Uffie Ft. Pharrell Williams, ADD SUV. For the amount of electro-pop songstresses that have made nest in our charts over the past few years, it seems a real shame that Uffie is not amongst the high-flying flock. Abstract bird imagery aside, Uffie is a real talent. Don’t believe me, take ‘ADD SUV’ as an example. Still have no faith, then answer to Pharrell, a man known in the business for his musical prowess and finely-tuned ear.
The deal? With Uffie you get tightly packaged electro-pop, heavy on the synth and even harder on the lyrical punch. One first listen the lyrics may sound simple, but on further inspection they really sparkle - not everyone has a musical hand as fine as Uffie. So take a moment and listen to debut album Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans. She may be underground, but her artistry soars far beyond that of a handful of her mainstream contemporaries. Marvellous.
Let the Music do the Talking.
The great thing about music is that it is always up for debate. With genres peaking and trends riding high then dipping low, the music industry is a constant source of conversation for those inclined. Over the past year or so, there have been countless critics that argued about the declining state of our charts, claiming that the current market is saturated with one too many electro-pop, auto-tuned artists. This may be the case, but I strongly feel that the charts are not a place for irreverent moaning. Sure we are all entitled to our own opinions, but ‘what if’ assertions and general complaining are by no means critical analysis. Vent a little frustration if needs be, but at the end of the day, can’t we just let the music play? Shouldn’t we just let the music do the talking? Sure we could lament about the lack of variety of late, but what would be the point? We all know, as I began by saying, that music is prone to waves of genre trending. Chances are a curve-ball is coming our way. But for now, cynics, stop the complaining, pick up a glass and throw your hands up in the air with the rest of us.
I leave you with the five tracks that are under the pressure of my repeat button right now. They are as follows:
1. Gotye Ft. Kimbra - Someone That I Used To Know
2. Cover Drive - Twilight
3. The Big Pink - Hit The Ground (Superman)
4. Nicki Minaj - Stupid Hoe
5. Natalie Imbruglia - Shiver (Throwing it back a bit with this one, it’s bloody great.)
The Daydream Club, In The Arms of Another Day. Burberry Acoustic has fast become one of my favourite Internet finds. This stunning session from Leicestershire based The Daydream Club captures everything that the original recording does, simply translating the track into an acoustic space and sound. There is a serene, quintessentially British feeling to the track - consider it a cooling departure from the party-central ‘anthems’ of late. For fans of folk and soft acoustic moments, this is for you. Take this as a fine example of the beautifully crafted songs that The Daydream Club has to offer. Lovely stuff.
A Happy, albeit awkward, Birthday.
It was my 21st birthday yesterday and it got me to thinking about the ‘Happy Birthday’ song. When considering it for more than ten seconds, you realise (or at least I did) how awkward the song and process actually are. Seriously, what is more cringe-inducing than groups of people surrounding an individual for 20 seconds to repeat those four tedious lines that are sung religiously every day, every year, come rain, wind or shine. I mean, the song isn’t even that good. Granted the sentiment is lovely, but the physical process of singing someone ‘Happy Birthday’ is in reality a rather uncomfortable affair.
I was tempted to look into the history of ‘Happy Birthday’, but I realised that without Wikipedia for the day, it seemed like far too much effort to go on the hunt for. (I did however get kindly tweeted later that it was the brain-wave of two siblings. I bet their annual celebrations were a real riot). Turns out, my own idea of how this global tradition came about is far more interesting.
I personally like to think it was the result of that one person who turned up to a party bearing no gift. So he/she decided to suddenly sing. I mean, doesn’t it strike you as one of those off-the-cuff ideas that only seem to happen when you’ve had one too many? I could see this being acted out perfectly by Zooey Deschanel in some quirky cult comedy. Just for the awkwardness. From the moment I pictured this, I have not been able to hear those dread four lines without thinking to myself how damn awkward it all really is. Now, blowing the candles out is joined by a birthday wish that the damn song will just go away.
So here’s to all your future birthday celebrations. I raise a glass, but seal my lips. Cheers.
EXITMUSIC, From Silence. This four-song strong E.P. has a lot going for it. Released towards the end of 2011, From Silence is a chilling collection of deeply-layered electronica. This is the sort of music you let wash over you, allowing the sound to invade your senses and totally capture your attention. The tracks may sound bleak, they could sound truly anthemic - call it as you will. What is indisputable is that EXITMUSIC create a sound so intense that it is hard to dispute the passion on display, the thought behind the process. Quite simply, I think it’s bloody splendid.
Jessie J, Domino. →
I heard this track many months back, but I remember having a strong feeling that this would be a hit for Jessie J. ‘Domino’ has everything a decent pop song needs to gain chart domination - tasty lyrics, a great beat, catchy hooks and chorus that hits you BANG in the chest. It’s pure pop perfection and a great way to crack on with 2012.
Stooshe, Love Me. Today marked the day that colourful new girl band Stooshe unleashed their first official video onto the world after being signed to a major label. ‘Love Me’ is the name and a cracking debut is their game. Fans of the trio will already be familiar with the track, with the uncensored version ‘Fuck Me’ hitting our computer screens earlier last year.
The track has been perfectly polished by the aid of big-league label Warner Music and the dodgey rap from the last cut has been upped to include a decent feature by Travie McCoy. That being said, the video is a good bit of fun and I love it. The funky retro vibes are still in place (I am in LOVE with the guitar riffs) and the auto-tune is on the low, which is mighty refreshing. It’s great to see not only a group of girls who have some wicked vocals, but also display bucket-loads of personality. I for one think the Stooshe gals look like a real good time.
I hope this band get the promotion they deserve to make an impact on the British charts. It helps that the song is mighty catchy. All they ask is for us to love them. And I think they’ll have no real problems with that one.
Music, A Soundtrack to Our Lives.
The great thing about music is that it constantly surrounds us. No matter where we are, or what we are doing, music encompasses our daily lives. Certain songs remind us of specific memories, an album may bring back flashes of an earlier time, an artist giving us strength of conviction in a time of great need. There are songs that remind us of those no longer with us, the romantically departed and the things that almost were. Music exists that breaks your heart on every listen, every word haunting your soul on every beat. But reflect not with teary eye. Think back to times of great joy, the songs played on nights that feel like they were yesterday and the days spent in unadulterated glee. As a soundtrack to our lives, I feel it is vital to appreciate music as a signifier for these moments in time. Consider it an audio photo-album of everything we experience from the moment we are born. Piece by piece, record by record we can navigate our way through not only a music catalogue, but also the very moments that stay locked in our minds forever.
A random thought, I know, but it came to me when listening to ‘Oklahoma Sky’ by Miranda Lambert. There is a certain serenity to the track that I cannot get enough of and it really got me in the mood to kick-start my writing in 2012. That’s the thing about feeling inspired, it can come at any given time.
On that note, I proclaim my return to my music blog. Marvellous. After a few months of settling into my year abroad in Germany and spending some lovely time back in England over Christmas with family and friends, I have my focus back on my writing and, hopefully, more time to get my thoughts down onto the screen. I shall keep my posts short and sweet, that way I can write more frequently. A fantastic plan of action, if I do say so myself.
With that I shall bid you farewell until next time. Laters.
Vonda Shepard Ft. Cast of Ally McBeal, A Very Ally Christmas. For all the countless Christmas collections that fight for shelf space every year, there is always a hidden gem that can be found sitting shyly behind the never-ending racks of Bieber or the bundles of Christmas compilation CDs that push the festive envelope with truly ingenious titles such as 100 Cracking Crimbo Classics. It really can be fun for all the family. But I drift from my point. As I was beginning to say, there are certain records that genuinely do contain some timeless covers of our favourite festive tracks and A Very Ally Christmas is one of them.
Purchased by my parents one year, this record is always played in my home during the holiday period. Year-in, year-out, come snow or shine, this CD is top dog and I for one love it. With the jazz/blues/swing feel, the album really brings a certain life to songs that have been literally sung to death for generations. Shepard’s vocal is sympathetic to the songs at hand, either adding a warm glow to proceedings or throwing a touch of wistfulness into the mix. Starting as she means to go on, Shepard crafts an elegant beginning to the collection with a classy take on ‘This Christmas’. This is, I feel, the true brilliance of this album; it is not once cheap, never verging on novelty or edging towards crass.
With interjections from the cast, the record has the perfect mix of upbeat, Christmas jollies. Jane Krakowski’s sweeter-than-sugar take on ‘Run, Rudolph, Run’ is such an example, as is listening to one Calista Flockhart flirt her way through the forever-inappropriate ‘Santa Baby’. Robert Downey Jr.’s take on the Joni Mitchell classic ‘River’ takes us to the more low-key, flipside. It is a real highlight and a great moment of musical pathos that is moving in all the right ways. Tying the festive bow together towards the end is the stunning duet between Shepard and Downey Jr. on ‘White Christmas’. Listen and feel instantly warmed by a composition and vocals that are simply soothing.
If I could gush about every track I would, but I do not want to take any more of your time, especially when you could be listening to the record yourself. I recommend, no, I implore you to take some time to appreciate this collection. For those cosy Christmas moments, for the times that remain forever imprinted in our memories, let A Very Ally Christmas play along in the background. After all, this is the season of joy and I cannot think of a collection that brings more to what is always a very full Christmas plate.
Stooshe, Betty Woz Gone. I’ve been interested in these girls for a few weeks now and thought I would share what I feel is a fan-bloody-tastic debut. Lyrics, production and band-styling all on point, Stooshe are a girlband on the rise. Think Jessie J. On red bull. Uncensored. Oh and times that by 3. That is Stooshe.
Alongside Little Mix winning The X Factor in the past week, I predict an oestrogen-fuelled wave of female troops attacking the charts in the near future. If there is any justice, Stooshe will rise above and show the UK a bloody good time.
