Young Magic  |  Melt

Carpark Records

CAK 72 CD/LP/Digital/LP + Art Bundle

300 dpi jpeg of front cover:  artwork by Leif Podhajsky

300 dpi jpegs of young magic by Kaia Willow:

300 dpi jpeg by Annika Fischer:

300 dpi jpegs by Stefanie Chiu:

jpegs by Young Magic:

300 dpi jpeg by Dani Barbieri:

Although now firmly settled in New York City, Young Magic’s three members came together through equal helpings of openness and fortuity. In 2010, singer and producer Isaac Emmanuel had left his home continent of Australia to travel across Europe, over to New York, and down through Mexico, all the while creating and recording music with whatever instruments he found along the way. While in Mexico, Emmanuel kept a tight correspondence with fellow Australian expat Michael Italia, who for months had been similarly traveling across Europe and South America with portable recording gear in tow. They decided to meet up in New York, where their good friend from a few years prior, Indonesian-born vocalist Melati Malay, had been living and making her own recordings. In early 2011 the three friends, who had initially bonded over their broad musical palettes, began recording together and contributing songs to the record, culling influences and finding their own footing among them.

The immediately fruitful collaboration brought forth singles “Sparkly”, “You With Air” and “Night In The Ocean,” all of which were fitting indicators of the band’s chameleonic sound, heavily informed by West African rhythms, Brainfeeder hip-hop, UK bass, and 60s psychedelic soul. Young Magic’s full-length debut, Melt, comprises both of these tracks—as well as their B-sides—and expands on their varied aesthetic, at once electronically sequenced and completely organic. Containing recordings from 10 different countries, the album flaunts new facets at each turn, letting—as on “Watch For Our Lights”—rough samples from distant lands coalesce with drum machines and distorted synths. “Night In The Ocean” and “Jam Karet” put soaring synth pads around the higher frequencies while deep kicks keep the songs grounded, allowing Isaac and Melati’s vocals to float in synchronicity between. And with its shifting rhythm, open structure, and layers of echoed vocals, closer and highlight, “Drawing Down The Moon,” hints at crystalline take on UK garage: a last dance from a collection of short stories from around the world. With a sonic mélange of vibes on a debut that remains cohesive and distinctly their own, it will be exciting to see where the trio’s tastes will guide them next.

Magic Points

-          - Publicity by Force Field PR

-          - College Radio Promotion by Terrorbird

-         -  Spring 2012 tour including SXSW

-          - Special LP/Art bundle in the works

-         -  LP comes with free digital download card and attractive insert

Tracklisting: 1. Sparkly 2. Slip Time 3. You With Air  4. Yalam 5. Jam Karet 6. Night In The Ocean  7. Watch For Our Lights  8. The Dancer  9. Cavalry  10. Sanctuary  11. Drawing Down The Moon

Release Date: February 14, 2012

UPC cd – 677517007220

UPC lp - 677517007213