The best new track this week was Ellen Allien & Apparat‘s ‘Under.’ I’m a fan of both acts individually and I’m overjoyed that their collaboration has made something lovely and new rather than being a dilution of either. ‘Under’ is both modern and old, sonically new and yet melodically rounded and catchy. Look out for their album, ‘Orchestra of Bubbles,’ which is out at the end of April. I think this album will be in my top list for 2006. Now might be a good time to get your pre-orders in, glitchy pop fans.

The best old track was Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci’s ‘Spanish Dance Troupe.’ This is such a simple, three-chord pop song and yet every time I hear it, I have to sing along. It’s charming and quirky without ever being willfully “wacky” and it has the lightness of touch and silvery melody that Gorky’s have practically patented. Just the neighing at the end makes it a work of genius. Are they hibernating still or deceased? I know Euros has just released a solo album. The Gorky’s website hasn’t been updated in a year… 🙁

Tonight, you heard:

Serena Maneesh – Drain Cosmetics
Sweatshop Union – Us
Boards Of Canada – Roygbiv
Ghosty – Big Surrender
Black Lipstick – B.O.B. F.O.S.S.E.
Ellen Allien & Apparat – Under
People Under The Stairs – Tuxedo Rap
Mclusky – Icarus Smicarus
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – Criminal Piece
Gwenwed – 8 Mm
Substance Abuse – Collateral Damage
The Joggers – Ziggurat Traffic
Marco Passarani – Again
Roots Manuva – No Love
Devo – It’s Not Right
Bear Vs. Shark – 5, 6 Kids
The Knife – Silent Shout
Goldspot – Friday
Unknown Prophets – Time To Move Forward
Modeselektor – Silikon (Sirius Mo Rmx)
Ivor Cutler – Mud
Kelley Stoltz – Birdies Singing
Dinosaur Jr. – Freak Scene
SEGA – After Burner
Say Hi To Your Mom – Pop Music Of The Future
Youth Of Today – Thinking Straight
Apathy – Can’t Leave Rap Alone
The Dissociatives – Lifting The Veil From The Braille
Jonathan Richman – Fender Stratocaster
The Rockingbirds – Jonathan Jonathan
Shelter Red – Little Heaps Of Dirty White
Jel – WMD
Hyu – Paoz
Max Greger & His Orchestra – Big Train
Norfolk & Western – A Gilded Age
Frog Pocket – Celebrimbor Tur-Anion
Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – Spanish Dance Troupe
Agent Simple – Make A Right At Jordfallsmotet
Matmos – Solo Buttons For Joe Meek
Miwon – Brother Mole
Suburban Kids With Biblical Names – Parakit
The Perceptionists – Memorial Day
The Radio Dept. – The Worst Taste In Music
Mikkel Metal – Lurlun
Islands – Humans