The latest EP from Magnetic Island is another change of sound for the New York-based duo/loose collective. The name might suggest a flirtation with 80's pop or something like that, but that's not the case: instead, Keyboard has a vintage alt-rock feel. The guitars and vocals on tuneful opening track 'The Way', for example, have a bit of a 4AD vibe about them. 'Wish I Knew' swells subtly but anthemically, while 'Diner' is a thrilling instrumental track with lashings of distortion. Great stuff, and the EP is free to download from their Bandcamp.
Brooklyn-based Magnetic Island have been creating consistently brilliant music since they first emerged under the name RENMINBI. It's never predictable either, with their sound evolving from release to release.
The Out At Sea EP is available to stream and download on their Bandcamp page (along with their previous material). 'End In Bender' reels you in with five minutes of gorgeous guitar textures, and that's followed by the dramatic, windswept vibes of 'Sung (Not Said)', which features an absolutely killer mid-section with some furious riffing. 'Summer Phase' is a drowsy-eyed, Breeders-esque tune that showcases the more mellow, tuneful side of the band, and 'Let It Lie' starts off in a similar vein before encompassing some more dazzling musicianship.
Lisa Liu's guitarwork is definitely one of my favourite things about this band, it's tinged with that classic 90's alt-rock sound, but pretty unique as well: by turns melodic and menacing, you can lose yourself in the textures and tones.
Out At Sea is available to download for a mere buck, or you can pay more if you so desire - the EP is also available on limited-edition cassette, with a bonus extra version of 'Summer Phase'. There's some pretty nifty artwork with the cassettes as well, full details on the Bandcamp page.
Check out a couple of previous Magnetic Island tracks too:
Over at http://gimmetinnitus.com/, you can hear the brand new track from Brooklyn-based Magnetic Island, formerly known as RENMINBI. Sounds great. Make sure to also pick up their cover of Lou Reed and John Cale's 'A Dream' while you're over there!
Brooklyn-based duo Magnetic Island, formerly known as RENMINBI, have already released an inspired cover of Lou Reed and John Cale's 'A Dream' so far this year, their first release under their new moniker. They now have a demo of their forthcoming single, 'Summer Phase', available for free download at http://magneticisland.cashmusic.org/. A solo guitar-and-voice demo, the 'full-band version' will follow in June. 'A Dream' is also still available from the same site.
RENMINBI's excellent self-released Surface EP from last year is available for free download from their/Magnetic Island's MySpace.
