Holy Ghost! Debut New Single "Dumb Disco Ideas"

Photo by Harry McNally

Holy Ghost!'s excellent self-titled debut album (and my #8 album of 2011) is one of the few releases of the past few years that I've continued to return to. It's got pop appeal, fantastic production, and beats to keep you dancing for days. Needless to say, their next album is highly anticipated around these parts.

The NYC duo just released their new single "Dumb Disco Ideas" from their forthcoming sophomore album, Dynamics. Accompanying the song is a time lapse video of the band's gear set up on a rooftop deck. As day turns to night and night back to day, the band's lightboxes illuminate to the beat. The song itself is an eight minute disco-funk epic that might as well soundtrack your nonstop day/night party.

Hear "Dumb Disco Ideas" below.

Top Albums of 2011 (Quinn)

Well, 2011 is over, and that's kind of scary, but I think I'm more thrown off by the fact that my birthday is tomorrow and that day always seems so far away. None of that matters though, because the end of the year really means year-end list time. I think I'm thrown off by this more than anything else because you've got to go over the whole year and decide which albums rank higher or lower than this album and that album. Generally, these lists seem predicated on what album is technically better than a group of others. I'd like to think that it should be a mix of that, but also what you actually listened to and enjoyed throughout the year. So, without further ado, here's my "Top 10 Albums of 2011."

PHOTOS: Holy Ghost! @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC / 11.23.11

This past Wednesday, New York electro/disco pop outfit Holy Ghost! performed at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. I ventured down to catch the show and, for the first time ever, photograph a concert. I've filmed shows before, but never photographed one. Lucky for me (i.e. uh oh) they didn't allow flash, so it was an experience. Thanks to a buddy of mine I had a great camera for the show, and I managed to get off a few decent shots, finally utilizing all that knowledge from those photography courses I took in college.

Holy Ghost! were spot on, and understandably so. Not only was their stop in D.C. Thanksgiving Eve, it also marked the final date on their nationwide tour. Live, the DJ duo of Nick Millhiser and Alex Frankel is joined by four additional musicians. It's refreshing to see and hear a band recreate their electronic-based music live as opposed to just playing to backing tracks. Also, as it turns out, trying to photograph and pay close attention to the music proves to be rather tricky.

First time. No Flash. Just hope.

DOWNLOAD: Holy Ghost! (Feat. Michael McDonald) - "Some Children" (You Must Download This)

Anyone who's kept up with Mixtape Muse the past few months is well aware that one of MM's favorite releases of the year is Holy Ghost!'s stellar, self-titled debut. And while each of the 10 tracks is great, one of the best -- and one of the obvious -- standouts is album closer "Some Children." And while this smooth, blissful cut works an infectious groove for some truly seductive R&B-meets-disco funk, the real magic is found in the choruses, carried by none other than the one and only Michael McDonald.

LISTEN: Holy Ghost! - "Some Children"
DOWNLOAD: "Some Children"

Holy Ghost! Release "Wait & See" Remix EP, Offer Up CFCF Remix

Last month, electropop/DJ duo Holy Ghost! released their self-titled debut LP -- and one of Mixtape Muse's favorite albums of the year thus far. One of the standout tracks from the album is a song we've featured on the site before entitled "Wait & See". Well, it just so happens that the band has just released a remix EP for the track, featuring remixes by the likes of Moby, CFCF, Flight Facilities, Kris Menace and Richard X. Stream/download CFCF's version of the song below, which transforms the energetic original into a chilled out, late night cruise anthem.

Holy Ghost! - "Wait & See" (CFCF Remix)


Holy Ghost! will also be taking part in this summer’s first ever Identity Festival, an electronic touring festival (Who knew such things existed?! Cool!). The duo will be hitting the road with acts such as Pretty Lights, Rusko, Disco Biscuits, DJ Shadow, The Crystal Method, and many more. Check out the dates for the tour below.

REVIEW: Holy Ghost! - Holy Ghost!

Holy Ghost! – Holy Ghost!
MMMM

Following years of critically-acclaimed singles, remixes, and one EP, NYC duo Holy Ghost! are finally releasing their eponymous debut full-length – and boy was it worth the wait. Across the album’s 10 tracks, it’s clear that Holy Ghost! (aka childhood friends Alex Frankel and Nick Millhiser) devoted a great deal of time to fine-tuning their introductory statement into something of replay value. This is more than just another speck on the map of modern day electropop/dance music, this is a revival of what made dance music great in the first place: emotion meets groove.

When you think about electronic duos, groups like Daft Punk, Justice, The Knife, and Massive Attack come to mind – groups that craft haunting soundscapes and/or melodic, addictive cuts of dance music. And while Holy Ghost! can certainly be categorized under the latter of the two, they manage to write songs that are just as pop sensible as they are danceable – songs that you can lose your mind to on a dance floor or melt into through a pair of headphones at home. It’s not that Holy Ghost! are incredibly profound, but it’s clear that their debut succeeds in being the album that Frankel and Millhiser aimed for: an album that people would want to hear front to back at home, not just in a club.

Holy Ghost Share "Wait & See" From New LP for Free Download

As previously reported, Holy Ghost are set to release their long-awaited debut album on April 12th. As we make our way to release day, Holy Ghost and the band's label, DFA, are offering up a free download (below) of album track "Wait & See". The track happens to be one of my favorites off the 10-track LP, and I'm excited to share it with everyone.

Holy Ghost - "Wait & See"


What really made me fall in love with this particular track was the use of call and response in the choruses. The overall character here is more pop than anything else, but Holy Ghost manage to produce a song that's just as honest as it is fun to dance to. It could have easily been plagued by an overbearing or trite sentiment, but the duo avoid such problems, succeeding through genuine delivery and strong production.

Holy Ghost! Reveal Album Art, Hear Album Track "Do It Again" Now

NYC duo Holy Ghost! (Alex Frankel and Nick Millhiser) have revealed the cover art (seen above) for their forthcoming self-titled debut album, out April 12th on DFA Records and exclusively on iTunes April 5th. The 10-song long-player features a few guest appearances, including Luke Jenner from the Rapture, Chris Glover from Penguin Prison, and Michael McDonald (yes, it's the Michael McDonald you're thinking of). The album follows a number of well-received singles as well as remixes for the likes of MGMT, Phoenix, and Cut Copy. So, there are quite a few people who are highly-anticipating its release.

Speaking on their debut, Frankel says, "I didn't want to limit myself to making an album that could only be played in clubs." Millhiser adds, "We were trying to make something that people would want to listen to front to back at home."

Check out the electropop/disco hybrid "Do It Again" below, where synthesizers intertwine for one hell of a groovefest. Play it at home and it turns your home into the club. You'll never need to go out again! (Ok, you'll probably need to go out for food and stuff at some point.)

Holy Ghost! - "Do It Again"

Download

Scope the album's tracklisting and the group's upcoming tour dates after the hop.