FEATURE: Ecstasy

*Originally published for The Tipping Point (in assoc. with The Generator) (29/1/13)

It’s been a trend in recent years to have one-word band names (Chvrches, Haim, Grimes and Peace – not to mention recent Tipping Point artists: KHUSHI, SOAK and CUBS). Long gone are the days of ‘The’ prefixes, where joining a band was like joining a club with the pre-determined guitar/vocals/drums/bass set-up. Nowadays, with so many musician-cum-producer-cum-DJs and vast experimentation with hybrid genres, it seems pertinent for musicians to name themselves after something less simple than, say, a group of animals. This is where Ecstasy come in, a relatively new act from London who produce “popgaze” tunes in a presumed effort to elevate one’s mental state.



The act’s latest creation, ‘Exhale’, is introduced by abusive klaxon synths but supple boy/girl harmonies soon soften the heavy blow. Double-wrapped beats and juddering synths sit nicely below lively vocals, much like the stylings of a Naked And Famous or Mausi track (the latter tipped this month). A mesmeric drone neatly carpets the song throughout – perhaps explaining the “popgaze” label – leaving you feeling rather warm and fuzzy inside.

Ecstasy don’t need to fling any amphetamines to fans (and that would be silly, wouldn’t it). Thankfully, their brand of strident power-pop has its own, uncompromising energy.

Tip courtesy of Adam (Alphabet Bands), Rob Platts & Tom Cotton (Amazing Radio)

FEATURE: MAUSI

*Originally published for The Tipping Point (in association with The Generator) (14/1/13)

In the words of the American writer Henry David Thoreau: “one must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” Newcastle’s Mausi are no strangers to this philosophy, with the sun-bleached electro-pop  of ‘sol.’ wearing record needles thin over the course of 2012. Now the quartet are welcoming in the new year with ‘Move’ and still have every intention of overdosing on the Sunny-D.

‘Move’ already feels like an established Saturday night floor filler with its beefy 90s piano hooks and fluttering high hat taps. Darting synths bring Calvin Harris’ ‘Sweet Nothing’ to mind, but the organic harmonies of Italian-born siblings Daisy and Thomas Finetto results in its more carefree disposition. 

Your mother may fail to describe what the kids get down to nowadays, but the words “groovy” and “funky” do have their place here. ‘Move’ is to-the-point, feel-good dance music – a breath of fresh air in the stale furrows of January.

Mausi play The Tipping Point's Roundhouse Rising Showcase at The Sage Gateshead on Sunday 17th February.

*Tip courtesy of Bob Allan at The Generator.