Radio Friendly Unit Shifters.
Weird Dreams – Hypnagogic Lullaby
Sleep All Day
Apparently Weird Dreams intended to sound like anything that was on Kent Records back in 1967. If that’s really the case, they’ve failed, but in a spectacular kind of way.
A blissed-out indie record at heart, ‘Hypnagogic Lullaby’ should be the feel good record everyone needs right now, but in amongst the lilting guitar lines and reverb, there’s this Joy Division-esque emptiness bringing a strange, almost hollow dimension to the four tracks on this EP. This is the musical equivalent of one of those cold, sunny days. 4.7521/5
DH
James Blake - Wilhelm Scream
R+S Records
From the first semblance of sound, this track takes you somewhere into the depths of a floating cloud, one you never want to leave. And when transported to the mystical realm, the problems he bemoans - those applicable to all - seem just as beautiful as the voice which brings them to life. 4.5/5
AM
The Coral - Two Faces
Deltasonic
It's the bring-on-the-summer sound of this track that makes me wanna kick off my shoes, wiggle my toes in the sand and get wasted on cheap cocktails with umbrella straws.
They've got the oohing and ahhing vocals I love about Steely Dan and The Beach Boys, except with their own psychedelic/indie twist. A much needed tonic for those gloomy grey days when contemplating the 110 days still left till summer is almost too much to bear. 4/5
JJB
Kyla La Grange - Walk Through Walls
Noir
Kyla La Grange's intensely powerful, husky voice bursts from beneath bohemian bombshell beauty. Rumour has it she's the next big thing. 'Walk Through Walls' is written for festivals, its got that main stage power feel to it.
There's something about the chorus that's sickeningly poppy but it compensates for this with euphoric build and flow - like a melodic torrent spilling streams of heartfelt lyrics. 3.5/5
NH
Cock n Bull Kid - Hold on to Your Misery
Moshi Moshi/Island Records
Sickeningly catchy pop tune with a twist - it actually promotes a positive and practical message about self esteem. How did this one slip past the label execs?
I want to hate this song - it's musically derivative and the vocals (lovely as they are) sound like every other r'n'b pop singer. But the lyrics are intelligent enough for me to believe that it's all a ploy to reach the mainstream. Kudos, CocknBullKid. 3/5
HS
The Naked and Famous - Young Blood
Fiction Records
Proper radio fodder this. You will hear Young Blood every time you go to the gym for the next month. The video of youthful, pretty people doing sod all makes me want to hate this so badly! But honestly, it's ok. Be warned, the tremendously generic Young Blood will grow on you, and you don't really want that to happen.
A couple of the youtube comments cracked me up. 1. From mohRYEuh “I? want my life to be like this song” - clearly has no life or ambition whatsoever. 2 “MGMT and Passion Pit? had unprotected sex and this was born.” - pretty much hits the nail on the head. 3/5
NK
Jessie J - Price Tag
Lava Records
Catchy pop tune which is super radio friendly and will almost certainly be number 1. But I'm not a fan of her American singing accent, and how does she have the gall to sing 'it's not about the money' when the section of the music industry she's in is ALL about the money.
I guess it's easy to say your not about the money when you don't have to worry about money. My advice is call her bluff, everyone stop buying her concert tickets, download her music illegally, and only buy fake Jessie J merchandise. We'll see how long she stays unconcerned about the money. 2.5/5
TO
Horace Andy - Money Money
Popcorn Records
When this song starts it sounds like it’s going to be a bit Ghost Town. Y’know, with all that mournful brass? The reality is that it’s a perky reggae toe tapper about not being so blimmin’ materialistic. A good sentiment obviously, but the song is rather let down by the fact it sounds like every reggae song ever. Plus is money really the root of all evil? If I ever have any Horace, I’ll let you know. 2/5
LM
James Blake pipped to the post on the home run. Want more? Click here for all London Live Music
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