ALBUM RUN DOWN MONDAY 1ST FEB

Thought this week would be a good one to do an album run down for. I'm pretty busy at the moment so I haven't got time to do full reviews for them all, sadly. This Monday there was so many worth mentioning so I'm giving them all a quick run down because none deserve to go unmentioned. Hope you're having a good week, and that at least a couple of these are soundtracking it for you.


ALBUM OF THE WEEK:
First Aid Kit - The Big Black And The Blue
I saw this duo play a Rough Trade instore last week and it was totall magical. Who'd have thought two sisters from Sweden, at only 16 and 19 years old could come up with something this accomplished. It kind of sounds like Fleet Foxes but with just two female voices sewn into each other. The harmonies are quite literally breath taking and the songs are beautiful lullabies. Ratatat fans will recognise the familiar sound of the Autoharp on some of the songs, used to gorgeous effect here. There's a world weariness that women thrice their age would possess, but it's done with such confidence that it's impossible not to completely buy into. A total triumph and one that will be frequently played through many sleepless nights and lazy sundays as the year goes on. 8.5

Midlake - The Courage Of Others
Surprisingly it's been a whole four years since Midlake's last album, the wonderful 'The Trials Of Van Occupanther'. So there was some pretty serious expectation on this follow up, which was met with more unfaltering song craft. Their new one is stunning -invoking images of thick forest, undisturbed nature and times long passed. The vocals are instantly familiar and the music holds new surprises since the last record without changing their unique style. 8.5

Hot Chip – One Life Stand
One of the more eagerly anticipated releases of the week, 'One Life Stand' marks the band's fourth full length. Weirdly, a lot of other people seem to agree with me on this one, in that however great this album is, it still doesn't deliver exactly what we want. Which is a career defining masterpiece. That sounds pretty heavy but each Hot Chip album has such perfect moments but always falls just short of great all the way through. Maybe next time. Until then, this is more than tides me over. 7.5

Los Campesinos! – Romance Is Boring
I don't care what the band say, this is their third album and it's fantastic. Over the last few years, LC! have formed themselves a specific niche, which out grew 'twee' and became something rife with character and emotion. They now encompass something very honest and very exciting. 'Romance Is Boring' could be described as a mixed bag, but I mean that in a positive way. Although nothing quite matches 'The Sea Is A Good Place..' - the best thing they've ever done - there's still so much to discover over the 48 minutes here. Long live Los Camp. 8

CHEW LiPS - Unicorn
Still not sure about this one. I feel like I shouldn't be into them - sadly they are kind of unavoidably lumped into the female electro pop catergory (not a good one to be lumped with.) But last year's 'Salt Air' was so catchy and genuinely cool that I've kept an eye on them. Leaving that and previous single 'Solo' off their debut is a risky yet exciting move and it paid off. 'Unicorn' is pretty unpredictable. At times, innovative and very catchy - it's a good listen. But there are certainly a few duds here. Repeated listens required. 7

Lil Wayne – Rebirth
So here it is at last, Weezy's 'rock' album. I've recently really got into his stuff but there's no denying that this just doesn't smell right. America will love it - there's arena sized drums, dumb powerful guitar riffs and singalong lyrics. But like everything that Americans love; it's not cool. 'Get A Life' is so high school that it hurts a little. 'Hot Revolver', a bonus track is flawless. What happened to the rest? Hopefully 'Tha Carter IV' will see him back on form. Good luck 5.5

The Soft Pack - The Soft Pack
Originally known as The Muslims, these boys have had their fair share of hype. So here is their debut proper, the album by which they will be judged - and it doesn't do anything for me. They strike me as a bit like an American version of The View, musically. Aesthetically they're very Strokes-y, and who needs that right now. With 10 tracks spreading over just 32 minutes it just doesn't really cut it for a full length album. For an act apparently so promising, surely they could've mustered more than half an hour for their debut album. Whatever dude. 6

Get Well Soon – Vexations
I'd never heard of Get Well Soon before this emerged. But what a discovery. 'Vexations' is a complex listen, with lots of lush layers and instruments. I was hooked from the first song - opening with a delicate spoken word from a very English woman's voice which paves the way for moving strings and piano. If you're looking for a new folk album to really get into you couldn't do any better than this one. It's 1 hour of bliss. 8

The Sunshine Underground - Nobody's Coming To Save You
With the release of a new EP in November TSU proved that they were still alive, and now with 'Nobody's Coming To Save You' they prove they're as good as they ever were. However, the debut came out four years ago now, and this is basically more of the same. If this came out then it would be my album of the year - funny just how much music styles and tastes can change over that short a time. This is a strong album, but definitely nothing new. 7.5


Everyone Was In The French Resistance...Now! - Fixin' The Charts Vol. 1
I haven't heard this but it sounds hilarious in a good way

Also The Maccabees are re-releasing 'Wall Of Arms'. Fail.

Have a good weekend xx

MP3: Hot Chip - Brothers //ysi
MP3: Midlake - Small Mountain //ysi

THESE NEW PURITANS -HIDDEN (18TH JAN)

This came out a week ago today, but I needed at least that long to properly get inside this one. People are comparing them to The Horrors this time round, in that they've returned with a second album that blows their debut stylistically out of the water. But 'Beat Pyramid' which was released almost exactly two years ago this week lay the perfect foundations for what was to come, heralding the emergence of an act to be reckoned with. 'Hidden' is the full realization that These New Puritans are every part the powerfully intimidating prospect that we suspected. 'We Want War' surfacing at the tail end of '09 gave an inkling for what was to come. A brave move, pre-empting the album with an uncompromising 7 and a half minutes of whispered threats, sub heavy beats and an entirely orchestral minute outro. The dark robotic repetition of "we.want.war" still spooks after weeks. But it somehow slots into the album flawlessly - which says a lot of this band's sophomore.

However fantastically strange the single was, I still wasn't expecting to be introduced to the record with a slow and considered instrumental fanfare of brass and woodwind, but what a way to start. This is continued later with the interlude 'Canticle' - another minute or so of beautiful orchestration. But this brave new inclusion permeates the whole album, wrapping itself around relentless electronic drums making the most compelling hybrid sound in recent times. 'Three Thousand' blends a foreboding oboe bassline with a head-nodding beat while singer Jack Barnett calmly and menacingly states "That's when we're slicing through time" It's These New Puritans Mk. II - darker, more enigmatic and tense than before. 'Drum Courts - Where Corals Lie' and 'White Chords' are familiar in the frontman's icy cool demeanour and mysterious lyrical style, given real gravitas with the new orchestration. 'Hologram' however is a complete departure for the band as they try their hand at a piano-led song where Barnett's vocals are allowed to take centre stage as opposed to his brother's pounding drums.

That percussion is centre stage on album highlight 'Attack Music' (the working title for the album) - the brutal and towering centrepiece. It's where the children's choir first appear, and to devastating effect, hauntingly chanting "it was September, harmful logic, it was September and this is Attack Music" At the same time woodwind battles with angular guitars all amid the sampled sound of swords being sharpened or unsheathed, who knows - but it's absolutely heart stopping. The choir is used again on 'Orion' which sounds like a darker moment from a Mew album which soon descends into nightmarish wonder with a rattling harpsichord and the morose outro chanting of children's voices. They are used to strikingly beautiful effect on album closer '5', a twinkling song led by delicate xylophone over the 13 piece woodwind and brass ensemble. In the last minute and a half a gentle angelic choir add ahh's to the song's already ethereal vibe.

The only initially questionable aspect of the record is the inclusion of 'Elvis' b-side 'fff' - here renamed 'Fire-Power'. But once it finds its place among the album as a whole it becomes clear that it belongs here much more than the flip side to an early single - it's too powerful for that. 'Hidden' in general is a uncompromising listen, from start to finish; a record that demands the listener's full concentration and imagination. But if you can submerge yourself in the cryptics, the intensity and the art that holds the album together then you'll find yourself with something quite permanent. There genuinely isn't another band have even attempted to blend this specific brand of confrontational no wave/post punk with such gorgeous orchestra arrangements, choirs and apparently the sound of 'a melon with cream crackers attached struck by a hammer, used to simulate the sound of a human head being smashed'. These New Puritans have not only re-written the book for themselves, but set a changed the standard for anyone anywhere trying to create something truly new. And there's nothing more exhilirating than that.

9.5

MP3: These New Puritans - We Want War (SBTRKT Remix) ///ysi

VAMPIRE WEEKENDLIVE SOMERST HOUSE 14/1

I forgot my camera so picture credits go to David Emery.

It seems impossible that it was a whole 2 years ago that I sat down to review Vampire Weekend's first album, such has been their ridiculous omnipresence ever since. But they're back with new music at last, and we hold our breath collectively in anticipation of what they've come up with. With a debut like theirs it was always going to be hard to work on a sophomore, made near impossible by its glowing reception across the board. But remarkably they've pulled of the rare feat of retaining the sounds that made everyone fall in love with them in the first place, as well as taking a marked step forwards.

Last night the band put on a free gig for the loyal British fans in the courtyard of London's Somerset House. The first 50 people who got there were ice skating and the whole courtyard was lit with a magical glow. A stage had been set on a high, Romeo + Juliet esque balcony adorned at either side by the beautifully striking new album cover projected onto the walls (picture right) - it was a great setting. Vampire Weekend are an act built for warm American sun, so playing on this freeezing winter night in England's capital would certainly test their music. But as you would expect from a band so professional, they conquered the cold with charming ease. The 10-song set list was comprised evenly of songs from the 1st and 2nd album. Opening with track 2 'White Sky' from the new one was an inspired move - perhaps the next single? The crowd were all pretty cold by the time they came on so it too 'A-Punk' to really get everyone involved. Sadly during penultimate song 'Horchata' the sound and lights failed all through the arena so the closer 'Walcott' was performed somewhat unplugged, but still worked very well. Speaking of which, head over to the MTV website to see their Unplugged set, which is quite frankly brilliant.

It takes something truly special to get hundreds of freezing Londoners to stand around in the cold for an hour or so. And only this band could have made them forget the winter, if only for a moment. The new album 'Contra' is absolutely fantastic. It encompasses everything everyone loved about the debut but develops the sound to make it all more interesting. It was apparent last night that Ezra Koenig has become more confident vocally and physically, while the band all tried new things, with more samples, driving basslines and even a bit of auto tune. I give this til summer before it's as widely loved as their first.

MP3: Vampire Weekend - Cousins (Toy Selectah Mex-More Remix) ///YSI

ON THE RADAR:: THEOPHILUS LONDON

This year we're not gonna bombard you with a bunch of HOT TIPS!!! like we have done before. There's enough expectation on emerging artists already without me declaring who should or shouldn't get big in '010. So we're carrying on with On The Radar simply to promote new talent.

And there's no new artist with more talent than 21 year old Brooklynite Theophilus London, or 'the-coolest-thing-we've-ever-seen'. In a time when hip hop, rap and grime are dying genres in every sense, he has appeared to breath new life into an old style, dragging it kicking and screaming into a new decade. He garnered a load of attention early last year with the free download release of 'This Charming Mixtape', simultaneously referencing The Smiths with the title and Elvis Costello with the iconic artwork (pictured right). It sampled Bill Withers, Whitney Houston and ended with a live singalong of 'Oh Happy Day'. Basically it was an epiphany. Personally it feels like ground zero - a chance for it all to start again. Previous mixtape 'JAM!' is not to be missed either. He kinda reminds me of André 3000 in his higher understanding of the music that he encompasses. I won't name any more contemporaries because he doesn't really fit alongside any of them. But think about the other 'stars' of hip hop. Loud, dumb guys who stopped saying anything of any meaning a long time ago. It's time for Theophilus.

Anyone who says they're inspired by Ian Curtis, Quincy Jones, Morrissey, James Brown, David Byrne and Miles Davies is clearly someone who understands what real music is. There are some more straight rap songs that are good for what they are, then there are these kind of pop-crossover tunes like awesome current single 'Humdrum Town' And then there's these mad, electronic songs, sampling 80s electronics and sounding like Kavinsky or Danger with rapping over the top (Check 'Day One Fans' or 'Night Ridin') I literally just bought his debut proper 'This Charming Man' from iTunes and listened to it whilst I wrote this. I need to give it more time but it really sounds like his ideas have been properly realised. The NME have picked up on him now so take from that what you will. I just hope it aids rather than ails him.

Here are some sick little one liners plucked from a few of his songs:
- "Dawg I dress your stylist!"
- "Hip Hop is on the way, and I'm the cab driver"
- "She knows her Ma creates her life and yes, the hood is wack, Stop living in the 80s baby the future's back"

MP3: Theophilus London - Humdrum Town ///YSI
MP3: Jack Penate - Pull My Heart Away (Theophilus London Remix) ///YSI
- produced by Jamie xx!

DELPHIC - ACOLYTE (11TH JAN)

Hopefully this won't come as news to you, but Manchester is happening right now in terms of new bands. Sure, London churns out a group of young pretenders every day, but there's something a bit more interesting going on further North right now. Possibly the biggest hopefuls to emerge on this new wave are Delphic - sing handedly ending the guitar rock bloodline from Oasis to The Courteeners and hailing the return of Hacienda type, the indie/dance scene, smart synths in the city. It all sounds pretty exciting but there is an unavoidable cloud of hype hanging over them. Like White Lies before them, last January, they were in a band before, reformed as this new outfit, had lots of money chucked at them and peaked too soon. It's sad when this happens - 'To Lose My Life' was a great debut which was forgotten about too quickly. But I'm confidant this won't happen to 'Acolyte'.

When an album has this much expectation on it, it's important that it opens with something powerful, a song that introduces the album in style. They've achieved this and more with the fantastic 'Clarion Call' - all devastating electronics and some tasty Russell Lissack style guitaring (see the solo in Bloc Party's 'The Prayer') Lyrically they couldn't have started an album much better "A call to arms, A call to arms, A call to everything you wanted, it's your life, it's your life, it's your life" This is repeated over until it's embossed into your brain. Next comes two singles in a row, current release 'Doubt', which actually sounds slightly weak compared to a lot of the other stuff across the album, followed by Kitsuné released 'This Momentary' which still hits as hard as it did six months ago, with it's resounding plea "Let's do something real" making a real impact. Our money's on 'Halycon' for the next single, coming in at exactly the right point in the album to alleviate the intense vibe created by some of the longer songs.

'Acolyte' is a blend shorter, single-worthy songs and longer, more drawn out techno masterpieces. 2 minute interlude 'Ephemera' shows that these guys understand light and shade, and subtlety. But then take the title track's atmospheric build up which releases into a totally euphoric dance off, led by pounding drum beats. It's essentially instrumental and at 9 minutes long it probably wouldn't get much airplay. But put it on at the right moment in a club and it would destroy. The closing track 'Remain' is long too at 6 and a half mins but is led by singer James Cook's heartfelt vocals. This is a factor that set this band apart somewhat - they know their way around fancy synthesisers but the vocals add extra depth to everything they do. Debut single 'Counterpoint' is a perfect example of this; the emotional high-point of the whole album.

This has been criticised for being too drawn out and and at times, soulless. But 'Acolyte' is not a party record and I think that's where the misunderstandings lie. You only have to see them play live to understand that it's an experience for the band as well as the audience. You could say this debut is a grower. In my opinion that's the best kind of record to emerge with; the kind that people can slowly get to know and will slow burn throughout the year and beyond. I hope it does.

8

MP3: Delphic - Doubt (Riton Re-Rub) /// YSI
MP3: Delphic - Doubt (Richmanu Remix) ///YSI

NEW:: SEBASTIAN -THRENODY

A new SebastiAn track has surfaced this week; the 13 minute 'Threnody'. To say that it's divided opinion is an understatement but something like this was always going to. The new song from the Ed Banger electro hero is essentially an 11 minute build up of searing electronic strings and a 2 minute drop showcasing the man's instantly recognisable brand of hard hitting synth crashing into distorted vocal samples. The build up sample this Threnody For The Victims Of Hiroshima - hence the name - performed by the Polish National Symphony Orchestra. SebastiAn's offering comes from a new Ed Banger Promo (pictured left) which showcases some of the labels new
material coming out in 2010. Tracklisting below.



Uffie - MCs Can Kiss
Breakbot - Make You Mine
Krazy Baldhead - Glitch Mob rmx
Mr. Flash - Flesh
Crookers feat. Rye Rye - Hip Hop Changed (Busy P Remix)
SebastiAn - Threnody


Some people are hailing it as the return of an artist with the potential to be crowned the new king of electronic France - afterall he is basically doing on his own what takes Justice two people. Others are saying it's hipster trash, overly hyped. Personally I think it's ridiculously brave and just shows how much he can get away with. The drop is vintage SebastiAn, and it's great. But it's pretty familiar and fairly straight forward. Overall it's made me mad excited about his debut album which is finally due to drop sometime this year. Ed Banger have said that it won't feature on the record, which is probably a good thing. The song is just for creating hype, and that's what it's done. Justice better be watching their backs, it looks like their label mate's very own '†' is fast approaching.

Make up your own mind:

MP3: SebastiAn - Threnody (full) ///YSI - full 13 minutes
MP3: SebastiAn - Threnody (edit) ///YSI - just the final 2 minute drop

'09 DEFINED -2STEPSFORWARD4STEPSBACK ABLUM OF THE YEAR

Yes, of course, our Album of the Year 2009 is 'XX' by The xx. Those who know me will have seen it coming - my room at uni has so many X's in it that it looks like their merch stand. But this is an album impossible for me to ignore. Released in mid-August it woudl initally seem like the least summery record ever, but in actual fact it complimented the back drop of heady mid-summer nights perfectly. It's telling that as well as toppiong countless end of year lists, it has already earned places in Best of the Decade lists, only 4 months after release.

It's an album that operates completely in its own space and time, free from outside influence, without peers and impervious to hype. The music is so unaffected, so pure that there's genuinely nothing that matches it this year. In my original review I described it as "so sparse but so intimate at the same time. Dark but totally romantic. Unassuming yet devastating" Then there's the vocals - like no other band I've ever heard. Oliver Sim and Romy Madley Croft have two of the most personally memorable voices in music, and when they sing together they can genuinely take my breath away.

Music rarely takes this kind of turn. 'XX' made such an impression on me that not only does it remind me of the night but night reminds me of the album. It reminds me of waiting to leave town for London; wondering what it would like when I got there, and hoping for experiences. It's a romantic album, made from intimacy and affection, and it makes me feel that way. It certainly feels like a one off - a miracle that will leave a mark on the scene. So who knows where the band will go next, but they've created something with their debut that I'll always hold close. And that's why it's my favourite album from 2009.

Their set at Reading festival this year was by far the highlight for me and will be how I remember that particular year. It was the buzz set and the tent was packed out all the way to the back and beyond. I was there on the barriers and watched wide eyed and open mouthed all the way through. I still wear my free X t-shirt with pride.

MP3: The xx - Basic Space (Jamie xx's Space Bass Remix) (ysi)

Happy New Year xxcc