Castratii

Video: Castratii’s “Kingdom”

Castratii: KingdomCastratii: Eora (Time No Place, 6/12/12)

Forged in an ethereal, ghostly sound, Australian dream-pop group Castratti began life in 2007 when visual artists Beauvais Cassidy and Jonathon Wilson joined forces. In 2010, they were joined by vocalist Leila Moss of The Duke Spirit, who now provides another haunting layer to an already deeply textured style.

The trio’s ’80s-influenced electro-ambient sound, which is performed live in complete darkness, captures the eerie, volatile qualities of the Australian wilderness that is the group’s backyard. The high-contrast video for “Kingdom,” the first single from the band’s debut full-length, creates a stark and sensual experience with Moss’ dreamy vocals, industrial undertones, and dissociated imagery.

Portland Cello Project

Review: Portland Cello Project’s Homage

Portland Cello Project: Homage

Portland Cello Project: Homage (Jealous Butcher)

“H*A*M” (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

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Since 2007, the Portland Cello Project has taken the cello where few have gone before, offering chamber and string-based renditions of movie themes, pop songs, classical pieces, and more — even metal tunes such as Pantera’s “Mouth for War.” The group’s live and recorded output now boasts more than 900 pieces, varying between straightforward arrangements with a handful of cellos to setups of grandiose proportions, with a dozen of its namesake instrument being supported by full choirs, winds, and percussion.

Fang Island

Video: Fang Island’s Major teaser

This just in: high-fivin’ five-piece Fang Island is returning on July 24 with Major, a sophomore album that promises more infectious riffs and three-part harmonies. Here’s a 30-second taste of “Kindergarten,” the album’s piano-based intro, which seems to be a sign of greater hooks to come. Look for the album this summer from Sargent House.

Damon Albarn

Review: Damon Albarn’s Dr. Dee

Damon Albarn: Dr. Dee

Damon Albarn: Dr. Dee (Virgin, 5/8/12)

“The Marvelous Dream”

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Brit-rock fans may have been more excited to learn that a Damon Albarn-fronted Blur has become an active prospect again, but fans of music in general should be more thrilled to know that he’s been up to a lot more than that. Albarn, as a solo artist and a collaborative one at that, has stirred up some amazing music by delving into Malian blues, scoring the Chinese opera Monkey: Journey to the West, and continuing his hip-hop cartoon group Gorillaz. Now he’s created the soundtrack to an opera based on the life of 16th Century astrologer/mystic John Dee — and it’s beautifully accessible.

Tomahawk

Video: Tomahawk’s teaser for Oddfellows

This fall, the mighty super-group Tomahawk resurfaces with its first new music since Anonymous re-imagined Native American music in 2007.

Oddfellows reunites the three main players — guitarist Duane Denison, vocalist Mike Patton, and drummer John Stanier — but adds the potent abilities of jazz standout and Mr. Bungle and Fantômas bassist Trevor Dunn. There’s more news coming soon from Ipecac, but in the meantime, even fan-boys gotta shout: Tomahawk’s back!