Teddy Midnight Releases Brilliant Debut Album Velvet Blue!
If there has ever been a doubt in the minds of jamtronica fans about the future of the genre, electro-dance-funk geniuses Teddy Midnight lay them to rest on their debut album Velvet Blue. Formed in 2011, the band’s notoriety has been on a steady and well-deserved incline as of late. The Brooklyn-based four-piece wastes no time diving in on their new release, which is available to stream in full on the band’s SoundCloud page and below.
“Velvet Mist” is the high-energy, dance-funk opener that sets up the rest of the album. On the standout single “Turkish Silva,” Wiley Griffin’s majestic guitar creeps in and soars over a sea of synth and electronic beats, creating an ambiguous combination of sound that won’t sit still. The band recently released a thematic music video for the track. Check it out!
The eight-song album continues without hesitation on intense and complex tracks such as “Tree-O-Tree” and the Daft Punk-reminiscent “Veni Veni Veni.” The opening moments of “Popo Jijo” are dark and foreboding, building anticipation as the song reaches its cosmic peak. “Boner Vista Social Club” is unique — and not only in its brilliant title. The track is rhythmic, rather heavy at times and soothing at others.
Closing out the album are the final two songs, “Bend” and “Blue Dream.” The all-encompassing “Blue Dream” is perhaps the funkiest on the album. Amy Grace’s vocals are a haunting addition, and Griffin’s guitar sounds gritty and heroic throughout. It’s funky, electronic, dancey and includes elements of rock and jazz, making it the ultimate exit.
Velvet Blue is an intelligent and illusive album, that remains fluid and danceable from start to finish. It’s tight, yet spacious; methodical, yet spontaneous. It’s something you should not be missing out on.
“You have to see these guys live” is the general consensus among Teddy Midnight fans. With plenty of festival appearances under their belt and sharing the stage with the likes of Dopapod, STS9 and Twiddle, we agree. Don’t miss the band’s upcoming appearance at Brooklyn Bowl on Sunday, November 6th, with Jimkata, Cousin Earth, Aqueous, Escaper and Bad Faces. The tribute show will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Phish’s Billy Breathes. Tickets are available here.
Tour Dates
Oct. 21 River Street Cafe – Wilkes Barre, PA
Nov. 6 Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
Dec. 10 The Ballroom at The Outer Space – Hamden, CT