HUGE. MAHOOSIVE. GARGANTUAN. These are the kind words that still fall short in describing how massive ‘Fitta Happier’ by QUAKERS is, quite simply the largest slab of brand new HipHop this side of the Moon. Props to all involved, this track is epic. I think I need to lie down.

I like BRETON, I’ve enjoyed them both live and via mp3. New track ‘Interference’ has the swagger, vibe and groove I’ve come to love , I think, maybe I’m getting a bit biased now? Bit like being asked to assess the hotness of your girlfriend, when she’s sitting next to ya.

‘Yonder’ by SASKILLA is a track that hints at a big future for its Daddy. You Tube vid’s post lasted year (with 50 000 plays) indicate there may have been a false start or two for this track, if he can get it off the blocks and get the necessary airplay this guy could be a big, big star.

Vlr

md

HEAR/ BUY THE TRACK:

QUAKERS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZG7I9Qu6-Rw

BRETON: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmUO5ekgME4

SASKILLA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66iAUwJ86AU

Hey Up!

How are ya? Belated Happy New Year and all that jazz. Sorry I’ve been a bit quiet but January is always a bit slow for New Music, ok real reason is I have been moving house a task that has put the ‘M’, the ‘I’ and the ‘S’ into MISSION. Man what a ball-ache, I feel like the Greek Finance Minister trying to make the sums add up. How hum at least January 2012 has been unusually forthcoming New Music wise.

M83 have been around a while but Twenty Twelve looks like being the year it all goes inter-stellar for them, which I think they’ll like, they have the vibe of a band who’d fancy a space trip. M83 are what Daft Punk would have sounded like if they formed a band rather than the greatest electronic duo of all time. They’ve followed up the awesome ‘Midnight City’ with the equally fab ‘Reunion’.

More than a hint of DP about MADOEN’s ‘Icarus’, more than a hint of space dust too (as well as general flying vibes what with that name and all). In the days of Dubstep and UK Funky it’s quite rare to a hear a great piece of phat, filtered House Music, this is exactly that. Music to fly to, big tune.

THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND are just that, a band, they’re also phenomenal in the eyes of my ears (if such a sensory mash-up is possible). Perennial favourites of mine across 2011 I’m really feeling new single ‘The Right One’. The video to which has, yep you’ve guessed it, quite a spacey vibe.

Super Nova.

Vlr

x

HEAR/ BUY THE TRACK:

PHEN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSlYJbrU7Ac

M83: http://vimeo.com/32679690

MADEON: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcFmL2TcaBs

DEAD SKELETONS ‘Om Mani Peme Hung’ is both unpronounceable and indescribable, despite this fact I’m going to make a brief attempt unburdened by the futility of the task. I’d say it sounds like the soundtrack to an Indian space programme totally staffed by Americans and Aborigines, yah get me?

YOUNG MAN’s ‘Who Knows’ does that tricky electronic music ‘thing’, it has the vibe of a cross-over track whilst maintaining its soul and yeah, as snobby as it sounds credibility. Totally nailing the sound of a dancefloor at three in the morning in 2011, this is bigggie.

Finally for our last musical indulgence pre Christmas lets end on a huge sonic high. QUANTIC plus ALICE RUSSELL plus COMBO BARNRO = Musical Genius. ‘Look Around The Corner’ is an awesome track.

Happy Baby Jesus Fest.

Vlr

x

HEAR/ BUY THE TRACK:

DEAD SKELETONS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQWTCJkgoKg

YOUNG MAN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUd3-y7BglY

QUANTIC: http://soundcloud.com/tru-thoughts/quantic-alice-russell-feat-the/s-z0YYl

There is definitely something in the air at the moment, whether full blown revolution is around the corner I’m not quite sure, but at the very least I feel the curse of apathy is starting to lift. I first sensed it (ironic as it now seems) in the build up to the last general election, the fact that result looked close and therefore your vote mattered, combined with the Liberal Democrats appearing like a genuine alternative (irony x2!) seemed to enthuse us all more than I’d seen before. Of course your enthusiasm for the Liberal’s income tax policy for low earners has been moderated by Cameroon and then annihilated by the tuition fee u-turn, which has in itself trampled on the green shoots of re-engagement with conventional electoral politics.

A May 2010 popping of ‘Voting Virginity’ has evolved into a willingness to hit the streets, and even camp on them. I didn’t see much evidence of political thought in Augusts’ riots, more an opportunistic chance to get a free tv, but it has to be acknowledged as part of the pattern of increased anger, frustration and violence. Ultimately you don’t risk arrest (perhaps the problem was it didn’t seem a risk after seeing how easy it was) if you already have a nice tv and trainers.

I sense the masses are reaching our limits, refusing to accept our lot and becoming emboldened to fight back. Quite possibly the gap between the haves and have not’s is bigger than ever, more than that it’s more IN YOUR FACE than ever.

In 1857, unless you worked for Lord Wat-his-face as his butler or something you didn’t see his wealth that much, it wasn’t flaunted in your face for all to see. We know they are rich and we are poor and in 2011 we can’t get away from it, it’s in our magazines, on our TVs and all over our social media. We also know more about the level of ‘desert’, I don’t hear many people moaning about Richard Branson, he is seen (rightly or wrongly) as having earned his money. But from reality tv stars to the bankers to the expense-scandal-politicians there are significant numbers of people in our face with money which we don’t feel they deserve, indeed in many cases we feel they’ve stolen that money from us. Knowing we’re facing harder times is tough, simultaneously seeing undeserving individuals profit creates an exponential growth in the level of ‘annoyance-o-meter’.

Less well off ourselves

X

Higher levels of awareness of those who have more than us (and we don’t think deserve it)

=

Agro.

And maybe even revolution.

Happy Baby Jesus Fest, may 2012 bring the change you seek and society needs.

Vlr

x

I like DJANGO DJANGO, I like them a lot. ‘Waveforms’ was doing the business for me, new track ‘Default’ has sealed the deal. Guitar tuneage with a big nod to the dancefloor and lyrics mocking our current financial plight, what’s not to love?

Very different to the above but just as loveable in its own poignant way is the stunning ‘Mexico’ by THE STAVES. Apparently they have been supporting James Vincent McMorrow and you can certainly hear why he choose them, beautiful music.

As always I am ahead of the curve, my next pick not being out till February 2012, let’s just not mention the twenty million odd hits ‘Somebody I Used To Know’ has had on YouTube, the artist is called GOTYE. This is the male ‘Video Games’ of 2011.

Vlr

x

HEAR/ BUY THE TRACK:

DJANGO DJANGO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtsPfrQKuQg

THE STAVES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYV0Wp0MdZ4

GOTYE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

BRAND NU TOP THREE 10 12 11

1) HOOK AND THE TWIN – ‘We’re So Light’

2) THE SHINING – ‘Hey You’

3) HAIGHT ASHBURY – ‘Sophomore’

With an Honorary mention to

This week’s “great but not quite”:

EUGENE MCGUINESS – ‘Lion’

ZED BIAS – ‘Music Deep Inside’

MIGUEL MIGGS – ‘Tonight’

MIGUEL MIGGS is a man who knows how to turn the one’s and two’s of computer code into a seductive groove. ‘Tonight’ featuring MESHELL NDegeocello vocals is a gorgeous slab of laidback House that’s likely to leave give the Lynx Effect a run for it’s money. Play this and the one you love is likely to be self-stripping and jumping on you quicker than you can say ‘Miggs Effect’.

I’m a big fan of HAIGHT ASHBURY (as ya may have picked up over the year) so no surprise to hear I’m hyped about their new track ‘Sophomore’, if new to you think a female, celtic sounding Breah Boys, and you’d be 50% of the way there.

You know that ‘groove’ thing I mentioned earlier? Well there’s plenty of it in ‘Hey You’ by THE SHINING. This time around emanating from a bass guitar and fine set of vocal chords (as opposed to laptop computer program) this tune is totally infectious, I like, I like a lot.

Vlr

x

HEAR/ BUY THE TRACK:

MIGUEL MIGGS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAJin7bAdiY

HAIGHT-ASHBURY: http://soundcloud.com/lime-records/haight-ashbury-sophomore

THE SHINING: http://www.spinetv.net/mag/2011/Nov/9/shining-hey-you/

Since we first blogged about EUGENE MCGUINESS back in 2007 he’s been getting up to all sorts including a stint in Miles Kane’s band. Back focusing on his own career I’m really feeling the high-tempo, almost 60s pop-esque vibe of ‘Lion’. This has the potential to cross-over and make sure Eugene never has to session for anyone again, not that he’ll make much dollar out of this actual track, it’s available for free download off his website.

Finally due for official release after playing hard to get with the blogosphere for time is ZED BIAS’s ‘Music Deep Inside’, as authentic recreation of the spirit of ’99 as you could dream of whilst lounging on a white Ibizan beach. If you’re into this kinda of electronic music you’ll love this, if you aren’t your ears will probably be a bit confused, get them to talk to your tapping toes, they’ll translate.

HOOK AND THE TWIN’s ‘We’re So Light’ does that thing that makes me go week at the knees, seductively combining ‘band’ and ‘electronica’. A real subtle minimalist groove, some great synths and engaging vocals, I’m feeling this as much in the mosh pit as on the dancefloor. Nice work Mr Hook, and your twin.

Vlr

x

BUY/ HEAR THE TRACK:

EUGENE MCGUINESS: http://www.eugenemcguinness.net/

ZED BIAS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ih-bFkGz1Q

HOOK AND THE TWIN: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p64EWx6gJUs

BRAND NU TOP THREE 03 12 11

This week’s “great but not quite”:

BRAND NU TOP THREE 25 11 11

1) THE MEGAPHONIC THRIFT – ‘Dragon vs Dust’ (You have to experience this song live!)   / Candy Sin

2) FLUX PAVILION & DOCTOR P – ‘Superbad’

3) LLOYD – ‘Dedication To My Ex’

With an Honorary mention to

This week’s “great but not quite”: