HIGHLY REC’D: Nika + Rory

Nika_Rory
Click on the turntable on the left to listen to a continuous stream of music featured on Pretty Much Amazing - updated every day. For more, you can check out the Best Songs of 2012.

Nika + Rory is goth-pop mastermind Nika Roza Danilova, better known as Zola Jesus, and her touring bandmate Nick Turco; together they churn out warm, synthy, auto-tuned summer jams that seem to diametrically oppose the dark and distant work with which Danilova has made a name for herself. That’s not to say that Nika + Rory’s small but promising oeuvre is pure mindless pop – it’s smart, bright, far denser and more considered than most other chillwave contemporaries. 

Start with “I’m Not Going Anywhere,” Danilova attesting her love in a haunting, auto-tuned yowl over spiraling, uplifting arpeggios, organ, and classic pop drum machines, and try not to fall in love.

“LA SUXXX (The Choice)” is more dark club music, pulsing, thrumming, like a heartbeat. For a summer that seems destined to be soundtracked by surprising, haunting pop gems, there’s a space the size and weight of “The Choice” carved into your car’s stereo, your laptop’s speakers, your friend’s friend’s basement iPod player.

{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }

LiquidHeaven May 17, 2010 at 9:14 pm

@pmablog do u remember me sending u LA SUXXX last year?

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pmablog May 17, 2010 at 9:18 pm

@LiquidHeaven i do! i still have it on itunes.

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LiquidHeaven May 17, 2010 at 5:20 pm

@pmablog love that song, still play it on the show time 2 time

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pmablog May 17, 2010 at 9:22 pm

@LiquidHeaven gonna put it on this years pma summer playlist. im also in love with ‘i’m not going anywhere’. (cont) http://www.twitlonger.com/show/1bj3or

Reply

simple May 17, 2010 at 10:35 pm

holy lord, this is so amazing!

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JeremiePel May 18, 2010 at 8:10 am

These guys are amazing! I also downloaded a couple of albums from Zola Jesus and I’m really into her!

Reply

Luis Salvador May 19, 2010 at 5:52 pm

really really digging this!!

Reply

dwayne December 24, 2010 at 10:19 am
james harris January 27, 2011 at 10:25 am

hello boys

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