Recommended by Bex:
I had not listened to a McCartney album in full until New. Its release was supported by a live BBC performance, and it went on to appear in the Rolling Stone 50 Best Albums of 2013 in December.
I regularly change the music on my phone, but don't envisage removing this. Check it out if you like anything Beatles. Particularly 'Looking at Her', 'I Can Bet' and 'Queenie Eye', with accompanying music video.
Saturday, 23 November 2013
Friday, 15 November 2013
Goldfrapp - Tales of Us
Recommended by Bex:
Translation of a Belgian review in Humo:
Alison Goldfrapp doesn't allow anyone to tell her what to do. Goldfrapp in itself is a bizarre triumph, but with their sixth album they achieve an unprecedented performance.
As follow up on album number four, Seventh Tree (my favourite so far) they now cast away all nylon, neon, plastic and synths on Tales of Us. What remains are ten moving songs, of which almost all have a woman's name as title, and which were inspired by a novel or movie character.
It seems like Alison Goldfrapp has thrown away all her shyness together with her glitter cape; never before was her voice - stripped of all effects - able to effect an almost physical reaction. That finale of 'Annabel' does it every time: sadness as a force of nature.
Liquid love is decanted in 'Jo', 'Drew', 'Alvar', 'Ulla' and especially the final song 'Clay', a song that Alison wrote after reading a letter from a soldier who had been in love with a companion / lover.
The album cuts deep, and then there's the short film project that Alison made, along with her companion Lisa Gunning. If that little boy in the video for 'Annabel' receives that dress as a gift: always tears.
Translation of a Belgian review in Humo:
Alison Goldfrapp doesn't allow anyone to tell her what to do. Goldfrapp in itself is a bizarre triumph, but with their sixth album they achieve an unprecedented performance.
As follow up on album number four, Seventh Tree (my favourite so far) they now cast away all nylon, neon, plastic and synths on Tales of Us. What remains are ten moving songs, of which almost all have a woman's name as title, and which were inspired by a novel or movie character.
It seems like Alison Goldfrapp has thrown away all her shyness together with her glitter cape; never before was her voice - stripped of all effects - able to effect an almost physical reaction. That finale of 'Annabel' does it every time: sadness as a force of nature.
Liquid love is decanted in 'Jo', 'Drew', 'Alvar', 'Ulla' and especially the final song 'Clay', a song that Alison wrote after reading a letter from a soldier who had been in love with a companion / lover.
The album cuts deep, and then there's the short film project that Alison made, along with her companion Lisa Gunning. If that little boy in the video for 'Annabel' receives that dress as a gift: always tears.
Friday, 8 November 2013
The Saturdays - Living for the Weekend
Recommended by Bex:
Their latest release, including 'Disco Love' and tongue-in-cheek 'Gentleman'. The album as a whole grew on me after seeing them. The ladies (minus Frankie) lit up Bristol on a dreary November evening.
There was a short interview before the performance, conducted by regular presenter Mark Heyes. The concert itself was weighted to older tracks, with the exception of 'Disco Love' and 'What About Us'.
Their latest release, including 'Disco Love' and tongue-in-cheek 'Gentleman'. The album as a whole grew on me after seeing them. The ladies (minus Frankie) lit up Bristol on a dreary November evening.
There was a short interview before the performance, conducted by regular presenter Mark Heyes. The concert itself was weighted to older tracks, with the exception of 'Disco Love' and 'What About Us'.
Saturday, 28 September 2013
London Grammar - If You Wait
Recommended by Bex:
Perhaps it's no coincidence my favourite releases of 2013 so far have very similar titles, the other being Daughter's If You Leave.
London Grammar's debut album is all about restraint. Laid back, haunting and beautiful, the tracks seamlessly flow into one another with very little instrumentation and an emphasis on repetition and silence.
'Wasting My Young Years' and 'Metal & Dust' are standout tracks, with pulsing beats and haunting choruses that showcase Hannah Reid's distinctive vocals. Just don't expect the record to be building to a crescendo of heavier or more pop-focused electronica.
Audiences who are in a melancholy or introspective mood will no doubt connect deeply with the record, and everyone else can simply appreciate the beauty.
Perhaps it's no coincidence my favourite releases of 2013 so far have very similar titles, the other being Daughter's If You Leave.
London Grammar's debut album is all about restraint. Laid back, haunting and beautiful, the tracks seamlessly flow into one another with very little instrumentation and an emphasis on repetition and silence.
'Wasting My Young Years' and 'Metal & Dust' are standout tracks, with pulsing beats and haunting choruses that showcase Hannah Reid's distinctive vocals. Just don't expect the record to be building to a crescendo of heavier or more pop-focused electronica.
Audiences who are in a melancholy or introspective mood will no doubt connect deeply with the record, and everyone else can simply appreciate the beauty.
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Kings of Leon - Mechanical Bull
Friend Recommendation:
Almost exactly a decade after their debut Youth & Young Manhood, Kings of Leon's sixth album arrives amid a rejuvenated sense of interest in the band. There is an energy here that wasn't present in the somewhat mellow Come Around Sundown.
It is less earnest, with clearer dynamics between dark and light in its varied rhythms. They go for moments of nuance (listen for strings on 'Comeback Story'), but the album's finest moment was recorded almost as an afterthought. 'Don't Matter', a relentless belter, sees the band get their Queens of the Stone Age on.
Mechanical Bull finds the Tennessee rockers recapturing the white-lightning-in-a-bottle spark that made their early stuff so fun.
Almost exactly a decade after their debut Youth & Young Manhood, Kings of Leon's sixth album arrives amid a rejuvenated sense of interest in the band. There is an energy here that wasn't present in the somewhat mellow Come Around Sundown.
It is less earnest, with clearer dynamics between dark and light in its varied rhythms. They go for moments of nuance (listen for strings on 'Comeback Story'), but the album's finest moment was recorded almost as an afterthought. 'Don't Matter', a relentless belter, sees the band get their Queens of the Stone Age on.
Mechanical Bull finds the Tennessee rockers recapturing the white-lightning-in-a-bottle spark that made their early stuff so fun.
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Diana Vickers - Music to Make Boys Cry
Recommended by Bex:
Miranda Cooper's influence is obvious throughout the album. Vickers cites 80s Blondie as an influence for Music to Make Boys Cry, but the album sounds more like a homage to a decade or so of Cooper-helmed UK pop perfection. 'This is precisely how modern pop should be done.'
The album came out of nowhere for me, as I enjoyed her 2010 debut I thought I'd listen. Just wow. Lots of energy, 80s disco hooks and that same distinctive voice. Try if you like: La Roux, Paris, dancing.
Miranda Cooper's influence is obvious throughout the album. Vickers cites 80s Blondie as an influence for Music to Make Boys Cry, but the album sounds more like a homage to a decade or so of Cooper-helmed UK pop perfection. 'This is precisely how modern pop should be done.'
The album came out of nowhere for me, as I enjoyed her 2010 debut I thought I'd listen. Just wow. Lots of energy, 80s disco hooks and that same distinctive voice. Try if you like: La Roux, Paris, dancing.
Friday, 6 September 2013
Moloko - I Am Not a Doctor
Friend Recommendation:
Second album from the Sheffield-based duo. It contains the original version of one of my favourite songs ever: 'Sing It Back'. The track gained popularity with a Boris Dlugosch remix, reaching number 4 on the UK chart; a version of which appeared on Things to Make and Do.
The album did not receive the sales recognition it deserved, despite building on the formula that made their debut so compelling. The tracks are mostly experimental, such as 'The Flipside' and 'Knee Deepen'.
'Fun for Me' and 'Day for Night' (from Sweater) also shouldn't be missed.
Second album from the Sheffield-based duo. It contains the original version of one of my favourite songs ever: 'Sing It Back'. The track gained popularity with a Boris Dlugosch remix, reaching number 4 on the UK chart; a version of which appeared on Things to Make and Do.
The album did not receive the sales recognition it deserved, despite building on the formula that made their debut so compelling. The tracks are mostly experimental, such as 'The Flipside' and 'Knee Deepen'.
'Fun for Me' and 'Day for Night' (from Sweater) also shouldn't be missed.
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