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Now, I'm not exactly the biggest fan of country music, but add in some pop and a catchy hook or two-- and even the Swedes will turn their heads (or ears rather) around. Hertfordshire-based artist Chloe Swaby proves that overlapping synths and electronic sampling are no substitues for organic instruments in her country pop debut EP Gypsy Lane.
She's the girl all the music bloggers have been buzzing about, and with good reason. Neon Hitch is interesting, to say the least. To start off, Neon Hitch is, in fact, her real name. She's also a trapeze artist, stiltwalker, and fireswinger. Can you say WHOA?
Besides Neon Hitch's rather rich background, she's also involved in Ke$ha's Blah Blah Blah and 3OH!3's Follow Me Down, and has worked with the likes of Jason Derulo, mega-producer Cathy Dennis, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, and ex-American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, who ended up in signing her to Warner Brothers.
Get Over U, her upcoming debut that recently premiered on ArjanWrites, is produced by Benny Blanco (Teenage Dream, Dynamite, to name a few) and co-written by Australian pop warbler Sia. With those names, you're probably wondering, "does the song live up to expectations?" Absolutely. That and more. Get Over U is like a genius blend of an incredible pop song: a sprinkle of Kylie, a dash of Robyn, a pinch of synthtastic beats, a teaspoon of Lights, and heck, throw in a good litre of mellow disco for good measure. Basically, what I'm trying to articulate, is that Get Over U is fantastic and straight away makes my shortlist for best song of 2011. And it's only January.
As another new year rears its enormous intimidating head, we put to rest our overplayed songs of 2010 in search of unheard quality music. POP from the Block got eerily silent in the past month (I hope someone out there misses the updates!) but things have been sorted out. Long story short, PftB is BACK!
Walking on the fine line between singer-songwriter and mainstream pop-rock, 16 year-old Sarah Solovay is quite a musical treat. You might have heard Hearts Collide(All She on popular TV drama 90210, or a handful of her other songs on NBC, MTV, and TNT. The NYC singer also opened for John Mayer and Train. Not too shabby now, is she?
Sarah Solovay's music is chock full of intense guitar riffs and solid drum beats, all laced together with contagious lyrics. It's a formula that's definitely familiar, but don't be too quick to dismiss it as typical pop-rock music because it cleverly balances the 'usualness' of mainstream sounds and the signature quirks of singer-songwriter material.
Or in this case, don't judge an artist by his name.
Hailing from the land Down Under, Ry Cuming loves nothing more than the beaches of his coastal home. Ever since he took to his father's surfboard at the age of three, he has dedicated most of his time on the water, going professional and picking up sponsorships along the way.
Though his devotion to surfing is rock-solid, music comes a close second, slowly crawling its way up. And the way his songs sound so far, Ry Cuming has every reason to put his tunes on top priority. He's achieved two Australian Dolphin Awards for Best Pop Song and Best New Artist, plus a musical appearance alongside Maroon 5 in the movie Hoot. ALL of these things happened before his self-titled album was released.
Ry Cuming's lax attitude reflects profoundly in his music. Some Kind of Love is perfect for the summer, a dashboard tune as I'd say. The album is filled with rich, feelgood, pop/rock songs that emulate a little bit of Jeff Buckley, Ry Cuming's most prominent influence. Always Remember Me is a beautiful, intimate, acoustic number with Sara Bareilles lending her ever-stunning vocals to the track. Ry turns Chris Martin-esque in Is This Love, and veers towards dark rock n' roll in the tantalizing Chemistry. Soaring choruses are nothing amiss, especially in City of Lights where Ry tugs on a few heartstrings as he croons about a long-distance relationship.
Lyric-wise, Ry Cuming asserts himself as a romantic, citing that relationships and girls have always been sources of inspiration for his craft. Ry Cuming possesses a certain 'mainstreamness' and familiarity that makes it easy for us to warm to his music.
I'm always a little late to these things, aren't I?
'Quite new' British boyband The Wanted are proving to be a very promising lot, having received tons of praises for their debut single, All Time Low. It's been floating around since May, and I seriously have no idea why I've ignored this until now, and I'm certainly glad a little boredom and curiosity urged me to give it a go.
All Time Low is a pleasant surprise. I braced myself for cheesy hooks and generic love-jabbing lines, and what came through my speakers was this mature, not-your-average-boyband, quality tune with strong lyrics. I honestly couldn't care less if they ripped off that brilliant string section! The way I see it, The Wanted represents a boyband crossbreed, one that is still eligible for fangirl-hounding and at the same time possesses enough musicality to be taken seriously.
Based on the video, let me introduce the members of The Wanted in their assigned colours (since The Saturdays aren't exactly doing this at the moment):
Max, the most vocally present one. (PHWOAR!) Tom, Austin Drage's lost twin. Siva, sexiest name ever. Nathan, master of the 'boyband hand gestures'. Jay, the victor in pulling off sad faces.
All Time Low is set for a #1 debut on the UK charts this week. This band is ace.
Remember the little club stomper I featured way back called Blackout? Well the geniuses behind that contagious rave track have been hard at work with their protégé, Samuel, and his debut EP, I Heart NY. So who exactly is Samuel, and why does he heart NY?
Well first off, obviously he IS from the "concrete jungle where dreams are made of", and at an early age took part in a string of bands, garnering some indie label attention. But it was when he met DJ B-Roc of production duo The Knocks that Samuel decided to go solo, and I Heart NY became the product of their partnership.
The three-track EP is incredibly lush, with each track presenting a different perspective and taste, showing off Samuel's versatility. In the title track, Samuel croons an ode to New York, crafting a breezy summer anthem, ridiculously catchy and the rich production is just the cherry on top. Champagne Kisses is an old school soul number with throbbing synths and electric guitar whiffs that send me over the moon. It's got an INSANELY contagious vibe keen on keeping your toes on the dancefloor all night long. Still Here features a string section meshed with shimmery synthesizers and a soaring chorus, creating a mini explosion of pop.
It's ludicrous how this pop-star-to-be manages to pull three equally brilliant yet totally dissimilar tracks whilst preserving that 'Samuel' element essential in maintaining a certain 'togetherness' in the EP(that DOES make sense, right?). The level of potential in I Heart NY is CRAZY HIGH, and it won't surprise me if Samuel goes on to be a massive success, which I hope he does. A diamond in the rough, this one.
I Heart NY is now available on iTunes, so what are you waiting for?
A post along these lines is way overdue. so here's a little glimpse of what's currently getting massive plays in the world of Pop from the Block...
Aphrodite. "I'm fierce and I'm feeling mighty!" Fierce and mighty are the two exact words I'd use in describing the title track (besides amazing, brilliant, eargasmic etc etc) to Miss Minogue's eleventh LP. It's THE power song of the album, and every time I hear it I have the urge to strut on my imaginary catwalk.
Sex and Violence. Taken from the Scissor Sister's 3rd longplayer, it's one of the most interesting tracks in Night Work and it's absolutely GENIUS from the captivating lyrics to the throbbing synths.
King of Anything. Ah, Sara Bareilles. After hearing snippets of some of her songs on the upcoming Kaleidoscope Heart LP, I'm buzzing with excitement (especially since there's a potential Gravity 2.0) and the first single is nothing short of a catchy, fun, fuck you pop number.
Misery. I have to admit, I didn't exactly warm to the song at first listen, but it gets better and better, especially when it's accompanied by a sexy, violent video where Adam's girlfriend toys with switchblades and rockets.
Cupid Boy. I am in LOVE with this track (along with erm, a 'couple' more). The guitar streak at the beginning sets the mood for the song, intense and sensual. Mmm...
So who's aching for some fresh talent in the music scene approved by top producers Calvin Harris and Dallas Austin, hm? Get ready for RICHARD JAY, one serious pop prodigy at seventeen(!), who's quite a busy bee in the studio as he writes, records, produces, and masters his own material. He's been floating around the interwebs for some time, garnering the interest of BBC and thus being featured on a variety of radio shows. The young aspirant is also taking part in the latest Converse campaign promoting new talents on the block, to which they described Richard Jay as a "creative centipede".
We're all in for artists who create their music in a do-it-yourself manner, and the electropop genre Jay dabbles in suits him well. His breezy, effortless songs are perforated with sparkly synths and 'nonchalant' warbling that provide no less than a lush listening experience. His best one so far is the glittery Today which features nattily layered vocals against throbbing synthesizers. Honestly, Jay reminds me of a certain 'kickass' seventeen year old who's one of Pop from the Block's favorites, and there's been some buzz that he'll be working with her soon!
Aside from Today, Richard Jay has a couple more interesting tracks that's bound to have you groveling (okay a little exaggerated there) for more. Have a listen below.
So I've thrown a flurry (OKAY maybe two or three) of new artists here the past few days, because there's just a lot of very fresh and exciting tunes circling the web. The latest one that dropped in my inbox is Painkillers by Lauren Pritchard. She was part of the original broadway cast of Spring Awakening, and after that signed to a US label who "wanted to make here all sugar-coated and saccharine" so Lauren ended the deal and moved to the UK, getting picked up by Island Records.
Painkillers is by no means 'sugar-coated' or 'saccharine'. It's a soulful little number, reminiscent of Adele and Duffy, among others. The broody ambiance of the track completely matches the vocal ability of Lauren, rich and powerful yet very controlled. Another song of hers, When The Night Kills The Day, is a piano-led sweeper: dark, haunting, and gorgeous. Lauren Pritchard possesses a certain depth that is very welcome to my ears, and an 'IT' factor that just oozes with potential.
Swedish popstrel Kerima has set her sights on cracking the mean US market, and she's come with a dance smash perfect for summer parties. She may look like your typical pop tart, but Kerima Holm has written songs for many artists, including Swedish Idol winner Agnes Carlsson, selling two million records to date (ooh la la). She aims to be the biggest Swedish import since Ace of Base with This Night. The Eric LeTennen-produced track is a total club stomper, sleek and easy on the ears. It sounds very euro, but not to the point that it alienates the American listener.
This song is so genuinely 'clubby' that if you noticed I implied the same thing over and over in the paragraph above. Oh dear, this is another one of those 'close but not quite' artist features/reviews (which is actually a good thing, by the way).
I'd like to apologise for bombarding the front page with music videos because first and foremost, college is eating away all my spare time; and second, there's been a surge in promo videos for songs that I quite like and/or buzzworthy ones.
Now let me talk about that lovely lady in the photo above (this post is way overdue). Eliza Doolittle is a British singer/songwriter who came up with a very good, skippy, pop/folk tune called Skinny Genes, which you've probably heard of already (I'm so late, I KNOW!). For those who haven't got a clue, all you need to know is that it's very good and you should listen to it ASAP.
On July 5th Eliza will be releasing her second single, Pack Up, another happy affair with an old school-ish aftertaste, and features Lloyd Wade on the main hooks, which I find rather 'authentic' and brilliant to be followed by her debut album, Eliza Doolittle, on July 12th.
Here's the video for Skinny Genes (FUNtastic video, if I may add.):
A while back, I vowed to "GO MAD AND SPLASH VIRTUAL SCALDING TEA" on a certain artist's record label if they as so much dare to layer her vocals with autotuning. That 'certain artist' is no other than Pop from the Block's favorite not-so-new-on-the-music-scene-but-still-a-newcomer artist Emma Deigman, or Edei for short. I've already sang praises for her incredibly good upcoming debut single In My Bed, and I feel that it's due time for a proper (or something remotely close to that) artist feature.
As I've mentioned above (You ARE paying attention, aren't you?) she's no stranger to the music scene. Edei has toured with Britain's favorite girlband Girls Aloud under her less-preferred lengthier name and gets inspiration from pop legends like the late Michael Jackson and contemporary ones who can "really sing" like Christina Aguilera. Working with the same team who discovered and developed the Grammy award-winning Joss Stone, Emma Deigman is in pretty good hands if I say so myself. Her debut album, Inside Information, is in the "polishing" stage and will be raring to go in the autumn. I've been given some 'inside information' (SEE WHAT I DID THERE) and got to listen to two more songs from the LP including the title track, which still has the In My Bed vibe (blues with a tinge of jazz instrumentals and the oh-so soulful vocals), though Inside Information possesses a certain seriousness and depth, slightly old school but enticingly so. Don't get her wrong though, Edei is NOT all doom-and-gloom. We move on to a happier tune in Anyone Could Happen To Me as Edei shows her hopeless romantic side crooning, "I could be walking on the street looking at my feet when the perfect guy bumps into me".
Edei's distinction is definitely her rich, powerful voice. She's ventured into a genre that fits her to a 'T', and I'm longing for these type of songs to storm the charts once again. Edei combines the frisky effervescence of pop and plays it with the right amount of soul, a delicate balance she's holding very well.
Nothing says a debut track than labeling it after your own name, eh?
Swedish girlband Love Generation was formed with the help of 'HOLY CRAP I WANT MUSICAL BABIES WITH THIS GUY' producer RedOne (You know those tracks with the artists saying 'red hwaaaahn' at the beginning? Yes, those.) who's had multiple production hits (just in case you haven't noticed the 'red hwaaaahn' AT ALL) with artists such as Lady Gaga (Just Dance, Poker Face, LoveGame, Bad Romance, Alejandro), Little Boots (Remedy), Pixie Lott (Here We Go Again), Sean Kingston (Fire Burning), ad infinitum.
But enough of RedOne! Love Generation is hoping to make quite a splash on the music scene with the unveiling of their debut single under the same name. The production value is unsurprisingly exceptional, and I wish I could say the same about the lyrics but "I need somebody to love me, you need somebody too. Don't you wanna dance with me? I wanna dance with you." doesn't exactly scream creative. It's incredibly cheesy at parts, but the da-da-das are GENIUS (as in 'let me put this bit on loop forever' sort of genius). It might sound familiar to keen ears (Does Let Me Think About It by Ida Corr and Fedde Le Grand ring a bell?). Whilst it doesn't exactly make a great first impression with its overly enthusiastic pop vibe, the chorus will grow on you like a manic fungal infection. (You don't exactly use that term to promote a song now, do you?)
EmmaDeigman (squish those together and that's what she goes by now. View left arm above.) is an incredible breath of fresh air. She's toured with UK's mighty superstars Girls Aloud and captivated crowds with her pop/funk/soul sound. Helping Edei polish her debut effort Inside Information are Misreid and Conner Reeves, whose writing credits include Joss Stone, Tina Turner, and Westlife. I like the sound of that.
In My Bed, Edei's debut single fits entirely to my appeal. Old school-style instrumentals? Check. Enticingly soulful vibe? Check. Decent lyrics? Check. Genuinely strong vocals? Check! Now don't get me wrong (I know for a fact you lot are quite judgemental), In My Bed is entirely relevant to today's music scene (as it is quite riddled with 80's inspired records anyway). Another thing that I admire about Edei is that she sings with conviction. Her powerful pipes work hand in hand with the pop/funk/soul genres she's aiming for, and if her record label layers her gorgeous voice with autotuning I WILL GO MAD AND SPLASH VIRTUAL SCALDING TEA ON THEM. Puerh tea would be lovely.
This doesn't exactly make a proper artist feature, nor does it just review the song. Oh well, let it lie in the middle. It/She is brilliant anyway.
From the label who brought us Sean Kingston, Jason Derülo, and Iyaz, comes "the Princess of Beluga Heights" Auburn. Beluga Heights is a record company founded by multi-platinum producer J.R. Rotem who's worked with artists such as JLS, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, Jesse McCartney, Britney Spears, among others.
After I've heard some tracks off Auburn's YouTube page, my mind was screaming potential, potential, POTENTIAL. Her songs range from total R&B to uptempo club stompers to acoustic heartfelt numbers, and get this: IT WORKS. Versatile artists always have a place in my heart because a) their albums always come with surprises in store; b) the creativity level is often mind-blowing; and c) it's not everyday that you find someone who can actually pull off a number of genres without getting lost in translation. And in J.R. Rotem's hands, Auburn can be BIG. La La La, the debut single featuring Iyaz (We like familiar names, don't we?) is extremely radio-friendly and a total club banger, complete with J.R. Rotem signature production sure to entice the US. Though it IS a little too autotuned for my tastes (I have a VERY low tolerance level for vocoders), it's damn catchy and it samples a little ATC in the first few seconds. If Auburn sounds good in uptempo records, she sounds even BETTER in slower, R&B songs. No Good is the kind of ballad I can listen to all day, as well as Best Friend. Both are brilliant tracks, not to mention I'm also quite a sucker for smooth-as-silk vocals like hers.
I know how artists feel about comparisons, but oh well. Auburn sounds a little like Rihanna in between the A Girl Like Me and Good Girl Gone Bad eras, with two cups of Shontelle and a teaspoon of Jason Derülo. Sounds like a darn good cake, doesn't it?
MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS. Marina Lambrini Diamandis is off to a good start, placing #2 on the BBC Sound of 2010 poll. losing only to Ellie Goulding. An advocate of wonky pop, Marina delivers Regina Spektor/Mika-esque records with twists and quirks of her own. The Family Jewels, her debut LP, is a solid effort with a handful of standouts such as the theatrically glam Shampain, Marina's Stateside obsession Hollywood, and the upcoming quirky fast-paced single Oh No!, among others (Obsessions, I Am Not A Robot, Seventeen, Rootless, Guilty). She's looking to crack the US with The Family Jewels, and if you're up and raring for something different from the generic songs on American radio, I highly recommend Marina.
SCISSOR SISTERS. Jake and the gang haven't exactly been well-received in their native America in terms of chart success, but Europe, particularly the UK, welcomes their sad disco records with open arms (and why shouldn't they?). It pains me to say that I've just found out about the Scissters and I feel like I've missed a lot in music because of it! Nonetheless, Jake Shears and Babydaddy have co-written and produced one of my favorite Kylie Minogue singles back in 2004, I Believe In You (I just love plugging Kylie, don't I?). The first single off their upcoming third album Night Work is mind-blowingly good. I've already said enough about Fire With Fire ("mini-explosion of disco", "brilliance") so just give it a listen.
KELIS. "My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and they're like, it's better than yours!" Sounds familiar? Kelis is definitely back with a bang this 2010. Garnering positive reviews for her Flesh Tone LP, the Milkshake singer raised the standards for electropop dance albums. Kelis is avant garde without being excessive, and it shows in the Acapella music video which totally blew me away. Who knew gray hair could look so attractive? Anyway, have a listen to her upcoming single 4th of July (Fireworks).
NATALIA KILLS. Actor/director/singer/songwriter/puteverythingelsehere Natalia Cappuccini is a total breath of fresh air. Early 2008 she reached #1 unsigned artist on MySpace with just two demo songs, and eventually got discovered by Will.I.Am and signed to Cherrytree Records where she coined her stage name. Both buzz singles off her upcoming debut album Perfectionist emulate a dark, electro pop sound which is more than welcome at my doorstep. The later one, Activate My Heart has a very dramatic feel, slightly robotic yet lush. Aside from her wonderful music, Natalia also has a video series going at the moment called "Love, Kills xx" with a new episode airing on YouTube every Monday. Natalia describes the series as a glimpse of her dark imagination and a visual counterpart to Perfectionist. Amazing.
JANELLE MONÁE. Yet another great artist I've just found out about. American indie pop soul singer, critically-acclaimed and Grammy-nominated Janelle Monáe blew me away with The Archandroid, showing great artistry and setting herself apart from the rest of the R&B scene. Tightrope, the first single released from the LP, is an old school R&B funk number that I found myself loving more than Janelle's bombastic pompadour (which I ADORE). It's fun, it features OutKast's Big Boi, and the verses are slightly tongue-twisting.
MINI VIVA. To put it bluntly, I LOVE these girls. From the atrociously infectious club banger Left My Heart in Tokyo, Britt Love and Frankee Connolly have been winning the hearts of critics (and mine) with their always-funtasmic videos and vibrant songs. Mini Viva has been gearing up the yet-to-be-titled album for a December 2009 release, but it was pushed back for understandable reasons (I've heard an August release is coming our way). So far, they haven't released a horrid single (don't pay attention to the charts), and judging by their album sampler, the LP is going to be great at the very least. Here's One Touch (Do You Want A Candy?).
ALPHABEAT. The Danish dancepop band released their second album The Beat Is... late 2009 in their native Denmark, peaking at #6 on the albums chart. The Spell, their very contagious dancepop number, reached #1 in Denmark and also made the UK top 20. Their music takes a stab at the late 80's with heart-pounding synths, heavy dance vibes, 'whoa's, THE WHOLE SHEBANG. SO HAVE A LISTEN SO I CAN STOP TYPING IN ALL CAPS.
EXAMPLE. I'm not exactly a big fan of rappers, but Elliot John Gleave blends it with wonky pop (and who doesn't like that, eh?) and while a massive lot of rappers cover either sex, booze, or something grim/broody, Example dabbles into fun electropop territory warbling about treating girls right or being magnetized in an instant. I seriously can't choose which is better between Won't Go Quietly and Kickstarts, so here's both. Oh, and get a free track from him here.
Won't Go Quietly
Kickstarts
LOLENE. This lovely Bristol babe (please stop me from abusing that phrase) showed some potential back in '09 with first-but-not-official release Sexy People, reaching #5 on the Billboard Dance chart. "Miss Foo Foo" is on her way on becoming a proper popstar with her blunt, infectious electro records and very warming persona. Don't take it the wrong way though, because this girl can WRITE. She has collaborated with award-winning writers such as Chris Braide (Cheryl Cole), and also worked with Christina Milian on Teairra Mari's track Diamonds featuring Kanye West. Rich (Fake It Til You Make It) is no less than brilliant, and I have a feeling The Electrick Hotel (album) will be as good if not better. I was also lucky enough to have a Q&A with the lovely lady (where I professed my love for her).
DRAKE. Okay, a handful of rappers with actual talent (and versatility) have emerged, and seeing as I made the "not a big fan of rappers" statement (which is true, mind you), Canadian rapper/actor Aubrey Graham aka Drake (along with the aforementioned rappers) almost urged me to retract it. ANYWAY, let me go back to versatility. He recently showcased his smooth-as-silk brilliant vocals and ditched rapping altogether in Find Your Love, which I've already said enough about. As of now, two singles from Thank Me Later have been released, and though I naturally prefer Drake's break from rap, Over is a pretty good hip hop tune.
"If you fucked up and you know it clap your hands!" That's a line from The Dirty Disco's track White Room, which Adam K. described as "tongue in cheek galore and lots of fun". Now, kids, I know they look a tad bit scarier than Adam Lambert and a little less than Lé GaGa, but don't let the guyliner put you off, because these Brit lads go way deeper than the punk/rock aura they emanate.
The Dirty Disco's debut/introductory single Sista! was well-received as it peaked at #21 on the iTunes Dance chart and went to #1 on the Juno Indie/Dance chart. They've headlined sold-out shows showcasing their bursting-at-the-seams level of energy on stage, wowing the crowds. If you've been searching for fresh music in the electro/rock genre, then look no further, because The Dirty Disco will give you a uniquely glamorous, highly-electrifying, disco ball-shattering, shimmer-induced ride that will make you dance until your feet hurt so bad you'll have to get a cast and—(let's not get carried away now.)
It's quite rare to see bands that at the very start of their careers have already developed their own sound and image (without label execs pushing them around). The Dirty Disco's avant garde manner of presenting punk/electro/dance records is very refreshing, and definitely eye-catching. If GaGa were a five-piece band, this is what she'd be.
Here's the video for Sista! (I almost thought Adam was going to devour my soul. FIERCE!)
Also, here's The Dirty Disco's upcoming kick-in-the-shin second single White Room. (See that little arrow on the right? Yes, you can download the track for FREE!) This is a remix, by the way.
Penguin Prison has also made a bootleg mashup of the track above called Penguin in a White Room, and it's fantastic as well! (Available for free download)
SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR. This lovely lady has been around the music industry for nine years now, and that's after she disbanded with theaudience (for Pete's sake all I knew back then was Steps). She's had three commendable albums, and now working on her fourth called Straight to the Heart, which features Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) with Freemasons, and her current single Bittersweet (whose video I have broken into itty bitty pieces here). Have a listen to the amazing track.
DIANA VICKERS. Oh, the claw. THE CLAW. To those who remember D's signature move back when she was in The X Factor in 2008, well... those days are over! Even if the hype over her #1 debut single Once and album Songs from the Tainted Cherry Tree hasn't subsided, Diana is already working on her second (soon to be smash) single, The Boy Who Murdered Love. I've praised the track enough, so I'll let you be the judge.
SKY FERREIRA. Ridiculously blunt. Atrociously infectious. Definitely one to watch. Disregard all the buzz you've heard about Sky being some sort of Ke$ha clone, because she is NOT. Please, this girl can actually sing her arse off (as I've said countless times), 17 is one damn good song, and I got to do a Q&A with her. She hates mayonnaise too, which is a plus for me.
PLAN B. Rapper turned soul singer Ben Drew made quite an impact with The Defamation of Strickland Banks, a concept album based on the decline of "a soul man" and his experiences in prison. The album debuted at #1 on the UK charts, and both his singles Stay Too Long and She Said have hit the top ten. He was labeled as "the male Amy Winehouse", and it suits him pretty well.
DELPHIC. Placing third on the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, these lads from Manchester pack quite a tune in their alternative dance LP, Acolyte. The combo of their fast-paced drumming, guitar riffs, and electrosynth dabbles makes one very interesting and brilliant record praised by many a critic. Doubt is one of the standout tracks of the album, being radio-friendly while still keeping a certain distinction (and class) from the generic mainstream songs forced down our throats by evil DJs.
If you've been missing out the past few months on the music scene, then I oblige you to keep on reading. If you DO know what's been happening, or you just think you do, read. Because you might have missed out on something. So what exactly has been circling 'round the radio waves?
HURTS. The very polished-looking duo from Manchester are making pretty great music with their slick back hair and snazzy suits. Which would probably appear strange at first, but if you ride on with it and give a listen to Better Than Love, they're actually proper artists however formal their attire goes. Even if they finished fourth in the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, these lads are taking slow steps in releasing their album, much unlike their peers (Does Ellie Goulding ring a bell? How about Marina?)
ELLIE GOULDING. Speaking of the poll topper, she's still gasping for air with current single Guns and Horses (this is only because she'll be going on tour soon). After releasing her much-anticipated, highly-pressured debut album Lights on March, it went straight to #1 despite the mixed reviews from critics. Her best-charting single to date is Starry Eyed, peaking at #4, so why don't you go ahead and and hear it for yourself.
B.O.B. Oh, come on. If you haven't heard Nothin' On You by this rapper and Bruno Mars, you must be living in some sort of cave! The Adventures of Bobby Ray debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 despite leaking days before. It (momentarily) rekindled my love for hip hop, and the artists featured on the tracks are quite the eclectic mix. For starters, there's Hayley Williams of Paramore on Airplanes, Eminem joins in for Airplanes Part II, heck, even Rivers Cuomo of Weezer is in the track Magic.
GABRIELLA CILMI. A very different girl emerged from the studio with her sophomore effort, Ten. The Sweet About Me Aussie songstress took on the 80's in the said LP, with singles On A Mission and Hearts Don't Lie giving off these vibes. To be honest, I wasn't much of a fan at first, but the change grew on me and I found myself bopping along to Hearts Don't Lie more often than not. (Also I heard Defender is being considered as the next single so it's a good change in pace for those who haven't gotten used to this "new Cilmi")
ROBYN. Fembot is great in all its glory—but when you hear Dancing On My Own, you're bound to throw all your cares away and dance to this wistful disco track that "manages eurotrash dabbles here and there without coming off cheap and annoying". (Oh look I'm quoting myself.) Anyway, after five years of sitting around, the Swedish sensation will be releasing, not one, not two, but THREE albums this year. Watch out.
You might have heard a song that goes "I'm not gonna write you a love song, 'cos you asked for it..." on the radio or seen...
Interviews
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They are The WANTED.
A while back, I vowed to "GO MAD AND SPLASH VIRTUAL SCALDING TEA" on a certain artist's record label if they as so much dare to layer her vocals with autotuning. That 'certain artist' is no other than Pop from the Block's favorite not-so-new-on-the-music-scene-but-still-a-newcomer artist Emma Deigman, or Edei for short. I've already sang praises for her incredibly good upcoming debut single In My Bed, and I feel that it's due time for a proper (or something remotely close to that) artist feature.
information' (SEE WHAT I DID THERE) and got to listen to two more songs from the LP including the title track, which still has the In My Bed vibe (blues with a tinge of jazz instrumentals and the oh-so soulful vocals), though Inside Information possesses a certain seriousness and depth, slightly old school but enticingly so. Don't get her wrong though, Edei is NOT all doom-and-gloom. We move on to a happier tune in Anyone Could Happen To Me as Edei shows her hopeless romantic side crooning, "I could be walking on the street looking at my feet when the perfect guy bumps into me".
Nothing says a debut track than labeling it after your own name, eh?
