Brummy boys bring back the 90s

Once in a while a refreshing new artist bursts on to the scene and does one of two things - either, introduce the world to a sound that simply has never been heard before (take Daft Punk in the early 90's), and then there's the fresh faces that come and reinvent a sound from a generation before their time - enter, Swim Deep. The Birmingham four-piece of , who a few days ago released their debut album, have brought a Summery feel-good factor to the type of Indie-pop that was last seen of The Kooks.

The album titles origins, Where the Heaven Are We, couldn't have embodied the Indie-rocker lifestyle better if it had tried. Austin Williams, lead-singer describes how the band were stoned in their van in an unknown location, he heard someone say, "Where the hell are we?" While he was looking outside really deep in thought and said, "Where the heaven are we?" After a quick google to ensure the title hadn't been previously taken, 'Where the heaven are we' was born.

With a sound very comparable to Two Door Cinema Club, whom the band incidentally supported on their February 2013 UK tour, the album sounds almost purposefully designed for the festival-circuit. It's bouncy synth-pop right from the off with the almost celebratory-sounding 'Fransisco', Following this is the absolutely marvellous, 'King City', a rousing piece of music, with idealisitic lyrics, perfectly captured by the line, "Fuck your romance, I wanna pretend that Jenny Lee Lindberg is my girlfriend." Both 'Honey' and 'Colour Your Ways' add a moody mix to the album.

The band describe their biggest influence as the weather, writing most of their songs in winter, clearly their creativity can run far more freely calling upon imagination as opposed to reality. 'The Sea' is a superbly written, tranquil track that is so alike something of the Britpop generation, it could have been pulled straight from The Great Escape (Blur's fourth album). 'She Changes the Weather' is the perfect outro, combining a very catchy melodic tune with Swim Deep's rock/pop flavour. Classically captivating that wets the appetite for more from the boys.

Critically, 'Where the heaven are we' has been largely met with praise, with some however disputing the album as simply repackaged pop from the 90s, but the upbeat, yet moody tones combined make it an utterly intriguing, compelling listen.

Glasto 2014 headliners

As the festival season wears on I've been deep in thought as to just who next years Glastonbury's headliners will be. As I watched the wall-to-wall coverage of Glasto this year and of course the historic Rolling Stones set I did wonder, have all the biggest acts been exhausted by world-renowned event? The answer was of course no. Take Eminem for example, the veteran rapper has had arguably the most successful career of the 2000s, with The Rolling Stone (incidentally) describing him as the undisputed King of Hip Hop, yet he has never played Glastonbury. With his eighth album in the pipeline and a headline show at Reading/Leeds this year, surely the time has come for Marshall to sing for the moment in Somerset!

Then there's The Prodigy, the controversial electronic rockers last headlined Glastonbury in 1997, having recently played the likes of Germany's Rock Am Ring, and last years Download Festival, arguably more of a challenge given its metal status.

Strong rumours have also arisen that Michael Eavis might persuade Adele to give up her infamous "no festivals" attitude to live performances for a headline set next year. The Essex diva reprimanded,  "I will not do festivals, the thought of an audience that big frightens the life out of me. I don't think the music would work either." But Glastonbury bosses have proved anything is possible by using all their powers of persuasion to capture the Stones this year for their legendary set.

With Elton John and his band headlining the increasingly popular Bestival at the beginning of September there's no reason the Rocket Man wouldn't delight at Glastonbury. Meanwhile, Foo Fighters and Kasabian are the bookies favourites for next Summer, with neither having ever played at the Somerset farm festival. Daft Punk are massively tipped to appear, but it is unlikely the French duo are a big enough draw to headline.

Here are the Sound System predictions:

Headliners:  
Foo Fighters                              
New Order
Eminem

Rumours:
Green Day
Adele
The Stone Roses
Prince
New Order
Elton John

Oustide Bet:
Oasis
David Bowie
Metallica
Pink Floyd

More than the Music

As I watched the BBC's steadfast coverage at Glastonbury Festival last month it struck me that the music really isn't central  to the historic event. Naturally, any music festival that possesses organisers with enough tenacity to encourage a group of phenomenally successful 70-odd year olds as The Rolling Stones to headline it's Saturday slot means that something has to gone seriously right with it's Main (Pyramid) stage, but in my eyes, it wasn't that that put it a cut above it's up and coming festival competition. It's that Glastonbury really is more than just about the music, and other festivals should take note!

You can enjoy such attractions as the spectacular Arcadia, Shangri La's heaven or hell or even a visit to Worthy farm's very own Arctic Circle thanks to Greenpeace! But it's not just Glasto that's managed to embrace this free-for-all of fun. With the prestigious award of Best Major Festival 2012 at the UK Festival Awards going to Bestival, it is clear the Isle of Wight's once very much secondary music festival has embraced this all-encompassing festival experience. With enough of a line-up to wet the appetite of virtually every music fan this year, with the most dissimilar but hotly anticipated headline sets from Elton John, Snoop Dogg and Fatboy Slim, whilst the festivals infamous Club Dada keeps those hoping for more of a disorientating festival experience entertained! The four-day event also boasts a  fully-fledged amphitheatre, numerous art exhibitions and an inflatable church, and yes you can get married there!

I recall watching one of BBC Three's later-night reports at Glastonbury a couple of years ago an attraction where you essentially had to walk through a house, brimming with very convincing actors to arrive at the core of what can only be described as a very rowdy-rave. But it all does beg the question, how much of all this is really necessary? Pukkelpop, yes the one that was devestated by an horrific thunderstorm 2 years ago, where the stage collapsed claiming 5 people's lives, has sold-out, whilst both Reading & Leeds, as well as Bestival have failed to. With Pukkelpop, offering both the somewhat notorious Eminem and The Prodigy, whilst the beloved XX close the weekend, are headliners all that matters?

Ultimately, it varies from person to person, for some, seeing their favourite artists is absolutely everything, whilst for others, trying and seeing different experiences are what it's all about - personally I'd recommend a festival that offers the best of both!

                                         Bestival's amphitheatre setting in 2012

Creativity is as natural as the sky and the sea, don't force it!

Just as I contribute to this page whenever I feel I have something inciteful to offer, I am of the opinion that the same should be said of music artists. I recall reading an article about the massively successful Manchester-duo, Hurts, following their Glastonbury set 2 years ago which received wonderful plaudits, they described their writing process as a state-of mind. Singer, Theo Hutchcraft stated that he feel "depressed", to be able to write meaningfully, it was that that got me thinking why do some artists remain relevant after a chart-topping debut album and others fade into the abyss of the music archive of unvisted Youtube pages.

Creativity, and the writing process itself must not be forced, artists need to be well, artists. It really is as simple as that. But, it is not simple, that's why to remain relevant and develop a sound that attracts warm critical reception, an artist needs to evolve. Coldplay, immediately spring to mind of a band who have accomplished this with a phenomenal degree of success. Their American counterparts, One Republic did a similar thing to Coldplay's beloved Mylo Xyloto, with Native, creating a new, refreshed upbeat-tempo sound, stirring melodies, combined with Ryan Tedder's  captivating songwriting and the result, was their most successful charting album to date. Both these arena-filling bands took their time, developing their sound, clearly with One Republic's worldwide touring experiences influencing Native, to give it it's atmospheric energy.

Whilst I wouldn't want to single out one, particular genre, it seems alot of hip-hop hasn't embraced this approach. But perhaps it is rap's status-driven environment that has seen Jay Z bring out Magna Carta...the Holy Grail, as a piece of work, far too prematurely and in no way rivalling the sheer revolutionary influence that Reasonable Doubt and the first Blueprint conveyed. He's run of ideas, raps depicting his lifestyle are no longer interesting. To me at least, Jay Z has become inferior to his own protégé, Kanye West, whom has musically innovated throughout his career, reinventing himself into an alternative movement, comparable to that of The Beatles. 

Music is natural, it needs to stay that way, there's never any harm in a break from music, Eminem showed us that following Relapse. 

Daughter debut If you Leave

Earlier in the year the London-trio, Daughter released their debut album, 'If you Leave', but given their distinguishably, refreshing sound I thought it was only right to cover it now. The first thing you really notice about the album is its very subtle, acoustic energy, commanding more thought and depth than a hefty novel.

Lead-singer, Elena Tonra is vocally effortless and it really is that that makes her songs so instantly accessible, combined with the simplicity of the lyrics. Landfill, one of the stand-out tracks on the album really entails the way in which it tenaciously explores a very instincitve side of human relationships. The theme of this is poignant throughout, but really does make beautiful listening, the lyric, "you can steal me awake with your eyes" in the song Touch, shows this poetically. Tonra's vocals flow harmlessly, with the occasional rousing chorus, particularly in the album's undoubted stand-out track, Youth, which is set to be released as an official single next month, contains the records most intense tempo.

The guitaring from both Tonra, as well as lead-guitarist Igor Haefeli, is almost tangible in the way it communicates the passion of the tunes. As the tracks progress, the more upbeat Human is a welcome entry with enough energy to turn on floodlights, with those rippling acoustic bass-lines congregated by a moody burst of drums (courtesy of drummer Remi Agueillia) providing more of an edge. The penultimate track Amsterdam then brings back that very acoustic feeling to the album, with a sort of darker connection, unsurprising given its title. The imagery here is utterly compelling.

After just one listen to, 'If you Leave', it isn't hard to see why Daughter were signed by British independent record-label, 4AD - which also boasts the likes of Bon Iver and the Big Pink on its books. The album itself mainly explores the themes of love and loss in quite brilliant depth and intensity. I was recommended the record because of its unique, engaging energy and it lives up to that description and more. One of those albums that has that very live, natural element, which is so precious.

Brit's 2013

So last night saw the return of the Brit's to London's O2 Arena. It was a memorable night with some epic performances. Although I do hope the Brit's search for a new host is already well underway given James Corden's less than impressive job, with some very unfunny jokes and utterly rude remarks!

Here are all the performances and awards in the order they appeared on the night...

Performance: Muse - Supremacy           8.9/10

Explosive, high-octane performance of their new single from new album The 2nd Law. Matt Bellamy was vocally perfect; a truly captivating start to proceedings.

Award: British Female Solo Artist:          Winner: Emeli Sande

Presented by a gorgeous Taylor Swift with some standard accent-aimed jokes from the American. Deserved winner, great talent and always surprising given the Soulful-Scot's wonderful voice such a strong Scottish accent!

Performance: Robbie Williams - Candy     7.8/10

Typical Robbie swagger and cheek, still got the ability to work the crowd - very catchy tune, sung pretty well, although breathless at times but we can forgive the national treasure for that. Thankfully the man is not past his sell-by date!

Award: British Group               Winner: Mumford & Sons

Presented by Simon Pegg and the bond-girl Berenice Marlohe. Pure, unadalterated talent, could argue a fresher band like Alt-J deserved the accolade, but the phenonemally successful band were humble and grateful.

Award: British Breakthrough Act            Winner: Ben Howard

Given by the very irritating Nick Grimshaw. Fully deserved - Every Kingdom is a masterpiece and Howard's live sets are, without fail, mesmerising.

Performance: Justin Timberlake  -Mirrors                7.5//10

World-exclusive. Charming, couple of flat notes and while JT not back to his best, better than the uninteresting 'Suit and Tie'. Hasn't aged a day!

Award: British Male                 Winner: Ben Howard

Presented by Ed Sheeran. Doubling his awkward speech tally, bless him, thoroughly justified winner. Plan B also deserved recognition for the revolutionary Ill Manors' however but there can only be one winner.

Award: Critic's Choice               Winner: Tom Odell

First male winner in this category, astonishing talent. Emeli Sande, having previously won this award, described it brilliantly, advising Tom, "Just use it as encouragement", hopefully Tom lives up to the hype and the bar tunes like 'Another Love' have set.

Award: International Female Solo Artist        Winner: Lana Del Rey

Presented by Dermot O'Leary and an attention-grabbing Sharon Osborne. Such a beautiful girl and vocalist. "I've turned my life into a work of Art." She can get away with a comment like that however, she is Lana and we've discovered tonight she actually lives in London! Good choice girl!

Performance: One Direction - One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)      5.8/10

Less said about these boys utter destruction of Teenage Kicks the better, but at least they didn't mime.

Award: Best British Live Act              Winner: Coldplay

Presented by Louis Smith and Jack Whitehall (potential host anyone?) Well earned award. Captivating, unique live performances. Played a ridiculous amount of shows in last tour of over 100  to a combined audience of over 2 million! Astounding.

Award: Best British Single                  Winner: Adele - Skyfall

Given out by Tom Daley and Jonathan Ross. Rudimental's Feel the Love deserved the award. A thoroughly overrated tune, only made the huge success it was with it's Soundtrack-Status.

Performance: Taylor Swift - I knew you were Trouble             4.5/10

Without a doubt worst performance of the night. The girl looked stunning but vocals sadly did not match, missed more notes than she hit when she wasn't miming over the backing track!

Award: International Group                  Winner: The Black Keys

Presented by the Rock-God that is, Dave Grohl. The most rock 'n' roll of the nominees, well deserved from the college-dropout's.

Performance: Ben Howard - Only Love            8.1/10

Plucking his guitar like a friendly, country folk which incidentally is exactly what the 25 year old Devonian is! Distinctive, effortless voice, a truly talented musician.

 Award: International Male Solo Artist          Winner - Frank Ocean

Presented by Jourdan Dunn and Rafe Spall. Talented writer and singer, creative tunes, R&B in it's artistic field, "Thank you Damien Hirst for the Polka Dots", commented Ocean after receiving the Damien Hirst designed Brit Award.

Award: Special Recognition - War Child

Giving hope to the young, innocent victims of War. Award taken by an amusingly highly-intoxicated Damon Albarn.

Performance: Mumford & Son's - I Will Wait           8.5/10

Energetic, passionate performance, had a very live feel to it with all the boy's strumming/tapping/plucking/hitting their respective instruments! Marcus Mumford humble as ever, a true British gent.

Award: Mastercard British Album of the Year    Winner: Emeli Sande - Our Version of Events

Given by Brian ferry. The most prestigious award of the Brit's with coverage throughout the evening. The album spent 53 weeks in the top 10 official album charts. "Heaven", "Next to Me", "Daddy", the list goes on of hits she has created that have touched her legions of fans, a lovely person as well! Plan B's 'ill Manors' was an important record as a social comment but Emeli deserved the award.

Award: Global Success                 Winner: One Direction

How did Mumford and Sons get toppled by these talentless twats?

Performance: Emeli Sande - Clown/Next to Me                9.2/10

Performance of the night, fully crediting her two awards. Utterly spellbinding!

Brit's 2013 All you need to know!

There are now just three weeks to go until arguably the biggest worldwide music event, the Brit Awards sponsored by Master Card. The great event will be held of course at London's O2 Arena (where else!) and once again hosted by James Corden, some fresh blood I believe is needed in the hosting respect but never mind. Performances will come from Singer-Songwriter's Ben Howard as well as Emeli Sande, Mumford and Sons after what has been a monumental year for them, One Direction sadly, but most interestingly will be the return of Robbie Williams to the Brit's stage!

Here are all the nominations and some Sound System thoughts.

British Male Solo Artist: 

• Ben Howard
• Calvin Harris
• Olly Murs
• Plan B
• Richard Hawkley

Just missed out - Labrinth 

Sound System predicts - Ben Howard

British Female Solo Artist:

• Amy Winehouse
• Bat for Lashes
• Emeli Sande
• Jessie Ware
• Paloma Faith

Just missed out - Delilah

Sound System predicts - Jessie Ware

British Breakthrough Act:

• Alt-J
• Ben Howard
• Jake Bugg
• Jessie Ware
• Rita Ora

Just missed out - Rudimental

Sound System predicts - Alt-J

British Group:

• Alt-J
• Mumford & Sons
• Muse
• One Direction
• The XX

Just missed out - The Kaiser Chief's

Sound System predicts - Mumford & Son's

British Single of the Year:

• Adele - Skyfall
• Alex Clare - Too Close
• Coldplay & Rihanna - Princess of China
• DJ Fresh ft Rita Ora - Hot Right Now
• Emeli Sande - Next to Me
• Florence and The Machine - Spectrum (Say My Name)
• James Arthur - Impossible
• Jessie J - Domino
• Labrinth ft Emeli Sande - Beneath your Beautiful 
• Olly Murs ft Flo Rida - Troublemaker
• Rita Ora ft Tinie Tempah - R.I.P
• Rizzle Kicks - Mama do the Hump
• Robbie Williams - Candy
• Rudimental ft John Newman - Feel the Love
• Stooshe - Black Heart

Just missed out:  Example - Say Nothing

Sound System Predicts: Adele - Skyfall

Mastercard British Album of the Year:

• Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
• Emeli Sande - Our Version of Events
• Mumford & Sons - Babel
• Paloma Faith - Fall to Grace
• Plan B - Ill Manors

Just missed out: Ellie Goulding - Halcyon

Sound System Predicts: Mumford & Sons - Babel

International Male Solo Artist:

• Bruce Springsteen
• Frank Ocean
• Gotye
• Jack White
• Michael Buble

Just missed out - Jason Mraz

Sound System Predicts: Gotye

International Female Solo Artist:

• Alicia Keys
• Cat Power
• Lana Del Rey
• Rihanna
• Taylor Swift

Just missed out - Nicki Minaj

Sound System Predicts: Lana Del Rey

International Group: 

• Alabama Shakes
• The Black Keys
• Fun.
• The Killers
• The Script

Just missed out - The Lumineers

Sound System Predicts - The Killers

British Producer of the Year:

• Damon Albarn
• Jake Gosling
• Paul Epworth

Just missed out - Alex Da Kid

Sound System Predicts - Paul Epworth

Best Live Act:

• Coldplay
• Mumford & Sons
• Muse
• The Rolling Stones
• The Vaccines

Just missed out - Chase and Status

Sound System Predicts - Coldplay

Brit's Global Success:

• Adele
• Mumford & Sons
• One Direction

Just missed out - Rita Ora

Sound System Predicts: Mumford & Sons

Critics Choice:

• Tom Odell
• Aluna George
• Laura Mvula

Sound System Predicts - Tom Odell

Special Recognition Award:

War Child

Skylar Grey - C'mon Let Me Ride

Having already penned the chorus of Love the way you Lie, as well as beautifully singing the hook on I need a Doctor, Holly Brook Hoffermann, known worldwide as Skylar Grey was without doubt owed something by Eminem, until now. Seeing a glorious return to his infamous sense of humour (still without summoning a smile in the whole video), Skylar's latest single, which features Mr Mathers himself, is pure brilliance. C'mon Let me Ride, has been met with a very mixed reception, probably intentionally, but the reason for this is mainly misinterpretation.

The music industry is sick of 'sluts' singing about sex. Plain and simple. But you only have to scroll down the comments under this video to see the public's belief that this is another one of those meaningless tunes. Ironically, however, it is a parody of that type of music. Although let's face it, this is pretty blatent. It's hilariously provocative, with a hook of "C'mon let me Ride your bicycle, it's so fantasticle on your bicycle..." Yet it is very catchy and the style of the tune is astoundingly reminiscent of P!nk in her earlier days. Eminem's verse is captivating, although really when does he ever disappoint? His flow isn't what it was, but he's less shouty than on the Bad Meets Evil album, and with a verse that includes the likes of Mick Jagger, Alan Iverson and Godzilla you know it's worth a listen.

Quite amusingly the Youtube video is positioned right next to a picture of Kesha; probably one of Skylar's targets with the tune. It's set in a woodland caravan site, with Skylar posing as a lumberjack, as well as a player on a 'bicycle', mocking the three classic, blonde, beauty-queen type girls around that are posing for the locals. Skylar herself is pretty hot though, it has to be said.  Em's dressed like the real Slim from his Detroit roots, Shady's back.

Whatever you think of Miss Grey, it is with debate she is a pure unadulterated talent, with a whole host of collaborations in her back-pocket that could rival anyone. Her forthcoming album Don't Look Down, featuring C'mon Let me Ride and Invisible, is set to be released later this year.

Why Detox will never be released...

...or at least not as the massively anticipated LP that was set to feature the likes of Beyonce, Snoop Dogg and of course Dr Dre's original protege, Eminem. Dr Dre proved he hasn't lost his music-making and performing talents performing at the world-renowned Coachella Festival 2012, alongside the infamous Tupac Shakur hologram as well releasing his 2010's single's 'Kush' and 'I need a doctor', which featured Snoop Dogg and Akon, as well as Eminem and Skylar Grey respectively.

But according to n interview with 50 Cent, a close friend of Dre's who was originally signed to his record label in 2003, 50 made  it clear it's unlikely the full-album that was originally planned will go through. Interviewed in Paris 50 said, Dre has returned to his home in the studio producing for other artists, commenting, "He's successful with Jimmy with Beats (headphones) … I'm not sure if he's going to actually release a full CD or if he wants to just release the music that he's comfortable with. He might do an EP or something like that – five or six songs."

Now I'm a great defendant of hip-hop today, the recurrent phrase that is sometimes banded around of how, "hip-hop is dead", is to me completely inaccurate. But the increased commercialisation of modern-day music is something you cannot deny or hide from. Product placement has without doubt gone too far. Roll back ten or so years and something like this would have never been considered by such an artist as Eminem, but the most blatent example of it appeared in his 2010, Not Afraid video, with a close up on Nike trainers that seemed to last a lifetime. Music videos are now packed with advertising, in Lady Gaga's Telephone video featuring Beyonce, there were 9, yes 9! Separate examples of it with the likes of Diet Coke, Virgin Mobile and Wonderbread (if you can believe that) being advertised. 

In a recent interview with Ice Cube he observed, "What would you rather sell somebody: $300 headphones or a $10 tape?" Sadly, a small proportion of music today is controlled by PR, music videos represent a fantastic opportunity for big corporations. It seems to me as though Dre has fallen into this trap.

Whether Dr Dre releases Detox as a full LP or not remains to be seen, the stage of building hype has gone, fans have lost interest and to me the whole concept of Detox was a publicity stunt thought up in a plush Californian office to reignite interest to Dr Dre's name, and ultimately his brand, sad really. 

Alt-J present an awesome wave

The first thing any true fan will know about British-band Alt-J, is that this in fact is simply how their name is spoken, written, it is represented by a simple triangle. Sadly, my iPad did not have this feature, a shame given that it would have given this post the Alt-J indie stamp. This feature of the band, the initial inclination that opens up to the whole world of the quirky-style of the four Leeds University graduates.

It was in their second year of university where the band were first in the making, Joe Newman (guitar/vocals) came to Gwil Sainsbury (guitarist/bassist) with some demos he had developed inspired by his Father, who was also a musician and the two began collaborating helped by incidentally the Apple software GarageBand. Before graduating the pair met Thom Green (drums) and Gus Unger-Hamilton (keyboards), who interestingly studied Fine Art in contrast to the other three who graduated in English Literature the four moved to Cambridge. After two years of honing their skill and developing their sound the band signed to Infectious Records in 2011 and created their debut-album, An Awesome Wave.

Their sound is the musical version of The Mighty Boosh, unique, brilliant and something not everyone will get. With a compelling concoction of gentle-folk guitars, catchy keyboard melodies and pacey hip-hop/dub drum-beats, the band truly have something that sets them apart. But it is not just this they have in their arsenal, lyrically their music is fascinating, take Matilda the first single released from An Awesome Wave as an example, it describes the holy demise of Leon and the sickeningly corrupt drugged-up Detective Stansfield in the finale of Luc Besson's 1994 film:Leon. For a band that could easily be labelled as Pop-Rock this is different to say the least.

Other notable tunes, include the uplifting Something Good, an escape to harsh realities of a relationship with drugs, hum-provoking yet still with a chilled-vibe and Breezeblocks which is based on Maurice Sendak's  children book, Where the Wild Things Are. Whilst the band thanked their parents for not making them get "real jobs" in their Mercury-Awards winning speech, it is without doubt they have used their literature studies in composing their music.

The record is exquisitely well-rounded and never seems contrived, provoking-thought at every corner. Whilst in the mainstream-market not managing to score that highly, they have been widely recognised in the UK Indie-scene and with spots at some of the top festivals last Summer, including Reading and Leeds and T in the Park, the band have achieved greatly and will no doubt continue to.