Music - Singles of the Week - Monday, June 2
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: ELBOW – ONE DAY LIKE THIS: Elbow continue to captivate with their excellence. New single One Day Like This is, quite possibly, one of the warmest, most unashamedly romantic tracks you’re likely to hear all year. With its swirling strings, insistent beat and husky vocals, it’s a genuine heartmelter that expertly celebrates the magic of being in love – the gospel touches towards the end ensure that the song doesn’t run out of steam even at over six minutes in length (in album form). It’s a track that will leave you swooning and – take it from us – you’ll be longing to hear it over and over again, such is the aching sense of hopefulness contained within (especially in those early strings). Needless to say, the album The Seldom Seen Kid is every bit as majestic. The video is equally mesmerising, rather like watching that floating plastic bag sequence from American Beauty – it features a boy with a sign. Sounds dull, right? But try watching it when accompanied by the song.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single l Album review l Watch the video
MYSTERY JETS – TWO DOORS DOWN: Following on from their deliriously excellent Young Love, featuring Laura Marling, Mystery Jets return with another cracking little indie-pop gem that’s tailor made for playing loud throughout the summer months. Two Doors Down is a love song about the girl next door that self-consciously owes its rampant ’80s style to the likes of Aztec Camera and Phil Collins. But don’t let that put you off; it’s great fun in a hopelessly retro kind of way, complete with synths and horns and an innocently flirtatious chorus that’s made for singing along with (altogether now, “I think I’m in love with a girl two doors down”). The B-side, meanwhile, features a cover version of Aztec Camera’s smash Somewhere In My Heart, which advances on the band’s passion for all things ‘80s that’s evident throughout their sophomore album, Twenty One.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single l Album review
JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN – TO BE LOVED: Two years on from their debut album Real Life comes the much anticipated follow-up from Joan As Police Woman, To Survive. The album is preceded by the unashamedly heartfelt single To Be Loved, a sumptuous, deeply romantic listen that places a laidback, jazz/soul vibe alongside some genuinely smooth vocals. The Observer has already hailed it as “soulful perfection”, while The Word felt that it’s “achingly beautiful”. Both descriptions do justice to this heart-melter of a track that goes some way to explaining why singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joan Wasser is so revered within the industry. If you missed out on Real Life and singles such as The Ride, then this could well be the album that gets you acquainted. I doubt you’ll be disappointed.
Rating: 4 out of 5
REM – HOLLOW MAN: After the giddy headrush of REM’s Supernatural Superserious – the lead track from their latest LP, Accelerate, this is a little more deliberately paced. Or rather, it begins with a pensive opening verse, then unleashes a livewire chorus, before slowing down the tempo for another verse… you kind of get the jist. It’s not quite as good as its predecessor but it does mark the new, no-nonsense and decidedly retro-embracing sound of the revamped REM and drops some cracking little guitar riffs en route to its lively finale. Most critics tend to agree that Accelerate marks a major return to form for Michael Stipe and co – and songs like Hollow Man go some way to proving why. We never really thought they’d lost it – but while some recent material has been overly brooding and pensive, this strips things back down and sounds like a band having fun with its material once again. The feeling is infectious.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single l REM tour news
LYKKE LI – I’M GOOD I’M GONE: Scandinavian siner Lykke Li drops her first proper single from her debut album, Youth Novels in the form of the effortlessly engaging I’m Good, I’m Gone. Opening with a warped vocal, some cool piano chords and a handclap beats, the song quickly unfolds into a bittersweet gem that showcases another very promising artist. Boasting vocals that are Bjork-like and just the right side of ethereal, Lykke Li has a strong voice, which she marries to some appealing background instrumentation and a really catchy chorus. Intriguingly, Bjorn, of Peter, Bjorn and John fame, helped to produce her album, while she’s also been known to hang out with Royksopp. There are traces of the easygoing pop sensibilities of both. We can’t wait to hear the rest of the LP.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single
JASON MRAZ – I’M YOURS: I’m Yours marks the first single to emerge from Jason Mraz’s third studio album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things (out on May 26). It’s a self-consciously upbeat number that almost boasts a calypso acoustic vibe capable of rivalling the feel-good factor associated with a lot of Jack Johnson material. And it’s certainly one to put a smile on the face and usher in the warmer weather. The track was chosen as the album’s first single because of the fans’ response to it. A demo version of I’m Yours originally appeared on a limited release bonus EP that Mraz put out with his last album and has since become an online sensation, with over 300 user-generated videos from more than 25 different countries now appearing on YouTube. It’s an infectious record that really deserves a wide following now that it’s properly available as both a download (from May 5) and physically (from May 12). Roll on the new LP.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single l Jason Mraz: The IndieLondon interview
TOM BAXTER – MIRACLE: Tom Baxter releases Miracle as the latest single from his acclaimed Skybound LP. It’s a typically romantic, positively anthemic offering that begins as a sultry ballad before slow-building its way into a cacophony of drums and piano. As ever, Baxter’s vocals are striking, while the instrumentation – late on – is fully in keeping with the optimism surrounding the lyrics. It actually ends a great deal better than it begins. Tom recently played a series of well-received gigs in LA and New York; one of which was at the premiere of the film Run Fat Boy Run, after he’d been personally invited by the film’s director, David Schwimmer – the former Friends star who had also picked his first single Better to be featured in the film.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single l Album review
SARA BAREILLES – LOVE SONG: Already a favourite on Virgin Radio, where it’s a near-constant on the playlist, Sarah Bareilles’ Love Song has already become a smash in the US and looks poised to do the same here. A piano-based offering, it’s a feisty but still catchy recording that really does mark Bareilles as a talent to watch. The chorus (“I’m not going to write you a love song”) is immediately appealing and will probably have you singing along with it after the second or third listen. Bareilles penned the song herself and she’s being tipped for big things as a result. We wish her well. Needless to say, it’s been embraced by the YouTube community and there are countless videos and renditions of it to be found on that website. It’s taken from her album, Little Voice, which is released on June 16.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single
FEAR OF MUSIC – FIRST TO GO: Manchester indie rockers Fear of Music return with the raw First To Go, the first single to be lifted from their soon to be released debut LP Actor/Actress. It’s a powerful indie-rock record that aims to give British rock its soul and spirit back. But while we’re not sure how far it achieves that, there’s an undeniable vibrancy surrouding the pounding beats and angular guitar riffs that demonstrate a no-nonsense, unfussy approach to getting things done. Vocally, they’re only average but – as is so often the case with guitar-based bands – they are tight musically and the best way of appreciating this is to kick back and listen to the instrumental that accompanies the release of this CD. They have potential, but it remains to be seen whether it’s realised…
Rating: 3 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single
MORRISSEY – ALL YOU NEED IS ME: “There’s so much destruction around the world and all you can do is complain about me” – it can only be a line from a Morrissey track. All You Need Is Me is another trademark contemporary slice of Mozzer that’s rife with social commentary and personal introspection. It’s also quite rocky, being driven by some crisp guitar riffs and those oh-so distinct vocals. The song was recorded for inclusion on Morrissey’s recent Greatest Hits LP and, sadly, feels like that has been the case – a run-of-the-mill offering that’s designed to appease the fans but not really stretch the artist in any great new direction. As such, it’s best left to the fans only. It comes accompanied by the doube A-side, Children In Pieces.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single
ONE REPUBLIC – SAY ALL I NEED: The opening track from OneRepublic’s smash hit album, Dreaming Out Loud, is a typically moody offering that will certainly appeal to fans of the band’s previous hits Apologize and Stop And Stare. It’s polished, meticulously constructed and capable of easy appeal, complete with moody build-up verses and a borderline falsetto chorus. The processed back beats are evidence of the band’s crossover appeal, as well as a reminder that they have worked with Timbaland, while some of the guitar riffs and piano melodies are equally reminiscent of the Coldplay formula for success. If you’ve liked their material thus far, you’ll doubtless swoon again for this. But the sceptics may yet be undecided over OneRepublic’s merits.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single l Album review
IGLU & HARTLY – VIOLENT AND YOUNG: Iglu & Hartley are five young men from LA who caused a bit of a riot at this year’s SXSW Festival. Their huge synth-pop anthems – which have been likened to Wayne Coyne producing Van Halen and letting the Beastie Boys front the band – were one of the most pleasant surprises of the festival and certainly got tongues wagging afterwards. In the UK, they’ve been picked up by London-based indie label Another Music = Another Kitchen and their debut release is this catchy single, Violent And Young. It’s an odd mix, but an endearing one… all ‘80s-styled synth stabs married to a rapping style that’s reminiscent of both early Beastie Boys and Crazy Town. If you’re fans of Gym Class Heroes, you might also find this appealing as well.
Rating: 3 out of 5
PIN ME DOWN – CRYPTIC: Cryptic is the first taste of the fruits of Pin Me Down, a collaboration between London-based lead guitarist Russell Lissack (of Bloc Party fame) and New York-based singer/songwriter/guitarist Milena Mépris, which began after the two met when Mépris’ former band Black Moustache supported Bloc Party. Impressed by one another’s guitar skills, and mutual love for ‘80s and ‘90s acts like Kate Bush, Cyndi Lauper, New Order, Weezer, and Smashing Pumpkins, the pair decided to explore new frontiers together, fusing energetic pop vocals and melodies with the guttural, razor-sharp guitar sounds of the unknown, or “apocalyptic pop,” as Mépris likes to call it. Due to their packed touring and music schedules, the pair worked from different parts of the globe using the internet and digital recording programmes to email each other songs, while honing their sonic ideas and songwriting in the process. The project naturally evolved. The result is actually pretty decent. The ‘80s influence is pretty damn blatant, but Lissack’s guitar work is typically lively and productive, while Mépris’ gutsy vocals sound like a welcome cross between Kate Bush and Garbage’s Shirley Manson. It’s oddly addictive with plenty of remixes to liven the package.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
DOES IT OFFEND YOU YEAH? – EPIC LAST SONG: The new single from Does It Offend You, Yeah? is deceptive, in that it’s easily the best song on their LP by quite some way. It’s actually a shamefully catchy indie-pop offering that shows the band know their way around a decent riff, and some upbeat melodies, but it kind of makes you wonder why they don’t employ them more often. It’s a far cry from album tracks such as Let’s Make Out, We Are Rockstars and Battle Royale, which had very little going for them whatsoever. Let’s just hope that when it comes around to album number two, the boys deliver more of this kind of record, which should help win them a much wider fanbase. It won’t blow you away, but it is a pretty decent indie-pop listen.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single l Album review
SEBASTIEN TELLIER – DIVINE: Oddball French musician Sebastien Tellier courted controversy by daring to release a Eurovision Song Contest contender in English. Mon dieu! In truth, it was quite a shrewd move. The song is deliberately kitsch, but suitably breezy, and more than capable of appealing to both those hopelessly cheesy Eurovision sensibilities and a wider pop fanbase. The synths and organs swirl about giddily, the vocals are soothing and nicely laidback and the catchy “ba, ba, ba”’s that run throughout are tailor-made for the term “Beach Boys friendly”. It’s all very kooky and French, of course, but that’s kind of the point – and it even has some skilful production values from Daft Punk supremo Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo to endear it still futher. It’s a heck of a lot better than both the Russian winner and our own painful entry.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
THE SPLENDOUR – AUDIO: Brighton’s The Splendour have been hailed as the new Kaiser Chiefs in certain quarters, while their guitar sound is also reminiscent of early post-punk Strokes and angular Franz Ferdinand. It’s kind of catchy, but also kind of relentless, and very definitely genre conforming rather than defining. The chorus is punchy and simplistic, the riffs a little more complex the longer the track lasts, but comparisons with any of the aforementioned artists appear a little premature at this stage. They’re quite simply not doing anything different, which could easily hinder their progress. The Splendour are Justin Gourlay (vocals, guitar), Samuel Beer-Pearce (drums, vocals), John Crick (guitar) and Anthony Keegan (bass). The mix if laidback vocals and stop-start, punky riffs is continued on B-side Put Me Into Bed which is, arguably, the stronger song.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
LIL WAYNE – LOLLIPOP: Lil Wayne has confidently proclaimed himself to be “the best rapper alive”, but evidence of that is in short supply for his latest single Lollipop. Yes, the back beat is quite appealing – and derivative of the kind of material Will.I.Am puts out week after week – but once the singing starts and the sexual innuendo drops like candy it becomes rapidly less so. The song just doesn’t really go anywhere and once you’ve heard it more than a couple of times it becomes repetitive and annoying. The presence of Static Major on back-up vocals does little to broaden its appeal, making this a lame effort from an over-hyped rapper.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Order the album l Order the single
DOWNLOAD SELECTION
THE LEVELLERS – BURN BABY BURN: Brighton-based folk-punk outfit The Levellers return with a free download in the form of the incendiary Burn America Burn, from their forthcoming Letters From The Underground LP. It’s about “the self-destruction” of the country, according to bassist, Jeremy Cunningham, and it sounds like The Stranglers mixed with Ash. The organs actually do it no favours, bringing with it that overly familiar ‘80s whiff, but the guitars add some fire late on, while the vocals are as distinct and energetic as ever. Fans will doubtless love it; but don’t expect it to convert too many others. And in case you were wondering why they’ve suddenly gone so political, then here’s a statement from the band themselves: “We have written a consciously political record, not as a manifesto which is how people used to take our lyrics but as a reaction to apathy – something we’re all guilty of. The songs on the album are observations on topics including war, the media, government, betrayal, life choices and broken dreams. Burn America Burn is about that country imploding from within, using the Virginia Tech massacre as an example. The song is from the gunman’s point of view.”
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
IVOR GAME – FROM A PLANE: Ivor Game is an acoustic singer/songwriter from London who releases his new single From A Plane via iTunes and all major download sites today (June 2, 2008). The song is a gentle, folksy acoustic number that reflects on the view from a plane. It lasts a little over two and a half minutes and makes for quite an appealing listen – the vocals nicely complimenting the stark acoustic sound of his trusty guitar. You can imagine it accompanying an advert for a major airline at some point (BA, perhaps?) or finding its way onto the soundtrack of an American TV show like Grey’s Anatomy, which like to set this kind of song against some meaningful montage. Incredibly, Ivor Game is something of a music veteran, having been playing the guitar since the age of 10 and releasing his debut single, Hit The Big Time 10 years ago. He has released albums every two years since then and been played on radio stations all over the world. I have to confess to not having heard of him thus far, but on the evidence of From A Plane, I wouldn’t mind hearing more.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Supplied image id is invalid; it must be a numeric value.
THE CRUCIBLE – BEYOND DRIVEN: Prog-rockers The Crucible release Beyond Driven, having recently picked up the Best 3 Piece Award at The Glasswerk New Music Awards. It’s a hard rock track that’s brooding and vaguely American sounding, but which displays a confident guitar sound and some pretty decent vocals. Whether it has the ability to break into the mainstream remains to be seen, but certainly the buzz from their award is sure to bring them a little more publicity. And the music, as hard rock goes, isn’t too in your face. Rather, it’s more layered and easy on the ear than most. Lead singer Dan hails from East London and formed the band in 2005, determined to wear his influences on his sleeve. Hence, the sound of early 90s Seattle-based grunge is deliberately never far away. If you dug that scene, then check this out.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Heard a great single, but yet to buy it? Well, we may have reviewed it. Previous reviews: