Rated Reviews

Bloodgroup - Tracing Echoes

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:12:00 +0000

Icelandic electropop quartet is led by Faroese techno mastermind Janus Rasmussen who shares lead vocal duties with Sunna Þórisdóttir - backed up by siblings Hallur and Raggi Jónsson. The sound is becoming more distinctly their own - particularly the menacing droning basslines they favour - but you could argue they share a similar-ish soundstage with The Knife, Crystal Castles and even Ladytron to an extent.

I’ve been following them from their earliest days, and have enjoyed hearing their signature sound evolve, along with obvious improvements in songcraft and production.

To date only one single proper has been released from this album - ’The Fall’, with ’Nothing is Written in the Stars’ up next, and ’Disquiet’ also being used for promo purposes. All three are excellent, and there is plenty more scope for singles on the album - such as ’A Threat’, ’Cut Out Your Tongue’, ’Water’ and ’Indefinite’. I must say I like every track - there is plenty of variety here albeit within a common theme.

Bloodgroup have had some success on the contintent now, but they deserve to do well in the UK and USA too - no doubt there day will come. I can see them doing Depeche Mode style stadium gigs eventually - their time will come! Great album all-round.

Tracklist:

A Threat 4:19
Disquiet 4:17
Nothing is Written in the Stars 4:44
Fall 3:38
Cut Out Your Tongue 3:39
The Water 4:!4
Indefinite 5:38
A King’s Woe 5:57
Lines 5:36
Mysterious Undone 4:12

Superb soundstage Great production values Evolving signature sound Emotive vocals

I love the droning menace in the basslines of many songs - lovely counterbalance between darker underpinnings and melodic vocals - album is universally consistently high quality

Nothing here to dislike as far as I’m concerned

One of the best eletropop albums this year, showing maturing songcraft and evolving signature sound

Rhye - Woman

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:07:00 +0000

This is one of my favourite albums this year - by alernative R&B duo Mike Milosh and Robin Hannibal. It took me a while to register that lead vocalist Mike is definitely not a female - so androgynous are the contralto vocals. The album owes a little bit to the modern stripped down sound of The XX, and a little bit more to English chanteuse - Sade.

Two singles have been released to date - ’The Fall’ and ’Open’ but truly any of the album’s tracks would make excellent singles - the album is universally superb.

In comparison to Sade, I always found her albums a little inconsistent - 3 or 4 great tracks for sure, but some lacking in melody and therefore a little maudling. This is certainly not the case with Rhye - even though the accompaniment is subtle and understated, it is superbly produced and undeniably soulful and dare we say ’funky’. I had high expectations this year of not too distant Inc. but Rhye’s debut totally overshadows their efforts.

This is a delightful, dreamy and contemplative collection which even has a great use of the currently little heard Saxohpone - on ’One of Those Summer Days. This album gets top billing from me and rightly so.

Tracklist:

Open 3:37
The Fall 3:45
Last Dance 3:27
Verse 2:52
Shed Some Blood 3:21
3 Days 4:16
One of Those Summer Days 4:33
Major Minor Love 3:56
Hunger 3:30
Woman 2:40

Superbly smooth almost female vocals Delicate, tasteful production Laced with soul Wonderful melodies

Every track is great from start to finish, it’s mostly mid-tempo but there are a range of moods - just superb!

This album could easily have ended up maudling and twee, but it’s anything but!

One of the debuts of the year - great songwriting married to superb production and soulful on-point vocals

Ólafur Arnalds - For Now I Am Winter

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Many people will have been introduced to Ólafur Arnalds by way of the much-loved ITV drama ’Broadchurch’; my introduction came through his 2009 Found Songs EP. Ólafur specialises in delicate piano + Strings + electronica neo-classical music, and many seem to have been a little non-plussed by this recent introduction of vocal tracks - featuring a superb Arnór Dan.

I must say that for me this adds even more texture to Ólafur’s atmoshperic / cinematic pallet. As witnessed on Broadchurch, his haunting music was a key component in creating the atmosphere of the show. I see Ólafur’s career very much veering into one of tv and movie soundtracks - for his atmospheric music is ideally suited to creating ambience and emotion.

This is his fourth album, and my favourite of his. Many fans discount this as a forced commercial direction, forgetting that Ólafur dabbled in several types of music before he set out on his neo-classical path.

There’s a great mix of instrumental and vocal tracks here - with a wide range of moods; my favourites include promo singles ’Old Skin’ and ’Only the Winds’ and tracks - ’Brim’, ’A Stutter’, ’Reclaim’ and ’No. Other’

Tracklist:

Sudden Throw 3:17
Brim 4:43
For Now I Am Winter feat. Arnór Dan 5:05
A Stutter feat. Arnór Dan 5:09
Words of Amber 3:23
Reclaim feat. Arnór Dan 4:01
Hands, Be Still 3:40
Only the Winds 5:21
Old Skin feat. Arnór Dan 4:09
We (Too) Shall Rest 2:06
This Place Was a Shelter 3:50
Carry Me Anew 3:25
No. Other feat. Arnór Dan 4:18

Delicate instrumentation Sublime mood music Superb arrangements Deft vocals by Arnór Dan

Really well rounded album - my favourites include ’Brim’, ’A Stutter’, ’Reclaim’, ’Only the Winds’, ’Old Skin’ and ’No. Other’

Some fans feel the vocals ruin the spell cast by the atmospheric instrumentals - for me it’s just another instrument / texture which melds well with the whole

A beautifully refined mood enhancing album - like a crisp winter sunrise over snow-capped mountains

Kavinsky - Outrun

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:44:00 +0000

Most are familar with Kavinsky (Vincent Belorgey) by way of his track ’Nighcall’ from the ’Drive’ movie soundtrack. ’Outrun’ is suitably filmic in feel, and aligns itself most closely with Daft Punk’s work on the Tron Legacy soundtrack - both for me are wholly excellent. In terms of overall catchiness, Kavinsky even outshines his more celerbated compatriots.

It’s no surprise the album is this good, as production credits are shared by one half of Daft Punk - Guy-Manuel de Hommem-Christo and another French House / electronica giant - SebastiAn.

From start to finish the album is a neon electronic masterpiece; it features 4 vocalised tracks - Odd Look, Suburbia, Nightcall and First Blood, but for me the real highlights are the high octane instrumental tracks - Protovision, Rampage, Testarossa Overdrive and Deadcruiser. There are no fillers here, and not a pedestrian track in sight.

If they ever were to make a film based on the 80’s arcade favourite ’Outrun’ this would surely be the perfect soundtrack - it is vibrant and exhilarting throughout and justifies its top ranking.

Tracklist:

Prelude 1:55
Blizzard 3:28
ProtoVision 3:25
Odd Look 4:50
Rampage 2:56
Suburbia - feat. Havoc 3:28
Testarossa Autodrive 3:38
Nightcall - feat. Lovefoxx 4:17
Deadcruiser 3:33
Grand Canyon 3:13
First Blood - feat. Tyson 3:05
Roadgame 3:44
Endless 2:56

Amazing 80’s inspired synthesizer electronica Great feature cameos Fantastic sounding Top notch production values Arresting melodies

EVery single track is good - album as a whole is wonderful

Nothing wrong here at all

Truly dop-drawer synthesizer elecronica - an amazing album in every department - made to be played loud

Sally Shapiro - Somewhere Else

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:39:00 +0000

Johan Agebjörn and Sally Shapiro have done it again! For long periods of February this was my favourite and most played album - kind of vying for top spot with Kavinsky’s Outrun. For me it’s a delight to listen to from start to finish - supremely melodic, effervescent electropop / italo disco.

For me the reference points / parallels are numerous, in particular some tracks sound like they could have been done by Annie (Anne Lilia Berge Strand), Saint Etienne or early Cardigans. Some might find that some of this material veers to close to whimsical and even twee - but that’s its strength as well. This kind of summery, floaty singalong pop-dance is always a style that is quite difficult to pull off successfully.

As a long-time fan of all things Italy Disco, and of course all of this duo’s previous output, I was likely to give this a favourable rating, but it’s sort of exceeded my expectations. A lot of the material is not really dancefloor-oriented, it’s well crafted vocal pop.

Favourite tracks for me include the more obvious dancefloor ones - ’All My Life’, ’If It Doesn’t Rain’, ’Lives Together’ and ’Architectured Love’ - but it’s all pretty good really. I can appreciate this might be a little saccharine for many - I quite like sweet sounding female voices though. This will always be considered somewhat light fare, but there is real artistry at work in the arrangements, no doubt an acquired taste - I love it though - and reckon it a class act, even though a couple of tracks deliver a little too much sugar.

Tracklist

Prescript 0:40
I Dream With an Angel Tonight 3:49
All My Life 4:01
This City’s Local Italo Disco DJ Has a Crush on Me 3:30
What Can I Do 3:34
If It Doesn’t Rain 4:49
Sundown 3:54
Starman - feat. Electric Youth 4:47
Lives Together 3:54
Don’t Be Afraid (Alternative Version) 4:12
Architectured Love - feat. Le Prix 4:21
Postcript 3:34
Lives Together (Johan Agebjörn Dub) 5:07
If It Doesn’t Rain (Instrumental) 5:07
Sundown (Instrumental) 3:51
Architectured Love - feat. Le Prix (Instrumental) 4:18
Anorak Christmas (Anoraak’s Christmas Remix) 3:21

Effervescent pop-dance Gorgeous melodies Sweetly sung Great arrangements by Johan Agebjörn

The dancy quartet of All My life, If It Doesn’t Rain, Lives Together and Architectured Love are particularly strong

I occasionally get annoyed by the chorus of Starman!

Another solid effort, will never top any muso charts, but is filled to the brim with shimmery summery delights ...

Tosca - Odeon

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:36:00 +0000

Kruder and Dorfmeister’s DJ Kicks excursion is one of my all times favourites, and I was a long time fan of the output of their G-Stone imprint. This 6th album by Richard Dorfmeister and Rubert Huber harks back to the heydays of the G-Stone imprint, with some truly fine dubby moments.

The listening experience is like bathing in honeyed treacle - slow, slinky and sinuous - with some deft studio touches and subtle melodies and percussion.

Highlights include lead single ’Jayjay’, and tracks ’What If’, ’Heatwave’ and ’Stuttgart’

The album has not quite enough variety or dexterity to be considered a classic, and track ’In My Brain ...’ can grate. Overall though it’s a vey pleasant chilled out listening experience.

Tracklist:

Zur Guten Ambience (Intro) 2:25
What If - feat. Sarah Carlier 4:55 *
Heatwave 5:39 *
Jayjay - feat. J.J. Jones 6:18 *
Soda 2:33
Meixner - feat. Chris Eckman 6:05
Stuttgart - feat. Lucas Santtana 5:47 *
In MY Brain Prinz Eugen 5:07
Cavallo - feat. Roland Neuwirth 6:39
Bonjour 5:22
Looking 3:04
Ende Mai 5:32
Johnny Waters 4:41 *

* - Standout tracks

Superb production values Still a benchmark for modern dub Subtle melodies and percussion Some great featured artists spots

What If Heatwave Jayjay Stuttgart Johnny Waters

Album can be quite minimal, slow and languorous - maybe a little too laid back for some; also ’In My Brain ...’ track can be a little grating at times ...

A solid dubby excursion with sufficient hightlights to maintain interest - and great production values

C2C - Tetra

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:06:00 +0000

C2C debut is a French-fried delight - featuring a 70’s influenced funk and southern states ragtime sound pallet. coming across as a mix between Play-era Moby, The Avalanches, and bits of Daft Punk and Justice. For me the most obvious comparison is to The Avalanches ’Since I Met You’ album - although Tetra consists of individual tracks rather than a sequenced / mixed-together whole.

20Syl, Greem, Atom and Pfel work 8 turntables together to produce tracks - along with the usual samplers and sequencers. This is proper old-school turntablism - phasing, pitching, scratching, transforming, cutting and mixing.

I really love this album and its pretty eclectic approach, it never gets boring and there are a plethora of highlights favourites of mine include - The Cell, King Season, Who You Are, The Beat, Arcades, Le Banquet, and F.U.Y.A. - it’s all good really.

Tracklisting:

The Cell 4:59 *
Down The Road 3:27
King Season (feat. Rita J & Moongai) 3:51 *
Because of You (feat. Pigeon John) 3:42
Delta 3:44
Who Are You (feat. Olivier Daysoul) 4:51 *
Happy (feat. Derek Martin) 3:55
Give Up the Ghost (feat. Jay Jay Johanson) 5:24
The Beat 3:32 *
Genius (feat. Gush) 4:10
Together (feat. Ledeunff & Blitz the Ambassador) 4:51
Arcades 4:24 *
Le Banquet (feat. Tigerstyle, Netik, Rafik, Varja & Kentaro) 4:56 *
F.U.Y.A. 5:05 *
Together (feat. Ledeunff & Blitz the Ambassador)[Neck Breakin’ Edit] 4:30
Give Up the Ghost (feat. Jay Jay Johanson)[Vintage Edit] 3:57

* - Standout tracks

Eclectic Surprisingly catchy Great production values High quality throughout

The Cell King Season Who Are You The Beat Arcades Le Banquet F.U.Y.A.

Nothing bad here really, all tracks have merit

One of the great surprises of 2013 - perfect for those who loved The Avalanches album

Late Night Alumni - The Beat Becomes a Sound

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:59:00 +0000

I still really love LNA’s debut single ’Empty Streets’ which started all this off - and the resulting 2005 album of the same name. I’ve long been a huge Kaskade fan, and Ryan Raddon’s and Finn Bjarnson’s input here is always quite evident - even though this is largely a Becky Jean Williams vehicle - with John Williams adding some soulful musicality. For some reason their 2nd and 3rd albums sort of passed me by - but this one caught my attentions.

I like to call this Twilight House - perfect afterhours dance inflected music - equally aimed at the lounge and the dancefloor. Becky’s soft airy vocals can sound amazing - particularly on slower tracks like ’It’s Only Life’, ’Sun Space’ and ’Everything’. Other highlights include single ’Shine’, and tracks ’The World Spins ’Round’ and ’Every Breath Is Like a Heartbeat’.

Tracklisting:

Ring a Bell 4:55
The World Spins ’Round 4:26 *
Shine 4:19 *
Every Breath Is Like a Heartbeat 5:08 *
Summer Lies 5:30
Sun Space 4:03 *
Days 4:35
My Awake 4:49
It’s Only Life 4:22 *
Sapphire 4:54
Mistake 3:46
Everything 4:09 *

* - Standout tracks

Lush Vocals Good mix of up and down-tempo Superb Production Values Some Great Melodies

The World Spins ’Round Shine Every Breath Is Like a Heartbeat Sun Space It’s Only Life Everything

Nothing throwaway on here

A really satisfying album all-round with lush soulful vocals - particularly on 3 brilliant down-tempo classics

Ulrich Schnauss - A Long Way to Fall

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 09:51:00 +0000

6 years since 2007’s ’Goodbye’ - Ulrich has completed a couple of collaborations in between, but returns once more to what he does best. There are few who do this twinkly, ethereal style of electronic music better. Some say it’s more of the same, but I find the pallet of sounds and production very much fitting with contemporary output - and therefore sufficiently updated from previous output.

The album starts strong with ’Her and the Sea’, and pretty much maintains its quality throghout - this really is instrumental electronica of the highest order - it sounds amazing through my Zeppelin - as it twinkles, burbles and fizzes along - all bound together with alluring melodies and production values of the very highest order.

The album works as a wholesome listening experience for me - where the whole melds just beautifully together - it really is difficult to pick out individual tracks as there are incredible segments within each track - If I had to pick one favourite moment it would be the slightly acidic twittering of ’Broken Homes’ but it really is all quite lush.

Tracklisting:

Her and the Sea 5:07
Broken Homes 7:35
Like a Ghost In Your Own Life 5:49
A Long Way to Fall 6:07
I Take Comfort In Your Ignorance 5:58
A Forgotten Birthday 7:02
The Weight of Darkeing Skies 5:25
Borrowed Time 4:51
Ten Years 6:08
A Ritual In Time and Death 7:21

Atmospheric / Cinematic Superb Production Values Amazing Sound Design Alluring Melodies

Every track is solid and stands up in its own right

Nothing to quibble about for those who like instrumental electronica

I’ve loved all of Ulrich’s albums, and this one is certainly equal to if not better than its predecessors

Grimes - Visions

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:24:00 +0000

Canadian Claire Boucher is just 23, and already has 4 amazing albums to her name - debut ’Geidi Primes’, sophomore ’Halfaxa’, collaboration with d’Eon ’Darkbloom’ and her latest and greatest album - ’Visions’. Thanks to Fact Magazine for putting me on her trail - I sampled most of her Stuff via Spotify and Tomahawk, and just had to buy up the back catalogue. The first 3 albums plus first single for new album - ’Genesis’ were the perfect soundtrack for my recent vacation on the Canary Islands. The new album was released on the last day of my holiday and I listened to it circa 4 times on the return journey.

There are tiny hints of Björk, Ladytron, Austra, Crystal Castles and even Prince - but Claire totally has her own sound - with slightly whimsical, childlike vocals, and initially simple sounding arrangements which cleverly conceal wonderfully delicate and intricate production.

It’s been a while since I liked a single artist’s entire output this much, and the album goes straight into my favourite albums list. I actually truly love every track - there’s nothing extra here, nothing wasted - in my opinion every single track is fantastic. There’s just superb artistry and melody here without being overly poppy or popularist - it just works at the highest level for me - if I was making music today, it would sound a lot like this.

Obvious starting points are singles ’Genesis’ and ’Oblivion’ - tracks 2 and 3 on the album, but honestly - all the rest of it is just as good.

I have insufficient superlatives to describe the effect of this album on my psyche - I could quite safely say I dearly love and adore this music!

Tracklisting:

Infinite Love Without Fulfilment 1:35
Genesis 4:15
Oblivion 4:11
Eight 1:48
Circumambient 3:43
Vowels = Space and Time 4:21
Visiting Statue 1:59
Be a Body 4:20
Colour of Moonlight (Antiochus) (feat. Doldrums) 4:00
Symphonia IX (My Wait Is U) 4:53
Nightmusic (feat. Majical Clouds) 5:03
Skin 6:09
Know the Way 1:46
Christmas Song (feat. Jay Worthy) 2:59

Astonishingly crisp and intricate production Gorgeous Melodies Spot-on Vocalisations Subtly, Elegantly Quirky Simply Truly Amazing Music

I’ve tried to single out individual moments, but all the tracks are trully fantastic - with deft and subtlel touches which amuse and delight

This is one of the most perfect albums I have ever encountered - not a note or sound out of place!

I’m already calling this as my favourite album of the year - absolutely amazing in every department

Nina Kraviz - Nina Kraviz

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:47:00 +0000

Siberian-born, Moscow-based Nina Kraviz is sort of a female counterpart to Finland’s Luomo. Nina is a DJ, vocalist and producer of some considerable skill. She is most often associated with ’Deep House’ - where a lot of what she does is much closer to the Germanic Minimal House aesthetic, as well as the aforemention output of Finland’s Sasu Ripati (Luomo, Vladislav Delay et al).

On her debut album for Radio Slave’s Rekids imprint, she largely goes it alone, bar a couple of collaborations - with Hard Ton and King Aus. Her style is stark and subtle with very gradual layering and sleek textural touches; the vocals are often used as sampled and processed snippets including sometimes incomrepehensible chants as on excellent first album single ’Ghetto Kraviz’.

To some ears this will be very much of the ’repetitive beats’ oeuvre, but for those with more finely attuned ears, there is delicate and deft intricacy in these tracks - which are all quite distinct, even though for some listeners it might blur into a singular theme.

Like Luomo, this has a very late-night-ish feel to it, and is a more intimate style of house music - rather more for the head than the feet. After repeated listens I can safely say that this is one classy release which maintains its high quality right across the 14 tracks featured.

I’m sure we will see various different versions of ’Walking in the Night’ as a forthcoming single, same goes for ’Aus’ and ’Taxi Talk’. There really is not a duff track amongst these.

Really great debut, should go on to be one of the most enduring releases of the year.

Tracklisting:

Walking in the Night - feat. Hard Ton 4:15
Aus - feat. King Aus 4:54
Ghetto Kraviz 3:45
Taxi Talk 3:44
False Attraction 5:05
Working 4:57
Choices 5:00
Love or Go 7:01
Best Friend 4:43
4 Ben 4:19
Turn On the Radio 3:35
Petr 5:20
The Needle 1:34
Fire 4:33

Incredibly delicate production Elegant, Minimal Aesthetic Very Individual Vocalisations Fantastic subtle rhythm programming and textures

Walking in the Night Aus Ghetto Kraviz Taxi Talk False Attraction Love or Go Turn On the Radio

Some will find the beautifully elegant minimal aesthetic a little too monotonous and repetitive

A really classy debut effort sure to be on many best of the year charts for 2012

Lights - Siberia

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:43:00 +0000

I must admit I came to this rather late, Valerie’s debut was released back in 2009, and this album hit North America in October last year (2011). It’s actually only just been released in the UK - I spotted it on the racks of HMV, and checked it on Spotify before getting it on iTunes.

The version I have is the 18 track deluxe version - always a bonus when you discover albums late - the innovators typically have to buy 2 albums to get all the tracks.

Anyway, the album starts brilliantly with melodic album title track, and is followed in quick succession by 4 great singles - ’Where the Fence is Low’, ’Toes’, ’Banner’ and ’Everybody Breaks a Glass’ - 5 great tracks right at the start! Mixing more commercial sounding electropop with new wave, synthpop and dubstep flavours throughout - plenty of variety and really high quality.

In addition to the 4 singles already released, there are plenty more potential singles to be found on the album - including ’Timing Is Everything’, ’Peace Sign’, ’Suspension’, ’Flux and Flow’ and even ’Frame and Focus’ - such a wealth of great material - really good songwriting sustained over the whole extended album - I’m not too fussed about the extras, although I love the dubstep blowout on the ’Banner’ remix.

I’ve made 2 great new discoveries this year - Valerie Poxleitner is definitely one of the, alongside her compatriot Claire Boucher (Grimes). This really is a fantastic pop album and deserves to do really well - needs more coverage though!

Tracklisting:

Siberia 4:21
Where the Fence is Low 3:26
Toes - feat. Holy Fuck 3:21
Banner 3:40
Everybody Breaks a Glass - feat. Holy Fuck and Shad 3:57
Heavy Rope 4:02
Timing Is Everything 3:18
Peace Sign 3:32
Cactus in the Valley 3:26
Suspension 4:07
Flux and Flow - feat. Shad 3:23
Fourth Dimension 3:30
And Counting... 4:44
Day One 8:59
Frame and Focus 3:55
Cactus in the Valley (Accoustic Version) 3:47
Toes (Nightbox Remix) 5:04
Banner (SixSickSix Official Remix) 3:48

Fine Songwriting Really Great Melodies Tasteful Contemporary Production Suprisingly Sustained Level of Quality

Siberia Where the Fence is Low Toes Banner Everybody Breaks a Glass Timing Is Everything Peace Sign Suspension Flux and Flow Frame and Focus

Nothing to grumble about really - even noodly instrumental experiment ’Day One’ is granted an exception in this fine company

A truly great contemporary pop album filled to the brim with quality song-craft and fabulous melodies

Amanda Mair - Amanda Mair

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:30:00 +0000

My thanks to Popjustice for introducing me to Amanda Ulrika Magdalena Mair last year with their support of the amazing single ’Doubt’; I soon discovered almost-as-great prior release ’House’ and downloaded both to my iPhone. Third great single ’Sense’ was released just shortly before the self-titled album itself on February 15th - which I had to acquire from Scandinavian music site ’CDON.eu’ even though the album was released on Swedish iTunes - I still don’t understand this stupid territorialism - music is an international medium - all album releases should be available simultaneously - at least in digital format!!!

Amanda was just 16 when she composed much of the material on the album - obviously talented well beyond her years, we won’t take away from the production of Philip Ekström either, which is excellent throughout. For me the nearest comparison is her compatriot Lykke Li, although Amanda is more conventional in her melodies and songwriting - as a head-to-head comparison though Amanda just about edges it on debuts - with slightly more consistency from track to track.

The tracks which really allow Amanda’s vocal talents to shine through are folkish stripped-down affairs - ’Skinnarviksberget’ (or the ’Picnic / Bottle of Wine Song’ as I like to call it!) and ’You’ve Been Here Before’ - both of which I really like, but I prefer the faster tracks! The album is overflowing in potential singles, with pretty much all being worthy - ’Said and Done’ and ’Before’ are possibly the most likely next 2 singles. What with ’Miike Snow’, ’Niki & The Dove’ and ’The Knife’ albums to come later in the year - Sweden in certainly putting up a strong showing for 2012 pop supremacy. I find Amanda’s debut wholly delightful from start to finish - there are obviously some tracks stronger than others, but you would have to be very mean to not award this a top level rating - I highly recommend it.

Tracklisting:

Said and Done 3:54
Doubt 3:29
House 4:00
Sense 3:31
Skinnarviksberget 3:17
Before 3:23
It’s Gonna Be Long 3:34
What Do You Want 3:10
You’ve Been Here Before 2:37
Leaving Early 3:34

Beautiful Melodies Great pop vocals Superior Production Highly consistent

Really strong from start to finish - incredibly strong first half possibly just slightly overshadows second half - album ends strongly though on ’Leaving Early’

For some this might be a little overly straight-laced pop, there’s nothing particularly new, unique or quirky here, but the melodies and vocals are great and so beautifully arranged that you cannot help but be won over

A truly fantastic debut - chock-full of lovely melodies - deserves to do really well

Die Antwoord - Ten$Ion

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:23:00 +0000

I was a big fan of Die Antwoord’s debut album ’$O$’, which caused a little offense with its somewhat obscenity-filled lyrics, sometime suspect subject matter and oddball delivery. The trio - Ninja, Yolandi Visser and DJ Hi-Tek are back in full effect, and even more bombastic than before - if that is possible. Most people have not learnt to take this group with a pinch of salt - this is really just early Beastie Boys with the dial tuned up to 11 - it’s an art project as much as a musical one.

First two new singles did nothing for me intially - ’Fok Julle Naaiers’ (F*** All You W**kers!) and ’I Fink U Freeky’ - both with over-simplistic almost playground-like chants - over fairly spare backing. After a time, these 2 actually grow on you.

There is no doubt that this is an acquired taste - and will be ’Marmite’ to most - everything is a little lo-fi - both in terms of production and many a ’whack’ rhyme - but then again, that is the charm of this too. It’s for sure slightly puerile, and can be deemed offensive if taken out of context - most will certainly dislike this, but for me this is the perfect antidote for the overly produced and overly polished fare which fills up most of our charts these days. Instead we have some raw emoting, which in a way reminds me of the DIY spirit of the early raves - the tracks were emotive, slightly raw and unfinished - with plenty of fuzzy edges - that’s what gave them their impact - there’s nothing more amazing than experiencing the raw emotion of a freshly minted buzz track - which is largely what is kind of conveyed by much of the material here.

The best track on here is easily ’So What?’ with its rumbling g-funk-style backing and guitar licks, but the first ’Neve Le Nkemise’, ’Fatty Boom Boom’, ’Baby’s On Fire’ and ’Fok Julle Naaiers’ all hit the spot too. It’s by no means a classic album, but it’s equal to its predecessor, and pretty entertaining throughout.

Tracklisting:

Never Le Nkemise 2:53
I Fink U Freeky 4:41
Pielie (Skit) 0:09
Hey Sexy 5:09
Fatty Boom Boom 3:46
Zefside Zol (Interlude) 0:56
So What? 3:51
Uncle Jimmy (Skit) 1:21
Baby’s On Fire 3:57
U Make a Ninja Wanna F**k 3:16
Fok Julle Naaiers 3:55
DJ Hi-Tek Rulez (Skit) 1:38
Never Le Nkemise (with Yo-Landi Vi$$er vOcal) 3:22

Slick vocal delivery Boombastic production Expletive riddled lyrics Effervescent Slightly Raw Edged

Never Le Nkemise Fatty Boom Boom So What? Baby’s On Fire Fok Julle Naaiers

You could hardly describe the music as being ’artistic’ either in its lyrical or musical content - the vast majority will dislike this, but for the right audience this great - also possibly just a tadge too much swearing

Entertaining album, equal to its predecessor, still far from perfect!

Air - Le Voyage Dans La Lune (+DVD)

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:17:00 +0000

Air have always had a filmic feel to their music, my favourite of their releases is still their debut EP - ’Premiers Symptômes’, which has beatifully warm 70’s analogue sensibilities. Air of course did the score for Sofia Coppola’s ’The Virgin Suicides’ film (2000), so apart from writing cinematic-style music, they already have a pedigree in soundtracks.

I might be a little biased, as I have loved the ’Le Voyage Dans La Lune’ film for a long time - for which Air’s quirky, analogue-sounding - fully live instrumentation soundtrack is absolutely perfect. I love their live percussion - tom tom, kettle and snare drums on several tracks. ’Astronomic Club’, ’Parade’,’Sonic Armada’ and ’Lava’ are the standout cuts alongside the Victoria Legrand sung ’Seven Stars’.

Some of the rest are simply mood pieces or short interludes, but I’m not sure the ’Au Revoir Simone’ featured ’Who Am I Now?’ really fits in - it’s a little tuneless and not really thematically in keeping with the rest of the album - sounds a litle like an offcut that was just slotted in as a last minute filler. Their are obvious Air touches on most tracks,and even a little Ennio Morricone on last track Lava, but this is not a typical Air album.

For me it works best as twin-pack with the restored version Georges Méliès film - it does not work quite as well as a stand-alone effort, and in many ways is more of an Air curio or collector’s item. Fans of Air and Georges Méliès should be well satisfied though - does not quite get a top ranking - album’s too short really, not sufficiently strong on its own merits - and contains that one oddity in the form of ’Who Am I Now?’.

Tracklisting:

Astronomic Club 3:13
Seven Stars - Feat. Victorial Legrand 4:23
Retour Sur Terre 0:33
Parade 2:33
Moon Fever 3:34
Sonic Armada 5:05
Who Am I Now? - Feat. Au Revoir Simone 3:01
Décollage 1:38
Cosmic Trip 4:10
Homme Lune 0:18
Lava 2:53

Live, analogue instrumentation Quirky soundscapes Great live percussion Perfect fit for Georges Méliès film

Astronomic Club Seven Stars Parade Sonic Armada Lava

Album is very short, does not work as well as a stand-alone, and second vocal track ’Who Am I Now?’ does not really fit in this collection for me

Great as a soundtrack album, not so strong as a stand-alone

Lana Del Rey - Born to Die (Deluxe Version)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:03:00 +0000

Well, us Lana / Lizzy fans have waited a long time for this release, which kind of represents Lizzy Grant’s 3rd musical evolution. I latched onto Lana fairly early on, and have her first album under the Lizzy Grant / Lana Del Ray monicker. It was a strong debut, but not nearly as strong an album as ’Born to Die’ is. After the ’Lana Del Ray’ album, Lana released a slew of promo singles - You Can Be The Boss, On Our Way, Kinda Outta Luck, Diet Mtn Dew and Lolita. The latter 2 have made it onto the ’Born to Die’ album - albeit in slightly different arrangements, influenced by the success of ’Video Games’ I suppose. I actually preferred the previous versions of Diet Mountain Dew and Lolita, as well as ’Kinda Outta Luck’ which I guess is still my favourite Lana track.

The album starts strongly with 5 proper / promo singles - Born to Die, Off to the Races, Blue Jeans, Video Games and Diet Mountain Dew. In fact the album continues pretty much in the same vein as it started - with excellent quality maintained throughout - ’National Anthem’ and ’Radio’ are other likely singles, but pretty much any one would do. I recommend the Deluxe Version of the album, as the 3 extra tracks are all worth it, and include much liked earlier promo track ’Lolita’ - albeit in its less good version! (It’s had the jauntiness removed from it!)

I have a collection on my iPhone called ’Lana Lost Singles’ which features all of Lana’s interim period promos, it’s odd that all of these were not included on the later album, as they are all excellent. I would have preferred to have these in their original arrangements too, which are slightly more jaunty / upbeat than the versions that ended up on the album.

I don’t understand at all the criticism Lana / Lizzy has run into in terms of being a manufactured artist - you can find her pedigree if you search for it, the provenance is good - it’s all on my iPhone. I savoured all the earlier Hollywood potpourri videos - where you can very much witness Lana’s evolving style. There’s a gradual evolution in her work, but the lyrics, melodies and vocal delivery in particular are all instantly indenitfiably Lana / Lizzy.

This album brings to mind 50’s Americana, Twin Peaks, Chris Isaak, faded seaside glamour, and has a hopeful melancholy about it on many tracks. I find Lizzy Grant to have a singularly unique signature sound / voice - which holds significant appeal for these ears. I am less concerned with the artifice of appearance, but do hold her to be an authentic artist, very much of her own making - regardless of what assisstance she may have had along the way. Of all the other ’new’ artists this year, Lana certainly stands out, and this is truly a Classic album which will stand the test of time - I obviously love it.

Tracklisting:

Born to Die 4:46
Off to the Races 5:00
Blue Jeans 3:29
Video Games 4:42
Diet Mountain Dew 3:43
National Anthem 3:51
Dark Paradise 4:03
Radio 3:35
Carmen 4:09
Million Dollar Man 3:50
Summertime Sadness 4:25
This Is What Makes Us Girls 3:58
Without You 3:49
Lolita 3:39
Lucky Ones 3:47

Beautiful, distinct vocal delivery Lovely melodies Lush arrangements Great production values

This is one of those rare albums on which I love every track - obviously some are stronger than others, but there’s nothing here that is weak or throwaway

I actually preferred the earlier treatments of ’Diet Mountain Dew’, ’Lolita’ and even the ’National Anthem’ demo, and favourite earlier promo single ’Kinda Outta Luck’ - also, I don’t see why more of the promos were not included

Will be long remembered as one of the great releases of 2012 - a fantastic album

Chairlift - Something

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:57:00 +0000

Chairlift first rose to prominence when their track ’Bruises’ was used to launch the 4th generation Apple iPod Nano back in 2008. Their debut album ’Does You Inspire You’ received good reviews, but only moderate success. The follow-up ’Something’ is for me a stronger affair, with an excellent opening section, and an 80’s inspired theme throughout. Strong melodies with snappy production and clever hooks, all serve to perfectly compliment Caroline Polachek’s great vocals. There’s sufficient variety and imagination at play here to sustain the whole album which really only starts to run out of steam during the last couple of tracks - which I would probably have placed the other way round, using the ethereal ’Turning’ as the outro. Even though the album does taper off towards the end, there’s still nothing to dislike really - the tracks still have endearing qualities, even though they might not be my favourites.

The Album features great singles ’Sidewalk Safari’, ’Wrong Opinion’, ’Amanaemonesia’,and ’Met Before’, and I also really like ’I Belong In Your Arms’ and ’Take It Out On Me’.

All in all a really classy collection of catchy pop songs - quite different to the mostly Eurodance style pop which currently litters the global charts. This is warm, finely crafted pop - possibly for slightly more mature pallets. I really like this album - highly recommended.

Tracklisting:

Sidewalk Safari 3:49
Wrong Opinion 5:06
I Belong In Your Arms 3:27
Take It Out On Me 3:54
Ghost Tonight 3:07
Cool As A Fire 3:58
Amanaemonesia 5:01
Met Before 2:54
Frigid Spring 3:49
Turning 2:59
Guilty As Charged 3:34

Lush vocals by Caroline Polachek Great melodies Peppered with catchy hooks Great production values 80’s inspired

A really great classy pop album, which obviously wears it’s heart on the sleeves - I could name all the obvious 80’s references, but that would spoil some of the fun for you, and possibly taint by association, as this is superior material

The album peters out a little during the last couple of tracks - which are still not without merit

Classy 80’s inspired electronic pop - very high quality throughout

Armin Van Buuren - State of Trance Yearmix 2011

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:50:00 +0000

Armin’s Yearmix albums have strangely formed the core of my Nordic Walking accompaniment. Last year, the 2010 Yearmix was my most-played album, and judging on how many times I’ve played Yearmix 2011 already this year, the new collection is likely to be this year’s favourite too.

I’ve checked out Armin’s other productions - albums and other compilations, but it is really only these 40+ track megamixes that really appeal to me. The skill it takes to select the right tracks, in the right sequence and to layer them on top of each other is quite phenomenal. If you listen to the individual tracks of the compilation, they are mostly pretty decent, but they pale when compared to the exquisitely multi-layered confections that Armin creates.

Whenever you think you’re listening to a single track, there are normally 2 tracks at work, with new hooks and melodies coming in and out of choruses - this is truly a masterclass of mixing. The mix ebbs and flows with some more poppy vocals, before it segues into more industrial sounding fare. Highlihgts of the compilation are mostly on Disc 1 and include the starting mix, the section around You Got To Go > New Beginnings > Helpless and AK-47 > Punk > Songless.

This is a real mixture of progressive trance, vocal prop trance, progressive house and electro house - there’s even some acid house in there! It was quickly evident that 2011 was right up to the quality of the superb 2010 - possibly 2010 has a stronger track selection overall, but 2011 is its equal over the whole journey.

I know that Armin is always reckoned to be a Trance DJ, but this collection is much more than that - edging into various territories of mainroom club dancefloors. Great for the clubs obviously, and the 140 bpms are equally great for my Nordic Walks, it’s also fitting to see 3 Above & Beyond tracks on the compilation as Group Therapy was one of my favourite albums last year - all highly recommended.

Tracklisting:

Part 1

One Is Just the Beginning - Intro
Promises (Myon & Shane 54 Summer of Love Mix) - Andain
Koko (Radio Mix) - Sander van Doorn
Kate (Radio Edit) - Arty
Youtopia (Blake Jarrell Remix) [feat. Adam Young] - Armin van Buuren
Superman - Mat Zo
The Atmosphere (Klauss Goulart & Mark Sixma’s Deep Universe Remix) - Kid Alien
Love Is Darkness (Radio Edit) [feat. Carol Lee) - Sander van Doorn
Around the World (Original Mix) - Arty
Timezone (feat. Frederick) - Sander van Doorn & Purple Haze
Keep Waiting (Orjan Nilsen Midsummernite Remix) [feat. Lyck] - Tiddey
You Got To Go (Kyau & Albert Remix) [feat. Zoe Johnston] - Above & Beyond
New Beginnings (Solid Stone Remix) - Martire & Xy
Helpless 2011 (Aurosonic Progressive Mix) [feat. Shelley Harland] - Headstrong
Tears (Aurosonic Progressive Mix) [feat. Stine Grove] - Headstrong
Winter Stayed (Armin van Buuren’s On the Beach Mix - Triple A
The Wall (Arty Remode Mix) [feat. Tania Zygar] - Arty
Not Over Yet (Max Graham vs Protoculture Remix) - G’Race
Surreal (Omnia Remix) [feat. Ana Criado] - Markus Schulz
Everything About You [feat. Relyk] - The Blizzard & Yuri Kane
Drowning (Avicii Mix) [feat. Laura V] - Armin van Buuren
Phoenix from the Flames (Omnia & The Blizzard Remix Edit) [feat. Justine Suissa] - Boom Jinx
My Inner Island (feat. Omnia) - The Blizzard
Be Your Sound - Cosmic Gate & Emma Hewitt
Roses Never Cry (Radio Edit) - Heatbeat
AK-47 (Original Mix) - W&W
Punk (Arty Rock-n-Rolla Mix) - Ferry Corsten
Songless (Mark Sherry Outburst Remix) [feat. Jennifer Karr] - Lange
Vengeance Vengeance - Leon Bollier
Sun & Moon [feat. Richard Bedford] - Above & Beyond
Disarm Yourself (Club Mix) [feat. Emma Hewitt] - Dash Berlin
Fight the Fire (feat. Sue Mclaren) - Andy Moor
My Enemy (Rank 1 Remix) [feat. Julie Thompson] - Super8 & Tab
Falling Away (Armin van Buuren Remix) - Hannah
Reboot - Ummet Ozcan
Rebound (Original Mix) - Arty & Mat Zo
Lifted (Mat Zo Remix) [feat. Christina Soto] - Tritonal
Apollo Road (Club Version) - ATB & Dash Berlin
Colours (Armin van Buuren Remix Edit) - Emma Hewitt
Thing Called Love (Radio Edit) [feat. Richard Bedford] - Above & Beyond
Tomahawk - BT & Adam K
Breathe in Deep (The Blizzard Remix) [feat. Fiora] - Armin van Buuren
Breathe On My Own (Radio Mix) [feat. Audrey Gallagher] - Mark Eteson
You Belong To Me - Bobina & Betsie Larkin

Part 2

Save This Moment (Gareth Emery Remix) - John O’Callaghan & Betise Larkin
Talk To Me (Ørjan Nilsen Trance Mix) [feat. Timmy & Tommy] - John O’Callaghan
Rotunda (Official Radio Edit) - Markus Schulz & Jochen Miller
Bamm! (Short Edit) - Jochen Miller
Mansion - Ashley Wallbridge & Gareth Emery
Sinners (Radio Edit) - Markus Schulz & Dakota
Ask the Cat (Radio Edit) - Heatbeat
Impact (MarLo Remix) - W&W
Viking (Edit) - Ørjan Nilsen
Outsider (Original Mix) - Beat Service
Go Fast! - Ørjan Nilsen
Between the Rays (Original Mix) - Ørjan Nilsen
A Night Like This - Kyau & Albert
Better Half of Me (Club Mix) [feat. Jonathan Mendelsohn] - Dash Berlin
Sun Gone Down (Original Mix) [feat. Shannon Hurley] - Protoculture
Fallen Angel (Dennis Sheperd Club Mix) [feat. Ana Criado] - Dennis Sheperd & Cold Blue
Stellar - Armin van Buuren & Gaia
Home (Daniel Kandi Retrofit Remix) - Susana
Harmony Will Kick You In The Ass - Lange & LNG
The Island (Radio Edit) [feat. Jano] - Marlo
Blue Fear (Ørjan Nilsen Remix) - Armin van Buuren
Status Excessu D (ASOT 500 Theme) - Armin van Buuren & Gaia
Spotlight - Jorn van Deynhoven
Ashes (Radio Edit) - Sebastian Brandt
Into the Light (Alex Morph Remix) [feat. Mark Frisch] - Gareth Emery
Fire Sign (Suncatcher Remix) [feat. David Berkeley] - Agulo
Song for Sendai - The Thrillseekers
An Angel’s Love (Radio Edit) [feat. Sylvia Tosun] - Alex M.O.R.P.H.
Latika - Simon Patterson
Skyfire (Official Radio Edit) - Shogun
Adelaide (Radio Edit) - Arctic Moon
Coming Home (Arctic Moon Remix) - Armin van Buuren
Painting Pryamids - Bjorn Akesson
It Will Be OK (Arctic Moon Remix) [feat. Katherine Crow] - Aly & Fila
Only for You [Arctic Moon Remix] - Ahmed Romel
We Control the Sunlight (Radio Edit) [feat. Jwaydan] - Aly & Fila
Full Moon Party - Paul Oakenfold
Exploration of Space (Cosmic Gate’s Back 2 The Future Remix) - Cosmic Gate
Use Somebody (Armin van Buuren Rework) - Laura Jansen
Come To Me [feat. Bo Bruce] - Simon Patterson & Greg Downey
One’s Again - Outro

Superb track selection Excellent Sequencing Fantastic Layering Epic Edits Great Journey from start to finish Great for Nordic Walking

As always I find Part 1 slightly superior to Part 2 - great start, plenty of Above & Beyond, and middle section around Ferry Corsten’s ’Punk’ is brilliant

On first listen seems to contain more cheesy vocals than previous collections - this wanes with repeated listens though when you realise that the balance of tracks is pretty much perfect

I did not think Yearmix 2010 could be beaten, but 2011 has equalled it, another superb instalment of this legendary series

Justice - Audio, Video, Disco

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:48:00 +0000

On their second album, Ed Banger alumni Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay move away from the club to a kind of 70’s electro-rock concept album. There’s a hint of the progressive, and of stadium rock, perhaps a touch of the Who’s Pinball Wizzard, with some dance flavours threaded through the mix.

Production values are high throughout - with a definite cinemascope and vintage feel. The more I listen to it, the more I believe I’m right with my Who analogy. There’s even a mid-section in ’Civilzation’ which has a hint of ’Baba O’Riley’ about it. A kind of melting point between American 70’s pomp-rock, the Who, Queen and Electro-House. It’s still very much ’Justice’ sounding, but without the variety of its predecessor. The drum-track on ’Parade’ for sure has a hint of Queen’s ’We Will Rock You’.

I supposed you could say this effort is more thematically consistent, and flows in an expected arc from start to finish. Possibly you could also say that there are more conventional song structures here than Justice employed before.

As stated, it’s a great sounding album in its entirety, and nicely extends the French Funk template. It’s very obviously still French in sound, a touch Daft Punk in places even - which is all good.

I must admit that when I first heard debut album single ’Civilization’ I was not overly enthusiastic, being such a fan of their earlier more clubbier material. On repeated listens though, and especially within the context of the album it is a great track, as is follow-up single ’Audio, Video, Disco’. My favourite though is ’Canon’ which actually is closer to their previous club-bangers.

I can see this album going down very well live - kind of fists pumping the air stadium fare I suppose. It’s definitely an evolution of their sound - and a good one. When compared to the former album, this one has a slight edge, by virtue of its improved togetherness - and thematic flow. I did not think I would overly like it, but I really do - it’s a great release, highly recommended!

Tracklisting:

Horsepower 3:40
Civilization - Feat. Ali Love 3:39
Ohio - Feat. Vincent Vendetta 4:01
Canon (Primo) 0:27
Canon 3:39
On’N’On - Feat. Morgan Phalen 4:31
Brianvision 3:12
Parade 4:02
New Lands - Feat. Morgan Phalen 4:14
Helix 4:28
Audio, Video, Disco 4:51
Outro (Hidden Track) 4:33

Electro-rock-house hybrid Definititely has a foot in the 70’s Fantastic production Great hooks and melodies

If you like the already released album singles, you should get a good feel for the album - thematically coherent from start to finish with some really great sounding tracks

The straight-up dance fans of the previous album might not like this new 70’s rock influenced direction

Magnificent album which sounds gorgeous from start to finish

Digitalism - I Love You, Dude

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 10:45:00 +0000

Hamburg duo - Jens ’Jence’ Moelle and Ismail ’Isi’ Tüfekçi first rose to prominence on French label Kitsuné Music - which is still their home. Because of their label association, and their French Funk house-sound, many assumed them to be French at the start. They don’t go quite as hard as Daft Punk, Justice or Sebastian can, sailing on occasion closer to the more laidback sounds of Modjo, Midnight Juggernauts and Cut Copy.

3 singles have been released to-date - double-header instrumental ’Blitz / Stratrosphere’ and vocal / more poppy - ’2 Hearts’ - all three excellent. Equally excellent is fortchoming single ’Circles’ - with its catchy ’Again and Again’ vocal refrain. I have a feeling that Julian Casablancas sung ’Forrest Gump’ will soon achieve single status too.

The album is certainly not short of highlights - Reeperbahn is another excellent canditate for single status - albeit possibly more on a punk-funk vibe than pure Electro-House.

This album garnered largely positive reviews, but not quite as postitive as I would have thought. The album is particularly well balanced for me, and has no filler tracks as such - it compares well to its predecessor which was excellent too. Highly recommended!

Tracklisting:

Stratosphere 3:02
2 Hearts 3:56
Circles 3:48
Blitz 4:17
Forrest Gump - Feat. Julian Casablancas 3:35
Reeperbahn 3:53
Antibiotics 4:00
Just Gazin’ 3:30
Miami Showdown 3:28
Encore 4:16

Quality Electro-House Mostly instrumental, but sufficient vocals / vocal refrains to retain interest Great Production Plenty of catchy melodies and hooks

The album starts pretty strongly and just gets better and better, not a single weak moment for me

Nothing wrong really! 10 tracks with pop-single running-times - none longer than circa 4 minutes - punchy and to the point with nothing outstaying its welcome

Great album, possibly not quite as arresting as recent releases from SebastiAn and Justice, but nonetheless - high quality from start to finish