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MP3: The Presets – If I Know You

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MP3: The Presets – If I Know You (Heartbreak Remix) (thanks Modular!)

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MP3: The Golden Filter – Solid Gold

I’ve already paid lip service to “If I Know You,” one of the Presets’ most triumphant, and definitely the most sublime, tracks off 2008′s Apocalypso.  Julian Hamilton’s lingering, sombre vocals gliding atop the distant, steadily pulsating backbeat and back-mixed synth chord progression gives the entire track a naked, vulnerable feel that stands hairs on end, like a brisk pre-dawn breeze drifting over your skin.  Subtle reverb lilts off the vocals, casting  a further haze over the track.  Three-fourths of the way through the track, the bottom drops out to give way to gorgeously appointed, understated vocal harmony that is crushing, reaching the apex of their weight and vulnerability.  The fact that they scored a tastefully edited, equally sublime music video showcasing a mixture of modern, ballet and various other forms of dance is just icing on the cake (video after the jump).  Not surprising, considering we found in our interview that Hamilton’s brother is involved in dance.

But even more great news just hit the wire: the Presets are releasing both a single for “If I Know You” (dropping early April and packed with remixes of the titular track, including a particularly fantastic instrumental by Tom Middleton) and a new collector’s edition of Apocalypso (dropping May 5th) that includes a second disc, also full of remixes.

The Presets are hitting the 9:30 Club in DC tomorrow, Wed Apr 1, with the Golden Filter.  The consensus from their tour opening for Oceania-mates Cut Copy seems to be that their live show regularly trumped the headliner’s, on all levels.  I can testify to it being a gloriously sordid and sweaty affair that really can’t be beat for good times and good tunes.

Vid, tracklist for collector’s edition and complete tour dates after the jump.

US Release Date: May 5 2009

Track list:

Disc 1
1. Kicking And Screaming
2. My People
3. A New Sky
4. This Boy’s In Love
5. Yippiyo-Ay
6. Talk Like That
7. Eucalyptus
8. If I Know You
9. Together
10. Aeons
11. Anywhere

Disc 2

1. My People (D.I.M Remix)
2. This Boy’s In Love (Lifelike Remix)
3. Talk Like That (Jence Remix)
4. Are You The One? (Lifelike Remix)
5. Anywhere (Still Going! Remix)
6. My People (Mouse On Mars Acid Pretzals Remix)
7. Talk Like That (An Optimo [Espacio] Remix)
8. Anywhere (Compuphonic and Kolombo Remix)
9. This Boy’s In Love (Jori Hulkkonen Remix)

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