Review: David Stewart – ‘Late Night Viewing.’
Posted: April 30, 2012 Filed under: Reviews, Single/Album | Tags: David Stewart, Ed Sheeran, Example, Late Night Viewing, Lay On The Bonnet, Yasmin Leave a comment »
David Stewart may have been hiding behind Example’s ever-bright spotlight for the past few years, playing session guitar for the chart-topping star. But now he’s stepping out in to his own spotlight. The rightful way to do that would be just to put together a mixtape of songs about sex, right? Correct.
‘Late Night Viewing’ is definitely an appropriate name and once you’ve given it a few listens and got over some of the cringe-worthy refrains, you’ll be able to recognise David Stewart as a very talented artist. He’s obviously picked up some tips from Elliot Gleave over the past few years, like the art of writing a slick tune and unpredictable lyricism. Like in ‘Red Lights’ – ‘make sure that Barbie’s don’t bring Kens.’
They collaborate on ‘Run The World’ (FYI not a Beyonce cover) and with words of free love, aftershows and strip shows; it’s a typical ‘lads on tour’ anthem. He’s not the only famous friend to appear. Yasmin, Wretch 32 and Mr Ed Sheeran also lend their distinctive voices, 3 artists who have taken British ‘mainstream’ music to the next level over the past 18 months or so. Collaborating with your friends/industry buddies seems to be a popular and worthy past time. With the undoubtable success of Sheeran’s ‘No.5 Collaborations Project’ and the more recent release of Mikill Pane’s ‘You Guess It’ EP. Though, it will probably give the mixtape some exposure, it’s good that the majority of tracks are just a solo Stewart. He doesn’t need a second voice at all points, his vocal is good enough to stand alone.
After putting the chilled ’6AM’ online a while ago, Stewart obviously got a feel for music entailing passion and the like. This collection has an acceleration of power and intensity in his range of tones over some laid back R ‘n’ B and raspy dance beats. The pulsing atmosphere in ‘Blood Rush’ has a constant stream of electro vibrations and paired with some ‘suggestive’ words, it’s almost slightly disorientating.
Every track is like some sort of deep diary extract of past encounters. ‘Scream More’ classily presents ‘make up on the sheets, morals on the floor.’ New Single, ‘Lay On The Bonnet’ isn’t the best five minutes on here, but it does allow David Stewart’s varying voice to be heard. The high chorus will be driving around your head.
To be honest, David Stewart has probably written the record that many male (or female) artists have contemplated writing to just get EVERYTHING out into the open. But David Stewart has been courageous enough to pursue it.
Download it for free HERE.
Check out the ‘Lay On The Bonnet’ video.
Review: Edelweiss – ‘Pre-Columbians’ EP.
Posted: April 27, 2012 Filed under: Reviews, Single/Album | Tags: Edelweiss, Foals, indie, math rock, Pennslyvania, Pre-Columbians Leave a comment »
Listening to some of the tracks off ‘Pre-Columbians’ sounds like some sort of majestic time warp back in to the murky depths of Foals’ 2008 work ‘Antidotes.’ Though it seems like a million years ago, Edelweiss’ ultra-sharp guitars give it the musical clarity we saw back then. With their precise riffs and the sweep of a relentless beats, teamed with a complementing semi-chanting vocal, ‘Fiasco’ and ‘Icarus’ are specific contenders.
The Pennsylvanian outfit haven’t yet reached the age of 18 collectively, which is the most exciting thing about this concept. Their age doesn’t really need bringing to the forefront to be honest; they are good enough to not be given the sympathy vote. Seriously. ‘Pre-Columbians’ isn’t a record that four adolescent boys have made in their bedrooms. It was recorded and produced in nearby NYC by Jeremy Sklarsky, who has previously worked with ‘Freelance Whales.’ Pretty impressive and perhaps the reason why these five tracks have such an incredible air of energy surrounding their polished outcome.
Edelweiss’ indie pop/math rock genre is given in their quirky titles, ‘Witches and ‘Vampires’ and a the blunt, ‘(NO)’. But, there’s a sense of hometown glory in instrumental ‘A Sound From Pennsylvania’ which proceeds to show off their skill for a memorable riff, many of which will be wirl-winding in your head for a few hours after a first listen. Edelweiss could gather up quite a following in the UK, they need to get over here pronto.
http://edelweissofficial.bandcamp.com/album/pre-columbians
Review: Anja McCloskey – ‘Italian Song’
Posted: April 26, 2012 Filed under: Features, Reviews, Single/Album Leave a comment »
Following her last single ‘A Kiss’, Anja McCloskey releases ‘Italian Song’ on 14th May. The track boasts her folky influences and accordion talent. The Southampton singer/songwriter has revealed how, ‘The song is about going slightly mad in the summer heat and losing rationality along the way.’ Certainly a more unusual influence for a track, but sometimes the most unexpected locations can create ideas.
‘Italian Song’ has got a bit of speed to guide it along it’s way unlike the softer previous release. The violin gives the track a bitter edge, maintaining the classical feel and the rare accordion and vocal allows the track to have the ‘Anja McCloskey’ imprint.
It’s just a shame it doesn’t look like there’s any ‘summer heat’ in the video…
‘Italian Song’ is out 14th May in preparation for her debut, ‘An Estimation’ expected 3rd September on Sotones Records.
Review: The Static Jacks – ‘If You’re Young’
Posted: April 25, 2012 Filed under: Reviews, Single/Album Leave a comment »The Static Jacks fuse indie/rock and pop/punk for their new album ‘If You’re Young.’
http://www.contactmusic.com/album-review/the-static-jacks-if-youre-young
Review: Tanlines – ‘Mixed Emotions’
Posted: April 25, 2012 Filed under: Reviews, Single/Album Leave a comment »Brooklyn duo, Tanlines recently released their ‘Mixed Emotions’ record.
http://www.contactmusic.com/album-review/tanlines-mixed-emotions
Review: In The Pacific – ‘Province’ EP.
Posted: April 20, 2012 Filed under: Reviews, Single/Album | Tags: Bridges, Bristol, Fake Face, In The Pacific, Province, Waiting and Wanting Leave a comment »
‘Don’t you owe me what isn’t necessary.’ An arguably deep (ish) lyric coming from a bunch of sixteen-year-old boys. But its ploddy, repetitive nature makes it in to something cheerful and a tad blasé at heart. Bristolians, In The Pacific released ‘Province’ late last year, and the three-track EP does have its moments of excellence. They’ve absorbed their personal tastes in music to create their ‘sound’, but it’s difficult to pinpoint specific comparisons to other bands. Sure there are snippets of audible likenesses, for example in ‘Bridges’ Rishi Saluja’s quiet chorus voice has a little bit of Orlando Weeks (The Maccabees) embedded, just a bit. But on the whole, there’s not one band that this sounds like overall, which is refreshing.
‘Fake Faces’ has the best riffs on the EP; the rustic electric jam on the track serves as a constant reminder of the indie genre. It also has the vitality that would be expected at a live show. Speaking of which, ‘In The Pacific’ have already played their way around the Bristol scene, which is pretty good going. The weakest track is ‘Waiting and Wanting’ just the name expresses a monotonous feeling and that’s exactly what it is. It’s got the same foot tapping pace throughout, and isn’t as exciting as the other two.
A strong focus is obviously present and if they keep this up and allow themselves to mature naturally, along with the help of a producer at a later stage to refine – they could, just could make something very good of ‘In The Pacific.’
Review: The Tea Street Band – ‘Fiesta’ EP.
Posted: April 16, 2012 Filed under: Reviews, Single/Album Leave a comment »Liverpool five-piece, The Tea Street Band bring a summery dance tempo, with an indie twist. Their ‘Fiesta’ EP is out now.
http://www.neverenoughnotes.co.uk/wordpress/2012/04/the-tea-street-band-fiesta-ep-16-04-12/
Review: The Feddens – ‘Smoke Signals’ EP.
Posted: April 14, 2012 Filed under: Reviews, Single/Album | Tags: Smoke Signals, The Feddens Leave a comment »
‘I’m not lost, I’m just reading the map wrong’, a snippet of quirkiness from The Feddens’ in their track ‘Maps.’ Though, they don’t sound lost. Lost only in the dense, isolated territory of Forest of Dean maybe, hungry for the bright lights of the city.
This five-piece may be young, but everyone has to hold their grip on the starting blocks and these three tracks focus in on their enormous potential. ‘Smoke Signals’ pairs the dark demeanour of The Horrors with the sparky disco guitar of Two Door Cinema Club. Opening with a primitive riff, ‘Lighten Up’ sounds reminiscent of The Cure and its twang-like vocal tone is similar to Ant West (Futures/Tonight Is Goodbye.) ‘There’s a hot air balloon outside, waiting to take us on an adventure’, a line that adds an aspect of fantasy to this unexplained smoke.
There’s no doubt about it that The Feddens have a flair for this music thing. Gaining more experience through both live shows and recording is their next hurdle and if they can jump that, these boys could be on to a winner.
Review: MAYANS – ‘Calm You/Beached Whale.’
Posted: April 5, 2012 Filed under: Reviews, Single/Album | Tags: Beached Whale, Bristol, Calme You, MAYANS Leave a comment »
The Mayans may have graced our earth some many hundreds of years ago, predicting that the world will end in 2012, blah blah. But this Bristol group, who go by the same name are not joining the calendar clan. If anything, they’re rooting for the world to go beyond 2012 so that they can make something of this ‘cool’ band they have created.
The term ‘cool’ isn’t at all a sarcastic spin, MAYANS are actually very good and others need to make this majestic discovery. A gentle rumble began among musical ears when they released ‘Fitzpatrick’ as a free download last year and now bigger things are set to suffice when double A-side. ‘Calm You/Beached Whale’ is released on 12th April.
‘Calm You’ is a confident pop tune with a bouncy oriental-sounding riff and the sing-along words of, ‘You’re always wasting my time.’ The ending erupts into an impacting surge of noise. Conversely, ‘Beached Whale’ has darker undertones in its submerged bass line and nostalgic vocals, drawing comparisons to the likes of The Horrors and S.C.U.M. A loud, bottomless ending also appears, something that seems to be MAYANS’ trademark. Not a bad one to have, they certainly make a song have a lasting impression. With the songs sounding unlike, it makes future prospects for the four piece much more exciting.
Watch out, MAYANS are about.
Review: Lianne La Havas – ‘Forget’ EP.
Posted: April 4, 2012 Filed under: Reviews, Single/Album Leave a comment »Review of Lianne La Havas’ second EP ‘Forget.’ Her much awaited debut is expected later this year.
http://www.contactmusic.com/review/lianne-la-havas-forget
