Princeton - "Remembrance of Things to Come"

It was a couple months ago when Princeton first announced the completion of their sophomore album Remembrance of Things to Come. Today, we actually get to listen to something from it (that's not the tragically short preview). The title track might very well be one of the greatest pairings of arranging and beat-making I've heard in awhile. Other than that, it kind of sounds like a rehashing of "To the Alps" which isn't a completely bad thing. I have no idea the direction, the foursome are going with the album but with arrangements like this they've got a good thing going. "Remembrance of Things to Come" isn't as in your face catchy as the singles we've been treated to this past year but maybe that's a good thing?

Princeton Remembrance of Things to Come by proxartgia

Princeton to release sophomore album

Today, Los Angeles indie pop band Princeton made the announcement I've been anticipating for the better part of the year. After the release of "To The Alps"/"The Electrician" single in February, and "Clamoring For Your Heart" this summer, the time has come for Princeton to release their sophomore record. The record, Rememberance of Things To Come, will be out February 21st of next year. So now that the mystery behind Princeton's tumblr name has been solved, we can all wait in anticipation for the album to come. Well that and enjoy this teaser, they were nice enough to prepare for us.

Princeton: "02.21.2012" from Hit City U.S.A. on Vimeo.

Princeton release new tune "Clamoring For Your Heart"

For as much of a fuss as I gave when Princeton came out with their "To the Alps" single, I certainly haven't shown their new song "Clamoring For Your Heart" enough love. It's beenhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif out for a week now after premiering on Yours Truly and I paid it absolutely no mind. Why? I have no idea.

"Clamoring For You Heart" is a perfect example of what Princeton does oh so well. A retro-pop feel with some blippy non-distracting electronic interplay and some silky smooth baritone vocals all blend together to make a delightfully carefree pop gem.

So don't be like me, give Princeton's "Clamoring For You Heart" a listen right now:

Active Child - Curtis Lane EP (2010)

My introduction to Active Child came from California indie-pop quartet Princeton's cover of The Walker Brother's "The Electrician" which featured him (both in the video and the track itself). I can't tell you where his vocals end and Princeton's begin or vice-versa but curiosity led me to find out who or what Active Child was.

What I found surprised me. Expecting a band, I instead found a single man who's laptop pop enabled him to sound like an orchestra - if said orchestra were armed with drum-machines and synths. And yet, regardless of how layered the tracks became, Pat Grossi's pure wholesome voice cuts clear through all the noise like a beacon in a storm. Add the unlikely mix of heavenly strumming harps ("I'm In Your Church At Night" "She Was A Vision") and you've got something truly amazing.

Active Child's debut, the Curtis Lane EP, packs a real emotional punch. Not surprising considering the strength of Grossi's vocals and the conviction in his oddly simplistic lyrics. Even when the extraneous diversifying elements are stripped away after two songs in, Grossi still manages to dazzle amongst the 80s synth-pop smorgasbord that Curtis Lane transforms into.

Get a taste of Active Child with the music video for "I'm In Your Church At Night":


Active Child's debut album You Are All I See comes out August 23rd.

Princeton release video for "The Electrician"

It's hard to believe that only a few months ago, Princeton was pretty much a non-entity. Sure they had released their debut album Cocoon of Love back in 2009 but has pretty much maintained a strange sort of radio silence since then. Now all of a sudden they're announcing shows and tours left and right, just released "To The Alps" and "The Electrican" together as a 7" single for Record Store Day last month, and now they're allowing all those that didn't get their hands on it a chance to listen to it. "To The Alps" already received the radio treatment earlier this year so this time out, it's "The Electrician" with it's haunting minimalism and creepy hazy vocals over driving beats and screeching guitar licks. The video is a sort of Action/Thriller featuring Active Child as the bloodied nameless criminal who randomly encounter with the police sets off all the action of the video. With little to no warning, the police give chase and the music goes from floaty scary movie music to something way more intense. Random shots of a ballerina are thrown in for good measure and when it's all over, you're left wondering about exactly what you just witnessed. Enjoy the video for "The Electrician":

Princeton: "The Electrician (Feat. Active Child)" from Hit City U.S.A. on Vimeo.

Princeton release video for new track "To the Alps"

Early last month, Los Angeles Princeton made their triumphant return with the release of dance-y track "To The Alps". Now that track has a video. Directed by Sean Barrett, the video is simple, straight forward, and yet amazing. Capitalizing on the track's pure dance-inducing qualities, they add in roller break-dancers of varying skill levels to brilliant effect. Part choreographer roller skate dance, part unadulterated fun, Princeton managed to create a video that'll be sure to merit many repeats. Enjoy "To the Alps":

Princeton return with new track "To The Alps"

After releasing their debut album Cocoon of Love back in 2009, (Mostly) Los Angeles based Princeton kind of fell of the map. It's not like they weren't doing stuff (they've been playing the occasional show is California) but just never seemed to be enough information about what they were up to. Low and behold when out of the blue a new track shows up. "To The Alps", the first single off their upcoming full length, is Princeton's sophisticated pop sound with some noticeable differences. It's their most poppy track to date and that's not necessarily a bad thing, it's just dancier than anything you'd have found on their debut and sheds some of the retro beach pop sound. Instead you've got something a bit different and yet charmingly similar. Enjoy "To The Alps":
To The Alps by Princeton

The band are also playing a couple New York City dates so if you're in the area, go and see them!

3/24 Mercury Lounge - New York, New York
3/25 Cameo Gallery - Brooklyn, New York
3/26 Union Hall - Brooklyn, New York