Articles tagged with Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti

All the girls in Los Angeles

December 8, 2010
Girls in Los Angeles, literally
When I interviewed Puro Instinct’s Skylar Kaplan a few months ago, she said that the band had recorded a track with Ariel Pink called “Stilyagi.” Soon after, when I saw the band in concert, I heard the song in live form.

Now, it’s finally coming out as a single via Mexican Summer. Download the song below, and head to Exclaim! to read my article about the band’s upcoming LP, Headbangers in Ecstasy. If you like jangly dream pop bands like Lush and Cocteau Twins, you’ll enjoy this.

MP3: “Stilyagi”
 
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It’s always the same as always

March 14, 2010
Which one's Pink?
Until now, Ariel Pink has been a DIY purist, releasing home recorded albums on a serious of small labels. He and his band Haunted Graffiti recently signed to 4AD and, by the sound of things, the songwriter has upped his recording budget considerably. The result is one of the best songs of the year.

“Round and Round” is glitzy ’70s pop based around laid back disco beats, soft-focus synths and a repetitive, cyclical bassline. It’s a pleasant ray of sunshine until the two minute mark, when an explosion of sublime choral harmonies immediately takes it to the next level. This gives way to a Bee Gees-infused bridge (check out the Barry Gibb-style falsetto at 3:20) and a reprise of that euphoric chorus.

MP3: “Round and Round”
 
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