Greetings music lovers! I bring you another batch of the best music on this Friday morning. I've cut away the terrible new releases and left you with an in-depth offering of the greatest music of right now. So, turn your speakers up, get your favourite download in the background and get ready to feast your senses on some marvellous new music. Let's go!
Example - "Won't Go Quietly" (Album)
It was released earlier this week and it's one of my favourite albums of the moment, from one of my favourite artists and musicians, Example. He's been getting some great publicity over the past year with his big tracks, "Watch The Sun Come Up" and "Kickstarts", along with the song which the album is named after, "Won't Go Quietly".
I've been a fan of Elliot John Gleave work (his real name) since his 2007 début "What We Made", a record filled to the brim with strong, and sometimes hilarious, lyrics alongside wonderful melodies and beats, but this new album brings the rapper into a new light with a far more commercial and electronic pop sound. In particular the album is very good because of the album versions of the songs you hear on the radio. "Watch The Sun Come Up" is somewhat longer than the radio edit but it offers a rich dimension to the track, with a intro that suits the song brilliantly. All in all, the record as a whole contains some of the biggest anthems of the year, and particular the summer, and should definitely be checked out.
I regularly promote music and encourage you to buy it, but "Won't Go Quietly" is certainly one record you should reach out and purchase, as simply it could be one of the best albums of the year.
Dan Bilan - "Chica Bomb"
Remember the bizarre Moldovan dance-pop artists "O-Zone" with the Top 10 hit Dragostei Din Tei? Well, Dan Bilan, one of the men behind the group has come to the light with his personal solo offering, Chica Bomb, and oddly enough- it's infectiously good. No, seriously.
It's dark, sexy and horrendously catchy and nothing like O-Zone ever put out. being honest, it's shocking to think that the band ever contained a musician that could create a song of this calibre, as it's really good. Not that I hated Dragostei Din Tei, I too was caught up in the nonsense that entailed with it's airplay back in 2004; But, Chica Bomb is very different. With a raunchy and eye-watering video, complete with scantly clad dancers, strobe lighting and imagery and everything you need to get your video flagged on YouTube, it's the makings of a hit, and rightfully so. Put your Europop prejudice aside and listen to this. If you were in a club and this came on, you'd dance. Don't even pretend you wouldn't.
M.I.A. Feat. Jay-Z - "XXXO"
M.I.A.'s latest album is out, entitled "Maya" and stylised as // / Y /, and the first track from the record is "XXXO". However, if you bought the album in certain stores, you may have received the bonus track of the single featuring no other than Mr. Jay-Z. The addition of the rapper's vocals brings a different approach to the song. His powerful voice draws a certain level of energy to the verses and is well worth listening to as it compliments M.I.A.'s portions excellently.
The Looks - "Enemies"
I first got to see these guys in action at a talent show a number of years ago, still a new, emerging South Dublin indie rock band. Now, years on, they've kicked onto the scene, and they're hear to stay. After being sent a Demo EP this week, I've been hooked on the single, with is alongside the highly bouncy "Romeo".
The song starts of with a slightly electronic sound, in time with a funky drum beat and bass guitar, set to blow any second. Cue the guitars and the vocals and we're away with a stand-out track, easily defining the band- young, noisy and raw, but highly accomplished, dynamic and with a fine tuned musical talent, something a lot of new bands lack.
Are they a band to watch? Yes, certainly. With growing popularity and a host of material without any filler, they are a group that can only expand and go up and up. Enemies isn't a textbook indie record; it's been carefully thought-out, calculated and created to offer something different. And, this difference is the edge that Irish indie rock needed, and The Looks are here just in time to take the stage and deliver something special.
Watch out for these guys- they're going to be in an ever-growing limelight for some time to come.
I Blame Coco - "Selfmachines"
Meet Eliot Sumner, or Coco Sumner as she's better known. She was born in Pisa in 1990. She's got a great voice, a new single, has worked with Sub Focus and Robyn, and she has a multi-instrumentalist father that goes by the name of Sting. You may have heard of him, and now you're going hear about her.
Selfmachines is the début single from her album, The Constant, and the track itself is out July 11th. Blending a 80s synth feel with modern stylings and lovely piano sequences, the song is a great piece of work. It draws you in and captures you, with an interesting chorus and soft, beautiful vocals.
I won't speak much about it, as it's far better if you listen and enjoy it yourself. One thing is certain, I hope her album contains many more songs of the same quality, as it's very special indeed.
The Baseballs - "Strike!" (Album)
In the past I was strangely addicted to the work of Richard Cheese and Lounge Against The Machine, a easy-listening band who re-recorded popular modern songs with their sassy, sexy piano bar style. They covered music from Madonna to System of a Down, Cypress Hill to Ricky Martin, amongst others. However, there's a new contender on the scene: The Baseballs.
Granted, I first heard them as the "house band" at a World Cup Party on the radio, but they are quite interesting, with covers of "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry on the album, along with Maroon 5 and more. It's worth checking out.
Kele - "The Boxer" (Album)
As a big Bloc Party fan, I hoped that Kele Okereke's debut album lived up to the standard of the inspirational band he once fronted. And, gladly my hopes weren't shattered; it's a very good and strong album, which was released on Monday. With "Tenderoni" being the first single, it's an album that you will surely love.
As usual, the music videos and content were provided by Muzu.tv. Dan Bilan image licensed under Creative Commons, by Dumitru Rusu. Other images copyright of their respective owners.
