This is a cool EP to vibe with. 'Stay Ready (What a Life)' featuring Kendrick Lamar is a work of art. Overall this is a good debut for her. The album Souled Out will arrive in September, featuring 'To Love & Die'.
Thursday, 26 June 2014
Jhené Aiko - Sail Out
Recommended by Bex:
This is a cool EP to vibe with. 'Stay Ready (What a Life)' featuring Kendrick Lamar is a work of art. Overall this is a good debut for her. The album Souled Out will arrive in September, featuring 'To Love & Die'.
This is a cool EP to vibe with. 'Stay Ready (What a Life)' featuring Kendrick Lamar is a work of art. Overall this is a good debut for her. The album Souled Out will arrive in September, featuring 'To Love & Die'.
Thursday, 19 June 2014
Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence
Recommended by Bex:
Lana Del Rey appears at her most complicated on her second album, Ultraviolence. On the title song, she sings from the throes of a physically abusive relationship. She repeats the title of 'He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)', a song recorded by The Crystals in 1962.
The album wraps desire, violence and sadness into a tight bundle that Del Rey doesn't always seem sure how to unpack. The slinky standout 'Sad Girl' is essentially Del Rey's theme song: 'I'm a bad girl/I'm a sad girl,' she announces, her voice slipping from childlike coo to sedated swoon.
It's true that much of Ultraviolence, like Born to Die, rams the same sonic guidepost over and over. But Del Rey allows herself to be coaxed into one striking departure, for the single 'West Coast' – a deep groove that kicks her from chanteuse into frontwoman for a few glorious moments.
Lana Del Rey appears at her most complicated on her second album, Ultraviolence. On the title song, she sings from the throes of a physically abusive relationship. She repeats the title of 'He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)', a song recorded by The Crystals in 1962.
The album wraps desire, violence and sadness into a tight bundle that Del Rey doesn't always seem sure how to unpack. The slinky standout 'Sad Girl' is essentially Del Rey's theme song: 'I'm a bad girl/I'm a sad girl,' she announces, her voice slipping from childlike coo to sedated swoon.
It's true that much of Ultraviolence, like Born to Die, rams the same sonic guidepost over and over. But Del Rey allows herself to be coaxed into one striking departure, for the single 'West Coast' – a deep groove that kicks her from chanteuse into frontwoman for a few glorious moments.
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Kyla La Grange - Cut Your Teeth
Recommended by Bex:
I saw (and met) Kyla at a small gig upstairs in Rise Records around the release of her 2012 debut album Ashes. Two years later, Kyla's second studio album and major debut takes a different direction, hinting at real staying power. It comes preceded by lead single and album title track, 'Cut Your Teeth'.
Teaming up with electro producer and remixer extraordinaire Jakwob for the majority of the record, his credibility with all matters programming evidently provided La Grange with the platform to realise her new musical vision in a fruitful way. See, for example, 'The Knife'.
Mistakenly described as 'brighter' by the accompanying press release, Cut Your Teeth chooses instead to keep its cards close to its chest, at least upon the first meet. The record demands you court it over time in order to even be invited to appreciate the extent of its splendour.
It's also worth checking out her recent cover of 'Wrecking Ball'. Kyla transforms the song from guilty pleasure to subtle indie masterpiece.
I saw (and met) Kyla at a small gig upstairs in Rise Records around the release of her 2012 debut album Ashes. Two years later, Kyla's second studio album and major debut takes a different direction, hinting at real staying power. It comes preceded by lead single and album title track, 'Cut Your Teeth'.
Teaming up with electro producer and remixer extraordinaire Jakwob for the majority of the record, his credibility with all matters programming evidently provided La Grange with the platform to realise her new musical vision in a fruitful way. See, for example, 'The Knife'.
Mistakenly described as 'brighter' by the accompanying press release, Cut Your Teeth chooses instead to keep its cards close to its chest, at least upon the first meet. The record demands you court it over time in order to even be invited to appreciate the extent of its splendour.
It's also worth checking out her recent cover of 'Wrecking Ball'. Kyla transforms the song from guilty pleasure to subtle indie masterpiece.
Sunday, 1 June 2014
Janet Jackson - All for You
Recommended by Bex:
While I was aware of the album around the time of its release, I only listened to it fully this week. Whoa! It has everything you'd expect from a Janet Jackson album - eclecticism, introspective lyrics, big pop dance numbers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
This is a feel-good album full of funky (and very sensual) pop, with gentle production that sounds fresh and true to form. I would recommend 'When We Oooo', 'China Love' and 'Doesn't Really Matter'.
While I was aware of the album around the time of its release, I only listened to it fully this week. Whoa! It has everything you'd expect from a Janet Jackson album - eclecticism, introspective lyrics, big pop dance numbers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
This is a feel-good album full of funky (and very sensual) pop, with gentle production that sounds fresh and true to form. I would recommend 'When We Oooo', 'China Love' and 'Doesn't Really Matter'.
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