. Having since formed a band around him, he's now set to take his craft to the world stage, and "Pieces of You" is the debut single before they no doubt become a global pop machine in the months to come. Fusing everything from the grooves of David Byrne to the widescreen soundscapes of Arcade Fire and the timeless pop of Smokey Robinson, "Pieces" is a pastiche of influences plucked from bygone eras and beautifully reimagined in a modern context. With a chorus that descends from the heavens and just erupts like an avalanche of sound and emotion, it's one of our favorite tracks of the year and we're thrilled to be bringing it into the world on Neon Gold.

MP3: "Pieces of You" - Wolf Gang

On the flipside, "The Kill" hits a more ominous and foreboding note, as hospital synths swoon and swirl across the mix and McElligott - who also designed the artwork for the record - sings with a dark urgency reflective of the current global crisis at hand. And as you've probably come to expect by now, we've got a shit ton of hot remixes coming through from the liks of Yes Giantess, We Have Band and Disco Bloodbath, plus many more. Preorder is available now from the Neon Gold Shop for US customers or from Puregroove for our International customers. As per usual, only 500 copies available worldwide so don't sleep.

A BIRTHDAY PARTY.

Hot on the heels of our Great Escape blowout (which was AMAZING, by the way) we've got another big one lined up for this week in London. Their last show before returning home to the United States of Awesome, Yes Giantess are headlining this one with support from UK up-and-comers Flashguns and Egyptian Hip Hop, the latter of whom will be making their London live debut.

In addition to all the live action we've got an all-star line up of the DJs, with live sets from Wonky Pop, Chess Club, Transparent, Jam, Phresh Sex and Blue Flowers. And since it's celebrating the 21st birthday of the lady half of Neon Gold, this one's going to be recession-friendly with free entry and drinks specials galore. Bring your party pants and everyone you've ever met. Yes mate.



In other Yes Giantess news, "Tuff N Stuff" will be the lead track on Sisters, an amazing new compilation coming out on fresh to death French label Sister Phunk next month. For anyone who may have somehow forgotten, "Tuff" is one of the absolute biggest tunes of the last 12 months and a big reason our Boston dudes are sitting pretty as one of the hottest unsigned bands on the block. Here's a quick refresher for anyone looking for a good track with which to blow out their speakers this summer.

MP3: "Tuff N Stuff" - Yes Giantess

NEON GOLD TAKEOVER AT THE GREAT ESCAPE.

Lock up your daughters and put the drinks on ice, Neon Gold is coming to the UK. Next week sees us shipping off to London for the summer where we'll be keeping it real DJing club nights, throwing parties and continuing to release records by some of our favorite new bands. We're really stepping up our game in the months to come with just under ten releases lined up between now and autumn and a monthly club night in the works in London, and it all kicks off next week in Brighton at the annual Great Escape festival. The Great Escape has been one of the highlights of the summer for us in recent years, so we're honored to be throwing the afterparty at the Ocean Rooms late night on Saturday. Neon Gold rising stars Wolf Gang (making their live debut) and Yes Giantess will be doing their thing live with DJ support from Ellie Goulding beatmaker Starsmith, London superstars Chess Club and of course our very own Neon Gold Beat Company. Let's rage.

MP3: "Tuff N Stuff" - Yes Giantess

We suppose this is also as good a time as any to introduce you to our new favorite band and forthcoming release, Wolf Gang. Wolf Gang is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Max McElligott, who's gone and crafted some of the most timeless pop gems you'll hear in this or any other year and is easily one of the most gifted talents we've ever had the pleasure of working with. Proudly wearing a love for pop greats like Peter Gabriel and Talking Heads on their sleeve, the demos put forth are some of the most promising we've ever heard, their rough charm and classic pop feel converging to make them some of the most exciting tracks we've heard this year. The single we'll be releasing in late June remains under wraps for now, but go ahead and introduce yourself with "Nightflying" and see why the sky is truly the limit for this London newcomer.

MP3: "Nightflying" (Demo) - Wolf Gang

// Cristiana Crouceiro //

UNSPEAK ALL THE WORDS YOU EVER SPOKE.

It's a beautiful-ass day in the neighborhood and Wave Machines done hooked it up with the perfect soundtrack. The Liverpool quartet have been kicking it for a minute now - their Chess Club debut "I Go I Go I Go" was one of the elite tracks of last spring - but they somehow seem to remain criminally underrated. They were one of the best bands we saw at SXSW and the breezy lo-fi disco of "Keep The Lights On", the lead single off their forthcoming debut LP Wave If You're Really There, just might be their finest work to date. Last month we spent a groggy SXSW morning in Austin with the Chess Club bros unanimously declaring "Lights" the best song ever and while that may be a slight understatement, it shimmers and shines as one of our sonic highlights of 2009. Welcome to summer.

MP3: "Keep The Lights On" - Wave Machines

Elsewhere, Yes Giantess are celebrating the upcoming release of their debut single on Neon Gold (preorders going fast!) with a new track on their myspace. "Demons" is without a doubt the fiercest beat the guys have dropped since "Tuff N Stuff", showing off a darker new sound for the band and a taste of the amazing things to come from the Boston pop maestros.

// Scott Waterman //

GOLD003: YES GIANTESS

New name, same great taste. We've been alluding to our involvement with Giantess for a while now, but now it's time to make it official. Next up from Neon Gold will be the Boston pop behemoths' "Tuff N Stuff" and "You Were Young" in what is yet another double A-side release for the ages. Due to some copyright issues stemming from a previously existing Giantess in Canada, we've had to change the name to Yes Giantess, but worry not - the tunes are still as massive as ever.

Following in the footsteps of Passion Pit with an even more synthed-out electro sound, Yes Giantess are the next great hope for electronic pop in the US. Produced by Passion Pit's own Ayad Al-Adhamy at his Bo Flex Music studio, they're unleashing some of the biggest pop jams you'll hear all year. "Tuff 'n Stuff" is their masterwork, leading you in with a deceptively plaintive intro before dropkicking you in the jaw with a metric ton of Ratatat-sized synths and huge pop choruses. "You Were Young" stuns on the AA-side, all spiraling synths, infectious hooks and a seriously ill bridge that sounds like Daft Punk on a sugar high. Yeah, they're pretty much the sonic equivalent of flying down the yellow brick road while its raining ecstasy and skittles, and yeah, you're gonna want to taste this rainbow.

Limited to 500 copies and pressed on sexy white vinyl, the record is available for preorder now in the US from the Neon Gold Shop and in the UK exclusively from Puregroove, due to ship out on April 20th (and here you already couldn't wait for 4/20). "Tuff N Stuff" and "You Were Young" have already been kicking around the blogs for a minute now, but here's a shit-hot exclusive remix of the lead track courtesy of Boston DJ crew Pirate Stereo to tide you over.

MP3: "Tuff N Stuff" (Pirate Stereo Remix) - Yes Giantess [exclusive]