Spanish cockney-ravers (best i can do right now) Crystal Fighters have a new single out and about soon called I Love London, which, apart from being the most original sentiment pressed to vinyl, is a damn good slice of early Bonjay-style lofi rave rap. But with less of that ‘look at my vagine’ stuff that Bonde were selling. And it’s mega cute how they enunciate ‘London’.

A UK mate who just got back has me all a flutter with reports of Crystal Fighter’s live show. Sounds a bit like Crystal Castles but with a bit more crystal balls if you get my drift.

Couple remixes have floated our direction, first is a low-slung, industrial drum and bass affair from Golau Glau. Bit of soundscaping – echoey tower bells and sirens with a vocal hook pumped through a megaphone

Crystal Fighters – I Love London (Golau Glau mix)

JOCKS, aka 1/4 of Goodbooks (RIP bros), delivers a thinking mans electro piece, but maintains all the frenetic pace and snappy rhythms that make Crystal Fighters the stand up citizens we know and love.

Crystal Fighters – I Love London (JOCKS’ DAWN IN DALSTON MIX)

Check their MySpace for single launch parties in your neighbourhood. But not in my neighbourhood. Cause my neighbourhood is a gaybourhood and too far away for making good party.

-Mandu

London’s new dance-pop three-piece, CHEW LiPS, are looking to join the bourgeoning ranks of acts with strong female leads such as La Roux, Little Boots and Marina & the Diamonds. Frontwoman, Tigs, had a fairly unsuccessful solo career a couple of years back, releasing a debut album, Cut With Fire, which did little to rescue her from the depths of obscurity. But with a new format, backed by Will Sanderson and James Watkins, this time she might just be on to something.

With a lifespan of just over 12 months and a brand new record deal with Kitsuné, CHEW LiPS are emerging as one of those bands you’ll have difficulties ignoring this year. Despite having been unsigned for the better part of last year, they’ve already secured Lamacq as their biggest fan, toured Europe, opened the 2008 Electric Proms, and will be supporting The Virgins on their upcoming UK tour. I just hope for their sake a premature burn-out isn’t on the cards.

They’ve already released their debut single (of course) this week, the perhaps-tongue-in-cheek-entitled Solo, with remixes by Tepr and David E. Sugar. Solo is nothing groundbreaking, but it sure is devastatingly infectious. Pick the 12” up at the Kitsuné store now.

CHEW LiPS – Solo (Tepr Remix)

CHEW LiPS – “SOLO”

(My word, those are some unflattering pants…)

Thanks Big Stereo.

- bec

I’ve been really enjoying the Empire Of The Sun album, pretty much from start to finish. It’s funny that while I enjoyed some of the Sleepy Jackson material I found Luke Steeles vocals a little frustrating at times but in this “light dance” context I am warming to it.

Ted & Francis are a two piece out of Sydney recently signed to Kitsune. They are also known as Like Woah! and have done a bunch of original tracks and remixes in the past. Ted & Francis signals the start of a more relaxed, melodic pace for the duo with a track already available on the latest Kitsune 6, “I Wish I Was a Polar Bear (Arctic Urgency Edit)” which we spoke about here.

Expect to see an E.P. out at the end of the year and to hear plenty more from these guys on the remix front.

Empire Of The Sun – We Are The People (Ted & Francis remix)

Apart from Nick Littlemore of Pnau and Luke Steele this track also features Donnie Sloan, fast becoming the hardest working keyboardist in Australia with his involvement in Empire of the Sun, Ladyhawke, Sneaky Sound System and the latest Van She release. Holy shit!

Show some myspace love over at myspace.com/tedandfrancis

xox
ned