Sum 41 are creeping back into the scene with a new brand of dense rock. Heavy, dark and angry. The Canadian quartet still have dexterity, relative lyrics and attractive melodies. Matured since the days of Fat Lip, but in a progressive dynamic manner (y'know its never cool when you see a mother wear her teenage daughters clothes) The album contains a generous amount of thrashing hyper speed strumming and witty riffs.
MiMi Soya
Another load of tracks for the wannabes to wail along to with their hair brushes, another babe for all the skinny jeaned to cream over. Huzzah.
Jamie xx
Whilst the other two members of the xx were photoshoot-ing and ceremony-ing their hearts out, Jamie Smith has been doing DJ gigs. So far his remixes include Florence’s you’ve got the love (tune- check it out) Adele, Jack Penate, Eliza Doolittle etc. His latest project was risky business, but of course a success. Jamie managed to tackle Gil Scott Heron’s wounded emotions (whom some may argue, shouldn’t be interfered with) We’re New Here is a reworking of Herons 2010 album. It’s wow, its impressive, it’s almost orgasmic. Made up of Herons vocal samples, sporadic beats and a narrator, the sounds are haunting and fizzle together with progression. Trippy? Or a momentous wall of sound? As if the pieces weren’t jewels originally, everything Jamie touches turns to gold.
The Joy Formidable
Listening to my IPod, walking along an empty pavement at awkward o’clock. As you do. The Joy Formidable bounce out of my earphones. The electric guitar and melody seep into my veins, making me impulsively want to dance whilst Ritzy’s delicately dulcet vocals are busy comforting a swelling heart, like chicken soup on a rainy day. The Welsh trio are a turbulent dream of gutsy pop rock and have miraculously landed with stadium ready sounds. They reek of a true ethos and honourable intentions though. Their debut album “The Big Roar” has an immense impact and a snag on the emotions.
Patrick Stump
Patrick Stump, former lead singer of Fall Out Boy, has gone solo. The critics are all saying one word, “NO” and, I am too. Just, no. The downfall of his album, Soul- Punk, doesn't mean he hasn’t got potential though and sure as hell did him a favour for establishing himself independently - whether that new reputation is honourable, or not. No longer the tubby front man with a hat and glasses, instead he’s clean shaven, svelte and cut skinny. After forging this new power-pop noise, thankfully his good vocal range still exists but of course his talent is spoilt by tacky lyrics. Made up of unconventional structure and clashing drum beats, his need to express himself clearly got to a desperate level. Made up of cheesy melodies and bombastic guitar, it’s a big fat cliché. Meh, as long as he’s getting paid right?
Rye Rye
For a cheeky pint of swagger, I’ve introduced myself to one of the latest electro-pop-rap starlets. Rye Rye (An M.I.A protégé.) Beat tasty dance music with neon firecracker vocals and hyper saturated electric colours. Booooom.
Morning Teleportation
Something to listen to at the bbq equipped with tequila, denim shorts and spliff. Produced by Modest Mouse leader Isaac Brock, long haired and poncho’d, Morning Teleportation is a futuristic 70’s wallpaper, condensed into sound. Their new elastic and complex album is a jumble sale of energy and rock. It obviously incorporates every members every idea they have ever had. Consisting of spacey grooves, classics rock riffs, mob chanting eys and ohs, synths and trusty handclaps.
Lykke Li
Always dressed in black, Swedish singer songwriter Lykke Li is a tropical depression. Wounded rhymes made up of a psychedelic tribal vibe with delicate vocals. Her music is an expression of that survival from the loss of your infatuation, you know, that meditation that possess you (Lying around, crying with cigarettes, a stiff drink and old memorabilia) It’s the “pain of loss and power of self preservation” with a cherry on top
Alexander Ebert
He writes, arranges and plays all the instruments, taking ‘solo’ to its extreme, Alexander Ebert from the bands Ima Robot and Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros. Breathing, bells, clicking tongues and vintage vocals add to the hotchpotch of percussion used to produce this gentle acid- folk. It’s timeless and familiar, like the old pub back at home. “Would you call the earth an asshole for turning round and round? You know it never, ever stays in just one place”
Dam Mantle
I’ve taken interest in Dam Mantle’s new kaleidoscopic mash up of theatrical experimentation. Careless about the dance floor, it’s an exploration of his equipment. The songs change, even halfway through, making a meandering collage, interrupted and horrified. A scrapheap of differential speeds, 8-bit electro, errant ticks and flurrying synths haunted with echo. It’s cluttered, expansive, disorientating and somewhat overwhelming but argh! It’s interesting and vibrant. Basically: Robotic Disney scores on shrooms.
Those Dancing Days
I've introduced myself to the mod female 60’s affair, Those Dancing Days, a Swedish-sherbet-pop quintet. Alike watching dotted clouds in the sky, the smooth spontaneity shuffles together flawlessly. The vocals are a size 6 version of Gwen Stefani and Pink. The Abba-esque feel is modernised with synthetics, organ, a jangly guitar and handclaps buuuut despite lacking in tempo their tracks always feel spanking new, fresh out the laundry.
Adele
"So what do you think?"
"I already knew this song!"
"Alright..."
"I mean, who doesn't?"
and my boyfriend is completely right. All the radios are broadcasting it, your ex has it on repeat & Dr's are probably prescribing it to the broken hearted. Sung by Adele Atkins with her compelling velvet voice, the medicinal lyrics portray just enough happiness and remorse to remove any twisting knives in your chest.
Her album 21 is hooting 'nd hollering its way to the top of every ones favourites. The classic piano ballads lend you a slice of peace and understanding and Adele's deep oily vocals have a subtle southern hint that impressively comfort you without rinsing you clean of your wits, and don't leave you in need of a hearing aid.
I'm glad this mare stepped out the shadow of Amy Winehouses beehive and found her own spotlight. This soul stomper is leaving us all for dust.
Chikita Violenta review
The Mexican quartet, Chikita Violenta, recently released their third album TRE3S. I just discovered them. A new unique ambience to smile about.They have the initial allurement that Broken Social Scenebehold, perhaps as a consequence to their matching producer, Dave Newfield. However Chikita Violenta never fall for production values and remain genuine with their new album still tasting pure, panoramic and psychedelic with stunning interplay. The collaborated segments of the music are hand woven patches of curdled riffs, gentle acoustics and delicate vocals, knitted comfortably together into a dreamy collage of texture. Despite the dynamics the band remain down to earth and personal. These sonic chaps will tumble you around a washing machine of psych pop and lo-fi rock, soapy and topsy-turvy.
Bedlam live
I managed to make it to Bedlam. I had spent the day puking my guts up but I knew I had to soldier on. Therefore this had to be the first d’n’b/grime/dub gig I have been to absolutely sober. In the loos there were boys being knocked out and girls getting their bitch on whilst the cubicles whispered the sounds of sniffs and whiffs. In the main room, there was a breeding throng of wide eyed ravers. Next to me, a girl had her friend pinned against the front railings. It would've added to the steamy atmosphere if she didn’t bear a resemblance to a hippo.
Feeling slightly faint and dodgy again, I sat down at the edge of the second room to give Trolley Snatcha a listen. Having the vaguest idea of his tracks but the highest recommendations from friends, he successfully whipped me back into a better state with his entertaining mixes and bass drops. I turned to my boyfriend, announced that I approved and awarded him with a kiss.
After that, we moved to the main room and watched “ms dynami-tee-hee” who I saw at Spectrum earlier on this year. She definitely played a better engaging set this time round, including her vintage mainstream hit- Dy-na-mi-tee and my favourite, Wile Out. Despite being repetitive and dragged out, Lady Dynamite heated up the crowd and had them jumping around like popcorn.
Up next was Nero. The level of professionalism, talent and experience suddenly bounced up the scale with aptitude superiority. The DJ skills and clean cut breakbeats were sheer quality. Whenever my stomach and eyes started spinning, the plummet booming bass drops would resuscitate me back to awareness.
After a cigarette and sit down outside, Tempa T skittered on stage, “TEEEMPZZ” the crowd go wild. He spits his bars like a motorbike running on speed and he moves like a hyper active robot. This urban grime scene isn’t everyone’s ‘thang’ but the atmosphere tensed and wheezed under the pressure as the crowd rapped every word to Next Hype. For once I was glad to be extremely sober so I could witness his set to the full.
I staggered around during some of Chase & Status. A decent set with first-rate music but the slight glitch with these guys is that they are overheard, overplayed and somewhat pop with their culture. The mainstream weight makes them relatively dull, never a buzz kill, but never a hit-the-roof-stimulation. Suffering with another wave of nausea, I decided to go home with my boyfriend.
Young the Giant review
Today I needed a break from heavy riffs, yelping and electronics so I flicked through my latest Nylon magazine to see who they had featured this month. Young the Giant from Newport Beach, California. Don’t judge them on location. Made up of Persian, Indian, British and French Canadian origins, these boys are miles away from the orange stained air heads you’ve probably seen from this area on our TVs. Instead they are refreshingly down to earth, honest and raw. They do behold one major element of California with them. They resemble a sunset on a beach, the ocean, the sun, the colours, the magic and the peace.
They started out with the band name, The Jakes and supported Kings of Leon after winning a competition in 2009. They played festivals, various airplays and after signing to Roadrunner Records, they toured for the most of 2010 with Minus the Bear and Steel Train. Since then they have played with Marina and the Diamonds, The Futureheads and The neon Trees. Their first album was physically released earlier this year.
Their ambient music has astounding harmonies and an authentic indie vibe that most of your common alternative fourth-tier bands from 2004 didn’t quite capture. Honest and sober, the bands strong unity provides evidence against any corporate influences that usually devoid personality. Also unlike most ambient-indie-surf-rock bands, Young the Giant are alike fire, they have lasting power with creativity and flair, strength and sparkles. Oh and most of all, talent.
Sameer Gadhia (lead vocals) has an experimentally sandy, golden voice that ranges from smooth falsetto singing to aggressive infectious rasps that then dives right down to the low and seductive. It pairs well with the tender backing vocals, guitars and gentle drums that occasionally spray into your ears like a sea breeze.
Young the Giant are a bite into summer with beaches, cold beer and love, with confidence and a catch on your IPod.
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