Recommended by Bex:
A very consistent album that is more enjoyable with each listen. The song that really struck me, and made me want to discover more, is 'White Coats', for its dooming chorus driven by heavy reverbed piano; similar to Depeche Mode's Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion.
Another great track is the opener 'Talking to Ghosts', which samples Propaganda's 'Dr. Mabuse', serving as an indication of the music that influences Foxes. Also notable is the acoustic album version of 'Clarity', easily an improvement on the release with Zedd.
The only track missing is 'Warrior', from an EP of the same name. In this age of digital music, I added it to the deluxe tracklisting.
Sunday 27 April 2014
Saturday 19 April 2014
Chali 2na - Fish Outta Water
Friend Recommendation:
Fish Outta Water is the debut album by Jurassic 5 front-member Chali 2na. The album guests include Talib Kweli, Anthony Hamilton, Beenie Man, Elzhi, and the brothers Damian and Stephen Marley.
The rhymes are tight as is the level of musicianship displayed. 2na is as true of an artist as there is, even for those that are not fans of hip-hop.
Recommended track: 'So Crazy'.
Fish Outta Water is the debut album by Jurassic 5 front-member Chali 2na. The album guests include Talib Kweli, Anthony Hamilton, Beenie Man, Elzhi, and the brothers Damian and Stephen Marley.
The rhymes are tight as is the level of musicianship displayed. 2na is as true of an artist as there is, even for those that are not fans of hip-hop.
Recommended track: 'So Crazy'.
Sunday 13 April 2014
Ou Est Le Swimming Pool - The Golden Year
Friend Recommendation:
It's impossible to review this London band's debut without acknowledging the recent suicide of frontman Charles Haddon, and yet The Golden Year deserves more than respectful platitudes. In the current climate, their mildly raved-up take on early-80s synth-pop is hardly unprecedented.
But it's the tunes that count: epic but soulful and benefiting from Haddon's ability to cut through the glacially cool electronics with a raw, guileless vulnerability. 'Jackson's Last Stand' and 'Outside', in particular, achieve an exquisite balance between euphoria and melancholy.
It's impossible to review this London band's debut without acknowledging the recent suicide of frontman Charles Haddon, and yet The Golden Year deserves more than respectful platitudes. In the current climate, their mildly raved-up take on early-80s synth-pop is hardly unprecedented.
But it's the tunes that count: epic but soulful and benefiting from Haddon's ability to cut through the glacially cool electronics with a raw, guileless vulnerability. 'Jackson's Last Stand' and 'Outside', in particular, achieve an exquisite balance between euphoria and melancholy.
Saturday 5 April 2014
Nivea - Nivea
Recommended by Bex:
A few months ago I purchased Nivea's sophomore album Complicated by chance on the high street. The album left a positive impression on me, and I remembered her soulful voice on the R. Kelly collaboration 'Laundromat' (the video is also pretty great).
Nivea experiments with different genres of music, from R&B to pop. The theme of the majority of songs is love and relationships. There are tracks to make you dance, convey feelings, or work through issues with an ungrateful companion: all with an Aaliyah-style edge.
A few months ago I purchased Nivea's sophomore album Complicated by chance on the high street. The album left a positive impression on me, and I remembered her soulful voice on the R. Kelly collaboration 'Laundromat' (the video is also pretty great).
Nivea experiments with different genres of music, from R&B to pop. The theme of the majority of songs is love and relationships. There are tracks to make you dance, convey feelings, or work through issues with an ungrateful companion: all with an Aaliyah-style edge.
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