Beardyman - Oh! (feat. Foreign Beggars)

 'Turn it up because you know it be sounding nice'

I saw Beardyman last year at Leeds Festival, and it was easily one of the most talked about gigs of the festival. Just a beatboxer? He's nothing less than an entertainer. But I did wonder how his witty showman style would come across on a record. With in seconds of pressing play on 'Oh!', the 8th track on his new album 'I Done A Album', I realised, he doesn't need a show to back up his music.

Training on the bakers dozen of Chaos Box's has left him with magicians touch when it come to samples. Production is perfect. Lyrical licks. The beat is a ...fucking monster.

Best Comment

Just read NMEs story on Alan McGee, without a doubt he's a prick. But I did see a fantastic comment.

Dorina Bernstein · 24 years old

never trust anyone who doesn't like music.

Sums it all up with more eloquence i could muster.

Words from Matt Hardy

M83 - 'Raconte-Moi Une Histoire'

Less of a review but more just instructions:
 
i. Press play,
ii. Close your eyes.

I'll make it feel more like a review by saying something like "10/10".

Listen 

Words by Matt Hardy

Justice - Audio, Video, Disco

Every synth-orchestral drop of 'Audio, Video, Disco' is pure unrefined Justice. However there is no doubt that it is lacking the 'TThhee PPaarrttyy' factor. But the ever optimist inside of me hopes that it will work perfectly in the context of their new album.

Words by Matthew Hardy 

Morning Fader Anon. 4#

Nine songs, hand picked and carefully curated for your listening pleasure. Enjoy.
Listen to all the tracks here.

16 Bit - Twice 

Beautifully controlled post-dubstep at its finest. The piano riff keeps pace with thoughtful reflection and the vocals nestle perfectly giving a Zero 7 feel to the track.

Fleet Foxes - Lorelai

The only visual representation of Fleet Foxes music that i would except is the morning sun rising over a field busting with barley. Lorelai effortlessly pulls the strings of my folk heart. Summer love.

Smog - I Break Horses

This is a perfect example of a song being much more than the sum of its parts. You may just get hooked and listen to this on repeat, so beware.


Cut Copy - Where I'm Going

When you're instantly singing along to track, you must know you've hit a winner. Its irresistible not to join in with the chorus of 'yeah!'

The 2 Bears - Bear Hug

Tongue and cheek electro. You cant help but shuffle your shoulders to this, wait until it spins at your local discothèque and you'll be dancing like its 1999. Bear Hug is Joe Goddard (of electronic band Hot Chip) and Raf Rundell. If this is the first you have heard of this duo, check out their EP 'Follow the Bears'. Genius, sometimes music needs to be heavy to anchor your thoughts, and sometimes you just want a electro infused bearhug.

M83 - Midnight City

A perfect progression from 'Saturdays=Youth', and the sound of a band growing in every dimension. Even the Careless Whisper-esque sax does not tarnish a promising future.

The Horrors - Monica Gems

To describe this sonic explosion would be stupid when the song is there to be experience for yourself. This band is producing timeless classics today.

DJ Shadow - Coming On Riding (Through The Cosmos)

Pulling threads from all genres. There's elements of heavy rock, metal and progressive rock, bound together with effortless skill of DJ Shadow.

Scoobius Pip - Introdiction

You know what we think about this track...

Words by Matt Hardy

Florence and The Machine - What The Water Gave To Me

Florence and The Machine are officially back, offering a sumptuous slice from their greatly anticipated second album. The track, ‘What The Water Gave To Me’, progresses fleetingly from the first album 'Lungs', whilst maintaining their original brand of femininity and fraught romance. With its wonderfully haunting vocals, and epic instrumentals- it is unmistakably Florence- and her machine has clearly been spring cleaned and oiled up for the occasion- scrumptious.

Although the angry feminist inside me struggles to criticize this boisterous leading lady; I cannot help but feel slightly bereft after her latest offering. It is a soulful slap in the face, but it does not take long for the bruising to fade, and for your eyes to stop watering.

Admittedly, after three listens, the song has succeeded in permeating my brain, but it is spiralling round in a bizarre mash-up of ‘My Boy Builds Coffins’ and ‘Drumming Song’, and is quite frankly making me feel a little disorientated. Sorry Florence, I’m still going to buy your album, but right now I need to go and lie down.

Words from Camilla James


Live Version.

'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' songwriter Nickolas Ashford Passes Away

BBC News reports, The songwriter passed away yesterday (August 22) after a lengthy battle with throat cancer. Nickolas Ashford's pop music has transcended genre and race. The best way to remember anyone with such talent is to enjoy their legacy.

Words from Matt Hardy