Kevin Bronson on May 17th, 2012

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DWNTWN’s new single “See My Eyes” is a work of synth-pop precision, dreamy but not delirious, breathy but not breathless, sweet but not oversaturated. It’s the latest in a long line of electro confections to emerge from the L.A. duo of Jamie Leffler and Robert Cepeda – who, believe it or not, first bonded over the Carter Family and Johnny Cash on long drives between L.A. and San Francisco. With the help of L.A. producer DJ Skeet Skeet, the duo’s folky demos morphed into something more suited to nightclubs than dusty saloons. Last fall DWNTWN released their free “Midnight Ride” mixtape of originals and covers (and electro and folk), adding to catalog that includes a handful of remixes and a couple of covers, an interesting take on “Goodbye Horses” and a not-so-much version of the oft-covered “I’m on Fire.” As for the new song, it will be available on a new Kitsuné America compilation (out next Tuesday) on which the French label offers tracks from U.S. artists such as St. Lucia, Gigamesh, Computer Magic, White Shadow, (L.A.-bred, NYC-based) Heartsrevolution and a Them Jeans remix of “Heartbeat” that almost makes Childish Gambino palatable.

||| Stream: DWNTWN, “See My Eyes”

||| Live: DWNTWN plays the 2nd Annual Hudson Block Party, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday in West Hollywood, along with White Rabbits, LP, the Neighbourhood, Haim, Max & the Moon and many more.

||| Also: Stream more of DWNTWN on Soundcloud.