The London electro-pop five-piece Hot Chip is back with a new single, and fans are rejoicing. Yes, boys and girls, get your platform shoes ready because the group’s latest release “Night and Day” is funkier than ever. A bouncy Jock-Jams-esque bass-line—one that would be equally comfortable as the theme music to Contra or Battle Toads—is paired with a mid-tempo beat to function as the backbone of this eerie experiment in early house music. It hits slowly, but surely. Indeed, this disco-joint is as smooth and sexy as it is spooky and serious, so bring your A-game to the dance floor. And also, enjoy.

STREAM: Hot Chip – “Night and Day”

Some had surmised that Boy Crisis had folded it up and gone underground. Some guessed that they descended back to the primordial-funk-ooze beneath Studio 54 where they were apparently spawned. But a new video (of an old song) recently emerged from cyber-space indicating that, just maybe, Boy Crisis lives! Let’s hope so. The world needs this druggy, love-soaked funk-pop more than ever. So if you’re feeling down and out, “L’Homme” has the synth blasts, disco beats, and pop bombast you need. Above is your remedy. You can grab an exclusive download of the track over at RCRD LBL.

DOWNLOAD: Boy Crisis – “L’Homme” [via RCRD LBL]

Sophia Knapp, of the girl-trio Lights (now Cliffie Swan), is branching out on her own. Her debut LP Into the Waves will be released late this month on the talent-packed label Drag City, and will feature the musical company of Americana’s favorite gravel-voiced bedroom-crooner Bill Callahan on several songs. If “Close to Me” (which does not feature Callahan) is any indication, the album will be delightful. On this light and fluffy sonic-gem Knapp shoves Stevie Nicks, sparkling champagne, pineapples, piña-colada mix, and a fairy dusting of funk into the blender and mixes up a sexy cocktail of girl-pop. Drink this puppy up and you’ll be dancing with diamonds on the soles of your shoes. Guaranteed.

STREAM: Sophia Knapp – “Close to Me”

Funk music is ingrained in DC’s history. So much so that DC was able to create and cultivate Go-Go music, it’s own blend of funk – a genre of music championed by the incomparable Chuck Brown. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Godfather would applaud what Big/Bright is trying to do. The band takes elements of traditional funk and combines them with distinctly electro and pop production. The result is a soulful groove that you can’t help but dance to. The standout (and one of only a few tracks the band has floating around) is “French Dude”.

You can catch Big/Bright live with fellow DC up-and-comers Black Hills and Brooklyn-by-way-of-Passion-Pit side project Aislyn this Friday at Red Palace.

MP3: Big/Bright  – “French Dude”

I need to preface this post with the fact that I like funk. Much like Bagel Bites, I enjoy it in the morning, evening, and suppertime. So when I heard Pickwick’s Hacienda Motel, I was obviously down with that resonating and–yes, funky–bass line. The band hails from Seattle, WA and they love to bring in the crowd (as evidenced by this KEXP session). Unsigned and selling their stuff on Bandcamp, their brand of surf-funk rock is on the rise out West with performances at Bumbershoot and the Doe Bay Fest. If you have a pulse and like to clap, throw on “Hacienda Motel”. Much like milk (and Bagel Bites), it does the body good.

MP3: Pickwick – “Hacienda Motel”

In the words of the esteemed Sir Charles Barkley, you’d have to be a “knucklehead” not to make it out to the August edition one of the hottest monthly dance parties D.C. has to offer; Que Sera at Napoleon. This month’s version is called “Dancing in the Streets” and features none other than our good friend/ATG-collaborator Philippe Chetrit on the one’s and two’s alongside fellow DC DJs Aaron Baird and John Philip, or as they like to call themselves, the “Usual Buffspects.” In preparation for the event, Philippe has thrown together an essential party mix, which you can enjoy below.

Put on your party hats and dancing shoes because, this Thursday, it’s going down.

Tracklist and album art after the jump:

STREAM: Philippe Chetrit – “Que Sera Slaughterhouse Mix”

(more…)

If The Black Keys helped bring blues-rock back to the masses in recent years, Hot Bodies in Motion definitely adds something new and palpable to the genre. Based out of Seattle, they describe their sound as “Baby-makin’ mammal funk, laced with old-school blues roots” and it’s a potent concoction. They can jam out acoustically or turn on the fuzz and make some serious noise when plugged in. Ben Carson croons and can carry a song on its own, but the band is at its best when it slows down at the end of the song “Old Habits”. The entire band lets you know that old habits die hard and then emphatically punches out with an old school blues riff. It’s pure, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll.

The video for “Old Habits” combines pizza, a hot chick and sharp objects to tell the twisted story of one late night at a pizza shop. Trust me, this is better than a jumbo slice.

STREAM: Hot Bodies In Motion – Old Habits

It’s like Marvin Gaye was resurrected and schooled in electronic music…maybe that’s just me. London-based producer Tyson brings disco-funk back with a slightly new flavor, seasoned with his beautiful falsetto vocals.

Always shown masked in a Phantom of the Opera-esque mask (with teeth, rawr), Tyson is elusive, mysterious. Totally feeling that.

The current must listen to track is “Love’s on the Line.” You can also grab “Die on the Dance Floor” and “Out of My Mind” on his Soundcloud.

MP3: Tyson – “Love’s On The Line“

Rolling with the heavy brass, Fitz and The Tantrums infuse a big band feel with swing beats that will have you slowly tapping your foot until you’re all worked up reenacting moves from Dancing with the Stars (except without that whole Kirstie Alley fall). The band’s ensemble lacks guitar, but makes up for it with plenty of sax allowing singers Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs to fill out the sound with soulful-pop vocals. Fresh off of Leno AND Conan (yeah…that’s awkward), Fitz is out west for most of the summer. If you find yourself in New York on June 25^th get to Central Park and be prepared to sweat. The album Pickin’ Up the Pieces is out now via Dangerbird Records. It rocks from the first track to the last so it’s time to get out of that chair and shake ya’ ass.

MP3: Fitz and The Tantrums – “MoneyGrabber (Daytrotter Session)“
MP3: Fitz and The Tantrums – “Don’t Gotta Work It Out”