New Releases - 2 Nov

New Releases - 2 Nov

28 October, 2009
by: Music Team

*Single of the Week*
Jay Z feat. Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind
Roc Nation
 
Jay-Z sure hasn't held back on the self-appointed kudos here. Lines like "I'm the new Sinatra" and "I Made The Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can" all describe how he's made it after a youth spent selling crack on the streets of Brooklyn.
 
But he has plenty to be proud of and this anthemic ode to the city he's grown up in (hell, just call him Woody-Z) has found just the right level between American swagger and sentimentality to be a hit all over the world. 4/5
EM

Snow Patrol – Just Say Yes
Polydor

To celebrate their own obligatory 'greatest hits' compilation: 'Up To Now', Scottish-Irish indie favourites Snow Patrol have released a brand new single originally penned for Gwen Stefani (thank god that never materialised). This is a dance infused, electronic ballad that quickly proves irresistible after a few plays.
 
'Just Say Yes' slots in nicely amongst the 'Chasing Cars' and 'Spitting Games' that have helped establish Gary Lightbody's outfit as so much more than faceless drones of the pop rock mainstream. 4/5
AW

The Soft Pack – Answer to Yourself
Heavenly

Low slung bass, driving guitars and pounding drums – this is what pale indie kids describe as 'hard rock'. Make no mistake though, SoCal’s current most-hyped don't disappoint on their first release for Heavenly.

You can trace the lineage of their sound through surf, space and garage rock, and it all adds up to something suitably scuzzy. The singer sounds like he can’t be arsed – but not in that irritating Julian Casablancas way – and it makes you want to get sweaty and dance with your shirt off. 3.5/5
MF

Wetdog – Lowerleg
Angular

Wetdog combine the sexual finesse of Mary Weiss, the attitude of Ari Up, and the guitar bashing skills of Bernard Sumner to produce this timeless post-punk tune. The spontaneous tempo and faraway audios make for a messy rockabilly tune that will have you pining for a mud-fuelled festival romp and the odd desire to let your hair matt into dreadlocks.

A healthy dose of pop, punk, and indie all crushed down in one manageable 4 minute chunk.  3.5/5
GM

The Kut – Doesn't Matter Anyway
Criminal Records

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this basement rock all-female trio. Would it be a thrashy, chaotic and insipid number? Thankfully not. The fast-marching up-beat rhythm and raw electric riffs give it an edgy sound, driven by a powerful bass-line. The vocals are crisp and clear with a soft-punk feel and a dark rebellious tone. But to my surprise, these girls can actually sing in tune.
 
Overall it’s quite a catchy little number with good guitar work and dub-like bass, but it may struggle in such a saturated market. 3/5
SG

Beyoncé – Broken-Hearted Girl
Columbia

Oh Beyoncé. Black and white, on a beach, sea-wet hair, rose petals, chap in flowing white linens. Yes, the video’s not dissimilar to an episode of one of those weird American soap things from the '90s. The Bold and the Beautiful – is that the one I'm thinking of?
 
But the song? Well I'm a Rihanna fan and therefore biased. But it’s good if you like heartfelt but slightly bland ballad things about break-ups and stuff. Another sure-fire hit. 3/5
TJ

The Glass – Superhero
Plant Music

I really dig the whole '80s/synth/electro revival of the past decade, but it's reached a point of over saturation.

Memo to The Glass: drum loops, broody synth riffs, monotone vocals and nu-rave haircuts do not automatically make you cool. It's a formula that was novel with Mount Sims circa 2002, but now it’s more like a pastiche of a pastiche.

Of course, the single is still passable – it’s just nothing a thousand aspiring teen hipsters couldn’t whip up in their bedrooms. 2/5
NH

Bulief – Heal The World
genepool distribution

We're a cruel and cynical pack here at Spoonfed and I am perhaps the nastiest of the lot. But even I wouldn't say anything bad about a charity single released by the Jamie Bulger House  to raise funds for their fight against childhood misery.

Which is why I'm not going to say anything at all. 2/5
JH

Chase and Status ft Plan B – End Credits
Mercury records

Expecting this to be good (their reputation precedes them) I'm tearful to announce that it’s awful. I’d much rather tuck into say, a cheese sandwich right now than even consider listening to it again. It stinks of that awful DJ Marky number ("It's the waaaay that we play this sound...")

Pop with the most insidiously plain drum 'n' bass loop behind it. It doesn't work with that sing song bollocks over the top OK? Rinse it out like you used to boys. Please. 1/5
LC

The Boy Least Likely To – A Fairytale Ending
Too Young to Die

As a product of the modern age, and thus unable to see the world except through turd-tinged spectacles of cynicism, there is something about this song so saccharinely sincere and joyous as to render it unpalatable to my pessimistic ears.

Expect to hear this song at the hideous moment in the next vacuous Hollywood rom-com as the ditsy blonde realises that actually she does love the geeky nice guy and proceeds to rush to reach him before he boards the plane to Genericistan. 0/5
PL

Like the illustration? It's by our mate Liz Clements, check out some more of her work here, We think you'll agree that she's totally bloody amazing.

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Music Team