Young Magic

Young Magic is an American electronic music group from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2010. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Melati Malay and Isaac Emmanuel.[1]

Young Magic
Background information
OriginBrooklyn, New York, U.S.
GenresElectronic, experimental, dream pop, psychedelic soul, trip hop
Years active2010–present
LabelsCarpark
Websitecargocollective.com/youngmagic
MembersMelati Malay
Isaac Emmanuel
Past membersMichael Italia

The band collects field recordings from around the world and incorporates them into their songs.[2] and is known for its percussive, cinematic musical style. The band has released eclectic mixtapes in collaboration with London-based visual artist Leif Podhajsky,[3][4] who is also responsible for the band's album cover artwork.[5]

History

Formation

Original members Malay, Emmanuel and Michael Italia met in New York City during 2010. Malay was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, Emmanuel and Italia in Australia.[6] After separately traveling abroad and recording material, the group rented a space above a speakeasy in Brooklyn during 2011 and began collaborating.[6][7] Their debut 7" single, "You With Air", was released on February 8, 2011 by Carpark Records, followed by "Night in the Ocean". The group then toured Europe and North America.

Melt

Young Magic's debut studio album, Melt, was released by Carpark on February 14, 2012.[8][9] The album was recorded in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, United States, Spain, Germany, Iceland, Australia and the UK while band members traveled independently and documented their experiences.[10] The music combined field recordings from these locations and original recordings with rare soul and psychedelic samples.[2] BBC described the album as being "like a beat poet racked by drink addiction; music that waxes and wanes, and explodes; and a great spirit which, rather than confine itself to basements and bedsits, aims its sights on the heavens".[1] They released the limited-edition Maps mixtape later that year, consisting of material which did not fit on Melt.

In 2012, Edmonton duo Purity Ring sampled the lead vocals from Young Magic's You With Air on their song "Grandloves" from the album Shrines (4AD).[11] In 2013, Young Magic opened for Purity Ring on their North American tour and also made festival appearances at Austin Psych Fest, Noise Pop Festival, The Brooklyn Museum and Lowlands.

Breathing Statues

Following the departure of Italia, the band's second album, Breathing Statues, was released on May 6, 2014 by Carpark.[12] One week prior to its official release, a stream of the album was announced by the Fader, which also noted that it was made "in Morocco, France, the Czech Republic, Australia and Iceland. The duo recorded wherever they could while on tour, finishing up in their New York studio".[13]

Reviews of Breathing Statues largely centered on the band's cinematic direction.[14] Q described the album as "alternately dreamlike and arresting, they've discovered a formula that realizes the sonic sorcery always suggested by their name".[15] The 405 wrote: "A more cohesive body of work, it demonstrates maturity, and a confidence in their passion for detail, preferring to construct layers, textures and cinematic soundscapes".[14]

Remixes Vol. 1

On April 23, 2015, the group self-released the compilation album Remixes Vol. 1, with contributions by Teebs, Matthewdavid, the Acid, Mark McGuire and Roland Tings. All proceeds for the album were donated to the Aboriginal Benefits Foundation, an organization working on art and health projects in Indigenous Australian communities.[16]

Still Life

On May 13, 2016, Young Magic released their third studio album, Still Life. The album was inspired by Malay's travels in her birthplace of Java, Indonesia.[17] In Interview magazine, the singer explained, "Still Life can be one version of yourself, still like a painting, but on the other hand constantly recreating that version of yourself according to environmental, social, political influences in this world...a world where people constantly tell you who to pray to, what to buy into, and who your enemies should be. It's my reaction to that. Life, and yourself within it, is constantly going to be recreated, so there's no point in being steadfast in one ideology".[17] Bolivian-born, New York City–based percussionist Daniel Alejandro Siles Mendoza, a contributor to the album,[18] joined the band's touring line-up.[19] The album also featured contributions from producer Rioux and cellist Kelsey Lu.[20]

In May 2016, the band supported Yeasayer on their North American tour.

In June 2016, Kyp Malone of TV on the Radio released a remix for Young Magic's "Default Memory".[21]

During April and May 2018, the band supported UK trip-hop pioneer Tricky on his North American tour.

On 5 August 2019, Tricky released a remix Young Magic's song "Lucien." The remix features on a 12" LP curated by Tricky and released on False Idols/!K7 Records

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Mixtape albums

Compilation albums / features
  • Lucien (Tricky Remix) (2019, False Idols/!K7)
  • Remixes Vol. 1 (2015, self-released)

References
  1. "Music - Review of Young Magic - Melt". BBC. 1970-01-01. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  2. "Young Magic | Prefix". Prefixmag.com. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  3. "The Solstice Mix II". DUMMY. 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  4. "Young Magic Finds Comfort In The Uncomfortable". Arena. 2014-05-22. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  5. "A Catch Up With Leif Podhajsky". DUMMY. 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  6. Young Magic. "Young Magic | Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  7. "AOL Radio - Listen to Free Online Radio - Free Internet Radio Stations and Music Playlists". Spinner.com. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  8. "Young Magic: Melt · Music Review · The A.V. Club". Avclub.com. 2012-02-14. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  9. "Young Magic: Melt | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  10. "Young Magic is All Over the Map - Page". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  11. "Electronic Beats". Electronic Beats. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  12. Hudson, Alex (2014-02-18). "Young Magic Announce 'Breathing Statues,' Share New Track • News •". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  13. "Stream Young Magic's New Album, Breathing Statues". The Fader. 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  14. "The 405 - Breathing Statues Album Review". The 405. 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  15. "Q Magazine - Breathing Statues Album Review". Q Magazine. 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  16. "Premiere | XLR8R". xlr8r.com. Retrieved 2015-04-29.
  17. "Interview Magazine: Uncovering Young Magic's Mystery". Interview Magazine. 2016-05-09. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  18. "Still Life, by Young Magic". Youngmagic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2020-04-03.
  19. "Berlin Jukebox: Young Magic". CafeBebel. 2014-04-29. Retrieved 2014-05-10.
  20. "Still Life - Young Magic". AllMusic. 2016-05-18. Retrieved 2018-06-19.
  21. "SPIN: Kyp Malone Dilates Young Magic's 'Default Memory'". SPIN Magazine. 2016-05-18. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
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