Future discovered in Lab...

Simon Cowell. Yes he may have given the world countless, tedious series of The X Factor, American Idol etc. but finally it seems he's made a good move signing a very bright promise to his label Syco, in the form of Super-Producer and  genre-crossing singer extraordinaire, Labrinth. Needing little introduction really Labrinth has already risen to fame and chart-success producing and featuring on Tinie Tempah's 2010 smash-hits, Pass Out and Frisky, as well as the summer-hit Let the Sun Shine and party-anthem Earthquake, with Tinie returning the favour as a feature.

I for one am very excited about Hackney-born Labrinth, who at just 22, yes, that's 22 has accomplised so much. After Earthquake being repeatedly played, well, pretty much everywhere, it really felt to me we had seen but of a fraction of what this guy is capable of and his latest single Last Time really proved me right. With a video directed by Collin Tilley (Look at Me Now, Invincible etc.) who seems the only director receiving a visible credit on any music video, the song and video are titilatingly brilliant. A little boy, sullenly sitting in his room, is taken away (willingly!) by some sort of Alien species and shown a wondrous world and the excitement it brings, as is the theme of the song. The song is brilliant and very unique, Labrinth's perspective of the world  is one of lively adventure and it really shows in his music.

Not only has Lab got exceptional talents in producing and singing but on the stage he puts on a MEGA performance.  Leaving fans with an unforgettable show, he works the crowd to perfection, plays instruments and is vocally brilliant.

An astounding talent and there are few artists more deserving of their success than Labrinth and with his first album on the way, entitled Electronic Earth which has musically and visually a very futuristic feel, expect bigger and bigger things for this artist...

Last Time music video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbLoN2q5nig

Born to Die

Bland, generic artists with overstated autotune and little character...who wants that? Thankfully, it seems the new decade is progressing away from artists like these further and further. It's 2012 and let me welcome you to the beautifully quirky music of Lana Del Ray and the first thing to realise about her: she is well and truly 100% unique. Her sadcore, downbeat, deep voice is in all honesty a style you would never have predicted to attribute commercial appeal. But it's intoxicating.

Born to Die, is her second major single and already gained a comprehensive 25 million youtube views. It has a slow-stringed backing, but is deeply captivating. Her beautiful soprano voice is seductive, "Come take a walk on the wild side, let me kiss you hard in the pouring rain..." It is gloomy, and somberly describes how in life nothing lasts, but it does stress the power and importance of love, that love in it's purest, passionate form can persist and grow.

Lana is undoubtedly an artist to divide opinion, it's an unusual sound initially, although her gorgeous appearance helps, made even more attractive by her sultriness, in the video for Born to Die. When you click on a Youtube video, you don't really expect such an Indie style on a song, but it's stimulating. It seems music is really beginning to progress to the stage where unconventional styles are being embraced on a mass scale.

Check out it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bag1gUxuU0g

Dreamers make it big

Rizzle Kicks are a unique pair, hailing from the not so gritty streets of Brighton as a hip-hop duo they reside in a niche market. For one they're not boastful, something Jordan "Rizzle" Stephens makes clear on this track Dreamers, "It seems like rapping like you're dumb as (woo! ) That's how you get paid, Well, I'm not on that, I'm different, I love rap I'm living", they're fun, entertaining and their lyrics are almost bantering. These boys have chilled but impulsive bravado. "Hey, it's that kid with a British accent..." Visionaries that don't take themselves too seriously, it's refreshing...

The beat on Dreamers isn't explosive or even particularly memorable, but it does have a dreamy feel to it and corresponds with the honest, and adversely motivational feel to the tune. Let's face it, most rap artists have released at least one track about their transition to success, this is has more of a lackadaisical, fun element to it...the rapping coupled with Harley's engaging voice means the track will surely do well...

The tracks also been appropriately featured on a Playstation Vita advert, Rizzle Kicks making gaming cool again! Hey, I guess gaming fulfills dreams, in a way...watch that here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IMvDDJHjds

This is something UK artists, seem to do extremely well, find and create individuality about themselves and their music and use it, check this track out, TEAM UK!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P7BFjtIUjg

Example's Never Had a Day

This is one of the Fulham/Hammersmith based singer, Example's, lesser known tunes, given that it was not released as a single. Distinct from his usual dubstep, hard-hitting, chart-topping power anthems. The beat is just as alluring as his other hits off of his Playing with the Shadow's album, which debuted at number one in the UK album charts. Despite the beat being commanding it is melancholic which is synonymous with the song, about a break-up Example experienced, described by Example as "moody" and about a "destructive relationship" where he felt the need to save this person from self-destruction! 


The verses involve slow-rap which Example's pours emotion into, "I gotta get out of this habit we're in, the weekend comes and we're at it again", he feels trapped in a cycle of hurt and misery, deeply remorseful it turned out this way, "I said you'll always be my girl, be my world..." The chorus is very catchy and the beat speeds up, creating an uplifting feel to the tune, perhaps Example didn't want to bring the mood of the album down with a song too sombre. It has an almost lackadaisical feel to it in the way that Example sings/raps and the literal, casual lyrics "I'm Mr Potato sore in the head, You, me, Zombie Fred, I feel like Shaun of the Dead", flippancy and almost humour, Example doesn't wish to take the deadly serious approach. But it is heart-rendering all the same and reminds us all of trouble in relationships...

It's a sublime tune, very unique and well underrated. It's probably testament to the sheer high quality of Playing in the Shadow's that this wasn't released as a single. Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8RvJowQPec

The Brits 2012...

Last night saw the return of The Brit Awards at the O2 with a very nervous (initially) James Cordern hosting. There were 8 performances in total, with Blur closing the show with a spectacular11-minute compilation of a few of their hits, Damon Albarn still just as rowdy and energetic as before, a beautiful, uncomplicated performance of Lego House from Ed Sheeran and an effortlessly stunning performance of the chart-topping, worldwide smash-hit Rolling in The Deep by Adele. Others included a weak, uninteresting performance from Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Bruno Mars delighting performing Just The Way You Are and Coldplay opening the show with a vibrant performance their new single Charlie Brown, as well as performances from Olly Murs who was joined by the fun enigmatic Rizzle Kicks and a dirty (surprisingly not in that way!) performance from Rihanna.

Here are the winners and losers:

British Male Solo Artist: Won by Ed Sheeran over James Blake
                                                                                    James Morrison
                                                                                    Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
                                                                                    Professor Green
Agree - Thoroughly deserved Ed has captivated a generation of music-lovers from young to old, with his unique spin on modern music, a charming singer-songwriter with an outstanding voice and lyrics to match, unafraid to venture into genres where perhaps an artist like him would rarely be seen, for example the grime-inspired You Need Me, I Don't Need You.

British Female Solo Artist:  Won by Adele over Florence & the Machine
                                                                               Jessie J
                                                                               Kate Bush
                                                                               Laura Marling

Agree - The others are all very talented artists each with stunning voices and plenty of heart and soul but it really would be difficult to make a case against any of them toppling the mighty Adele. With such sincere, heartfelt songs as Rolling in the Deep and Set Fire to The rain matched by her beautiful voice hitting every note with absolute perfection it is well earnt.

British Breakthrough Act: Won by Ed Sheeran over Anna Calvi
                                                                               Emeli Sande
                                                                              Jessie J
                                                                              The Vaccines

Agree- Narrowly deserved over Emeli Sande, whom Sheeran even praised in his subsequent ITV 2 interview, Maverick Sabre should have been nominated in this category however.

British Group: Won by Coldplay over Arctic Monkey's
                                                              Chase and Status
                                                              Elbow
                                                              Kasabian

Agree- Although a very unfair voting system, as winner decided through listeners of Radio 2...oh of course songs like Blind Faith (Chase and Status) and Days are Forgotten (Kasabian) are played regularly on Radio 2...not.

British Single: Won by One Direction: What Makes You Beautiful over
                                                                                    Adele - Someone Like You
                                                                                    Ed Sheeran - The A Team
                                                                Example - Changed the Way you Kissed Me
                                                                                    Jessie J ft B.O.B - Price tag
                                                                                    JLS ft Dev - She Makes Me Wanna
                                                                Military Wives/Gareth Malone - Wherever You Are
                                                                Olly Murs ft Rizzle Kicks - Heart Skips a Beat
                                                                                    Pixie Lott - All About Tonight
                                                                                    The Wanted - Glad You Came
                                                         
Disagree- Absolute disgrace and really illustrates the power one group of people (teenage girls with no taste in music) can have when voting, especially given that it was won against not only  artists that don't rely on looks and auto-tune, but truly gifted songwriters such as Adele, Example and Ed Sheeran and worldwide hits accomplished with all types of people, such as Jessie J's Price Tag.

International Group: Won by Foo Fighters over Fleet Foxes

                                                                        Jay Z/Kanye West

                                                                        Lady Antebellum

                                                                        Maroon 5

Agree- Brilliant band, with a fiery stage presence, incredible work-ethic that has seen them produce hit after hit and a die-hard following.

British Album of the Year: Won by Adele - 21 over Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
                                                                                    Ed Sheeran - +
                                                                            Florence & the Machine - Ceremonials
                                                                            PJ Harvey - Let England Shake

Disagree - As talented an artist is Adele is, when looking at her work as a whole it is fairly homogeneous, sombre love songs, mainly about heartbreak. Whereas, Ed Sheeran's +, for example, is not only diverse ranging from songs like Drunk and Lego House to You Need Me...ground-breaking, masterful, words that also spring to mind with Coldplay's Mylo Xyloto. Coldplay return with yet another epic album, that's arguably their best to date. Completely detached from their previous style, much more modernised and with such phenomenally brilliant tunes as Paradise, Hurts like Heaven and Every Teardrop is a Waterfall, deserved to win this catgeory.

 International Male Solo Artist: Won by Bruno Mars over Aloe Blacc
                                                                                                Bon Iver
                                                                                                David Guetta
                                                                                                Ryan Adams

Agree - Charming, fresh, charismatic...and that's just the music! Astounding songwriter with an effortlessly fantastic voice, captured an entire generation and performed brilliantly on the night. Yes to Mr Mars.

International Female Solo Artist: Won by Rihanna over Beyonce
                                                                                    Bjork
                                                                                    Feist
                                                                                    Lady Gaga

Agree - Just a year after releasing her Loud album which sold a staggering (at least in this ilegal-download age) 207,000 copies in it's first week Rihanna released Talk that Talk with two top-ten tracks already. Possibly the most remakrable thing about Rihanna, is her age at just 24 she has accomplished so much and it seems Beyonce in particular is struggling to keep up with her, probably to Jay Z's disappointment, given his split commitments with the two...managing one and marrying the other! We Found Love is a phenomenal tune and Rihanna sounds simply heavenly on it, this award is deserved just for that.

International Breakthrough Act: Won by Lana Del Rey over Aloe Blacc
                                                                                                    Bon Iver
                                                                                                    Foster the People
                                                                                                    Nicki Minaj

Agree - Lana is an acquired taste to say the least, I didn't 'get' her initially, given her contralto vocal range which is very unorthodox, but she's individual, audacious, passionate and absolutely gorgeous, in a very natural way. Give her some time and you will see what all the fuss is about.

                  

Starting to Sway into popularity with Still Speedin

Signed to All Around the World Productions, a befitting name for this London Grime MC given his colossal potential, Sway is the latest Grime artist on the verge of surfacing from the underground into more of a mass market, having already featuring on Lupe Fiasco’s latest album Lasers and let’s face it, there could be worse contacts to have than a superstar (excuse the pun) like Lupe Fiasco when trying to break into the mass market. To describe his potential fanbase as being mainstream would be an almost derogatory label given to Sway,  as a term normally associated with trashy pop artists, cough cough fellow label-mate, cough cough Alexandra Stan…

Every grime artist to ever rise up from the depths has had an anthem launching their career into new soaring heights, for Tinie Tempah it was of course Pass Out, Skepta’s was Amnesia and Sway has delivered the electric Still Speedin. It’s a rousing tune, with some powerful production, fast-paced rapping and a melodic sample from Black Box's 1989 smash-hit Ride on Time, which doesn’t overpower but intertwines perfectly with the tune. Sway’s vigorous rapping, describes his hustle and ambition to succeed, “Pedal to the metal on a level I ain't gonna settle for anything less than gold.” Parts of his rapping is so hard-hitting with an astonishingly electrifying pace there are almost hints of a British Busta Rhymes in there!

An anthemic tune for a talented artist, just surpassing the million views mark on youtube, give it a listen and be sure to check out the remixes with Kano and Lupe Fiasco, which I can assure is you not one of those fan-made rap remixes youtube is infested by! Give it a listen, I guarantee it will get you pumped up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha2lwrTc4Ag&ob=av2e

Hot Right Now…well at least this tune is

Cast your mind back to the glorious Summer of 2011, ah yes, how we all long for those long, care-free, and most importantly warm days again, what were the massive hits of that summer? There was of course Jay and Kanye’s Otis, the immensely overplayed but very catchy Moves Like Jagger and of course Louder, courtesy of English Dubstep/D&B producer, DJ Fresh, with a little help from Sian Evans.

His latest track Hot Right Now featuring the gorgeous, Rita Ora has similar feel-good, summer vibe to it. Released just before Christmas, it seems the perfect uplifting remedy to relieve the winter blues. It’s an infectious tune that simply makes you want to dance, as Ora sings, “Put your hands in the air if you want it right now, hot right now!” The video features Ora and others dancing to the tune in an LA park, with some properly skilful dance moves!

Catchy, charming vocals and lyrics, uplifting beat, and excellent eye-candy! Be sure to check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7OPZOBJZyI

Clement Marfo and The Frontline do Overtime

Clement Marfo, a South London grime MC, a few years ago realised he wanted a band to accompany his rapping, he discussed this with friend Dion (drums) and together, through various different contacts, they put the band together and Clement Marfo and The Frontline was born (CMTF).  CMTF boast a unique selling-point that is practically unrivaled in the music industry, given the rarity of a rock band combined with a grime MC. As a result, the sound is simply electrifying, it is clear there are grime influences prevelant but also a stimulating rock energy.

What’s the most important characteristic for being successful in the music industry? Amazing vocals perhaps…the ability to perform well live…or maybe its good looks. Well whilst it’s not to say these attributes aren’t helpful, but it seems according Clement Marfo and the Frontline, with their explosive rock/grime sound, hard work is key. This tale told, in their second major Overtime featuring Ghetts, chosen, according to Clement Marfo, for his unstoppable work-ethic, "his hustle is amazing."

The tune starts off, with an urban feel, a hip-hop type beat and Marfo’s vocals, “The hustle’s in my heart, the hustles in my nature”, the song in itself is raw and unrefined, which works effectively to show the grit and determination the songs about. The chorus is memorable and powerful and shows off the rock-side of the band with lead singer Kojo , “Mamma told me a little known fact…you gotta work overtime, overtime”, proceeded by the chant-like line, “Nobody works no harder than me…nobody works no harder than we!” This arrangement is continued throughout the song, with Ghetts on the last verse, the song really gives us an insight into the hard-work and dedication it takes in becoming a successful musician, Ghetts raps, “Me I’m out the door before you hear the birds humming…” Inspiring stuff.

The video interchanges between shots of the vocalists (Clement Marfo, Kojo and Ghetts) and the band walking through the streets to unveil a giant Clement Marfo and the Frontline flag on City Hall! They’ve got attitude and they’ve certainly got enormous potential, I strongly urge to check out Overtime, as well as their earlier single Champion and their latest single Mayhem featuring the legendary UK MC, Kano.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F80z02xOgsk

Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up

It is likely that most people will know the 34 year old singer-songwriter Jason Mraz from I’m Yours, which was quite literally a global phenomenon, a breathtaking love-song with a positive energy.

His latest love song entitled I Won’t Give Up is similar in style, an uncomplicated style Mraz and the melodic strum of his guitar with the echoes of backing-singers towards the end. 

The song initiates slowly and gives the feel of a heart-rending love song,” I see that you've come so far, To be right where you are…How old is your soul?” giving the impression of Mraz admiring a  lost-lover until the chorus begins, the passion exudes from Mraz, “I won’t give up on us…even if the skies get rough” It then becomes apparent this intended as a positive love-song where Mraz conveys his dedication to a girl and a relationship as Mraz believes, “God knows we’re worth it” He shows that relationships that endure struggles can consequently flourish with love and commitment rather than simply parting.

With no video released as of yet, leaving fans in anticipation with the release of the official lyric video over a month ago, although the lyrics strike you with such poignancy that this love song broken down to the heartfelt core seems enough.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdN5GyTl8K0&ob=av2e

Getting nowhere…not for dubstep

It wasn’t too long ago many people would have dismissed dubstep, as mindless, dance music, with a heavy bass and simple lyrics. Welcome a new era for dubstep and in music in general with dubstep pioneers including, True Tiger, Nero and Magnetic Man achieving mainstream success, putting that stereotype well and truly to rest, with songs with depth that embrace other genres.

Getting Nowhere featuring the soulful vocals of John Legend was Magnetic Man’s attempt at this, packed with subliminal messages and raw emotions this song and video undoubtedly achieved this. Four horseman plague the city with a modern twist as four hooded men riding BMX bikes performing tricks. As we delve further into this we see there is more than meets the eye as each one of the horseman, wear a coloured hoody which denote certain  apocalyptic meanings, white: conquest/pestilence, red: conflict, black: poverty, grey: death. This intertwines with Legends lyrics, “Almost there feels like we ain’t getting nowhere”, that regardless of the worlds efforts it will be always be afflicted by these destructive demons. The misery-stricken faces of the people depict how happiness is a near-impossible state knowing that the world is run by these four demons as they are chased around the city by them, a man is shown in a café slowly eating while behind him through the window we see the four hooded figures interchanging.

Legends passionate, soulful voice is the perfect accompaniment for the melancholic dubstep instrumental, a track that undoubtedly appealed to different groups and matched the thought-provoking suit simultaneously set by other dubstep acts. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRnDIXsGIyc&ob=av2e

Emeli Sandé with Next to Me

It’s no secret that over the last few years’ young, musical talent has been pouring out of the UK and the Scottish, soul singer Emeli Sandé is the epitome of this, as one of the brightest young talents emerging from “Team UK”. Unique and edgy Sandé’s voice has echoes of the late Etta James (Good Feeling.)

Her latest single Next to Me is a passionate, heartfelt tune with upbeat pace, a pacey drum beat with melodic piano tune is the perfect accompaniment for Sandé’s beautiful soulful voice. The song has a simple message about how Sandé has a man who is willing to stick by her through thick and thin, she sings, “you won't ever find him being unfaithful you will find him, you'll find him next to me.” Beautiful and a pleasant break away from all the break-up related songs around these days.

It’s a gospel-inspired tune with a modern-twist, that leaves you with a warm glow. A beautifully catchy tune with a feet-tapping rhythm, that just makes you want to dance. If Next to Me, along with Sandé’s earlier singles Heaven and Daddy, is anything to go by, her forthcoming album Our Version of Events is going to be something special so keep locked in for that!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nwdjQmc_N8&ob=av2n

Coldplay’s new sound, bringing Charlie Brown to life

A few years ago when posed the question, “Do you like Coldplay?” the natural response would either be, “Yeah, I love them!” or “no, I find them quite depressing” Welcome Summer 2011 and Coldplay are back with a new vibe and a new sound with the first single off of their latest album Mylo Xyloto titled Every Teardrop is a Waterfall. This was followed by their second single chart-topping single Paradise reaping over 60 million Youtube views, an outstanding feat rare with modern rock bands.

Recently “cracking America” with Viva La Vida, which won best rock album at the 2009 Grammy Awards, their sound has really developed, from the slow, melancholic ballads of Fix You and The Scientist to a brighter, “arena” sound. Paradise is an uplifting, inspiring tune which still keeps the stirring strings and powerful lyrics, which Coldplay are renowned for, intact.

New single Charlie Brown continues with this positive, celebratory feel. Themes of being carefree, young and living life in the fast lane are potent. The song seems to ascend initially with the lyrics, “In my scarecrow dreams, when they smash might heart into smithereens”, a beautiful rhyme describing the struggles lead singer Chris Martin perhaps faced, however this progresses into rhymes like, “Light a fire, light a spark, light a fire, a flame in my heart.” Martin is clearly a passionate person, as any songwriter has to be, and this shows he had the self-belief and fervency to overcome his difficulties and live care-free and without inhibitions.

Their X Factor performance in late 2011 was probably the first time many people would have heard their new single Charlie Brown and stealing the show would be an understatement. Transforming Wembley Arena with vibrant colour in the form of wristbands and glowsticks and anthemic tunes. This theme was continued for the Charlie Brown video. The symbolism used lyrically in the song, has been directly reflected in the video, with elements of Rihanna's We Found Love and Katy Perry's Firework, it shows two-lovers in search of each other and being united earlier in the video than would have been expected, alternating with scenes of a rave scene, similar to that of their X Factor performance, with the band performing surrounded by people dancing with glowsticks and happiness. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTFBJgnNgU4

True Tiger and P Money talk Slang Like This

“Show me the money!” shout fans before P Money arrives on stage and it’s not hard to see why there is such excitement for this South London Grime MC, from the hard-hitting Anthemic with dubstep supergroup Magnetic Man to Slang Like This with True Tiger. Releasing only a few tracks of their own, where quality has undeniably been preferred over quantity, the Tigers have produced and remixed for the likes of Snoop Dogg, Kelly Rowland and the fresh talent Maverick Sabre.

Continuing on with the theme of their production for Professor Green’s Jungle, True Tiger have chosen the urban culture for their second single Slang Like This. The song centres around colloquialisms used in London and the UK, P Money raps, “Safe, you get me, brederin, cous….” While some may argue the lyrics are simplified, it shows originality in a way no other track has encapsulated and packaged Urban life to more of a mainstream, “Vevo” market in this way. The video is shot in a London estate and shows people of different ages and races using the slang, showing that words like “safe” and “blud” can unite. As P Money explains “All the suit wearing guys in cities can't stand us / they don't understand us when we speak in slang like this,” misunderstood?

All in all, a gritty, powerful track, dishonourably underrated and shows how dubstep can incorporate and cross genres with style and edge in a way that other categories struggle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp8uWXgPnZc&ob=av2e