Fresh from setting fans and critics alight with previous single I Hope, Rebecca Ferguson has unveiled an acoustic video to the title track of her forthcoming album Freedom.
The wonderful down-tempo ballad really goes some way to show the breadth of range in Ferguson’s sweet harmonies; boy can she handle a note!!
Check out the performance below:
Fresh from an astounding year, where, together with Disclosure and Rudimental, he set the scene for what the UK can do for house music, British house producer Bonobo has unveiled the Maya Jane Coles edit of his hit First Fires.
The lush, euphoric track, revealed exclusively by Mixmag earlier today, truly sets out how progressive and ahead-of-the-curve UK talent currently sits. The remix follows Coles’ edit of Rudimental’s Free from earlier last month.
Take a listen to the full remix below:
Kanye West has unveiled the visual for his new single Bound 2, following its official TV premiere in the US this evening.
Bound 2, the latest release off West’s controversial new album Yeezus, features crooner Charlie Wilson on supporting vocals, whilst the video itself features a cameo by Mrs-West-to-be Kim Kardashian.
Bound 2 follows Black Skinhead as the second release from Yeezus to get the video treatment.
Check the full uncensored video below, premiered on US chatshow Ellen:
In anticipation to his much-delayed forthcoming album X, US R&B / rap artist Chris Brown has premiered his X Files EP.
Containing six new tracks, the EP, which features Busta Rhymes, Ludacris and Kid Ink, contain all new music, none of which will appear on the forthcoming album.
Take a listen below:
HAIM have unveiled the TCTS remix of their new single Forever.
Taken from the US trio’s latest album Days Are Gone, the TCTS remix sees the girls revisit the track that kick-started the band back in March 2012. It was this track that they originally posted up for free on their website, eventually crashing the site as the blog support and critical acclaim gathered strong momentum.
Take a listen to the TCTS remix of Forever below:
Words by:
Dan Bull
Follow @DanBull7609
Hark back to November 2001, and following the release of three commercially (and largely critical) solo albums, Robbie Williams had cemented his place in the UK’s music scene. Songwriter of modern-day anthems, showman to rival the greats; the missing link between George Michael and Paul Weller. Undeniably pop, with intelligently written hit after hit, often with a sense of humour, and easily more Frankie Goes To Hollywood than Frank Sinatra, which is why the release of a swing covers album seemed less likely than the release of a rapping-Robbie box of rudeness…
Swing When You’re Winning was a huge success, inviting the parents of the mums and dads who were already fans to see what the fuss was about. Whilst Williams’ first foray into big band territory only featured one new track amongst legendary big band numbers, 2013 follow-up Swings Both Ways, as the title suggests, sees Robbie playing with some new ideas too.
Of course, the classics are there, authentically replicated by both Robbie and the big band behind him. With Puttin’ On The Ritz he’s swinging and winning once more, and clearly as comfortable back in the shiny shoes as he was belting out Let Me Entertain You in platform boots, whilst Minnie The Moocher was already a highlight of this year’s live shows. Other tracks are given a swinging makeover, with a down-tempo Rufus Wainright-esque If I Only Had A Heart being a highlight of the low moments. (Credit where it’s due, Harry Connick Jr. did it first in ‘88.)
Even a vintage Robbie track is given a makeover, with the I Will Survive-sampling Supreme strung with even more strings. It’s not as strong as the original, but is still a clever inclusion, and even more valid considering that this is Robbie’s first album produced (and written, where there are new tracks) with original collaborator Guy Chambers, since their bitter split.
Although Swings‘ new songs do not quite live up to the highs of Escapology, lead-single Go Gently gives hope for a whole new album of Williams/Chambers tracks. When compared to their upbeat numbers (Rock DJ) and anthemic ballads (Angels) it’s a laid back affair, but it features Robbie in his element; as a father (“You don’t have to kiss though”); as a son, paying tribute to the music his father played; as a reacquainted friend; and as the entertainer who, after a few risky years, is back where he belongs.
As with Williams’ first foray on Swing When You’re Winning, guest artists are in abundance on both the covers and the new tracks. Lily Allen (for whom, like all good things, new songs apparently come in threes) guests on a minimal, soundtrack-sounding Dream A Little Dream, while Kelly Clarkson, using only half of her trademark, power-house vocal ability, competes for the role of this album’s Nicole Kidman on Little Green Apples. Robbie takes the role of master on I Wan’na Be Like You, where protégé Olly Murs’ weaker voice is laid bare, however roles are reversed on Soda Pop, where the real king of the swingers – if you will – Michael Bublé joins in on new track, Soda Pop, with a doo-wop sound not a million miles away from Hairspray or Grease.
Devoted fans will be happy with an album that reflects both the serious and more playful sides of Robbie’s personality; however anyone wanting a follow up to his original tribute to big band may be disappointed by the inclusion of jokey tracks that taint the LPs authenticity. The Rufus Wainright-featuring title track is as camp and slapstick as you may have thought possible, while closer No One Likes A Fat Pop Star is Robbie’s most OTT offering to date, and not in a good way.
It’s not that we’re not willing to joke with Robbie, it’s just that there is a time and a place (ideally, after a single, on the b-side.) Fortunately, technological advances since, not only the original swing-era, but also the release of Swing When You’re Winning, mean it’s possible to leave the few duds from the iPod. Robbie’s 10th studio LP (and, possibly, the 1000th UK #1 album) is not his, or the UK’s, best to date; but it’s a worthy addition, and he’s a more-than worthy holder of the honour.
Swings Both Ways is out now; hit the iTunes link below to download:
Lily Allen has confirmed her appearance at next year’s Glastonbury Festival.
The singer, who’s currently enjoying success in the UK charts with new singles Hard Out Here and Somewhere Only We Know, made the announcement this morning during her interview with BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw.
Speaking to the DJ, Allen said “It got confirmed yesterday. That’s the first big thing I’m going to be doing…. “I’ll be doing 16 weeks of festivals over the summer and then tour.”
The announcement comes as a nice early surprise for Glastonbury fans; Allen is somewhat a Worthy Far veteran herself and her appearance next year adds to the already announced Stanton Warriors.
Lily Allen is likely to be supporting her forthcoming third album, set for release next March, during her Glastonbury set.
Rising British vocalist Sam Smith has unveiled an acoustic performance of new song I’ve Told You Now.
The performance of the track, filmed for Vevo’s ‘DSCVR Ones To Watch’ series continues to prove the unstoppable force of Smith’s vocals, and gives strong credence for our reason to place him on our own 14 for 2014 Ones To Watch.
Catch up on the beautiful performance below:
Prince has dropped a new track, Da Bourgeoisie, via his 3RDEYEGIRL collective. The funky jam, full of twangs, harks back to old-school Prince; it really is a wonderful track.
Take a listen below, via Consequence of Sound.
British house producers Secondcity have premiered a monster of a jam, with their new single I Wanna Feel.
The funky house track, which takes heavy cues and multiple samples from Toni Braxton’s You’re Makin’ Me High, is sure to to take clubs by storm upon its release, though unfortunately we don’t know when that will be.
In the meantime though, hit the play button on the video below:
