Futuresounds: 2013 Tips/Ones To Watch

It might be March but we are still going forward with our tips for the year. Letting the dust settle after the glut of "ones to watch" lists to have already appeared gives us more time to reflect and consider our choices. For example, Palma Violets were celebrated in certain corners as the best thing to happen to guitar music since guitars. But they're not in our list. Find out who is below.

Playlist: Top Ten Pop Tracks Of 2012

Words: Alison Potter, Emily Solan, and Saam Das

Sometimes we don't give pop quite the attention it deserves at FADED GLAMOUR. Then again, our definition of pop is probably looser than most people's. Anyway, here our ten favourite pop tracks of 2012, in a handy YouTube playlist. Gingers, Koreans, Girl Power - we've got it all covered.

Listen: ALPINES - Lights [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

Catherine Pockson and Bob Matthews look set for a promising 2013, finally releasing their debut album as Alpines later this year. I hope anyway, as that's pretty much what I said at the start of 2012. To keep us ticking over, they've delivered a terrific new single, 'Lights', which you can listen to below.

Download: Sub Focus feat Labrinth - Tidal Wave vs Earthquake [Mash Up]

Words: Saam Das

I honestly didn't really expect to like 'Tidal Wave', the new single from UK drum and bass producer Sub Focus. But with the help of FG faves Alpines, he's made a smash hit. Tim Wilson has decided to give the track a bit of a twist, melding it with Labrinth's 'Earthquake'. A pretty impressive formula as it turns out, download the (s)mash up below.

Listen: Sub Focus feat Alpines - Tidal Wave [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

I can't say that featuring drum and bass is going to be much of a regular thing here on FG but I can say that this collab between UK producer Sub Focus and our favourite night-pop duo, Alpines is a total smash hit. Or maybe even a "smash it". We've been eagerly anticipating a full length version of 'Tidal Wave' to share with you, and now you can watch its official video below.

Listen: Alpines - Chances [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

London night-poppers Alpines probably should have released an album by now. Of course, my impatience is possibly clouding my judgement here. Instead, it looks like their debut record won't be out till early 2013 considering their forthcoming release, a new EP, entitled 'Early Hours'. Listen to the first track to emerge from the EP, the hauntingly understated 'Chances'.

Remixed: Alpines - Empire (CREEP Remix)

Remixed is a column that will highlight remixes we actually think are worthy of praise, be they old or new. Because most remixes are rubbish. // Words: Saam Das

It appears that the cinematic night-pop of London duo Alpines lends itself to intriguing remixes - around this time last year we had Skream remixing 'Drive', and now we have hip New York production duo CREEP adding their mystical touch to 'Empire'. Listen to the single version and its remix below.

Listen: Alpines - Empire [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

Night-pop duo Alpines follow up their March collaborative single 'Gold' (produced by Craze + Hoax) with new single, 'Empire', out next week. It's quite possibly the first track that will definitely feature on their as-yet-unannounced debut record - or at least we hope so. Listen to the track below.

Listen: Alpines + Craze Hoax - Gold [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

A couple of nights ago, I was thinking about what had happened to the release of 'Saviour' by London night-pop duo Alpines. All we'd heard of the track was a short sample many months ago. Unfortunately, it looks like it's been shelved. But as one door closes, another opens and instead of 'Saviour', we have an excellent new single - 'Gold', in collaboration with Craze + Hoax.

Remixed: Alpines - Drive (Skream Remix)

Remixed is a column that will highlight remixes we actually think are worthy of praise, be they old or new. Because most remixes are rubbish. // Words: Saam Das

Skream burst into the wider world with his stunning remix of La Roux's 'In For The Kill' and he's done the business again with one of my favourite bands of late, Alpines. Check out Skream's I Ain't Got A License remix of 'Drive' below.

Listen: Alpines - Night Drive EP

Words: Saam Das

It's coming upto six months since we first mentioned night-pop duo Alpines, who have gone onto sign with Polydor. Tomorrow sees the release of their debut EP, 'Night Drive' and you can listen to all four tracks below.

Listen: Alpines - Drive [New Demo]

Words: Saam Das

I wrote about Alpines back in November as part of a surfacing feature. In the meantime, they've put out another slice of atmospheric electronica in 'Drive'. It's probably a little too early to tip them for success but if they continue to produce material of this quality, it can't be too long before more ears prick up.


STREAM: Drive (Demo) by Alpines

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Surfacing: Alpines

Words: Saam Das

With a winter chill sweeping across the UK, it seems appropriate to write about a band called Alpines. Perhaps unexpectedly, they're from Kingston-Upon-Thames in the suburbs of London - a place which not especially famed for its mountainous terrain. Worth visiting its parks during the summer though. They're lovely.

As for Alpines, they're one of a string of London bands spearheading a movement of moody atmospheric electronica - the band opt for the term "night-pop". I can go along with that. However, I'm much less enamoured with the duo's decision to shroud themselves in mystery, although this interview does reveal some details.