Thursday, 26 March 2009
The Comeback Kids Pt. 2
About a week ago I remembered another comeback single that I totally meant to include with the previous post, but completely forgot about: Just Jack with Embers. Just Jack was a cheeky chappy who had a hit with Starz in their Eyes back in 2007. It was a perky, catchy pop song that poked fun at our celebrity-obsessed culture - any more serious ambitions were surely thwarted by the z in Starz. Once again, he showed little in the way of depth, fading away after that single, and many more expected that fading process to continue. However, upon his return he presented us with the thoughtful, string-laden single Embers. There was little in his previous oeuvre to suggest such a pensive track, and with the hand-claps, overlapping vocals, Embers is the perfect soundtrack for lazy sunny days.
Thursday, 19 March 2009
The Comeback Kids
Calvin Harris
Back in 2007, Calvin Harris was one of the hottest kids making fun, quirky music to dance to - Acceptable in the 80s spawned a bunch of 80s themed t-shirts and parties as everyone was desperate for some day-glo. Yet now the look is a bit old, and as it seemed that Calvin Harris was a bit of a one-trick pony, it was difficult to see where he would go. Instead, he returned with an absolute tune, I'm Not Alone. Combining an introspective indie opening with classic dance-synth chords, I'm Not Alone sounds simultaneously fresh and old-school, less knowing and ironic than Calvin's older material, more open and honest and mad-for-it. It's released on April 8th; you can watch the video for it above.
Jack Penate
Jack Penate, while coming from a different music scene, is similar kettle of fish to Calvin Harris. He achieved a certain amount of success with his early singles, Torn on the Platform, Spit at Stars, Have I Been A Fool, but I think it's fair to say he didn't exactly establish a reputation for diversity with these singles - he cornered the market in cheeky, non-offensive, indie-boy pop. I don't think anyone was really expecting him to produce anything different - or even if he could produce anything different, but his latest single, Tonight's Today, has proved the detractors wrong. The full version is a 7 minute epic, and in it he eschews quirky, cheery lyrics for a more introspective vibe, complete with a lusher, more electronic sound. I will be very sad if this does not get him the recognition and success that he deserves, it's a brilliant track, and a real step forward for him. You can download Tonight's Today here.
Back in 2007, Calvin Harris was one of the hottest kids making fun, quirky music to dance to - Acceptable in the 80s spawned a bunch of 80s themed t-shirts and parties as everyone was desperate for some day-glo. Yet now the look is a bit old, and as it seemed that Calvin Harris was a bit of a one-trick pony, it was difficult to see where he would go. Instead, he returned with an absolute tune, I'm Not Alone. Combining an introspective indie opening with classic dance-synth chords, I'm Not Alone sounds simultaneously fresh and old-school, less knowing and ironic than Calvin's older material, more open and honest and mad-for-it. It's released on April 8th; you can watch the video for it above.
Jack Penate
Jack Penate, while coming from a different music scene, is similar kettle of fish to Calvin Harris. He achieved a certain amount of success with his early singles, Torn on the Platform, Spit at Stars, Have I Been A Fool, but I think it's fair to say he didn't exactly establish a reputation for diversity with these singles - he cornered the market in cheeky, non-offensive, indie-boy pop. I don't think anyone was really expecting him to produce anything different - or even if he could produce anything different, but his latest single, Tonight's Today, has proved the detractors wrong. The full version is a 7 minute epic, and in it he eschews quirky, cheery lyrics for a more introspective vibe, complete with a lusher, more electronic sound. I will be very sad if this does not get him the recognition and success that he deserves, it's a brilliant track, and a real step forward for him. You can download Tonight's Today here.
Saturday, 14 March 2009
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
We're half-awake, in a Fake Empire
So you may have noticed that activity has stepped up a gear around here recently - well that's mainly because I have a lot of studying/essay-writing/dissertation research to do, and writing a blog post somehow feels less like time-wasting than going on facebook...
One of my favourite bands to listen to while studying (or actually at any time) is The National. They are basically perfect. I first heard their song Fake Empire (see video above) about 16 months ago, and for the longest time I was too afraid to buy their album Boxer, despite the excellent reviews it got, because I didn't want to be disappointed. Then, having been anything but disappointed, I was reluctant to investigate their back catalogue until my cousin's drunken friend raved about Alligator. He was spot on (despite the inebriation). Boxer and Alligator feature Springsteen-esque melodies and intimate, meaningful lyrics. The lead singer Matt Berninger has the most sincere, deep baritone I have heard in a long time. Every line he sings sounds more poignant for it.
Don't expect to instantly love these albums - they need time and space to breathe. But, trust me, the wait is well worth it.
And if you're after more, a couple of band members have recently curated a charity compliation album, Dark was the Night, which is getting a lot of press. I haven't heard it yet, but as soon as I have money I will be buying it!
One of my favourite bands to listen to while studying (or actually at any time) is The National. They are basically perfect. I first heard their song Fake Empire (see video above) about 16 months ago, and for the longest time I was too afraid to buy their album Boxer, despite the excellent reviews it got, because I didn't want to be disappointed. Then, having been anything but disappointed, I was reluctant to investigate their back catalogue until my cousin's drunken friend raved about Alligator. He was spot on (despite the inebriation). Boxer and Alligator feature Springsteen-esque melodies and intimate, meaningful lyrics. The lead singer Matt Berninger has the most sincere, deep baritone I have heard in a long time. Every line he sings sounds more poignant for it.Don't expect to instantly love these albums - they need time and space to breathe. But, trust me, the wait is well worth it.
And if you're after more, a couple of band members have recently curated a charity compliation album, Dark was the Night, which is getting a lot of press. I haven't heard it yet, but as soon as I have money I will be buying it!
Saturday, 7 March 2009
Fly-er than the rest of 'em...
I'm not sure that it's really come across on here how partial I am to good hip hop. Being the white middle-class home counties girl that I am, it's hard for me to get into hip hop lyrics without the slightest bit of irony... however one rapper that I can wholeheartedly endorse is Wale - that is Wah-LAY. He's been floating around for a while, popping up in little cameos... for instance, check out the Amy Winehouse video for Valerie - the guy rapping at the beginning? That's Wale. And in Daniel Merriweather's current single, Change - the guy doing the rap break? Wale. He's also done some pretty awesome reworking/remixing/been mashed up with some indie/electro dance anthems, from Justice's D.A.N.C.E., Justice vs. Simian, We are your Friends, and Danger's 11h30, all of which are really rather banging.
His 100 Miles and Running (U.K. / U.S.) mixtape, was released last year, if not earlier than that (my memory/internet search skills have failed me), but the track that I really thought was going to explode was Nike Boots.
Wale "Nike Boots" video (Directed by Chris Robinson) from Elitaste on Vimeo.
His 100 Miles and Running (U.K. / U.S.) mixtape, was released last year, if not earlier than that (my memory/internet search skills have failed me), but the track that I really thought was going to explode was Nike Boots.
Wale "Nike Boots" video (Directed by Chris Robinson) from Elitaste on Vimeo.
It would appear that this is still the single he is pushing... it's got a pretty awesome beat to it, is definitely catchy, but I just can't help but feel that in order to take it to the next level and really capitalise upon his success, he needs to do more.
It appears that a collaboration with currently-shit-hot KiD CuDi is on the cards for Wale - perhaps that will bring it for him? Here's hoping.
The South African TV on the Radio - I told you so...
UPDATE: BLK JKS's E.P. Mystery is released today - you can buy it on emusic now, or from their record company, Secretly Canadian fairly imminently I would imagine. Well worth it!
BLK JKS (pronouced 'black jacks' apparently) hail from Johannesburg, South Africa, and again, have that blend of African music, jazz, and general goodness that makes all this cross-cultural stuff that's floating around sound so good. I have to admit, to call them the South African TVOTR is a bit harsh, because it sounds as if they have quite a few more tricks up their sleeves (pun unintentional) Their new E.P. Mystery is due to be released in the States on the 10th March. Not too sure when it will make its way over to this side of the pond, but I will be definitely keeping an eye out, because their track Lakeside sounds amazing!
"I know this girl from London town..."
The Invisible - London Girl Get ready for this to become the sound of Summer 2009.
I'm pretty certain I've expressed my undying love for TV on the Radio on this blog before - they definitely made the 'Top 20 of 2008' post I did. The Invisible are being touted as the British version, and while I'm reluctant to resort to such easy categorisation, that's a pretty accurate description. London Girl is going to sound amazing played on a rooftop in London, on a sticky hot Summer's night. If it ever gets warm here...
Coming up soon: the South-African TVOTR. No, really.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)