Music - Singles of the Week - Monday, April 26, 2010
IndieLondon gleefully checks out the cream of the week’s singles. All you have to do is click on the pictures to order them…
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 1: BIFFY CLYRO – BUBBLES: Hot on the heels of their recent NME Award, Biffy Clyro release the excellent new single Bubbles with the help of Josh (Queens of the Stone Age) Homme. Released to coincide with their imminent UK tour, the single is taken from their current album Only Revolutions, and is a brilliant slice of guitar-driven power pop-rock that boasts a stunning chorus, memorable riffs, a genuine sense of verve and a trademark fiery concoction of aggressive melodies, compelling hooks and a blistering closing jam. The cemented their friendship with Homme when they toured Europe and North America as support to Homme’s Queens of the Stone Age. Says Biffy Clyro guitarist/vocalist Simon Neil: “Someone like Josh, it’s like he’s a musical lifer. We are as well, and I think when you meet people you can see in their eyes whether they really mean it or not. It’s kind of weird being friends with someone who’s a hero like Josh, but I see in him what I see in myself and he sees in us what he saw in himself, that kind of hunger and willingness and doing it for the right reasons. It’s really easy to connect with people because of that.”
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 2: FYFE DANGERFIELD – FASTER THAN THE SETTING SUN: Fyfe Dangerfield has delivered one of the debut albums of the year with his stunning solo effort, Fly Yellow Moon, and now releases a revamped highlight in the form of Faster Than The Setting Sun to coincide with his forthcoming double date at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre. In album form, Faster Than The Setting Sun unfolds amid a flurry of rousing guitars and drum loops, before rushing into a powerhouse chorus. It still does that, albeit with added strings, a nice piano arrangement underpinning it, and some lush violins. It’s a rousing, inspiring offering that, ironically, was inspired by an argument and a realisation that this is as good as life gets. Brilliant stuff from a brilliant songwriter.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review l Fyfe Dangerfield interview
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 3: PETTER & THE PIX – NEVER NEVER: Petter & The Pix is the story of two brothers, Petter and Pontus, who came together via two very different musical paths. Pontus is one half of the songwriting super-force Bloodshy & Avant (responsible for Britney’s Toxic), while Petter once formed part of Iceland’s first ever reggae act, Hjallar. Petter recruited a new band, The Pix, bringing together members from Mum, Gusgus, and Lykke Li (they’re currently the touring band for Pontus’ latest project, Miike Snow). They are set to release their debut album, Good As Gold on May 3 and precede that with the release of hip, upbeat and really quite snazzy new single, Never Never. Powered by a siren like guitar riff and some scattershot drum loops, as well as an insanely addictive “la la la la” backdrop, this is fast, furious and giddily excitement and the sort of offering that leaves you thirsting for more. Roll on that LP.
Released as a download
Rating: 3 out of 5
MARINA & THE DIAMONDS – I AM NOT A ROBOT: Another gem from the Family Jewels LP, Greek-Welsh singer Marina Diamandis – better known as Marina & The Diamonds – drops the monster hit in waiting, I Am Not A Robot, and duly continues to win fans. The track confidently underlines her audacity and resolve, setting bouncy, pop-friendly piano loops over defiantly independent lyrics that sound like a deliberate pop at the mainstream. It might not be quite as exhilarating as former single Hollywood (which remains the album’s definitive offering), but it’s catchy as hell… and showcases the singer’s ability to appeal to the mainstream, whilst retaining an identity all her own. She’s very much an outsider… and that’s the way we need to keep her.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
TIMBALAND feat JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE – CARRY OUT: There’s a lot of buzz surrounding this heavyweight collaboration between super-producer Timbaland and Justin Timberlake… but the results are decidedly average. Sexy, provocative and graced with a typically delicious video (featuring French maids serving up tasty treats and strippers gyrating their bodies), it’s the usual blend of big beats and sassy vocals, all delivered in a slick, polished style. Admittedly, Timbaland appears to be varying the beats a little, and this has something of an African influence, as well as a decidedly after-hours feel, while the contrasting vocals of Timbaland and Timberlake are easy on the ear… but in the final analysus, we’ve come to expect better from both of them.
Released across all formats
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
FRANKIE & THE HEARTSTRINGS – TENDER/WANT YOU BACK: Frankie & The Heartstrings release the retro-pop tinged double-A sided singles Tender/Want U Back on 7” vinyl via their very own PopSex Ltd label. Recorded and produced by the band’s own Pete Gofton, both tracks embrace a hip, funky chorus, ‘60s influences and some edgy vocals. Tender is sharp, snappy and boasts a tremendous energy, courtesy of its belated handclap beats and shimmering guitar hooks. Perhaps more accomplished is the lovelorn Want You Back, which even adds some brass and a little more vocal layering. If there’s a doubt about Frankie’s capabilities, it’s that the central vocal doesn’t always sit comfortably with the retro style of the instrumentals… but it’s a minor giggle as these boys really do grow on you. And in case you’re interested, the trombone on Want You Back is provided by Chris Alcock, the sax by Sebastian Reynolds and the trumpet by Will Vaughan.
Released in a vinyl only format
Rating: 3 out of 5
SENSORITES – SPACEMAN: Sensorites are basically brothers Natham and Gareth Kirkham and they’re just about to drop new single Spaceman and lay down some promising credentials. Featuring heartfelt lyrics and a sound that’s reminiscent of Cast and the psychedelic tendencies of The Beatles, this is a trippy, but appealing, slice of future-folk-acoustica that’s pretty rewarding. The chorus is catchy, the instrumentals nicely layered, and the lyrics loaded with meaning (and addressing conflict and space). The vocals could yet prove Sensorites’ weakest point, as they’re not always brilliant during the verses, but over the chorus they do fine and serve to send you on quite a trip. Listen out, too, for a really cool remix from Two Ragged Soldiers, which opens with a sombre piano chord, before dropping a really kick-ass back-beat. It’s arguably even better than the original and a compelling reason for seeking this out!
Released in a vinyl only format
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
NERO – INNOCENCE/ELECTRON: In the last couple of years, Dan Stephens and Joe Ray (with vocalist Alana) – aka Nero – have developed a reputation that’s placed them at the forefreont of the club scene. For instance, they followed their Requiem EP for Formation Records with a massive single on Breakbeat Kaos – first home of Pendulum – called Act Like You Know. And their first venture in Dubstep, This Way (featuring Alana), and released in 2008 is still hailed as a classic of the genre. Their recent remix of The Streets Blinded By The Light still features in the sets of DJs as diverse as Chase & Status, Diplo, Skream and Tiesto. What’s more, they have recently supported Chase & Status, Deadmau5 and Zane Lowe on tour. Now they return with the double-A sided single Innocence/Electron. The former is a Faithless inspired blend of dramatic keys and eerie vocals torn to pieces by a monstrous bassline that’s the pick of the two. Electrons, meanwhile, unleashes a raw energy reminiscent of the rave days, with an infectious hook and diva-style vocal samples. They’re better when keeping things slightly atmospheric.
Released as a download
Rating: 3 out of 5
LUCKY SOUL – WHOA BILLY!: Following on from their internationally acclaimed debut The Great Unwanted, Lucky Soul have taken the gloves off. On new album A Coming of Age, the shameless love for pure melody remains, but any hint of knowing pastiche has been replaced with big, confident, lean production; it’s billed as a soaring album of modern pop – music for a new decade. New single Whoa Billy! is a classic case in point – a shiny, shimmering, effervescent pop song drenched in honeysweet female vocals, sing-along “whoa whoa”s and classic sunshine melodies. However, with lyrics like “I’m like a flower in the shade” and “dark times ahead, if I don’t do it now I’m dead”, the song showcases a band that’s willing and capable to juxtapose darkness and light to appealing effect… while keeping on top of mainstream trends. If the rest of the album is as appealing as this, they could become massive!
Released across all formats
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
MAX RAPTOR – THE GREAT AND THE GOOD: “Consience exists now even in the wicked…” so sing Max Raptor over the chorus of their energetic new single, The Great And The Good. Described as a choice cut of ballsy modern guitar music, complete with anthemtic gang vocals, a killer chorus, and a lashing rhythm section that barely lets up even for a second, the track is a rollicking rock track in waiting that does the job without being especially great. The chorus, in particular, is delivered with a confidence and gusto that suggests they have plenty more to offer, but lyrically the song ‘aint half bad either. It should be interesting to see where Max Raptor go next.
Released as a download
Rating: 3 out of 5
BEARCRAFT – THE WEREWOLF: Hypnotic drum patterns, Gallic disco basslines and cool, disembodied vocals are what Bearcraft deliver according to the PR for new single Werewolf. That’s only partly true… the newcomers have a vaguely Hot Chip kind of style about them, as well as traces of Fortune in their French influence. But they fail to excite as much as either, allowing their hypnotic tendencies to become a little too wishy-washy and non-descript. Mabye it works best as a stoner record, but it left me underwhelmed. The PR continues: “The track takes us from animalistic primal urges, through folk devils, to a contemporary scene of dancing in soaring temperatures and midnight sunshine.” Not quite sure what that means… but it didn’t do any of the above! Remixes come from Chanty Poe and EEPROM, but none can really salvage the original.
Released as a download
Rating: 2 out of 5
RIO – NARROW ROADS: Upcoming rapper R.I.O blends grime influenced vocal delivers with electronic production values. New single Narrow Roads merges his no-nonsense vocal style with some soulful female backing vocals to create an interesting – if ultimately unsuccessful – hybrid of styles. The big problem is R.I.O’s own flow, which is a little too in your face and hard hitting to accompany the more radio friendly focus of the female vocals. Hence, they sit a little uncomfortably alongside each other. That said, the production values – from Most Wanted and Bless Beats – are high and suggest that R.I.O could well have a promising future ahead of him. It’s the sort of offering, though, that is the reserve of the 1Xtra scene that’s been championing it since it boasts very little real crossover appeal.
Released as a download
Rating: 3 out of 5
WE ROCK LIKE GIRLS DON’T – WELCOME TO MY WORLD/FEELING LONELY NOW: Having been shortlisted for the Xfm 2010 New Music Awards, based on their raw energy and take-notice debut How Did I Get To This, rock-pop newcomers We Rock Like Girls Don’t now unleash double-A side Welcome To My World/Feeling Lonely Now. Built around ferocious guitar riffs, a punky energy that recalls both the likes of Hole and Gossip, both tracks are marked by their no-nonsense approach and fiery intensity. Welcome To My World is particularly in your face, and drops some startling guitar riffs and a really raw set of vocals… but Feeling Lonely Now reigns in things a little and benefits from a keener sense of melody, a more intimate approach and some sharp vocal harmonising – or at least until the Limp Bizkit style rock out at the minute and a half mark! If you like unapologetic rock chicks, then We Rock Like Girls Don’t should deliver a telling fix.
Released as a download
Rating: 3 out of 5
Heard a great single, but yet to buy it? Well, we may have reviewed it. Previous reviews:
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