COLLECTION 5 THE MALE - A FASHION SPECIAL!

Artist: aMinus
Album: Options
Genre: Electro-Pop, Synthpop
Label: Neopren
Origin: Germany
Release Date: October 2013
Member: Valentin Plessy
aMinus is Valentin Plessy, one third of Berlin-based
French electro act Plateau Repas. I’ve never had the pleasure
of meeting aMinus face-to-face, but I’m gonna go out
on a limb here and say that this guy is sex on legs.
I can’t usually control (much less change) the way I’m
first going to respond to a particular artist or album, and
maybe it’s because I’m a girl, maybe not, but damn it if I
don’t like to get my (musical) kicks listening to a guy who
obviously knows how to use his organ (pun DEFINITELY
intended). A friend of mine introduced me to him recently
and I honestly couldn’t get past his voice. It just drew me
in. Sometimes when you’re new to an artist, a genre, an
album or even just a song, you need some time to get in the
zone, some sort of a guiding light, a je-ne-sais-quoi that’s
gonna warn your brain that this is it, The Stuff. Good Stuff.
Plessy’s voice does take center stage on Options, his
sophomore record. Not that I’m complaining. Why? It just
oozes self-confidence. It’s strong, sexy, powerful and yes,
ultimately you just can’t get enough. Like the album itself,
it’s grounded and relatable (special mention to “Sick Twisted
Fuck” for its raw, in-your-face honesty). aMinus kinda
reminds me of Diamond Rings on his latest album, Free
Dimensional. There’s much worse, if you ask me.
The lyrics are pretty straightforward: love, relationships,
life… who can’t identify with that? As for the music, if
you’re a fan of electro and synthpop, it will be love at first
listen, as they say. Nothing too fancy, but it sure as hell
gets the job done. Satisfaction guaranteed. Bottom line:
aMinus deserves a nice big A+ for Options (you must have
seen that one coming from a mile away, so for once I’m not
apologizing).
Must-hear tracks: Cool Down, Don’t Mind Me Now,
I Can Try
40
HUSH and listen up!
The first time I saw The Limousines live was quite some
time ago in Paris. The best part? For the life of me I can’t
seem to remember what band they were opening for…
that’s how good this Bay Area duo truly is! OK so the megaphone
they used and their radiating (and madly contagious)
energy on stage might have something to do with my not so
temporary lapse in memory…
Hush is The Limousines’ second LP. It’s also a labelfree,
self-produced (in part thanks to a hella successful
Kickstarter campaign) little gem of an indietronic rock
record.
Whatever you do, be sure to watch the video for Love Is
a Dog From Hell, their first single. Whether you like boys
or girls (or both!), you’ll be able to relate: love is a b*tch.
Hush is solid from beginning to end. It acts like a
catharsis, exploring the ups and downs of relationships
with great beats and an addictive flow, forcing you to confront
your feelings head on –preferably while dancing like
a mad man/woman. Yes, Hush will make you wanna move
your body. I tested that part for you as well. I’m usually not
a dancer, but even I couldn’t help it. Yeah, picture me in
the heart of a summer heat wave, writing this review while
dancing my *ss off… F.U.N. I swear!)
Last but not least, Victorino and Giusti are so dedicated
to their fanbase that if you go to their website right now,
you can (almost) order yourself some Limousines to go.
For real. So bring them to your town, why don’t you? Video
clips and digital albums are just fine, but you haven’t really
had the full Limousines experience until you’ve been to
one of their shows. Trust me.
Must-hear tracks: Bedbugs, Wrecking Ball, Hush
Artist: The Limousines
Album: Hush
Genre: Indietronica, Electronic Rock
Label: Self-produced
Origin: USA
Release Date: June 2013
Members: Eric Victorino, Giovanni Giusti