Music - Singles of the Week - Monday, July 12, 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: MARK RONSON & THE BUSINESS INTL – BANG, BANG, BANG: The two coolest producers/music-makers in the biz right now are Mark Ronson and Danger Mouse. They possess the Midas touch when it comes to collaborating with innumerably diverse artists and turning out some of the hippest, coolest cuts of the year. Danger Mouse recently had his Shins collaboration, Broken Bells… so now Mark Ronson unleashes The Business Intl and immediately impresses. Bang Bang Bang sees Ronson doing what he does best – smashing disparate genres and artists into each other headfirst, before standing back and admiring the controlled, party-starting chaos left behind. Featuring the talents of Ronson’s old mucker, rapper Q-Tip, as well as vocals from MNDR, who moonlights as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ live keyboard player, the first single from the Mid-Atlantic mastermind’s new album Record Collection – the follow up to Version, which went triple platinum in the UK – is a playground funk triumph. Released through Columbia, it’s a collaborative effort, with Ronson at the production helm. The song was built using a classic Eighties Duran Duran keyboard idea (‘Setting 32 on the Prophet V,’ says this self-confessed trainspotter and crate-digger) and a version of French nursery rhyme Alouette (MNDR’s idea). Add to this a writing contribution from Nick Hodgson of Kaiser Chiefs and ideas culled from Ronson’s experiences touring the festival circuit and the result hangs – or bangs – together brilliantly. It’s fun, funky, vibrant and a really terrific summer anthem that feels as warm and celebratory as those summer sunshine beams. Ronson is once again king of all things!
Released across all formats
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 2: SETH LAKEMAN – TINY WORLD: Folk icon Seth Lakeman releases one of the out-and-out highlights from his new album, Hearts And Minds, in the form of Tiny World. A gloriously life-affirming summer radio hit in waiting, led by a spiralling fiddle melody and an irresistible sing-along chorus, it’s produced by Tchad Blacke (The Black Keys, Elvis Costello) and Richard Evans and mixed by Ruadhri Cushnan – the man who mixed Mumford & Sons’ Sigh No More. Tiny World is described as one of the Seth’s most personal songs to date. With a lyrical theme that is more mature, warm and intimate, it sees Lakeman’s continued development as a songwriter of real quality and versatility, layering in the fiddles to warm, invigorating effect and dropping the type of chorus that’s ripe for embracing in the loudest possible way for singing along with. It almost doesn’t need saying that Seth’s latest album is a corker… but if ever there were further proof needed, then Tiny World provides it – it’s a big, warm-hearted effort that’s only set to win Seth more fans.
Released as a download
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
PROFESSOR GREEN feat LILY ALLEN – JUST BE GOOD TO GREEN: One of the buzz tracks of the moment is Professor Green’s sample-laden hook-up with Lily Allen on Just Be Good To Green. Evolved from the SOS Band’s 1983 hit Dub Be Good To Me, the track finds Professor Green delivering his usual, urban laced flow over some high-powered beats, a funky backing track, that sample, and a typically delicious vocal from Ms Allen. Indeed, her sweet vocals provide a mouth-watering accompaniment to the chorus, which elevate the track to its really cool status. In truth, Prof Green’s flow isn’t that convincing… his urban style just too urban. Allen’s presence, though, brings crossover appeal and instant musical gratification. It’s not as good as most summer DJs would have you make believe… but it is a summer anthem that embraces some easy values on the way to achieving its status. As such, it’s a clever, more than essential, concoction. There’s a wide range of remixes, too, from Camo & Krooked, Greenmoney, Wideboy and Joker.
Released across all formats
Rating: 3 out of 5
KATE NASH – KISS THAT GRRRL: The latest offering from Kate Nash’s LP, My Best Friend Is You LP is more of the same, really… a semi-appealing pop song that channels the energy of a ‘60s based all-girl rock ‘n’ roll group with the same cheeky tendencies that have come to be a trademark. There’s a fine sense of melody, more playful lyricism in the relationship tale (or row) that unfolds, and that keen mix of sung and spoken vocals. But while breezy enough to get by whenever it’s played on the radio, there’s a suspicion that Nash isn’t really stretching herself and is very much on auto-pilot. And while that may certainly help to guarantee another radio smash for her… it’s probably time to move forward and develop a new sound.
Released across all formats
Rating: 3 out of 5
PLAN B – PRAYIN’: The third single to be taken from the already platinum-selling album The Defamation Of Strickland Banks, Prayin’ is Plan B – aka Ben Drew – in full testifying soul preacher mode, delivering a sharply double-edged song that works perfectly as both uplifting gospel-driven Northern soul anthem and starkly bleak prison yard lament. It’s further evidence of the amazing transformation on this artist from former rapper to deeply accomplished soul singer (with Mark Ronson-style backing elements). The cinematic nature of the storytelling is reflected in the new video, which marks the latest visual instalment of his fictional Strickland Banks stardom-to-Solitary saga, directed in cinematic style, as are all his videos, by Daniel Wolf. Beautifully filmic, Ben gets to show off his acting talents as well as the obvious music ones in a song that screams out for visual accompaniment. If you think the hype is unjustified, then try checking out the album. It really is as good as people are saying… and this song is ample proof of why.
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB – COME BACK HOME: The fourth single to be taken from Two Door Cinema Club’s debut album is the effervescent Come Back Home. Built around a livewire guitar riff and a slightly spiky attitude, it proceeds to deliver a really smart, infectious chorus that is tailor-made to achieve anthemic status for them. The late inclusion of a barnstorming drum beat is a nice touch, too, to give the song extra zip heading into its finale. The single release comes backed with several remixes, the pick of which is the Myd workout, which strips things back deceptively early on, before dropping a synth wail worthy of Ibiza and some head-rush drum ‘n’ bass beats wrapped around some lush acoustic guitar chords. It’s a euphoric crowd-pleaser of a remix that really does impress, while underlining this band’s status as one of the hot button acts of the moment.
Released as a download
Rating: 4 out of 5
KID ADRIFT – OXYTOCIN: Following on from a well received performance on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury, Kid Adrift releases his Oxytocin EP on July 12 through Island Records. A personal manifesto from Iain Archer, the brains behind the Kid Adrift project, it’s a head-spinning concoction of frenzied electronics and guitars that, admittedly, takes some getting used to. The title track, Oxytocin, leads with guitars, brutal beats and waves of dense electronics, whilst synthesized strings and mechanical beats bring the song to a thrilling crescendo. Archer’s vocals, meanwhile, occasionally sound so fragile that they might break against the unrelenting nature of the sonic waves. The rest of the EP hits with walls of electronica, heavy and propulsive, and illustrates the dance influences that infuse the band’s sound. Elements of the EP are impressive, and you can well imagine it going down a storm on the dancefloor circuit, but there’s also a slightly shambolic nature to proceedings that could do with being reigned in. The synth flourishes often threaten to become overbearing and run amok over some of the more thoughtful elements of proceedings. Oxytocin is the pick of the tracks… but we’re not completely sold on Kid Adrift just yet.
Released across all formats
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
BROOKE SHARKEY –A TASTE OF TRUTH: Brooke Sharkey is shaping up to be an exceptional singer, guitarist and songwriter. Still only 22 but with a young life already dedicated to music, she already has the assured stage presence of an inspiring act. Bilingual, she sings as captivatingly in French as she does in English and can create an extraordinary magic when she weaves both together. She’s influenced by, and often compared to Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman and Lily Allen. Brooke began her musical journey as a tot in the back of her father’s orange mini providing impromptu backing and harmonies to her father’s lead, himself a lifetime musician and performer. Since then, she has turned these simple musical journeys into an extraordinary musical adventure. She lived in France, where she absorbed rich Gallic influences such as Piaf and Reynaud, soaked up the music of friends from around the world and then busked her way round Europe, India and South America learning about musical styles and techniques everywhere she went. From her first public performance with her own material at just 11-years-old, Brooke has now performed at many shows and festivals worldwide, notably including Glastonbury festival and The Jazz cafe, Camden. Her new EP, A Taste of Truth, showcases her many attributes in endearing fashion. Lead track, If We Were Water, is a beautiful, serene slice of acoustic folk that’s sung in both French and English. By starting in French, however, she immediately grabs your attention, wrapping her lush vocals around a sumptuous track. Brooke then strips things back for the slow-building Home, teasing the listener with its intricate intimacy, while she gets more French and more playful (even sensual) on Our Ways… which drops some nice, and very European, percussion elements. If she hasn’t already done enough to charm you by that stage, there’s then Music In The Park, which really combines her guitar and smooth vocal style to seamless effect, and Les amoureux, which winds things down in laidback, sumptuous fashion. Sharkey is very much that exceptional talent so many people are talking about!
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
FANFARLO – FIRE ESCAPE: Following sold-out shows at London’s ULU, rapturously received shows at this year’s SxSW festival and support on the Mumford & Sons UK tour, Fanfarlo release the new single, Fire Escape from their excellent Reservoir LP, complete with a raft of arresting and eclectic remixes. The song itself is a compelling and deeply enchanting mix of folk elements and hopeful vocals (“why can’t he just think like us?”) that demonstrate the band’s keen ear for a melody and classic songwriting values. Perhaps even more surprisingly, the remixes all add something worthwhile to the mix. Dave Sitek (TV On The Radio), in particular, embellishes the track with some lovely back-beats and lends it a funky edge, while the new single mix from Tom Elmhirst (Amy Winehouse, Jonsi) merely strengthens and broadens the appeal of an already fine song. Toro Y Moi bring in the most dance-y elements and catch you a little off guard, with their leftfield workout (all synths and disco grooves). But it’s not bad. And Tom Furse (The Horrors) adds ethereal ambience and eventual foreboding to his eight minute plus workout, which sounds as though it could fit onto the soundtrack of a really eerie, atmospheric film. The single will be accompanied by a stunning, black-as-ink video, directed by Jamie Thraves (Radiohead, Coldplay).
Released as a download
Rating: 4 out of 5
Website l Album review
AMADOU & MIRIAM – AFRICA: Fresh from performing at the official FIFA World Cup Concert in Johannesburg on June 10, Amadou & Mariam return with new single Africa, taken from their album Welcome To Mali, which will be available as a download only. The song, which embodies the party spirit of Africa, has also been remixed for mainstream accessibility by Radioclit and Bob Sinclar, who both jumped at the chance to work their magic on the single. Hence, Radioclit – who are more commonly known for quirky, uber-fashionable, new world music and Afro-pop production – move into a new realm of production for the second time with a makeover designed to be an Ibiza anthem this summer. Grammy Award-nominated French producer/DJ, Bob Sinclar, meanwhile, describes his Africa remix as “a hymn to joy”. He has kept the authenticity of the track, and added his own club touch, enhancing the original colour in a way only he knows how. As a reminder of the celebration of football we’ve just witnessed, and the continent that embraced it, there’s plenty to enjoy and dance along with. It also reminds us of why Welcome To Mali was so well received and why Amadou and Miriam are such popular people to collaborate with.
Released as a download
Rating: 3 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
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