Jake Bugg / Artist Review

He's the new face of indie-folk and country music, he's attractive and by this time next year the world will have his name up in lights: It's the one and only Nottingham-born Jake Bugg.

An European tour with Micheal Kiwanuka, a USA tour supporting living Oasis legend Noel Gallagher and a 'warm-up act' for the 1980's icons that are just The Stone Roses on their performance at the Adidas' Olympics Party, post-comeback. It's safe to say Jake Bugg's been lavished and pampered with an array of stars to accompany across seas, and in his own right he really does deserve it.

Influenced through the likes of The Beatles and Oasis, a raw influence can be heard weaving it's way through the young prodigy's guitar riffs and brassy vocals, creating a fresh view through simple rhymes and real-life stories. Bugg's definitely the one to watch when it comes to song writing this year.

The lyrics we hear in 'Lightning Bolt' match those of a younger Alex Turner (of Arctic Monkeys) writing about real time issues and his views of a certain situation today. Bearing this in mind; his lyrical messages are far beyond his seventeen years of age - he really is something special: the real deal. The lyrics to country-influenced 'Saffron' for example, have been meshed together perfectly to create a romantic love-song without the usual 'I love you' edge that most musicians today focus on. You can tell he's worked hard to create something unique.

Along with being a fantastic lyricist; Jake Bugg is a new un-discovered fashion icon. Subconsciously Bugg has brought back the classical Harrington jacket. In his simple (but very effective) music videos Bugg can be seen sporting a black Fred Perry Harrington jacket, which were big in the 1960's. Could he be bringing back the Harrington jacket and creating a fashion trend? The voice and the look go hand-in-hand with each other perfectly. Simple polo-shirts with the buttons buttoned to the top, a vintage-looking jacket and a folk guitar to match. It's fair to say that Jake Edwin Kennedy is one of the more fashionable musicians of the generation.

Bugg releases his self-entitled album on the 15th of October 2012; a date teenagers and the older era have marked, circled and crossed in their diary's and waited since his appearance on 'Later...With Jools Holland' in May time.

What can we expect from this debut album? Class. Bugg's elegant vocals and soft guitar playing will melodically entice the listener into a state of relaxation and allow the listener to get inside of the music, literally. Singles 'Lightning Bolt' and 'Two Fingers' will be featured on the album, and if those two are anything to go by; it could become one of the more iconic albums of the year, and definitely one that is going to be in your record collection.

2013 will be the year Jake Bugg rises: just watch this space.

Catch the 'closest thing we'll ever get again to Bob Dylan' on his February 2013 tour of the UK, which includes Newcastles O2 Academy, London Shepherd's Bush Empire and Birmingham's HMV Institute.

Singles 'Lightning Bolt', 'Two Fingers', 'Trouble Town' and 'Country Song' are available to purchase from iTunes now. The self-entitled album is available to pre-order and will be in shops on the 15th of October.

http://jakebugg.com/
Lightning Bolt - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY0oPg1h8fQ

Crystal Castles / Wrath Of God - Single Review

There is one woman in the music business today who can crawl around a festival stage, drink Jack Daniels whisky through a live set, smoke like a chimney and still have a cosmically magical set of vocals. This one woman is Alice Glass. And this one woman, and producer Ethan Kath; are the heart and soul of electronic music today. They are Crystal Castles.

If you haven't heard of Crystal Castles then take a long, hard look at yourself in the mirror. You've been missing out since 2006. But don't fret there's plenty of time for them to become your new favourite band. If you haven't ever felt the need to listen to Crystal Castles before now then now is your chance; with a brand-new spooky maddening song called 'Wrath Of God'.

The best thing about Crystal Castles is that they're hard to understand. Much like teenagers today, they're kooky, weird, un-readable and un-predictable. But when you understand Alice Glass's muffles of pain and agony; you discover something more beautiful then you could have never ever imagined! Much like "Vietnam" from the 2010 self-entitled album; Glass' haunting vocals are difficult to interpret and find you catching for smoke with your bare hands. But they're mysterious. They're brilliant and she's like a drug to you: she leaves you craving more.

The synthesised beats and keyboard create a sense of relaxation in Wrath Of God. You generally feel like you are flying. You're soaring over the seas with your eyes closed. Glass creates the illusion that dancing with your eyes closed is cool, making you feel like you should be at a rave with a bunch of music-hungry alcohol fuelled teenagers in the grass, rather than doing whatever you're doing right now. The pound of the beat pushes you over the edge; you're exited. You're ready to dance. Kath brings you higher and higher until he crashes; making you soar higher than you could of imagine.

Wrath Of God isn't just a song. It's not a poem and it's not a feeling. It's artwork in spoken form. It's a piece of art.

It sounds as if Kath has opened up a new never-ending door in the world of Crystal Castles. A new wave of beats and a way of thinking. Bearing all that in mind. Wrath Of God is a tiny step down from the first single released from the new album, (III) Plague. When CC fans first heard Plague it sent them into a pandemonium of excitement and passion. It seems that that spark: that passion that was shown in Plague has been slightly diverted on Wrath Of God. It has been edged more towards a more free and relaxed vibe which grows and grows; rather than a hard hitting up-tempo throughout the whole song.

Wrath Of God is a step in the raving right direction for Crystal Castles. Glass' cosmic vocals echo gallantly while Kath's sound synthesizer takes you as high as you could go; then crashes you back down to earth. The wailing, strangelling cries of 'They'll strip you of your heritage' is woven beautifully in and out of the music.

Crystal Castles new album Crystal Castles (III) is out on November 5th 2012 to buy in shops and on iTunes.

Wrath Of God is available to download for free on the Crystal Castles soundcloud page;
http://soundcloud.com/crystal-castles/crystal-castles-wrath-of-god?page=4

Wrath Of God on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6ugOBCZAVk

Lana Del Rey / Ride - Single Review

A provocative GQ magazine photo shoot, a number 1 album in 12 countries and the new face of clothing brand H&M... Is there no end to the Lana Del Rey hype?

The New York born superstar Elizabeth Woolridge Grant aka Lana Del Rey has rocketed from her nobody status, to being the woman on every body's lips (no pun intended.) With Born To Die becoming one of the leading albums of 2012 she needed to pull something new and exciting out of the Lana shaped-box... an alcohol infested loneliness out on the road to no-where.

'Ride' is the new and mysteriously haunting song from the princess of baroque pop; and it's definitely one of her best. Some might say that 'Born To Die' was a beautiful train-wreck of carnage and perfection, but Ride is new; in a fresh and sublime way.

With the simple piano riffs and vexing vocals you're instantly transported to view where Lana pictured herself when she had this song only on paperwork. A long winding road through an impoverished landscape of sand, occupied only by a big blue jeep with a woman who is alone an quiet. Alone, but not lonely.

From 'Ride' we get a defined insight to Lana Del Rey's mindset. She's been travelling alone for so long that she is no longer lonely, she has 'the birds on the summer breeze' and the feeling of 'feeling fucking crazy' to keep her company while she rides on the decisions she has been making. The alcohol, the touring, the alone-ness and the joys and dis mails of being an American sensation.

The dream-like trance that is created in your ears flows effortlessly and easily through you; creating an almost in-human sense of connection to the song. What is happening in this song is up to you: it's your creation. The chorus of  "I am alone in the night been tryin' hard not to get in trouble, but I, I've got a war in my mind" leaves with a questioning mind... "Is the pressure of superstar dam getting to Del Rey?" "Is she really sick of the pain critics can inflict on her?"

'Ride' in one word is beautiful. It's magical. It's haunting. It's Lana Del Rey. It's writing that can transport you to the destination you want to go; and it's opened up a new wave of Lana Del Rey glory. To top off the dusky lyrics; we're finally getting to see snapshots of the wonderful magical world that revolves around Del Rey's head.

'Ride' is the lead single of new album Born To Die - The Paradise Edition that is to be released on November 12th by the solo singer.

You can purchase 'Ride' now from iTunes or listen to it for free on Youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvb8wdBglpw

Come Of Age / The Vaccines - Album Review

'Boring, plain and nothing special'
'Probably the best we'll ever see The Vaccines'

This maybe the most anticipated second album to come out in the year of music, 2012. (Besides Two Door Cinema Club's new album 'Beacon') The Vaccines second album is one of the most talked about and needed albums of this year!

'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' was really the album to watch in 2011, with various singles 'If You Wanna'' and 'Post Break-Up Sex' winding their way onto the Radio 1 play list, it wasn't going to be long before The Vaccines needed to write another heart-racing exciting album.

Have they really bettered 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?' No, but was that really possible?

For any band that had an amazing first album it's surprisingly difficult to create a second album; which sounds completely fresh and still have that edge to it. The Vaccines, to my serious disappointment haven't lived up to their name with 'Coming Of Age'.

If you're looking for an easy sing-a-long album with fluorescent lyrics; then this is really the album you need to purchase for autumn 2012. Justin Young's matured voice echoes romantically amongst Freddie Cowan and Arni Hjorver's guitar riffs. Justin's voice becomes very drone-y in places, such as in 'Lonely World', but is really brought to life with hard hitting 'Bad Mood'; sure to become a favourite of The Vaccines fans. The mood of the album constantly changes, weaving in and out on the album between slow paced head-nodding songs such as 'Aftershave Ocean' to quick jumpy tracks such as 'Change Of The Heart Pt.2'.

The singles 'No Hope' and 'Teenage Icon' are really the stand-outs on the album; the more catchier tracks on the album. Justin's writing is really shown off in these two songs making them iconic and the basis of this albums.

'I Always Knew' is very unusual and western like though. The introduction feels like you're the old time head cowboy going out on his journey to the unknown. But then the mood is lowered instantly and you're left thinking 'what is happening here' until the chorus of 'I always knew it's you' kicks in.

The Vaccines have really embraced the 'western' theme with 'All In Vein' feeling the same as a 1950's jazz band without the brass. Probably one of the weaker songs on the album though, with nothing special really standing straight in front of us on this one.

Surprisingly 'Ghost Town', a song I have personally already experienced live is a new (and good) turn for The Vaccines. A real contender on 'Norgaard' for it's simple lyrics which are also very effective.

To say this album is worth the wait would not be right; being an avid The Vaccines fan, I am more than disappointed with their work on this was-to-be amazing album! The Vaccines have changed, and sadly it isn't for the best.

Coming Of Age is out to download on iTunes and buy in all good record dealers
But if you're after what The Vaccines are really all about purchase 'What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?'

Everything Everything / Cough Cough - Single Review

Everything Everything? WHAT?

You've heard the same words floating around the music scene for a while, you've seen reviews but haven't ever gave the quartet a second thought and you've never bothered to type the same two words into YouTube have you? Well stop avoiding it; it's inevitable... You are going to adore this band!

'Cough Cough' (also a repetition) is the brand new single to be released by Art Rockers Everything Everything. The opening sequence of a chorus of 'Cough Cough's' grabs the song by the antlers and pushes it into a direction of mystery and excitement. Que the beating of drums as large as the quartet and you're on to a winner.

There is something about this new sound that I can't put my hands on. It isn't the usual Everything Everything; it's no My KZ, UR BF or no Qwerty Finger. It's something new and fresh, and just like indie rock band The Vaccines: it's mature. Robertshaw's song writting skills have been kicked up a knotch and into sheer brilliance.

Johnathan Higgs' voice remains magical and sound through out 'Cough Cough'. His high pitched notes (no man would ever dream of reaching) grasp inside of you and fill you up, making your body move to the sound of his vocals. It's very rare you get such a man with a powerful high voice, that is still so lovely to listen to.

If you're going to say that 'Cough Cough' sums Everything Everything up: then you would be wrong. 'Cough Cough' is a feeling. As the lyrics describe what song it is; in my opinion it's a way to forget. 'sold your liver but you're still feeling the red, sold my feelings now I'm hanging by a thread'. The song entices you into a sleepy chant to the sound of pounding drums. You work, you play, you smoke, you get payed. You work and you play and you smoke and you get payed.

It's been exactly two years (August 30th) since Everything Everything's debut album 'Man Alive' was realeased on Geffen, and what an amazing two years this band have had! Winning The Times Breakthrough Act in 2011, preforming at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Carlisle and supporting Snow Patrol on their arena tour of the UK. Now Everything Everything are back and they're bigger than ever with new single 'Cough Cough'.

Could 'Could Cough' be the new sound of Everything Everything? Could this change the game and lob them into complete mainstream success? No, but it is a starting point. If the new album is anything like the sound of 'Cough Cough' then non-fans of the band, and new fans will instantly fall in love with what the new album 'Arc' has to offer. But for the already adoring fans of Everything Everything they will have to step back and look at the gold that will soon be appearing in their pockets.

It's clear to say that the song is beautifully worked though. The mystically enhanced vocals do draw you in to the song and make you feel involved in the drums, the pounding guitars and swimming with the backing vocals. It's a heavy contender for the new wave of music that is soon going to appear on the shelfs on HMV.

'Cough Cough' is available now to download and purchase from iTunes
Everything Everything's new album 'Arc' is available to pre-order right now for the release date of 14th January 2013.

'Cough Cough' official video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/evrythngevrythngvevo?v=cjKcmZGhUrQ