Kitsuné Maison 16 – The Sweet Sixteen issue
Breaking today some of the exciting artists who will matter most tomorrow, Kitsuné’s flagship compilation is back for another round. Showcasing, as always, a complete assortment of the movers and shakers currently shaping up music’s future, Kitsuné Maison 16 hits the streets on November 24 with a fresh new artwork composed of drawings by 23 of the most exciting new illustrators scouted by the label.
Sweet 16 doesn’t nod at Ken Loach’s movie of the same name, although the determination of its main character only reflects too well the Franco-Japanese fox’s irrepressible urge to develop as an essential brand. Nearer the mark, a ‘sweet sixteen’ is the coming of age party celebrating a girl’s sixteenth birthday in North America. And indeed for Kitsuné’s co-founder Gildas Loaec, this new volume is resolutely about adolescence.
“Who’s not for re-experiencing the emotions of being 16 again? When life’s all to be discovered and conquered… Although in the same vein, Maison 16 is more gentle and tender than its predecessors. I hope it is as wild and eclectic as you would expect from Kitsuné, however it’s definitely deeper and more feminine too… Never standing still, the label’s almost unstoppable and is constantly morphing into new shapes and ideas” says Gildas.
Tracklisting:
BUSCABULLA Sono
Kitsuné goes global! Straight outta Brooklyn Buscabulla AKA Puerto Rican designer Raquel Berrios and multi-instrumentalist Luis Alfredo Del Valle take vintage Latin and South American music on a loopy ride. With Dev Hynes (Blood Orange) at the controls, you know you’re in good hands.
FAKEAR Interstellar
Watch out for this French offspring about to make serious waves, his striking tunes are as mind-blowing as his remarkable live performances. Inspired by the many beats and flavours of world music, hip-hop, electronica and else, Fakear bends the rules opening the door to endless mutations.
MARGOT No One’s Gonna Miss You
New York-based Margot is a talented singer, composer and violinist with a deep, soulful voice and beautiful eyes to match. ‘No One’s Gonna Miss You’, her first single with its unmistakable guitar twang, paints an emotionally charged picture that’s as infectious as it feels familiar.
WE ARE SHINING Hot Love
This London duo’s music is like a psychedelic road trip through unknown towns. Veering between rock, blues, gospel and whatever else gets sucked in along the way,Morgan Zarate and Acyde lay swirling whirlwind of bucking guitar riffs over ferocious grooves.
DANGLO Forget You
The UK bass scene is hot. On the trail of you know who, legions of fresh faced,sporty kitted Brit kids are reviving house music by adding wobbles and saccharine r’n’b vocals to a well proven dance beat. Now Danglo doesn’t stick to any preconceived formulas, which is precisely what makes him one of the scene’s most promising djs/producers.
FRANCES Fire May Save You (Cesare Remix)
Some artists are blessed, just like 21 year old Frances who stands out from the crowd thanks to an angelic yet commanding voice that doesn’t go unnoticed even in UK pop… this girl can sing. In the hands of Mexico’s finest nu-disco producer Cesare, ‘Fire May Save You’ turns into a balearic singalong anthem that still resonates when long gone.
LOGO Kingda Ka
The Parisian duo keeps on releasing inventive tunes that hit the top spot more often than not. What was originally a conceptual bedroom project has turned into a dancefloor-slayer machine that takes no prisoner. Their mish-mash of blitzkrieg techno, radiant cold-wave, warm house and italo-disco makes people sweat – literally.
CROQUET CLUB Jacuzzi
Croquet Club is the brainchild of another Parisian. If ‘Jacuzzi’, with its rock-solid bassline and enchanting melodies, is anything to go by, Jeremy Villecourt is of a rare breed, devoted to exploring the mysterious interactions that go on between music and love.
CITIZENS! Lighten Up (Tobtok Remix)
DoKitsuné’sLondondarlingsandindiepopmasters still need introduction? Watch this space as the band is about to come of age with the release of its second album pencilled for early 2015. Here, Totbok brings out the big synths and optimizes the sublime ‘Lighten Up’ to maximal effect.
DAVIDIAN Could Never (feat. Eli&Fur) (radio edit)
Nottingham-based 22 year old Davidian’s another Brit smitten by the resurgence of American house beats. You know the one, 4/4 kick and open hi-hat on the offbeat, female wailing and hands-in-the-air pianos. A tried and tested formula that still makes the world go round and gets those dancefloors busy.
SEGO 20 Years Tall
Sego’s band members are equally drawn to both the cutting edge and the timeless, refusing to surrender flesh-and-blood humanity in an increasingly digitized and technologically driven world. Intoxicating melodies, spiky guitar riffs andpulsating rhythms build an addictive tension that’s like the perfect L.A. soundtrack right now.
JAWS Think
A four-piece formed at College in the UK, Jaws has immediately captured attention. These barely legal youngsters’ breathy ‘guitar pop’ revisits the greats (Stone Roses, New Order, The Cure…) whilst adding its own catchy little pop twists to proceedings. After a handful of acclaimed singles, much touring and a growing fanbase, they’re ready to go stratospheric.
NIMMO AND THE GAUNTLETTS Others
What a profound debut! This London five-piece erupts with a bang that goes by the name of ‘Others’ a firework of crystal-clear guitars, expressive keys and harmonic exchanges between singers Sarah and Reva. Let’s not forget to mention a handful of superior remixes that take this poignant ode to unsuspected levels of drama.
KWAMIE LIV 5 AM
Having grown up between Zambia, Turkey, South Africa, Kenya, Ireland, Bangladesh and Denmark (!) where she resides today, it’s not surprising that Kwamie Liv’s own futuristic breed of rhymes and beats (masterminded by production partner Baby Duka) comes across as conspicuous, she’s truly one of a kind.
CHRISTIAN RICH Reach Love
Having recently contributed to albums by Drake, J Cole, Childish Gambino and Earl Sweatshirt, Chicago born, Nigerian raised and now L.A. based twins Christian and Rich Hassan have their fingers in more pies than most producers/djs could even dream of. Not mentioning they’re mates with Pharrell. Could ‘Real Love’ be the female reply to Daft Punk’s ‘Something About Us’?
TOBTOK Deux
Residing in Sweden, Tobtok is nevertheless another firm ambassador of a certain French sound, discoey, poppy and excitingly musical. Check the many Nile Rodgers-inspired funky licks or the enthralling chord progressions springing up on most of his productions. Romantic, me?
