I would imagine a lot of people were expecting a big-budget video, with a dramatic story line when contemplating the visuals for arguably one of the most beautiful and heart wrenching ballads of the past year (or more). It would be understandable then if you were a little disappointed when watching Adele’s latest video.
…But under appreciated this video should not be – it’s simplistic film Noir theme and beautiful portrayal of a woman isolated (yet comforted) in her loneliness is the perfect representation of a song that needs nothing more. The genius behind Adele’s song writing means ‘Someone Like You’ vividly paints it’s own picture – an accompanying video is just a bonus. I thought Adele’s performance was graceful and in parts stunning (the part at 01:13 where she looks at the camera – piercing) and found the long one-take at the beginning captivating.
In any case, I wasn’t expecting (or needing) a video for this song, for more reasons than one – but I’m glad we got one that looks like this.
‘The Beekeeper’ is the second single to be lifted from Dessa’s upcoming album Castor, The Twin (Oct 4th). The piano led ballad is mad emo, but beautiful all the same. Looking forward to the new set, her debut long player A Badly Broken Code was fantastic.
Here’s the latest episode in our exclusive ‘Rehearsal Rooms’ series, presented by PinBoardBlog and filmed by our production house PinBoardFilm in collaboration with the world famous Red Bull Studios London.
Shot in Red Bull’s recording studio, these are intimate sessions with some of the most exciting artists and bands we champion.
Some may recall the tectonic shift that began occurring in 2007 and spread to the international ‘alt’ music scene when a new breed of uncategorizable acts emerged from the LA underground (amongst them Flying Lotus, Blu et al).
Fast forward a couple brilliant independent long-players, a couple appetite-wetting EPs and incessant touring/recording later – just when you thought it was all quiet on the western front Miss Jack Davey and Brook D’Leau’s long awaited and perhaps most realised full-length is nearly upon us.
New Designer Drug is set to be released on ILLAV8R in the coming months and to celebrate the New Wave duo flew in from the States to lay down a never-heard-before track, ‘Queen of Wonderland’ – a wild blend of Alternative Rock, Electronica and a myriad of other influences that signal an exciting evolution.
Be frank – few acts in the world today have a sound like J*Davey.
Can’t lie, haven’t really wanted to support one of the original bloggosphere freshman Wale in a hot minute (personal prejudice, met him for a PB interview in ’08 and found him to be a bit of an arsehole – bloggers catch feelings too – especially when we’re the reason your career exists, show respect).
Nonetheless, this cut is smooth – real smooth. I’m getting ‘Big Poppa’ vibes from those electric keys. And Miguel’s croon is clearly out for your panties…
From the forthcoming LP Ambition, to be released in November on Maybach Music after his eyebrow raising move to Ricky Rozay’s faction.
Here goes the first official single from the one we know and love as Star Slinger, featuring another PB favourite – Reggie B. ‘Dumbin”, released exclusively through Green Label Sound, draws from Williams’ House & R&B influences; Influences he then morphed into this tasty number…
“It started with a kiss… Gentle. Simple. Intimate. A kiss introduces the feeling of something rare, shows a level of things shared between two people or can indicate the beginning of the end” – Amber Mimz
’4Head Kiss’ is the beautiful new single from soultress Amber Mimz; The track comes off her Urban Romance Session EP which is available now via iTunes.
Hot off the heels of ’212′, comes ‘Runnin’ – a smashing collaboration with Turbo-Crunk purveyor Lunice.
Armed with Dirty-South grime and click-clack percussion over a refrigerated low-end and a flow reminiscent of Da Brat at her peak, I’m hearing a little of what made femcees exciting in the 90′s. We said in our last post we heard / saw something special in this girl – she’s not letting us down.
These two pop gems just made their way into my inbox. This dudes voice has me tripping! Two very different and contrasting tracks from versatile Londoner Vince Kidd.
‘Taboo’ comes with a very Major Lazeresque vocal stab with Vince’s vocals riding throughout the upbeat glitchy number. Some real nice drops throughout and wouldn’t be out of place amongst some SBTRKT and vocal dance floor heavyweights. The second track ’You and Me’ again see some nice high hat action with Vince’s unique vocals carrying the drums nicely. ‘You and Me’ also features the vocal talents of LDN spitter Kelz. Uplifting number for sure.
Press play below and make sure you keep eyes peeled for upcoming releases from this young man. Dope. Pop. Music.
Massive shout to the Moovmnt crew for putting me on to this one. A new EP from Dutch producer J’83 and singer Joël Gaerthé which you need to press play on! Laid back Hip Hop soul for your nice Summer (?) evening here in the big smoke.
This gem comes from a new 7inch being realised October 10th on the mighty First Word Records imprint. Birthed from humble beginnings in Detroit, MI and homegrown on a diet of Motown, Jazz and early Hip-Hop.
Tall Black Guy has been steadily growing his reputation, culminating in his Water No Enemy track being picked by Gilles Peterson for inclusion in his latest Brownswood Bubblers compilation.
The tracks on this 7″ are collaborations with Chicago-based vocalists The Primeridian, Race and Allegra Dolores. Opener Dance 4 Ever is a low-slung hip hop groover featuring vocal talents of Shev Rock Grant Parks. Really feeling this one!
The music industry sho’ is changing. Brands are fast becoming key players in getting (new) music out into the popular conciousness – newest member to the distribution game is Adult Swim. Yep, that Adult Swim. No room for giggles though, their new album entitled Unclassified features 18 tracks (some new, some old, some previously unreleased) from the likes of SBTRKT, Zomby, Actress, KODE9 & Burial.
I pray to the sonic-Gods that you have access to the type of ear-bleeding outputs this album deserves.
During his show last week Benji B played the exclusive first listen of Actress’ remix of Raw Milk’s ‘Spreo Superbus’. This sh*t blew my mind…
The track starts off mellow (sexy 80′s vibe in tow), but is soon interjected with one of the dirrrrtest sounding basslines, ultimately leading up to a ridiculous explosion of sound – before reverting back to the cool and calm of the intro. This is actually beautiful.
My homegirl sent me this track this morning, she was divided about how she felt about it – she kind of loved it, but didn’t know why. And I have to say after listening to (and watching) it about 20 times – I too have found myself at the same conundrum.
Hailing from Harlem (NYC), 19 year old Azealia Banks has just released a new single called ’212′ – the track features a helplessly infectious club beat (a sample from Lazy Jay’s ‘Float My Boat’) and some entirely different type of lyrics; And for some reason (be it to do with the song itself or her as a character) it actually works. But ‘works’ in a “I-really-thought-I’d-hate-this” type of way. The video is simple and fun and I guess the same can be said about the song itself.
Trawling through her archives on YouTube it became quite clear that Banks definitely has something – take her song ‘L8R’ for instance (that beat is smash). I guess, at the very least, I consider Banks an ‘interesting’ new female emcee – something you don’t see/hear everyday. Plus, I hear a little Queen B influence up in there – never a bad thing. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one.
Would love to hear your thoughts…
Update: YouTube have taken the video down as a result of a copywrite claim. So, I’ve added a stream/download link to the song below…
