Music - Singles of the Week - Monday, September 28, 2009
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: MATT & KIM – DAYLIGHT: Matt & Kim’s new single Daylight is further proof of why they’re the cutest indie darlings of the moment. Having stripped off and streaked in Times Square for the video for their last single, Lessons Learned (an MTV Music Video winner), they now garner further interest with their musical ability… which again demonstrates their ability to marry kooky indie charm with genuinely warm-hearted melodies. The track is easily defined by its loopy, wonky synth and piano pop, and is a fanastically positive album opener that’s alive with energy. The UK release of the single, meanwhile, includes a Troublemaker remix featuring the legendary hip-hop trio De La Soul that also features on the upcoming EA game NBA Live 2010. It’s an excellent mix of hip hop and indie pop that actually enhances the original version. We love Matt & Kim!
Available digitally
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 2: THE DRUMS – LET’S GO SURFING: Taking the unlikely templates of ‘50s surf-rock and Factory Records as inspiration and mixing in a new wave sound, brand new four piece The Drums announce themselves as purveyors of some of the most exciting new sounds to come out of the US this year. Opening with the most infectious whistling line since Peter, Bjorn and John’s Young Folks and accompanied by a thrilling buzz-saw surf guitar riff, debut single Let’s Go Surfing offers three minutes of shimmering Florida sun-kissed, NYC informed brilliance. Singer Jonathan Pierce boasts a commanding set of vocals (raw but catchy and appealing), while guitarist Jacob Graham shows an exciting mastery of the ‘50s surf rock scene. Combined, they create a surf anthem in waiting that is destined to become a summer cult classic. You won’t want to miss out. Bonus track Don’t Be A Jerk… Johnny, while more electronically based and a little more kooky, also does enough to suggest that The Drums will be so much more than one-hit wonders! We like their retro sensibility a lot, as well as their sharp melodising. It could sustain us through the darker winter months.
Available across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
DOWNLOAD OF THE WEEK: IDLEWILD – READERS & WRITERS: Idlewild are poised to return with seventh studio album Post-Electric Blues on October 5, which is described as “an indie-rock album of Boss-like bombast, flecked with ‘70s synths and dashes of brass”. That’s partly true… but it’s also thrilling stuff and a welcome comeback from one of our favourite Scottish bands. The first taster is download only single Readers & Writers, a real blast of exuberance, that drops a triumphant back-beat over some sharp guitar riffs, the odd crowd-pleasing hand-clap and a bravura brass turn over the catchy chorus. It’s defiantly rocky, resolutely upbeat, superbly written and a real good-time of a listen. Trust us… the remainder of the album is similarly inspiring.
Available as a digital dowload
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
THE FRAY – HEARTLESS: Kanye West’s hit single Heartless was chosen by The Fray as their ‘cover track’, which featured on their Radio 1 Live Lounge performance in February. Thereafter, it received an unprecedented amount of radio airplay. As a result, and due to overwhelming public demand, The Fray hit the studio to record another version of the track to release on both sides of the Atlantic. That track forms part of a digital EP that’s available from iTunes and other download sites, and it’s well worth tracking down. More haunting and cinematic than Kanye’s version, it’s delivered with typically impassioned lyrics and a moody background acoustic guitar to genuinely make their re-imagining a worthwhile endeavour. Such is its success, in fact, that you don’t even necessarily have to be a fan of the band to appreciate it.
Avaliable as limited edition 7” and download
Rating: 4 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
MUMFORD & SONS – LITTLE LION MAN: Marrying the magic of Crosby, Stills & Nash with the might of bands such as Kings of Leon, London’s folk heroes Mumford & Sons unveil the new single Little Lion Man from their forthcoming debut album, Sigh No More. The track – which was recently named the “Hottest Record In The World Today” by Zane Lowe on his Radio 1 show – is a rampage about regret and unresolved heartbreak that contains thrilling banjo licks, and a rollicking sensibility that’s utterly infectious in spite of its downbeat lyrics. The lyrics (“I really cocked it up this time, didn’t I my dear”) are also honest, heartfelt and pleasingly no-nonsense. It’s a break-up anthem of genuine worth that augers well for the new LP (out October 5).
Released across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
AIR – SING SANG SUNG: Jean-Benoit Dunckel and Nicolas Godin, will release their fifth studio album Love 2 on October 5, the follow-up to 2007’s acclaimed Pocket Symphony, and the first production to spring to life from their very own state-of-the-art recording facility Atlas Studio. The first taster is this lush, breezy and distinctly summery new single Sing Sang Sung, which waltzes its way happily into your heart and enchants as only Air know how. The album marks the first time the duo have taken all vocal responsibility themselves, and on this record, at least, it works a treat, entwining their French sensibility with a gloriously retro kind of pop sound that’s both pleasing on the ear, and soothing on the mind. It’s one to savour as the final days of Summer give way to cooler Autumnal mornings. Air will set out on a European tour in early 2010 starting at the legendary Casino de Paris on January 11 in their hometown and will then embark on North American dates during the Spring, and much more. The single release of Sing Sang Sung (try saying it in a hurry!) is also accompanied by a splendid (and mightily surreal) animated video that’s also worth checking out.
Available digitally
Rating: 4 out of 5
THE VERONICAS – 4 EVER: The Veronicas release their sassy, super-charged pop follow-up to Untouched in the form of 4 Ever, the precursor to the new album, Hook Me Up (out on October 5). Produced and written by Max Martin and Lukasz ‘Dr Luke’ Gottwald (Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson), the track competently combines a rock-pop style with the sassy vocals that mark them out from many other girl groups of the moment. The girls have a verve and energy, too, that suggests the new album will probably be worth giving a go. They’re already the biggest new name in Australian pop, have relocated to Los Angeles where their music is winning friends, and now look poised to conquer the UK chart scene too. It won’t win awards for originality, and is probably best enjoyed in small doses, but as pop goes, it ‘aint terrible. A Jason Nevins remix also helps to increase the feeling that these girls aren’t just interested in following in the Girls Aloud/Sugababes kind of footsteps.
Released across all formats
Rating: 3 out of 5
NATALIE IMBRUGLIA – WANT: Natalie Imbruglia returns with new single Want and she clearly means business! A hot and sultry track, which includes a video that finds Natalie topless on a bed, it’s a pumped up slice of sassy disco pop that is catchy, sexy and playfully fun. Imbruglia drops a nice set of vocals that show she has lost none of her ability to appeal to a wide spectrum of listeners… no matter how they feel about the mainstream in general. The album, Come To Life, was produced by Ben Hillier (Blur, Elbow, Depeche Mode), and features three writing collaborations with Coldplay, including Want, which Natalie co-wrote with Chris Martin. Indeed, Martin takes keyboard duties and contributes backing vocals late on, to underline the big hitting values of the single as a whole. It should be a huge record that delivers Imbruglia all that she wants! The new release date for Come to Life’ is February 1, 2010, so this will have to serve as an early, appetising taster until then.
Available in all formats
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
THE BLIZZARDS – TRUST ME I’M A DOCTOR: Trust Me I’m A Doctor sees Irish quintet The Blizzards take another stride in their ever-evolving bid to turn Britain onto their bold and ballsy guitar-pop anthems. It’s the second single to be taken from their forthcoming UK album release, Domino Effect, and is an admittedly catchy, even loopy, football terrace-bound pop hit in waiting. Featuring stop-start harmonies, a chanty chorus and the odd wacky “la la la” falsetto refrain, as well as a footstomping drum session and guitar blowout midway through, it’s a head rush track that pretty much encapsulates The Blizzards frenzied, catchy style of pop-rock. The Blizzards release the track fresh from huge success in their native Ireland, where they’ve scooped two consecutive Meteor Awards for Best Live Act in 2008 and 2009 and enjoyed a platinum-selling album. Not sure whether we’d take a prescription or diagnosis from them… but their infectious blend of songwriting is therapeutic in its own upbeat way. The album, Domino Effect, is released on October 12.
Available across all formats
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
BOWLING FOR SOUP! – MY WENA: Bowling For Soup return with the kind of hilarious love song that only they could pull off. Filled with loads of double entendre references about the singer’s girlfriend, My Wena is a catchy slice of frat-rock that wears its fun-pop/punk sensibilities proudly on its sleeve (or even outside its pants). And while there’s certainly a juvenile quality about the churlish lyrics, sometimes that can be a good thing – particularly when relayed as unoffensively as it is here. Bowling For Soup have clearly re-discovered their musical mojo as they prepare to unzip their new album, Sorry For Partyin’ on October 12. Prior to that, though, it’s also worth checking out the equally hilarious video (which obviously has fun with the theme). To celebrate its release, fans should head over to the special application that allows you to become a part of the official music video for yourself – www.mywena.com/wenaface – or pick a person of your choice as the Wena Face!
Available as a download
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
McINTOSH ROSS – ALL MY TRUST I PLACE IN YOUR: After more than two decades in and out of Deacon Blue, Lorraine McIntosh and Ricky Ross – aka McIntosh Ross – decided they wanted to make an album – together. Not an album as part of Deacon Blue. Not a Ricky Ross album with Lorraine popping up on backing vocals, but an album which the two of them could call, justly and equally, their own. The rules of engagement were kept to a minimum. They would both write and both sing. The result of their endeavours is the LP The Great Lakes, which competently realises their ambitions. The latest taster is the lush, acoustic-folk ballad All My Trust I Place In You, a long song about trust that thrives on its boy-girl vocals, melodic structure and slow-build approach. If the remainder of the album matches the quality of this record, we could be in for something special.
Available digitally
Rating: 4 out of 5
MIRRORKICKS – TURNING UP: Described as a cross between Jane’s Addiction and Bloc Party, south London-based outfit Mirrorkicks drop their new single Turning Up. Featuring some crunching guitar hooks and a melodic, indie-based chorus, it’s a keen mix of styles that marks them out as a band to watch for the future. Driving audiences into uncontrollable frenzy during live gigs, it was the obvious choice as a debut single for the band, courtesy of its addictively-catchy sing-along vibe and playful melody. The lyrics, however, explore a murky darker side as they delve into the mysterious realms of mental illness, drug induced paranoia and religion. Like we said, Gerard De Waal,Edwin Pereira and brothers Ingmar and Anil Kamalagharan are ones to watch.
Available across all formats
Rating: 4 out of 5
MAMA’S GUN – YOU ARE THE MUSIC: Mama’s Gun, the five-piece fronted by singer/composer/producer/designer Andy Platts, will release their hotly-tipped debut album Routes To Riches on September 28, the same day as its debut single You Are The Music. For those that don’t know, the band combine soul, pop, jazz, funk, blues and rock to pretty endearing effect. The hook-laden You Are The Music, for instance, evokes memories of the Average White Band at their blue-eyed-soul best, complete with a funky Starsky & Hutch-style jam midway through. It boasts plenty of appeal, particularly if you’ve enjoyed listening to recent Mark Ronson produced material, and even the likes of Daniel Merriweather. It should be interesting to find out whether the remainder of the album matches the easy-going vibe of the single.
Available as a download
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
FAKE PROBLEMS – DIAMOND RINGS: Fake Problems release their new single Diamond Rings prior to their support slot with Frank Turner in October. Vocalist Chris Farren explains the track and its evolution as a part of current full length It’s Great To Be Alive: “Diamond Rings really came out of nowhere for this record. The original version of it is a dark, slow, Tom Waits-esque country song, but that vibe just didn’t fit with what we wanted to do for the record – so we decided to destroy it completely and rebuild it from the ground up. The only original components the song remains with are the lyrics and chord progression. I’ve had a few people come up to me and ask me specifically what this song is about, and I always turn it around on them to see what they think it’s about. And it’s always far more interesting than what the song is actually about.” The track boasts some keen guitar licks and a gruff, lived-in set of vocals that forces you to take notice – especially when the falsetto layering kicks in. But it’s only moderately successful… and doesn’t hang in the memory for long enough, especially when it starts to lose control and rock out late on.
Available as a download
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
WALL STREET RIOTS – ONE MORE RIDE: London-based rabble-rousers Wall Street Riots self-release the new single One More Ride, complete with a very special remix of the single, by LostProphet Ian Watkins under his L’Amour La Morgue side project. But while certainly energetic, the track fails to register too strong an impression even in remix mode. There’s a keen sense of melody throughout, with a “woohoo” backing over the chorus, but the post-hardcore vibe feels too generic and the song isn’t really offering anything that different from the norm in this kind of scene. Charlie Cosser belts out the vocals as best he can but he’s fighting a losing battle in keeping us that engaged.
Available across all formats
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
TIESTO – I WILL BE HERE: The world’s biggest DJ and critically-acclaimed producer, Tiësto, joins forces with Australian electro pop-stars Sneaky Sound System for the new single, I Will Be Here. The track is in line with the recent remixes Tiësto has been doing with artists such as Bloc Party, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Calvin Harris and is tailor-made to accompany his Ibiza residency – sadly, whenever you hear that Ibiza-based synth bed my heart sinks. Admittedly, Sneaky Sound System add some decent vocals and a chorus that’s a little more memorable than usual, but in most other respects this is a lazily formulaic slice of dance from Tiësto that you suspect he could deliver with his eyes closed. The best bet is to close your ears too! Remixes come from Tiësto himself, as well as Benny Benassi and Wolfgang Gartner.
Released across all formats
Rating: 2 out of 5
GOLDIE LOOKIN’ CHAIN – EVERYBODY IS A DJ: Goldie Lookin’ Chain deliver another forgettable slice of Welsh hip hop/pop in the form of album track Everybody Is A DJ from their LP, Asbo 4 Life. According to Eggsy, this latest pearl of wisdom was prompted by the following sentiment: “Everybody is bloody playing music on their mobile phones… I even saw two old women in their sixties playing dub step to each other on the back of the bus the other day.” Hence, Everybody Is A DJ is being released as both a download single, and in a second format known as a Musicshake remix application that comes with a remix toy. It’ll enable anyone who buys it to make a mix of their own, including the ability to add their own vocals. It’s a clever tactic and sure to attract the would-be DJs and vocalists among you… it’s just a shame the track itself isn’t better and less of a novelty that’s long since worn off.
Available digitally
Rating: 2 out of 5
Order the album l Album review
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