From the beginning of the first track on Microfilm's upcoming album, The Slingshot Orchestra, the duo seems determined to warp your mind. And that's exactly what happens upon listening all the way through. Pairing minimialistic beat, ambient sounds, and manipulated vocals, we've easily just listened to one of the best albums of the year.


The electronic pair recently relocated from Chicago to Portland, Oregon. The transition coincides with the digital release of their 2nd studio album, The Slingshot Orchestra, due out on Tuesday, November 11. Self-described as "melancholic disco", it's that sort of adjectival tug-of-war that perfectly describes their brand of music. Matthew Mercer and Matt Keppel effortlessly marry pianos, strings, and electronics that surround the listener.

The first single, Teenage Symphonies, is both warm and chilling. It gives you a big bear hug while making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Other standouts on the album include: Hospitalized For Exhaustion and Disco Demolition Derby, the latter immediately evoking horror movie "here comes the killer" feelings. It's scary good.


Microfilm's The Slingshot Orchestra is out November 11. Buy it on all international iTunes stores, Amazon.com MP3 stores, eMusic, and Napster.

mp3: Microfilm - Teenage Symphonies