If you're a drum 'n' bass DJ or work for Hackney council, look away now...
Eagulls – Council Flat Blues
Not Even
Anyone who knows about what Southwark Council are in the process of doing to the Heygate Estate, or what horrors Hackney Council have allowed to happen in and around Dalston Junction must balk at the prospect of the Tories devolving yet more power to local authorities that display frankly astonishing levels of incompetence, ignorance, corruption, deception and short-sightedness.
This kind of localised rage is perhaps distilled in Eagulls' debut single 'Council Flat Blues' – kinda hard to tell as I can't hear a word of the lyrics. It's still brilliant though. 4.5/5
TJ
Nu:Tone – Shine In
Hospital Record
The Cambridge boy's latest single is massive. Debuted at the DnB Arena Awards to gushing acclaim, it strikes the right balance between old skool and new. Techy and futuristic yet undeniably rip-roaring with original drum 'n' bass spirit.
'Shine In' is an uplifting tune thanks to the soothing, hands-in-the-air injection of MOBO-nominee Natalie Williams' vocals. They also add the classic old-skool hardcore vibe. (Sweet, cascading female vocals set against rinsing beats is a tried and tested rave winner which always flicks my switch.)
Decent and definitely worth dropping (has anyone got any water?). 3.8/5
LC
JLS – Eyes Wide Shut
Epic/Jive
A few points for your consideration about this tween radio fodder: firstly, how can you sleep with your eyes wide shut unless you're a fish? Secondly, Eyes Wide Shut is a 1999 film by Stanley Kubrick which featured a fair few orgies – should kids be googling that?
And finally, thank Epic of Jive or whoever that Tinie Tempah is doing the rap, and JLS have not sunk to an even lower low than branding themselves on condoms. 3/5
NK
Lulu and the Lampshades – Cold Water
Moshi Moshi
Cold water is never fun. When you're having a shower and suddenly everything goes icy, it feels like Satan himself has wrapped his long dead fingers around you and the day is over before it's even begun. Totally not cool.
This song feels a little like this. LL&TLS might have plenty of steam left in their immersion, but the result is a little lukewarm. Mainly because I'm knackered and I'm fed up of winter and the last thing I want are some pretty girls thwacking away at a uke. Soz. 2.5/ 5
LM
Maps and Atlases – Living Decorations
Fat Cat Records
The problem with this wave of experimental fret-chasing indie is that sometimes things get too much for your little brain to take. Bands like Little Comets and Two Door Cinema Club have picked up where Foals left off the finger-juggling, guitar-tweaking math-rock ‘thing’, and even they’re getting a little tiresome.
So, unfortunately for Maps and Atlases, the over-confusions of far-out distorted buzzing and multiple guitar giggles just portray them as a band unwillingly stretched out in the wrong direction. It’s unfortunate really, as the song's low points outweigh their progressive achievements. 2/5
DJ
Naum Gabo – Theme from Great Cities
Optimo Music
Glasweigan electronic rave amalgamation Naum Gabo rework the '80s rave classic, 'Simple Minds'. It's the perfect theme tune to a naff action movie. Cast: three dashing electronica heads. Stage directions: repeatedly striding cooly past the camera. Costume: something white and tight. Accessories: perfectely poised neon rimmed Ray Bans. Location: a dilapidated club. Time: 7am. Lighting: UV. End scene: An empty dancefloor.
Yes, this one's all about an empty dancefloor. 1/5
NH
Mattix & Futile – Take You Back.
Drastic Dramatic Records
There are some songs you can’t listen to loudly enough, burst ear drums an acceptable compromise. This is not one of those songs. Drum & Bass to the most basic usage of the genre, the sound is more a messy interpretation of what it’s supposed to be. But with the duo classifying their music as ‘break beat, drum & bass and comedy’ perhaps that’s what they are aiming for.
Who knows? Definitely not me though, that’s for sure. 1/5
AM
Photo by Nico Hogg
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